I was looking forward to crushing my nephew’s team, Better Call Col, in the first round of the Fantasy playoffs. I had visions of a championship dancing in my head. But TE Kyle Pitts chose this particular week to finally play like a first-round draft pick, becoming the first tight end since 1996 to post 150+ yards and three TDs in a game. Of course he did. Pitts spent the entire season flickering like a faulty strand of Christmas lights, only to shine brighter than the Rockefeller Center tree last Thursday. I’m convinced Pitts took personal joy in ending my season because of all the nasty things I’ve written about him over the years. I’d like to thank Pitts and my nephew for dumping coal in my Christmas stocking. If you’re reading this, chances are you didn’t face Pitts… or he’s on your roster and you’re currently hanging extra lights on the house out of pure joy. Either way, good luck this week. I’ll be watching from the sidelines, testing bulbs and wondering where it all went wrong.
Giddy Up!
QB Joe Burrow at Dolphins — Burrow’s tirade on the sideline after the Ravens shut out the Bengals was fierce, like a kid finding out batteries were not included with his Christmas present. Burrow will send a little Christmas cheer your way from Miami.
QB Justin Herbert at Cowboys — If J.J. McCarthy can tag the ‘Boys for 250 yards and 3 total TDs, anybody can. The Chargers’ O-line is terrible, but that matches up well with the Dallas front four, who are equally inept. Start Herbert with the confidence of Rudolph on a foggy Christmas Eve.
RB TreVeyon Henderson at Ravens — It’s quality, not quantity with Henderson. It only takes little crease in a defensive front, and Henderson is on his way to pay dirt. Blink and he’s gone, like cookies left out for Santa.
RB Breece Hall at Saints — Can you trust him one more time? You probably have to. The Saints have surrendered a rushing TD in seven of their last eight games. They are like the uncle who always gives awesome Christmas presents. Deck the Hall(s).
WR Rashee Rice at Titans — If there’s one thing mustachioed backup QB Gardner Minshew knows, it’s to feed his top WRs. Jacobi Meyers had his best season with Minshew at the helm (Vegas 2024) and so did Michael Pittman, Jr. (Indy 2023). Let’s just hope the mercurial Rice (concussion, check status) plays merry and bright.
WR Jameson Williams vs Steelers — Oh what fun it is to ride Jameson Williams lately. With 21 receptions for 374 yards and 2 TDs in his last three games, he’s been dashing through secondaries like a one-horse open sleigh, laughing all the way. Ha ha ha!
TE Kyle Pitts at Cardinals — As my friend Big Joe said last week, “That was the player we thought he was” after Pitts’ 48-point explosion. Playing the Cards’ 24th-ranked D against TEs, chase the points. Just don’t expect me to enjoy it.
Whoa Down!
QB Dak Prescott vs Chargers — Consider this your official “Do Not Open Til Christmas” warning label. The Chargers just held Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes without a TD pass in back-to-back games. Keep Prescott under wraps.
QB Matt Stafford at Seahawks — The weather outside in Seattle is frightful with 100% chance of chilly rain tonight. No QB, including Stafford in Week 11, has thrown more than 2 TDs against the Hawks all season. Stafford’s outlook is not so delightful.
RB Ashton Jeanty at Texans — The rule of thumb in Fantasy is to always start your studs, regardless of their opposition. But the Texans’ run defense tougher than Aunt Lily’s fruitcake. You’d be nuts to start Jeanty.
RB Kyle Monangai vs Packers — Since his huge 22 Fantasy points in Week 13, Monangai has played small lately. D’Andre Swift is still Santa Claus in Chi-Town. Monangai’s elf-like status combined with this pivotal battle for first place in the NFC North keeps him out of my lineup.
WR Jalen Waddle vs Bengals — We don’t know if the Cincy secondary is any good because opponents spend so much time ripping them on the ground. This looks more like a De’Von Achane matchup, leaving Waddle with a silent night.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson vs Vikings — WD-17 was like Christmas morn against the lowly Commanders (5/54/1), but the Vikes kept the following superstars out the end zone the last seven weeks: Lamb, Pickens, Samuel, McLaurin, Smith-Njigba and St. Brown.
TE Harold Fannin, Jr. vs Bills — The Bills are the best team in the NFL against TEs. No gifts here.
Thursday Night Special: The teams split games last year, but in the Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to the Rams in Week 11, they had four turnovers. That made all the difference. Tonight, the Hawks hold onto the ball and give their fans an early Christmas present — a commanding lead in the NFC West. Seahawks 26, Rams 24
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.
