Start of the week: Tom Brady vs. Panthers
Following a 375+ yard and five touchdown game against a stout Texans defense, Brady is looking anything but 40, and he’s only getting better. Last week showed chemistry getting stronger between Brady and his new downfield weapon Brandin Cooks, only furthering Brady’s chances of scoring big in Fantasy. Going against the young secondary of the Panthers, who was exposed by Drew Brees last week, should prove to be an easy challenge for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
Start ’em: AJ Green vs. Browns
After two weeks without a touchdown, the Bengals offense finally showed signs of life in their overtime loss to the Packers last week with Bill Lazor stepping up as offensive coordinator. Green has remained Andy Dalton’s go-to receiver through the struggles, racking up an eye-opening 31 targets through three games. That amount of targets and coming off a week where he caught 10 of 13 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown should be worrisome for the 25th-ranked Browns defense, who has given up over 21 points every game this season.
Start ’em: Larry Fitzgerald vs 49ers
Larry isn’t too old to put up fantasy points yet. Coming off of a 15 target game where he caught 13 for 149 yards and a touchdown, Fitzgerald showed his first signs of life this fantasy season. Playing a horrid 49ers defense who has given up 73 points this season already should give Fitzgerald all the room he needs to explode for another 100+ yard and multi-touchdown week.
Sit of the week: Ravens Running Backs vs. Steelers
Due to the committee backfield being used by the Ravens, this could probably be the Sit of the Week any week, but I promise to keep it at one. The touches getting spread between Terrance West, Buck Allen and Alex Collins makes none of them dependable options for a fantasy team. You just can’t expect yardage from any of them consistently, a definite drawback for any Fantasy owner.
Sit ’em: Mike Gillislee vs. Panthers
Mike Gillislee came onto the scene fast this year, scoring three touchdowns in the first game of the season and a fourth in the second game. This being said, he was held in check by a good Houston defense this past week, only racking up 31 rushing yards on 12 carries. A run-stop defense like the Panthers with Kawann Short, Luke Kuechly and company in the box could prove be Gillislee’s kryptonite, as the Pats would be more than happy to have Tom Brady sling the ball downfield 50+ times.
Sit ’em: Marshawn Lynch vs. Broncos
Lynch was no different than the rest of the Raiders offense this past week, putting up only 18 yards on six carries against a Redskins team who was giving up more than 20 points per game before that night. Going against a tougher Broncos defense who stifled Ezekiel Elliott two weeks ago (only allowing eight rushing yards) could reduce the touches and yards Lynch will get this week. Since Lynch’s decision to come back from retirement and play for the Raiders, he has not been the spearhead he once was for the Seahawks (minus a handful of plays). I am not yet convinced he has the chemistry with this Raiders offense to be a consistent Fantasy starter.
Sleeper: Leonard Fournette vs. Jets
Fournette has been the model of consistency to start his NFL career, scoring a touchdown in every game with around 25 yards receiving and over 40 yards rushing. This shows great promise to fantasy owners and he may be ready for his first multi-touchdown game in his career. A matchup against an already weak New York defense, which could get weaker with Pro-Bowler Muhammad Wilkerson dealing with a shoulder injury, makes it look like a great week for Fournette to show off what he’s got in an NFL setting.
Sleeper: Sammy Watkins vs. Cowboys
After the trade to Los Angeles, I wasn’t sure how Watkins would do in a new system coming off of a season riddled with injuries, but last week showed he had chemistry with Jared Goff when he caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns last week. His play is questionable next week as he left the game early and is going through concussion protocol. Nevertheless, he’s going against a Cowboys defense who was shredded by Carson Palmer last week, so if Goff can get the ball to him, Watkins will get results.
Deep sleeper: Chris Carson vs. Colts
Carson came out getting the first snaps at running back for the Seahawks last week and scored his first career touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson. This has been two weeks in a row where Carson has scored 10+ points while Eddie Lacey and Thomas Rawls sat on the sideline the majority of the game. Adding in playing a confused Colts defense who allowed Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson to have running room last week makes Carson a good pickup for anyone needing a running back spot filled.
– By Jonathon Robbins
