Fantasy Soccer is all concerning the matchups. Regardless that you drafted your group with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup choices should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. It’s worthwhile to examine who your gamers play and be sure you’ve bought the fitting guys in — and the unsuitable guys out.
We are able to take some educated guesses primarily based on coaches movie, significant information, wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor information, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know can assist us reduce the influence of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher choices being made.
We’ll undergo each sport and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not must be informed to start out Javonte Williams at this level). It’s best to really feel extra comfy beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the data given, and feeling comfy along with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the very best feeling on this planet.
All strains from Caesars Sportsbook.
MUST-STARTS: Dak Prescott, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb
STARTS: Javonte Williams, Terry McLaurin, Jake Ferguson (low-end No. 1 TE)
FLEX: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (non-PPR)
SITS: Josh Johnson, Deebo Samuel, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Cowboys DST, Commanders DST
The Minnesota protection has been on an unbelievable run (ZERO passing touchdowns allowed in its previous six video games/155 move makes an attempt) and occurs to have a wealthy current historical past of blitzing Goff. Nonetheless, Goff overcame heavy move rush strain in every of his previous two video games in opposition to good defenses and spiked every for 31-plus Fantasy factors. He additionally has three cases in his 5 conferences in opposition to Brian Flores’ Vikings protection the place he is posted not less than 22 Fantasy factors despite his fixed blitzing, together with Week 9 this season (23.4). Goff’s worst video games in opposition to the Vikings have are available in run-rampant efforts from the Lions, a particular chance given Jahmyr Gibbs‘ potential and the Minnesota run protection (4.5 yards per rush allowed over its previous 4 video games, excluding rubbish time). The fear I’ve is that the Vikings offense will sputter with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback and two first-string offensive linemen out for this sport. Their implied group complete is eighteen factors. In 4 video games when the Lions held opponents to 21 or fewer factors this yr, Goff has averaged 30.3 makes an attempt with just one sport over 16.7 Fantasy factors. At minimal, I would not count on a giant sport from Goff, and meaning decreasing expectations for his receivers a bit bit, too.
MUST-STARTS: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown
STARTS: Jared Goff (low-end No. 1 QB), Jameson Williams, Aaron Jones
FLEX: Justin Jefferson, David Montgomery (non-PPR)
SITS: Max Brosmer, Jordan Addison, Josh Oliver, Isaac TeSlaa, Ross Dwelley, Vikings DST, Lions DST
Of their first sport with nothing to play for, the Chiefs move rush blitzed on 48.4% of Cam Ward’s dropbacks, however bought strain simply 22.6% of the time and sacked him twice versus what’s been a principally dangerous Titans O-line. That is not good, and it is not a brand new drawback for Kansas Metropolis’s protection since they’ve underwhelmed most weeks, save for matchups in opposition to dangerous offensive strains. Denver is fourth-best in move rush strain allowed and first in sack price allowed. That is omen for Bo Nix, who started final week throwing rather well however towards halftime threw erratically, then pressed when down two scores and finally fell right into a disappointing stat line regardless of 47 move makes an attempt. Nix has by no means been good when underneath strain, however this should not be a kind of video games. In reality, there’s potential the Broncos regroup and intention to construct some confidence by means of the air, particularly because the scoreboard ought to be of their favor given the absences in Kansas Metropolis’s offense. I doubt it will be like Week 18 final yr when the Chiefs rested a bunch of their starters, and Nix threw 4 touchdowns, however I would not rule out a 250-2-0 stat line from Nix both.
STARTS: Bo Nix, R.J. Harvey (No. 1 RB), Courtland Sutton, Travis Kelce (low-end No. 1 TE), Broncos DST
FLEX: Troy Franklin
SITS: All Chiefs apart from Kelce, Marvin Mims, Evan Engram, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie
Justin Herbert was blitzed on 54.5% of his dropbacks at Dallas final week and wasn’t sacked as soon as. A few of that’s on the Cowboys move rush simply not enjoying nicely, however most of it’s on Herbert evading defenders, holding his eyes downfield, and making some superior throws. He is able to it in any matchup, however the step-up in competitors from Dallas to Houston is massive — particularly since Houston’s cornerbacks have performed rather well all yr and can cowl higher than how Dallas did final week. It makes Herbert a really dangerous Fantasy consideration given how he is fared behind his depleted O-line in 5 of his previous six (16.8 or fewer Fantasy factors in each matchup besides Dallas). Additionally, 11 of 15 quarterbacks in opposition to the Texans all season have posted 20.1 or fewer Fantasy factors, together with single-digits for Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, underneath 12 factors to Trevor Lawrence twice, and underneath 16 factors to Matthew Stafford.
There’s one different issue that would influence Herbert: his personal run sport. Omarion Hampton pulled even with Kimani Vidal in snap price final week earlier than Vidal bought damage, then Hampton primarily turned a workhorse and did very nicely. The Texans run protection is excellent statistically on the bottom, however they’ve some liabilities at linebacker, at D-tackle, and at sturdy security that would lengthen positive factors for Hampton very like Ashton Jeanty had final week. Hampton has additionally seen a goal on three of 11 routes he is run in his previous three video games when Herbert’s been pressured, which is a very excessive focus of targets and an indication that Herbert seems to be to him to bail him out of strain. So long as Vidal is out, Hampton qualifies as an excellent beginning choice primarily based on quantity.
Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman is suspended this week and subsequent week. When he was out for the Bolts in Weeks 2 by means of 6, they gave up a median of 5.1 yards per carry, an explosive run price of 11.5%, and 5 RB speeding touchdowns. When Perryman got here again in Week 7 and thru Week 16, the Chargers tightened as much as 3.5 yards per carry, a 5.4% explosive run price, and simply two speeding touchdowns to RBs. Backup linebacker Troy Dye has been a legal responsibility for nearly each sport in the course of the stretch Perryman missed, and he figures to be the alternative this week in opposition to the Texans. You possibly can nearly envision one in every of Woody Marks or Jawhar Jordan breaking a future due to a missed deal with. However which one? And can Houston’s O-line down beginning tackles Aireontae Ersery and Trent Brown make issues a lot harder on each of them? These questions maintain each backs within the low-end flex vary, particularly since it has been clear that Houston does not thoughts utilizing as many as 4 working backs from sport to sport.
MUST STARTS: Nico Collins
STARTS: Omarion Hampton (particularly if Vidal is out), Ladd McConkey, Dalton Schultz, Texans DST, Chargers DST
FLEX: Quentin Johnston
SITS: Justin Herbert (high-end No. 2 QB), C.J. Stroud, Woody Marks (desperation RB), Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, Jawhar Jordan, Oronde Gadsden II, Keenan Allen
Tyler Huntley has been on and off the sector a bunch since 2020, principally for the Ravens however for the Dolphins in 2024, too. In his profession, Huntley has helped two huge receivers recover from 15 PPR factors (Tyreek Hill in 2024, Rashod Bateman in 2021). Zay Flowers‘ career-best sport with Huntley is 14.1 in Week 8 this yr, adopted by 11.5 in a half final week in opposition to the Pats. Nonetheless, there have been 13 cases of a good finish getting not less than 10.2 PPR factors from Huntley, however none in 2025. Not that we’re trusting a Ravens tight finish anyway, particularly since Inexperienced Bay’s solely allowed six tight ends to notch 10 PPR factors this season. Their heavy zone coverages have finished job of limiting huge performs from not simply tight ends, however everyone. Caleb Williams was locked down for the primary 58 minutes of the sport earlier than coming unglued final week — not one thing we must always count on from Huntley. All of that is to say that Flowers is simply startable due to the utilization he is earned over the previous few weeks, not due to some type of distinctive matchup and positively not due to the quarterback. He feels extra like a high-end flex than a stud No. 2 receiver.
MUST STARTS: Derrick Henry
STARTS: Josh Jacobs (No. 2 RB), Packers DST
FLEX: Zay Flowers, Christian Watson (low-end flex)
SITS: Malik Willis, Tyler Huntley, Emanuel Wilson, Mark Andrews (desperation TE), Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Keaton Mitchell, Isaiah Probably, Luke Musgrave, Ravens DST
Nothing actually modified with Kenneth Walker’s position final week — he nonetheless took a backseat to Zach Charbonnet in snap share and solely had two extra carries (and yet one more contact) than Charbonnet within the sport. He simply did much more with the work he bought. Walker deserves credit score for displaying faster toes and decisiveness, however I do not assume it means he is abruptly going to return to being Seattle’s function RB and displace Charbonnet. Nobody’s complaining concerning the matchup this week because the Panthers have let up 4.9 yards per rush to working backs of their previous 4, full with a ten.8% explosive rush price allowed and a whopping 5 speeding scores. There’s room right here for each backs to be good, albeit on restricted quantity, as a result of they’re going to share a lot. Charbonnet has the sting on scoring due to his constant alternatives close to the objective line.
On the season, Tetairoa McMillan’s highest goal per route run charges have come when Bryce Younger is not pressured (27.6%) and when McMillan’s gone up in opposition to man-to-man protection (29%). The one-on-one protection is not doubtless — Seattle performs a variety of zone protection — however time within the pocket is feasible. Seattle’s move rush has type of waned over the past month, solely delivering dose of strain final week in opposition to the Rams, however failing to sack or create turnovers of Matthew Stafford. The Panthers offensive line hasn’t been fairly, however a return of Ickey Ekwonu at left deal with could be enormous. That may give Younger a bit extra time to fireplace downfield to McMillan, who may even see some inferior protection given some accidents in Seattle’s secondary. Tack on the doubtless sport script of the Panthers both chasing factors or enjoying in a aggressive sport, and McMillan may be began as a good No. 2 receiver.
And a fast reality: Excluding rubbish time, Seattle has not allowed a working again rush of 12-plus yards in 5 straight video games, and in that span, simply three runs went even 10 yards, and solely Blake Corum scored on them. This protection travels and can trigger all kinds of issues for the Panthers working backs on the bottom. It should be actually arduous to start out Rico Dowdle or Chuba Hubbard with any confidence, particularly since they break up the carries 60-40 final week in favor of Dowdle; Hubbard performed extra on third downs, together with each snaps inside the ten. Dowdle has 12.4 or fewer PPR factors in 4 straight video games, Hubbard has 8.3 or fewer in six of his previous seven.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
STARTS: Tetairoa McMillan, Kenneth Walker III (low-end No. 2 RB), Seahawks DST
FLEX: Zach Charbonnet, Rico Dowdle
SITS: Sam Darnold, Bryce Younger, Jalen Coker (desperation WR), Chuba Hubbard, A.J. Barner, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Panthers DST
MUST-STARTS: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Trey McBride
STARTS: Jacoby Brissett (top-10 QB), Chase Brown, Tee Higgins, Michael Wilson
FLEX: Michael Carter, Marvin Harrison Jr. (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Mike Gesicki, Elijah Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Samaje Perine, Emari Demercado, Bengals DST, Cardinals DST
If the Ravens lose to the Packers on Saturday evening, then the Steelers can have clinched the AFC North division and sure lock into the No. 4 seed within the playoffs. It might imply the results of their sport in Cleveland is meaningless. Mike Tomlin mentioned he “might” think about resting starters if the Ravens lose, however his historical past suggests the Steelers will play wholesome youthful starters even when they cannot enhance their playoff seeding. You’ll be able to ensure that the Steelers will not put many offensive wrinkles on the market for potential playoff opponents to see, which may stunt any numbers that come from particular gameplans.
Towards perhaps some other opponent, I would warning in opposition to the Steelers working backs, who really benefited from a horrible Lions run protection final week. However the Browns run protection has been trounced to the tune of 5.5 yards per rush and 7 complete touchdowns of their previous three, and the Steelers don’t have any motive to get away from their newfound twin backfield. It retains each Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell as beginning choices — assuming the Steelers have one thing to play for.
STARTS: Jaylen Warren, Harold Fannin Jr., Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers DST
SITS: Shedeur Sanders, Aaron Rodgers, all Steelers WRs and TEs, Raheim Sanders, Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Trayveon Williams, Browns DST, DK Metcalf
MUST STARTS: Jonathan Taylor
STARTS: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Jakobi Meyers, Alec Pierce (low-end No. 2 WR), Tyler Warren, Brenton Unusual (borderline TE), Jaguars DST
FLEX: Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington (PPR)
SITS: Philip Rivers, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman (desperation WRs), Ameer Abdullah, LeQuint Allen, Colts DST
MUST-STARTS: De’Von Achane
STARTS: Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Buccaneers DST
FLEX: Jaylen Waddle, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin
SITS: Baker Mayfield, Quinn Ewers, Darren Waller (desperation TE), Sean Tucker, Rachaad White, Malik Washington, Jaylen Wright, Cade Otton, Dolphins DST
STARTS: Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson (so long as TreVeyon Henderson is out), Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, Patriots DST
FLEX: Breece Corridor, Adonai Mitchell, Mack Hollins (low-end flex)
SITS: Brady Cook dinner, John Metchie III, Isaiah Williams, Jets DST
STARTS: Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, Tony Pollard (low-end No. 2 RB), Saints DST
FLEX: Taysom Hill, Tyjae Spears
SITS: Tyler Shough (desperation QB), Cam Ward, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Chig Okonkwo, Audric Estime, Evan Hull, Titans DST
STARTS: Ashton Jeanty
FLEX: Tyrone Tracy Jr., Wan’Dale Robinson
SITS: Jaxson Dart, Geno Smith, Tre Tucker, Darius Slayton, Theo Johnson, Devin Singletary, Jack Bech, Michael Mayer, Raiders DST, Giants DST
Buffalo’s move protection has began experimenting and (principally) succeeding with man-to-man protection, enjoying it totally on third downs. Solely Joe Burrow has really taken benefit within the Payments’ previous 4 video games; Drake Maye would have finished higher if his protection may have gotten off the sector extra typically in Week 15. The true issue is Buffalo’s move rush — it hasn’t shined exterior of final week’s sport in opposition to the Browns’ dangerous offensive line. It is at all times an extended day for defenses if they cannot strain Jalen Hurts as a result of he’ll both take further time to scan for an open goal or he’ll take off working if there’s open house in entrance of him. His final two video games in opposition to weak defenses in Las Vegas and Washington are examples of how he can nonetheless get the job finished by means of the air. Buffalo’s not practically as weak of a unit, which retains Hurts’ upside a bit restricted, but when they cannot crush the Eagles offensive line and check out enjoying extra man-to-man protection (Hurts has been mega-efficient in opposition to it this season), then Hurts can have a greater sport than we anticipate. Because it stands, Hurts ought to discover not less than 20 Fantasy factors, which he is finished in 10 of his previous 13 video games.
One thing was method off with Josh Allen within the second half of final week’s sport. Perhaps it needed to do with a foot harm he suffered whereas taking a sack late within the first half, however he accomplished simply half of 12 passes for 44 yards, and he did not rush a lot both. He practiced all week and is predicted to play, however a sub-100% Allen in opposition to a powerful Eagles move protection may create some issues. Philadelphia will get Jalen Carter again on its D-line to extend the strain they will placed on Allen, plus they have been enjoying extra man-to-man protection on third down. Allen does not fairly have the huge receivers to win in opposition to man protection, plus he is been much less environment friendly and has thrown extra interceptions in opposition to man protection this yr than zone. Allen’s a starter, little question, however this appears like a troublesome spot. That is why he isn’t a top-3 quarterback like he often is, and it is why none of his receivers are ranked notably excessive both.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Allen, James Cook dinner, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown
STARTS: Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Eagles DST
FLEX: Khalil Shakir
SITS: Dalton Kincaid, Tank Bigsby, Josh Palmer, Payments DST
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle
STARTS: Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, Jauan Jennings, D’Andre Swift, DJ Moore
FLEX: Kyle Monangai (non-PPR)
SITS: Colston Loveland, Demarcus Robinson, Olamide Zaccheaus, Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers DST, Bears DST
If the Seahawks beat the Panthers and if the 49ers beat the Bears on Sunday, the Rams could be locked right into a wild-card spot and would don’t have any motivation to play this week or subsequent week. It is particularly noteworthy as a result of Sean McVay has had no qualms about resting starters previously, however that was only for the ultimate week of the common season. I think about even on this situation, the Rams would play their starters for portion of the sport since they’ve sport preparations in place, however they may not reveal any new quirks or designs that potential playoff opponents may plan for. This would not be sufficient to bench any Rams gamers earlier than Monday, however I’d wish to assume by means of some choices simply in case. Instance: If I had Stafford, I would need Kirk Cousins on my bench, or if I had the Rams DST, I’d both move on them or have the Falcons DST in case all of the starters had been dominated inactive earlier than the sport.
MUST-STARTS: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson
STARTS: Kyren Williams, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Rams DST
FLEX: Blake Corum
SITS: Kirk Cousins, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Allgeier, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Terrance Ferguson, Darnell Mooney, Falcons DST
