Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 31st @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
Betting Odds: JAX -7, 38 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: Clear
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young (Sit)
Against the Packers last week, rookie Bryce Young amassed 300+ passing yards for the first time this season, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Green Bay. Carolina came close to pulling off the upset, but ended up suffering their 13th loss of the year; and this time, Young wasn’t a part of the problem. That said, Young remains off your roster for Championship weekend.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard (Start, RB2), Miles Sanders (Sit)
Chuba Hubbard found the end zone in Week 16 for the first time since Week 13, and since then, he’s averaged 22 carries per game. He’ll continue to carry the load ahead of disappointing free agent signee Miles Sanders. Hubbard slots in as an RB2 against a Jaguars defense allowing the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing ‘backs this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Adam Thielen (Sit), DJ Chark Jr. (Sit), Tommy Tremble (Sit)
Jacksonville offers up a favorable matchup for opposing WRs, allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to the position this year. However, Adam Thielen – despite coming off a 6-94 week against Green Bay, should be avoided in the finals if you can afford to do so. Thielen hasn’t had over 100 yards or a touchdown since Week 6.
DJ Chark Jr. had his best game of the season last week, catching six of eight targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns, but consider that box score an outlier for a receiver who hasn’t had consistent fantasy relevancy all season.
Tight end Tommy Tremble caught four of six targets for 59 scoreless yards last week, but isn’t on the streaming radar against the Jags.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence (Sit), C.J. Beathard (Sit)
Trevor Lawrence has faced quite the list of injuries in recent weeks. From a supposed high-ankle sprain that he ended up playing on the following game, to a concussion he cleared in the same week, to now an AC joint sprain [right shoulder] he is “progressing” through so far this week. All of that has certainly hindered his play over the last few games, and it feels quite risky to start him if he is a go; as has been the case this later half of the year. He owns a 19:12 passing touchdown-to-INT ratio entering Week 17 against a Carolina defense allowing the 29th most fantasy points to QBs on the year.
If Lawrence isn’t a go, C.J. Beathard is not a streaming option in his place.
Running Backs
Travis Etienne Jr. (Start, RB2)
It’s been a down back-to-back games for Travis Etienne Jr., who had just six carries for 12 yards in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers. He’s had a decline in carries since Week 14, as he has had 14, 10, and most recently six in that span. With this week offering a get-right spot against a Panthers defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, perhaps Etienne can dial it back to his earlier-season success.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Calvin Ridley (Start, WR3), Zay Jones (Sit), Evan Engram (Start, TE2)
Zay Jones missed Week 16 with a hamstring/knee injury combo, but is optimistic he will suit up against Carolina. Even if he were to, while it would be a boost for the Jags receiving core, Jones wouldn’t be a recommended option for your lineup. The only two pass catchers worthy are Calvin Ridley and Even Engram.
Ridley was on the receiving end of two second-half touchdowns last week against Tampa Bay, and caught six of nine targets in the process. It was his best fantasy output since Week 12, but he would be on the WR3 radar considering the current QB situation in Duval.
Engram caught 10 of 15 targets for 95 yards last week, and remains on the TE2 trajectory as he has for most of this season. He’s currently sitting at 824 receiving yards on the year, and will have two more games to potentially hit the 1000+ yard mark for the first time in his career; he’s two receptions away from his first 100 catch campaign in this career.
Engram a TE2? He’s #4 scorer in PPR league.
Its not based on what he has done but what we project for him this week. TE range is 5-9.90 points. With Lawrence as questionable, there is reason to believe that Engram might not be as productive as usual. He has been in the TE2 range six times this year
You don’t think gamescript and check downs in the passing game can offer Achane flex appeal with high upside? Especially with waddle out and mostert not 100%.
Every writer has a different read on perceived gamescript, etc. Personally, I’m of the mindset that Achane should outscore Mostert this weekend. However, a tough Baltimore defense limits the ceiling for both, in my eyes. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Do yall think Zeke will outscore Singletary in a non PPR format?
In full PPR, I definitely prefer Zeke…much tougher call in standard formats. I’m torn; Zeke’s snap share is so incredibly high that it’s hard to ignore the sheer volume he’ll see. It comes down to projected gamescript for me. I like the Bills to roll the Pats, and I think Singletary will have a much easier time against TEN with Stroud under center than he did vs CLE last week with Keenum at the helm. I’ll give Singletary my endorsement here. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Appreciate the insight. Same thinking on my end. Just see the Pats getting stomped and not having enough time of possession for Zeke to do enough. If I win it’ll be my 4th year in a row to win my home league. Using this site as my primary source!
Been riding Tua all season. Seriously considering benching him for Carr. Is that crazy?
i started lamar jackson, ur dum