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.
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He may be getting overshadowed by Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, but Daniels is a top-five fantasy QB. Since Week 3, Daniels has topped 19 fantasy points in every full game he has played but two (when he was dealing with the rib injury). Better yet, over the last month, the rookie has averaged 27.2 fantasy ppg. He faces a Philadelphia defense that held him in check back in Week 11. The Eagles have allowed a top-eight fantasy QB in half of their games over the last month, with Matthew Stafford and Jackson finding success against them. Given how good Daniels has been and what he does with his legs, I am willing to roll the dice despite a tougher matchup.
Don’t look now, but Mayfield is a top-five fantasy QB this season. He ranks third in the NFL in passing touchdowns (32) and fourth in yards (3,617). He’s a better runner than he gets credit for too, logging eight games of more than 20 rushing yards, ranking 12th in rush yards at his position. Mayfield has had a QB1 finish (top 12) in 10 of his 14 games this season -- and he finished 13th in one of them. His floor is around 18 points a majority of the time, but he brings some upside because he’s topped 25 points five times this season. Mayfield could see another such performance this week against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to quarterbacks in 2024. They have also allowed the most pass yards since Week 11, making Mayfield a strong start this week.
Nix is coming off a couple of poor fantasy games, but he has a bounce-back opportunity this week against the Chargers. Since Week 11, Los Angeles has allowed the second-most passing yards and is tied for most passing touchdowns allowed. Three of the five QBs to face them in that span went off for at least 22 fantasy points. Baker Mayfield got them for a huge game last week. Plus, Nix dropped 20 fantasy points against Los Angeles in Week 6. In addition, the rookie has multiple passing touchdowns in four of his last five contests and in all but three games since Week 5. He also adds value as a runner. Despite the recent dip in fantasy production, Nix remains a strong start in this matchup.
It’s been a disappointing fantasy season for Murray. In his last four games, he is averaging just 13.4 fantasy PPG. Still, Week 16 presents a scenario in which I would be willing to give him one more shot. QBs who are better than Murray, fantasy wise, are up against some tough defenses, while some of this week’s best matchups are going to QBs I wouldn’t start over the Cardinals' signal-caller. The Panthers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to quarterbacks, allowing 27 passing touchdowns, which is tied for most in the NFL. Just last week, Cooper Rush threw three TDs on his way to 19 fantasy points against Carolina. This matchup keeps him in play, but if Murray flops here, I would consider benching him if you're lucky enough to still make it through to the championship round.
IF YOU NEED A STREAMER: Cowboys' Cooper Rush (vs. Buccaneers).
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There was a stretch in the middle of the season where it looked like Mahomes was starting to regain some old form -- at least fantasy wise. Nope. He remains the same floor play. Mahomes has scored fewer than 17 fantasy points in three straight games and in five of his last six. Now, he is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which has his status as week to week ahead of Saturday’s game versus Houston. Mahomes has taken at least 11 QB hits in each of his last three games. For context, that happened only three times in his first 125 career games (playoffs included). Houston’s defense, which has allowed a good amount of TDs this season, generates pressure at the third-highest rate in the NFL. Given Mahomes’ recent results and the uncertainly surrounding his ankle issue, I would look elsewhere this week.
I am going to go out on a limb and say Purdy will score more fantasy points than the 3.98 he logged in last week’s rainy Thursday night loss. That said, he has scored fewer than four fantasy points in two of his last three games. He has one or less passing touchdowns in nine of 13 games this season. All of this has made it very difficult to trust Purdy. Add in that he is facing the Dolphins, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG to QBs. They rank in the top 10 when it comes to fewest passing yards and touchdowns allowed, with Josh Allen being the only player to finish as a top-10 fantasy QB against them this season. It’s too risky to trust Purdy with your fantasy season on the line.
After a red-hot month, Tagovailoa cooled off in a big way last week. He finished with just 3.84 fantasy points after throwing three interceptions and one touchdown in Houston. This week, he is back in South Beach, where he and the Dolphins tend to play much better, but in a difficult matchup. The 49ers have allowed the fewest passing yards in the league and just 16 passing touchdowns in 14 games. In total, they have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy PPG to QBs. There are better options this week.
Last week, Stroud threw multiple passing touchdowns for just the second time since Week 7. He still finished with just 11.64 fantasy points after throwing for only 131 yards. It was his eighth straight game with fewer than 16 fantasy points, topping 13 points twice in that span. Stroud has not finished as a QB1 since Week 4. He has reached 20 fantasy points just once this season. Stroud is purely a name in the fantasy world right now. There is very little fantasy production here. The Chiefs are not a matchup to avoid, but there is no way you should play Stroud with a trip to championship week on the line.
