QB:
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
He wasn’t asked to do much last week in the passing, with his defense shutting down the Saints offense and his running backs controlling things on offense. Still, he showed for the 2nd straight week that he can do damage with his legs, rushing for 75 yards in week 7 after rushing for 61 in week 6. He has only one turnover in the past five games after having 4 turnovers through the first 2 games. The matchup for him and the Broncos this week is about as good as it gets. They face the Panthers who rank 26th against the QB position in fantasy football this season and dead last in points allowed per game (33.9).
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
He was a popular waiver wire add this week in deep leagues and super flex formats, but in those shallower leagues, people don’t necessarily feel the need to roster 2 QB, especially on a week like this where there are no byes. I have no issue with that, but not every QB being rostered has a good matchup this week, and Winston does. Not only do the Ravens rank last in the league in passing yards allowed and 26th in points allowed, but they rank number one against the run, so teams have no choice but to throw the football. The Ravens should also score plenty of points in this matchup, which will present Winston and company with plenty of garbage time opportunities.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 06: Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up before the game against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on October 06, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. The New York Giants won 29-20. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
RB:
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
He is stuck behind Kenneth Walker, which does limit his upside, but the Bills have been horrible against RB this season in fantasy, ranking 31st. Walker gets most of the work, but he is also injury-prone, and at any moment, Charbonnet can become the RB1 in the offense. There isn’t much upside in this play, but in those deeper leagues where you have RB issues, this is an option to look into. Charbonnet can be especially valuable in PPR formats, and with DK Metcalf dealing with an injury, the Seahawks RB could become more involved in the passing game this weekend.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets
The Jets are a big mess right now, sitting at 2-5 and in need of a big win streak to have any chance at a playoff spot in the AFC. Still, in a matchup against the Patriots this week, you have to be interested in using their skill players. Breece Hall has looked great since the head coaching change, so it’s not like Allen is going to take his job, but the Patriots rank 30th in fantasy football against the RB position, and there is a pathway to both Allen and Hall finding the endzone in this game.
DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 08: Jaleel McLaughlin #38 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High on October 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
I wrote about him this week in my waiver wire article because I just have a gut feeling about him in his matchup this week. Everyone was writing off Javonte Williams in the Broncos offense, and because he had a monster week against the Saints, he is suddenly back in everyone’s good book. Don’t get me wrong, Williams is a great start this week if you have him. The Panthers rank last in fantasy football against the RBs, and they allow the most points per game in the NFL. The Panthers have given up a lot of points to back up RBs this season, too, so McLaughlin is someone worth looking at in your deeper leagues.