If you have a championship game on the line this week, we are here to help. There are 13 NFL teams in must-win situations: Jaguars, Bills, Colts, Texans, Steelers, Packers, Bucs, Eagles, Cowboys, Seahawks, Saints, Falcons and Vikings. I will be pulling my Giddy Up! recommendations from those rosters, as should you. Additionally, teams that have secured playoff slots and should be resting their starters include the Ravens, Chiefs, Browns, 49ers, Lions and Rams. This is why your Fantasy season should end in Week 17. I would shy away from players on these teams. Even if coaches announce that “most everyone will play”, remember; coaches lie! As for my three Fantasy leagues, I won two championships and came in third in another. A very successful year. And congrats to the Kardiac Kids of the OFFL who defeated SuperNova 139-134 in an intensely competitive game.
GIDDY UP!
Josh Allen, QB — Josh was so off-target last Sunday he stirred up memories of past horrible Buffalo QBs J.P. Losman, Nate Peterman and E.J. Manuel. Yeesh! But with the playoffs and No. 2 seed on the line, not to mention injuries to Miami’s Bradley Chubb and Xavien Howard, Josh can right the ship and “squish the fish.”
C.J. Stroud, QB — Knocking the rust off his game after a two-week hiatus from a concussion, Stroud wasn’t asked to do much (213 yards, 1 TD). The Colts’ pass defense stats are inflated because they haven’t faced a decent QB since Matthew Stafford in Week 4. Giddy Up!
Aaron Jones, RB — Jones has always produced against the Bears, with 330 combined yards and four TDs in his last three games. QB Jordan Love is keeping defenses honest with the pass, which opens the running lanes for the resurging Jones.
Rachaad White, RB — The Panthers can’t stop the run, coughing up 277 yards and three TDs to RBs the last two outings. White has been terrific all year (sixth in RB Fantasy scoring) and will carry the Bucs on his back in their must-win game in Carolina.
CeeDee Lamb, WR — The Commanders boast the worst pass defense in the NFL. Lamb should do all his damage in the first half and might be on the bench if the Cowboys build a sizable lead. Best hope it’s a competitive match to keep Lamb in the game.
Stefon Diggs, WR — Diggs burned us against New England with 26 measly yards, but his day would have been saved had Josh Allen not overthrown him on a sure-fire 88-yard TD bomb. If Diggs doesn’t excel against a depleted Dolphins secondary, he should shuffle out of Buffalo.
Rashid Shaheed, WR — He needs a “Hail Mary” to score, and it’s a very risky play. But if you’re trying to catch lightning in a bottle, Shaheed might be your man. He’s had 18 or more Fantasy points in 30% of his games.
Dallas Goedert, TE — The Giants gave up seven receptions for seventy-one yards just two weeks ago to Goedert. He has the safest floor of any TE this Sunday.
WHOA DOWN!
Lamar Jackson, QB — The Ravens are locked into the top seed in the AFC. I don’t envision them exposing Jackson to injury in a meaningless game. Look for HC John Harbaugh to have a short leash if Jackson gets the start.
Jared Goff, QB — Dan Campbell says he’s playing all his starters against Minnesota. The HC is channeling his rage after the controversial loss to the Cowboys to “fuel” his team for the playoffs. Calm down coach. You’re guaranteed the third seed in the NFC. Keep Goff safely on the pine.
Chuba Hubbard, RB — Hubbard has averaged 12 Fantasy points per game the last four weeks against suspect run defenses. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have shut down RB stalwarts Bijan Robinson (34 yards), Aaron Jones (53 yards), Travis Etienne (12 yards) and Alvin Kamara (45 yards) over that same span. Twelve points might be the ceiling for Hubbard.
Melvin Gordon, RB — You would have to be desperate to add the 30-year-old journeyman at this crucial time of the season. Gordon will be a TD-dependent RB5 against a Steelers team that has given up one rushing TD since Week 13.
Demario Douglas, WR — Douglas is the Patriots’ best weapon. But the miniscule marvel does his damage between the 20s. He hasn’t scored all season, nor will he score against the Jets. Even though Gang Green gave up three TD receptions against Cleveland, none were by WRs.
Kyle Pitts, TE — Pitts has been a burr in my saddle since the Falcons drafted him. He hasn’t topped 15 Fantasy points in any one game this year, and the Falcons maddeningly do their best to keep him under wraps. Pitts had one catch in a must-win game last week in Chicago. I don’t get it.
* * *
Get 30% off the subscription from FantasyGuru.com, the finest source for Seasonal, DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) and Sports Gaming advice. Just go to FantasyGuru.com and enter the code Rob30 for instant savings. Look for Fantasy Billboard every week in the Daily News and a separate column at FantasyGuru.com.
