His final stat line against the Dolphins looks fancy (300+ yards
2 touchdowns), but overall Purdy has failed at times to keep the
offense afloat most of the season. With few healthy threats in
the backfield, and a pass-funnel Detroit defense on tap, look
for the Niners to have to pass the ball early and often to keep
up with the scoreapalooza the Lions have become. Opportunity should
equate to fantasy production, even if it doesn’t equal wins.
Could you envision considering Nix as an option in the fantasy
Super Bowl just a few short months ago? Neither can I, but it’s
impossible to deny that the rookie has been a solid option for
most of the season. He’s up to 26 total touchdowns on the
year, and the Bengals have allowed the 4th most points to the
position. His rushing floor (352 yards) seals the deal.
These two teams battled to 31-29 burner in Week 4 with Love throwing
for a season high 389 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first game
back from a knee injury. The Pack have been run heavy in the 2nd
half of the year, but this could turn into a track meet in the
confines of U.S. Bank Stadium.
It’s going to be unseasonably warm and wet this weekend
in Cleveland, but it's more about the matchup for me. Shaky line
play, a banged-up receiver core, and a reliance on the quick passing
game has neutered the explosion of this offense. Cleveland has
yet to allow a 300-yard passer this season, and only one of the
last five QBs have reached 20 fantasy points, and it took a broken
play late for Burrow to reach that number last week.
I got egg on my face for having Mahomes in this slot a few weeks
ago, but I’m going back to the well (or maybe I’m
trying to will a Chiefs loss into existence). Mahomes looked more
spry than expected last week coming off a “high ankle sprain”,
but this Steeler team is backed into a corner after getting dominated
by the Ravens in Week 16. Heinz field is going to be ready on
Christmas day to deliver some coal in Pat’s stocking.
The Chargers have to travel cross country to take on the Pats
in the elements, and while they are an attackable defense, they
played inspired against Josh Allen and the Bills last week. Herbert
and the Charger offense has struggled mightily in the last month,
outside of the 2nd half against Denver last week. As a side note,
Herbert has only reached 20 fantasy points on the road once this
season (Week 9 at Cleveland).
