This one is all about opportunity. With Keenan Allen likely sidelined
due to a positive Covid-19 test, Guyton would slide into the No.
2 receiver spot opposite Mike Williams (Covid-19 list). Guyton
is normally the Chargers deep threat (16.1 ypc) with Allen the
target hog. Williams is the red zone and 50-50 ball guy. But without
Allen there are 10 targets a game available and Guyton should
see a good portion of them. The Giants rank 23rd in fantasy points
allowed to opposing receivers.
Like the Guyton choice, this is one primarily due to an injured
starter and the opportunity for more of the workload. Adam Thielen
(high-ankle sprain) figures to sit with the Thursday game not
leaving any time to heal. He owns 64 catches for 686 yards and
10 touchdown catches. The Steelers will turn most of their attention
to second-year star wideout Justin Jefferson (78-1209-7) leaving
Osborn (35-412-3) the chance for single coverage likely without
Joe Haden (foot) and with Minkah Fitzpatrick favoring the Jefferson
side over the top.
It’s been mostly a down year for Claypool after exploding
onto the scene last season with 873 yards and nine touchdowns.
In 2021 he’s still getting yardage, but has managed just
one touchdown catch. The Vikings’ pass defense has been
mostly non-existent this season, ranking 30th of 32 teams yielding
41.8 FPts/G and over the last five they have been the worst in
the league allowing almost 1000 yards and 44.1 FPts/G to opposing
wideouts.
Those fantasy owners who expected Golladay (ribs) to return to
his 1000-yard Lions form have been extremely disappointed in his
production this season and Week 14 against the Chargers is an
unlikely place for it to turn around. Since returning from injury
in Week 9, Golladay hasn’t had more than three catches in
a game or more than 50 yards. The Giants offense has been stuck
in the weeds all season and if any part breaks out on Sunday it
will be the running game. Both starter Daniel Jones and backup
Mike Glennon (concussion) are likely sidelined by injury leaving
the offense to just-signed-last-week Jake Fromm.
Hopkins returned to action after being out since Week 8, but
he only saw two targets (yes, he caught both, one for a score).
This week, however, he faces Jalen Ramsey and the Rams and that’s
not a good matchup. In two games last season against the Rams,
“Nuk” caught 87 yards and one score. In 2019, when
Hopkins played for Houston and Ramsey for Jacksonville, Ramsey
held him to five catches for 40 yards and no scores.
Cooks has been the only consistent part of the Texans passing
game, but this isn’t a good spot for him. Tyrod Taylor will
likely sit (wrist) in favor of Davis Mills, who hasn’t shown
us much this season, though he’s usually a little better
at home than on the road. Further, the Seahawks pass defense has
allowed a wideout just one touchdown pass since Week 5 (a garbage
time score to Jamal Agnew in Week 8).
