Honorable mention Starts: Zay Flowers (BAL), Darnell Mooney (ATL), DeAndre Hopkins (KC)
Honorable mention Sits: Demario Douglas (NE), Amari Cooper (BUF), Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX)
Start: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
This one should feel super easy. One of the best at the position against the worst team at defending the position – 13 touchdowns allowed in nine games, and fewer than 30 points only once in that span (including 77 to these very Bengals back in Week 5). Speaking of the Week 5 matchup, Mr. Chase’s line from that game is STUPID – 10-193-2 on 12 targets. Ja’Marr has received 11 targets in each of the past two games with Tee Higgins out, so expect more of the same. Huge game on tap for Ja’Marr this week in what is certain to be a shootout. You’ll want every piece of this one you can get.
Start: Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Joe Flacco is the best thing to happen to Indy all season. Anthony Richardson may be a swell guy and all, but he’s a terrible quarterback. And quite frankly, he may have played his last intentional down of football for the Colts. But I digress. What’s great about Joe is the ripple effect it causes to the other positions – all of which get a spike in value. Josh Downs is a phenomenal talent, and it’s backed up by the metrics. And simply stated – Downs is a much better real-life and fantasy play with Flacco at the helm. Matchup-wise, I’m not in love with it this week for the Colts. The Bills secondary is much improved over last year, and they’ve done well limiting the position. But the volume for Downs – who hasn’t had less than nine targets in a Joe Flacco game – will be there. And that’s what I’m buying this week. PFF loves the matchup this week also, scoring Downs at a 90.4 vs. the Bills secondary. $$ Ka-Ching $$.
Sit: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Holy moly, has Sutton been on a tear? Over his past two games – 21 targets, 15 receptions, 222 yards, and 43.2 fantasy points. Hot damn. That’s the good news. The bring-it-back-to-Earth news: it was against arguably the two worst pass defenses in the league. Prior to those games, Sutton had been so inconsistent you may have already dropped him. If you didn’t, make sure he’s on your bench this week. The Chiefs handle business against the pass y’all and have done a great job at limiting WR output. Sutton is going to be a matchup play each week, and this week is a no.
Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Super tough draw this week for MHJ, as the Jets come to town ranking 2nd on the season against the position. So that’s already working against him. Another thing working against him is that he and Kyler don’t seem to be vibing, and I can’t – for the life of me – figure out why. It’s got to be Kyler, right? MHJ is skilled has the size/speed/body control to dominate at the point of catch and after, and you have to think the game plan is there for him. So then, why is his consistency and usage all over the place? Seriously… here are his finishes this season: 105, 1, 20, 23, 58, 125, 61, 5, 79. Four times this season, he’s finished below 60. Ouch. I’m not sure I’ll trust it at any point this season, even in games that are great matchups (and this one isn’t).