Here are 20 players that you have to start this week to have the most success in fantasy football!
QB: Joe Burrow, Bengals
What happens when you combine a red-hot quarterback against the team that gives up the most explosive plays in the league? You lock him into your lineups and play him as he throws for 300 yards and 3 TDs.
QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Houston’s run defense is solid, but their pass defense has been a disaster. Mahomes is dealing with a bad ankle, but I still expect him to play well as the Chiefs seek a first-round BYE. Look for Mahomes to have 250 passing yards and 2 TDs.
QB: Baker Mayfield, Bucs
Baker has arguably played at an MVP level and gets the Cowboys, who have been reeling defensively. Vegas has the Bucs scoring four TDs; Baker should throw for three of those.
QB: Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Murray is maddeningly inconsistent, but when given time to throw, he is effective. Carolina struggles to put pressure on the quarterback, so Kyler should have time to find his receivers and put up 225 yards passing with 2 TDs.
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Rodgers is just padding his stats as he decides on whether to return to the NFL in 2025. The more TDs he throws, the more he can ask for in his next contract. He should throw for 240 yards and another 2 TDs this week to get to 500 TDs in his career.
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
The Bears have allowed the second-most rushing yards to their opponents this season. David Montgomery will be out until the playoffs, and the Lions are working hard to get a BYE. Dan Campbell might not want to give Gibbs 25 touches, but I think he does. Gibbs goes for 150 yards and 2 TDs.
RB: James Cook, Bills
New England has been awful against the run all season. To wit, they have allowed the 4th most rushing TDs, the 4th most rushing yards, and the 7th highest yards per carry. I can not only see Cook scoring, but it wouldn’t shock me if Ray Davis scores, too.
RB: Bijan Robinson, Falcons
The Giants haven’t let up a ton of rushing TDs, but they have allowed the third most rushing yards to opposing running backs. I can’t imagine that the Falcons are going to want rookie Michael Penix throwing the ball a ton, so look for both Bijan and Tyler Allgeier to be heavily involved. Robinson should have 125 all-purpose yards and a TD.
RB: James Conner, Cardinals
Carolina’s run defense has played better recently, but they still have allowed the most rushing yards, the most TDs, and the most yards per carry to opposing running backs this season. With Trey Benson injured and Demercado on the IR, Conner should have all the touches he can handle. Put him down for 130 yards and at least 1 TD.
RB: Jerome Ford, Browns
With Nick Chubb out for the season, Ford should get about 80% of the touches in the Browns backfield. What makes him an even better start is that this game has a real chance of exploding, as neither defense has been playing well. Ford should have 100 all-purpose yards and a TD.
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
Chase is well on his way to scoring 20 TDs. This week, he plays Cleveland who loves to use man coverage (Chase’s favorite) and gives up the most explosive plays. If Tee Higgins misses the game with an injury, Chase could have 200+ receiving yards.
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
Who is the worst team in the league, DVOA wise, against slot WRs? Minnesota. Who does JSN play this week? Minnesota. Lock him in everywhere as he gets 100 receiving yards and a TD.
WR: Malik Nabers, Giants
Atlanta has the second-worst DVOA to WR1 and has been getting peppered with targets regardless of the QB throwing him the ball. Look for Nabers to see another 12-14 targets with a great shot at 18-22 fantasy points.
WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Chiefs
No one loves a revenge narrative more than I do, and this one is as good as it gets. Hopkins is playing for a playoff BYE against his old Texans team that has struggled against opposing receivers. Lock Hopkins in for 80 receiving yards and a TD.
WR: Tre Tucker, Raiders
Call it a hunch or call it Visionary, but Tucker is in a great spot to succeed. Aidan O’Connell is expected to return on Sunday, and the Raiders play the Jaguars, who play a ton of man coverage. O’Connell is not afraid to take a few chances deep to keep the defense honest. Tucker gets 85 receiving yards and finds the end zone.
TE: Trey McBride, Cardinals
Kyler Murray went onto X, mentioning about how he needs to get McBride in the end zone. With Carolina having the 3rd worst DVOA against opposing tight ends, I am willing to bet that it finally happens this week.
TE: David Njoku, Browns
Cincinnati has allowed the most receiving yards to opposing tight ends and has the worst DVOA against the position. If Njoku is active, even Dorian Thompson-Robinson can’t mess up a matchup this good.
TE: Sam LaPorta, Lions
Hockenson, McBride, and Kittle are not just three of the best tight ends in the league; they are also three of the most recent tight ends to dominate the Bears secondary. Put LaPorta down for 60 yards and a TD as the Bears allow the 5th most receiving yards to the position.
TE: Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
Tampa’s defense has allowed the second-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends as well as the second-highest yards per target. All this should make Ferguson Cooper Rush’s second favorite target. Look for him to get 55 yards and a TD.
TE: Brenton Strange, Jaguars
Las Vegas has allowed the fourth most receiving yards to opposing tight ends and has the 5th worst DVOA against the position. Moreover, Strange just had 11 receptions in Week 15. So long as Mac Jones doesn’t crumble, Strange should have 12-14 fantasy points.
