The fantasy football playoffs are here, and with that comes a lot of lineup decisions.
Austin Ekeler and D.J. Chark are both inside the top-five at their respective positions, and New England’s defense would be a QB1. It’s been that kind of a fantasy season.
If you’re busy trying to figure out whether Lamar Jackson will score 25 or 35 points this week, I can’t help you.
However, I can help you decide on players that many experts can’t agree on. So, let’s take a look at what to make of this week’s most divisive ranks.
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Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill (TEN)
Highest rank: QB6. Lowest Rank: QB25.
Ryan Tannehill has totaled 19.4 or more points in four of his six games as the starter for the Titans. Those in need of a streamer should be licking their chops at the prospect of starting Tannehill.
He will be going up against a Raiders defense this week that has been quite generous to opposing quarterbacks. The Raiders have allowed seven different quarterbacks to score 19.5 or more points against them.
Prediction: Feast
Other feasters: Sam Darnold (NYJ) vs MIA, Baker Mayfield (CLE) vs CIN.
Kyler Murray (ARI)
Highest rank: QB5. Lowest rank: QB22.
Only one quarterback has totaled more than 16.3 fantasy points against the Steelers in their last 10 games. Their defense has been elite, especially since the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Kyler Murray has displayed quite a ceiling but has also posted 14.3 points or less in three of his last six games. This could very well be a floor game for the rookie.
Prediction: Famine
Other famines: Drew Brees (NO) vs SF, Gardner Minshew (JAX) vs LAC.
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman (ATL)
Highest rank: RB7. Lowest rank: RB26.
10 running backs have totaled 14.7 or more fantasy points in half PPR formats against the Carolina Panthers. Ten!
Carolina has allowed a whopping 1,739 total yards and 22 touchdowns to the position already in 2019. Freeman is getting the workload, and this week, he’s getting the matchup.
Prediction: Feast
Other feasters: Kareem Hunt (CLE) vs CIN, Sony Michel (NE) vs KC.
Kenyan Drake (ARI)
Highest rank: RB23. Lowest rank: RB36.
Kenyan Drake has been solid since taking on Arizona’s lead role, but this could be a tough week for him. The Steelers have allowed just one back to score more than 11.9 since way back in Week 3.
Drake’s workload could also be in jeopardy if the Cardinals try to work David Johnson and Chase Edmonds in as well. He’s a fade this week.
Prediction: Famine
Other famines: Raheem Mostert (SF) at NO, Ronald Jones (TB) vs IND.
Wide Receivers
Alshon Jeffrey (PHI)
Highest rank: WR10. Lowest rank: WR38.
The Eagles have not been playing lights-out football, but their struggles have been more on the defensive side then offensive.
It is always wise to start a heavily-targeted receiver against the New York Giants. 16 receivers have been targets six-plus times against New York, here’s how they’ve fared in half PPR formats: 19.6, 19.3, 10.7, 41, 28.5, 15.8, 25.3, 13.5, 16, 10.3, 4.5, 16.6, 11.4, 22.1, 10.7, and 21.4.
Alshon Jeffrey should easily clear six targets in this one en route to a nice stat line.
Prediction: Feast
Other feasters: Sterling Shepard (NYG) at PHI, Robby Anderson (NYJ) vs MIA.
John Brown (BUF)
Highest rank: WR14. Lowest rank: WR39.
Baltimore’s defense has been very impressive lately, especially their secondary. In fact, only one receiver has totaled more than 13.1 points against them since Week 7.
John Brown has had a fantastic season, though he hasn’t been as reliable in tough matchups. Look for him to have a floor performance here.
Prediction: Famine
Other famines: Christian Kirk (ARI) vs PIT, Tyler Lockett (SEA) at LAR.
Tight End
Kyle Rudolph (MIN)
Highest rank: TE3. Lowest rank: TE25.
Kyle Rudolph has been one of Kirk Cousins’ go-to options since Adam Thielen got hurt and it has resulted in fantasy success. In fact, Rudolph is the league’s TE3 since Week 7.
Rudolph has scored in five of his last six, including a Week 7 matchup with these Lions.
Prediction: Feast
Rankings
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Elisha Twerski is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Elisha, check out his archive or follow him @ElishaTwerski.