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You’re either entering or a week away from the fantasy playoffs in your league. If you’ve been lucky enough to reach that step, congratulations! If you missed out, well you can always try and win the consolation tournament or play spoiler to someone on the edge of making the playoffs. Either way, let us help you try to guide you to your best starting lineup.
Starts
Le’veon Bell, RB, Jets: Bell just had a disappointing game against the Bengals. This week he will see a Dolphins’ defense that has given up 22.5 fantasy points per week to opposing running backs this season. Bell’s saving grace continues to be his involvement in the passing game. He has nine catches over the past two weeks. The last time he faced the Dolphins he caught eight passes.
Zach Pascal, WR, Colts: Pascal has been far from consistent this season. Last week he had over 100 receiving yards, which was more than the past three weeks combined. Why should you start him then? Two reasons. The first being he is playing the Bucs who are the best fantasy matchup for receivers. The second, Indianapolis is paper thin at wide receiver. T.Y. Hilton isn’t sure he will return at all this season, and Parris Campbell is returning to practice. He will be going ahead of household names like Marcus Johnson and Ashton Dulin.
Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons: Freeman hasn’t been an exciting fantasy option all season. He isn’t going to enter RB1 territory this week, but he does face a Panthers’ defense that allows the most fantasy points to opposing running backs per week. This may be a one time start for Freeman as a flex. It is a risk that could very well move you to the next round.
Jack Doyle, TE, Colts: Who would’ve thought after Andrew Luck retired you could be doubling down on the Colts offense when your fantasy season matters most. Here we are though. The Bucs give up the second most points to opposing tight ends in fantasy per week. Doyle also is competing with Eric Ebron (placed on injured reserve) for targets any more.
Defense stream
Packers defense against Washington
Bengals defense against Browns
Sits
Chiefs RBs: Whether Damien Williams is able to come back for his rib injury this week or Lesean McCoy is forced to carry the load with Darrel Williams being placed on injured reserve, the Patriots are just an insanely tough matchup for opposing running backs. They only allow 11.2 fantasy points per week. Plus the Chiefs may find they’re able to move the ball a little easier through the air, but only a little bit.
D.J. Chark, WR, Jaguars: Chark wasn’t able to do much of anything against Tampa Bay last week, and now he will be facing Casey Hayward with the Chargers coming to town. He has helped make Los Angeles the fourth worst matchup for opposing wide receivers.
Colts Running backs: Indianapolis certainly has a muddled backfield. Marlon Mack returned to practice Wednesday, Jonathan Williams had one really good and one really bad game in Macks’ absence, and Nyheim Hines got more involved outside of the passing game last week. You combine all of that along with them facing a Tampa Bay defense that only allows 11.2 fantasy points per week to opposing running backs, and it doesn’t leave much room to get a decent game out of anyone.