At a Christmas dinner party, my buddies (and non-fantasy players) Jeff and Eric were shocked when I said I had to win my matchup on the weekend to make the playoffs. “But aren’t you the Guru of Fantasy Football?” they asked. “How is it possible you aren’t in first place?”. Well, the fantasy gods can be very Grinch-like. Injuries (Daniel Jones lost for the year), tough defenses (Pat Mahomes’ 1 TD against the Texans), horrendous QB play (ruining Justin Jefferson) or controversial calls (Isaiah Likely’s overturned TD catch) can make even the most astute fantasy manager lose games…and their marbles. But I’m sure Jeff and Eric will be pleased to know I’m still a fantasy genius. I crushed it last week (158 points), thanks to Josh Allen’s 43 and Seattle DST’s 24 points. At 9-5, my Buffalo Soldiers are peaking heading into the fantasy playoffs like a Christmas tree that finally stopped leaning to the left. Stay tuned, and good luck to all playoff-bound squads.
GIDDY UP!
QB Brock Purdy vs. Titans — Purdy has played like Hermey the Misfit Elf from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Since his return from injury, he just hasn’t fit in (no games over 200 yards and just 5 TD passes). But with a soft spot against the Titans, Purdy will excel, even if he skips elf practice.
QB Baker Mayfield vs. Falcons — Baker hasn’t thrown more than one TD in a game since Week 10. He has been abominable. But his track record against the Falcons is solid (3 TD passes in each of the last three games). This bumble should bounce back in Round 1 of the playoffs.
RB Travis Etienne vs. Jets — Gang Green has yielded 378 yards rushing in the last two games. Etienne should take down the Jets like John McClane took down Hans Gruber in that great Christmas classic “Die Hard.” Yippee-ki-yay, fantasy managers.
RB Derrick Henry at Bengals — For the Ravens to keep their playoff chances alive, Henry will have to make like Frosty the Snowman and thumpity-thump-thump the weak Bengals’ rush D. Look at Henry go!
WR Wan’Dale Robinson vs. Commanders — Robinson sits a surprising WR13 in fantasy scoring, ahead of CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown. But for some reason he’s about as popular as a Charlie-in-the-Box. I think he pops off for 80 yards and a TD this Sunday.
WR Davante Adams vs. Lions — Adams disappeared last week in Arizona like the Ghost of Christmas Past. But he has time to make amends against the lowly Lion secondary. Sing a song of gladness and cheer.
TE Dalton Kincaid at Patriots — Son of a nutcracker! Kincaid “sleighed” the Pats in October for 108 yards, and looked like a Winter Warlock last week in snowy Buffalo (4/41/1 TD).
WHOA DOWN!
QB Jacoby Brissett at Texans — You should forget about Jacoby this week like Kevin’s family forgot about him in “Home Alone.” The Texans have allowed nine TD passes since Week 3. Bench Brissett. This is my gift to you. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.
QB Drake Maye vs. Bills — Maye is more popular than Santa Claus. Success against the likes of the Jets, Giants and Titans have made New Englanders go “Ho ho ho!” But the Bills held him without a TD in their last matchup. I don’t believe in Maye. Don’t tell the kids.
RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet — It’s Week 15 and we are no closer to breaking up the maddening timeshare in Seattle. These guys will bury you with a stake of holly through your heart. You’re better off starting Tiny Tim.
RB Breece Hall vs. Jaguars — If the Jets are forced to start Brady Cook at QB, the Jag’s D will stack the box and dare him to throw. Hall will look like Cousin Eddie cleaning out the “crapper” of his RV on Clark Griswold’s street. Tis the season.
WR D.K. Metcalf vs. Dolphins — Metcalf (check status) had stomach issues in Baltimore. To quote Ebenezer Scrooge, this might have been from “undigested beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, or a fragment of underdone potato.” There’s more of grave than gravy about Metcalf this Monday night. Bah, humbug.
WR Romeo Doubs at Broncos — With Christian Watson and Jaylen Reed back in the lineup, Doubs (no catches last week) was as cold as the Snow Miser. He’s Mr. White Christmas. He’s Mr. Snow. He’s Mr. Icicle. He’s Mr. 10 Below!
TE Mike Gesicki vs. Ravens — You’ve heard of “The Year Without a Santa Claus?” Well, this is the year without a tight end TD against the Ravens.
Thursday Night Special: The Bucs have lost to some top QBs lately: Maye, Allen and Stafford. But I don’t believe Kirk Cousins can beat Tampa Bay. He’s as wanted as a re-gift at a Secret Santa mixer. Hopefully you can trade it for something you like. Bucs 28, Falcons 25
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.
