Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 24tth @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: NYJ -3, 37 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Sam Howell (Sit), Jacoby Brissett (Sit)
Sam Howell struggled against the Rams in Week 15, completing 11 of 26 passes for just 102 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The poor play led to his eventual benching early in the fourth quarter. The fact that Riverboat Ron had no problem pulling Howell for Jacoby Brissett means it could happen again against the Jets this week. Howell’s starting gig is safe for now, but it’s worth keeping an eye on if you’re stuck choosing between the two options for your matchup this week.
Regardless of who is under center for the Commanders, they are not a recommended start against the Jets’ stout defense.
Running Backs
Brian Robinson (Sit), Antonio Gibson (Sit), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Sit)
If there is a evident weakness to the Jets defense, it’s their run prevention. Opposing teams have been successful on the ground, as New York is allowing the seventh most fantasy points to running backs on the year. For Washington though, the RB room isn’t all that inviting for fantasy purposes.
Brian Robinson missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury, and it’s left to be seen if he suits up on Christmas Eve. As of Wednesday, Robinson is still a DNP. In his absence last week, Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez Jr. did not produce with the increased opportunity plated for both. On paper, Gibson could have a better going against the Jets, but it’s all dependent on Robinson’s health. At the end of the day, I would be hard-pressed to trust Gibson despite the plus matchup on paper.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Terry McLaurin (Start, WR3), Curtis Samuel (Start if you must, FLEX), Logan Thomas (Sit)
Terry McLaurin came alive against the Rams last week, but it was when Brissett came into the game. He caught six of 12 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown. It was his first 100+ yard game of the year, and his first touchdown since Week 8. The Jets – notably the secondary – are the very best defense in fantasy against opposing WR’s. Don’t anticipate McLaurin blowing up again, but he still offers WR3 appeal.
Curtis Samuel is coming off a 5-41 game and two touchdowns (on nine targets) last week against Los Angeles, but the two scores won’t be sustainable. If you find yourself needing a dart throw with a trip to the Finals on the line, there is a path for Samuel to offer FLEX numbers, simply because you can brace for McLaurin to be held in check, which would leave the door open for Samuel to produce a bit.
Logan Thomas hasn’t been fantasy relevant mostly since Week 8, and he won’t be again this week against the Jets.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Zach Wilson (Sit), Trevor Siemian (Sit)
On Wednesday, HC Robert Saleh spoke to the media and confirmed Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol, but that the team is “not closing the door yet” on his availability for Sunday. Even if Wilson is cleared, and despite the fact that the Commanders are the worst defense in the league (allowing the single most amount of fantasy points to QB’s on the year), he won’t be a recommended stream. The same can be said for Trevor Siemian if he is anointed the starter.
This would have been quite fun to cover if Aaron Rodgers were cleared to play in this one but alas, that won’t be the case in 2023.
Running Backs
Breece Hall (Start, FLEX)
When Wilson was knocked out of the game last week against Miami, the offense wasn’t able to get going in the slightest. Breece Hall saw his lowest yardage on the ground with 12 since Week 2 where he had just nine yards against Dallas. He also had his lowest target share (two) since Week 3 against the Patriots where he also had two. It was a disappointing box score that you weren’t bracing for coming off his big Week 14, but that should change this week against a Washington defense allowing the sixth most fantasy points on the year to running backs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Garrett Wilson (Start, FLEX), Tyler Conklin (Sit)
Garrett Wilson, as has been the case all season, is the only pass-catcher worth starting from the Jets if you find yourself with no other choice. He’s coming off a four target game last week, which was his season-low, and who knows how he may fare if it’s Siemian under center, not to mention the fact that the Jets OL is built out of Swiss cheese. The plus side is the fact that the Commanders’ defense is horrid against opposing WR’s, which could keep Wilson in FLEX territory.
Last week, the Commanders allowed a total of 255 yards and two touchdowns to Rams WR’s and tight ends. Even with that nugget, this won’t be a week to consider streaming Tyler Conklin, as the Commanders are actually decent against opposing tight ends.