By Brooksie on January 6, 2023
Before we get into Week 18’s Sitters, let’s see what I got right and what I got wrong with the sitters from week 17.
QB: Teddy played but got hurt and only gathered 161 passing yards with a TD and a pick before exiting. So, looks like nobody did not win this one, but somebody did and that somebody was me. I was right not to start him. Lawrence had 152 yards passing with a pick and no TDs. I was right to sit him against Houston. Finally, Geno had 183 yards passing, 18 yards rushing, and 2 TDs. Not stellar, but just above average making me wrong to have sat him.
RB: Elliot had only 37 yards rushing, but he got a piddly little ole TD. I was right that he was not going to do much. It is close with the TD so let’s call it a push. Najee had 111 yards rushing, 12 yards receiving, and that wonderful game winning receiving TD. I was wrong to sit him. Thank God (or whatever deity/spiritual advisor you follow). Meanwhile, Jacobs had 69 yards rushing, 26 yards receiving, and a TD. This game had more offense than i thought it would. I was wrong to sit him.
WR: Devonte Smith had 115 receiving yards against the Saints and that was with Minshew. Or maybe it was because of him? Rats. I guess i was wrong to sit him. Metcalf had one catch for 3 yards. Not even close. I was very right to sit him. Like Metcalf, Thielen only had 1 catch. While his was for 16 yards, it was still minimal making me right to sit him too.
TE: Goedert had 45 receiving yards with no TDs. I was right to sit him against the Saints. The Tennessee tight ends combined for 34 yards and no TDs. I was right to sit them. All of them. Everett only had 15 receiving yards, but he did get a TD. And this TD put him slightly above average for the position making me wrong to sit him.
D: The Saints got the W, held Philly to 10 points, got a pick 6, and had 6 sacks. Can you say that i was way off? The Saints sure can. The Steelers got the W, held the Ravens to 13 points, with one sack and a game clinching pick. Hooray for being wrong to sit them. The 3rd D i picked was the Bengals. As has been decided by the league, this game has been canceled so nothing further here.
Let’s see who is available to maybe consider not starting or benching this final week of the season.
QB:
Jared Goff: Green Bay is in the top 5 in passing D, and they held him in check the first time they played this season. With the playoffs on the line, I expected this to be close and low scoring.
Sam Darnold: I mean, you probably have a better back up and someone on the waiver wire than this guy, but if not, look for them for reality will come back to him as a slap in the face via a fleur de lis this week.
Mac Jones: Buffalo held him in check earlier this year, and i expect the same this go around as well, as Buffalo goes all out for that number one seed.
RB:
Travis Etienne: The Titans are number 2 in rushing yards allowed and in the top in least amount of rushing TDs allowed as well. Not worth the risk.
Bills RBs: The Pats have been better against the run than the pass, and since no one is truly excelling from this group, not worth the risk to play any of them.
Joe Mixon: I know the Ravens just gave up some stats to Harris, Warren and the Steelers, but i expect a different output against the Bengals this week. I expect him to be limited and Burreaux to shine in the stead.
WR:
Hill and Waddle: I am not convinced of the Dolphins 3rd string QB against a Jets team that is 2nd in least passing yards allowed and rushing TDs allowed. Not a good recipe for success.
Michael Pittman: He put up 121 yards and a TD the first week against the Texans. I expect a much different result this time around.
Terry McLaurin: He was shut down the 1st time around against the Cowboys. I expect a similar result this time around.
TE:
Dawson Knox: Speaking of doing the same thing the second time around. Knox was shut down against the Pats the first time they played. Again do it, do it.
Pat Freiermuth: Cleveland has been solid against tight ends all year, and they did well against him too the first time they played this year.
T. J. Hockenson: Word on the street is that the Vikings may sit or limit their starters, or they may try and get Jefferson the receiving record. Either way, not a good play for him.
D:
The Bills have a lot to play for, personally and professionally. I expect some destruction of the Pats, so playing them would not be wise.
The Steelers have a lot to play for, Tomlin and playoffs. I expect them to beat the Browns, so playing them would not be wise.
The Commanders do not have a lot to play for. I expect them to be whipped by the Cowboys who do. So, playing them would not be wise.