It’s Championship Weekend! If you’re still playing in your season long leagues, you’ve had a heck of a year. Hopefully, you don’t have any tough decisions to make, but chances are you do. My hope is that this article makes it a little easier to make those decisions.
This is the last article of the fantasy season for me. I’ll be back next season with more, and also some previews of next season for you. Thanks for following along!
MUST START
Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans - Watson has had a decent year, but not great, he is outside the top 10 for quarterbacks for the season, currently ranked 11th or 12th, depending on your league rules. People will also tell you that the Eagles have a great defense, but they’ve allowed the seventh most points to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Texans need to win to keep a first round bye, and they’re playing a depleted secondary, that is an opportunity I’m not missing out on. I have Watson in one championship, and I’m starting him. I recommend you do the same.
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans - If you were lucky (or stupid) enough to keep him on your roster all season, Henry might have won you a playoff game or two. Most people, outside of deep leagues, had Henry on the bench two weeks ago, but hopefully you started him last week. I’m not sure what happened in Tennessee, but whatever it was, they’re suddenly committed to Henry, and it’s been paying off. Throw the rest of the season out, if he’s on your bench this week, I think you’re nuts.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs - I know Tyreek Hill has struggled in two out of his last three games, and he has been a little banged up, but I don’t care. He has 51 targets in the last five contests, and if that long pass doesn’t bounce off his face mask last week, he ends up having a solid game. Trust Hill, and hopefully he’ll help you win a championship, even against a decent Seahawks defense.
ON THE FENCE
Drew Brees, QB, Saints - Brees hasn’t just been average these past few weeks, he’s been downright bad. His performance against Atlanta was saved by his four touchdowns, but he had less than 200 yards passing in that game too. In all, for the last four weeks, his top yards in a game was last week, when he threw for a whopping 203. He has also thrown an interception in each of the last four games as well. He plays the Steelers this week, who he should light up, but Tom Brady had a lot of difficulty last week, and Brees has been struggling. I guess you start him this week, but I’m staying away from him in DFS.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers - Reports are that Gordon would’ve played last week if the game had been played on Sunday. I don’t know if I buy that. With the division on the line, he sits in probably the biggest game of the year, but he would’ve been able to play the next day? I don’t know about that. So maybe he’s still banged up. He also is playing the number one rushing defense in the league. Again, if he’s on your fantasy team, I guess you have to play him, but I’d stay away in DFS.
Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions - After a total of 10 receptions in his previous three games, Golladay had a great day on Sunday. Maybe you can trust him to do well again, but I don’t. The Lions traded Golden Tate, and put Marvin Jones on IR, and he’s still been inconsistent at best. He also has a tough matchup against Minnesota this week, I don’t love the idea of putting him in your lineup this weekend.
BE CAREFUL
Jared Goff, QB, Rams - Since putting up 54 points against the Chiefs, Goff hasn’t just been bad, he’s been, statistically, the worst quarterback in the league. Combine that with a tough matchup against the Cardinals this week, and I’m staying away in all formats.
Mark Ingram, RB, Saints - Trusting a back who’s had more than 16 touches once this year to help you win your championship is, in my opinion, insane. Please don’t do that.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers - Allen left last week’s game with a hip injury before making a catch. Supposedly he just has a hip pointer and will be ready to play this week. Like his teammate Gordon, I just don’t believe it. Now, he had a streak of five straight games with a touchdown, and was turning it on at the end of the year, as he’s done in the past. He has a very tough matchup this week, however, and, combined with the injury concerns, I don’t love him this week.
Pat is the host of The Patriot Nation Podcast
Interact with him on Twitter @plane_pats