Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 31st@ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Betting Odds: IND -3.5, 44 total via Oddshark.com
Expected Weather: Dome
Network: CBS
Writer: Chad Simpson(@CaoChadTTV)
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Aidan O’Connell (Sit)
I want to trust Aidan O’Connell. I really do, as I think he is a strong QB2 most of the time. This is not most of the time, rather it is Aidan O. coming off a game where he completed just 9 passes. He comes in against a Colts D that has been strong against the QB in the last several weeks.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs (Start, RB2 if active), Zamir White (Start, Flex if Jacobs plays, RB1 if Jacobs sits)
Josh Jacobs if active will slot into his usual role but likely at a bit of a snap count. That lines up against a Colts D that has been average against quality running backs. With Jacobs active but on a snap count Zamir White would be in line to get just enough touches to hit flex value. If Jacobs sits the sky is the limit for White coming off 145 yards against the Chiefs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Sit), Jakobi Meyers (Start, WR2), Michael Mayer/Austin Hooper (Sit)
With O’Connell’s inconsistency and a bad matchup I cannot in good faith start Davante Adams, who has been just okay this year and is far removed from the alpha WR he was in Green Bay. Jakobi Meyers might be the most matchup-proof WR in the league right now with the lowest ceiling. Consistently getting there on volume, he should arrive there again even in a bad matchup but should not rise much further than the back end of WR2. Health and usage along with a terrible matchup renders Michael Mayer and Austin Hooper as sits against a Colts D that has allowed just 3 TD and 1 quality game to tight ends in 2023.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew (Sit)
Gardner Minshew has been an every-other-week guy for the last month in coming out with quality performances. Against the most dominant defense anywhere in the league right now I expect this to be a long day for Minshew behind a line that has been in the bottom half of the league in sacks allowed across from Maxx Crosby and without star WR Michael Pittman.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start, RB1)
Just like Isaiah Pacheco the week before, the fantasy value for the team facing the Raiders is firmly in the hands of the running back. Jonathan Taylor returned last week to post a solid line despite a negative game script. While the game script does concern me again this week it shouldn’t get out of hand as quickly this week allowing Taylor to get just enough juice to hit the bottom of the top 10 at RB this week.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Alec Pierce (Sit), Josh Downs (Sit), Kylen Granson (Sit)
A terrible matchup for a receiving corps that is without its top WR in Pittman. After Pittman went down, the ball was spread all over the place with names such as Tyler Goodson and D.J. Montgomery joining Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Kylen Granson in the final game log. This deep spread along with the lack of performance despite a favorable game script last week leads me to stay clear of the quagmire that has emerged in the wake of the Pittman injury.
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