Happy Thursday and welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike 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).
Week 15 is beginning and for most that means it’s their first playoff game of the season. Congrats if you are in the Playoffs and if you aren’t we keep playing strong and have fun. Tonight, we get a TNF matchup between the 5-8 Chargers and the home team 5-8 Raiders. Vegas is a 3-point favorite currently over LA with an over/under of 34.5. 1 of these teams should come out on top and get to 6 wins which probably won’t make a difference in their season, but miracles happen and the payoffs seeding could still get crazy. The Chargers have scored just 23 points in their last 3 games while Vegas has scored 33 in their last 3 games. Will we have a snooze fest or a game of wild happenings? My prediction is a 17-16 win for the Raiders.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season and 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.
TNF START/SIT
Chargers @ Raiders
Start – Zamir White – I’m picking Zamir White here since the news of Josh Jacobs playing is in serious doubt although labeled questionable. If Jacobs doesn’t play, then White should get a hefty workload on an offense that stresses returning to the basics an running the ball. He will most likely be splitting some time with Ameer Abdullah, but the 2nd year man White has never had 5 carries in an NFL game. Should be a game where that changes and could potentially help you in fantasy playoffs. Proceed with caution.
Sit – Jalen Guyton – Guyton is in my sit spot for this game. Guyton is pretty low on the food chain if you will, having guys like Palmer, Ekeler, Johnston, Everett, and Parham all usually a higher priority for LA’s QB. Easton Stick will be that guy this week throwing which is a big downgrade from Herbert. Vegas has a solid secondary so it will not be easy to get Guyton to produce. Last week I took Hunter Henry in this spot, and he scored 2 TDs so the reverse curse might be on. I’m not keen on any Chargers not named Ekeler this week without Herbert and Allen.
Welcome back to my Start/Sit Hub. Week 15 started last night in what was a high scoring and shocking game. The 3-point favorites the Raiders won HUGE by a score of 63-21. The over/under hit over twice in the game. Austin Ekeler owners are not happy campers this week and well Chargers fans in general. Embarrassing game for the Chargers which I seem to be saying frequently. Chargers are currently firing people so it’s safe to say their season is not going anywhere progressive. Next week we get a TNF game between the New Orleans Saints and the LA Rams.
This week we have 3 Saturday games to start the weekend so make sure your lineups are set appropriately.
Vikings @ Bengals (SATURDAY)
Start – Joe Mixon – Mixon has been excellent in his last 2 games together as of late and has been a top 6 RB on the entire season in fantasy points for RBs. No Joe Burrow hurts the cause, but Mixon seems to be carrying his weight. Joe has 40 carries for 147 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Mixon has now 3 consecutive games with 44+ receiving yards. He is helping in the pass game and the run game, and if Jake Browning struggles this week, it might be even more work on Mixon’s shoulders.
Sit – Jake Browning – Browning has played well, won his last 2 games, and has looked good doing it. However, he faces a Vikings team that has recently been playing well against opposing QBs. In fact, the Vikings defense has only allowed 12 points total in their last 2 games. I think the Bengals go run heavy in this game. I have Browning outside my top 20 QBs this weekend.
Steelers @ Colts (SATURDAY)
Start – Michael Pittman – Pittman is matchup proof at this point. Doesn’t matter who is throwing to him or where he is playing or who he is playing. He constantly gets targets and makes the most of them. He has only 2 games with under 50 receiving yards this season and he has been on a tear. The stud WR has double digit targets in 4 consecutive games, has reached 90 receiving yards 5 times this season and has 8+ receptions in 10 of his 13 games this season. Pittman is 3rd in the NFL in targets and is 4th in the NFL in receptions. Top 10 WR this week.
Sit – Gardner Minshew – You would think if I started Pittman, I would want to start Minshew too. Well, you’d be wrong this week. Minshew should get Pittman the ball a lot, not worried there, however the Steelers are bound to pressure Minshew a ton and if you look at Gardner’s game log there isn’t a lot to be excited about. He occasionally sneaks a rushing TD in there but that hardly can be counted on. Minshew only has one game this entire season where he accounted for multiple TDs and didn’t throw an INT.
Broncos @ Lions (SATURDAY)
Start – Courtland Sutton – If it isn’t broken then why should we fix it? Sutton has been a machine this season scoring 10 receiving TDs including 7 in his last 8 games. Suttons targets are not very high averaging around 5 per game and around 3 receptions per game in his last 4 games. He may not be in for a ton of volume, but he is more likely to score at this point than he isn’t, and Detroit has recently shown they can be susceptible to WRs.
Sit – Jerry Jeudy – I’m used to putting him in this sit spot very often this season. Jeudy has 1 TD on the season and has just 2 games with 60+ receiving yards which were in week 3 and 7. In the last 4 weeks, Sutton has 12 receptions on 22 targets and Jeudy has 12 receptions on 20 targets. The wild part is even with the same number of receptions and games, Sutton has 130 more receiving yards and scored 3 times compared to Jerry.
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Brock Purdy – Since week 9 BYE week, Purdy and the 49ers have crushed everyone they’ve played by 12+ points including the Eagles, Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Seahawks twice. Purdy has thrown 25 TD passes with 7 INTs, but only 2 INTs since his BYE. The stars are aligning for another massive win. Only concern is a massive blowout, but Purdy should be able to get his stats in.
Bears @ Browns
Start – Justin Fields – Fields has been back for his last 3 games and goes into week 15 on a 2-game winning streak. Fields has been running wild accounting for 221 rushing yards in those last 3 games including a rushing TD. Fields rushing ability alone makes him a QB worth starting, and it appears his confidence is growing. Browns have a stingy defense, but Fields and DJ Moore should be able to break them down some.
Sit – D’Onta Foreman – In Foreman’s last 2 games that he played in (weeks 11 & 14), Foreman played the Lions both times who have a good defense that shuts down RBs. He did score a TD but was held to an average of 32 rushing yards and 11 receiving yards per game in his last 2. Cleveland is another tough test for the RB so to be safe I would take Fields here for the rushing and only play Foreman if you need to.
Buccaneers @ Packers
Start – Rachaad White – White is in a great spot here after a bunch of great performances out of the 2nd year RB. White is coming off a career high 25 carries that resulted in 102 rushing yards which is his 2nd time reaching the century mark in rushing yards in the last 3 games. White is red hot and the Packer’s run defense is not. White also has 20 or more carries in 4 of his last 6 games. Fire White up with confidence.
Sit – Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon – Raise your hand if the Green Bay RBs have hurt you this season. They might not be hurting opponent’s defenses, but they are certainly hurting their fantasy football owners. Aaron Jones has about 2 notable games this season and AJ Dillon has failed to step up as a reliable RB1.
Texans @ Titans
Start – Derrick Henry – King Henry is playing unconscious lately scoring 2 TDs in each of his last 3 games. Yes 6 rushing TDs in 3 games consecutively. Henry might not be the pass catching RB we all hoped he be this season, but I’m not complaining given he has 212 rushing yards in his last 3 games. Feed the king and get rewarded.
Sit – Nico Collins – With CJ Stroud not playing after getting a concussion, the Texans hopes in this game are dwindling. Collins has been great but like many Texans he is injured. No Stroud, no Tank Dell, and Nico is already banged up as well. I would avoid the Texans pass game this week.
Jets @ Dolphins
Start – Raheem Mostert – All Mostert does is score TDs. The talented RB has a total of 5 rushing TDs in his last 3 games and a league leading 16 rushing TDs on the season. He also caught 2 TDs this season. Jets have a way better pass defense than rush defense so Mostert should be in for another great outing.
Sit – Tua Tagovailoa – Tua is coming off a demoralizing comeback win for the Titans over the Dolphins. The only game where Tua didn’t account for a passing TD this season. I think Tua shouldn’t have to do too much to be in a position to win so Tua will hopefully get to relax a little. The current injury to Tyreek Hill makes it very unclear whether he will play in Miami Sunday making options a lot scarcer for Tua.
Chiefs @ Patriots
Start – Patrick Mahomes – I really like Mahomes this week simply due to the fact that he has been struggling and had a meltdown on TV. Chiefs are going to want to win and establish that they are a contender and not to be taken lightly. We know what Mahomes is capable of. Patriots are going to try to contain him and Kelce, but Mahomes has too much against a 3-win team. For what it is worth, Mahomes has played the Patriots 3 times in his career and has averaged over 290 yards passing and has 7 total TD passes.
Sit – Bailey Zappe – Another player most likely not owned in your league, but I feel the need to say sit Zappe. He had 3 passing TDs early last week which was unheard of. If he can do that again to KC, I would be shocked. KC is playing angry at home and will want to beat up on the Pats. Zappe has a 1:1 ratio when it comes to passing TDs and INTs.
Giants @ Saints
Start – Taysom Hill – Taysom missed a week but is supposed to return this week to face the Giants. He has been all over the place for the Saints in the best of ways. From QB sneaks to TE/WR catches, etc. Hill can do it all and more. Alvin Kamara has scored 3 rushing TDs in his last 2 games, but I would not be surprised if Hill took some action away from Kamara.
Sit – Tommy DeVito – Yes, I know he probably isn’t owned in your league and is a terrible streaming option, but that’s why I’m sitting him. 3 wins is great for the young QB, but wins on the actual field don’t translate to wins in the fantasy world. DeVito faces a tough Saints defense in New Orleans so I’m expecting a sloppy game.
Falcons @ Panthers
Start – Bijan Robinson – Bijan is having a solid rookie season, and he gets a nice matchup with the Panthers in this game. The dual threat RB recorded a season high 54 receiving yards in week 14 and also scored a rushing TD. He has 7 total TDs this season and has double digit carries in all but 1 game for the rookie. I expect Atlanta to rush quite a bit if the game flow cooperates.
Sit – Adam Thielen – I’m a big Thielen believer and what he has done with this Panthers team has been pretty amazing. The veteran has 7 games with over 70 receiving yards and 6 games he had double digit targets. The problem here is Bryce Young has been very bad behind center and the Falcons defense should be able to take care of the passing attack or lack of coming from Carolina. Thielen is great but why risk it in the fantasy playoffs?
Commanders @ Rams
Start – Matthew Stafford – Great matchup for Stafford this week getting the dismal Washington defense. Matthew has been on fire throwing TD passes left and right. He has 10 TD passes in his last 3 games alone. Washington has given up anywhere from 29-45 points per game in their last 4 games. Kupp, Nacua, and Atwell should all be good to go and ready. Another game where you should be weary of a blowout.
Sit – Logan Thomas – Matchup looks solid, but Thomas doesn’t. Logan didn’t record a reception in week 13 and had 2 catches for 15 yards in week 12. Logan hasn’t scored since week 8 and 40/50 yards seems like a ceiling for him.
49ers @ Cardinals
Start – Brock Purdy – SEE START OF THE WEEK
Sit – Marquise Brown – I almost went with James Conner here but last time I tried that he ran in 2 TDs and eclipsed 100 rushing yards. I certainly don’t expect much of anything from him going against the elite 49er defense that has been shutting down opponents. But I went with Marquise Brown because he didn’t record a single catch in his last game and has been more unproductive than productive lately. His 12 target 88-yard game in week 12 has been the best game he has had since Early October.
Cowboys @ Bills
Start – Dak Prescott – Dak has to travel to Buffalo? I don’t care he’s still a top play. Dak has been playing unconscious lately throwing TD passes galore without turning the ball over. No INTs in his last 4 games, but in those 4 games he threw for 11 passing TDs. In fact, Dak has thrown 22 passing TDs since his BYE week 7 with just a couple of INTs to come with it. Good luck to Buffalo stopping this force. Dak and Purdy of the 49ers are both playing like MVPs right now.
Sit – James Cook – I am going with Cook here based off the matchup with Dallas. Cook I believe will have trouble rushing the ball, but that could reverse and give him a good number of targets. Cook is coming off an 83-yard receiving game so that would be the best reason to not be worried. I have Cook outside by top 15 RBs so if you don’t have a top 15 RB, don’t get it twisted, start him. His value is slightly decreased this week. We will have to see which Bills team will show up at home.
Ravens @ Jaguars
Start – Zay Flowers – Lamar is in a great position this week to run and throw on Jacksonville. In the last 4 weeks Flowers and OBJ lead the team in pass targets and Zay is top of the team in receptions. Zay has 18 targets in his last 2 games alone, and has scored 3 total TDs in those games, 2 receiving and 1 rushing. Keep feeding this rookie and watch the stats pile up.
Sit – Trevor Lawrence – I believe Lawrence is going to struggle here. Yes, he threw 3 TD passes on Cleveland, but he also threw 3 INTs and Baltimore is another tough defense to throw on. He has already lost Christian Kirk who might have been his most reliable pass catcher, and now he has the challenge of snapping his 2-game losing streak to the only 10-win AFC team.
Eagles @ Seahawks
Start – Jalen Hurts – Hurts struggles against the 49ers but managed to score 2 TDs in week 13, and then had his worst game of the season against Dallas in week 14 not scoring at all. Well although they can’t take Seattle lightly, Hurts is going to want to reestablish his dominance and quiet those who think Eagles fooled people into thinking they’re a good team. Hurts can prove everyone he is the real deal and get a win in Seattle. I am expecting Hurts to do it all in this game.
Sit – Kenneth Walker – Walker returned to football last game but had a lot of trouble. 8 carries he got, and they resulted in just 21 rushing yards. He missed 2 games prior and only had 18 rushing yards in week 11. He has been quiet or nonexistent in fantasy for well over a month and playing the Eagles defensive line isn’t an ideal opponent to get things rolling again. I would avoid the Seahawks running game and focus on the pass game.