Welcome to championship week! Last week we either picked the Titans and were subsequently disappointed with their performance, or we picked one of the other three teams recommended and were extremely pleased with our decision. The Jaguars put up double-digit points and the Chargers and Rams put up 20+ points for your team. That’s a crazy swing for the fantasy playoffs! Not quite the goal I had of all four teams hitting, but three out of four is pretty solid.
As always, we’re looking for teams rostered around 50% or lower rostered.
Please note that there is a good chance better teams are out there in your league than these four, but we cannot assume they’re out there for every league. Stay active and monitor the league home page, there is also a chance someone will drop a defense after the waivers clear for this week as well.
Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: vs LA Rams
ESPN % Rostered: 22%
Yahoo % Rostered: 35%
Fresh off their 7 sack game against the Colts, the Chargers are now averaging over 10 fantasy points per game over their last four games. I know the Rams just put up 51 points last week, but I am putting a lot of weight on the “master vs apprentice” stock as Denver’s DC coached under McVay for 5 years before taking the job this season for the Broncos.
The Battle for LA should be a lot nicer for the Chargers than it was for the Broncos. The Chargers are top 10 in passing yards allowed and top 3 in yards allowed after the catch. They will look to contain Cam Akers and force Baker Mayfield to throw under pressure. The Chargers have generated 4 turnovers and 13 sacks, all while keeping opponents under 20 points in their last 3 games. Last week was the first time the Rams have not given up a sack, but I think McVay and the Rams knew exactly how to slice up their opponent last week. Before that, they were averaging giving up almost 4 sacks per game since their bye week in Week 8. Besides, it’s a home game for Los Angeles!
and it's PICKED.@godschild3_ | @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/hOJ4tGeh33
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 27, 2022
New York Giants
Opponent: vs Indianapolis Colts
ESPN % Rostered: 13%
Yahoo % Rostered: 12%
The Giants have registered 16 sacks over their last four games and now host a Colts team that has been sacked 10 times and turned the ball over 4 times in their two games since their bye week. They are also giving up the most fantasy points to opponents this season. The last 4 teams to face Indianapolis have come away with an average of almost 14 fantasy points. With Nick Foles throwing 3 interceptions last week, they now will play at the Giants who blitz more than any other team in the NFL this season (and by a moderate gap too). As a result, the Giants are top-3 in quarterback pressures on the season as well.
DARNAY SAID NO WAY 🙅♂️
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/19GmynxhfM
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 24, 2022
Washington Commanders
Opponent: vs Cleveland Browns
ESPN % Rostered: 38%
Yahoo % Rostered: 28%
Washington is coming off their tough three-game stretch against the same divisional opponent twice, then a road game against the 49ers. Now they get an easier matchup at home (at least on paper) against Deshaun Watson and the Browns. Since Watson’s return, they have averaged giving over 8 points per game to fantasy defenses, having thrown 3 interceptions and allowing 8 sacks over that four-game stretch. The Commanders now welcome back Chase Young to bolster a top 10 passing defense that is also top 2 in the league for quarterback knockdowns.
.@94yne with the SACK
📺 #WASvsSF CBS pic.twitter.com/IBsnXjAkXY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 24, 2022
Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: vs Arizona Cardinals
ESPN % Rostered: 5%
Yahoo % Rostered: 3%
This isn’t so much about the Falcons’ defense as it is the Cardinals offense that has been bleeding fantasy points to opposing defenses since losing Kyler Murray for the season. In their last 3 games since the bye week, Arizona has been sacked 10 times, thrown 5 interceptions, and fumbled the ball over 3 times. That’s good for an average of 13 fantasy points to opponents over that three-game stretch.
Ade Ogundeji BLOCKS Justin Tucker 👀
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/iWlNZnAfsd
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 24, 2022
If none of those options tickle your fancy, then perhaps you might take a look at a streaking Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has been lighting it up for fantasy managers over their last 3 games, all with double-digit points scored. However, they will be facing a hot Texans team that has been lighting up the scoreboard over that same 3-week stretch. This will be a high-risk/high-reward situation for fantasy managers in a divisional game in Jacksonville.
These teams did not meet the consideration threshold for the main highlight section, but you should check to see if they’re available in your league:
Kansas City Chiefs – ESPN: 61% Y!: 83%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – ESPN: 72% Y!: 79%
Hit me up with some feedback @MikeoftheFF on Twitter
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)