The fantasy football playoffs are finally here. Whether you are in the playoffs and competing for bragging rights or money or you did not make the playoffs and are playing to avoid finishing in last place, there is still reason to win. For those of you in the playoffs, it is do-or-die time.
Winning is of paramount importance at this point in the season. This week, we will debate between Chris Carson and David Montgomery and try to help you decide who you should start.
Both players are starters, but a strong fantasy team in the playoffs could realistically have both players with room to start only one.
Brody:
Chris Carson is finally healthy, and he proved that against the Giants in Week 13, out-touching top backup Carlos Hyde 16-5. We have seen time and time again that when Carson is healthy, he is an elite fantasy option. On top of that, he gets to play the Jets this week.
The Jets run defense is actually the strongest part of their team, ranking 11th against opposing backs. However, this is a game that Seattle should dominate. I do not expect Russell Wilson to have to do too much to win this game. It feels like Seattle will get back to running the football a lot after Wilson had to carry the load while Carson and Hyde were out. I expect Carson to receive 20 or more touches, and a back of his talent will capitalize on those opportunities.
Carson is a tough runner with a nose for the end zone. With the volume I expect him to receive in this one, I would not be surprised to see him eclipse the century mark in rushing yards for the first time this season and fight his way into the end zone at least once. Carson makes for a strong RB1 option in the first round of the playoffs.
David Montgomery is coming off his best performance of the season (maybe of his young career). However, remember that this happened against the Lions. A friend recently told me that it just is not fair when your opponent has players playing the Lions in fantasy, and I believe that this performance from Montgomery will be his best of the season. Yes, he gets another favorable matchup against the Texans this week, but I think you have to trust Chris Carson over Montgomery this week. He is the safer play and has more upside.
Two players who will boom this week:
- Mike Williams-This is his week to have a classic Mike Williams performance. The Chargers flopped against the Patriots, and they will come out and torch the Falcons.
- Aaron Jones-He plays the Lions. Need more? The Lions are the worst rush defense in football. Need more? He scored 45.6 fantasy points against the Lions in Week 2.
Two players who will bust this week:
- Michael Thomas-He plays the Eagles and I believe Darius Slay will contain Thomas, who has not been great this season.
- Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen–The Bucs are coming off a bye and had two weeks to prepare for Minnesota. They already have an elite run defense, so I think they focused on shutting down the Vikings’ dynamic receiving duo and will succeed.
Austin:
It’s finally fantasy football playoff time and this means who you start is more important now than ever. As both teams Brody and I chose will have running backs that are dependent on the team’s success to push them into the playoffs it will be a battle for the ages all around. David Montgomery in his last two games that were both divisional against the Green bay Packers where Montgomery added 25.3 fantasy points and then last week against the Detroit Lions where he posted 27.1 fantasy points.
Montgomery will look to continue this stretch of tough work against the Houston Texans. The Bears don’t throw the ball very consistently or well at all so it will be a majority of handing the ball to Montgomery and let him go to work or set up screens and other play actions for him.
While the Lions have struggled this season that didn’t stop Montgomery from balling out as he tried to help his team win. However, the Texans this week post the worst run defense in the NFL and Mongomery will have a field day as he will run all over Texas.
The only person Montgomery has spilt time with Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield which has mostly been to get the offense going and confuse defenses. Montgomery is still the lead back and given most carries. Montgomery should very easily reach triple digit rushing yards while he adds touchdowns in his point total as well. Theres just something about the Bears that looks as if this will be a revenge game to put them back into wildcard conversations.
Chris Carson is very talented and apart a solid Seattle offense however, Seattle will have to throw more to keep the Jets defense confused. The Jets will look to keep the only good part of their team going strong against the run and handle the backfield duties. I do think Carson and Seattle will prove too much to bear but I think Montgomery will have a better day.
Two players who will boom this week:
- Alvin Kamara- As the Saints look to get into the post season, they will lean on Kamara to push through the Eagles defenses.
- Keenan Allen- He struggled in New England, but I think he will be better than any receiver against the Falcons.
Two players who will bust this week:
- Baker Mayfield- He has been playing very well but I think the Ravens have his number and make him look like a fool.
- Darren Waller- The Raiders almost lost to the Jets and are just as bad, Waller hasn’t produced and looks to still be silent.