NFC SOUTH
Fantasy football fans who played Jameis Winston of the Buccaneers last week certainly walked away from their game happier than the player did. He finished fourth in quarterback points, on the back of three passing touchdowns.
SIT: Carolina Panthers Defense
The Buccaneers may be on a three-game losing streak, but their offense is still putting up enough points to make any defense a little less valuable these days. Last week was a particularly impressive one for the Bucs offense, and the Panthers defense isn’t exactly leading the league.
START: Running Back, Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are in Tampa Bay this weekend, and the Bucs are reeling following a loss in Buffalo. One of the main culprits in their loss was tackling. Another, was inability to keep contain. Both of these flaws play right into the hands of the Panthers’ rookie running back.
SLEEPER: Quarterback, Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons
Ryan hasn’t been a Top-5 fantasy football quarterback once this year, but the Jets are surrendering over 17 points per week with more than two touchdown passes surrendered on average. This could be the week he returns to the top. At least for a week.
AFC SOUTH
With Jacksonville on a bye, there are no automatic starts at defense in the AFC South. Indianapolis is in Cincinnati while Houston travels to Seattle. Tennessee is also on a bye, so we get a week to rest on the DeMarco Murray v Derrick Henry debate.
SIT: Running Back, Frank Gore – Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack is clearly the back to own in Indianapolis, even if he’s not an every week start himself. Gore’s clock has run out, we’re just waiting on the paperwork at the end of the season.
START: None
Honestly, this division is perhaps the hardest for me to find a start week in and week out. Without Jacksonville and Tennessee in action, it’s downright impossible. I’d like to say Deshaun Watson here, but going against Seattle, I just can’t call him a start this week.
SLEEPER: Quarterback, Deshaun Watson
The rookie has surprised most of the football world with his early success. A strong showing against the Seahawks defense could just put him into star status less than a year into his professional career. I can’t say it won’t happen, so I’ll just say, it could happen.