Good luck to fantasy football managers competing for a league title. Aside from the well wishes, you will need a strong group of sleepers to help you deliver the final knockout blow to your opponent.
This week, we're going all in on an under-the-radar matchup that may have three high-end sleeper options.
In crunch time, managers should also turn to familiar players who have exceeded expectations in recent weeks.
That said, we'll also highlight a few new names to consider at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
All of the selections below are available in more than 50 percent of leagues, according to FantasyPros' roster consensus percentages.
QB Bryce Young at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7 Percent Rostered)
In Week 16, Bryce Young finished second among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring, but his 23-yard touchdown run inflated that total. Still, he threw for multiple touchdowns for the first time since reclaiming the starting job in Week 8.
Nonetheless, Young has become a more willing ball-carrier in recent weeks. He's logged at least three rush attempts in five consecutive games, picking up at least 20 yards on the ground in three of those outings.
Young may not have much success on the ground against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 10th-ranked run defense, but he threw for a season-high 298 yards in the first meeting between these teams in Week 13.
This time, Tampa Bay may not have All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield lurking in the secondary, which is a big blow to its defense. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 292 yards against the Buccaneers last week, so it's not a stretch to think Young could sling the ball for close to 300 yards in this matchup.
Tampa Bay is tied for second in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
QB Mason Rudolph at Jacksonville Jaguars (2 Percent Rostered)
The Tennessee Titans swapped out one turnover-prone quarterback (Will Levis) for another (Mason Rudolph), but at least they're more capable of scoring points to offset their miscues with the latter.
Managers should view Rudolph similar to Jameis Winston regarding streamer quarterback options. Yes, he may throw multiple interceptions, but his passing yards total and touchdowns could balance out the negative plays.
Last week, Rudolph threw for 252 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions against the Indianapolis Colts. He's thrown for 240-plus yards in three of his four starts. In three of those contests, the Titans trailed by multiple scores.
Tennessee may not fall behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in a large deficit, but Rudolph should have some success against Jacksonville's pass defense, which allows the most yards.
The Jaguars also allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. If you're desperate for a signal-caller in the championship round, Rudolph is worth consideration because of his highly favorable matchup.
RB Kendre Miller vs. Las Vegas Raiders (36 Percent Rostered)
Running back Alvin Kamara missed the New Orleans Saints' Week 16 matchup with the Green Bay Packers because of a groin injury, and he may sit out again on a short week.
Against the Packers, Kendre Miller logged 10 touches for 31 yards in a 34-0 loss. The Saints should be competitive in a game with the three-win Las Vegas Raiders, so he will likely have a more productive and efficient outing.
If Kamara sits out, Miller will have the featured role against the Raiders' middling run defense that gives up 4.4 yards per carry, enough to allow some chunk plays on the ground.
Furthermore, over the last three weeks, the Raiders have allowed three touchdowns to running backs, two on the ground and one through the air.
As Kamara's fill-in replacement, Miller could handle an expanded role in the short passing game, an added plus for managers in point-per-reception leagues. Last Monday, he caught both of his targets for 16 yards.
RB Ameer Abdullah at New Orleans Saints (25 Percent Rostered)
Ameer Abdullah is the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 2 running back, but he's worked his way into a consistent role as a pass-catcher.
Over the last two weeks, Abdullah hauled 12 out of 13 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. In that stretch, he's racked up 151 scrimmage yards and scored twice.
The Raiders have featured Alexander Mattison in the backfield with Zamir White and Sincere McCormick on injured reserve, but Abdullah gets enough carries to make an impact in the ground game, too. Abdullah has logged 10 rush attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown over the last two weeks.
The New Orleans Saints are giving up the third-most rushing yards, the second-most yards per carry and rank 25th in rushing touchdowns allowed. Mattison and Abdullah are interchangeable in their roles, and they're both getting enough touches to earn consideration for a flex spot with this matchup.
Because of Abdullah's robust production in the Raiders' short passing game, he's a viable sleeper option for managers in PPR leagues.
WR Ricky Pearsall vs. Detroit Lions (16 Percent Rostered)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy should be able to move the ball on the Detroit Lions' depleted defense. The Lions have multiple starting defenders on injured reserve, which has affected their pass coverage.
Over the last two weeks, Detroit has allowed an average of 342.5 passing yards. Last week, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 loss to Detroit.
The Lions lead the league in scoring, so the 49ers must be aggressive on offense to keep pace in this matchup. Purdy and his receivers could be in an offensive track meet.
If so, Ricky Pearsall could set career highs in multiple categories. He's a rookie first-rounder who has shown some flashes, recording at least four catches in three out of nine contests.
Last week, Pearsall hauled in all four targets for 37 yards against the Miami Dolphins' 11th-ranked pass defense. Now, he'll face the Lions' 27th-ranked pass defense in a more favorable matchup. Detroit is tied for sixth in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.
WR Olamide Zaccheaus vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 Percent Rostered)
The Washington Commanders lost Noah Brown (ribs/kidney) for the rest of the season, which opened up opportunities for someone else to emerge as the team's No. 2 receiver.
Last week, Olamide Zaccheaus answered the call with five catches for a team-leading 70 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also saw the most targets (eight).
For the year, Zaccheaus is fourth on the team in targets, so his Week 16 performance may not be a fluke. In Week 4, he hauled in six targets for 85 yards.
With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels playing at a high level from the pocket, his No. 2 receiver has decent value in a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons' 21st-ranked pass defense. Atlanta allows the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts.
TE Foster Moreau vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1 Percent Rostered)
The New Orleans Saints offense can't look any worse than it did last Monday, right? It shouldn't. After taking a 34-0 beatdown at Lambeau Field, the Saints head home to face the Las Vegas Raiders' 27th-ranked scoring defense.
If Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler continues to start in place of an injured Derek Carr, he will have limited options in the passing game, even if wideout Chris Olave returns to action from a concussion. After missing six games, Olave may not have a full workload if the team activates him from injured reserve.
Running back Alvin Kamara sat out the previous game with a groin injury, and his status remains uncertain. He leads the team in targets (89).
With more available targets, tight end Foster Moreau could play a big role in the Saints' game plan against the Raiders, who struggle to cover tight ends. The Raiders allow the fifth-most fantasy points to players at that position.
Over the last three weeks, Moreau has been slightly more productive than fellow tight end Juwan Johnson in the passing game. He's hauled in eight of his nine targets for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson has caught eight of his 10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Moreau is also tied with wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who missed the previous game with a chest injury and an illness, for a team-leading four touchdown receptions. In a depleted offense, he could have a strong outing against his former team.
TE Daniel Bellinger vs. Indianapolis Colts (1 Percent Rostered)
The New York Giants offense has struggled to score, averaging just 10.7 points over the last three weeks, but head coach and offensive play-caller Brian Daboll may be able to exploit the Indianapolis Colts' zone defense with his tight end.
Even though the Giants' passing attack runs through rookie wideout Malik Nabers, Daniel Bellinger will have a plus matchup.
The Colts allow the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Over the last three weeks, they've allowed three touchdowns to players at that position. In Indianapolis' last outing, Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo had his best outing of the season (nine catches for 81 yards).
While most managers prefer to avoid the Giants offense with turnover-prone Drew Lock under center, Bellinger's involvement in Big Blue's aerial attack will allow him to make plays against the Colts' 24th-ranked pass defense. He's seen 12 targets over the last three weeks.
Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.
Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Looking for more insight to prep for your draft or make some tough roster decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
Read 1 Comments
Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation