It’s Championship Week for most of you! Good luck. You’re going to need it. Luck and Fantasy Football go hand in hand. Case in point; in my favorite league, the OFFL, my luck was all bad. Injuries to Josh Jacobs, Michael Pittman and D.J. Moore cost me the matchup against my nephew Kevin’s team, SuperNova. Kevin is a recent Villanova grad, hence his team’s moniker. He will face the Kardiac Kids, my other nephew Ryan’s team, for the OFFL Championship. Ryan is a huge Cleveland Browns fan, hence his squad’s name. Kevin was gracious in victory as he kicked my butt, and Ryan appreciated my injury predicament. Both texted me Christmas weekend with congratulations on a good season. They are wonderful young men. I guess I’m lucky after all; I’m lucky to have them.
GIDDY UP!
Patrick Mahomes, QB — The images of Mahomes chewing out his linemen last week were unsightly. Mahomes is better than that. He’s also a better QB than Mason Rudolph, who put up 290 yards and two TDs against the Bengals. Mahomes is better than that, too.
Kyler Murray, QB — The Eagles have given up 31 TD passes, second most in the NFL. This projects Murray having his best game of the year, just in time for your Fantasy Championship game. He should run/pass for three TDs.
Ty Chandler, RB — I wrote last week to bench Chandler against the Lions (he had a dismal 7.7 Fantasy points) and start him for Sunday night’s match against the Packers. Green Bay has given up eight TDs to running backs in the last seven games. Ty one on with Chandler!
Austin Ekeler, RB — Play the matchups. History shows us that Ekeler has 22, 21 and 24 Fantasy points in his last three games against Denver, the NFL’s worst rushing defense. It also helps that this is Ekeler’s last chance to put up big stats in search of a lucrative 2024 contract.
Puka Nacua, WR — The Rookie of the Year favorite has over 400 receiving yards and three TDs in his last four games. Not too shabby. Nine WRs have scored 18 Fantasy points or more this year against the Giants’ secondary, and they might be physically and emotionally exhausted after their tough game against Philly on Christmas.
Stefon Diggs, WR — Death, taxes and Diggs scores TDs against the Patriots. Those things are certain. Diggs has a TD in three straight games against New England. Despite his recent swoon, be brave and trust him in your Championship lineup.
Isaiah Likely, TE — Doing his best Mark Andrews impersonation, Likely has been stellar averaging 65 yards per game. Miami hasn’t given up a TD since Week 7 to a TE, but I think Likely ends that drought.
WHOA DOWN!
Tua Tagovailoa, QB — You better watch out, you’ll probably cry. You’re going to pout; I’m telling you why. Tagovailoa is coming to Baltimore. The Ravens put coal in the 49ers’ stocking on Christmas, picking off five passes. Brock Purdy’s NFL MVP chances melted faster than a snowman in Miami.
Jared Goff, QB — Given Goff’s disparities throwing TDs at home (17) vs. away (10), I won’t risk my season on him in Dallas. The Cowboys held Tagovailoa, Josh Allen and Jaylen Hurts to two total TD passes their last three games.
Travis Etienne, RB — He started out gang busters on the season, but Etienne could be a season buster for your Fantasy team. The Panthers are not a great run defense, (Aaron Jones lit them up last week: 21/127), but Etienne hasn’t run for more than 56 yards since Week 8.
Tony Pollard, RB — Back-to-back games with eight and five Fantasy points does not bode well for Pollard’s chances against an impenetrable Detroit defense. The Lions held the Vikings to 16 rushing yards last week. Better hope Pollard catches some passes out of the backfield if you must start him.
Amari Cooper, WR — The Jets can make even the best receivers crash and burn. Cooper is coming off a career game (265 yards, two TDs), but the Jets have given up just four TD passes all year. Cooper will get his yards, but a TD seems unlikely.
Gabe Davis, WR — To the six or seven Fantasy owners brave (or desperate) enough to start Davis last week, congratulations. He was phenomenal. Now come back to reality and put Gabe back on the bench where he belongs.
Pat Freiermuth, TE — Freiermuth came off the IR just as Mark Andrews was put on IR, and many of Andrew’s owners scooped him up in great anticipation. Those dreams have faded as P. F. is no flyer, averaging 28 yards per game with no TDs.
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