Win or lose, you need that JuJu TikTok energy as you head into the championship round.
Drop
Wayne Gallman
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) stiff-arms Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) in the second half.Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC
While the Giants record has slowly been getting better as the season goes on, their options at running back seem to be dwindling. Many lost a first round pick with Saquon's early-season ACL tear, then lost backup Devonta Freeman to an ankle injury and COVID precautions. That left Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris, and Dion Lewis to split carries.
While Gallman has been a must-start since Week 7, this Giants mysteriously sat him in the second half in favor of Alfred Morris. Gallman only got 9 carries for 29 yards, and if there's any question about his production in Week 16 against Baltimore, he may have to sit this one out.
Good Morning, my name is Amr, and I played Juju, Wayne Gallman, and Dallas Goedert in my Semi-Finals over JD McKiss… https://t.co/e6N7vH0hGH— Amr Gabr (@Amr Gabr) 1608644365.0
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
JuJu is not a bad player, but he's brought about a nasty superstition of sorts that may have cost the Steelers their last two games. See, JuJu decided to dance on the Bills logo for the gram (or in this case, the TikTok), a move that's seen as disrespectful amongst athletes.
Noting that it gave them extra motivation in their 26-15 win, the Bills made it clear that JuJu's moves brought the Steelers bad juju. Going against the grain, Smith-Schuster decided that "being yourself" was the best thing for the team, and the Bengals definitely targeted him for it: he had one fantasy point this week. Whether Juju dances or not, it may be wise to sit him against a stingy Colts secondary this week for the championship game.
Pop
J.D. McKissic
Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) defends during the second half at FedExField.Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
With Gibson out and Washington making a play for an NFC East playoff spot, J.D. McKissic has stepped up as someone to pop into the final round of playoffs. He's coming off a revenge game as a former Seahawk with 13 carries for 51 yards and 9 catches for 56 yards and a receiving touchdown. While Washington (narrowly) lost that game, McKissic has emerged as a fantasy winner—and he will likely make you one too after a Week 16 matchup against the Panthers.
2020 RB Target Leaders Alvin Kamara: 102 J.D. McKissic: 92 Mike Davis: 70 Nyheim Hines: 65 Ezekiel Elliott: 63 Cha… https://t.co/siu6CtfZ5A— 4for4 Fantasy Football (@4for4 Fantasy Football) 1608612221.0
Le'Veon Bell
Kansas City Chiefs running back Le'Veon Bell (26) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium.Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Things are finally looking up for this former fantasy first-rounder: after escaping the burning building that is the New York Jets, Bell has been a quiet backup to Clyde Edwards-Helaire on a pass-happy Chiefs offense. However, Edwards-Helaire suffered a hip/leg injury in Week 15, allowing Bell to garner 15 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Bell is currently set to become the Chiefs' bell cow this week with CEH out, creating a tantalizing matchup against a Falcons defense that just gave up over 400 yards.
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks, the Chiefs’ running back depth w… https://t.co/flqnv6U0wV— Jordan Foote (@Jordan Foote) 1608650949.0
Robert Woods
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (17) moves the ball against New York Jets inside linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Woods is the 11th overall fantasy receiver, so if he's on your roster, he's probably part of why you're here. But it's worth noting that the Rams are coming off a humiliating loss to the Jets as they face a bitter divisional rival in the Seattle Seahawks. Although Woods logged only 5 catches for 33 yards in their last Seahawks showdown, teams are motivated to come back from big losses—even more so against division rivals. As the Rams hunt for a playoff slot, expect Woods to get Top 10 numbers against a giving Seahawks secondary.
Darious Williams, John Johnson, Johnny Hekker and Robert Woods all deserve recognition for the outstanding seasons… https://t.co/1amJbaCipF— Daniel Starkand (@Daniel Starkand) 1608596354.0
Shop
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The only thing hurting this week are Carson's chances of ever returning for the Eagles: Jalen Hurts impressed in a 300+ yard debut, replete with three magnificent touchdowns. There's not much else to say besides Jalen proved he's the real deal (for this season, at least).
QB1 Jalen Hurts showed out with 40.82 FPTS to earn the DraftKings Performance of the Week honors for Week 15, prese… https://t.co/scLSmBS88r— DraftKings (@DraftKings) 1608656721.0
If you can get Hurts, get him before he faces a still-decimated Cowboys secondary. If you can't, pick up fellow comeback kid Marcus Mariota in case Carr doesn't start.
Greg Ward
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (84) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium.Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
A beneficiary of this rejuvenated offense, Ward was a popular end zone target this week with two touchdowns and 15 fantasy points. Although he only caught 4 catches for 15 yards, he's caught three touchdowns over the past three games. The good news is that he's already building chemistry with Hurts, and as a green quarterback, Hurts will likely get the ball to someone he obviously trusts. Ward remains a touchdown-dependent flex, but he could be worth it in a weak Week 16 game against the Cowboys.
As long as they keep Greg Ward... https://t.co/IyTZCPC0Jo— The People's News (@The People's News) 1608656506.0
Tony Pollard
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball against San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium.Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
It seems like every quality backup running back has been rostered at this point, with the peculiar exception of Tony Pollard. Available in over half of ESPN leagues, Pollard racked up 28 fantasy points with 69 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
Since the Cowboys are playing the Eagles in Week 16, this stands to be a good fantasy matchup for both teams if they can continue to move their offenses in Week 15 fashion.
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
We'll see if that is true, but it would be a bombshell considering Jerry Jones took that plunge, then paid Zeke tha… https://t.co/sM1vY8ghzt— WBG84 (@WBG84) 1608657162.0
Tier 1: Set It & Forget It
San Francisco, Baltimore, Buffalo.
The three top defenses from a year ago remain unchanged going in to 2020. All three remain set it and forget it when it comes to match-ups, although pairing Buffalo with a streaming option might not be a bad idea due their schedule (AFC and NFC West opponents).
Buffalo's defense is primed for another top 5 campaign in 2020.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 2: Solid Starters
Minnesota, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver
You could make a case for Minnesota being in tier one, especially with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue to an already deep defensive line. He'll replace Everson Griffin. Pittsburgh's defense carried them to a 9-7 record a year ago with abysmal QB play. With Ben Roethlisberger back healthy for 2020, the Steelers defense can get more aggressive and play less bend but don't break defense. New Orleans pairs a formidable unit with a Top 3 offense. Chicago lost a few players to COVID 19 opt-outs, but should still end as a top 10 unit in fantasy. Denver's defense added a few pieces this year and is a sneaky underdog play.
Tier 3: Match-up Dependent Starters
Philadelphia, Seattle, New England, Kansas City, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee, Los Angeles Chargers
Philadelphia shored up their secondary by trading for Darius Slay in the off season. Jim Schwartz always has formidable units, and their defensive line will give teams fits this year. Seattle traded two first round picks for Jamal Adams, and he'll wreak havoc for Pete Carroll in the NFC West. New England lost a ton of players to Covid 19 opt outs, but Belicheck knows a thing or two about getting the most out of his players. They're a few notches lower than past years but will surprise more than a few in 2020. Tennessee traded away Jurrel Casey to Denver earlier in the off-season, but Jeffery Simmons will slide in and could be even better. Chargers defense will need to carry them as offensive touchdowns will be tough to come by this year without Philip Rivers.
Jamal Adams could make Seattle a Top 10 defense againSeahawks.com
Tier 4: Streamers
Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Dallas, Cleveland, New York Giants, Houston, Washington, Atlanta.
Not a ton to say about these teams, they won't be starting more than a week or two as a fill in or because of a nice match-up against an inept offense. Indianapolis and Green Bay have some nice schedules based on match-ups and could pair nicely together to stream throughout the year. Houston is an intriguing defense with six match ups against the AFC South.
Tier 5: Desperation Plays
New York Jets, Miami, Jacksonville, Detroit, Arizona, Carolina, Las Vegas, Cincinnati.
These teams should never sniff the daylight of a starting lineup. The only way you'd see them start is in a very deep league (14 teams) or a 2 Defense leagues (Starting 2 DEF). Miami may have some streaming ability depending on how well they have improved with their free agent signings. Detroit could have some streaming ability as well.
The Dolphins spent a lot of money of defense for 2020, but with no offseason work, it's too early to expect much from the unit.LYNNE SLADKY AP
