Sully's Two Cents

152 – 2021 Fantasy Football Hot Takes – Revisited

Hello Heat Seekers Hello Heat Seekers welcome to episode 152 of Sully’s 2 Cents Fantasy Football Podcast, I am your host I am Rob Sullivan.  The Sully’s 2 Cents Fantasy Football Podcast is a proud member of the RotoHeat Family of podcasts.

Back on July 29, 2021, I brought you Episode 141, 2021 Fantast Football Hot Takes. Today we recap those takes and see how I fared.  Keep in mind my takes were bold and the intent was really not to be correct.

I gave you two takes from each skilled position and without further ado let’s revisit starting with the QB position.  

Quarterbacks

2021 Fantasy Football Hot Takes – Revisited

Hot Take number 1: There has never been a QB to have a season in which he threw for 4000 yards and ran for 1000 yards. In 2021 there won’t be one to do it, there will be three – Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts.

There were 10 quarterbacks who threw for over 4000 yards in 2021, and none of them hit the 1000 yard rushing yard mark.  The closest was Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.  Allen threw for 4407 yards (8th best) and ran for 762 (3rd best).

Lamar missed too many games and wasn’t nearly good enough in the 12 he played.  Kyler also missed time and for the second straight season was slowed by a mid-season injury.  In addition, he did not run nearly as much as he had in his previous two campaigns. Jalen Hurts also missed a pair of games and proved he is not a quarterback capable of a 4000-yard passing season, at least not at this stage of his career.

Lamar Jackson – 2882 passing yards and 767 rushing yards in 12 games. Kyler Murray – 3787 passing yards and 423 rushing yards in 14 games.Jalen Hurts – 3144 passing yards and 784 rushing yards in 15 games.

Simply put I overestimated the impact one more regular season game would have on the position in 2021. In 2020 the 12th highest scoring QB was Matt Ryan with 293.44 points in 4pt/passing TD scoring.  In 2021 with an extra game Ryan Tannehill was your QB12 with 282.36 points.  The QB position got worse in 2021 and there were 49 different QBs to post at least one top-12-week last season. 

Hot Take number 2: Drew Lock will finish 2021 as a top-12 Fantasy QB

Drew Lock finished as QB42. His 52.88 points in parts of 6 games were 229.48 points shy No.12 QB Ryan Tannehill.  Clearly this one was way off and when the prediction was made I expected Lock to beat Teddy Bridgewater out for the stating job.  Had he, Vic Fangio might still have a job in Denver. 

Running Back

2021 Fantasy Football Hot Takes – Revisited

Hot Take number 1: Derrick Henry will finish 2021 as a mid to back end RB2.

Derek Henry finished the season as RB22 with 193.3 PPR points.  Now before y’all blow up my twitter DMs screaming that is only because he got injured, injury probability was baked into the take. 

In 2020 Derek Henry became just the 8th RB in league history to rush for 2000+ yards in a single season.

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 13 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. Without further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 13 victory. This week we take a look at an AFC East Divisional matchup between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills.

Quarterback

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 13 Fantasy

Mac Jones – New England Patriots Sully’s Rank: QB22

In the spring of 2021, there were five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The fifth QB selected, Michael McCorkle “Mac” Jones, season to date has been the best of the bunch.

Mac Jones enters Week 13 as the QB17, averaging 14.76 per game after 12 games. Mac Jones is a really solid “real life” QB, that hasn’t quite delivered at the same level fantasy wise.

In Week 13, Jones and the Patriots face a Buffalo defense that is the best in the league against the quarterback this season. They are allowing on average 12 points a game to the position. In 11 games this season, quarterbacks are averaging 184 passing yards and .72 passing touchdowns a week.

I would not be starting Mac Jones this week, and I get that for some of you sitting him is not easy, especially in 2QB, Superflex leagues. In a week where fantasy managers are starting Mike Glennon and Gardner Minshew, suggesting you sit Mac Jones is a little out there. Jones is a QB that very well may lead his team to victory this week, and in doing so he’s a low end QB2 at best.

Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills Sully’s Rank: QB4

Last season Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen finished atop the QB rankings with a total of 405.6 points. He enters Week 13 in a comfortable spot atop the standings. Allen averaged 25.32 points a game last season and this season his 24.47 points per game tops the position.

In Week 13, Allen and the Bills face a Patriots defense that is 2nd best fantasy defense against the opposing QB. They are allowing on average 13 points a game to the position. In 12 games this season, quarterbacks are averaging 218 passing yards and 1.17 passing touchdowns a week. In addition they have held the QB to 7 rushing yards a week, and have allowed 1 rushing touchdowns on the season.

Sitting your QB when facing the New England Patriots is expected and understood. Sitting your QB when he is Josh Allen, is neither of those. Ranking Allen at QB4 is done with the opponent baked in. Josh Allen is must every week QB, and if you are fortunate to roster him you already know this.

Running Back

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 13 Fantasy

New England Backfield

There are few phrases that strike more fear in the hearts of fantasy managers than “The Patriots Backfield”. For years the Patriots have had multiple running backs that they deploy on a weekly basis with little rhyme or reason. The thing is regardless it making any sense, the Patriots are the most successful franchise in recent memory.

In Week 13, the Patriots lock up with the 3rd stingiest fantasy defense. The Bills are allowing on average 20.1 points a game to the position. In 11 games this season Buffalo is giving up on average 77 yards rushing and 9 yards passing to the opposing running backs. In total the Bills have allowed 8 scores on the ground and an additional 2 via the pass.

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 12 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. Without further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 12 victory. This week we take a look at the Seattle Seahawks in Washington to face the Football Team.

Quarterback

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 12 Fantasy

Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks Sully’s Rank: QB11

Russell Wilson enters Week 12 as the QB28 after missing several weeks with a finger injury to his throwing hand. Prior to the injury in Week 5, Wilson was sitting at QB10, poised for yet another top-12 QB season. Since his return in Week 10, Wilson has struggled. In his two games post finger surgery, he is averaging only 8.06 points a week and is the QB25.

In Week 12, Wilson and the Seahawks face a Washington defense that is the worst of the league’s 32 teams against the quarterback this season. They are allowing on average 24.7 points a game to the position. In 10 games they have allowed 24 passing touchdowns and another 3 rushing touchdowns. Quarterbacks that face Washington this season have averaged 280 passing yards and 2.4 TD passes. In addition to their work in the passing game, you can add another 26.5 rushing yards and .3 scores.

Make no mistake about it, this is a great matchup for Wilson if he is healthy, which I am not sure he is. Since his return, Wilson has totaled 34 completions on 66 attempts for 368 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also ran the ball seven times for 34 yards and has fumbled twice, recovering them both. Wilson’s 51.52% completion percentage is extremely concerning. Prior to the finger injury he was firing at 72%, and his career average entering 2021 was 65.1%.

Ranking Wilson at QB11 as I have this week feels a little high. That said, this is still Russell Wilson and he is still playing Washington. I am starting Wilson where I roster him this week, but it is certainly not with my usual confidence.

Taylor Heinicke – Washington Football Team Sully’s Rank: QB14

Taylor Heinicke enters Week 12 as QB15 averaging 17.80 fantasy points per week. It’s fairly safe to say that Heinicke has exceeded expectations this season.

In Week 12, Heinicke and the Football Team face a Seahawks defense that is 14th best against the opposing QB. They are allowing on average 18.5 points a game to the position. Last week the Seahawks yielded 22.92 points to Arizona’s Colt McCoy at home. This week they travel across the country to tangle with Heinicke.

Last week on the road, Taylor Heinicke put up 23.14 fantasy points in Carolina in Week 11, and I am am expecting him to stay hot this week at home. Since slumping in Weeks 5 and 6 (scoring a combined 22.2 points), he has played to a QB13 ranking which includes a bye week. His 18.48 points a week since Week 7 ranks 11th best. I have confidence in Taylor Heinicke this week as a streaming option. This game has a feel of being high scoring.

Running Back

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 12 Fantasy

Seattle Backfield

The Seattle backfield is a mess. Chris Carson is on season ending IR with a neck injury. Alex Collins is battling a core injury and has been limited in practice and ineffective in games for over a month. Travis Homer and Rashaad Penny are also banged up and could miss Week 12. The last man standing, DeeJay Dallas,

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy

Monday Night Football this week brings an NFC West divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Rams (7-2) taking on the San Francisco 49ers (3-5)! These teams are having very different season so far this year, but as we have seen week in and week out this year, anything can happen any given Sunday…or Thursday…Saturday…or Monday!

We are going to help you find out which IDP players from these teams to sit, and start, in this game; as you IDP players known we have a lot of IDP relevant players in this game. Let’s see what we will be doing for Monday night!

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen – Aaron Donald

Kentavius Street – San Francisco 49ers – Sit

The Rams are 26th in points allowed to opposing defensive tackles. Street has 8 solos, 10 assists, 3 TFL, and 2 sacks on the year (8 games). With not doing much and a poor matchup, he is a sit.

A’Shawn Robinson – Los Angeles Rams – Sit

A’Shawn has taken over for Sebastian Joseph-Day since the latter went on IR. A’Shawn has a 37% snap share on the year, which will likely be more with SJD out but I am still not starting him. On the year he has just 15 solos and 14 assists with no big plays. The 49ers are 24th in points allowed to opposing defensive tackles.

Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams – Start

Do not sit your studs. Aaron is one of the top defensive players in the league, so start him.

DJ Jones – San Francisco 49ers – Desperation Start

The match-up is poor as stated for Street, but Jones has performed much better than Street of late, with three of his last four games having four or more solos and a big play stat in each of those three. With the poor match I am only considering him if I have no other great option.

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy: Edge

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy: Edge – Leonard Floyd

Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers – Start

Do not sit your studs. Bosa is having a great year and a stud defensive end, play him.

Arik Armstead – San Francisco 49ers – Sit

Armstead had a nice game last week (we recommended him as a one week play in our Week 9 waiver article here) but this is a poor matchup (Rams are 28th in points allowed to opposing defensive ends) so he is not a good play this week.

Leonard Floyd – Los Angeles Rams – Start

With a sack in six out of nine games this year and at least three combined tackles in seven out of nine games this year. It isn’t a great match-up but I would play Floyd with how well he has been this year.

Von Miller – Los Angeles Rams – Sit

Player on a new team coming off an injury that was worse than expected, against a team in the bottom six of sacks allowed.

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. Without further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 9 victory. This week we take a look at the NFC West showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.

Quarterback

Sully is back with Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy.

Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams Sully’s Rank: QB6

Entering Week 10, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is sitting at QB4 with 202.54 fantasy points. Stafford is averaging 22.50 points per game. His points per game average (QB7) includes Week 9’s 15.06 point outing against the Tennessee.

The game against the Titans last week was Stafford’s worst game of the season, and I fully expect him to bounce back this week facing the San Francisco 49ers. Their defense has allowed six quarterbacks to score 19-plus fantasy points, including five with over 20 and two with over 25 points. The Niners are giving up on average 21 points per game to the opposing QB, which ranks 5th worst in the league.

Jimmy Garoppolo – San Francisco Forty-Niners Sully’s Rank: QB22

Jimmy Garoppolo has scored 20+ fantasy points in two straight games. He has George Kittle back, and Brandon Aiyuk appears to have remembered how to play this game as of late.

I wouldn’t bet on much from this 49ers offense in Week 10, and Jimmy G’s 20+ point streak likely crashes back to Earth. The Rams are holding the opponent’s QB to 17.5 points per game (8th best), and now they welcome Von Miller into the fold. Jimmy G is a back-end QB2 this week and should be avoided in all 1QB leagues.

Running Back

Sully is back with Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 10 Fantasy.

Los Angeles Backfield

Towards the tail end of the preseason, the Rams acquired Sony Michel from the New England Patriots in an attempt to shore up the backfield hole left by the injured Cam Akers. At the time of the trade, it looked like the Rams were setting us up for a committee approach with Michel and Darrell Henderson.

San Francisco is the 12th worst defense this season against the run allowing on average 25.4 PPR points a game. In their 8 games this season, they have allowed a total of 10 touchdowns to opposing running backs.

As we enter Week 10, it has become evident that this backfield belongs to Henderson. Henderson enters the second half of the season as RB12 with a weekly average of 16.5 PPR points. I have him ranked at RB11, and in my opinion, he is a must start.

As for Sony Michel, as long as Henderson is healthy and active, Michel will remain on my bench regardless of the matchup. I have Sony ranked at RB47 in Week 10, and if at all possible, I prefer to keep him on my bench.

San Francisco Backfield

Entering the season it looked like the Niners would be led by Raheem Mostert once again, and there was plenty of preseason hype for Ohio State rookie RB, Trey Sermon. As we roll into Week 10, Mostert is on IR, and Sermon is sitting at RB79 with a total of 21.8 points. The back that has led the way to the surprise of everyone is 6th round rookie Elijah Mitchell.

The Rams enter this week with the 15th stingiest fantasy defense against the running back position. This is a good run defense that has allowed 23.

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

Well this does not feel like the thrilling Monday Night Football meeting we want. The 4-3 Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting the 3-4 Chicago Bears in what feels like a snooze-worthy game for anyone not a fan of either team.

BUT, will we see Justin Fields continue where he left off last week with Matt Nagy back? Will Big Ben find the cure for his arm woes and start throwing downfield more? Both seem unlikely but as we have seen even as recent as Jacksonville beating Buffalo 9-6 earlier this week, we never really know what will happen.

Let’s find those IDP players that you will, or will not, want to start to help you bring home a Week 9 win!

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen – Akiem Hicks

Were going to switch it up a bit for this one, as there are many different players you could start here. Both teams mainly play a 3-4. The Bears are 15th in points given up to the position, while the Steelers are 21st. We only really have two people I am considering starting, so here they are:

Cameron Heyward – Pittsburgh Steelers – StartChris Wormley – Pittsburgh Steelers – Start

Heyward has a 79% snap share and Wormley has a 69% share. Heyward is the more established veteran and better player and sits as IL #2 on the year; so yeah he is a must start.

Wormley isn’t having a huge year (11 solos, 9 assists, 2 PD, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, and 1 forced fumble) but his 1.5 sacks have both come in the past two weeks, when he has has 4 and 5 combined tackles. I like the streak he is on, and with a decent match-up he is the second best IL play on the slate

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Edge

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Edge – Khalil Mack

Robert Quinn – Chicago Bears – Start

Quinn is having a decent year this year after an abysmal one last year. The Bears have had their bye already but Quinn is a top 20 Edge player this year

Khalil Mack – Chicago Bears – Sit

He is hurt and out, so don’t start him.

TJ Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers – Start

He is a start every week, so start him this week.

Alex Highsmith – Pittsburgh Steelers – Sit

Sitting at a 63% snap count this season, and at 92% or above the past two weeks with Melvin Ingram’s anticipated, and then realized, departure, Highsmith only has one game with a sack this seasn (Week 6 against Seattle). Despite Chicago being a decent match-up I don’t feel great about starting him with his lack of production this year.

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Linebackers

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy: Linebackers – Joe Schobert

Roquan Smith – Chicago Bears – Start

A top 5 linebacker on the year, you do not sit him.

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. Without further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 9 victory.

Quarterback

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

Justin Fields – Chicago Bears

Justin Fields completed 19-of-27 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the 49ers. In addition to his work through the air, Fields added 10 runs for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The play of the day, and of his young career, was his touchdown run. On 4th-and-1 he appeared to make 11 San Francisco defenders miss on route to his 22 yard score. The rushing component to his game is what makes him such a sought after fantasy asset, especially in the dynasty format.

This was the first time that we really have seen the Bears let the rookie run. Bears coach Matt Nagy missed the game due to COVID-19 protocols, and one has to wonder if his play calling is holding Fields back. Justin Fields could become fantasy-viable if he maintains that level of rushing volume, but the question is will he? Until we have some clarity, Fields remains on my bench in all league formats.

Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 266 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ Week 8 win against the Browns. The line itself isn’t overly sexy, but its one that we have become accustomed to at this stage of Big Ben’s career.

Ben has completed 25.8 percent of his pass attempts of 20 yards or more, the second lowest rate in the league. Only Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff has been worse. Ben makes his living around the line if scrimmage these days with quick passes to his wide receivers and tight end as well as checking down and dumping it off to his running backs. He will take the odd deep shot, but it is no longer a significant component to his game.

Roethlisberger enters the week as QB28, averaging 13.41 points a game, and he is seeking his first outing over 15.22 points all season. To be clear, Ben has been bad this season and it appears that the long list of injuries this man has endured throughout his Hall of Fame career have finally caught up with him. Big Ben is nothing more than a desperation plug and play QB2 in 2QB and Superflex leagues. He is on my bench this week and in standard 1QB formats should be dropped.

Running Back

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 9 Fantasy

Khalil Herbert – Chicago Bears

Khalil Herbert rushed 23 times for 72 yards, and he had -4 yards on two catches in the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the 49ers. It was his first sub-10 PPR game since he has taken over as the Bears’ top back.

This week, Herbert and the Bears face a Steelers defense that is 6th best against the opponents RB through 8 weeks. The Steelers are giving up 94 rushing yards a game and have only yielded two touchdowns to backs on the ground this season.

We have seen Herbert beat top run defenses this season, most notably his Week 7 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he ran for 100 yards on 18 carries. Upside is what keeps Herbert in my lineups this week. I have Herbert ranked 21st this week and will be starting him as a RB2.

Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy

This may not be the slobberknock that we would hope for a Monday Night battle, but as we have seen this year games that we expect to be garbage may be more exciting than planned. Will Daniel Jones live up to him nickname and deliver some dimes to his banged-up receiving corps? Will Patrick Mahomes get back on track at home this week?

While you are enjoying the explosive players on both sides of the ball and seeing if they can break a big one make sure you keep an eye on those defenders. If you are in an IDP league (and I hope you are!), who should you be keeping an eye on? Let’s find out!

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen – Leonard Williams

Leonard Williams – New York Giants – Start

The Chiefs are in the bottom third of points allowed to opposing defensive ends, but with how this year has gone in the overall fantasy landscape Williams has reached “don’t sit your studs” for defensive interior linemen. He is IL #7 on the year going into this week.

Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs – Start

Jones has had a down year over, with a great first week, two missed games and no games (besides Week 1) over 5 points. This may have to do their their moving him from defensive tackle to defensive end, and the coaching staff has expressed at least a partial change back as a possibility. The Giants are 9th in points allowed to defensive tackles and I am thinking he will be able to produce against a banged-up offensive line.

Jarran Reed – Kansas City Chiefs – Start

My darkhorse start in the group, Reed has played about 65% of the snap this year and while he doesn’t have a great stat line on the year, I like the match-up and Reed’s talent to give him another decent stat line this week off his 4 solos and 2 assists last week.

The Rest – Both Teams – Sit

You could make a case for someone like Dexter Lawerence on the Giants, but I am sitting the rest of the interior linemen on both teams. There just isn’t a mix of playing time and production compared to match-up that I like enough.

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy: Edge

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy: Edge

Azeez Ojulari – New York Giants – Start

The Chiefs are right in the middle of the pack in points allowed to Edge players. Azeez is having a nice rookie year with 12 solos, 9 assists, 5 TFL, 5.5, sacks and and one forced fumble on a 59% snap share. He’s the best of this bunch this week if you are looking for one to play.

The Rest – New York Giants – Sit

It is one big muddled time share for the rest of these guys. Lorenzo Carter is out which leaves Carter Coughlin and Oshane Ximines as the main guys opposite Ojulari. Both are dart throws at best this year with playing time and production; I would not start either.

Frank Clark & Miek Danna & Alex Okafor – Kansas City Chiefs – Sit

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy

I will be with you every step of the way with recommendations on who to start and who to sit for every Monday Night Football matchup. With out further ado, let’s make the moves required to wrap up your Week 7 victory.

Quarterback

Start or Sit These Players on Monday Night to Win Week 8 Fantasy

Daniel Jones – New York Giants

Through four weeks of the 2021 season, it appeared that Daniel Jones was taking the next step towards becoming a dependable Fantasy Football starting QB. Jones was sitting at QB6 overall, and in three of his four contests he topped 20 points. The reason for his success, he was running the football, and not running it over. In this quartet of games, Jones ran for 188 yards, (47/game), and a pair of scores, which throwing one pick and losing one fumble. Entering 2021, Jones had averaged 27 rushing yards per game and had turned the ball over 40 times in 26 starts, (1.54/game).

In Week 5 he was concussed and finished with 4.82 points. Jones followed that one up with a 7.08 point outing. He bounced back in Week 7 posting 17.52 points in the win over Carolina. Week 6 Jones threw three picks and lost a fumble, in a game that I don’t believe he should have been active for. Week 7 was clean and he added 28 rushing yards.

Its a rather obvious statement to make, but Daniel Jones is best when he isn’t turning over the football. In other news water is wet, and fire is hot.

Each week this season we have been forced to wait (sometimes until game time), to determine who is suiting up as Jones’ weapons. Week 8 is no different. So after all that I suggest you start Daniel Jones this week. KC has yielded 24.4 points per game to opposing QBs this season including 34 yards rushing and 4 total QB rushing scores.

Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs

Start Patrick Mahomes, wash, rinse, and repeat. When the Chiefs take the field and Mahomes is active, you start him period.

I understand that Patrick Mahomes Fantasy Managers have a bad taste in their mouth after last week’s 8.74 point outing. His owners likely are not overly thrilled with his current QB5 standing either. The reality is that Mahomes is struggling this season to maintain the expectations he has set for himself with his play in previous seasons. Before we go totally off the rails here it is important to note he is averaging 24.31 points per game in 4pt/passing TD scoring leagues.

The concern if there can be any is, his offensive line is terrible, and he is throwing interceptions at a rate never seen before. Adding to this his defense is one of the worst in the league. To say Mahomes is pressing in order to try to offset his accommodating defense is an understatement. In his three full seasons as the Chiefs starting QB, Mahomes has averaged 2.53 touchdowns, .51 interceptions, and 1.44 sacks a game. In 7 games this season, his numbers are 2.57 touchdowns, 1.28 picks, and 2 sacks a game. Mahomes is on pace for 44 touchdowns, 22 picks and 34 sacks.

The good news is Mahomes’ offensive line has forced him to run more this season, (often for his life). In his three full seasons he averaged 18 rushing yards a game. In 2021 he is rushing on average 31 yards a game. Mahomes after seven weeks is 89 yards shy of his career high of 308 set last season. Start Patrick Mahomes with as much confidence as one can have, the 8.74 point outings are not happening again anytime soon

Running Back

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 7 Fantasy

Welcome back the the IDP Monday Night Start or Sit series! After some crazy spreads on Sunday, with one noticebale non-cover (looking at you Rams!) we have a Monday Night showdown of teams going in what feels like different directions.

In terms of IDP value though, they are quite similiar and pose similar match-ups to each other in terms of points against by position. Let’s go take a look!

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 7 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 7 Fantasy: Interior Defensive Linemen – Al Woods

Al Woods – Seattle Seahawks – Start

Despite only having a 53% snap share Woods is having a decent year for an IL player; 10 solos, 5 assists, 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 PD. Most of this was in one big game, but the Saints are a good match-up, giving up the 8th most points to IL players this year. He is the only one I am really considering this week for this position group.

Poona Ford – Seattle Seahawks – Sit

Poona has the same nice match-up as Woods, but has not done as much this year (15 combined tackles and 2 TFL) despite more playing time (about a 66% snap share). I do like him more than the Saints IL players, but he is a lesser fantasy football play this week compared to Woods.

Malcolm Roach, Shy Tuttle & Albert Huggins- New Orleans Saints – Sit

Roach (six combined tackles) and Huggins (seven combined tackles) have very few fantasy football stats to their names on the year. Neither are worth starting even in deep leauges.

Tuttle has a few more tackles (10 combined) to his name, but is also in that heavy rotation (42% snap share for the year). If I am stating any of them it is him but he is not really worthy of starting either.

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 7 Fantasy: Edge

Start or Sit These IDP Players on Monday Night to Win Week 7 Fantasy: Edge – Cameron Jordan

Cameron Jordan – New Orleans Saints – Start

Cameron has had a slow year by his standards, with only 10 solos, 8 assists, 3 TFL, and 2 sacks to his name. This is also a poor match-up with Seattle giving up the 8th fewest points to opposing EDGE players. With Geno at QB and what we have seen from Cameron in the past I think you have to play him unless it is a shallow league with clearly better options, but I wouldn’t expect a huge game here.

The Rest – New Orleans Saints – Sit

This is a mess of a time share, with three different players all under 45% for the year; Payton Turner, Carl Granderson, and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Turner and Granderson have all had weeks with no production despite playing and as stated with Jordan it is not a good match-up.

Tanoh has at least gotten two solo each week he has played, so if you are forced into one of these three I would look to him.

Seattle Seahawks – Seatle Seahawks – Sit

Darrell Taylor, Carlos Dunlap, Benson Mayowa, Rasheem Green, Kerry Hyder, this is a bigger mess than the Saints have. Green (65%), Dunlap (47%), and Hyder (48%) lead in shap shares, but none have done much of anything.