Sit/Start 2023 Week 18: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, January 7th 2023, 4:25 PM

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Betting Odds: Eagles -5, O/U 42.5 via OddsShark

Network: CBS

Writer:  Matthew Bevins (@MattBQBList on Twitter/X)

Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)

It’s a harsh reality, but the last month of Jalen Hurts seems like some sort of bad dream. The #1 fantasy/dynasty quarterback has taken a hit in recent weeks, buoyed in points by a proverbial and literal “tush push” to the top, as the rest of the best have simply shriveled (sorry Patrick Mahomes, maybe they’ll one day get you a dynamic wide receiver again), or someone like Josh Allen who literally needs to stop throwing the ball away. According to PFF, Hurts is once again having an excellent season, but he currently sits in the middle of the pack in passing touchdowns, and he’s endured some injuries to a couple of the offensive core’s key pieces. Hurts will attempt to keep the Philadelphia Eagles at the top of the pack, as a win and a Dallas Cowboys loss would vault them up to the #2 seed; with a loss, they’ll remain the #5 seed.

Hurts will want to right the ship, and this would be a perfect place to start against a team that has no identity and is already planning for next year’s draft.

Running Backs

D’Andre Swift (Start, RB1)

D’Andre Swift has been a huge breath of relief for an offense that, while holding an 11-5 record, looks like a team that has no idea what they are other than an offensive line pushing their mammoth quarterback into the end zone. Swift scampers, and does it quite well, but the rushing touchdowns are largely Hurts’s domain (15 so far this season). That leaves us with hope that Swift will just rush out heavy, as he’s eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards this season. His rushing game and passing game are catching up to his pedigree; my lone concern is just how much he’ll see the field if it ends up a blowout, as they likely want to keep his legs fresh for the playoffs.

TOUCHDOWN EAGLES!!!

Jalen Hurts to D’Andre Swift.

Swift is a tough SOB 💪#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/SyXVWuA3Qe

— DIE-HARD 🦅 Fans (@Eaglesfans9) October 15, 2023

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

A.J. Brown (Start, WR1), Devonta Smith (Start, WR2), Dallas Goedert (Start, TE1)

A.J. Brown is arguably my favorite player in the league. The swagger, the speed, the pure route running, and the power. He’s got almost all of the things you look for in a prolific alpha wide receiver. The Brown train chugs along, as he has hauled in 100-plus receptions, shockingly for the first time this year. Brown will likely remain the centerpiece of Hurts’ offense for years to come, but the touchdown number is the second lowest of his five-year career, perhaps due in part to the “tush push” ritual. Brown will likely see about 10 to 12 targets this week, but all signs point to the Eagles trying to get up early in this one and get the heck outta Dodge.

DeVonta Smith is having a year of trials and tribulations, facing injuries after starting the year with fewer targets than usual. Smith has only amassed over 100 receiving yards twice this season, and in the past 3 games has only seen 5 targets in each of them. Smith will look to end the regular season on a high note, but there is a slight worry that the offense has too many weapons to make Smith a top one.  Smith will likely see 5-7 targets, but will he be able to capitalize on them with a not red zone area touchdown, as that area is built for Swift and Hurts. Play but with low expectations

Dallas Goedert was at one time a couple of years ago on the same trajectory as a Dalton Kincaid or Sam LaPorta, but his stock has been hit from the offense towing him along as a third or fourth option. His targets were up early in the year, but ultimately his injury set him back a step with the rest of the offense. Now, over the past 3 weeks, while the offense has struggled, he’s had reliable fantasy production due to either target volume or a touchdown last week. He profiles as a solid low-end #1 tight end for the final regular season game. However, with Smith nursing an injury sustained in Week 17, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Goedert saved his best game of the regular season for last.

New York Giants

Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor (Sit, QB2/3)

The New York Giants are in a state of flux. After giving Daniel Jones a new contract to start the offseason, he ended the season this year on IR. Tommy DeVito was given his chance to shine, but over the past couple of weeks, he wore out the New York State of Mind and has been pushed back to the bench behind Tyrod Taylor. Tyrod Taylor will try his best to show up against a high-octane Philadelphia Eagles offense, but this also could leave the team without very much fantasy value to end the season. Taylor is a known entity, and while he’s enjoyable to watch at times, he’s also prone to going incredibly cold. While his name is more well-known than some of the other quarterbacks going behind center this weekend, he comes with a much lower ceiling.

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley (Start, RB1)

Saquon Barkley will arguably be the most talented player on the field on Sunday, but if the Giants are actively looking to bring Barkley back next year, it wouldn’t make sense to roll out their most valued player in a game that matters little to their franchise. Barkley will see the field for somewhere between 10-15 rushes, I would imagine, and then he’ll likely sit for the remainder of the game. What is there to be gained here? With the lack of high-end talent playing on teams that don’t need to do anything and are already in the playoffs, he may be one of the best options you have.

Set a low expectation, is all.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Darren Waller (Start, TE2), Wan’Dale Robinson (Sit, WR3/Flex), Darius Slayton (Start, WR3)

The Giants will attempt to find out what they have in their cobbled-together offense, and that will likely center around these three players. Upside-wise, the best player the Giants have in their offense is Jalin Hyatt or Wan’Dale Robinson, but both are ending the year with not much fanfare. Darren Waller has spent the year either not finding targets or finding himself on the injury report, and the most intriguing receiver for the week is likely Darius Slayton. He and Tyrod Taylor rekindled a love affair likely seen in practice, as last week was a primetime Slayton ball-out game akin to two years ago.  While not seeing a huge amount of targets (just 6), he finished with over 100 yards on a massive touchdown sling from Taylor. It may be worth rolling him out just for the upside alone, as backup quarterbacks usually play best with their cohorts who play in practice with them. Slayton is likely the most intriguing, but Wan’dale and Waller find themselves with the highest floor and not much ceiling. Look for Wan’Dale, but late in next year’s drafts.