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
Daniels had a rough two-game stretch in mid-November, and fantasy managers began to question whether or not to keep trusting him. But in his last two games, Daniels has averaged 29 fantasy points per game with five pass TDs and two more scores on the ground. The rookie has one of the highest ceilings at the position and faces a Saints defense that has allowed the fifth-most pass yards in 2024. Daniels is a strong start in the opening round of the fantasy football playoffs.
As the great Katy Perry would say, this year’s version of Murray has been hot then cold. He’s yes then no, in then out, up then down, wrong when it’s right ... You get it. Fantasy managers have been frustrated. This could be an upside week for Murray, as the Patriots have allowed a top-10 QB in five games this season and given up the second-most passing touchdowns since Week 10. New England has yielded some big performances of late, including by Anthony Richardson, who rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown last time out. Murray also has the ability to beat the Patriots with his legs. The upside is worth it.
The Bills may appear to be a tough matchup for QBs this season, and the fantasy app will surely have them as a red matchup for Goff this week. But you saw what the Rams just did to Buffalo, right? Matthew Stafford threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns to finish as QB8 on the week. The Bills were forced to sell out in an attempt to stop the run, and the Rams receivers took advantage. Imagine what the Lions' offense can do this week. This matchup has a chance to be every bit the scorefest we saw between Buffalo and Los Angeles last week. The only concern is that Goff has been better against man coverage than versus zone this season, and the Bills use a lot of zone. Still, with Goff having multiple passing touchdowns in four of his last five games and in seven of his last nine, he is very much in play this week.
Herbert’s production has dipped in his last two games, but he averaged 21.1 fantasy PPG in the five games prior. He has a get-right opportunity this week against the Bucs, who have yielded the most fantasy PPG to opposing QBs this season. Tampa has allowed a top-eight fantasy QB in five of its last seven games -- with the exceptions being Tommy DeVito and Aidan O’Connell. In total, the Bucs have allowed a QB1 finish in nine of 13 games (69 percent). With the Bucs having an offense capable of putting up plenty of points, this could a high-scoring affair, or at least a game in which Herbert has to throw more than usual. The upside keeps him in play this week.
MORE START OPTIONS: Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa (at Texans), Vikings' Sam Darnold (vs. Bears), Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield (at Chargers).
Sit 'Em
The Dolphins have struggled against the pass of late, but that’s not enough for me to overlook the struggles of Stroud. He has finished as a QB1 just twice this season, with the last instance coming in Week 4 against the Jags. Stroud’s average finish in the last nine games is QB21. Yikes. He has topped 20 fantasy points only once this season and has averaged just 11.4 fantasy PPG since Week 7. He failed to deliver even 15 fantasy points in favorable matchups against the Colts, Lions, Cowboys and Jaguars. I would get away from him with your fantasy life now on the line.
Mike Tomlin and Wilson deserve credit. The move has worked -- and for fantasy, Russ has proven to be a reliable option. This week presents a tough matchup, though. The Eagles have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy PPG to quarterbacks, the third-fewest passing yards and fifth-fewest passing touchdowns this season. Plus, Wilson will likely be without top receiver George Pickens, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Given all that, and the fact that both teams could lean on the run, I would look to go in another direction this week.
Smith ranks second in the NFL in passing yards, but it hasn’t translated into a ton of fantasy success. He has topped 18 fantasy points just three times this season. In the four games since Seattle’s bye, Smith has averaged 13.5 fantasy PPG. In that span, he has thrown for at least 250 yards just once and has a total of three passing touchdowns in four games. He has also finished outside of the top 15 fantasy QBs in that span. The Packers are a middle-of-the-pack matchup for QBs (pun intended!), but given Smith’s recent fantasy output, there are better options for the start of the fantasy playoffs.
Friends don’t let friends start Kirk Cousins. Not in the fantasy playoffs. In his last four games, Cousins has zero touchdown passes and eight interceptions. If you watch him play, you see exactly why: He has very little mobility in the pocket, and there is just no zip on his passes. Cousins’ best fantasy performances both came against the Buccaneers, and he’s averaged 6.8 fantasy PPG in his last four contests. You can’t trust that kind of production in the fantasy playoffs -- even if the matchup seems appealing on paper. Go in another direction.
