Happy week 15 or should I say happy Playoffs? Hopefully you’re happy and in the playoffs but we can’t always control our destiny as bad as we want to in fantasy. Things happen out of our control but all we can do is put ourselves in the best position to win. Always keep grinding and play smart. Stay informed and be strategic. You made it to Friday so welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard). You can tweet me or message me with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
Last night we got the TNF matchup between the red hot 9-4 49ers and the slumping 7-6 Seahawks. The game was in Seattle with the 49ers favored by 3.5. SF covered with a 21-13 win in a game that didn’t feel like it should have been a 1 score game. 49ers defense is scary good and the rookie QB Purdy is looking like a golden ticket right now. Seahawks struggled to contain CMC and Kittle who accounted for all 3 of the 49er’s TDs. The Seahawks move onto KC next week in what is sure to hopefully be a high scoring game. The 49ers get Washington next and should feel okay about that. If Washington beats the Giants Sunday night, we will have the 49ers who are on a 7-game win streak facing the Commanders who have lost just 1 of their last 8 games. Next week’s TNF game is between the Jaguars and the Jets.
The week 15 games I’m most interested in and will follow most closely are the Dolphins/Bills, the Lions/Jets, and the Titans/Chargers.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season including playoffs with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
**THIS WEEK WE HAVE 3 SATURDAY GAMES AND 11 SUNDAY GAMES**
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Miles Sanders – Sanders had a career game in the dismantling of the Giants last weekend. He finished with 144 rushing yards which is 1 more yard than he had in week 12. That’s 2 of his last 3 games with over 140 rushing yards. He has also scored 5 rushing TDs in those last 3 games. Only Nick Chubb and Jamaal Williams have more rushing TDs this season and Miles currently sits at the 5th most rushing yards by any NFL player this season. The Bear’s defense isn’t exactly a threat to Sanders this week. Chicago has allowed 14 rushing TDs to RBs this season. Only fear is a blowout that results in starters getting pulled early.
Colts @ Vikings (SATURDAY)
Start – TJ Hockenson – Hockenson has been steadily producing for the Vikings ever since his midseason departure from Detroit. TJ has 6+ targets in his last 6 games and has 4+ catches in each of those. The Vikings take on the Colts Saturday who are average at defending TEs this season. Although they have been great against opposing WRs, that could mean Jefferson and Thielen should be getting a lot of attention leaving Hockenson as a safe pass catcher to target often. TJ is coming off a 6 receptions performance that led to 77 receiving yards.
Sit – Alec Pierce – Alec Pierce is a talented rookie that has shown spurts of greatness and even has a solid matchup with the Vikings secondary on Saturday. The reason he is in my sit spot is because of his inconsistency and the lack of scoring by the Colts. The Colts have scored under 20 points in 6 of their last 7 games. Pierce is coming off a BYE week that followed his best game of the season. Colts are a run heavy offense with JT in the backfield who has been carrying 20+ times in each of his last 4 games. I like Michael Pittman over Pierce this week and Alec will also be lobbying for targets with Parris Campbell. Proceed with caution.
Ravens @ Browns (SATURDAY)
Start – JK Dobbins – Welcome back Mr. Dobbins. JK returned from IR in style posting season highs in carries and rushing yards. He finished with 15 rushing attempts and 120 rushing yards with a rushing TD. The Browns rush defense has allowed opposing RBs to score 14 TDs this season on the ground and an addition 3 scores via pass. Dobbins is always a health risk, but the matchup is solid and his performance last week is very encouraging, especially with the uncertainty of Lamar Jackson.
Sit – Kareem Hunt – Hunt is back in the sit spot this week. The Ravens have allowed 1 rushing TD to RBs since week 8 concluded. It is now week 15. Hunt scored against the Ravens in week 7 but seems he was lucky when he only rushed 5 times for just 4 yards. Nick Chubb ran for 91 yards and a TD the last time they played so if anyone can go off at RB against the Ravens it’s going to be Chubb. The Raven’s defense has also not allowed a RB to reach 100 rushing yards, in fact only 4 RBs reached 70+ rushing yards.
Dolphins @ Bills (SATURDAY)
Start – Dawson Knox – There are a bunch of options on the Bills that could be in this start spot but I’m taking the chance with Knox. The Lion’s defense has struggled defending TEs this season. Knox had 4 receptions for 25 yards in their first meeting, so I like him to improve on that this time around. Knox caught 4 of his 7 targets last game resulting in 41 yards and a TD. This game could be low scoring so hopefully Josh Allen will look for his big target come red zone opportunities.
Sit – Jeff Wilson Jr – Buffalo’s defense is no joke as we all know. Wilson might know or might not but I’m sure he will find out this weekend. Jeff hurt his hip recently so he might not even be an option if they announce he is OUT prior to the game. In or out he is going to be sitting for me. Just 5 carries combined in his last 2 games for a total of 29 rushing yards and no receptions on 2 targets. Raheem Mostert is the RB you want if you have the option in my opinion, but I don’t like Dolphins RBs to produce this week in general.
Eagles @ Bears
Start – Miles Sanders – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Chase Claypool – Not exactly a shocker here putting Claypool in my sit spot. The Eagle’s defense has been very good and especially at the corner back position. Darius Slay and James Bradberry should blanket the Bears receivers and Justin Fields will need to scramble or get the ball out quick. Claypool seems to not be in sync with Chicago’s plays just yet and even without Darnell Mooney to target I still wouldn’t play Chase. If you are going to start an offensive Bear it’s going to be Justin Fields and David Montgomery. Montgomery could get bottled up and the Eagles could jump to a lead. Justin Fields is the most promising Bear this week and that’s only if he can run for his life which he has proven he is perfectly capable of.
Falcons @ Saints
Start – Chris Olave – Olave has a good matchup here. Both teams are a bit below.500 yet somehow either of them could still win the division. Saints get the home crowd and Andy Dalton will have his favorite target to throw to. Olave is an offensive rookie of the year candidate who leads the team in targets almost every week. He has 30 more targets than next best Kamara for the Saints the entire season. He only had 3 receptions for 41 yards in his rookie debut against the Falcons in week 1 but he just keeps getting better and should build heavily on those numbers.
Sit – Drake London – It pains me to put a WR in a sit spot after they were targeted 12 times in their last game. The Saints defense can be hit or miss but with a divisional win on the line I believe they can hold their ground against a 4-win team starting a rookie QB. Rookie QBs can be terrible or great, but Desmond Ridder will be rushed and I’m sure the Saints are aware of London being their best pass catcher to target. Oh, Marshon Lattimore might be back so there’s that too.
Lions @ Jets
Start – Garrett Wilson – Wilson the 1st round draft pick has come to life in the 2nd half of the season and has helped the Jets get to a winning record. Since week 8 Wilson has 5+ targets and 78+ yards in 5 out of 6 games. He has hit triple digit receiving yards in 3 games this season. Lions allow a lot of WR points this season and after posting 92 yards and 78 yards on the Buffalo defense this season, I don’t think he’s too worried. Justin Jefferson absolutely lit up Detroit for 223 yards last week while KJ Osborn and Adam Thielen combined for 103 yards and 2 TDs.
Sit – Jamaal Williams – Never ideal to suggest you sit the NFL leader in rushing TDs, especially in the opening week of fantasy playoffs. But here we are. Williams has 72 rushing yards in his last 2 games combined and hasn’t hit 70 rushing yards in his last 5 games. He is becoming TD dependent which can be scary, especially with D’Andre Swift seemingly healthy and not on injury reports. Williams might have gotten you to the playoffs but Swift might be the RB to have in order to win that championship. Don’t sleep on the Jets defense.
Steelers @ Panthers
Start – Najee Harris – 2 teams with a 5-8 record go head-to-head in Carolina Sunday. In order for the Steelers to take control of this game you already know Mike Tomlin will pound the rock as much as possible. The Carolina defense has surrendered a total of 13 TDs to opposing RBs. Harris might be the Steelers best offensive player so expect him to be leaned on heavily Sunday. Not a lot of fantasy appeal in this game on either side.
Sit – Chuba Hubbard – Hubbard has carried the ball 31 times in his last 2 games for 139 yards and a TD. D’Onta Foreman has 45 carries in his last 2 games for 187 yards. Hubbard has been getting good opportunities and cashing on them, but Foreman is clearly getting more chances and also cashing in on them. It’s almost like the Cowboys RB situation at the moment but 2 very different teams. I would start Foreman and sit Hubbard this week although both have streaming potential.
Cowboys @ Jaguars
Start – Zay Jones – Jones has been targeted 7+ times in 4 consecutive games with 3 of those games resulting in 8+ receptions. The Cowboys are averaging 35 points in their last 7 games so jumping to a lead is certainty a strong possibility even though they narrowly escaped the 1-win Texans. If the Cowboys continue to score it will be a pass fest for Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has 300+ passing yards and 3 passing TDs in 2 of his last 3 games so we know he can sling it and Jones has been a big beneficiary of his pass heavy gameplay. Jones, Kirk, and Engram are all in play this week.
Sit – Travis Etienne – It’s hard to put Etienne on the bench this week, especially in fantasy playoffs. He is a top 25 RB this week but hopefully you have 2 or more better off options. Etienne has a bad matchup with Dallas who has shut down RBs all season. Cowboys have allowed just 6 RB rushing TDs all season and no RB receiving TDs. Travis is also having a tough month or so statistically. Since week 9 when Etienne was on a hot streak, he went cold. In the last 4 games Etienne has combined stats of 43 carries for 134 rushing yards. That is an average of 3.11 rushing yards per attempt. Not going to cut it in fantasy. He will have a tough task against the Cowboys who are trying to keep up with the Eagles in the NFC East.
Chiefs @ Texans
Start – Isiah Pacheco – Pacheco gets a juicy matchup facing the worst rush defense in the league in the Houston Texans. Pacheco has 66+ rushing yards in 5 consecutive games with at least 13 carries in each game. He isn’t a big threat in the pass game due to Jerick McKinnon’s success in that department, but when he gets targeted (9 targets all season), he caught all 9 of those. Mahomes should get the Chiefs to a first half lead and my only worry is they will take out starters early. I expect a lot of rushing from KC, especially in the 2nd half. Pacheco and McKinnon are both great plays this weekend, but Pacheco should get the bulk of carries.
Sit – Marquez Valdes-Scantling – MVS is usually hit or miss. Picking him to miss this week. Houston defense has given up a ton of fantasy points to RBs but seem to hold their own against WRs. I think if MVS is going to produce it has got to be early. I can see this game being over midway through the 3rd quarter and backups are getting ready to come in and most plays will be handoffs. Or can Houston somehow hang around like they did against the Cowboys? Even in a closer game I don’t like MVS since he has to compete with Kelce and Juju.
Cardinals @ Broncos
Start – Latavius Murray – Murray is seemingly 1 of 2 RBs still standing for the Broncos. He and Marlon Mack should be getting all the RB work this week against the Cardinals. Just last game the Cardinals allowed a rushing TD to 2 rookie RBs on the Patriots. The game before that Ekeler reached 80 total yards and a TD, and the game before Ekeler had CMC gain 106 total yards. The Arizona defense id definitely suspect so Murray should get a good chance to continue to expose them.
Sit – Marquise Brown – Hollywood Brown is a deep threat any given play. He even had 8 targets in each of his 2 games since returning from injury. The problem here is the matchup and the QB situation. Bronco’s defense is good, especially against opposing WRs allowing 7 TDs on the entire season. With Colt McCoy behind center after the unfortunate Kyler Murray injury, the deep threat of Brown takes a little hit as Murray was the better threat to throw a bomb. Colt McCoy can certainly throw but he doesn’t take many shots down field for explosive plays. DeAndre Hopkins is a much safer WR start this week.
Patriots @ Raiders
Start – Darren Waller – Call me crazy but I like Waller this week. He is returned from IR and should be ready and able to play Sunday. The Raiders are sure to stick to their rushing gameplan but depending on the way the game goes early on will determine if Waller will get targets or not. The Patriots are average defending TEs this season giving up 8 TE scores this season. Carr still will target Adams a ton and Mack Hollins seems to be getting a lot of looks this season as well. Waller will have to play hard and get Carr’s attention like he used to when he was a target hound.
Sit – Derek Carr – Carr is not playing his best football and Vegas has committed to Josh Jacobs and the run game. If that weren’t enough, he has to face the Patriots Sunday who don’t let QBs go off against them. The Patriots have 4 games not allowing a QB passing TD and 8 out of 13 games QBs had only 1 passing TD at most. You can try to scramble against the Patriots, but Carr can’t scramble much if at all. The Patriot’s defense has allowed 17 passing TDs all season and have 13 INTS as well. I don’t like Carr’s chances in this battle that will most likely be won on the ground.
Titans @ Chargers
Start – Mike Williams – Welcome back Mike. Healthy Williams is electric, and it showed last game when he caught all 6 of his targets for 116 yards and a score. Williams has technically played in 9 games this season and out of those 9 he has triple digit receiving yards and/or a TD in all but 3. Justin Herbert is looking great and with a healthy pass catching arsenal he should be throwing a lot and Williams is sure to get his. Keenan Allen is also a stud play this week. The Titan’s defense has allowed at least 1 TD to opposing WRs in every game since week 8. In fact, only the Colts and Texans couldn’t score against Tennessee by way of a WR reception.
Sit – Titans DST – The Titans are 3-point dogs in LA this weekend, and I think that is pretty generous. I’m sure the Titans could win and play well but I like the Chargers to put up points. Chargers are middle of the pack in the NFL averaging about 23 points per game. Now they have a healthy offense while the Titans have lost 3 in a row and gave up 36 points to the Jags last week and 36 the week prior against the Eagles. Titans will have to prove they can get back on track, but it will be difficult in LA who are on the cusp of a playoff spot.
Bengals @ Buccaneers
Start – Ja’Marr Chase – I know what a shocking start pick. I just had to write about how much I like him this week. Chase is WR1 on Burrows offense and he hasn’t skipped a beat since returning from injury. Chase looked human in his first game back, yet he still wound up with 97 receiving yards. Then he gets to play the Browns and receives 15 targets converting 10 of them into 119 receiving yards and a TD. This week he gets a decent Bucs defense but the momentum for each team might be too powerful. The Bucs have only allowed 1 triple digit receiver and that was Cooper Kupp. Since both Boyd and Higgins are banged up, Ja’Marr might just get 15 targets again. Even with the defense knowing he will be targeted heavily I like his chances to go off.
Sit – Mike Evans – Evans has seemingly been average at best since the end of October. Since November began, he has not hit 60 receiving yards. He also hasn’t scored since week 4. Brady clearly like Godwin better on the field and it shows. Evans has 30+ receiving yards in every game but he has more games with under 70 yards receiving than he does with 70+ receiving yards. Cincinnati has been a top 5 defensive team against opposing WRs in fantasy this season, so this won’t be a walk in the park. Especially given the different directions these 2 teams seem to be moving toward.
Giants @ Commanders
Start – Terry McLaurin – Terry gets to take on the Giants for a 2nd time in 3 weeks. The first game finished with a tie so hopefully this time we get a winner. Scary Terry put up big numbers in that game just 2 weeks ago finishing with 105 receiving yards catching 8 of his 12 targets. He also scored his 3rd TD of the season. McLaurin has been playing well with any QB you throw at him as he now has 4 tripe digit receiving games on the year including 3 of his last 6 games. The Giants have allowed 4 different WRs to score a TD each in their last 2 games. Washington gets to play at home this time around and for what it’s worth 3 of Terrys 4 100+ receiving yard games were against NFC East opponents (Eagles, Eagles, Giants).
Sit – Antonio Gibson – Sitting Gibson here because he is splitting time with Robinson who has looked very good. Both of them are questionable right now for Sunday’s game. If one of them sits then the other will be a big upgrade. Assuming they both start I’m sitting Gibson who just played the Giants and recorded 59 total yards. Robinson had 111 yards in comparison. The rookie looks like their future RB, and they will want to keep him involved a lot, even in the passing game. Gibson has not rushed for 45 yards in 5 of his last 6 games.