Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 19th at 4:25 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Betting Odds: GB -4.5, 43.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, QB1)
Aaron Rodgers suffered a bit of a setback with his toe in last week’s game against the Bears, but you wouldn’t know it looking at his stat line. Rodgers has been playing great lately, averaging 29.8 fantasy points per game over his last three. AR12 said that “surgery is a last resort” and I would be surprised if it came to that. The Ravens are allowing plenty of fantasy points to quarterbacks and the second-most passing yards this year. The match-up is too juicy to leave Rodgers on the bench this week. Start with confidence.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Start, Low-end RB1), A.J. Dillon (Start, Low-end RB2)
Hopefully, we finally saw the return of Aaron Jones. Last week, the young back had his first performance of 20+ fantasy points since Week 8. The fantasy total is encouraging, but Jones’ usage hasn’t been very inspiring since his MCL sprain. A.J. Dillon had 15 carries last week to Jones’ five, and he out-snapped Jones 34 to 29. Dillon is getting a bit more work, but Jones is the guy scoring touchdowns right now. Aaron Jones may have fewer opportunities, but his big-play upside should keep him in the RB1 conversation. I’m ranking Jones at the very end of the RB1 tier due to his decreased opportunities.
A.J. Dillon didn’t score last week, but he was an integral part of the Green Bay offense. He had an opportunity to punch in a short-yardage touchdown last week, but the Bears were able to stop him on that drive. The usage is there. The fantasy production should follow eventually. I believe Dillon is capable of an RB2 performance this week, even against the impressive Baltimore rush defense.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Allen Lazard (Sit)
Davante Adams was fantastic last week against the Bears. He had his second-best fantasy performance of the season with 34.1 points and his third straight 100-yard game. The Ravens’ defense is allowing the second-most passing yards this year, so Adams should be capable of yet another impressive 100-yard fantasy performance. Start the overall WR3 with confidence.
Both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard have been too boom-or-bust to trust in starting lineups. Both are capable of putting up 20+ fantasy points or less than three. Keep both on the bench, especially if you’ve found yourself in the fantasy playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (Start, Low-end QB1), Tyler Huntley (Sit)
The Ravens are in “wait-and-see mode” with Lamar Jackson. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, which means fantasy managers need to monitor his situation closely. Lamar seemed to be in a great deal of pain and had to be carted off the field last week. Jackson wasn’t exactly playing great before the injury anyway. He averaged just 14.1 fantasy points per game in the three games before his injury. I’m just barely placing Lamar in the QB1 tier this week because I’m worried about how much this ankle injury will affect his game, and the Packers are conceding the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year.
Tyler Huntley did well in Jackson’s absence, but I wouldn’t trust the inexperienced quarterback, especially if you’re in a playoff match-up this week.
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman (Start, Low-end RB2)
Devonta Freeman has done a great job since taking over for Latavius Murray in Week 6. Since Freeman took over, he’s only failed to reach double-digit PPR points twice. I’m just barely placing Freeman in the RB2 tier this week because there are a few unknowns this week. The potential absence of Lamar Jackson could hurt Freeman’s value, and the Packers’ rush defense is allowing the ninth-fewest ground yards this year. Still, the usage and opportunity are there for Freeman, which should be enough to reach RB2 territory.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown (Start, Low-end WR2), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
Marquise Brown has been unimpressive as of late with only 10.6 fantasy points per game over his last four. Brown’s high upside still makes him a viable play this week, but that all depends on Lamar Jackson’s status. I recommend leaving Hollywood Brown on the bench this week if Jackson is inactive. It’s too big of a risk to take in the fantasy playoffs.
The Packers’ pass defense has been playing great lately, but that won’t be enough to downgrade the current overall fantasy TE1 on the season. Mark Andrews is having a fantastic season and is fresh off a season-high 28.5-point performance last week. There isn’t much else to say here. Continue starting one of the best tight ends in the league with confidence.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)