For most fantasy football leagues, it’s championship week.
As such, I’m recommending only select players at each position who I’d feel comfortable starting this week. I will also no longer be offering auction price recommendations — spend as much as you need to acquire players for your title run.
Below are the best streaming options, handcuffs and upside plays to help you take home your office’s plastic gold trophy. Every player is owned in fewer than 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Top Streaming Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Mayfield posted a predictably sub-par fantasy performance against the Broncos’ stiff pass defense. He threw for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on his way to 12.1 PPR fantasy points against the second-ranked defense in Football Outsiders’ pass defense DVOA.
Nonetheless, Mayfield has proven his ability to contribute fantasy QB1 numbers this season. He draws a matchup against the Bengals, who rank 27th in pass defense DVOA and concede the third-most fantasy points (21.7) per game to quarterbacks this season.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen’s rushing volume finally came back down to Earth against the Lions as he rushed nine times for just 16 yards. He did, however, add another rushing touchdown to go with his 204 passing yards and a passing touchdown.
Since returning from injury in Week 13, Allen has been the No. 1 fantasy quarterback in PPR points per game and the No. 1 fantasy player overall. It’s hard to argue against starting him at this point. Still, his matchup against the Patriots is not exactly ideal, so there could be cause to temper expectations for the talented rookie.
Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Josh Allen
Still, Allen is a fantasy QB1 until further notice — even without the benefit of a soft defensive matchup.
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones suffered a knee injury in the Packers’ loss to the Bears last week. It’s presumed to be an MCL sprain, but the Packers have not confirmed a prognosis or timetable for his recovery.
Nonetheless, with the Packers officially eliminated from playoff contention, Green Bay could choose to shut down Jones to avoid re-aggravating his injury.
In Jones’ stead, Williams rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown while hauling in four receptions for 42 yards. His 19.7 PPR points ranked 11th among running backs in Week 15.
Of course, you should not expect Williams to fully replace Jones’ efficiency or production. Williams has not exceeded 59 rushing yards in any game this season, even with Jones sidelined due to suspension for the first two weeks. However, it’s worth noting that from Weeks 11 to 17 in 2017, Williams ranked eighth among running backs with 16.7 PPR points per game.
Continue to monitor Jones’ status using our NFL Injury Report throughout the week, as Williams’ fantasy viability is contingent on Jones being held out against the Jets.
Elijah McGuire, New York Jets
McGuire delivered another inefficient but fantasy-friendly stat line as the Jets’ lone running back against the Texans. Over his past two weeks playing without Isaiah Crowell (toe, out for season), McGuire has averaged 77 total yards, three receptions and a touchdown per game. He finished as a fantasy RB2 in both of those contests, despite facing stout run defenses in Buffalo and Houston.
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Elijah McGuire
His matchup against the Packers should be more forgiving, inspiring confidence that he will again deliver starting production as the Jets’ workhorse back.
Wide Receivers
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers
Pettis has been on a tear over his past four games, averaging 4.3 receptions for 84.5 yards and a touchdown per game. He’s finished as a fantasy WR2 or better for four consecutive weeks and has averaged 18.7 PPR fantasy points over that span.
Pettis and George Kittle have dominated air yards for the 49ers with Pierre Garcon out for the season and Marquise Goodwin continuing to underwhelm. As a result, Pettis projects as a solid WR2 for the remainder of the regular season and is a must-add in dynasty leagues.
Pettis faces a tremendous challenge against the Bears’ elite defense. However, he’s already faced the Seahawks (twice) and Broncos during his four-game fantasy ascent. Given his target share in San Francisco’s offense, he should still provide stable fantasy value in spite of his difficult matchup.
DaeSean Hamilton & Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Since Emmanuel Sanders’ season-ending Achilles injury, Hamilton and Patrick have stepped up as quarterback Case Keenum’s preferred targets. Both have easily out-classed Courtland Sutton in targets, receptions, yards and fantasy points over the past two weeks:
Broncos’ receivers have an excellent matchup against a Raiders defense that ranks 31st in defense DVOA and 32nd in pass defense DVOA. Oakland has allowed the most points (29.9) and passing touchdowns (2.3) per game this season.
Mike Williams & Tyrell Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Either Mike or Tyrell Williams could be a viable flex play if stud wide receiver Keenan Allen (hip) doesn’t play. Allen left the Chargers’ Week 15 game against the Chiefs, enabling Mike and Tyrell Williams to combine for 21 targets, 13 receptions, 147 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
However, you should temper expectations appropriately given their very difficult matchup against the Ravens defense. Baltimore has allowed the fewest total yards (290.2), third-fewest passing yards (202.6) and fewest fantasy points to wide receivers (16.5) per game this season. The Ravens rank second in defense DVOA and fourth in pass defense DVOA.
Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Mike Williams
If you’re stuck deciding between the two, Mike Williams has better touchdown equity, but Tyrell Williams has more stable receiving usage.
Top Streaming Tight End
Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys
Here’s hoping you have your TE spot locked up already, because streaming tight ends from waivers has been horrible this season. Among those currently available, only Jarwin stands out to me as a reasonably high-floor option this week.
Jarwin posted a 4-45-0 receiving line against the Colts on seven targets, following up a 7-56-0 receiving performance agains the Eagles in Week 14. He’s had seven targets in back-to-back games and faces the Buccaneers’ notoriously bad pass defense this week.
The Watch List
The following players could be worthy of consideration in deeper leagues. Current ESPN ownership percentage for each player is in parentheses:
- Chris Herndon, TE, New York Jets (13.0%)
- Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Buffalo Bills (1.0%)
- John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (13.8%)
- Jordy Nelson, WR, Oakland Raiders (32.7%)
- Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams (40.1%)
- Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins (0.5%)
- Keith Ford, RB, Buffalo Bills (0.1%)
- Latavius Murray, RB, Minnesota Vikings (40.5%)
- Matt LaCosse, TE, Denver Broncos (4.7%)
- Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks (18.3%)
- Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (9.3%)
- Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets (18.0%)
- Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills (3.3%)
- Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (9.6%)
Pictured: Jamaal Williams
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
