Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 13th, at 4:05 PM EST
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Betting Odds: IND +6, 42.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Sam Ehlinger (Sit)
Week 9 proved to be a forgettable second start for Sam Ehlinger, as he completed 15 of 29 attempts for just 103 yards and one interception in the 26-3 rout against New England. The 2021 sixth-round pick still has the backing of new head coach Jeff Saturday and will remain the starter. He’s set to face a Vegas defense that has given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, but Ehlinger is still not a recommended start by any means.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start if active, RB2), Deon Jackson (Start if JT is out, RB2), Zack Moss (Sit), Phillip Lindsay (Sit), Jordan Wilkins (Sit)
On Tuesday, Jeff Saturday assigned a soon-to-be 31 year old Parks Frazier to be the offensive play-caller in this game; check out his resume and try to figure out how this can possibly work out for the Colts:
The game plan should be simple: If Jonathan Taylor starts, hand him the ball. The Raiders defense has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to running backs on the year so far. However, Taylor did miss Week 9, and his ankle injury is going to realistically sideline him week-to-week, so you’ll need to monitor his practice involvement for the rest of the week. Waiver wire darling Deon Jackson was a dud against the Patriots, as he only turned 11 carries into 23 yards and avoided an injury scare. After Jackson, names such as newly-acquired Zack Moss, Phillip Lindsay, and Jordan Wilkins are all names you can confidently avoid.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Michael Pittman Jr. (Start, FLEX), Alec Pierce (Sit), Parris Campbell (Sit), Mo Alie-Cox (Sit)
Nothing went right for the Colts pass-catchers up in Foxborough. Michael Pittman Jr. caught three of six targets for just 22 yards, Parris Campbell caught two of five for 15 yards, and Alec Pierce had one reception on two targets for 23 yards. Both Pierce and Campbell aren’t fantasy viable with Ehlinger under center, and Pittman himself is barely a FLEX option nowadays. Tight end Jelani Woods injured his shoulder against the Patriots, and if he were to miss the Raiders game, Mo Alie-Cox still is not fantasy relevant.
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr (Start, QB2)
Derek Carr bounced back against the Jaguars from his down Week 8 against the Saints, and yet, Vegas still lost to Jacksonville. Carr completed 21 of 36 attempts for 259 yards and two touchdowns but at least stayed clean in the INT column. Since a Week 6 BYE, Carr has averaged 200.3 yards per game through the air, with only three passing touchdowns and one interception. Overall it’s been a middling season for Carr and the Raiders, both of which are underperforming against expectations. Despite their own woes, the Colts defense have only given up the tenth fewest fantasy points to the QB position this year, but in a week where Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are on their BYE, Carr is a serviceable streaming option.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs (Start, RB1)
It’s been a down few weeks for Josh Jacobs, who hasn’t run for over 100 yards or found the end zone, since Week 7. In the loss to Jacksonville, Jacobs turned 17 carries into just 67 yards, but he could get right this week against a Colts defense that is allowing the 13th most fantasy points to running backs. Off volume alone, Jacobs will remain on the RB1 radar.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Hunter Renfrow (Sit), Mack Hollins (Sit), Darren Waller (Start if active, TE2), Foster Moreau (Sit)
After a complete dud in Week 8, Davante Adams had himself a day against the Jags. On 17 targets, he had 10 receptions for a smashing 146 yards and two touchdowns, good for over 35 full-PPR points. The clear lead-receiver in this offense, Adams remains a locked-in WR1 but is capped by Carr’s inconsistencies. Hunter Renfrow continues to be a disappointment this season, and thus can’t be a recommended start. Mack Hollins has been an interesting name some weeks, but he only had four targets to his name against Jacksonville. Tight end Darren Waller hasn’t played since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, and his backup Foster Moreau hasn’t really taken advantage. If Waller is finally a go this week – which is left to be seen at the time of writing – consider him a TE2 in his first game back. Moreau isn’t a recommended stream.