NFL Conference Championship Week Start ’Em, Sit ’Em
Start ’Em, Sit ’Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL postseason. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly postseason player rankings!
Conference Round Start ’Em: Quarterbacks
Start of the Week
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Brock Purdy vs. Detroit Lions (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Purdy finished a solid sixth in fantasy points among quarterbacks in the regular season, and his success should continue against the Lions. Their defense allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, and Baker Mayfield beat them for 23.5 points in last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Start Purdy this weekend.
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Brock Purdy vs. Lions ($6,400)
Conference Round Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks
Sit of the Week
Jared Goff at San Francisco 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Goff has been better at home than on the road as a member of the Lions, and that was true again this past season. In nine roadies, he was held to fewer than 16.5 points seven times and had fewer than 12 points in four of those contests. The Niners have also allowed just 16.4 points a game to quarterbacks at home, including the playoffs, in 2023.
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Patrick Mahomes at Baltimore Ravens ($6,900)
Conference Round Start ’Em: Running Backs
Start of the Week
Isiah Pacheco at Baltimore Ravens (3 p.m. ET, CBS): Pacheco has been on fire in recent weeks, scoring at least 15.8 points in all but five of his last six games. In fact, he’s posted at least 21 points in three of those contests. The Ravens defense has also given up an average of 31 points to runners in their last three games, and the position has averaged more than five yards per rush during that time frame.
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Jahmyr Gibbs at 49ers ($6,400)
Conference Round Sit ’Em: Running Backs
Sit of the Week
Kirthmon F. Dozier/USA Today Sports
David Montgomery at 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Montgomery has been mostly consistent in the stat sheets, but his ceiling has been low and he had just 7.7 points in last week’s win over the Buccaneers. I’d beware him in what is a tough matchup against the 49ers, as their defense has allowed the fifth-fewest points to runners on their home field between the regular season and playoffs.
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Gus Edwards vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($5,500)
Conference Round Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Lions (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Aiyuk has posted a pair of stinkers in a row, including last week’s 6.2-point effort. Still, he’s in a great position to rebound against the Lions. He should see plenty of work with teammate Deebo Samuel banged up, and Detroit’s defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers. The total for this game is 51, too, so expect lots of points.
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Lions ($6,900)
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Conference Round Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
Zay Flowers vs. Chiefs (3 p.m. ET, CBS): Flowers put up a modest stat line in last week’s win over the Houston Texans, scoring just 8.1 fantasy points. He could struggle to produce a good stat line this week, too, as the rookie faces a Kansas City defense that has allowed the third-fewest receiving yards and fantasy points to opposing wide receivers between the regular season and postseason.
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Rashee Rice at Ravens ($6,500)
Conference Round Start ’Em: Tight Ends
Start of the Week
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
George Kittle vs. Lions (6;30 p.m. ET, Fox): Kittle posted 18.1 points in last week’s win over the Packers, and he’s now scored 16-plus points in three of his last five games overall. With Samuel banged up this week, the veteran should remain a big part of the 49ers pass attack against the Lions, who allowed the ninth-most points to opposing tight ends during the regular season.
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Sam LaPorta at 49ers ($5,400)
Conference Round Sit ’Em: Tight Ends
Sit of the Week
Isaiah Likely vs. Chiefs (3 p.m. ET, CBS): Likely has been a star in the stat sheets, scoring at least 11.1 points in three straight games and five of his last six. That was without Mark Andrews, however. In the event that Andrews is back against a Chiefs defense that’s allowed an average of 4.8 catches and just four touchdowns to tight ends, it could be tough for Likely to produce this week.
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Isaiah Likely vs. Chiefs ($4,300)
Conference Round Start ’Em: Defense/Special Teams
Start of the Week
Ravens defense vs. Chiefs (3 p.m. ET, CBS): Let’s be honest with ourselves here. There isn’t really a great matchup for a defense in the conference championship round, but the Ravens defense is one of the toughest at home. In fact, no home team has allowed fewer points to the opposition this season. What’s more, the Chiefs were tied for seventh in terms of the most giveaways in 2023.
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Ravens defense vs. Chiefs ($3,200)
Conference Round Sit ’Em: Defense/Special Teams
Sit of the Week
Lions defense at 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): The Lions have the least attractive defense from a fantasy standpoint in the conference round, and the Niners are a tough matchup. Their offense has been among the league’s best, as it’s averaged 28.9 points per game and committed just 18 giveaways on the year. In what should be a high-scoring affair, Detroit’s defense is one to avoid this week.
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Lions defense at 49ers ($2,600)
Conference Round Start ’Em: Kickers
Start of the Week
Harrison Butker at Ravens (3 p.m. ET, CBS): Butker has been nails lately, scoring a combined 51 fantasy points in his last four games including nine last week. The Ravens have actually allowed the fourth-most points to kickers at home this season, so Butker is in a good spot to produce another nice number.
Conference Round Sit ’Em: Kickers
Sit of the Week
Michael Badgley at San Francisco 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Badgley hasn’t done much since joining the Lions, scoring an average of fewer than seven points per game. So, while this week’s matchup against the 49ers should be high scoring, the veteran is tough to trust. Plus, the Niners have been tough on kickers.
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