Dudes
QB – Justin Herbert @ Tennessee Titans
Justin Herbert has been lights out since week 11, sitting at QB4 from weeks 11-14. He’s on fire, he’s utilizing all of his weapons and he’s facing a Titans defense that is allowing 22 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. This is the matchup you are looking for.
QB – Andy Dalton Vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Saints are 1 game behind the Atlanta Falcons and 2.5 games behind the Buccaneers for the lead in the division. The Saints are coming off of a bye-week and they have everything to gain with a big win vs. division rival Atlanta Falcons. This may be a bit of a reach but if you have a tough decision to make at QB2 in superflex, hopefully this gives you the courage to start Andy Dalton in what I believe is a strong matchup.
RB – Isiah Pacheco @ Houston Texans
Fantasy managers who drafted Pacheco late or picked him up post draft were likely dreaming of having an opportunity to start him down the stretch, well that fantasy is now a reality. He’s the RB1 in Kansas City and he has a great matchup against a Texans defense that is allowing 27 points per game to opposing RBs.
RB – Miles Sanders @ Chicago Bears
Miles Sanders has been absolutely balling and I owe him an apology. I had him way too low in my rankings this offseason and through 14 weeks he is RB8. Miles is coming off of a monster week and will be facing a poor Bears rushing defense in a cold environment that is ideal for leaning on the rushing attack.
WR – Mike Williams @ Tennessee Titans
The Titans defense is allowing 34 points per game to opposing wide receivers which is the most in the NFL. Williams came back in a massive way last week going 6/116 and 1 TD. Time to hop on the surfboard and ride this wave!
WR – Christian Kirk Vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys secondary is in disarray right now behind Trevon Diggs. Kelvin Joseph has not been reliable and though Daron Bland has had big moments, he is still very inexperienced. Look for Kirk to win a lot of his matchups against whoever the Cowboys line up in the slot.
TE – Greg Dulcich Vs. Arizona Cardinals
Ladies and Gentleman, we have a Dul-situation (i’ve wanted to say that for a few weeks now and have not gotten the opportunity). This is the week Dulcich is going to get it done. The Broncos face a Cardinals defense allowing a league worst 15.5 PPG to opposing tight ends. Dulcich has 16 targets over the last 2 weeks and I’m confident he’ll be a big part of the Broncos offensive gameplan.
Flex – David Montgomery Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This is kind of full circle for me and the Toilets To Titles podcast. We had a huge ongoing debate about Monty and Miles Sanders throughout the first year of the show and now both players are veterans and on my Dudes list for the first week of the Fantasy playoffs. Couldn’t script it any better!
Duds
QB – Aaron Rodgers Vs. LA Rams
This is for those of you who play in 1 QB leagues and haven’t been able to get strong quarterback play this season. You’ve held onto Aaron Rodgers because he was likely better than what’s available and you’ve hoped he would produce like vintage Aaron Rodgers. It is time to stop hoping and find someone with a higher floor than Mr. Rodgers.
QB – Colt McCoy @ Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos defense has been a theme on the duds list this season. All year I’ve sat QBs and WRs who matched up with Denver and I’m doing it yet again. The Broncos defense has been reliably stout and the Cardinals passing attack has been unimpressive and concerning.
RB – Saquon Barkley @ Washington Commanders
Saquon Barkley was so damn good throughout the first 10 weeks of the Fantasy season but he has been very unreliable since. Barkley is battling a neck injury and the Giants are watching their playoff hopes and dreams slowly disappear. Keep your playoff hopes alive and avoid Saquon (outside of a flex play) if you can.
RB – Travis Etienne Vs. Dallas Cowboys
Etienne has not topped 10 PPR fantasy points since week 9 of the NFL season. He’s seemed to have lost a step since getting banged up in week 12. The Cowboys rush defense has been strong enough and the Boys will likely come out guns blazing after a close call with the Texans.
WR – Jaylen Waddle @ Buffalo Bills
It pains me deeply to put a guy on the duds list for the 1st week of the playoffs when I have him on 75% of my rosters. Waddle and Tua just are not seeing eye to eye right now and that offense is pretty shakey outside of Tyreek Hill.
WR – Christian Watson Vs. LA Rams
Watson has been rewarding Fantasy managers over his last 4 games but prior to that, he was pretty abysmal. Watson will likely see a lot of Jalen Ramsey this week and I don’t feel confident starting him in the first week of the Fantasy playoffs.
TE – Evan Engram Vs. Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram is now Tight End 4 on the season after a monster outing in week 14. That being said, his track record states that he is just as close to producing a 5 point game as he is to producing a 15 point game. Now, throw in the fact Engram is facing the Cowboys and their defense that is currently ranked #1 against tight ends this season. Engram is not a safe play.
Flex – Seahawks RBs @ San Fransisco 49ers
No Seahawks rusher topped 9 carriers or 25 rushing yards in week 14. I don’t know if Walker will be back but even if so, I’m not starting him or any Seahawks back against the phenomenal 49ers rushing defense.
