Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 PM ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Betting Odds: NYJ +19.5, 49 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
New York Jets
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Sit)
The Chiefs have been fairly stingy against fantasy quarterbacks, allowing the ninth-fewest points to the position so far this year. Kansas City is also top-four in passing yards allowed per game. Darnold will not be a viable play this week unless you play in a two-quarterback league.
Running Backs
La’Mical Perine (Low-end Flex), Frank Gore (Sit)
La’Mical Perine and Frank Gore split carries last week, but Perine was on the field for 70% of the Jets’ offensive snaps and took all the passing work. Assuming Perine continues trending in this direction, he should warrant some low-end flex consideration this week in PPR leagues. The Chiefs have been somewhat middling against fantasy running backs and are allowing the third-most rushing yards per game this year. That said, the Jets could abandon the run pretty quickly if the Chiefs take an early lead.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jamison Crowder (Start if active, WR2), Breshad Perriman (Sit, Possible Low-end flex if Crowder inactive), Denzel Mims (Sit), Chris Herndon IV (Sit)
Jamison Crowder was inactive last week with a groin injury and could potentially miss this week’s game as well. The Jets are re-evaluating Crowder’s injury, so keep an eye on his practice status this week. If he’s active, it will be tough benching Jamison. He’s been a PPR monster this year. Even though the Chiefs are top-four in passing yards allowed per game, I believe Crowder is capable of WR2 numbers if he’s active.
Breshad Perriman is in concussion protocol after exiting the Jets’ Week 7 game early. I’m not very high on Perriman, but he could have some slight value in deeper leagues if Crowder is inactive and Perriman is healthy.
Denzel Mims looked pretty good last week and had some opportunity (seven targets) with Crowder inactive and Perriman exiting the game early. Unfortunately, the rookie’s production will be tough to predict this week, especially if Crowder and Perriman are both active. He’s more of a bench stash for now.
Chris Herndon IV hasn’t had a single catch in the past two weeks. He’s a safe drop in nearly all leagues at this point.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (Start, QB1)
Everyone knows Patrick Mahomes is one of the best possible fantasy quarterback options this week against New York. The Jets are nearly 20-point underdogs this week, but I want to play a little devil’s advocate here. Last week, Mahomes had his worst fantasy performance so far this year mainly because the Chiefs’ defense scored two touchdowns. I’m a little concerned a similar situation could happen again this week against a struggling Jets offense. Plus, if the Chiefs jump ahead to an early lead, they could commit more to the run. Mahomes is still too good of a player to pass on this week, but you may need to hope Pat has the ball in his hands enough to rack up some points.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Start, RB2), Le’Veon Bell (Start, RB2)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell pretty much split carries last week. I believe CEH only had a few more because he had one more series than Bell. Fantasy players with shares of Edwards-Helaire would likely feel better going into this week if the rookie hadn’t dropped a potential touchdown against Denver. The Chiefs are nearly 20-point favorites this week, and I imagine KC will take an early lead and lean heavily on the rush. There should be plenty of opportunities for both of these backs. I’m not a huge fan of “revenge game” narratives, but I do believe the game script will create plenty of chances for Bell against his old team. Edwards-Helaire should still be in the mix too. Given the match-up and likely game script, both of these backs are capable of RB2 numbers.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyreek Hill (Start, WR1), Mecole Hardman (Sit), Demarcus Robinson (Sit), Sammy Watkins (Sit), Travis Kelce (Start, TE1)
Compared to last year, Tyreek Hill has been pretty darn consistent. Outside his Week 6 stinker, Hill is averaging just under 18.5 PPR points per game this year. The Jets are allowing the ninth-most passing yards in the league. I mean, is there anything else I need to say? The biggest concern for fantasy players is that the Chiefs may abandon the pass if they take an early lead. Lock-in Hill as a WR1 this week.
I believe Sammy Watkins will not play for a second straight week due to his hamstring injury. Some thought Mecole Hardman would have increased potential with Watkins sidelined last week, but he was more bust than boom against Denver. I’m not trusting Hardman this week, but he could be useful for fantasy managers in deeper leagues with bye-week troubles. Demarcus Robinson is in a similar situation to Hardman and isn’t very trustworthy in starting lineups either.
After only three targets and six fantasy points last week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Travis Kelce have a bounce-back game against the Jets. New York is right in the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed to tight ends and the game script could send plenty of short targets Kelce’s way.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse on Twitter)