You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest . Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from , Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Despite Kirk Cousins' struggles in last week's loss to the Chargers, London was able to produce for fantasy. The same could not be said for Mooney. Still, he has been more good than bad in fantasy land -- and this is more about the matchup. The Vikings have allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, including the third-most yards. They also play zone 75 percent of the time. London has the 11th-most yards amongst wideouts vs. zone, while Mooney ranks 19th. The Vikings play split-safety defense at the highest rate in the NFL; London has the fourth-most yards against that coverage, while Mooney ranks ninth. London, who had the second-highest first-read rate in Week 13 (per ), is a must-start. With six teams in a bye week, Mooney gets another chance in a game where the Falcons could be chasing points.
Two touchdowns allowed Reed to enjoy a big fantasy day last week. The yardage was still down, though, as it has been for a few games now. That should change this Thursday. The Lions have yielded the second-most yards and fourth-most fantasy PPG to WRs. They also have allowed the most yards to slot receivers -- by far -- giving up 192 more yards than any other team. Reed has run 56 percent of routes from the slot. He got the Lions for 113 yards in Week 9, with 81 coming from the slot. That came in bad weather; this game is indoors. Reed is a must-start option in what could be a scorefest at Ford Field.
I have said it a bunch but will say it again: Jakobi Meyers is extremely underrated for fantasy purposes. Since Week 3, he has averaged 15.8 fantasy PPG. His low game in that span is 8.8 -- and he's topped 18 three times. So, he brings a safe floor, a great median and upside. That is exactly what you want in a fantasy asset! Also, Aidan O'Connell threw for 340 yards last week; Gardner Minshew had one game within 60 yards of that mark this season. So, Meyers' fantasy stock could potentially be on the rise. Now he gets the Bucs, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to WRs.
With six teams on bye, let's get crazy! Valdes-Scantling has averaged 18.1 fantasy PPG over his last three outings, scoring at least one touchdown and topping 11 fantasy points in each. The volume has not been there, but it could increase with Taysom Hill injured. MVS is certainly a boom-or-bust play as the new Rashid Shaheed of this offense, but he has an excellent chance to go BOOM this week. The Giants have given up the sixth-most yards to receivers on deep passes (20-plus air yards). They have allowed a 68 percent completion rate on those throws, by far the highest in the NFL (only one other team is north of 46 percent). They also allow a 150.4 passer rating on those passes (again, by far the highest mark in the league). This burner has the upside to flip your week. He is worth the dice roll.
MORE START OPTIONS: Giants' Malik Nabers (vs. Saints), Chargers' Ladd McConkey (at Chiefs), Browns' Jerry Jeudy (at Steelers), Titans' Calvin Ridley (vs. Jaguars).
Sit 'Em
I had some hesitation with this one, but that was because I was thinking of Deebo as what he once was, not what he's been recently. He has failed to reach 13 fantasy points in five straight games. He has not even reached seven in each of his last three, scoring four or fewer in the last two. It just kept getting worse. With the Niners thin at running back, I assume he will get more carries in the ground game. That isn't always ideal for fantasy, though, as those touches don't carry the additional points you gain for a catch. The Bears have allowed the third-fewest fantasy PPG to WRs. They're also among the 10 stingiest defenses when it comes to YAC allowed to receivers, which is a specialty of Samuel. Eventually, he will have a big game, but given the recent production and the matchup, you can get away from Deebo this week.
Last week in this space, I warned against chasing points with Waddle. After a 28.4-point day in Week 12, the Dolphins receiver came back down to 11.3 on Thanksgiving. Honestly, that wasn't so bad -- especially considering Waddle went nine straight games with single-digit fantasy points prior to his Week 12 outburst -- but it still was not a big fantasy day. One huge outing against the Patriots is not enough to erase the underwhelming production over the rest of the season. Plus, this week he faces the Jets, who have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to WRs. They have given up the third-fewest yards and allowed just seven total touchdowns to receivers this season. We need to see more consistent results before trusting Waddle again.
Thielen suddenly exploded for 99 yards, a touchdown and 23.9 fantasy points last week. He also just missed a second touchdown (my eyes think he scored). That came in a favorable matchup against the Bucs. This week, he has the opposite of that, facing the Eagles, who have allowed the fewest receiving yards to receivers. They've yielded the sixth-fewest yards to slot receivers, which is where Thielen has run 70 percent of his routes from in 2024. There will be weeks when you can start this savvy veteran, but this is not one of them.
In a favorable fantasy matchup for Bears receivers last week, Keenan Allen caught two touchdown passes, while DJ Moore received 16 targets and provided a score of his own. Both finished as top-seven receivers on the week. Meanwhile, Odunze caught two of six targets against Detroit, logging just 4.5 fantasy points. He was not a top-75 receiver. The rookie has just three games with double-digit fantasy points. Now he faces the 49ers, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy PPG to WRs. They have given up the second-fewest yards to outside receivers, and Odunze has run 68 percent of his routes from out wide. You might be considering using him as a bye-week replacement, but I would go in another direction.