Matchups Start/Sit

He’s still splitting time with Melvin Gordon, but Javonte Williams has a good matchup to produce for fantasy purposes this week. The Eagles have allowed 100-plus rushing yards to opposing backfields in seven games this season. Philadelphia has also been a bad matchup for opposing WR corps this season, so expect the Broncos to pound the rock. The Eagles are a good matchup for Williams to produce above his normal output this week.

Seemingly playing through injury this season, Antonio Gibson’s value has not nearly been as high as fantasy community consensus had him at the beginning of the season. He is averaging 3.9 (No. 41 among qualifying RBs entering Week 9) True Yards Per Carry this season, despite 47 (No. 5) Evaded Tackles. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is one of the more difficult matchups for opposing RBs. Gibson will be in for a rough day with smaller rush opportunity this week.

The Chicago Bears have disappointed yet again, but look to continue to improve. Justin Fields looks to advance on his breakout performance. Darnell Mooney continues to dominate opportunity, while Allen Robinson continues to disappear. Look for the Bears to have a decent night against the Steelers.

Big Ben is dust, but has been able to support Diontae Johnson to a WR1 statusl. Najee Harris has been given an insane amount of opportunity, and has been one of the most reliable fantasy options of 2021. The Steelers overall have a better team than Chicago, but have been known to fade offensively.

The Jets pulled off a miracle last week, but are not a good team. Mike White looks to be serviceable, but will rely on Michael Carter and Ty Johnson heavily to move the chains. Jamison Crowder is the only Jets receiver who will see enough opportunity to be relevant.

The Colts are going to handily win this game, and Jonathan Taylor is going to put the offense on his back yet again. He’s totaled over 200 yards in 5 straight games. Carson Wentz remains a middle-of-the-road option, and Michael Pittman is the Colts’ alpha.

Raven safeties and linebackers have struggled in coverage and the defense overall has not been great at tackling. Tyler Conklin is the fourth-highest targeted receiver in a Vikings offense that entered Week 8 with the fifth-most team pass plays in the league. Conklin is a good gamble to take against a struggling defense on a pass-favorable team.

Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick combined for nine receptions last week. Heading into Week 8, Sutton led the league with 928 (No. 1) Air Yards, but subsequently had 480 (No. 1) Unrealized Air Yards. Both Patrick’s and Sutton’s Target Accuracies and yards per target ranked outside the top 25 receivers entering Week 8. Meanwhile, Jeudy has just returned from injury. The Broncos receivers are victims of mediocre QB play and will struggle to put up fantasy numbers against a solid Dallas secondary.

Daniel Jones and the Giants have been up and down, but have shown the ability to hang around and produce close games. Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney have gobbled up targets and have been solid WR2’s. Devontae Booker has been quietly effective as the temporary lead back, but looks to improve on a stretch of RB3 performances.

There’s not much to say about the Chiefs. While the offense has struggled recently, this is the perfect get-right spot. They elite playmakers weren’t leaving lineups regardless. Other players like Darrel Williams and Mecole Hardman are high risk/high reward.

Kalif Raymond is top-25 among wide receivers in Yards After Catch Per Target (3.38) and Yards After Catch Per Reception (5.08). Why is this important? The Eagles defense is allowing a completion percentage of 74.36-percent of all passes and their 821 Yards After Catch allowed is 12th-most in the NFL. If Terry McLaurin can’t get his yards through the air, he’ll have a difficult time getting it after the catch. The Broncos have allowed 653 (third-fewest) Yards After Catch this season.

This brings us to the Rams’ opponent, the Houston Texans. Their defense has allowed 1149 (No. 4) Completed Air Yards and have allowed an Average Target Distance of 8.7 (ninth-most in the NFL). There aren’t many wide receivers available in free agency that have six consecutive weeks of 25+ Routes Run. Scoop up Van Jefferson and start him this week!

The Green Bay Packers come into this game missing both Davante Adams and Alan Lazard. With a depleted receiving core, Aaron Jones and Robert Tonyan look to fill the void. With Aaron Rodgers, there’s always a chance, but the Packers will have to play lights out to win tonight.

The Arizona Cardinals are undefeated, and steamrolling opponents. The Konami QB Kyler Murray is putting up monster numbers, DeAndre Hopkins has found his groove again, and Zach Ertz could take this offense to another level. The Cardinals are rightfully heavy favorites tonight.

Damien Harris has been an aggressive, excellent runner for the Patriots. He had a 7.4-percent (No. 9 among qualified running backs) Breakaway Run Rate entering Week 7, and ripped off 106 rush yards on 14 carries in Week 7. Meanwhile, the Chargers have allowed over 100 yards rushing to opponents every week except Week 4 this season. The Patriots use several different backs, but Harris is the primary downhill runner, seeing at least 14 carries the last three weeks and scoring in all three games.

You may be thinking of starting Ben Roethlisberger as a streamer in case you have Lamar Jackson or Derek Carr on bye. Don’t. Despite good WRs and a 90.7-percent (No. 1 among QBs entering Week 7) Protection Rate, Roethlisberger has average 13.2 (No. 29 entering Week 7) Fantasy Points Per Game. He also ranked No. 1 among QBs entering Week 7 for Danger Plays and Interceptable Passes.

The New Orleans Saints come in with a solid defense and an offense beginning to find its legs. Alvin Kamara dominates the teams offensive production, while Jameis Winston struggles to produce QB1 numbers consistently.

With Geno Smith at the helm, the Seahawks offensive production will go down, but their rushing attempts will go up. Alex Collins thrived in his workhorse roll last week, and will see one again tonight. Geno Smith limits the outlook of all pass catchers.

The Broncos have performed well to start this season, starting off with a 3-3 record. Teddy Bridgewater is moving the offense and the defense has been stout. They face a depleted Browns offense, and have a great spot for fantasy assets.

The Browns are a nightmare. They are without Baker Mayfield, Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr., and potentially even Jarvis Landry. With limited talent at receiver and running back, along with Case Keenum at the helm, the Browns are going to struggle to move the ball and compete in this matchup.