Graphic by Audrey Kim
Evan Stotsky
Sports Reporter
Disclaimer: Kickers and obvious starters such as Christian McCaffrey and Patrick Mahomes will not be included.
With fall just beginning, the NFL has picked back up, and with it, the millions of fantasy football players have returned. Whether it is money or simply bragging rights on the line, it is essential to put your best lineup forward. For those of you who are unsure about who to play and who to bench, we are here to provide you with suggestions.
Who To Play:
Quarterback – Teddy Bridgewater against the New York Jets. Teddy Bridgewater has had a very solid start to his season. He is averaging 296 passing yards a game along with 2 passing touchdowns a game. The Broncos offense is cooking and Bridgewater is the chef. Expect Bridgewater to continue playing well against an abysmal Jets defense.
Running Back – Jonathan Taylor against the Tennessee Titans. Taylor hasn’t had quite the start people thought he might have. He is only averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game and has yet to score a touchdown. He is in a situation this week where the Colts may need to rely on him more if Carson Wentz doesn’t play due to his ankle injury. Whether or not Wentz plays, expect Taylor to have a bounce-back week against the Titans, who have one of the worst defenses in the league, so far.
Wide Receiver – Sterling Shepard against the Atlanta Falcons. Yes, I am saying to play a member of the New York Giants. No, I am not crazy. Sterling Shepard has been putting up elite numbers so far this season, averaging 8 receptions and 103.5 receiving yards a game. Daniel Jones is not the most reliable quarterback, but the Giants are playing the Falcons who might have the worst defense in the NFL. Expect Shepard to have a good week.
Wide Receiver – Courtland Sutton against the New York Jets. Courtland Sutton was not the most promising wide receiver coming into the year. There were questions about if he was healthy or if he was the top receiver on the team anymore. He is now unquestionably the top receiver, and he has played at 100%, so far. Last week he shredded the Jaguars for 9 catches and 159 yards. Expect him to continue more of the same against the atrocious Jets defense.
Tight End – Noah Fant against the New York Jets. Noah Fant has played superbly over the first two games of the year, emerging as a top target for Teddy Bridgewater. Now he gets a great matchup against the Jets who don’t have a great defense. Unless you have an elite tight end, you should start Fant.
Who to Sit:
QB- Baker Mayfield against the Chicago Bears. Mayfield has been playing quite average through 2 games. The Browns, as expected, have relied heavily on the run this year. This trend should continue as the Browns take on the Bears defense, which has played well. They picked off Joe Burrow several times last week. Try to find another starter if you have Mayfield.
RB- Bills running backs against the Washington Football Team. Don’t play either of the Bills running backs this week. Neither of them will consistently see enough work to make them fantasy viable. Especially not with Josh Allen himself taking a lot of the running work. Now, this week they play a stout Washington defense. Play other running backs this week.
WR- Corey Davis against the Denver Broncos. Corey Davis has enjoyed a pleasant start to the year despite Zach Wilson’s poor performance overall. Now the Jets take on the Broncos, who have one of the best defenses in the league. Combine that with having Zach Wilson as your QB, and Davis is a nay for me this week.
TE- Logan Thomas against the Buffalo Bills. Logan Thomas is an extremely talented tight end, but he has everything working against him this week. Starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick is hurt and not playing. Also, this week he is playing against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL, the Bills. If you have another tight end to play, sit Logan Thomas.
