The Buccaneers are the worst team in the NFL at stopping a quarterback
from throwing the football. They allow 26 FPts/G to opposing QBs
and that would be a great total on a week where six teams have
a bye. In O’Connell’s first start in months, he produced 25 fantasy
points against a tough Kansas City defense (23-of-35 for 340 yards
and two TDs). He successfully used both wideout Jakobi Meyers
and tight end Brock Bowers and the Bucs are bottom six at both
wide receiver and tight end production allowed.
Joe Burrow has been playing great this season, but his team has
a losing record because the defense has failed to show up. Case
in point, the Bengals have allowed their last three opposing QBs
to score at least 29.4 fantasy points. After a very slow start,
Rush has been better the past three games averaging 18.7 FPts/G
and now faces one of the worst pass defenses in the league.
It might be quite a ride, but starting Jameis Winston can be
a rewarding option… if your heart can handle the downside.
He threw six touchdowns passes last Monday night – four
to Browns receivers and two to Broncos defenders. He just played
the Steelers two weeks ago, in a snow storm, and the Browns won
the game. He’s averaging 26.7 over the past five games,
second best among all QBs over that span.
This is not the Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay. This is a 41-year
old, with very little escapability and he’ll face the Dolphins
defense which ranks No.1 against opposing quarterbacks allowing
just 16.3 FPts/G. Rodgers has cracked 20 fantasy points just once
in his past six starts. Keep looking.
The Cardinals defense is much improved, and in fact, over the
past five weeks has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing
quarterbacks (14.4 FPts/G). Smith faced Arizona two weeks ago
and managed just 16.9 fantasy points. The Cardinals have allowed
only three touchdown passes in the last five games.
Purdy was ugly last weekend in a Buffalo snowstorm, but that
was to be expected. It’s also expected he’ll have
trouble against the No.2 defense in QB fantasy points allowed
– Da Bears. Chicago has allowed 17 FPts/G in 2024 and 16.1
FPts/G in five road games. Purdy, who is dealing with a shoulder
issue which kept him out of the lineup in Week 12, won’t
have his usually potent running game to keep defenses honest with
both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason recently played on the
IR.
