:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47645049/usa-today-8883330.0.jpg)
Quarterbacks
Start Em
Blake Bortles, JAC at BAL - Bortles has topped 300 passing yards and 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games. In that span, he has also thrown two or more touchdown passes in each game. He faces a Ravens defense that's allowing 300.8 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks and has yielded 16 passing touchdowns. The Ravens do a good job at stuffing the run, so if the Jags want a shot at winning this game, it'll have to be through the air. With Big Ben out and Philip River, Andrew Luck, and Matt Ryan all on bye this week, it's slim pickings at quarterback. Bortles has a good matchup up and has been playing well. Give him a go.
Other Starts
Eli Manning, NYG vs. NE
Derek Carr, OAK vs. MIN
Andy Dalton, CIN vs. HOU
Cam Newton, CAR at TEN
Sleeper Alert: Kirk Cousins, WAS vs. NO
Sit Em
Jay Cutler, CHI at STL - Cutler has a tough matchup on the road against the Rams defense. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging 236.9 passing yards per game and have thrown just five touchdowns against the Rams. They have only allowed one passing touchdown at home and are allowing the second fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (11.5). Cutler has thrown a pick in two of his last three games and has turned the ball over seven times this season. The Rams will make it difficult for Cutler on Sunday and will likely pressure him often. That could force him to make bad decisions and we all know what that can lead to, turnovers. Unless you have no other option, Cutler is best left on the bench this week.
Other Sits
Russell Wilson, SEA vs. ARI
Marcus Mariota, TEN vs. CAR
Jameis Winston, TB vs. DAL
Tyrod Taylor, BUF at NYJ
Bust Alert: Ryan Tannenhill, MIA at PHI
Running Backs
Start Em
James Starks, GB vs. DET - Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that James Starks was the team's number one back at this time. Starks has scored double digit fantasy points in two of his last three games. He has two touchdowns in that span and has two games with 100+ total yards. This is a good matchup for him as he faces the Lions who are surrendering 109.9 rushing yards per game and have allowed 11 rushing touchdowns to opposing backs. Starks gets the keys to the backfield as Eddie Lacy's struggles continue. The Packers are heavy favorites at home, which is a good sign for Starks as that increases his chance at a potential touchdown. This would be a good week to roll with Starks.
Other Starts
DeAngelo Williams, PIT vs. CLE
DeMarco Murray, PHI vs. MIA
Darren McFadden, DAL at TB
Doug Martin, TB vs. DAL
Sleeper alert: Shane Vereen, NYG vs. NE
Sit Em
Chris Johnson, ARI at SEA - The Seahawks surrender 76.25 rushing yards per game, 3.6 yards per carry, and have only allowed two rushing touchdowns to opposing backs. Johnson has three 100+ rushing yard games in his last four and is receiving a ton of carries, but this Seahawks defense is as stingy as they come. No running back has gained 100 yards rushing on this defense and only one back has scored a touchdown against them. Running backs are averaging 10.5 fantasy points against the Seahawks. While it may be tough for some fantasy owners to sit Chris Johnson, it's unlikely he will be as productive as he's been in recent games. If you have no other choice but to start him, temper your expectations.
Other Sits
T.J. Yeldon, JAC at BAL
Rashad Jennings, NYG vs. NE
Ronnie Hillman, DEN vs. KC
Isaiah Crowell, CLE at PIT
Bust Alert: Jonathan Stewart, CAR at TEN
Wide Receivers
Start Em
Allen Robinson, JAC at BAL - Robinson is quickly becoming a top receiver in the league. A visit to Revis Island last week did not faze him. He caught six passes for 121 yards against the Jets last week and has now topped 100 yards in three of his last for games. He's averaging 10 targets per game and hasn't been targeted fewer than nine times in a game since Week 1. The Ravens have allowed the most receiving touchdowns to opposing receivers (14). They're surrendering 207.9 receiving yards and 14.6 receptions per game, while yielding 14.2 yards per catch. They are also allowing the second most fantasy points per game (29.9) to receivers. Robinson has scored double digit fantasy points in four straight games and has four touchdowns in that span. He's a must start in my book this week.
Other Starts
Brandin Cooks, NO at WAS
Eric Decker, NYJ vs. BUF
Jarvis Landry, MIA at PHI
Amari Cooper, OAK vs. MIN
Sleeper Alert: DeSean Jackson, WAS vs. NO
Sit Em
Jeremy Maclin, KC at DEN - Maclin heads to Denver to take on one of the stingiest secondary's in the league. The Broncos have allowed just one receiver to score a touchdown against them. They're allowing 120.6 receiving yards and just 11.6 yards per game to opposing receivers. Maclin only has nine targets in his last two games played and has failed to score double digit fantasy points in three consecutive games in standard leagues. Earlier in the season when he faced the Broncos he caught four passes for 57 yards, so even in PPR formats he did not score double digit fantasy points. There are much better options than Maclin this week.
Other Sits
Sammy Watkins, BUF at NYJ
Kendall Wright, TEN vs. CAR
Golden Tate, DET at GB
Travis Benjamin, CLE at PIT
Bust Alert: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI vs. SEA
Tight Ends
Start Em
Jordan Reed, WAS vs. NO
Gary Barnidge, CLE at PIT
Delanie Walker, TEN vs. CAR
Sit Em
Julius Thomas, JAC at BAL
Heath Miller, PIT vs. CLE
Jordan Cameron, MIA at PHI
Defense
Start Em
St. Louis Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans
Sit Em