The Lions offense might be the best in the NFL, but their defense
might be the worst. In fact, since Week 13 Detroit has yielded
the most points to opposing QBs (33.0 FPts/G) and more than 300-yards
per game through the air). Given all the quarterbacks who won’t
be playing in their season finales, Darnold is the “best
bet” of those remaining. Darnold ranks sixth-best for the
season (23.4 FPts/G) and 26.2 over the past five weeks with 14
touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Carson Wentz was once the pride of Philadelphia and a first-round
draft pick, he just hasn’t performed well, or much, over the past
two seasons. In Week 18, with the Chefs (“Nice job, but who are
the Chefs” says Coach Andy Reid in one of his few commercials
that actually makes me laugh) locked into the No.1 seed in the
AFC, Wentz can freewheel it. No pressure. He’ll face the Broncos,
who surprisingly, have allowed the second-most fantasy points
to opposing QBs since Week 13 (31.8 and a league-high 13 touchdown
passes). Will you start Josh Allen, who will likely only play
the first series to keep his consecutive start string alive, or
a quarterback with the innovative Reid calling his plays for 60
minutes?
The Panthers rank 29th in QB fantasy points allowed (26.0) over
the past five games. Penix and the Falcons still have plenty to
play for as both this game and the Tampa Bay – New Orleans
game will both start at the same time. Penix didn’t need
to do much in his first start – a 34-7 win over the Giants
and played decently in last week’s 30-24 loss to the Commanders,
who are a top-five defense versus opposing QBs. This is a much
better matchup and he should exceed 20 fantasy points here.
Grab a Clipboard
1) Any Cleveland QB not named Brian Sipe @ Baltimore
Remember earlier in the season when the Ravens’ secondary was
getting toasted regularly? They have fixed the issue. Since Week
13, they have allowed the fewest QB fantasy points in the league
(16.0) while facing Jalen Hurts, C.J. Stroud and Russell Wilson
among others. Dorian
Thompson-Robinson is not an NFL quarterback… sorry. I liked
him at UCLA, but this isn’t college football.
Coach Mike McCarthy is expected to start Cooper Rush against
the Giants – although I have no answer as to why. Is no
one interested in seeing what Trey Lance could do in a meaningless
game after spending a mid-round draft choice for him? Rush could
put up average numbers against the horrible Giants, but also could
find himself sitting in the second half.
Josh Allen will play only long enough to keep his starting streak
alive and then give way to Trubisky. But the former first-round
pick likely won’t have many weapons to help him… sort
of like his time in Chicago. The Patriots are playing better in
the second half of the season and still playing hard as a team.
Avoid all Bills on Sunday.
