For Lions & Chiefs, title games might not be Purdy to watch
Kevin Schlacks, a subscriber out of Chicago, let me know the Daily News’ Fantasy Billboard column played a big part in his Championship run. Schlacky the Champy won their league for the second year in a row. The late great Bobby Knight once said, “The key is not the will to win…everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” Reading as much information as you can to help set your Fantasy lineups is preparing to win. Over the last 20 weeks of Giddy Ups! and Whoa
Downs!, our success rate came in at a healthy 70%. Glad we could help, Kevin. Thanks for reading.
On to the Conference Championship Round of the NFL playoffs.
GIDDY UP!
Brock Purdy, QB — NFL quarterbacks don’t get thrown to the Lions, they throw ON the Lions. Baker Mayfield just tagged the Cats for 349 yards and three TDs. Even without WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder, check status), Purdy should turn Detroit fans into a bunch of sourpusses.
Lamar Jackson, QB — The Chiefs allow less than 200 passing yards per game. But they did give up 72 yards and two TDs on the ground to Buffalo’s Josh Allen. The Ravens know they must run in this game, and Jackson will again lead Baltimore in rushing.
Christian McCaffrey, RB — I will go against my rule of benching RBs against the Lions’ run defense. CMC is just too good. He has 690 yards rushing and receiving, with six TDs over his last five games. If he can’t run through the Lions’ den, he’ll find his way around it.
Isiah Pacheco, RB — Prior to last week’s match against the Texans, the Ravens gave up 100 yards to RBs three games in a row (McCaffrey, De’Von Achane and Najee Harris). A steady dose of Pacheco will be just what the doctor ordered to keep the Chiefs in the game.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR — St. Brown continues to be Fantasy gold. In his last 20 games, he’s had only one poor outing. Despite QB Jared Goff’s struggles on the road, the Sun God will be one of the few bright spots for Detroit this week.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR — Add Mike Evans (147 yards) to the list of WRs to torch the Lions in four games straight: Puka Nacua (181), Justin Jefferson (192), CeeDee Lamb (227). Aiyuk is the next incendiary to go off, especially if Deebo Samuel can’t go.
George Kittle, TE — Cade Otton of the Bucs put up five catches for 65 yards and a TD in Detroit. Kittle can do that and more. He will flirt with 100 yards and be the top scoring TE of the weekend.
WHOA DOWN!
Jared Goff, QB — In his playing days with the L.A. Rams, Goff faced the 49ers twice a year. In his last two games against them, he averaged less than 200 yards passing and one TD. Those numbers don’t portend a positive outcome in San Francisco.
Patrick Mahomes, QB — The Ravens don’t give up TD passes. They pitched a shutout against C.J. Stroud (twice), Matthew Stafford and Goff. They allowed one TD pass each by DeShaun Watson, Justin Herbert and Brock Purdy. Mahomes will be lucky to get two TDs in Baltimore. Justice Hill, RB — Hill had 13 carries for 66 yards in the Divisional game, his highest totals on the season. But it looks more like an RB by committee week with Gus Edwards and Dalvin Cook, limiting all RB upside in the process.
David Montgomery, RB — The Lions are hurting on the offensive line. Guard Jonah Jackson is out, and elite center Frank Ragnow is battling knee and ankle sprains. This affects “Up the Middle Monty” more than receiving RB Jahmyr Gibbs against the 49ers.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR — OBJ disappeared as usual last week (one catch for 12 yards) and I expect more of the same against the standout Chiefs secondary. OBJ would be better off taking a sea cruise. (Sorry Giant fans).
Jameson Williams, WR — The Alabama speedster is used mostly as a deep threat decoy to clear out underneath for WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta. The 49ers allow the fewest yards per catch in the NFL. Williams is not blowing past anyone in San Fran this Sunday.
Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman Jr., Justin Watson, WRs — The Chiefs led the NFL in dropped passes this year (44). Baltimore will “soitenly” have a good laugh shutting down these three stooges. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
Isaiah Likely, TE — Injured three-time Pro Bowl TE Mark Andrews practiced all week and has a shot to suit up against K.C. This would create a timeshare with Likely, limiting both TE outlooks. Be prepared to pivot to Sam LaPorta, George Kittle or Travis Kelce.
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