Hello All! I hope you are ready to survive the latest Bye-mageddon where six teams are taking the week off. This has created tons of chaos for fantasy GMs everywhere. Along with that, there are still big injuries that are throwing a wrench in everyone's plans. I am here to help you navigate all of this and assist you in making the best decision with only a couple weeks left until the playoffs begin.
Let's get down to business!
QUARTERBACKS
START Will Levis vs Houston Texans
Welcome to Hot Take TV. Levis had a miserable start to the season where his first 5 games resulted in poor performances. He then took three weeks off with an injury and has come back with a top 20 QB performance and a Top 10 performance. The Top 10 performance actually came against the Chargers which are one of the top defenses in the league which makes it all the more impressive. After stumbling upon Levis' remaining schedule, he appears to have the softest remaining schedules as it comes for teams allowing the most QB points this season (according to our Fantasy Points Against) Levis has a chance to make a name for himself before the Titans use their Top 10 pick on a new signal caller. Levis will get the Houston Texans this week which are 10th in most points allowed to opposing QBs this season. With the amount of byes this week and injuries, I would take a chance on Levis if you really need someone.
SIT CJ Stroud vs Tennessee Titans
On the flip side of this AFC South divisional matchup, the tides have turned for the worst for Stroud. The Texans have leaned instead on the fantastic season of Joe Mixon to lead the Texans to the division lead. Stroud's fantasy value has plummeted as a result. Over his last 5 games, Stroud has not finished higher than QB18. That's unheard of after a phenomenal rookie season. Against a lackluster Titans team, they should expect to be playing from ahead and using Mixon abundantly. Stroud's production looks to continue hitting bottom for this season and should stay out of lineups indefinitely.
RUNNING BACKS
START Cam Akers vs Chicago Bears
Akers has slowly made his presence known this season. After getting a shot in Houston while Mixon and Dameon Pierce were experiencing injury troubles, Akers got a couple of starts at running back. He received moderate volume as well as a trip to the end zone. He has since been traded to the Minnesota Vikings where he had a stint with them last season. His volume has increased over the past three games, hitting 26 touches over the past two of them as well as a receiving score. His snap percentage has grown gradually too, hitting 37% last game. He appears to have taken over backup duties over Ty Chandler. He gets a fun divisional matchup against the Bears who are much more susceptible to the run (17th most) as opposed to the pass (least points to QBs and WRs). Akers is a sneaky FLEX option this week who looks to be gradually gaining trust in the Vikings offense.
SIT Chuba Hubbard vs Kansas City Chiefs
I love the season that Hubbard is having so far. It has been a massive surprise to see him at RB12 on the season. Unfortunately for him, this might be the downturn of his season out of his bye. He draws the Chiefs who have put up a brick wall for opposing RBs. I see this scenario playing out: Hubbard's production hits a wall this week, Jonathan Brooks gets his legs underneath him and begins taking over the backfield. It's rather unfortunate for Hubbard who has earned his share so while I see him still playing a role for the Panthers, it is likely to diminish over the final weeks of the season and it starts with Sunday.
WIDE RECEIVERS
START Quentin Johnston vs Baltimore Ravens
It's nice to see Johnston rebound from a downright depressing rookie campaign which was plagued with drops. I mean, he did manage only 2 catches on 8 passes last game but salvaged an otherwise abysmal day with a touchdown. That's the thing here: Johnston has found the end zone in each of the past 3 games! And you know what else? He gets the soft Baltimore secondary this week which have allowed the most points to WRs this season. He has a great chance to add onto his TD streak this week and should be a nice FLEX option.
SIT Jauan Jennings vs Green Bay Packers
Recent news has revealed that QB Brock Purdy will be OUT this weekend with a shoulder injury. This is not great for the Niners who are far from guaranteed a playoff spot at this point. They are actually, as it stands today, LAST in the NFC West at 5-5. The Niners will roll with Brandon Allen at QB which is largely a downgrade for the passing offense. They will undoubtedly lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey in the running game as well as the passing game with checkdowns galore. As it pertains to Jennings, who has looked fantastic over the past two games, his role will be greatly shadowed by those of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, the latter returning after an injury absence in the previous game. The matchup against the Packers offer no favors and is in the top half against the pass allowing 20th most points to WRs. I think Jennings' production takes a minor halt this week with e next stop. The Raiders have surrendered the 5th most points to opposing TE's while holding opposing WR's to the 5th least points. I think this is a good sign for Trautman to make a bigger impact like he did against the Panthers. The Panthers are better against WR's than they are against TE's and Trautman is ready to take advantage of this matchup.
SIT Tucker Kraft vs San Francisco 49ers
While Kraft will continue to operate as the lead TE, this matchup offers no favors. This comes after the fact Kraft put up a goose egg last week against the Bears. The Niners linebackers take no prisoners and will likely lock up the pass game. The Niners are more susceptible to the run than the pass so expect the Pack to lean on Josh Jacobs to get through the stout defense. With how hit or miss Kraft has been, you can't confidently start him this week with all of the Packers playmakers healthy around him. Leave him alone for the time being.
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