Every Saturday, Sportsnet fantasy analyst Andy McNamara will answer all your fantasy football questions ahead of Sunday’s slate of games. If you’re looking for fantasy football advice, message him on Twitter using #AskAndy.
The bye weeks are over, but depth on Sunday could still be a problem since six teams already played on Thanksgiving. We’re in the final push to the fantasy football playoffs, making every roster move crucial.
From @ThatxReuangirth – I was going to start Joe Mixon, but should I start Rashaad Penny or Darrel Williams instead? #AskAndy
Joe Mixon is a no-go in your lineup if possible with the return of Andy Dalton to quarterback for Cincinnati. Behind an atrocious offensive line, Mixon only surpassed 66 rushing yards once with Dalton under centre. After rookie Ryan Finley took over, the running back’s workload increased based on necessity since Finley was so bad.
Damien Williams’ absence in Kansas City makes LeSean McCoy the back to own. Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson round out an ineffective committee that cannot be trusted. Therefore, Rashaad Penny wins by default. In media scrums, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll’s also reinforced his intention to get the sophomore back more touches.
From @kellsmc12 – #AskAndy standard league holding onto playoff spot. Darnold or Kyler Murray and Sutton or Landry? Thanks
I’m digging Sam Darnold here, especially for some contrarian points in DFS contests. Darnold faces a Bengals defence that’s allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, whereas Murray takes on a good – not great – Rams front-seven plus Jalen Ramsay
On Twitter, @wholeshowmunroe also had a question involving Kyler Murray so I thought I’d answer it here as well. He asked whether Murray or Tom Brady was the better play. In this case, I’ll side with the 2019 first overall draft pick since “Tommy Terrific” hasn’t sniffed 20-fantasy points since Week 6.
Now to the Courtland Sutton vs. Jarvis Landry inquiry. It’s looking like rookie Drew Lock gets the nod at QB for the Broncos, so I’ll take a Baker Mayfield-Landry tandem any day over that.
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From @paulsousa80 – Looking for a RB and a Flex between Miles Sanders, Tevin Coleman and Kirk. Must win to stay in a playoff spot #AskAndy
Slotting in Miles Sanders is much more appealing with Jordan Howard out. It’s a prime matchup taking on the sad-sack Dolphins even if Philly’s offence is ice cold.
The Ravens defence is ranked 25th against the run, but I’d only go with Coleman if Matt Breida’s ailing ankle forces him to sit. That leaves me with Christian Kirk, who’s produced double-digit fantasy points in all except two games he’s started in this season. Especially in PPR formats, he’s the safest choice.
Emma on Instagram @andymcsports – I’m in a deep PPR league, any sleepers you can recommend for a Flex spot? Thanks! #askandy
A deep sleeper I’m high on this weekend is wide receiver Zay Jones of the Oakland Raiders and, at tight end, the Colts’ Jack Doyle. I wrote why on Tuesday in my weekly “Under the Wire” column. https://sprtsnt.ca/2Ra9r2h
From @BenNacson – It’s a crucial week, need to bug u one more time! Half PPR, need 1 for my flex: Kenyan Drake, Scary Terry, Jamaal Williams. #AskAndy
Kenyan Drake’s been terrific as a lead back in Arizona, but he’ll be entering a timeshare with Chase Edmonds and David Johnson mixed into some sort of rotation. Poor Terry McLaurin is a victim of a horrible QB situation in Washington so scratch him.
I’d feel most comfortable starting Jamaal Williams as the Packers battle a Giants squad giving up the 17th-most points to running backs. Green Bay’s proven that the offence can keep both Williams and Aaron Jones fantasy relevant.
For @Kenzer_09 – #AskAndy hoping you can help me out. Need one for my flex: Robert Woods; Tyler Boyd; DK Metcalf
Assuming the questionable tag is removed, D.K. Metcalf possesses the most upside value. Not only does he have the best quarterback of the three, he squares off against a Vikings secondary that’s allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs.
I do like the possibility of garbage time yards between Boyd and Andy Dalton, but will stay with Metcalf.
From @juancbustamante – #AskAndy who would you play in a flex position, standard league: Rashaad Penny, Jonnu Smith or Chris Conley
Jonnu Smith becomes interesting since Delanie Walker was officially placed on season-ending IR. However, unlike the Titans offence as a whole, Smith hasn’t benefitted from the insertion of Ryan Tannehill.
Conley’s healthy target share stayed consistent with the transition from Gardner Minshew to Nick Foles, but he remains too boom or bust for me. Go with Rashaad Penny, as he takes over lead-back duties from the fumbling Chris Carson.
From @Raystpeter – Is there any Washington Redskins player worth playing in fantasy football this week?
The backfield is in full committee mode with Chris Thompson’s imminent return to add to the timeshare between Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson. Avoid the running backs.
As a WR 4/5 option in PPR leagues, Terry McLaurin is the only Redskin to consider because of his targets. It’s frustrating to see “Scary Terry” having not caught a TD pass since Week 6. Imagine his fantasy upside with a competent quarterback.
