It’s the final countdown! This week is (for most) the last week of regular fantasy football, and next week is the playoffs. For all who have made it to your playoffs, congratulations. Now let’s go and kick some butt.
As for last week, mea culpa: Russell Wilson seriously threw three interceptions. To put it into context (and give me a slight out), he has seven interceptions for the entire season. SEVEN, and three of them were last week. Good god, man, even though he is in one of the better attack modes for quarterbacks, there is no way I can recommend him (which probably means he goes off)!
Just remember that the Los Angeles Chargers have allowed an average of 290.1 passing yards per game. The Chargers have the 30th pass rush win rate (30%) and allow quarterbacks an average of 21.1 fantasy points per game. That’s it. That is all I’m just saying.
I will add that the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders are on a bye this week. So, we are down one running quarterback and a quarterback who averages a league-high 37.3 passing attempts per game.
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Attack of the Quarterback
Justin Fields v Detroit Lions -3.5, 42.5 o/u
This game is a rematch of Week 11, played in Detroit. It was also Fields’ first game back from IR. Fields was 16 of 23 in that game for 169 yards and a passing touchdown. Fields also had 104 rushing yards on 18 carries.
The next week in Minnesota, Fields went 27 of 37 for 217 passing yards. He once again led the team in rushing yards. Fields rushed 12 times for 59 yards. And now for the rematch.
The Lions allow 198.2 passing yards a game when they are in Detroit. However, away from the confines of Ford Field, they allow 260.5 passing yards per game. They also have allowed the opposing quarterback an average of 21.8 fantasy points per game.
And let’s talk about team pass rush win rate—the Lions rank 28th (36%).
Fields is coming off a bye week. Well rested as their first meeting, he should be able to attack the Lions’ defense that allowed New Orleans Saints Derek Carr to pass for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Attack of the Running Back
Alexander Mattison @ Las Vegas Raiders, Vikings -3.0, 40.5 o/u
Mattison has been underwhelming all season. He is RB30 in both standard and PPR leagues. In standard, Mattison is averaging 7.6 fantasy points per game. In PPR, he is averaging 9.8 fantasy points per game.
It appears the Vikings will be rolling out quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who is coming off of concussion protocol. He is also coming off a game where he threw four interceptions.
In that game, Mattison averaged 5.2 yards per carry. For the season, he is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He has three touchdowns for the season, all in the receiving game.
The Raiders allow 105.6 rushing yards per game. They have given up 12 rushing touchdowns while allowing the running back to average 35.8 passing yards. All this equals 18.1 fantasy points per game for the running back position.
Mattison isn’t a slam dunk as, say, Alvin Kamara against the Carolina Panthers, but you were going to play him anyway.
It seems attacking the Raiders’ defense with Mattison will yield positive results.
Attack of the Wide Receiver
Zay Jones @ Cleveland Browns, Jaguars -3.0, 36.5 o/u
The implied total isn’t impressive. And the Cleveland Browns’ defense is formidable when playing in Cleveland. The Browns allow 85.3 passing yards when playing in Cleveland and 223.5 passing yards away from home.
And then there is the uncertainty of quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s status for the game. Wide receiver Christian Kirk is out.
Jones is back. In week 12, Jones had three targets one reception for 10 yards. Last week, Jones was second in targets (8) and second in yards (78). So, we know his trajectory is up.
Last week in LA, Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua carved up the visiting Browns defense for 105 yards and a touchdown. Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp also had passing touchdowns against the Browns.
If Lawrence is playing, attack the hobbling Browns secondary with Jones.
Attack of the Tight End
Gerald Everett, v Denver Broncos, Chargers -2.5, 43.5 o/u
The Broncos are generous to the tight end position. They allow 71 yards on average while giving up 9.2 average fantasy points to the position. Last week, backup Brevin Jordan managed 64 yards on three receptions against them.
And yes, it is hard to trust the Chargers offense after last week’s weak display. But even in that weak sauce, Everett was targeted five times. He finished with four receptions and 44 yards.
Everett has a 53.2% route percentage and runs 19.3 routes per game. He has a 10.2% target share and a 56% snap share.
Attack the Broncos defense with Everett.
I realize that this article was slightly shorter, but you made it this far. Don’t get in your head. When you need help, come to Razzball for the fantasy playoff push. If you’re still wondering about defenses, check out Sky Guasco’s phenomenal article on the best defenses to play during the fantasy playoffs.
As always, good luck.
