You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
For a stretch of the season, Mahomes was not usable for fantasy purposes. That has changed, though, and the shift began with his first game against the Raiders this season, back in Week 8. He went for 18 fantasy points in that one, and he's averaged 20.8 fantasy points per game over his past five games. Last week, he scored a season-high 28.8 fantasy points, and he's thrown three passing touchdowns in three of his last four. Plus, the Raiders have allowed a league-high 12 touchdown passes since Week 8. Mahomes is a strong start once again.
Monday night was a bit of a letdown for Herbert and the Chargers. He still finished with a respectable fantasy output in the loss to the Ravens, thanks to a rushing touchdown. He's averaged 21.1 FPPG since Week 8, and he has 29 rushing yards or more in four of those five games. That might not sound like much, but in terms of typical fantasy scoring, 30 rushing yards equals 3 points -- the same number generated by 75 passing yards. Herbert also has two rushing touchdowns over his last three games. Now he gets to face the Falcons, who have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns since Week 8. He remains a viable option, even with every QB available in this bye-less week of the season.
Stroud scored 15.7 fantasy points last week, which was his best fantasy performance since posting 18.4 in Week 6. What a rough season this has been for the fantasy QB9 of 2023. Stroud's performance can partially be blamed on him and partially on his offensive line; he's been pressured at a rate of 41 percent, the second-highest mark in the NFL and a significant jump from his rate last season (35.5%). This is a get-right spot for Stroud and the Texans' passing attack, as Jacksonville generates pressure at the fourth-lowest rate in the league. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most passing yards and second-most touchdowns, along with the most FPPG, to opposing QBs. Stroud threw for a season-high 345 yards and 23.5 fantasy points against them in Week 4. He has thrown for at least 280 yards and two touchdowns in every career game against Jacksonville. If you are not starting him this week, when are you starting him?
Last week against the Lions, Richardson showed that his floor is still low, scoring 12.98 points -- but two weeks ago against the Jets, he reminded us that his upside is sky-high, as he put up 28.08 points. This week, I'm choosing to focus on the positives. Richardson has been running more, logging 10 rushing attempts in each of his last two games. He's generated 21 total fantasy points in those two contests via his legs alone. Week 13 could be an upside week, since the Patriots are in the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns allowed to opposing QBs on the year. They've allowed the most passing TDs in the NFL since Week 8, tied with the Raiders. Again, Richardson's floor can be a drawback, so he is not a must-start, but we have reached the time of the season when the QB options thin out a bit. There is enough upside here to make it worth taking a shot over the names I have as sits below, or over other fliers like Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Jameis Winston and Aaron Rodgers.
More start options: Denver's Bo Nix (vs. Browns), Detroit's Jared Goff (vs. Bears), L.A. Rams' Matthew Stafford (at Saints), Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson (at Bengals).
Sit 'Em
Purdy missed last week due to a shoulder injury, and the 49ers' offense struggled. He has a shot to return this week, but what if the shoulder ends up hampering his play or limiting his usage? Additionally, he'll be facing the Bills, who have allowed the eighth-fewest FPPG to opposing QBs this season. I would look to avoid the risk and go in another direction, especially with all QBs available this week.
In the last two weeks, Tagovailoa has thrown seven touchdown passes and put up some big fantasy numbers, showing he can once again be trusted in the right matchups. However, that does not describe his matchup this week, on the road in Green Bay. The Packers have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards since Week 8. They have been tough on passes to the middle of the field, allowing the sixth-lowest passer rating on those passes -- and that is where Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' passing attack excels. Plus, it is going to be a cold night game in Wisconsin, and Tua has averaged 10.5 FPPG with six TDs and nine interceptions in his six career games where the temperature at kickoff was below 50 degrees. I would get away.
The Seahawks rank fifth in the NFL in pass attempts per game (36.9), but that has not translated to a ton of fantasy success for Smith, who has topped 18 fantasy points in just three games so far this season. He has scored less than 16 in two straight contests and has one or zero touchdown passes in three of his last four. Now he gets to face the Jets, who have allowed the second-fewest passing yards and passing touchdowns this season. It might be a revenge game for the former Jets second-round pick, but with all the options available this week (since no teams are on a bye), I would look to avoid this matchup.
Cousins has scored 40 percent of his fantasy points in two games against the Buccaneers. Against all other teams, he has averaged just 10.6 FPPG. He did not top 18 fantasy points in any of those non-Buccaneers games, and he threw multiple passing touchdowns in just two of them. The Chargers rank in the middle of the pack against QBs, but there simply has not been enough production by Cousins to trust he'll take advantage of the matchup. Given that he adds nothing with his legs, you can find a better option.
