Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens 1:05 p.m. EST
A huge game with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line. I was surprised that the Vegas total was set at 47. To me, that total seems to be a bit high, although both teams do have a ton of firepower.
On the Dolphin side, it appears as though there are no issues with WR Tyreek Hill. He is going to be my favorite option at WR, as Jaylen Waddle is out. He could get 15+ targets, and 100 yards is all but a guarantee. WR Cedrick Wilson does become a cheap play, but I worry he might get over-owned. RB Raheem Mostert seems to score a TD every week and might get a bump in usage here. He doesn’t project well, but his ownership will be low. The same could be said for RB De’Von Achane, who has all the talent in the world but doesn’t seem to get enough touches.
The Ravens are riding high after dominating the 49ers and a win will secure home-field advantage. QB Lamar Jackson has risen in these big games, and a good performance with a win will most likely make him the front-runner to win MVP. I am expecting another big performance and would not be shocked if he led all quarterbacks in fantasy points. WR Zay Flowers has scored 20+ points in three of his last four games. His price remains fairly cheap for a player who has solidified himself as the Ravens’ top receiver. I do like TE Isaiah Likely as a solid option as well. He could easily be a top-five tight end at a very reasonable price. All other receiving options should be avoided as they just don’t produce. I don’t think there is a running back worth playing as they split carries and don’t get enough volume.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 1:05 p.m. EST
The Patriots only have one player worth playing, and that is RB Ezekiel Elliott. He gets a fair number of targets and catches, and if he gets into the end zone he should score 20 points. Many will play WR Demario Douglas as he is the number-one receiver, but I will not be one of them. He has a tough matchup and will need to score a touchdown to have a chance to win a tournament … something he hasn’t done all season.
The Bills are a difficult team to figure out, and their offense is a bit overrated. WR Stefon Diggs hasn’t done much in weeks and is severely over-priced. WR Gabe Davis is boom or bust, and I expect he will be a bit more bust this week. TE Dalton Kincaid’s price has come down a bit, but he hasn’t produced in weeks. QB Josh Allen hasn’t made many tournament-winning lineups as his rushing yardage is down. There are just so many better options at QB this week. RB James Cook had a dud last week, and I can see the offense leaning on him this week. His price has risen, but this may keep his ownership lower, making him the piece of the Bills I would want the most.
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears 1:05 p.m. EST
Atlanta is another team that I would only play one player from, and that is RB Bijan Robinson. Robinson has been heavily involved in the receiving game and I would expect that trend to continue again this week. If he gets into the end zone, then he could have a huge week. TE Kyle Pitts is intriguing, but the Bears slowed down TE Trey McBride last week and their defense has been solid vs. the pass since they have become healthy.
Bears QB Justin Fields was well on his way to dominating the slate last week, but WR D.J. Moore tweaked his ankle early and TE Cole Kmet, who was having a great game, left before the half with a knee injury and did not return. I can’t trust the offense with these types of injuries vs. a solid Falcon defense. Same with the running back situation. RB Khalil Herbert was a bargain, but that was against a bad Cardinal run defense. Plus, RB D’Onta Foreman could be back to further muddle up a backfield that also includes RB Roschon Johnson. I expect a low-scoring game here.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans 1:05 p.m. EST
Will Levis is back, and the Titans’ offense could explode here against a bad Texan defense. These two teams played in a low-scoring game just a few weeks ago, but I expect there to be points here. I think the Titans are going to have to throw the football to keep up with the Texas, making WR DeAndre Hopkins viable. RB Derrick Henry could fall into the end zone, but will he get enough volume to make him elite this week? I just think they’re going to have to rely on the passing game more than expected. TE Chigoziem Okonkwo was very good last week and is cheap enough to roster.
As mentioned, I am expecting this to be a high-scoring game. QB C.J. Stroud should clear concussion protocol and, he has a chance to put up big numbers. I am a little bit worried that he could be rusty after missing a few weeks. WR Nico Collins should have a huge week and is my favorite wide receiver on the board. I think he’s a lock for 100 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Noah Brown also projects well and is a bargain play. TE Dalton Schultz doesn’t have a great matchup, but his volume could be there, making him a low-owned option at tight end. I expect the Titans to score 30+ points, making them a great stack option.
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts 1:05 p.m. EST
The Raiders have some good options this week. I expect Davante Adams to have a big game here, and he will be a low-owned option player who can be at the top of your lineups. RB Josh Jacobs is going to be a game-time decision which will make him a low-owned option if he plays. RB Zamir White becomes a value play if Jacobs can’t go, but at the same time, his ownership will be through the roof. WR Jakobi Meyers hasn’t produced much of late but if you want to risk it, he can get the job done at a great price. Either he or Adams should go off this game.
The Raiders’ defense has been good but I think the Colts can exploit it here. We are only interested in two players: WR Michael Pittman, who has cleared protocol, is a target monster and should be considered every week. RB Jonathan Taylor will also see a ton of volume and should reach the end zone.
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars 1:05 p.m. EST
Last week I predicted the Panthers the score a ton of points, and they did. Unfortunately, I thought RB Chuba Hubbard and Jonathan Mingo were going to be the beneficiaries of that. WR DJ Chark had a big week and is still worth rostering, but his ownership’s going to be a bit high. I think many will be chasing the points here. WR Adam Thielen is going to be my choice as I think his ownership will be lower, and he always has the potential to have a solid game.
As for the Jaguars, their offense has been a mess. I don’t want any part of it, although running back Travis Etienne projects well. I think his ownership is going to be down, and he should score at home in this spot. I am passing on all receiving options; QB Trevor Lawrence has been ruled out and QB Beathard is a mess.
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants 1:05 p.m. EST
Everyone is going to be on the Rams’ side of the ball. They are explosive, and they all project well, which is why I’m going to fade them for the most part. My favorite play is running back Kyren Williams, he should score a touchdown and break 20 points. I am hoping that the rest of the offense is spread out enough that they cancel each other out. I do prefer WR Cooper Kupp over WR Puka Nacua as I think has a chip on his shoulder after dropping a few passes last week. I am going to let everyone else play WR Demarcus Robinson as they can chase the points he scored last week.
QB Tyrod Taylor will get the start this week, and I think that benefits the receiving corps, but I just don’t know who. I think I will lead to TE Darren Waller as this is a great matchup on paper. My only concern is whether he make it through a game. I don’t have a lot of love for RB Saquon Barkley. I think his price is too high, and I don’t think he will do enough to win a tournament.
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles 1:05 p.m. EST
A stack of QB Kyler Murray to TE Trey McBride is it for me. I think McBride has a good game, and Murray may be sneaky, as I think he can run one in. There are many low-priced receivers on that side, but I am avoiding them all. RB James Conner is in a tough spot and will need to have at least five catches here to be viable.
I think many expect the Eagles to come out and blow the Cardinals away here. QB Jalen Hurts can break the slate, but will he? RB D’Andre Swift could steal some touchdowns away. At any rate, I will be playing one or the other in many of my lineups. WR A.J. Brown hasn’t had a huge game in weeks, yet his price suggests he has. WR DeVonta Smith is also a bit over-priced for his production, but I think one of them has a big game here. Last week, Bears TE Cole Kmet was having a big game before he got injured. TE Dallas Goedert may have the best value for an offense that is due to explode.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:05 p.m. EST
I am avoiding this game. I think we are looking at low-scoring scrum, and all offensive players on both sides are overpriced. I would be shocked if anyone stands out in the winning lineups.
San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders 1:05 p.m. EST
Another team everyone will play will be the 49ers. It’s a great matchup, everyone is in play, but their ownership will be high. RB Christian McCaffrey should be at the top of everyone’s list. He is expensive but is a slate-breaker in a game the Niners need to win. You can play TE George Kittle and WR Brandon Aiyuk, but I think Brock Purdy will rely on WR Deebo Samuel in this one.
QB Jacoby Brissett will get the start here, and that makes WR Terry McLaurin a valuable asset who will go under-owned. Look for McLaurin to get 10+ targets here. Jahan Dotson or Curtis Samuel could also be sneaky, but I am confident one of them goes off with McLaurin being the top choice. RB Brian Robinson is back; I will avoid him and all members of the running game.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks 4:05 p.m. EST
We can get through this game very quickly. I don’t want anybody from this game other than running back Kenneth Walker. There are players who can do well from either side, but predicting who’s going to score and who’s going to get the bulk of the work is too much risk. Walker will get 100+ yards and a score; I’m confident about that. Seattle’s defense can make a difference this week.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs 4:25 p.m. EST
The Chiefs’ defense is playing well enough that I don’t think I want to play any Bengal players. I don’t see a big performance from them, especially with the regression of QB Jake Browning. WR Ja’Marr Chase is back practicing and should play. I just don’t know what to expect. The Bengals are a talented group that should be very low-owned and could be worth a stack for a player who plays a lot of lineups.
The Chiefs are coming off a hugely disappointing game in which the Raiders’ defense made some huge plays. QB Patrick Mahomes’ price may be a value here as I think that the Cincinnati defense is terrible. They gave up a ton of fantasy points to the Steelers’ offense, so I’m expecting a big bounce back here from the Chiefs. We don’t know who’s going to start at running back, and whoever does is going to be of great value. Isiah Pacheco may pass protocol and would be a good start here. If Pacheco can’t go, then RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a lock start; either way, one of them is scoring. TE Travis Kelce should also score. His price has come down, and so has his ownership, making him a great value play. WR Rashee Rice projects well, but I think he is overpriced.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos 4:25 p.m. EST
The LA Chargers are a complete pass offensively. RB Austin Ekeler is a shell of what he once was, and there is nobody from the passing game I would want to play either.
On the Denver side, Russell Wilson is out and QB Jarrett Stidham is in. He is dirt cheap and going against a terrible defense. He has a great chance to 5X his price. RB Javonte Williams is also cheap, but can he do enough to take down a tournament? Will Stidham check it down to him and give him a ton of catches? He will give up some volume to RB Jaleel McLaughlin, but Williams could be a great play if he scores a touchdown. WR Courtland Sutton is in concussion protocol and has yet to practice. If he is unable to go, then WR Marvin Mims should see a ton of snaps and targets. He could be the biggest bargain on the slate. WR Jerry Jeudy is also in a great spot if Sutton is out, but it’s hard to trust a player who continually lets you down. Denver is a team that could break the slate because of their good matchups and cheap prices, yet could also crush you because they underperform.
