Every week fantasy owners are faced with difficult start and sit decisions. Do I play a guy in a tough matchup? Do I start a role player in a good matchup? Should I trust players who have been disappointing every week or players who have been overperforming? This article will highlight some specific players who should be finding ways into your lineups and others who may be worth sitting or at least adjusting your expectations for. If you do have particular start sit questions, be sure to join us on Sunday Morning over on Twitch, answering any, and all start/sit questions you may have.
Start: Miles Sanders/Kenneth Gainwell vs. Kansas City
This is an incredible matchup for the Eagles backfield. The Chiefs give up 24.8 fantasy points per game to RBs and have given up 809 yards on the ground so far this year. The question on Sanders's fantasy owners' minds is his usage after a two rush and one reception game last week. The offense needs to run through Sanders for the Eagles to compete in this game, and with the matchup, Sanders is a high upside RB2 this week.
Gainwell is worth flexing in half or full PPR leagues. He has a clear role in the offense as the pass-catching back. The game script could go negative quickly for Philly, which would lead to an increased workload for Gainwell in this plus matchup.
Sit: Damien Harris vs. Tampa Bay
What a tough stretch of game for Damien Harris over the past two games, coming off the six carry week last week and now getting the dominant Buccaneers defense this week. The Bucs have given up less than 80 yards on the ground in each of their three games this year. Harris' selling point in the draft season was his projected volume, but having seen just six carries last week in a negative game script as a possibility, means you cannot rely on volume to save his fantasy day. Harris is a touchdown or bust fantasy play this week and should be on benches if you have alternatives.
Start: Sam Darnold vs. Dallas
Sam Darnold is currently the QB12 on the season. He has been playing incredibly well and has a solid matchup to keep his consistent fantasy production going. Darnold is a very safe back-end QB1 getting you at least 19 fantasy points in each game this season. The best part of Darnold's game right now is his rushing near the goal line; he has three rushing touchdowns already on the season. With McCaffery out, Darnold could continue to call his number down near the goal line. Facing the Cowboy's defense, who are giving up 22.8 fantasy points per game to QBs, as well as the potential for a high-scoring shootout, Darnold is a great start this week.
Sit: Aaron Rodgers vs. Pittsburg
This is less of a pure you must bench Rodgers and more of a temper your expectations for Rodgers this week. Rodgers should be thought of as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 in this matchup. Rodgers has yet to top 270 passing yards on the year and brings nothing in terms of rushing upside to fantasy. Rodgers needs a large touchdown game to finish as a high-end QB1. Pittsburg has been limiting the yardage for quarterbacks, for the most part, this season. Carr was able to top the 300-yard mark, but both Josh Allen and Joe Burrow fell under that number (Burrow was under 200 yards). The potential for a slow, drawn-out game and Rodgers not putting up high yardage numbers is a recipe for another lackluster game from Rodgers.
Start: Jakobi Meyers vs. Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers give up the most fantasy points to receivers at 38.3 points per game. New England will be behind in this game and will have to throw the ball a lot. Mac Jones has relied heavily on Meyers so far this season. Meyers has seen at least six targets in every game, has the highest target share out of the Pats' receivers, and has seen his yards per reception increase in each game. He will bring you the target volume to give you the solid floor, but since his targets are starting to come more downfield, he has more ceiling than expected. Meyers should be in lineups, and if this is the week Meyers finally scores his first touchdown, he could even push for a top 12 finish.
Sit: Allen Robinson vs. Detroit
Robinson is a contender for the biggest bust of the season. It is not entirely his fault, the o-line has not protected the Bears' QBs, and Robinson has been relegated to an underneath check-down receiver versus the down-the-field threat he is. Robinson's average depth of target is 6.7 yards this year. He has yet to top 40 receiving yards and is not seeing the target volume we had hoped for in draft season. Should Andy Dalton start this week, there may be more hope for a bounce-back game. The Lions can pressure the QB with eight sacks on the season so far. With the o-line concerns, bad play calling, and suspect QB play, I cannot start Robinson if I have any alternatives.
Start: Mike Gesicki vs. Indianapolis
Gesicki started the year with a complete dud, but he has seen his role grow in the last two weeks. His snap percentage has increased from 39% in week one to 64% and 66% each of the past two weeks. He has gone from three targets to six to twelve over that time. With Brissett in the game, Gesicki has been a go-to target and should continue to see work this week and can be streamed at the tight end position.
Sit: Robert Tonyan vs. Pittsburg
Tonyan's role in the Green Bay passing game has been limited this year. He has seen less the four targets in every game and needs a touchdown to be worth a start. I already discussed my worries with the upside presented in the Packers' passing offense right now, which extends to Tonyan. He is a touchdown or bust streaming option that you can gamble with, but other streaming options may be available.
Honorable Mentions:
Start: Cordarrelle Patterson: Large volume (14 touches per game the past two games), and Washington gives up points through the air.
Sit: DeAndre Hopkins: Less upside due to other receivers performing and a tough matchup vs. LA. (More of a temper expectation than a sit.)
Start: Emmanuel Sanders: High amount of air yards and attached to an elite QB.
Sit: Melvin Gordon/Javonte Williams: Lack of upside due to touch split and a tough defense that should limit scoring potential.