Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 26th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: JAC +2.5, 41.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence (Sit)
If there was ever a week you would consider starting Trevor Lawrence, it’s here in Week 16 against the Jets. The problem is, it’s the Semifinal playoff week, and in no way are you trusting Lawrence in this spot. Week 12 was the last time he’s thrown for a touchdown, largely in part to a poor supporting cast, but certainly to the fault of his own as well. It’s been a very bad rookie campaign for the best-QB-prospect-since-Andrew-Luck, but surely it’ll get better with Urban Meyer out of the picture heading into 2022.
Running Backs
James Robinson (Start, RB2), Carlos Hyde (Sit)
Well, it got better for James Robinson with Meyer gone. Robinson turned 18 carries into 75 yards and a touchdown against the Texans, adding three receptions on six targets for 13 yards. This was without Carlos Hyde as well, who was out with a concussion. Look for a late-season resurgence to continue against a lowly Jets run defense that just allowed Duke Johnson, in the year 2021, to rush for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, as well as a 20-yard reception.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Laquon Treadwell (Start if you must, FLEX), Marvin Jones Jr. (Sit), Laviska Shenault Jr. (Sit), James O’Shaughnessy (Sit)
Simply put, the Jets defense gives up yards and points at an alarming rate. If you’ve made it this far in the playoffs and find yourself potentially having to start a Jacksonville pass catcher, my suggestion wouldn’t be Marvin Jones Jr. or Laviska Shenault Jr., both of whom have severely underperformed this season. It’s Laquon Treadwell, who has posted double-digit fantasy points in full PPR leagues in the last three games. Through that span, he’s caught 14 of 20 targets for 187 yards, but no scores. The target share should continue, and it’s quite possible he finds the end zone against the Jets, giving him FLEX-if-you-must potential.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Zach Wilson (Sit)
No doubt this game has been circled by the media since draft night, when Lawrence went 1st overall to the Jaguars, and Zach Wilson went next to the Jets. Like Lawrence, it’s been an overall disappointing rookie season for Wilson, and thus he mains on the wire with no fantasy relevancy to speak of. Fans of both teams will hope their QB comes out of this game ‘looking the part’ for where they were drafted.
Running Backs
Michael Carter (Start, FLEX), Tevin Coleman (Sit)
Prior to an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games, rookie Michael Carter was a reliable RB2 in this offense. He returned against the Dolphins, and was expected to have a big role. Instead, he turned eight carries into just 18 yards, with a two-yard reception sprinkled in, good for only 3 fantasy points in full-PPR formats. Given that it’s the Semifinal week, every lineup decision is crucial. I would suggest only starting Carter this week if you must, on the basis that the volume will resume to how it was earlier in the season. The likes of Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson – who was a surprise scratch last week against Miami – can be left out of your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jamison Crowder (Sit), Braxton Berrios (Sit), Keelan Cole (Sit), Tyler Kroft (Sit)
This offense without Corey Davis and Elijah Moore – who Robert Saleh expects back Week 17 – played pretty much as expected. From a fantasy perspective, Jamison Crowder caught five of eight targets for 40 yards, good for 9 fantasy points, and Braxton Berrios had caught his lone target for 26 yards on a hook-and-ladder play that involved Crowder where Berrios was awarded the receiving yards. He posted 10.6 points, larger in part because of his rushing touchdown. At the end of the day, someone has to catch the ball for Wilson, but I would be hesitant to start even Crowder this week, despite the fact that he’s the only viable option. Tight end Tyler Kroft returned to action for the first time since Week 9, and caught both of his targets for 35 yards, but has no fantasy relevancy.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)