We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the fantasy playoffs. For your fantasy football team, it means winning is as crucial as ever – and losses can become devastating. To keep you covered week in and week out, The League Winners are here to help you with any start or sit questions you have. Spending the week agonizing over who to start in your flex? Put your mind to rest and rely on us to do the dirty work for you. If you missed last week’s picks, you can see them here.
Start
Brian Robinson, RB – Washington Commanders (Thomas Christopher)
The Washington Commanders love to run the ball. To their credit, it’s worked thus far. Brian Robinson has had at least 15 rushing attempts in five of his last seven games. He doesn’t offer a huge ceiling in the passing game for fantasy football purposes; but with a hobbled Antonio Gibson in a divisional game matchup, I’m expecting the Commanders to lean on the running attack in a must-win game. I’m putting Robinson in all of my lineups and expecting a touchdown with plenty of touches.
Trevor Lawrence, QB – Jacksonville Jaguars (Aaron St. Denis)
Christian Watson, WR – Green Bay Packers (Jeremy Shulman)
If you have Watson, I can’t imagine you’re sitting him after he’s finished as a WR1 in three straight weeks. But really I just want to talk about how his last 20 targets have resulted in 12 receptions for 265 yards and 6 TDs. Aaron Rodgers is finally consistently looking his way, and it’s been paying huge dividends. You’re not benching him this week against a terrible Bears D; even if the Pack are headed to Soldier Field, and even if Rodgers has multiple injuries. Watson is shaping up to be the Gabe Davis we were promised; and given his schedule down the stretch, he may just end up THE fantasy football league winner of 2022.
George Pickens, WR – Pittsburgh Steelers (Sheldon Hand)
Pickens has only been a top-12 WR twice this year; look for him to make it three this week. The Falcons have given up an average of 24 points to the WR position, which is the third worst in the league. Pickens has been more productive than Diontae Johnson since rookie QB Kenny Pickett has taken over. He has averaged 10.3 points per game since Week 4, compared to Johnson’s 6.3. Pickens ranks 30th this week on FantasyPros. That’s his floor without a TD. Look for him to find the end zone lock up a top twelve spot this week.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB – Atlanta Falcons (Harry Prskalo)
The 31-year old has not had the season that everyone thought he would after his performance last year. Patterson started the season with two top-6 performances in the first four games. Since coming back from the injury he has been trying to get back to being a great fantasy option. Last week he played 58% of the snaps against a tough Washington defense. This week he gets to go against a Pittsburgh defense which has been allowing some good performances against opposing RBs. This week I am locking Patterson in my lineup as I expect a bounce-back week.
Sit
Van Jefferson, WR – Los Angeles Rams (Thomas Christopher)
With Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson on IR, Van Jefferson is the Rams WR1. That would be great if he had Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Instead, he gets John Wolford and a tough matchup against a Seahawks secondary that’s allowed the third-fewest points to WRs this season. I expect Jefferson to surpass 5 targets, and even potentially scoring a TD; but I still don’t think that’ll lead to more than 10 fantasy points. If I have better options, I’m starting them over Jefferson.
Jonathan Taylor, RB – Indianapolis Colts (Aaron St. Denis)
Kirk Cousins, QB – Minnesota Vikings (Jeremy Shulman)
Miles Sanders, RB – Philadelphia Eagles (Sheldon Hand)
Alvin Kamara, RB – New Orleans Saints (Harry Prskalo)
This may be one that makes me seem silly once the week is done, but I am rolling with it. Alvin Kamara has not been what fantasy football managers wanted coming into the year. He has only finished in the top 10 three times, and it has been over a month since he did. This week he has to go against the tough Tampa Bay defense. Unless Kamara is able to get in the end zone against them, I believe he will once again disappoint fantasy managers.
