This is championship week for almost all fantasy leagues and you are fortunate enough to be in this position, congratulations. It was certainly a challenge trying to maneuver rosters with all the news and surprising amount inactives because of Covid. Regardless, it all comes down to this week and there are some intriguing matchups in this week’s slate of games to watch out for.
LOVE
Joe Burrow – Burrow has been on fire and is coming off an insane 525 yard, four touchdown game. He’s got a challenge ahead oh him in the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Chiefs give the the 10th most fantasy points to quarterbacks. There’s a good chance for another impressive performance since the Bengals offense has stayed intact and are fighting for a higher seed in the playoffs.
Rashaad Penny – With Chris Carson being out since week four, fantasy owners thought Alex Collins would be the guy taking over, but it’s been Penny the last couple of weeks has carried the load and should continue for the last weeks of the regular season. This next matchup for him is versus the Detroit Lions, that as a defense, gives up 21 points a game to running backs.
Antonio Brown – Brown feels like the guy Tom Brady will have to lean on. Yes, Mike Evans is back from Covid protocol, but Brady brought AB to the team for a reason and historically, doesn’t target Evans as often as he does Brown or Chris Godwin before the injury.
AJ Brown – Brown is back and better than ever. After finally coming back from the ankle injury had a monster 31 point outing last Thursday, and now got extra days rest and will face the Miami Dolphins, a team to ranks towards the bottom in points allowed to wide receivers, with 14 touchdowns given up to them thus far.
Tyler Higbee – Outside of the obvious starts with Mark Andrews or Travis Kelce, I tried to find a player that could `could pop off at tight end this weekend. Higbee has been okay the last few week, but hasn’t scored a touchdown since week 10. The drought could stop with the Los Angeles Rams going up against the Baltimore Ravens, who are sixth worst at giving up fantasy points to the position.
HATE
Matt Ryan – This might be Ryan’s last year in Atlanta and it’s probably not how he wanted to go out. This Bills defense has been a nightmare to play against for opposing quarterbacks and and will surely stop this Falcons offense as they try to move up the the AFC playoffs.
Chuba Hubbard – The Panthers will be playing a Saints team who isn’t its healthiest, but still have a chance of making the playoffs. Their defense has carried them and shut down numerous running backs this season and will have to continue this to keep their hopes alive and shut down Hubbard and the Panthers offense.
Miles Gaskin – Gaskin has been a bust as well for fantasy owners this season as many expected him to break out. He doesn’t have it easy this week playing against a Tennessee Titans defense, that much like the Saints has neutralized running backs and ranks third best in fantasy points allowed at under 13 total points per game.
Terry McLaurin – I would consider this season for McLaurin kind of disappointing. He’s had bad quarterback play, but Antonio Gibson hasn’t eaten up his targets and Logan Thomas has been out for a while and yet he hasn’t scored since week 11. I can’t see this being a bounce back game for him with this being a big game for the Eagles and Darius Slay having a great year at cornerback.
Dalton Schultz – Schultz has had great games for tight ends the last couple of weeks, each scored over 20 fantasy points. Unless you’re an elite tight end in an offense that has limited option, I don’t expect that type of production to continue and the Cowboys have an artillery of weapons across the board. Not to mention the Cardinals, who have struggled as a team as of late, still only allow under four point on average to tight ends.