Each week there are some obvious starts and sits in fantasy football. Other decisions are not quite so simple. With that in mind, I offer up some not-so-obvious picks with my weekly Studs, Duds & Sleepers. Here are this week’s picks.
STUDS
QB: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) vs. GB: The Packers’ season-long numbers vs. fantasy quarterbacks looks solid, but before their matchup vs. Baker Mayfield on MNF, four straight quarterbacks scored 24+ FP vs. them. Add in temps in the 50’s with light wind and the elements add even more intrigue to Tua’s upside.
RB: Josh Jacobs (LV) at PIT: Christmas Eve is going to bring some frigid conditions to Pittsburgh and that should lead to an extremely heavy dose of Jacobs. There have been 10 running backs to hit double-digit PPR points vs. the Steelers, including 18+ to three RB’s since Week 11. Jacobs should easily get there as Santa comes early for his managers.
WR: Chris Godwin (TB) at ARI: Consistency is key and Godwin has been a model consistency since his return earlier in the season and definitely has become the target leader for the Bucs. He’s had 8+ targets in nine straight games and despite his bye week he ranks as WR12 in PPR since Week 11.
TE: Dallas Goedert (PHI) at DAL: Welcome back Dallas! Tight end being what has been there will be no hesitation for me inserting the Eagle back into any of my lineups. He should provide a nice safety net for Gardner Minshew, who is likely to start with Jalen Hurts dealing with a shoulder issue.
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Get ready for this week’s NFL action with James Adams & Skeeter Robinson…
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DUDS
QB: DeShaun Watson (CLE) vs. NO: Fantasy managers that were banking on DeShaun Watson for the fantasy playoff stretch run are likely no longer in the playoffs. Watson has been downright miserable in his three starts with QB30, QB12 and QB24 finishes. Outside of two QB setups he should be benched in all formats. The frigid conditions are the icing on the cake.
RB: Antonio Gibson (WAS) at SF: Gibson has failed to hit double-digit PPR points in four of his last six games and no team has allowed fewer fantasy points than the 49ers. He’s tough to even consider as a flex on Christmas weekend.
WR: Gabe Davis (BUF) at CHI: The Bills’ wideout has failed to hit 60 receiving yards in six of his last eight contests, and he has only two trips to the endzone over that stretch. Six wideouts have scored 11+ PPR points vs. the Bears since Week 12, but Davis is too boom or bust to be trusted with the stakes so high in a game oddsmakers expect Buffalo to be playing from a lead in.
TE: Tyler Higbee (LAR) vs. DEN: That touchdown vs. the Packers put Higbee back on the tight end radar, but I cannot trust rolling him out vs. the Broncos, who haven’t allowed a tight end to score since Week 8.
SLEEPERS
QB: Daniel Jones (NYG) at MIN: It was pretty brutal last week vs. Washington, but playing indoors vs. the Vikings’ defense should provide a very nice bounce-back opportunity for Jones.
RB: Zack Moss (IND) vs. LAC: With Taylor injured, Moss should become the primary backfield option and gets to face off vs. a Chargers’ defense that has ceded the fourth-most fantasy points on the season.
WR: George Pickens (PIT) vs. OAK: Kenny Pickett being back will help Pickens’ value and a matchup with the Raiders is enough for him to be a WR3/Flex option.
TE: Taysom Hill (NO) at CLE: This is a hunch play more than anything, but given the wacky weather forecast I expect Hill to be a big part of the Saints’ game plan and that ceiling is hard to argue against.
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