HOT PICKUPS
Quarterback
Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. Cutler returned to action and posted a solid day against the Browns, throwing for 265 yards and three scores. On Sunday he faces the Eagles' terrible secondary, which was just eviscerated by Matt Cassel. Yet, Cutler is owned in fewer than half of Yahoo! leagues. He’s a rare, clear-cut starter in a great matchup who could be on the wire. Snap him up and strongly consider him if you don’t have an elite QB.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Titans. Trailing for much of the game forced Fitzpatrick to throw it 58 times against a very good Arizona secondary. That resulted in 402 yards and four scores. Fitzpatrick won’t need to throw it as much against the Jaguars, but the matchup is favorable (Jacksonville has allowed 23.6 fantasy points to QBs, third-worst) and Fitzpatrick threw for 264 yards and three scores in limited action against the Jags in Week 10. If you are in need of a quarterback for your championship, Fitzpatrick isn’t a bad matchup play.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins. When factoring in turnovers and opponent, Cousins didn’t have a great real-life game in Week 15. But with 381 yards and three scores, fantasy owners who rolled the dice on him couldn’t complain. Cousins gets another cushy matchup in Week 16 against a Cowboys defense that has been torched by Josh McCown and Matt Flynn in consecutive weeks. Like Fitzpatrick, Cousins is a matchup play for owners who don’t feel comfortable with their starter for the championship.
Running Back
Jordan Todman, RB, Jaguars. Todman was solid in place of Maurice Jones-Drew on Sunday, rushing 25 times for 109 yards and adding four catches for 44 yards. If he were to get the start again, Todman would be up against the Titans, who have allowed 23.7 fantasy points to RBs, second-most. He would be worth a start again for MJD owners and anyone in need of a flex option.
Wide Receiver
Kendall Wright, WR, Titans. Targeted a whopping 20 times in Week 15, Wright hauled in 12 passes for 150 yards, though, as usual, he didn’t find the end zone. Still, it’s an excellent performance against a top corner in Patrick Peterson. The Jaguars are a far better matchup on paper. Wright is a must-start in PPR formats and should be under strong consideration even in standard leagues.
Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. Crabtree picked up five catches for 45 yards and a score in Week 15. Outside of the score, the production was in line for what he’s done since his return. Not assured of anything, Crabtree still has an excellent matchup against a terrible Falcons secondary on Monday night. He’s certainly risky, but if you’ve held him this long, there are worse gambles to take on a WR3.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Steelers. Sanders had a run of three straight games with a score snapped Sunday night against the Bengals. The Packers defense is far, far worse than the Bengals, however. Sanders should bounce back to solid WR3 status for this week’s game.
Rod Streater, WR, Raiders. Streater picked up four catches for 59 yards against the Chiefs. It was overshadowed by Andre Holmes and Mychal Rivera because he didn’t score, but Streater finished with more than 55 yards for the fifth straight contest. He’s in the WR3 conversation against the Chargers secondary.
Tight End
Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens. Pitta had a down game against the Lions, seeing only four targets in the contest. However, the Patriots have struggled to cover tight ends this year, surrendering the seventh-most yards to this position this season. Pitta isn’t worth starting over every-week starters like Greg Olsen or Tony Gonzalez, but he is one of the stronger replacement options. Consider him if you don’t have a top-seven option.
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers. Miller has only seen eight targets the past two games combined, but he still has managed 91 yards in that span. That's not great, but it's a decent floor. Given the Packers have allowed the 10th-most yards to tight ends, the matchup is solid. Miller's in the mix if you need a tight end this week.
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