Officially halfway through the regular season, and we are turning to the homestretch. How's your bench looking? It may be time to ditch the wire and make a trade - as the wire is getting thinner by the week! Let's see who's still available:
QUARTERBACKS
Desmond Ridder Atlanta Falcons vs Tennessee Desperation Desmond Play this week - play only if you need a fill for a bye. Ridder has the talent and the skills to get the ball around the field. It was surprising last week to see the limited inclusion of Bijan Robinson, but reports came out after the game of an unreported illness. Still, Ridder has shown he's the only capable QB in Atlanta currently - you can expect him to get the start, barring any injury.
Zach Wilson New York Jets vs New York (N) Another week to stream the Jets and Zach Wilson. Wilson's season hasn't been anything spectacular, but he's filled the role as Starting QB pretty well for a guy who wasn't expected to get many reps coming into the preseason. You could always take the chance on someone like Will Levis - who MAY get the start this week... or Mac Attack Jones, who has a tough matchup against their division-rival Dolphins.
RUNNINGBACKS
Pierre Strong Jr Cleveland Browns vs Seattle The Browns are cycling through the RB carousel - and their starting QB has also missed extended time this season so far... So what's to like about PSJ? For starters, they're running RB3 as RB1, and their RB2 is off the street (literally). Not to knock Kareem Hunt, who was with the team last year - but he clearly wasn't the team's first choice. PSJ will be the workhorse until Ford returns, with Hunt getting some flex-worthy touches down the stretch.
Royce Freeman Los Angeles Rams vs Dallas The Rams seemed to have it figured out in the backfield with Kyren Williams - and then they had to reset it all when Williams went to IR just two weeks ago. Now, they're looking at a similar approach as Cleveland - RBC. If Darryl Henderson isn't the answer while Williams is gone, then Freeman will be. This is a fluid situation though, neither RB carries more than (at-best) flex-value for the week.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Nelson Agholor Baltimore Ravens vs Arizona Agholor is filling a much-needed WR2 role on the Ravens behind rookie sensation Zay Flowers. The only other player he's competing for targets with is Mark Andrews. Agholor may be the flex-add everyone wants (or needs) to get into the post-season on a high note.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Tennessee Titans vs Atlanta Tennessee is about to rewrite the playbook yet again. Ryan Tannehill is still (potentially) out, dealing with a lower body injury - and Malik Willis is on thin ice. You may see Will Levis get the nod as starting QB - if so, you may want to pick up Levis before he shows the league why he was drafted: elite level arm talent. His accuracy is improving, but he's got a cannon loaded up at all times. That may be just what the Titans need in order to get their passing offense going - something that DeAndre Hopkins and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine have been patiently waiting for all season.
TIGHT ENDS
Tyler Conklin New York Jets vs New York (N) Zach Wilson coming-out party! The Jets take on a struggling Giants team (in what is essentially a home-game for both teams) - and it should be a lopsided affair. The Jets will have a chance to really open up their playbook and draw some more interesting looks offensively. They have the talent to do it, and over the next few weeks the Giants pose as the best opportunity for them to pull out some tricks.
Dalton Kincaid Buffalo Bills vs Tampa Bay Dalton's usage should go up a lot now that Dawson Knox is going to be out indefinitely. This gives the green light to a young Dalton Kincaid - someone who found lots of success at the college level. With a high-flying passing offense coming into the week against a team that's been able to keep pace with their opponents (on the scoreboard, that is), you can expect the Bills to be in a shootout with the Bucs. Kincaid gets his first receiving TD of the season as a result - don't miss out on those precious six points!
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Los Angeles Chargers vs Chicago I'm going all-in against the Bears again - because they can't make me look like a fool twice in one season. Who do I look like, the '08 Lions? LA has a strong defensive line, and they're going up against a backup QB, a backup RB, and an offensive line that looks like a block of swiss cheese. Sacks, sacks, and more sacks are on the way this week for the Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons vs Tennessee I don't feel confident in this defense at all - but there's only 11 other teams on the wire to pick from outside of these two. The Falcons have the most favorable matchup - in the sense that their opponent has uncertainty under center. If you're afraid of King Henry, I don't blame you - the Vikings are at Lambeau and are your next best get. Tread cautiously - you may be better off playing your D/ST on a Bye than making a risky play this week.
KICKERS
Brett Maher Los Angeles Rams vs Dallas The Rams continue to impress and put up points - and this week, Maher gets to take on his former squad (also indoors - another boost to Maher's output). Low scoring affair? Potentially... but Maher will get more shots at the scoreboard than either offense will get at the endzone.
Blake Grupe New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Grupe has been on a tear lately, scoring 5 or more points all season so far. In his last four, he's logged 43pts - and went 3/4 from the field and 1/1 on PAT's last Thursday against Jacksonville. He's consistent, and he's reliable. What's not to like about a kicker like that?
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