Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 28th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Betting Odds: CAR -2, 42 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Cam Newton (Start, QB1)
Cam Newton had an impressive fantasy performance last week with three total touchdowns (including one rushing) and was the overall fantasy QB4. Cam looked like his old self out there with 46 yards on 10 carries, and that rushing upside should keep him in the QB1 conversation most weeks.
The Dolphins’ defense is conceding the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and the fourth-most passing yards this year, so I like Cam’s chances for another QB1 performance this week.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1)
Christian McCaffrey was the highest scoring fantasy running back last week outside of Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler’s monster games. After missing significant time from a hamstring injury, McCaffrey is finally looking like the asset that fantasy managers expected from the first overall pick of their drafts. He’s averaging 25.5 fantasy points over his last two games.
It’s safe to say that “CMC” has regained his role in the weekly RB1 tier and this week against Miami will be no different. Lock in McCaffrey for another solid game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DJ Moore (Start, WR2), Robby Anderson (Sit)
DJ Moore had a bit of a mediocre run lately, but it seems he may have snapped his streak of mediocrity after his solid 16-fantasy-point performance last week. Moore is unquestionably the WR1 on this team, but it appears fantasy managers will have to take the good weeks with the bad.
Luckily, Moore’s match-up is encouraging this week. Miami is allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. I believe DJ should be capable of WR2 performance this week with plenty of potential upside.
Robby Anderson has seen a pretty healthy target share this year, but he’s struggled to turn his chances into significant fantasy production. He’s only had double-digit fantasy points three times through the first 11 weeks of the season. Anderson doesn’t belong in the start conversation until we see more consistent production from him.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (Sit, QB2)
Tua Tagovailoa has been a serviceable real-life quarterback, but it hasn’t translated to much fantasy production lately. Tua could be a potential starting option with the right match-up, but that will not be the case this week. The Panthers are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. The Panthers are also allowing the fewest passing yards per game. I recommend leaving Tua on the bench this week if you have any better options.
Running Backs
Myles Gaskin (Start, Low-end RB2)
Myles Gaskin has seen an increased workload over the last three weeks with Malcolm Brown sidelined due to a quad injury. Gaskin had a season-high 23 carries last week and turned in a solid RB1 performance with the workload. He wasn’t very efficient with his carries, but Gaskin found a way to score a receiving touchdown.
Myles should once again be an integral part of Miami’s offense, but I would temper expectations a bit against the Panthers. Carolina has conceded the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this year, but they’ve been pretty middle-of-the-road in rushing yards allowed. I believe Gaskin can put up RB2 numbers this week, but he may be on the low end of that tier.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jaylen Waddle (Start-able High-end Flex), Mike Gesicki (Start, Low-end TE1)
Jaylen Waddle has been the best wide-out option for Miami with DeVante Parker (hamstring) and Will Fuller (finger) sidelined. Waddle’s 20.6 fantasy points were good enough for a WR1 finish last week, but his total was helped with a rushing touchdown on a one-yard trick play.
Waddle’s target share and his importance in Miami’s passing attack should keep him in the starting conversation, but this week’s match-up against the Panthers has me placing Jaylen just outside WR2 territory as more of a Flex option. Carolina is allowing the fewest passing yards per game and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
Mike Gesicki has been on a streak of mediocrity lately. He’s only scoring 7.3 fantasy points per game over his last four. Still, the tight-end position is a fantasy wasteland for many, and Gesicki has a healthy weekly target share.
I believe Gesicki can pull off a TE1 performance this week, but I’m still ranking him near the low end of the tier due to the tough match-up. The Panthers are allowing the tenth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends and have been very stingy in passing yards allowed per game.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)