It’s semifinal playoff week in fantasy football leagues and that means it’s imperative to make the right decisions on your lineup. Especially at quarterback.
Pick the right guy at quarterback and you could be playing for a championship next week. Pick the wrong guy and you won’t even be playing next week.
I’ve scoured the advice that’s out there from a bunch of fantasy gurus and I don’t agree with the consensus on several quarterbacks, mainly Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston and Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky. Most experts are saying to start them both because they’ve put up big numbers lately.
I disagree with that and think you should sit Winston and Trubisky unless you have no other choice. Winston will be playing with a slight fracture in his right thumb and will be without receiver Mike Evans. Trubisky will be going against a tough Green Bay defense. Stay clear of both these guys.
The quarterbacks I think you should be starting are Jared Goff and Jimmy Garoppolo and that’s based mainly on the fact that both have favorable matchups. Goff and the Rams play the Cowboys, who have struggled with pass defense recently. San Francisco’s Garoppolo plays the Falcons, who have struggled against the passing game all year.
The quarterbacks are the headliners and I’ll share more thoughts on them later. But I also cover the other positions in my thoughts for Week 15 in fantasy football.
Robert Woods is a must-start
The Rams receiver has had at least 95 receiving yards in each of the last four games he’s played in. He’s got a favorable matchup this week. The Cowboys have allowed seven touchdown passes to wide receivers in the last four weeks.
Ian Thomas is a sleeper tight end
Seattle’s defense has struggled against tight ends as evidenced by the seven catches for 116 yards Rams tight end Tyler Higbee put up against the Seahawks. Plus, the Panthers want to audition Thomas to see if he can be a replacement for Greg Olson next season.
Start Michael Gallup against the Rams
Gallup is coming off one of his best games of the season against the Bears with six catches for 109 yards. He could put up similar numbers against the Rams. Los Angeles will likely put cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Amari Cooper. That should free up some targets for Gallup.
Sit Jameis Winston
Although he’s coming off a career high for passing yards, Winston still is an interception machine. But that’s not the main reason you should sit him against Detroit. First, Winston will be playing with a slight fracture in his right thumb. Second, he’ll be without receiver Mike Evans who will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Only play Winston if you have no other choice.
Stay away from Mitchell Trubisky
Yes, the Chicago quarterback has played well the last two games, throwing for 582 yards and six touchdowns. That’s nice. But Trubisky probably is in for a reality check. He’s playing against a Green Bay defense that loves to blitz, so Trubisky will be under pressure all game.
Patrick Laird is a great sleeper call
The Miami running back has become a legitimate fantasy starter and is a threat as a runner and receiver. Against the Jets’ No. 2-ranked run defense last week, Laird had 48 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards on 19 touches. He probably will get about the same amount of touches this week, but you can expect bigger numbers because the opponent is the lowly Giants.
Don’t use Bo Scarbrough this week
The Detroit running back has been a popular sleeper pick in recent weeks and has produced. But stay clear of Scarbrough this week. The Lions play the Bucs, who are strong against the run. Tampa Bay has shut down better backs than Scarbrough.
Chris Conley will have a breakout game
The Jacksonville receiver has only 38 catches for 632 yards and two touchdowns on the season. But look for him to have a big game against the Raiders, who struggle against the pass. Jacksonville’s D.J. Chark is out with a foot injury, so Conley will be stepping into his place.
Terry McLaurin will have a big week
The Washington receiver has been up and down all season. The Redskins play the Eagles. Philadelphia had trouble covering Giants receiver Darius Slayton on Monday night as he came up with two touchdown catches. McLaurin is a faster and better receiver than Slayton.
Start Jared Goff against the Cowboys
Dallas’ defense has struggled against the passing game the last four weeks. That means Goff has a favorable matchup. Goff is not a guy you want to start every week. But this is a week in which he should put up some serious points.
Jimmy Garoppolo will have another monstrous game
Garoppolo is coming off perhaps the best game of his career. In a win against the Saints. He threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns against the Saints. He could have an even bigger day against the Falcons, who have allowed 24 touchdown passes.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
