You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Jahmyr Gibbs. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Last week, I went the cautious route with Brissett in the toughest possible matchup for quarterbacks: the Texans defense. He did what he has done all year, topping 18 fantasy points. Brissett became the top-scoring QB in a game against Houston (20.56). He also became the first to throw three TDs versus the Texans and the first to finish as a top-12 fantasy QB in his week against the vaunted D. Last week was the test week for Brissett. If he found success in that matchup, he is indeed matchup-proof. Now he gets the Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards and sixth-most TDs to quarterbacks since Week 10. Brissett is a strong start this week, and then he gets the Bengals in championship week. As my colleague Marcas Grant says, Brissett it and forget it!
Luckily for fantasy managers, Goff and Detroit's offense are playing their best football later in the season. Since Dan Campbell took over play-calling in Week 10, Goff has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in four of six games and topped 300 yards in three. Plus, with the Lions' playoff backs against the wall, do not expect them to ever take their foot off the gas. On top of that, the veteran signal-caller draws the Steelers, who are fourth in passing yards and eighth in fantasy PPG allowed to QBs.
This one hit on Thanksgiving, and I believe it will again this week. No QB has appeared in this article more this season than Jordan Love. While the weekly swings are wide, the great thing about him is he is pretty predictable based on matchup. With how run-heavy the Packers are, Love is highly touchdown-reliant. This Saturday night, he faces the Bears, who have allowed the fifth-most touchdown passes in the NFL. Chicago is also top 12 in pass yards and pass TDs allowed since Week 10. The real reason I like Love, though, is Chicago has played man at a higher-than-average rate all year and has done so more in recent weeks. Love leads the NFL (by far) in EPA against man. The Bears also have blitzed at the seventh-highest rate since Week 10 (second-highest in Weeks 10-14), and the Packers quarterback leads the NFL in EPA when blitzed. Love remains in play this week.
Young -- just like the Panthers as a whole -- has been extremely up and down. The good thing is he has become slightly more consistent of late, with 15-plus fantasy points in three of his last four. That is because he is running more. He galloped for a season-high 49 yards last week, and the last three games have been his best three-game stretch as a runner this season. That helps, but the big reason he is in play this week is the matchup. The Bucs have allowed the second-most passing yards all season and third-most since Week 10. They are second in TD passes allowed since Week 10 and top 10 on the season. Every QB to face Tampa Bay since Week 10 has topped 18 fantasy points, including Kirk Cousins and Tyler Shough in the last two weeks. On top of that, Young got this defense for multiple TDs in each matchup last year. Young is in play for those who need to dive a little deeper at QB. I am using him as a Patrick Mahomes replacement in a league.
STREAMING OPTIONS: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers (at Lions); Saints' Tyler Shough (vs. Jets); Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Bengals); Falcons' Kirk Cousins (at Cardinals).
Sit 'Em
I am a big Jaxson Dart supporter, but this is about avoiding the Vikings matchup. Minnesota has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards and third-fewest passing touchdowns this season. Brian Flores' unit has been even tougher lately, yielding the fourth-fewest yards and just one touchdown pass since Week 10. The Vikes have allowed the third-lowest passer rating and completion percentage in that span. Dart is not a must-sit, as he always brings some upside because of his legs, but I am playing Jacoby Brissett over him in a league. I would also play Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy and Bo Nix over him this week.
Sitting the guy who just authored the best fantasy performance by a QB this season? Lawrence -- like the Jags as a whole -- has reached a new level since the Week 8 bye. However, in that span, he's scored 15 points or fewer in two games. Those came against the Texans and Chargers, by far the toughest matchups he's faced during this stretch. This week, he draws Denver, which has allowed the third-fewest touchdowns and seventh-fewest fantasy PPG to quarterbacks. Don't chase last week's points; avoid this matchup.
As I've routinely discussed this season, Williams has a high ceiling ... but a very low floor, with fewer than 15 fantasy points in five of his last nine games. This week, he faces the Packers, who held him to 186 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception and 14.9 fantasy points just two weeks ago. Caleb's 54.3 completion percentage on that day marked the lowest figure any QB has posted against Green Bay this season. The Packers have struggled against the run recently, so I expect the Bears to pound the rock -- especially if Williams' weapons are depleted. Given the low floor, I would look to get away from the second-year pro this week.
Just like with Caleb Williams, the floor is not worth the risk here. Sure, Darnold is capable of having a big fantasy game, but the floor is week-losing. In his last six games, he has been held under 12 fantasy points four times -- with fewer than five in three of those. If you get fewer than five points from your QB in the fantasy semifinals, your season is as good as over. Plus, Darnold's worst performance of the season came in Week 11 against the Rams, when he threw four interceptions and finished with just 4.26 fantasy points. (He had fewer fantasy points against Minnesota, but that was because it was a blowout win for Seattle.) I would rather roll the dice on Bryce Young or any of the streaming options listed above.
