After some harsh winter weather wreaked havoc on the NFL and fantasy managers last week, this week there’s a new scourge to worry about: Coaches resting players.
While scheduling your fantasy final for the penultimate week of the season is an infinitely better option than having the most important fantasy matchup of the season taking place with backups and practice squanders starring in Week 18, this year it seems like that trend has come early.
A few teams have nothing to play for this week – namely the Titans and Jaguars – so you have to question the motivation level of the players and coaching staff with bigger things looming.
We already saw it on Thursday night, when the Titans started their third-string QB, Joshua Dobbs – who was claimed off Cleveland’s practice squad last week – and rested several key players, including superstar running back Derrick Henry, much to fantasy managers’ chagrin.
While Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has said that his team won’t hold back against the Texans, you have to be at least a little bit weary if you’re planning to start the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Zay Jones or Evan Engram. It’s a risk that you’re going to have to be willing to take.
It’s not ideal, but sometimes you have to turn lemons into lemonade.
AS THE QBS TURN
We already saw one QB change with Dobbs starting over Malik Willis on Thursday night and we’re in for a few more this week.
The situation with the biggest fantasy impact is in Miami, where Tua Tagovailoa is back in concussion protocol. Considering this is likely his third traumatic brain injury of the season, we’re unsure if/when he’ll be able to return to the field.
Teddy Bridgewater will get the start against the Patriots, which isn’t terrible news for managers starting Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this week, as Bridgewater performed well when he saw the field earlier this season.
• In Philadelphia, the big question is whether or not Jalen Hurts will play this week and we’re not going to have any answers until Sunday morning it seems. Hurts took part in practice and did well according to coach Nick Sirianni, but Eagles beat writers noted that Gardner Minshew took the majority of snaps this week. Whichever QB plays will be startable in fantasy – Minshew held his own against the Cowboys last week – it’s just a matter of which one it will be.
• Derek Carr has been parked by the Raiders and will be away from the team for the final two games of the season. That gives Jarrett Stidham a two-game audition in Las Vegas, which is a downgrade for any of the team’s weapons in the passing game. Considering Davante Adams has just six catches for 43 yards over the past two games, we actually wouldn’t blame you if you considered benching him against the vaunted 49ers defence.
• The Cardinals apparently weren’t all too impressed with Trace McSorley nearly beating Tom Brady and the Bucs in his first career start last week. With Colt McCoy still suffering from concussion symptoms, it will be David Blough under centre instead of McSorley. With DeAndre Hopkins also leaving practice on Friday with a knee injury, the only Arizona player we’d consider starting now is James Conner.
• Finally, we have the return of Mike White. The Jets’ most productive QB returns after missing two games with a rib injury and his WRs, especially Garrett Wilson, should be thrilled. White is a solid starting option against the Seahawks; 28th-ranked defence.
FAST STATS
With two rushing TDs on Monday night, Austin Ekeler became the second player in NFL history to have consecutive seasons with 10+ rushing TDs and five receiving TDs. The other was Marshall Faulk in 2000-01 … Brock Purdy has as many TD passes of 25+ yards this season as Patrick Mahomes with six … Cam Akers had a pre-season ADP in the fourth round, then was RB67 overall from Weeks 1-12. In Weeks 13-16, he has been RB4 overall … Justin Jefferson needs 209 yards over the final two games to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season record of 1,964.
SIT/START
Start Brock Purdy, QB, SF at LV
Has thrown two TDs in each of his past four games and faces a Raiders team already looking towards next year.
Sit Deshaun Watson, QB, CLE at WAS
Has topped 13 fantasy points just once since returning from his sexual misconduct suspension.
Start Cam Akers, RB, LAR at LAC
Has scored six touchdowns over his past four games and hit 100 yards for the first time this year last week.
Sit Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA at NE
Saw his carries split in half with Jeff Wilson Jr. back and faces a tough Patriots run defence.
Start Zonovan Knight, RB, NYJ at SEA
Seattle’s atrocious run defence should be enough to get Bam back on track after two poor weeks.
Sit Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND at NYG
There is not a lot to like in the Colts passing game with Nick Foles under centre.
Start DJ Chark, WR, DET vs. CHI
Has failed to reach 90 yards just once in his past four games and that was against the Jets.
STAT CORNER
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson now has 24 career 100-yard receiving games, which is the most of any NFL player through their first four seasons – but Jefferson is still in his third season.
ADD OF THE WEEK
Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL
The Falcons rookie played his most snaps of the season in Week 16 and has taken the lead role in the Atlanta backfield with 18 carries to Cordarrelle Patterson’s eight.
DROP OF THE WEEK
Deon Jackson, RB, IND
Didn’t get a single carry in Indy’s first game after Jonathan Taylor went on the IR, while Zack Moss got almost all the work, picking up 13 touches to Jackson’s three.
WAIVER WIRE DEFENCE
New York Giants DEF
The Indianapolis Colts seem intent to play out the season with an overmatch Nick Foles under centre and that’s good news for opposing defences. He was sacked seven times on Monday and through three INTs.
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