Game Info
Kickoff: Saturday, December 25th at 4:30 PM ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Betting Odds: CLE +7, 44 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Baker Mayfield was inactive last week due to a positive COVID-19 test, but I doubt it mattered in most fantasy leagues. He’s on less than 25 percent of ESPN rosters and hasn’t put up more than 20 fantasy points since Week 5. The match-up isn’t great either. The Packers’ secondary has been playing well and is allowing the ninth-fewest passing yards this year. Stay away from Baker. There are better quarterback options out there.
Running Backs
Nick Chubb (Start, RB1), Kareem Hunt (Sit)
Kareem Hunt was inactive last week with an ankle injury, so fantasy managers will need to monitor his status to see if he can get off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time. I haven’t seen anything indicating Hunt is close to being activated yet, but we may learn more as the week continues.
With Hunt out of the picture, Nick Chubb will continue leading the backfield in Cleveland. The match-up isn’t the greatest, but Chubb’s guaranteed volume should keep him in the RB1 conversation this week. The Browns could get the ball to Chubb early and often if Cleveland still has multiple inactive receivers. Nick should be a trustworthy start in the fantasy semi-finals.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jarvis Landry (Low-end WR3 if active), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Sit, Low-end Flex), Austin Hooper (Sit), David Njoku (Sit)
Jarvis Landry could be a useful WR3 option this week if he’s activated in time for Saturday’s game. Landry was yet another inactive Cleveland player last week due to a positive COVID-19 test. If he returns in time and has Baker back, Landry should be somewhere in the WR3 tier this week. He averaged 14.8 PPR points in his last three games and saw a healthy 9.3 targets per game over that same stretch.
Donovan Peoples-Jones was one of the few healthy receiving options playing for Cleveland last week, but he wasn’t that impressive with the increased opportunity. Granted, Baker wasn’t throwing the passes, but it’s going to be tough trusting Peoples-Jones against the capable Green Bay secondary.
Austin Hooper was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, but I’m not sure it matters much. I don’t trust David Njoku or Hooper in such an important fantasy week. Many expected Njoku to be a crucial part of the Browns’ offense last week with Hooper inactive, but the former only caught three passes for less than six fantasy points. In fairness, Njoku didn’t have Mayfield throwing the ball to him, but I’m still having a tough time mustering up any enthusiasm for the Cleveland tight ends. Hooper is too touchdown-dependent, and he’s only found the end zone three times this year.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Start, QB1)
Aaron Rodgers isn’t practicing as he tries to keep his injured toe rested for the playoff push, but luckily it hasn’t affected his production. Rodgers is averaging 28.3 fantasy points per game over his last four. AR12 will face a Cleveland defense that’s been decimated by COVID-19, so I like Rodgers’ chances for yet another impressive QB1 performance. Start with confidence.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (Start, High-end RB2), A.J. Dillon (Start, Low-end RB2)
Aaron Jones is still dealing with the knee injury he sustained in Week 10, and A.J. Dillon has seen much more playtime as a result. Jones was still limited in practice this week, so I don’t see the situation changing much anytime soon.
Jones was more involved than Dillon last week, but the latter is still eating into the former’s potential production. Jones still belongs in fantasy lineups thanks to his big-play ability, but I’m placing him just barely outside the RB1 tier thanks to the timeshare. Dillon will likely remain a borderline RB2/Flex for the remainder of the season if the Packers keep utilizing their bruising back in the cold weather.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Sit), Allen Lazard (Sit)
Davante Adams has been the only dependable fantasy-relevant receiver in Green Bay this year. He’s scored five touchdowns in his last four games. Cleveland’s secondary has done well this year, but they could be without some key players on defense again this week. Either way, I’m expecting the overall fantasy WR4 to continue his fantastic season with another impressive WR1 performance. Continue starting Adams with confidence.
Both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard have been too “boom or bust” to consistently trust this year. I wouldn’t trust either receiver this week, especially if you are fighting for a spot in the championship.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)