The following is an excerpt from the latest edition of Yahoo’s fantasy football newsletter, Get to the Points! If you like what you see, you can register for free here.
The opening questions can be anxiety-inducing, even for the best fantasy managers. Here’s a traffic light report to help you prepare for Championship Week.
✅ Green light
Quarterback Jared Goff to the 49ers
Everything has gone perfectly according to Goff’s fantasy value in recent weeks – Detroit’s defense has collapsed and the offense no longer has David Montgomery to gobble up hits and touchdowns. Goff’s stats over the past three weeks are almost too good to be true: 11 touchdown passes, 1,113 passing yards, 132 attempts. Pinball scoring is likely when the Lions and Niners play Monday, so get your popcorn ready.
TE Chig Okonkwo at Jaguars
He’s been a target hog since Mason Rudolph took over, with 17 catches and 21 targets over the past two weeks. The Jaguars don’t defend much, including tight end; they are the seventh best match for the position. Sometimes it takes a while for tight ends to figure things out; that’s what Okonkwo appears to be doing at the end of his third season.
WR Jalen McMillan vs. Panthers
He’s the No. 2 receiving option for an offense we have confidence in, and this game has a juicy 48.5 total. McMillan has four touchdowns in his last three games and narrowly missed a long score late in the loss to Dallas. Baker Mayfield will ensure the rookie gets multiple opportunities on the field.
WR Deebo Samuel Sr. vs. Lions
If you missed your fantasy playoffs, it’s possible that Samuel was one of the main reasons – he did little for two months in the middle of the year. But Samuel was back in action in Miami last week (12 touches, 121 yards from scrimmage, touchdown) and Detroit’s defense is the most injury-riddled unit in the league. Points will be scored here, and Samuel will also be needed as a substitute runner.
WR Davante Adams to Bills
The restart from Aaron Rodgers to Adams took a while to come together, but here we are now – Adams has double-digit targets in 6 of 7 games and five touchdowns in the last four starts. You can understand why Garrett Wilson is considering a trade – Adams has essentially sidelined him. Buffalo’s slot coverage has been an issue all season, and that’s where Adams earns his keep.
WR Jordan Addison vs. Packers
Obviously Justin Jefferson is the alpha in this receiving room, but also make room for Addison – he’s the WR6 with a half-point PPR rating over the last six weeks. With Sam Darnold in great shape and head coach Kevin O’Connell making big plays, Addison is a confident start against anyone. Green Bay’s pass defense has been excellent, but the offenses control the results more than the defenses. I’m not sitting Addison anywhere.
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🫤 Yellow light
RB Jerome Ford vs. Dolphins
Another Dorian Thompson-Robinson start is a loss for Cleveland’s passing game (can’t start Jerry Jeudy), but DTR’s struggles didn’t hold Ford back last week — Ford still passed for 131 yards overall and a touchdown against Cincinnati. Look for 15-20 touches from Ford regardless of the Miami game scenario; he is a capable runner and receiver.
RB Tyjae Spears at Jaguars
He’ll likely have to split with Tony Pollard again, but Spears is carving out a spot on the goal line, throwing up four touchdowns over the past two weeks. He also had double-digit touches in both of those games, which is often the tipping point where a bench player becomes a viable flex option.
QB Bryce Young at Buccaneers
He’s added a running component to his game of late, with touchdowns in two straight starts and 68 yards in Arizona’s season-ending upset win. The Buccaneers are also the No. 3 matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Young’s uneven career thus far has kept him from being included in the green section, but he is a viable streamer for those playing in deeper pools or two-quarterback leagues.
RB Ameer Abdullah at the Saints
I understand it’s hard to trust the Raiders’ offense on a week-to-week basis, but Abdullah has a passing role and he was surprisingly handy as a place runner against Jacksonville. And you definitely want to start running against a New Orleans team that has slumped in recent weeks.
QB Drake Maye vs. Chargers
He’s been in the 18-20 point range in four of his last five starts, showing star quality despite a collection of ordinary talent around him. Maye’s athleticism and slick running give him a great backboard, similar to what we saw in Bo Nix earlier this year. Imagine what Maye can do in the coming seasons if the Patriots fix the offensive line and draft at least one playmaker downfield. I’m not afraid to use him in a pinch against the Chargers.
🛑 Red light
QB Jordan Love at Vikings
Understand that Minnesota’s secondary is vulnerable – the Vikings love to blitz, but it often allows for big plays down the field. But the Packers have redefined themselves since the bye week, going 5-1 and throwing just 143 passes in that span (23.8 per week). Love doesn’t offer much as a rusher and his passing volume could have a reasonable ceiling unless the Vikings take a significant lead early. I’d rather bet on someone with a more plausible ceiling.
Quarterback Kyler Murray to the Rams
It was fun to see Murray getting back to his old ways last week after several weeks of limited run, but remember, the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs after losing that game to Carolina. Murray also works behind a patchwork offensive line that won’t have any of his starting tackles. With nothing to play for and missing key teammates, I don’t want Murray in my championship lineup.
WR Amari Cooper vs. Jets
The usage here makes no sense — Cooper absorbed 14 targets in the pinball game against the Rams in Week 14, but he’s only had two looks since (and one ridiculous catch). The Bills prefer a rotation with their receiver room, and if you have to rely on one of their pass catchers, Khalil Shakir is the right answer. I would have no problem dropping Cooper in any format, even if my opponent had a chance to add him before Sunday.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Chargers
New England’s offensive line can’t be trusted and Stevenson has to share the job with Antonio Gibson – not to mention the 20-40 yards Drake Maye will likely run. Stevenson has only been the RB31 since Week 10 – not a fantasy automatic starter. He also has a persistent fumbling problem.
Denver backfield vs. Bengals
It’s not a killer blow when two backs share the work for an attack, but when you see three, it’s time to run. Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) is expected back this week, which means Sean Payton has three cards to play with his running back rotation. Cincinnati is a good matchup, but there’s no discernible pattern in its usage here.
TE Brenton Strange vs. Titans
He was a reasonable play last week after 11 catches in Week 15, but a drop and fumble led to a benching in the fourth quarter, and he’s not 100% healthy either. . The electric Brian Thomas Jr. is the obvious target of this attack; If I have to look deeper, I would prefer WR Parker Washington over Strange.
