Happy Championship Week! If you’ve made it here, I congratulate you. Now go get that title. Let’s get to it.
QB Tom Brady, @New York Jets ($9700) -Since 2010, Brady has averaged 275 yards and two touchdowns per game against the Jets. Running the ball against them is an exercise in futility and the Jets secondary is generally a mess. To boot, they’ve allowed the fifth most points to QBs this season. Feel free to fire up Brady with confidence on Sunday.
QB Alex Smith, @Pittsburgh Steelers ($7400) –Over the last month, Smith has averaged 16 points per game. The Steelers have allowed the fourth most points to QBs this season and their already poor secondary is without half of their starters.
RB Fred Jackson, @Oakland Raiders ($6700) –In the last month, no back has been targeted more than Fred Jackson, and in the last five weeks the Raiders are 20th against the run. Jonathan Stewart
RB Tre Mason, vs New York Giants ($6500) –The Giants let up the worst YPC in the league this season. They are favored by 6, and he is unchallenged for lead back duties. Mason can do some damage this week.
WR Kenny Stills, vs Atlanta Falcons ($6100) –Stills leads the Saints in catches since Brandin Cooks went down as he has been a top 20 WR in that time frame. The Falcons give up the third-most fantasy points to opposing WRs so Stills is a pretty good start this week.
WR Jarvis Landry, vs Minnesota Vikings ($7000) –Landry is the most targeted Dolphin WR on the season, and does most of his damage on short passes. The Vikings allow the highest completion percentage on passes 1-10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
TE Travis Kelce, @Pittsburgh Steelers ($5600) – We already know about his talent. Pittsburgh also gives up the eighth most fantasy points to the TE and has allowed 10 TDs to them. In a game that could feature a lot of points this week, Kelce may be a top 3-5 play at the position.
RB Matt Asiata, @Miami Dolphins($6100)- The Dolphins run defense has deteriorated and Asiata has seen plenty of carries the last few weeks. I see him being a decent RB2 play this week.
SIT
QB Joe Flacco, @Houston Texans( $8100)- Only one QB has scored more than 18 fantasy points against the Houston Texans(Luck). With that and potential game flow working against Flacco, I’d avoid him this week.
Every Jets WR this week- Patriots secondary playing at an extremely high level and Geno Smith is still Geno Smith.
QB Philip Rivers, @San Francisco 49ers($8000)- Rivers is clearly not right as he has a back injury he’s dealing with and his play has slowed down as a result. San Francisco’s pass defense is still formidable so I’d look for alternatives wherever possible.
RB Isaiah Crowell, @Carolina Panthers($6300)- In the last five weeks, the Panthers have allowed the second least fantasy points to running backs. With that and the general ineptitude of the Browns offense last week, it’s hard to trust anyone on the Browns offense this week.
WR Josh Gordon, @Carolina Panthers($7500)- As I alluded to above there isn’t a single Cleveland Brown one can start with trust this week. Gordon has been held under 50 yards in each of the last two weeks. I know his talent is immense but in championship week it’s not the time to get cute.
WR Martavis Bryant, vs Kansas City Chiefs($6600)- Entirely too boom or bust for my tastes. If he doesn’t score a long touchdown you’re likely looking at five or fewer points.
TE Jordan Reed, vs Philadelphia Eagles($5200)- Reed has been completely silent in the games that RGIII has started and the Eagles have given up one TD to a tight end all season. I’d avoid him in every format that exists.
Fantasy Savvy 