Thanksgiving Starts/Sits

Here’s how to think of some of the players taking the field this Thursday … in two minutes or less.

START: RB: Derrick Henry (BAL) vs. CIN

Henry hasn’t always been the dominant force we are used to this season, but the Ravens’ offense has clearly found its rhythm again with multiple wins and him punching in key scores, including two touchdowns and a pair of long runs in Week 12. The Bengals are the best possible matchup that lets him keep that late-season surge going, because they’ve given up the most fantasy points to running backs and have been carved up repeatedly on the ground. So with Baltimore heating up and leaning on him near the goal line, this sets up as a strong week to trust Henry in your lineup.

START: WR: Xavier Worthy (KC) @ DAL

Xavier Worthy has not been an easy starter, with recent games showing uneven deep-ball timing with Mahomes and modest yardage totals, but last week he flashed again when it mattered, coming up with a 31-yard overtime play that set up the win and marked his best output since Rice returned to the lineup. The real reason he’s in lineups this week is the matchup with Dallas. They have been a gift to opposing passing attacks all year, allowing the most touchdowns to WRs and sitting near the top in fantasy points allowed to the position. So if Kansas City decides to take shots downfield or scheme him open, this is the exact kind of opponent where one or two big plays can swing a fantasy matchup.

START: TE: Mark Andrews (BAL) vs. CIN

Mark Andrews is no longer the easy fantasy starter he once was, with just one catch last week and several games where he’s barely cleared 30 yards, but the Ravens’ offense has settled in with Lamar back and they’ve stacked wins while leaning on their core playmakers again. The Bengals’ defense is a mess, giving up points in bunches and routinely letting opponents move the ball however they want, even getting carved up in back-to-back games by the Jets and Patriots. That kind of matchup invites Andrews into the plan, especially near the goal line where Baltimore has been finishing drives. So even with recent frustration, this is a spot where Lamar is likely to look his way, making him a strong start in Week 13.

SIT: RB: Javonte Williams (DAL) vs. KC

Javonte has been fed like a true workhorse lately with 55 touches over his last two games, but even that kind of volume hasn’t translated into scoring because Dallas keeps turning to the pass near the goal line and he’s barely involved through the air. The matchup makes that even tougher this week, as the Chiefs have consistently shut down opposing backs, allowing one of the lowest fantasy point totals to the position and just held another runner to his worst outing of the season. The Cowboys are far more effective attacking through Dak and their receivers in games like this, so it’s easy to see Williams grinding out yards without the big plays or touchdowns you need, making him a risky start in Week 13.

SIT: QB: Jordan Love (GB) @ DET

Jordan Love profiles as a SIT on Thanksgiving because the Packers are clearly managing his AC joint sprain, which has made him less explosive on the run and even affected basic mechanics like handoffs. Over the last three weeks, he’s produced just 139, 174, and 176 passing yards, with the offense leaning heavily on the run and treating him more like a game manager while Emanuel Wilson takes on a featured role. With his supporting cast still banged up and Green Bay favoring early-down runs that routinely force tough third-down situations, Love slides toward the back end of the QB2 range and offers very little upside for fantasy lineups this week.

So make the right calls on these players for tomorrow’s holiday… As promised, in two minutes or less.

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See you tomorrow,

-Joe

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