Eli Rogers had a big game last week and showed up against Baltimore in their last meeting

There’s no better time than late December. The holidays are around the corner, food and drink will be abundant and we get to see the good side of people for the most part. And of course, we’ve got the most exciting time for fantasy where a championship will be handed out.

I’ll cut to the chase. There are no guarantees this week. In a matter of days, the fantasy season will be over for season-long leagues (unless you play through week 17). Our featured experts below have provided insight into who could be sleepers this week and what studs could go bust. If you’re a big underdog heading into the championship, this may just the advice/hope you’re looking for. If you’re heavily favored, maybe you should temper your expectations. At the end of the day, anything can happen (e.g. Jordan Reed throwing a useless punch and getting ejected with just one catch). The one thing to remember, though, is this is the most wonderful time of the year. Happy Holidays!

If you need further start/sit advice or don’t see any of your players listed below, head over to My Playbook and get advice tailored to your team and league.

Featured Experts:
Staff Rankings – Fantasy Knuckleheads
Ben Standig – CSN Mid-Atlantic
Tozzi Brothers – Legion Report
The FFGhost – Dynasty League Football
Sean Beazley – EDSFootball
Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros

Q1. Give us a player outside of our top 115 Flex that represents a deep sleeper start.

Eli Rogers (WR – PIT): vs. BAL
“In week 9, Rodgers (ranked 131) gouged Baltimore for over 100 yards on 10 targets. Baltimore will likely play the high 2 safety look making Rodgers a solid PPR play underneath. The blossoming rookie also caught the game-winning touchdown last week. I also like Sammie Coates (ranked 165) as he appears to be getting over his broken fingers.”
– Staff Rankings (Fantasy Knuckleheads)

Charles Clay (TE – BUF): vs. MIA
“Two consecutive weeks with a touchdown for Bills tight end Charles Clay, but we’re not just chasing scores with this call. He also caught 10 passes on 13 targets for 124 yards in that stretch. Then consider Buffalo faces a Miami defense that has given up production to tight ends over the second half of the season. Don’t be surprised if Clay puts up TE1 numbers.”
– Ben Standig (CSN Mid-Atlantic)

Quincy Enunwa (WR – NYJ): at NE
“Outside of the 115 Flex is plagued with players likely to disappoint, however, we see a potential silver lining in Quincy Enunwa. Bilal Powell and Robby Anderson have been the only two Jets showing capabilities of performing under QB Bryce Petty, but Enunwa has still received opportunities in Targets. With the Over/Under set at 44 and New England being favored by 16.5, it all but etches in stone that New York will be playing from behind from the whistle. In Week 12 vs. New England, Enunwa totaled 5 Receptions for 109 Yards and 1 TD. Consider him a deep deep sleeper, but one with potential to move up the ranks as the week concludes due to volume alone.”
– Tozzi Brothers (Legion Report)

Tavon Austin (WR – LA): vs. SF
“If you are looking for a safe play, you can never go wrong with Anquan Boldin, but if I’m in the championship, I’m trying to hit a home run with my deep desperation pickup so that leads me to Tavon Austin. He is always a threat for a big reception, rush or return, and against San Francisco, those odds are multiplied. Sure, he could leave you with 1 point, but he might be the only player outside the top 115 that could put up 20 points this week so plug him in if you need a playmaker.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Travis Benjamin (WR – SD): at CLE
“I think Benjamin makes for a sneaky play this week versus his former team Cleveland. Benjamin has the big play potential as we saw last week when he connected with Rivers for a 47-yard touchdown. This is an elite spot vs. the Browns who can’t stop anyone.”
– Sean Beazley (EDSFootball)

Marvin Jones (WR – DET): at DAL
“Jones has been disappointing the last few weeks but there is no reason he should be WR57 and ranked 118. The game is on Monday night and Dallas’ secondary isn’t a lockdown squad, running more middle of the road than anything else. Do I think he posts the kind of games early in the season? No, but he should make for a solid flex play.”
– The FFGhost (Dynasty League Football)

Q2. On the flip side, what player inside the top 35 Flex is likely to disappoint?

Bilal Powell (RB – NYJ): at NE
“Powell just shouldn’t be in the top 35 in my opinion. The Jets will be playing from behind and haven’t be a fearsome rushing team in quite some time. Meanwhile, New England is allowing the ninth fewest fantasy points to starting running backs. There are much better options out there.”
– The FFGhost (Dynasty League Football)

Jordy Nelson (WR – GB): vs. MIN
“Nelson has been on fire this entire season and it’s a bold call to say he’s going to disappoint. Minnesota has been torched and shown to be vulnerable, especially in week 15 against Indy, allowing 34 Points. That said, Nelson should see one of the league’s top DBs in Xavier Rhodes this week who has a tendency to lock players up. Expect Minnesota to get back on track against divisional foe Green Bay, eliminating one of their most potent and consistent options in the process. On the season, Minnesota ranks as the 12th best fantasy defense against opposing WRs, allowing 15.0 fantasy PPG.”
– Tozzi Brothers (Legion Report)

Amari Cooper (WR – OAK): vs. IND
“Cooper has just 2 standard league fantasy points in four of his last eight games, and even two of his previous three! Among those ranked 25 to 35, only Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell, who weren’t starters, mind you, have done that even once in the same time Cooper has accomplished the ‘feat’ three times. The Colts’ secondary isn’t anything to sneeze at either, so don’t chalk this up as impossible. I would call it a coin flip based on how he has been playing lately.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Le’Veon Bell (RB – PIT): vs. BAL
“Bell is ranked 2nd in the FantasyPros flex rankings this week. Last time he faced Baltimore he was limited to 32 rushing yards and 6 catches for 38 yards. Ryan Mathews gashed the Ravens last week, but that only served as a wake-up call to the league’s #1 run defense. If you’re expecting top 2 production this week, you’re likely to be disappointed.”
– Staff Rankings (Fantasy Knuckleheads)

Devonta Freeman (RB – ATL): at CAR
“Freeman is generally someone I start with glee. He’s a running back I’d likely use in week 16. He’s also in a tough spot, though, against a Panthers defense that has allowed fewer than 70 rush yards to running backs in seven of their last nine games and just 19 against the Redskins on Monday night. Freeman had 64 total yards with a touchdown against Carolina in Week 4. That’s probably a reasonable ceiling forecast in the rematch.”
– Ben Standig (CSN Mid-Atlantic)

Ty Montgomery (WR – GB): vs. MIN
“I wouldn’t sit any of these players in this group this week, but I think the player with the biggest regression is Ty Montgomery. He had a monster game vs. the Bears last week, but I think he will have a more difficult time against the Vikings D this week. Minnesota’s defense has been burned lately, but I think this is a great rebound spot for them.”
– Sean Beazley (EDSFootball)

—

Thank you to the experts for taking the time to give their picks. For more advice, be sure to check out our latest podcast below and subscribe for all the latest updates and tips.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud | Google Play | TuneIn | RSS