Just like last week, there are Thursday and Saturday games. And since this is Championship Week for some of you, I want to share some thoughts on the Sunday/Monday contests as you map out your waiver and sit/start strategies. As always, here's what I believe is the biggest fantasy pressure point for each Sunday/Monday team:
Panthers -- A year ago this month, Bryce Young was a bust in only Year 2. His NFL future seemed bleak. Maybe he'd be a reclamation project if Carolina could unload him for decent draft capital -- though nothing close to his former #1-overall-draft-pick price tag. Then he racked up 10 TDs in last season's final three games, kept his starting job entering Year 3, and increasingly looks like a franchise quarterback. Can managers count on him in the most important fantasy week of the season?
Seahawks -- For maybe the 10th time, it's Kenneth Walker (fantasy's RB23) vs Zach Charbonnet (RB26). Walker's coming off his best performance since Week 4 last year. But it's hard to view even him as solid fantasy starter.
Jets -- Despite comparable target shares, John Metchie's production keeps dropping, while Adonai Mitchell continues to look like a worthwhile dart throw. (Not a reassuring thought, but some desperate managers might need him.)
Patriots -- In Weeks 13, 14, and 15, Stefon Diggs produced a combined 8-72-0 receiving line. Then last week he hit 9-138-0. He's been pretty much unstartable in about half his games. A true 50-50 sit/start question.
Dolphins -- Quinn Ewers' first two NFL starts are against Cincinnati, and now Tampa Bay. Entering last week, the Bengals had yielded the second-most QB fantasy points. They mostly dominated Ewers. The Bucs are now giving up the second-most QB fantasy points. You couldn't ask for a softer opening to an NFL career. And yet, aside from De'Von Achane, no Miami player is safe.
Buccaneers -- At least seven fantasy-relevant players (if we count the TD-dependent Sean Tucker). But aside from Baker Mayfield, none of them are great bets to hit double-digit points.
Colts -- Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. They don't know who will be their QB next season. But they're passing on Riley Leonard and sticking with Philip Rivers for at least one more week. As strange as it might seem, if Rivers & co. keep moving the ball well, he could earn another contract (if he wants it) in 2026.
Jaguars -- Has Trevor Lawrence officially arrived in Year 5?
Titans -- Cam Ward has thrown two TD passes in each of his last three games. Four of his best performances have occurred in the past six weeks. Is this closer to this new norm?
Saints -- In this century, not many multi-position players have had the fantasy impact of Taysom Hill. In a mostly forgettable season, and with several New Orleans starters injured, Hill had a throwback performance last weekend: 42 rushing yards, 36 receiving yards, and a TD pass. He's now 35 years old and is playing on an expiring contract. I believe no RB is older, and I think only one WR is older. (Adam Thielen was born one day earlier.) This Sunday might be the final time millions of managers weigh whether to start him.
Browns -- Earlier this year, Cleveland invested third- and fifth-round picks on quarterbacks. They'd take a roughly $80 million cap hit if they dumped their benched ("injured") former starter. They have two first-round picks next spring and one of the league's worst salary-cap situations. They need Shedeur Sanders to finish strong, or else things could get messy and/or costly in the next few months. When a team drafts two QBs, two RBs, and a TE, we should expect at least some of their fantasy values to improve in Year 2. But it's possible that this offense will be even worse next season.
Steelers -- DK Metcalf's suspension (he lost his appeal) means Thielen might be fantasy-relevant one last time -- or two more times if you compete in Week 18. Minnesota signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2013, the same year they selected WR Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round and signed high-priced free agent WR Greg Jennings. There was no room for Thielen. But one year later they made room, because he was that good.
Bengals -- Continually one of the most top-heavy fantasy teams. Maybe the toughest question is whether TD-dependent Mike Gesicki is worth a flier.
Cardinals -- Who will be Arizona's #1 WR this weekend? And what are the odds that Michael Wilson will outperform Marvin Harrison Jr next season?
Raiders -- Second-round rookie Jack Bech has caught 74% of his 27 targets. There's a clear path to fantasy relevance in 2026.
Giants -- Jaxson Dart had seven rushing TDs in his first seven starts and none in his last three, presumably to lower his injury risk. It's also significantly lowered his floor.
Bills -- Khalil Shakir had only two single-digit outings in his first nine games. But he's had five in his last six games.
Eagles -- DeVonta Smith is somehow the overall WR18 despite averaging his fewest fantasy points per game since his 2021 rookie campaign. He produced single digits in four of his first six contests this year, and also in four of his six most recent contests.
49ers -- If not for Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy would be the biggest QB fantasy playoff hero so far. He has at least 16.8 points in eight of his last nine starts dating back to last year's fantasy playoffs.
Bears -- Caleb Williams has taken another step forward these past two weeks and is now a seemingly must-start deep-league quarterback. He's within striking distance of finishing the season as the overall QB7 or even the QB6.
Falcons -- Once again, Kirk Cousins is playing well enough to be considered for a 2026 starting job. One caveat is that he's leaning relatively heavily on short passes. Great news if you have Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. Questionable news if you're hoping for big things from Drake London.
Rams -- Are Kyren Williams and Blake Corum both startable?
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