Graphic by Dina Kats
Evan Stotsky
Sports Reporter
Disclaimer: Kicker and obvious starters such as Ezekiel Elliot and Julio Jones will not be included.
With fall just beginning, the NFL has picked back up, and with it, the millions of fantasy football players. 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, I am here to provide you with suggested starts and sits for the next week if you are uncertain of who to start this week.
Play:
Quarterback- Josh Allen. Allen has been a solid choice in fantasy this year when playing against teams not called the Patriots, and now he gets to take on a league-worst Miami Dolphins defense with a thoroughly rested Bills team coming off a bye week. The Dolphins have allowed 270.2 passing yards and 2.8 passing touchdowns per game. If you need a quarterback this week, Allen is your guy.
Running Back- Leonard Fournette. Fournette is coming off of a subpar week, but now he gets to play a Bengals run defense that has been absolutely obliterated this year. They are giving up 184.5 rushing yards and 1.5 rushing touchdowns per game. Fournette has been pretty solid this year against much better defenses, so if you are on the fence about starting Fournette, this is the week to put him into that starting lineup.
Wide Receiver- Larry Fitzgerald. Larry is still going strong at 36 years old, putting up substantial numbers so far this season. Now, he gets a nice break, getting to take on an atrocious Giants pass defense giving up 285 yards per game. Kyler Murray has had a hot hand recently, and with Christian Kirk coming off an injury, he won’t be at 100 percent. Fitzgerald should have a great week.
Tight End- Evan Engram. Engram had to miss last week with a concussion, but hopefully, he will be ready to go when he takes on a Cardinals defense that has allowed the most points to tight ends this year. The Cardinals are giving up 90.6 yards and 1.2 touchdowns to tight ends this year. Start Engram this week if you have him.
Defense- Buffalo Bills. The Bills take on the Dolphins, who are averaging just 8.4 points per game and are averaging under 300 total offensive yards per game. The Bills have been dominant on defense this year, giving up only 14 points and 275 total offensive yards per game. Starting the Bills is a no-brainer this week.
Nay:
Quarterback- Phillip Rivers. Rivers had a solid game last week, even if most of his points came in garbage time. But, this week, he has to take on the Titans, who have a formidable defense. They are only giving up 217.33 passing yards and 1.33 passing touchdowns per game. Not to mention Tennessee has picked off opposing quarterbacks eight times so far this season. Expect Rivers to have a down week.
Running Back- Marlon Mack. Mack has been a very good running back this year, but this week he takes on a solid Texans run defense. The Texans have only been giving up 88 rushing yards and 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game. Expect Mack to have a less than spectacular game against Houston.
Wide Receiver- Allen Robinson. Robinson has had an up and down year, but this week he faces a daunting opponent in the New Orleans Saints pass defense. The Saints are only giving up 237.67 passing yards and 1.33 touchdowns, and the Bears offense has been struggling recently. Even if Mitchell Trubisky comes back, don’t expect Robinson to have the greatest game.
Tight End- Eric Ebron. The Texans have been very tough against tight ends this year, only giving up 35.2 yards per game and not allowing a single touchdown to tight ends. Ebron isn’t the most reliable tight end, as he has to split duties with Jack Doyle. Not to mention, the Colts offense hasn’t been as explosive as they had in past years. Don’t start Ebron this week if you have other options at tight end.
Defense- Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks haven’t had a dominant defense since the Legion of Boom, and this week they have to take on the Baltimore Ravens, who are one of the NFL’s most explosive teams. The Ravens are averaging over 450 total offensive yards and 30 points per game this season. They should continue their hot streak, so find another defense this week to play.
