Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 27th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: CLE -9.5, 47 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Start, QB1)
It’s Championship Week, and if you have been riding the streaming carousel for your quarterback position to get to this point, you’re in luck. Baker Mayfield has been playing stellar football of late, which is surprising for an offense that is so dedicated to the run game. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in each game since Week 13 and is coming off an impressive 27 of 32, 297 yards and two touchdown outing against the Giants. The Jets may have shocked the league by beating the Rams last week, but that’s no concern of Mayfield’s, who should have no problem taking care of business; coughJaredGoffcough. The Jets defense has given up the third-most fantasy points to his position on the year.
Running Backs
Nick Chubb (Start, RB1), Kareem Hunt (Start, RB2)
Surprisingly, the Jets defense has played well against the run this season. Last week, if it wasn’t for two questionable penalties against LA, Cam Akers carved them up for multiple big gains, that flag-aside were ending in touchdowns. That said, Nick Chubb is a no-brainer this week. He hasn’t amassed 100 yards on the ground since Week 12, but he’s scored at least once in every game since then. The game script should be in his favor this week against a Jets team that should come back down to earth. Kareem Hunt is a viable option this week if you roster him, though as has been the case most of the year – when Chubb has been healthy – is that Hunt is the clear second option for touches. You can rely on his pass game involvement though, which is why he offers a strong ceiling play.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jarvis Landry (Start, WR2), Rashard Higgins (Start, FLEX), Austin Hooper (Start, TE2)
Jarvis Landry has been as reliable as they come for the Browns, and fantasy owners that stuck with him through some injuries earlier in the season. Since Week 12, he’s scored at least once in each of the four games (excluding Week 14). His target share remains plentiful, as he is averaging 9.5 a game in that span. The Jets have given up the seven most fantasy points to WR’s on the year, which bodes well for not only Landry but Rashard Higgins as well. Higgins has come on since Week 13, scoring in two of the three games, and is a viable FLEX option if you’re in the finals.
If I had to start one Cleveland TE, it’s Austin Hooper over David Njoku, and the thought process behind that is simply from a future outlook. Hooper signed a big deal in the offseason, and Njoku may be wearing new threads next year. Hooper has been a fantasy bust for sure, but at least this week he’s set to face a Jets defense that has given up the most fantasy points to his position this season.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Sit)
Well, color me humbled. Last week I covered Jets/Rams for QBL and had Sam Darnold as a clear sit against LA. In my defense, I certainly was not the only one to feel this way. Darnold and the Jets shocked the world when they went into SoFi Stadium and trumped the Rams 23-20. Darnold was decent – his most efficient game of the season – but it’s not gotten him out of waiver wire purgatory this season.
Running Backs
Frank Gore (Sit), Ty Johnson (Sit)
Frank Gore sure did his part to make sure the Jets did not fall to 0-14. To the tune of 23 carries, Gore mustered up 59 yards and a score, but more notably, his six-yard reception sealed the deal in what could end up being the worst Jets win in franchise history. Gore remains a sit, as does Ty Johnson, who is the better option for the Jets right now; although Adam Gase continues to look the other way.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jamison Crowder (Sit), Breshad Perriman (Sit), Denzel Mims (Sit), Chris Herndon (Sit)
As I suggested last week, the only WR I’d even consider starting is Jamison Crowder, and that’s because Darnold clearly has the best rapport with him. The Browns secondary has improved as of late, which is why I still would not trust starting Crowder; and the same goes for Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims. They’ve allowed just four touchdowns in their last six games to wide receivers.
Chris Herndon, despite some unexpected involvement last week against LA, remains a sit in a lost season.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)