The start of something good?
Stafford, Wilson show they’re worth starting in fantasy playoffs
Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson have caught fire just in time for the fantasy playoffs, but considering they’ve been lacking in the scoring department, can they be trusted?
The top two scorers in Week 12 were a surprise. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson each threw for 300-plus yards and five touchdowns, leading all players with 34 basic-scoring points. They’ve caught fire just in time for the fantasy playoffs, but considering they’ve been lacking in the scoring department for much of the season, can they be trusted? Let’s examine:
Matthew Stafford
In the last three weeks (since returning from the Lions’ bye), Stafford has been the third-best fantasy quarterback in the league, averaging 287 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. The week off gave offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who was promoted to the position a week before the bye, time to recalibrate Stafford and the offense.
Perhaps the biggest change has been more aggressive play-calling, and Stafford has taken advantage of it. His average yards per attempt in the last two games was 8.5. It had dipped to 6.2 in the previous two. And with the Lions still last in the league in rushing, they likely will lean on the passing game.
Their schedule should allow them to do just that. On Thursday, they’ll host the Packers, who could find their rhythm against the Lions’ subpar pass defense. The Lions rank second-to-last in opponents’ passer rating (104.3). The game could turn into a shootout.
Next up are the Rams, who largely have been tough against the pass but have allowed three touchdown passes in two of the last three games. Then come the real softies, the Saints and 49ers, who rank in the bottom five in the league in pass defense.
Keep in mind, though, that Stafford comes with risk. He always has been prone to turnovers, and one too many aggressive play-calls could conjure those demons. That said, Stafford has the hot hand, and this is the time of year to play it. He’s worth starting.
Russell Wilson
He had thrown one touchdown pass in seven consecutive games, ranging from 11 to 18 points. But in the last two games, Wilson has combined for 605 passing yards and eight touchdowns, totaling 59 points. In fact, in the last three games (since returning from the Seahawks’ bye), Wilson is the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback.
He needs to be. Wilson is the Seahawks’ best offensive talent left. Running Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) and tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) are out. The Seahawks still will run with Thomas Rawls, but the offense seemingly is being put on Wilson’s shoulders.
Look at the game Sunday against the Steelers. He threw for 345 yards and a career-high five touchdowns as the Seahawks spread out the Steelers and let Wilson fire away.
The schedule is hit-and-miss. Wilson will face the Ravens, who rank 24th in pass defense, in Week 14 and the Browns, who rank 25th, in Week 15. Sandwiched around them are toughies against the Vikings (fourth) and Rams (eighth), who have given the Seahawks fits.
Wilson must make up for a lack of offensive talent around him and a defense that isn’t the force it used to be. That sounds like a lot to handle, but the opportunities Wilson will have make him start-worthy. Just temper your expectations in those tough matchups; he should exploit the good ones.
Follow me on Twitter @JeffreyA22.