Game Info
Kickoff: December 22, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NY
Network: CBS
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: Start, Low-end QB1
The Jets’ defense has regressed this season to the point where they have become a positive start for pretty much any opposing QB. Mac Jones nearly hit the 300-yard mark last week and also tossed two TDs. Their rush defense has also improved a bit of late, adding the likelihood of Matthew Stafford throwing the ball a little more in this spot.
Stafford’s lack of rushing upside and the fact he has a great goal line back in Kyren Williams means he could disappoint, but he has good upside in this spot for managers who are looking for an option capable of a 20+ day in standard 4pt TD leagues.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: Start, RB1
Williams is sharing some work with Blake Corum, but he’s also still clearly the lead RB for the Rams. With the season and division at stake last week, he took 29 carries to Corum’s 3, and with L.A. needing wins to stay in the lead in the NFC West, I don’t see his workload falling much here at all. The matchup could be better as the Jets rush defense has looked improved the last few weeks, but it’s still a great spot for Williams, who should be on the field most of the game.
Wide Receiver
Puka Nacua: Start WR1
Cooper Kupp: Start, WR2
Last week, Brian Thomas Jr. managed to post one of his best games of the year with 105 yards and two TDs. Sauce Gardner being back for the Jets does complicate things a bit, but he’s also going through a down season. If you have Puka Nacua, you’re not sitting him in this game.
Cooper Kupp is a little more interesting. The fact he put up zero catches last week in the first leg of the fantasy playoffs is disturbing, but fantasy owners need only look back a week prior when Kupp went 92 yards and a TD against another AFC East opponent, the Patriots. The Jets have also allowed a ton of catches to the slot of late, with TE Brenton Strange going for 11 catches last week.
I would start Kupp unless I had a very deep bench this week. He’s not the primary read anymore but has tons of bounceback appeal against this defense.
Tight End
Tyler Higbee: Sit
Higbee is being activated this week and is likely to play for the Rams. It’s actually a terrific matchup as he’ll give Matthew Staford another way to attack this weak secondary underneath, but I’m also not for trusting a player fresh off IR and major knee surgery (who hasn’t played in a year) in the semi-finals of fantasy leagues.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: Start, Low-end QB1
I think Rodgers has the same kind of appeal that Stafford does, and I actually like him a touch more than his veteran counterpart. He and Davante Adams seem hellbent on finishing this season out on a positive note, even though there is nothing for the Jets to play for. He’s been a top fantasy performer the last two weeks and faces a Rams defense that allowed Josh Allen to account for six TDs just two weeks ago.
Running Back
Breece Hall: Start, RB2
Braelon Allen: Sit (unless Hall sits)
If Breece Hall plays, I think you have to start him, although I would feel better about him as a flex play or RB2 than my RB1. As of now, both Jets RBs are questionable, but per their head coach, Hall is further along and more likely to play.
Hall’s upside would actually go up quite a bit if Allen sits as well, so watch that development.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams: Start, WR1
Garrett Wilson: Start, WR2
Allen Lazard: Sit
The Rams may be down a CB in Cobie Durant this week, making this an even tastier matchup for Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson than it already was.
Adams has put together two massive games back-to-back, going for nine catches in each of his last two games, along with 3 combined TDs. The Rams have a smaller set of corners as it is, so I could easily see Adams popping off again in this spot. He’s a true WR1 this week and will have a good shot to replicate some of the upside from the last two weeks against this Rams secondary.
Wilson is also in a great spot and a player I would hesitate to roll out as my WR2 or WR3. He’s losing some targets to Adams but managed to find the endzone last week (despite catching just three passes) and could benefit from the Rams shifting primary coverage over Adams and leaving him alone against a backup or out-of-position DB.
Wilson’s floor isn’t as solid as Adams’, but his ceiling is quite similar.
Allen Lazard could end up benefiting from the Rams’ injury issues with a big play or two as well, but his lower usage makes him a pure boom-or-bust play and not someone I’d want to roll out unless I was in the deepest of leagues.
Tight End
Tyler Conklin: Sit
Conklin sat last week. He’s the best TE they have pass-catching-wise, but even if he plays, he isn’t a player I would consider starting. There are better streaming options out there with more upside.