START THEM!
- Raheem Mostert vs ATL. In his last two games, Mostert has dominated the RB snaps in San Francisco. Piling together 60% and 74% of the total snaps. After making good use of his work, Kyle Shannahan stayed that Mostert has “forced his hand” to give him an even bigger workload. So with Mostert slated for an even bigger role against the Falcons, he makes for a RB2 with RB1 upside this week..
- Patrick Laird @ NYG. Laird has seen a slight increase in his workload each of the last three weeks, and with Kalen Ballage on IR Laird was able to accumulate 82% of the offensive snaps last week. Laird has also seen five or more targets in 3 of his last 4 week, giving him a relatively safe floor in PPR Leagues. Now let’s add in that Laird actually has a chance at a positive game script against the Giants, which gives him a chance to build off his career high 15 carry game last week..
- A.J. Brown vs HOU. Since Ryan Tannehill became the starting QB for the Tennessee Titans, Brown has averaged 14.4 PPG (PPR). He also leads the team with targets and has scored 20+ points in 2 of his last 3 games. He now faces a Houston Texans defense that has given up the 6th Most Passing Yards per game with a red hot Ryan Tannehill..
- Tyler Higbee @ DAL. Higbee in his last two games with Gerald Everett out has put together a stat line of at least 7 Catches for over 100 Yards. That alone is a 17 Point floor over the last two games. Everett is now out yet again, which means Higbee is up for another good outing against a broken down Dallas Cowboys team..
OTHER STARTS
- Ryan Tannehill vs HOU
- Darius Slayton vs MIA
- Dede Westbrook @ OAK
- Justin Watson @ DET (Sleeper)
- DeAndre Washington vs JAX (Sleeper)
- Ian Thomas vs SEA (Sleeper)
SIT THEM!
- T.Y. Hilton @ NO. We all saw what Hilton in his first game back from injury last time, and in the semi finals that’s not the type of player you want to trust starting in your lineup. Especially when it’s against Marshon Lattimore and you don’t have the luxury of Andrew Luck throwing to you.
- Matt Ryan @ SF. Matt Ryan is truly living up to the “every over year” montra and is on pace for yet another off year. He’s now going on the road from east coast to west coast to take on the best team (and defense) in the NFC. Now I will say, the 49ers did lose some key defensive players so there is that chance Ryan does good enough to get you through the week, but his upside is still capped and if there are better options out there I gravitate away from Ryan if you can afford too.
- Carlos Hyde @ TEN. From all the data we have gathered over the course of the year, the one thing that remained true is that both Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson are match specific plays at best. Hyde will see his 15+ Touches but you are hoping for a rushing TD (that isn’t vultured by Watson) or for him to hit that 100 Yard rushing mark. He hasn’t seen much work at all in the passing game and Tennessee has a tough run defense..
- Tyler Boyd vs NE. This is another “sit if you can because it’s the playoffs”. With Auden Tate and A.J. Green out, there’s a good chance Boyd sees coverage from Gilmore. Yes I know John Ross has returned but the Patriots will likely assign safety help to make sure he doesn’t pop off a huge play. If you can afford to bench Boyd, I would do it. He’s put up dud games before in easier matchups and it’s win or your season is over..
OTHER SITS
- LeSean McCoy vs DEN
- Marlon Mack @ NO
- Golden Tate vs MIA
- James Conner vs BUF
- Josh Jacobs vs JAX (Lower Expectations)*