This is it. The Fantasy Championship. The Grandaddy of them all. The week we have been waiting for all season long. You have invested nearly every minute of your life to fine tuning your lineup and it has finally paid off. Now, stick to your guns. Don’t fall in love with some rando on the waiver wire, but instead keep your lucky lineup. Me? I am a superstitious fantasy player and I won’t risk anything that could possibly jinx my chances at taking home the hardware. One year I made a small change that turned into one of the biggest fantasy mistakes of my life. It was a team of destiny…one of those years where you could do no wrong. I was the #2 seed and had earned a first round bye. The second round came and I coasted into the championship as the highest scorer of the week and finished with a 16 point win. Then, championship week arrived. My team, the team of destiny, had already dominated the waiver wire all year by picking up studs like Patrick Mahomes and Nick Chubb along the way. I took one last crack at it to secure the bag and thought, why not take the Houston Texans D? I made the move to improve my defense, but it did not pay off on Championship Sunday. The Texans D dropped a goose-egg and I TIED 126-126…Tied. The Houston D who was averaging 8.3 ppg got me 0! I lost the tiebreaker, which for some unknown reason was anticlimactically awarded to the highest seed…thanks ESPN…and since that day in 2018, I have not won another fantasy championship. Yikes. Maybe this is the year, but regardless of that, I will not change my lineup.
Key Waiver Pickups
Jalen Hurts – QB, PHI (46.7% Rostered)
Hurts went off in his second career start and posted 37 points. Hurts is a must start if you don’t have a top 10 QB.
Tony Pollard – RB, DAL (47.3% Rostered)
Things are looking bad for Elliott in Dallas and Pollard could likely emerge as their future starting RB.
John Brown – WR, BUF (40.5% Rostered)
Diggs is questionable and Brown could return this weekend against the Patriots. This is a tough matchup, but Brown could be a great flex option this week.
Fax or Fiction
Jalen Hurts is The Guy
Fiction. Slow down Philly fans, your rookie has won a single game. Hurts was dominant last week against the Cardinals, but now he will face division rival Dallas in a showdown to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. With a bit of tape out of Hurts now, look for a regression. As mentioned last week, Wentz still has the massive contract and could be the guy they are forced to keep as QB1 down the road.
Haskins Should Be Cut
Fax. Dwayne Haskins was caught partying in a strip club without a mask following Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. Even if COVID wasn’t an issue, you don’t want to find out your former 1st Round QB has been partying it up after a disappointing loss where he posted a sub 60 QBR. Haskins has continued to embarrass the WFT franchise since the night they drafted him and I think this will be the final straw. They will try to trade him, but likely end up having to cut him. This was Haskins’ second COVID related fine this season.
Again…Start McCaffrey if he Plays
Fax. McCaffrey is McCaffrey. WFT is arguably one of the best defenses in the NFL and McCaffrey likely won’t play Sunday, but if he does he is still a must start flex option due to his involvement in the passing game and red zone.
Rankings for Championship Sunday
Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes vs ATL
2. Aaron Rodgers vs TEN
3. Baker Mayfield @ NYJ
4. Tom Brady @ DET
5. Josh Allen @ NE
6. Kyler Murray vs SF
7. Lamar Jackson @ NYG
8. Justin Herbert vs DEN
9. Ryan Tannehill @ GB
10. Russell Wilson vs LAR
Running Backs
1. Alvin Kamara vs MIN
2. Dalvin Cook @ NO
3. Derrick Henry @ GB
4. Nick Chubb @ NYJ
5. David Montgomery @ JAX
6. Aaron Jones vs TEN
7. Christian McCaffrey @ WSH
8. Jonathan Taylor @ PIT
9. Austin Ekeler vs DEN
10. Ronald Jones @ DET
Receivers
1. Davante Adams vs TEN
2. Tyreek Hill vs ATL
3. DeAndre Hopkins vs SF
4. Stefon Diggs @ NE
5. Cooper Kupp @ SEA
6. Keenan Allen vs DEN
7. DK Metcalf vs LAR
8. A.J. Brown @ GB
9. Jarvis Landry @ NYJ
10. Robert Woods @ SEA
Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce vs ATL
2. George Kittle @ ARI
3. TJ Hockenson vs TB
4. Logan Thomas vs CAR
5. Rob Gronkowski @ DET
Injury News
Christian McCaffrey – RB, CAR (Ankle, Quad)
McCaffrey is once again day to day, but if he continues to progress as planned there is a chance he could return on Championship Sunday. If not, consider Mike Davis as a starting quality RB2.
Kenny Golladay – WR, DET (Hip)
Golladay has likely taken his last snap as a member of the Detroit Lions.
Antonio Gibson – RB, WSH (Toe)
Gibson could play in a crucial game with the division on the line. If he plays he is a high end RB2. Turf toe is a tricky injury and the WFT likely won’t risk the young RB.
John Brown – WR, BUF (Ankle)
Brown could return this week and likely would return into his usual role.
Ronald Jones – RB, TB (Finger)
Jones missed last week, but if the training staff treats this finger injury like Chris Godwin’s he could play this week. Continue to monitor his practice status.
James Robinson – RB, JAX (Ankle)
Robinson injured his ankle on Sunday and it would be unlikely for the star rookie to return to action this year. With the 1st Overall pick on the line, Robinson will likely sit.
Cam Akers – RB, LAR (Ankle)
Akers suffered a high ankle sprain and will likely be out for the rest of the fantasy season.
Ezekiel Elliott – RB, DAL (Calf)
Elliott was a surprise inactive on Sunday. News broke this morning that the Cowboys are planning to shop Elliott in the offseason and there is a high chance he has taken his last snap of the season.
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