Fantasy Soccer is all in regards to the matchups. Though you drafted your crew with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup choices should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. You’ll want to examine who your gamers play and ensure you’ve bought the suitable guys in — and the flawed guys out.
We are able to take some educated guesses primarily based on coaches movie, significant information, wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor data, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know will help us reduce the affect of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher choices being made.
We’ll undergo each recreation and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not must be informed to start out Brock Bowers). It’s best to really feel extra comfy beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the knowledge given, and feeling comfy together with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the very best feeling on the earth.
All strains from Caesars Sportsbook.
Raheem Morris’ protection usually sticks with zone protection — a number of Cowl-3 and Cowl-4, each coverages Mayfield has executed no less than reasonably nicely towards this season. Nevertheless, I would not be stunned if the Falcons try to blitz extra, particularly on third downs, given the state of a Bucs offensive line that misplaced one other beginning guard final week. That might imply extra man-to-man protection, which is what Mayfield has been essentially the most inconsistent towards this season. Perhaps that sounds troubling, however Mike Evans’ return ought to assistance on two fronts: One, on the snaps Evans and Emeka Egbuka have shared versus zone protection, Evans has a 27.2% goal per route run price in comparison with Egbuka’s 16%. That flipped towards man-to-man protection (28.6% for Egbuka, 21.4% for Evans), however it was throughout a time when Egbuka was enjoying just a little extra freely and wasn’t dropping as many passes. Evans’ dependable route-running and palms must be precisely who Mayfield must stack stats on this short-week matchup towards a sagging Falcons secondary. I would begin each receivers as at worst No. 3 WRs, and Mayfield must be trusted as a borderline No. 1/2 QB, particularly with Tristan Wirfs defending his blindside. It helps that Mayfield has thrown three touchdowns in every of his previous three towards Morris’ Falcons.
You have to give it to Kyle Pitts — he is turned eight-plus targets into no less than 14.9 PPR factors in three of 4 video games with Kirk Cousins. Final week, the 2 linked on quite a few deep throws that concerned nice timing, the attractive stuff that you just usually see from succesful QB-WR duos. Tack on a bunch of brief, straightforward throws, and Pitts appears to have the sort of No. 1-type of position Fantasy managers can belief. All of those video games got here with out Drake London, so assume that Pitts may wrestle to see the identical sort of quantity if London performs. And naturally, Cousins has been worse when pressured, one thing the Bucs at all times specialise in. However the Bucs play lots of zone protection, and that is exactly what Pitts & Cousins beat up on final week towards the Seahawks. So long as the Falcons do not crush the Bucs with an enormous dose of the run, Pitts ought to have a shot at one other sturdy stat line.
MUST-STARTS: Bijan Robinson, Bucky Irving
STARTS: Baker Mayfield (borderline No. 1/2 QB), Emeka Egbuka (low-end No. 2 WR), Kyle Pitts, Buccaneers DST (low-end DST)
FLEX: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Allgeier, Cade Otton, Rachaad White, Tez Johnson, Jalen McMillan, Sean Tucker, Falcons DST
The Browns play extra man-to-man protection than any protection within the league, normally with a single-high security and many move rush strain, with Myles Garrett main the way in which. Caleb Williams has landed the very best off-target price of any qualifying quarterback versus man-to-man protection and has the bottom completion price and third-lowest yards per try of any qualifying quarterback when pressured. Simply three quarterbacks all season have scored 20-plus Fantasy factors on the Browns, and Williams himself has fallen under 19 Fantasy factors in three of his previous 4, so it is fairly straightforward to make the argument to bench Williams. However over the previous 5 video games, the Bears’ leaders in goal per route run price towards single-high coverages have been Colston Loveland (23.2%) and Luther Burden (23.1%). With Rome Odunze out, I’d anticipate each to have no less than the identical quantity they’ve landed of their previous 5 (5 targets per recreation for Burden, 4.8 for Loveland) and be helpful low-end starters. Each of those guys have averaged extra targets per recreation of their previous 5 than D.J. Moore (4.4).
Cleveland’s run protection had two depressing performs final week that led to 98 speeding yards and two touchdowns for Tony Pollard. These sorts of accidents are uncommon from the Browns, who, regardless of these two mishaps, nonetheless have given up only a 4.0% explosive rush price of their previous 4 video games. It is honest to anticipate the Bears to lean into their rush assault, realizing their run blocking has been excellent these days, however do not anticipate the Browns to maintain making errors of their run suits after they have not executed a lot of that every one season. Whereas it is true {that a} runner has posted 15-plus PPR in every of the previous 5 towards the Browns, Swift shares backfield duties too ceaselessly to be something greater than a low-end No. 2 working again. Not less than he is more likely to catch extra passes than Kyle Monangai, plus he tends to play extra snaps when the Bears are in hurry-up mode.
STARTS: Quinshon Judkins, D’Andre Swift (low-end No. 2 RB), Harold Fannin Jr. (top-5 TE), Colston Loveland (borderline No. 1/2 TE)
FLEX: Kyle Monangai, Luther Burden III (PPR), Jerry Jeudy (PPR)
SITS: Caleb Williams, Shedeur Sanders, Dylan Sampson (desperation PPR RB), DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, Cedric Tillman, Cole Kmet, Bears DST, Browns DST
Lamar Jackson has been trending in the suitable route on the eyeball take a look at for 2 weeks now, and with a pillow-soft matchup towards a depleted Bengals protection that is missed no less than eight tackles in 4 of its previous 5 video games, I would anticipate a giant recreation. The 2 guys he is linked essentially the most with in these final two are Zay Flowers (28.6% goal share) and Isaiah Possible (19% goal share). Flowers has made some errors within the type of drops and getting his toes in-bounds, however has in any other case had actually good timing with Jackson and must be a YAC weapon towards this Cincy protection. Possible formally scored as soon as final week and had touchdowns erased in every of his previous two due to both fumbling into the tip zone or a ticky-tack name by the referees. Both method, Possible has emerged as successfully the No. 2 goal for Jackson and may rack up numbers towards the crew that is allowed essentially the most yards per catch to tight ends up to now three seasons and essentially the most yards after catch per reception and touchdowns to tight ends in any of the previous six seasons! (Arizona gave up 17 TDs to TEs in 2013, most of this century.)
Mike Gesicki has performed six video games up to now two years with Joe Burrow, whereas Tee Higgins has been sidelined. In three of them, he had 12.3 or extra PPR factors; within the different three, he had seven or fewer … with two of these three coming towards the Ravens. That features the matchup on Thanksgiving this 12 months and a nine-target showdown in Week 10 final 12 months when he completed with a 4-30-0 stat line. Gesicki is an efficient tight finish when you’re determined, however he is simply too dangerous to belief in a matchup that is been laborious on him. Week 16 towards the Dolphins might be significantly better.
MUST-STARTS: Ja’Marr Chase, Derrick Henry, Chase Brown
STARTS: Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Zay Flowers (low-end No. 2 WR), Isaiah Possible
SITS: Mark Andrews (TD-dependent TE), Mike Gesicki (desperation TE), Rashod Bateman, Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley, DeAndre Hopkins, Samaje Perine, Rasheen Ali, Keaton Mitchell, Ravens DST, Bengals DST
Fantasy Soccer Right now podcast host Adam Aizer has stated it completely: Houston has confronted the highest three quarterbacks in Fantasy this 12 months and held them to a mixed 28.2 factors. Their move rush has introduced straight warmth of their previous three video games, particularly towards inferior offensive strains. Brissett was already down each his beginning guards and his beginning proper deal with, however shedding left deal with Paris Johnson Jr. might ignite the worst of his issues when it comes to time to throw. You in all probability accurately assumed that Brissett’s effectivity was worse when pressured this 12 months, however the man has a 19% off-target price when pressured (5.8% when not) and a 0.8% TD price when pressured in comparison with 6.2% when not. The unhappy half? Houston in all probability will not blitz Brissett a lot as a result of they will apply strain with their entrance 4 defenders, leaving an additional defender to drop into protection. I worry Brissett’s finest numbers could have to return in rubbish time.
Even with Nick Chubb out, I doubt that Woody Marks will dominate snaps for the Texans — Dare Ogunbowale is a protected guess for third-down reps. However Marks ought to deal with a giant workload towards a Cardinals run protection that is yielded no less than 14.8 PPR factors to 10 working backs this 12 months, together with two rushers final week and 5 whole in its previous 4 video games. Rushers have averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and an 11.1% explosive run price with 5 touchdowns scored within the Playing cards’ previous 4. Marks is not a stud, however he has an awesome alternative in a very good matchup. It’s best to really feel good beginning him in any format.
MUST-STARTS: Nico Collins, Trey McBride, Texans DST (must-start remainder of season)
STARTS: Woody Marks, Michael Wilson, Dalton Schultz (low-end No. 1 TE)
FLEX: Jayden Higgins (low-end flex)
SITS: Jacoby Brissett (No. 2 QB), C.J. Stroud, Zonovan Knight, Michael Carter, Christian Kirk, Dare Ogunbowale, Cardinals DST
STARTS: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Breece Corridor, Jaguars DST (and save for Week 17)
FLEX: Jakobi Meyers (high-end flex), Brian Thomas Jr. (low-end flex)
SITS: Brady Prepare dinner, John Metchie III, Adonai Mitchell, Brenton Unusual, Bhayhul Tuten, Isaiah Davis, Jets DST
Getting move rush strain on Justin Herbert is a given, and it must be straightforward for the aggressive Chiefs to do contemplating the unhappy state of the Chargers offensive line. However Herbert has been nice at avoiding strain together with his legs, so it will be crucial for the Chiefs to corral Herbert with their move rush whereas additionally sticking like glue to the Chargers move catchers. Herbert has had blended outcomes versus the Chiefs since Greg Roman took over the playcalling for the Bolts, solely getting good stats in Week 1 this 12 months when his O-line was as wholesome because it might be. With their backs towards the wall and enjoying in a positive dwelling setting, I would financial institution on the Chiefs protection doing all it might probably to disrupt Herbert.
Of the ten receivers with 14 or extra Fantasy factors towards the Chiefs this 12 months, seven of them had seven or extra targets. The Chargers receiver almost certainly to get seven targets this week could be Ladd McConkey, however it’s value noting that not a single Chargers pass-catcher has a goal per route price larger than 19% when Herbert has been pressured, and none has larger than 15% of their previous three video games. It makes the entire passing offense robust to belief in Fantasy.
Patrick Mahomes has the identical sort of offensive line issues Herbert has. As many as three starters and one backup lineman are anticipated to overlook the sport, opening up one other set of floodgates for Mahomes to navigate, very similar to he did final week towards the Texans. The Chargers aren’t fairly as aggressive (sixth-lowest blitz price within the league), so perhaps there is a shot for Mahomes to be more practical, and we all know his prime targets when he is pressured are predictably Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. However Rice is the one with the large 31.9% goal per route run price and 14.9% first-down per route price towards zone protection (which the Chargers follow more often than not); Kelce is next-best at 17.6% and 6.9%, respectively. You are already beginning these guys, however as a result of they may pull by way of for large video games, Mahomes might additionally delight with a good-enough stat line, particularly if he makes use of his legs like he did final week — and like he did towards the Chargers in Week 1.
MUST-STARTS: Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce
STARTS: Patrick Mahomes (borderline No. 1/2 QB), Omarion Hampton, Chargers DST, Chiefs DST (low-end DST)
FLEX: Ladd McConkey, Kareem Hunt
SITS: Justin Herbert, Quentin Johnston, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Keenan Allen, Oronde Gadsden II, Kimani Vidal, Isiah Pacheco, JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Payments’ largest downside coming into Week 14 is a scarcity of a threatening move rush. Of their previous 5 video games towards a bunch of groups with suspect offensive strains, they’ve totaled three sacks and a league-worst move rush strain price of 24.5%. Joe Burrow (4 touchdowns) was the newest benefactor of such points. They might in poor health afford to present Drake Maye time to throw; his common depth of throw jumps from 5.2 to 11.1, his yards per try morphs from 6.6 to 10.3, and his QB score jumps from 105.9 to 115.6 when he has greater than 2.5 seconds to throw. To be honest, the Payments have been good at defending downfield passes on the season, besides towards the Patriots in Week 5 when Maye accomplished 6 of seven throws of 15-plus air yards for 129 yards (48 to Stefon Diggs). Diggs not solely has the very best goal per route run price of any Patriots receiver when Maye has no less than 2.5 seconds (22.2%), however he additionally has the very best goal per route run price towards zone protection, which the Payments play loads of (23.9%). Hopefully, Diggs comes off the bye refreshed and in a position to log extra snaps than the 46.9% he had in his previous two.
MUST STARTS: Josh Allen, Drake Maye, James Prepare dinner
FLEX: Stefon Diggs, TreVeyon Henderson, Khalil Shakir
SITS: Rhamondre Stevenson (desperation RB), Kayshon Boutte (sleeper), Hunter Henry, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Dawson Knox, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Patriots DST (high-end No. 2 DST, maintain for Week 17), Payments DST (maintain for Week 16)
STARTS: Jaxson Dart, Terry McLaurin, Tyrone Tracy Jr.
FLEX: Wan’Dale Robinson, Deebo Samuel
SITS: Marcus Mariota (high-end No. 2 QB), Theo Johnson (high-end No. 2 TE), Darius Slayton, Devin Singletary and Chris Rodriguez (desperation RBs), Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders DST, Giants DST
MUST-STARTS: Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Brock Bowers
STARTS: Jalen Hurts, Ashton Jeanty (No. 2 RB), DeVonta Smith, Eagles DST (and preserve for Week 16)
SITS: Kenny Pickett, Dallas Goedert, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Tank Bigsby, Raheem Mostert, Raiders DST
I’ve written on this house in regards to the distinction in Jordan Love’s effectivity being unhealthy when he is pressured and nice when he is not. This matchup will likely be very telling — the Broncos are top-10 in move rush strain price (40%), top-eight in blitz price (32.8%), and have the league’s highest sack price (10.9%). They’re additionally prime 10 in completion price allowed on throws of 20-plus air yards (29.8%) with no main inefficiencies in comparison with the remainder of the league. Love’s deep throw (20-plus air yards) price when pressured has been 16%, and on the season, he has but to throw a landing on a deep ball when pressured (4 when he is not). Solely 4 quarterbacks have topped even 17 Fantasy factors towards Denver this 12 months, solely three threw a number of touchdowns, and just one in Denver. Beginning Love this week would imply going towards his and the Broncos’ monitor data.
Christian Watson deserves the entire props for his current scorching streak. However earlier than you begin him, simply know that each single one of many eight receivers with 13-plus PPR factors towards Denver this season did so on the energy of seeing no less than 9 targets. Watson had 10 targets in his huge Thanksgiving Day recreation at Detroit, however has in any other case had one different recreation in his profession with 9 or extra targets. The Packers are likely to unfold targets round to all of their receivers, so it could be a shock if Watson dominated targets once more, particularly in such a tricky matchup.
MUST STARTS: Josh Jacobs
STARTS: R.J. Harvey (No. 2 RB), Courtland Sutton, Broncos DST, Packers DST
FLEX: Christian Watson
SITS: Bo Nix, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Evan Engram, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Luke Musgrave, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie
Jared Goff’s monitor report towards his former crew is not good — he has by no means had greater than 16.8 Fantasy factors towards them in three tries, playoffs included. But the Lions have gained every of their final two conferences towards the Rams due to their run recreation discovering the tip zone. The alternative is true for the Rams — Matthew Stafford’s had huge yardage totals and located nice Fantasy factors in two of three conferences (not final 12 months), however the run recreation has stalled. I feel each offensive strains will make an actual distinction as they’re each greater than able to dealing with their opposing move rushes and giving their quarterbacks probabilities to throw. Whereas the Lions secondary stays overwhelmed up, the Rams secondary has given up some huge performs over their final two video games, sufficient to be inspired to start out Goff regardless that he is by no means executed nicely towards L.A.
MUST-STARTS: Matthew Stafford, Jahmyr Gibbs, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams
STARTS: Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Kyren Williams
FLEX: David Montgomery (non-PPR)
SITS: Colby Parkinson (high-end No. 2 TE), Blake Corum (desperation RB), Isaac TeSlaa, Ross Dwelley, Rams DST, Lions DST
STARTS: Chris Olave, Rico Dowdle, Tetairoa McMillan, Devin Neal
FLEX: Chuba Hubbard, Juwan Johnson
SITS: Tyler Shough, Bryce Younger, Jalen Coker, Devaughn Vele, Xavier Legette, Taysom Hill, Panthers DST (desperation DST), Saints DST
Positive, this looks like an awesome alternative for Kenneth Walker III to have a giant recreation, however what number of occasions have we stated that over the previous … nicely, the entire season? In current favorable matchups towards the Falcons, Vikings, Titans, Cardinals, and Commanders, Walker notched 13.1 or fewer full PPR factors (and scored 20.1 on the Rams, the sport with the worst gamescript!). What I noticed from Walker final week was lots of shuffling his toes within the backfield, a telltale signal of indecision. Worse, every time he stopped his toes, he was a tick gradual to restart and speed up. Granted, the man can nonetheless fly as soon as he finds house to really speed up, however that appears to be uncommon. Plus, we have frequently watched Zach Charbonnet hog 60% of the Seahawks’ snaps contained in the 10-yard line this season (and 78% from the 1-yard line), in addition to a lot of the passing-downs work. Sure, this must be one other huge Seattle blowout win, however Walker has put up good numbers in simply two out of six of these in 2025.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jonathan Taylor
STARTS: Tyler Warren, Seahawks DST (and maintain for Week 17)
FLEX: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Zach Charbonnet, Kenneth Walker III
SITS: Sam Darnold, Riley Leonard, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Josh Downs, A.J. Barner, Colts DST
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle
STARTS: Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings, 49ers DST
FLEX: Ricky Pearsall (low-end flex), Tony Pollard (non-PPR)
SITS: Cam Ward, Tyjae Spears (desperation RB), Chimere Dike, Chig konkwo, Brian Robinson Jr., Titans DST
The Vikings did proper by J.J. McCarthy and saved issues easy final week. He gravitated towards out-breaking routes and hit most of them for stable to good positive factors together with two to Jordan Addison for 20-plus yards every and the brief landing to T.J. Hockenson. From time to time he bought locked onto a goal, and there have been occasions he turned down straightforward throws which led to move rush-related points he could not get out of. However each touchdowns to Josh Oliver had been examples of fine processing. There’s hope right here, significantly in a matchup that figures to present McCarthy a shot at throwing 30-plus occasions. Dallas has allowed no less than 24 Fantasy factors to 2 of their previous three opponents and 10 of 13 passers this 12 months. McCarthy won’t be a reliable begin, however his improved play must be a step in the suitable route towards trusting Justin Jefferson once more as a No. 2 receiver.
MUST STARTS: Dak Prescott, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb
STARTS: Javonte Williams, Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jake Ferguson (low-end beginning TE)
FLEX: Jordan Addison (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: J.J. McCarthy, T.J. Hockenson, Ryan Flournoy (pronounced “Flah-noy”), Jordan Mason, Malik Davis, Cowboys DST, Vikings DST
MUST-STARTS: De’Von Achane
STARTS: Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins DST
FLEX: DK Metcalf, Kenneth Gainwell, Jaylen Warren
SITS: Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa, Darren Waller (desperation TE), Malik Washington, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon, Steelers DST
