Game Info
Kickoff: January 5, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Network: FOX
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Mac Jones: Sit
Mac Jones is a limited QB who doesn’t have any rushing upside. The matchup on paper is good, but I still wouldn’t want to be trusting any championship games to Jones this week. There are better-streaming QBs you could flush out if needed.
Running Back
Tank Bigsby: Sit
Travis Etienne: FLEX Option, RB3
I’m done with Tank Bigsby. He’s got terrible hands and is always one fumble away from a benching. It’s also been months since he broke a long run, which is his only appeal for fantasy. The Colts’ rush defense isn’t half bad and held the Giants’ lead RB to a slow day, so it’s not the best matchup for a one-dimensional runner.
Travis Etienne has a little more appeal, although he has been stuck in neutral on this offense of late as well. Still, his pass-catching ability does make him a start in PPR leagues. The Colts have allowed a decent number of yards to opposing RBs in the passing game, so a small breakout wouldn’t be shocking.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr.: Start, WR1
Parker Washington: FLEX Option, WR4
Brian Thomas Jr. is the lone bright spot of this Jaguars offense. He hasn’t posted a target share of less than 33% in each of his last four games, which is beyond elite usage. The Colts just allowed another rookie, Malik Nabers, to post a career day, so the sky is the actual limit for BTJ this week.
Parker Washington isn’t in a bad spot, either. The Jaguars receiver plays inside and out and has posted double-digit target shares in each of his last three games. He’s only got two TDs on the year but has good open-field ability, so he could potentially break one against the Colts’ flimsy secondary.
Tight End
Brenton Strange: Sit
Strange had that one breakout week and then faded back into obscurity fast. I wouldn’t go trusting him to bounce back this week with Thomas, Etienne, and Washington all healthy and soaking up usage.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: Start (if Healthy)
As of writing, it was very up in the air as to whether or not Anthony Richardson was going to play. If he does, he’s startable, but the risk of reinjury would be high.
This is a situation you’re better off avoiding, but if you don’t have any better options, gambling on the upside of Richardson isn’t the worst thing ever. You just need him to be healthy enough to use his legs, which he’s done a lot of in the second half of 2024.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: Start, RB1
Taylor has reeled off three straight 100+ yard games and scored five times in his last two starts.
If you have him and are in a final, you thank your lucky stars that Jacksonville is on the schedule and start him. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs and are a fantastic matchup.
Wide Receiver
Josh Downs: FLEX Option, WR3
Michael Pittman: FLEX Option, WR3
Alec Pierce: FLEX Option, WR4
This whole situation is a mess. If Richardson starts, you have to downgrade everyone, and it would be best to avoid the situation altogether. Pittman has come on of late, so using him as a WR2/3 option with Richardson wouldn’t be terrible, but it is still less than ideal. I wouldn’t trust Pierce at all if Richardson starts, although the chance for a deep ball to make his fantasy day is still there.
Downs just isn’t the same player with Richardson as QB and is losing target share to Pittman. If Richardson starts, there likely won’t be enough targets to feed all three, so one or two of these receivers will likely be disappointments.
Of course, if it’s Flacco, you can bump them all up with Pittman and Downs becoming more solid WR2/3 type plays.
Tight End
Kylen Granson: Sit
I don’t want to start Kylen Granson. He may have caught 3 receptions in back-to-back weeks but has limited upside and zero TDs on the year.