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I’m going to be honest. I’ve been a bit more stressed than usual this week.
All season long, I love, love answering questions regarding lineups. I love it. However, this week, it’s been a bit more scary. Every single week, I always want to be right. However, in Week 14, I must be right. Why, you ask?
Playoffs.
Let’s continue the mailbag with some crucial fantasy questions. God speed, folks.
Q: Choose a QB: Eli Manning, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Andrew Luck?
AP: First off, let me say that Luck (oddly enough) is the odd man out. He’s averaging less than 15 fantasy points over his last three games, the wideouts aren’t performing, the offensive line has struggled and now, he gets another tough matchup. The Bengals rank inside the top-10 in pass defense, opposing signal callers are completing 57.9 percent of their passes (4th-fewest) and quarterbacks have a bad fantasy history against Cincinnati. In fact, just 10 of the last 42 quarterbacks to face a Mike Zimmer-led defense have finished as top-12 signal callers.
Now, between the other two. Based off my ranks, Fitzpatrick would be my guy. Believe it or not, only Peyton Manning and Cam Newton are averaging more fantasy points per game than Fitz over the last three. I foresee a ton of garbage time from Fitzpatrick in this game against Denver, which will result in a ton of volume. This year, opposing quarterbacks to face Denver are averaging 41.2 pass attempts per game, the second-most in football. Manning, meanwhile, has just been so hard to trust. Over his last six games, Manning has had incredible matchups (MIN, PHI, OAK, GB, DAL, WAS), but hasn’t posted more than 18 fantasy points. With his running ability, I think Fitz-Magic has more upside.
Q: Russell Wilson has been killing it lately, but should I start Carson Palmer over him?
AP: Is it crazy to say that Wilson will be the best quarterback in football in two years? No, no it’s not. He’s that good. And because he’s that good, even in a tough matchup against the 49ers, I think it’s too difficult to get away from Wilson. The number six overall fantasy signal caller has been playing too well lately, and Palmer, who has been playing well, is currently dealing with an elbow issue, and that’s enough for me to keep Wilson in my lineup.
Q: Need 2 of 3: Zac Stacy, Julius Thomas and Demaryius Thomas?
AP: Don’t. Just don’t make me do this. Even in a tough matchup, Demaryius is a must-start, especially in the fantasy playoffs. So that leaves Julius and Stacy, my man crush of the year. You can’t find a guy higher on Stacy than me, but in the fantasy playoffs, in a brutal matchup, I think I’d bench him. Of course, this all depends on the availability of Thomas, but after practicing fully this week, as long as he is out there on Friday, I expect him to play. I just think Stacy will struggled against a stout Arizona run defense. Only four running backs have found the end zone against the Cardinals this year, and this unit is coughing up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to runners (14.75). I’m so sorry, Zac.
Q: Josh McCown over Matt Ryan this week?
AP: In the words of WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan… Yes! Yes! Yes! McCown has been so good this year in place of Jay Cutler. He’s thrown just one interception compared to nine touchdowns. The dude has almost 1,500 passing yards in just four full starts. His weapons are awesome, as Brandon Marshall is already a stud, but Alshon Jeffery is emerging before our eyes, and the matchup is awesome. Dallas is surrendering the second-most fantasy points per game to signal callers (24.07) and are allowing 295 passing yards per game, second-most to the Eagles. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging 40.4 pass attempts per game, the third-most in football, and Dallas’ defense just can’t get off the field. The Cowboys are allowing the opposition to average a healthy 69 offensive plays per game, which means McCown will have plenty of opportunity to expose this weak defense. The Cowboys have allowed six quarterbacks to finish inside the top-12, and I think McCown makes it seven this week.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
