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You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers — at least we hope so. Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that’s too obvious, so you won’t see such simple analysis here. Instead, we’re exploring more debatable situations. And if you can’t find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start ‘Em
Life without Tua Tagovailoa has been rough for everyone on the Dolphins, and Achane is no exception. Achane scored 23-plus fantasy points in the two games started by Tagovailoa this season, and he’s averaged seven fantasy PPG in the four games he’s played without the QB, with the high mark in those contests being 10.5 fantasy points in Week 7. Help is on the way, though, as Tagovailoa will practice with an eye on returning to the field this week. Dating back to last year, Achane has averaged nearly 19 fantasy PPG with Tagovailoa. He regains must-start status if the QB returns, especially considering the matchup: The Cardinals have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to opposing backs.
He finally did it! Jacobs caught his first career touchdown pass last week, and it led to him scoring a season-best 20.2 fantasy points. He has topped 11 in all but one game, so we know the floor is safe — and lately, he’s been showing off some upside, scoring 16-plus in two of his last three. This could be his best week yet, as he gets to face the Jags, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to RBs, plus the most catches and receiving yards, and the second-most receiving TDs. Jacobs is a must-start option this week.
I know fantasy-relevant Bears were out of mind during their Week 7 bye, but let’s not lose sight of just how good Swift has been. He has played well over 60 percent of Chicago’s offensive snaps in each of his last three outings, and he averaged 23.8 fantasy PPG, scoring at least 20 in every game. He also recorded a TD in each and ran for over 90 yards in two of them. Swift’s usage in the pass game is on the rise, too; he has four or more targets in four of his last five games. Now he faces the Commanders, who have allowed explosive runs (10-plus yards) to opposing RBs at a league-high rate of 17.4 percent (every other NFL team is below 15.2 percent). You need to get Swift into your lineup this week.
Dobbins failed to take advantage of a good matchup against the Cardinals in Week 7, but we know he is capable of putting up numbers. We also know he brings a safe floor. This could be a big week, as the Saints are a fantastic matchup for RBs. They have issued a league-high 5.6 yards per carry to opposing RBs while giving up explosive runs at the fifth-highest rate. They’re in the top seven in receiving yards allowed to the position, as well. In the past three weeks, New Orleans has allowed four different RBs (Kareem Hunt, Sean Tucker, Bucky Irving and Javonte Williams) to top 18 fantasy points, with two of them topping 26. Start RBs against the Saints.
Last week, I had Williams as a sit, despite Denver facing an appealing opponent. That was clearly a mistake on my part; Williams went off for 26.1 points against the Saints, his second strong effort against a favorable adversary, proving he is a matchup-based play, at least at this point. Carolina presents another strong opportunity. The Panthers have allowed the most fantasy PPG to opposing RBs, along with the most rushing yards and touchdowns. Williams, who has seen an increased workload lately, especially in the passing game, is very much in play this week.
Oddly, Hunt is the one Chiefs player you can start in fantasy and feel good about right now. He’s received 24 and 28 touches in his last two games, averaging 100 scrimmage yards and 20.5 fantasy points per outing during that span with three total touchdowns. Hunt should continue to thrive this week against the Raiders, who have allowed 4.9 yards per carry to RBs. They give up explosive runs at an above-average rate and are in the top nine in total rushing yards and fantasy PPG allowed to RBs. Hunt has quickly become a player you depend on with confidence.
Sit ‘Em
It is awesome to have Chubb back and playing football after he suffered a devastating knee injury last season, but let’s keep our expectations in check. In his Week 7 return, he played 35 percent of the Browns’ offensive snaps, logging 11 carries and three targets. He scored a touchdown but finished with just 32 scrimmage yards (2.7 yards per touch). The vast majority of his usage came in the first half, so it could be the case that he is getting eased in. Still, Baltimore has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards to opposing RBs, along with the fewest yards per carry and the lowest explosive-run rate. Get away from Chubb this week.
Even with Zamir White back last week, Mattison led the way for the Raiders against the Rams. He played nearly 70 percent of their offensive snaps and recorded 23 carries with three targets. With usage like that, he will actually be in play when going into favorable matchups — but that is not this week. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest rushing yards to opposing RBs, yielding just two rushing touchdowns and 3.3 yards per carry. And they’ve allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to RBs. Do not chase last week’s points.
Despite facing a fantastic matchup against the Panthers in Week 7, Ekeler had his worst fantasy game of the season, finishing with just four fantasy points; for the first time all year, he failed to reach double digits. Though Ekeler has not shown much upside, he has brought a safe floor — but the thing about floors is that they are lowered against a tough defense. And the Bears boast exactly that, allowing the third-fewest receiving yards to opposing backs. I would get away from Ekeler.
Chase Brown has become more involved in the Bengals’ offense, while Moss has seemingly receded. Over the past three weeks, Moss has played 55.9 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, while Brown is at 49.4 percent — but Moss has tallied 21 carries and 44 yards, while Brown has logged 37 carries for 143 yards. Both players have eight targets, and they’ve split goal-line work. Moss is the less explosive of the two, so he needs volume to deliver. He has not reached double digits in fantasy points in that span, and I do not expect him to break that mark against a tough Eagles front this week.
Devin Singletary, meet Wally Pipp. After missing two weeks with a groin injury, Singletary returned last week but still played just 22 percent of the Giants’ offensive snaps, logging six touches — and taking a backseat to rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr., who appears to be the lead RB for the Giants now. It was a fun early-season ride for Singletary, but until we see him utilized more, he cannot be trusted, especially against defenses like the Steelers’.
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