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Run CMC is back in California and is now a 49er. If he plays, do we start him in fantasy football? Dak is back, is he a start? There are more big-time names on BYE; no Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Justin Jefferson, or Dalvin Cook.
Rookie running backs are continuing to shine, while young receivers continue to strive for consistency. With top guys out, you may have to rely on some unproven or inconsistent guys. Let’s help you make the right fantasy football choices.
QB
Start
Joe Burrow v ATL
Burrow threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Saints; expect more of the same against Atlanta.
Justin Herbert v SEA
Herbert is coming off a game with no touchdowns. I’m sure he’s looking to make up for that.
Aaron Rodgers v WSH
Rodgers and the offense haven’t looked good, but it’s the Commanders, so why wouldn’t it turn around against them?
Tom Brady v CAR
A lot was said about Brady this week, and I’m sure he heard all of it. I expect Brady to have four or more touchdowns this week.
Derek Carr v HOU
Houston’s secondary is talented, but young, and the Raiders could take advantage of that.
Sit
Dak Prescott v DET
We don’t know how healthy the thumb is quite yet. If you trust him against a struggling Detroit defense, I don’t hate it.
Taylor Heinicke v GB
Heinicke is a fighter and will find his best skill players, but will also make mistakes.
Tua Tagovailoa v PIT
I want to see how he looks coming off two scary head injuries.
Trevor Lawrence v NYG
Lawrence has struggled the last few weeks but was productive last week with multiple rushing touchdowns. The Giants defense won’t give up a bunch of yardage or points.
Zach Wilson v DEN
The Jets are going heavy on the run game, so that may leave Wilson without fantasy productivity opportunities.
RB
Start
Dameon Pierce v LV
Lovie Smith said he wants to get Pierce 20+ carries; he ran it 26 times last week.
Breece Hall v DEN
In the last three weeks, Hall has had 17, 18, and 20 carries; that trend should continue.
Kenneth Walker III v LAC
Walker III rushed the ball 21 times last week. Now the workhorse back, there’s nothing stopping him from continuing on this path.
Joe Mixon v ATL
The game will either be in range, and Mixon will run the ball effectively, or it’ll be a blowout and he’ll get those carries.
Austin Ekeler v SEA
Ekeler already has 41 catches and has gotten 13 or more carries in all but one week.
If Christian McCaffery suits up, start him, they wouldn’t activate him to leave him on the bench. At the very least, they would use him in scoring opportunities.
Sit
Chase Edmonds v PIT
Mostert has become the lead back, and it doesn’t look like a timeshare.
James Robinson v NYG
Etienne is slowly chipping away at the starting spot, and that comes at the expense of Robinson.
Damien Harris v CHI
Rhamondre has been incredible the last two weeks. I believe the Pats ride the hot hand.
Melvin Gordon III v NYJ
He is still in a timeshare, and this time with Latavius Murray, who wasn’t on a roster a few weeks ago.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire v SF
SF’s run defense is stout, and Mahomes will be throwing the ball much more than they will run.
WR
Start
Michael Pittman Jr v TEN
Pittman Jr is the clear number one option, and against a below-average secondary, he could have another breakout performance.
Amari Cooper v BAL
Cooper continues to be a target machine, and against a Ravens team that has struggled, I see no reason to believe that won’t continue.
Amon-Ra St. Brown v DAL
St. Brown will line up everywhere and be able to find spots to contribute, even against an elite defense in Dallas.
Mike Williams v SEA
Williams didn’t play well last week, so naturally, eight catches and two touchdowns this week.
Davante Adams v HOU
Davante is arguably the best in the league, and against talented but young and inexperienced defensive backs, I expect him to welcome them to the league.
Sit
DJ Moore v TB
Quarterback play is absolutely killing his stock and his game.
Jerry Jeudy v NYJ
I didn’t start him with Wilson, so I’m definitely not with Rypien.
Darnell Mooney v NE
New England is synonymous for taking away a team’s greatest offensive weapon, that happens to be Mooney.
Robert Woods v IND
No.
Garrett Wilson v DEN
The offense has gone run heavy, and Elijah Moore is crying for targets. They may try to force-feed him to make him happy.
TE
Start
David Njoku v BAL
He’s been fantastic all season and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.
George Kittle v KC
He got more involved last week, and Kittle tends to show out in big games.
TJ Hockenson v DAL
Goff will find Hockenson even if the Dallas game plan is to neutralize him.
Darren Waller v HOU
Waller should have a big game against this young secondary as well.
Kyle Pitts v CIN
He scored a touchdown last week, if we can get the volume AND the touchdowns to come together, then we are cooking with fish grease.
Sit
Cole Kmet v NE
He had one catch last week, don’t take the chance.
Mike Gesicki v PIT
He had a big game, but it wasn’t with Tua playing so it’s hard to gauge how they keep him involved.
Noah Fant v LAC
He doesn’t get enough volume, and with Derwin James roaming around, I doubt this is the game he gets more looks.
Cade Otten v CAR
Brady hasn’t really trusted the tight ends, and I’m not sure he will trust the rookie in this game. He could fall into the end zone though.
Hunter Henry v CHI
Mac Jones hasn’t been the guy to look his way a bunch this season, and against a good Chicago defense, I leave him on the wire.
D/ST
Start
TB v CAR
Who is the quarterback this week?
NE v CHI
Chicago’s offense could really struggle against this New England defense.
NYJ v DEN
I think the Jets defense is for real, and they are playing Brett Rypien.
NYG v JAX/Jax v NYG
I think this game will be low scoring. Not a lot of yards could bode well for the defenses, fantasy-wise.
Sit
KC v SF/SF v KC
I think there are too many points to trust either defense.
CAR v TB
Brady has something to prove, and Carolina just happens to be in the way.
WSH v GB
It’s Washington.
ATL v CIN
Atlanta has shown flashes, but not against this offense.
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