Start ‘Em
Ja’Marr Chase
A lot will be a stake this Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Kansas City Chiefs. The same goes for fantasy matchups as well. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to return to the lineup after missing several weeks because of a hip injury he suffered against the Saints. Chase has torched the Chiefs’ defense in his short career with 11 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. The Kansas City defense has surrendered the seventh most fantasy PPG to wide receivers this season (38.1). If you have any Bengals receivers outside of Chase, you need to start them this Sunday.
Christian Watson
The Green Bay Packers may be out of the playoff chase, but one bright spot the team can point to is rookie WR Christian Watson. The second-round pick out of North Dakota State has scored touchdowns in his last three games. In each of the past three weeks, Watson has scored a total of 21 fantasy points. His starting QB, Aaron Rodgers, is questionable to play against the Chicago Bears this Sunday because of a rib injury suffered in Week 12. But recently, the four-time MVP stated that he is feeling better and could see action this Sunday. If that’s the case, it bodes for Watson fantasy owners. The Bears’ defense currently allows the most points per game to the receiver position in the past month at (39.1).
Christian Kirk
Many people felt that Christian Kirk was incapable of becoming a team’s top choice at the receiver position. So far, he has proved those doubters wrong. In 11 games this season, Kirk has racked up 725 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s on pace for his first-ever 1,000-yard season. Similar to the Chiefs versus Bengals matchup, the Jaguars facing the Lions could result in a high-scoring affair. Kirk has been a safe fantasy starter for most of the season. In Week 10 against the Chiefs, Kirk put up 22.5 fantasy points. He could have a repeat performance of what we saw against Kansas City in Sunday’s game against Detroit. The Lions have surrendered the third most fantasy points to a wide receiver (39.7).
Sit’Em
Treylon Burks
Treylon Burks is a wide receiver that needs to be on your for a strong playoff push. Since returning from injury, the former Arkansas Razorback is becoming a fixture in the Titans’ passing attack. He’s put up 17 fantasy points in two consecutive games. But for this week, leave Burks on the bench. The Eagles have allowed 29.8 fantasy PPG to receivers, the ninth-lowest in the league. I do not see Ryan Tannehill doing enough through the air to affect the things that the Philadelphia secondary does so well.
Mike Evans
It has been a quiet year for Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. He has only recorded two 100-yard games this season and has seen the endzone three times. Despite the slow campaign, Evans is on pace for another 1,000-yard season. The former first-round pick is the only player in NFL history to start his career with eight consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards. The Buccaneers take on the New Orleans Saints in a pivotal matchup for the NFC South. From a fantasy aspect, owners should not start Evans in Monday’s matchup.
Dennis Allen’s squad has done a formidable job of limiting his impact whenever the two teams face each other. Despite facing the Saints’ defense, Evans has been ineffective in several matchups. He has been held under 60 receiving yards in three straight games. Even if cornerback Marshon Lattimore is not ready to return to action, I still would not take a chance and start the All-Pro wideout.
Amari Cooper
If Jacoby Brissett were still the Browns’ starting QB, Amari Cooper’s name would be listed among the start’em category and not the sit’em. The Browns will finally have their biggest offseason acquisition of the year, Deshaun Watson, under center when they face his former team, the Houston Texans. Despite his exceptional season, it’s best not to start Cooper this Sunday against the Texans. I say this because Watson could be dealing with significant amounts of rust when playing against his former team. He has not seen action in almost two years. Expect Cleveland to rely on their running game to be successful while Watson plays himself into game-ready shape.
