By Brooksie on January 6, 2023
Before we get into Week 18’s Starters, let’s see what I got right and what I got wrong with the starters from week 17.
QB: While Fields did get 132 rushing yards, he only threw for 75 yards and had one TD, a pick, and a fumble. Detroit’s D showed up making me wrong to start him. Purdy had 284 yards passing with 2 TDs and a pick. Solid numbers making me right to start him. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers was not even close to 300 yards, he had 159. He did get a passing TD and a rushing TD. These combine to average, thereby making the matter a push.
RB: Robinson had 87 yards rushing with no TDs. Cleveland’s run D played much better than they have been, thereby making me wrong to play him. Damn Elves. Dobbins had a great ypc with 93 yards rushing but no TDs. This puts him at about as predicted so a push here. Akers is finishing strong. He had 123 yards rushing with 10 yards receiving. Solid numbers making me right to start him.
WR: Still trying to make Gallup more than what he is for the Cowboys this year. No TDs and 39 yards receiving makes me wrong to start him. I was also wrong to start Jeudy the second time against KC. Looks like they adjusted things since the last game between the two clubs. And I was also wrong on Drake London too. He only had 47 yards receiving with no TDs. Way off. Way off. Could have and should have been better against Arizona.
TE: Looks like Brady might have fallen back in love with his wide receivers, which means, no love for the tight ends. So, i was wrong a Hail Mary could be in store for Otten. Kmet led the Bears in receiving with a whopping 27 yards, but he did get a little ole TD. Which, in tight end world, makes me right to have started him. Conklin also led his team in receiving; he had 80 yards, but no TD. His yardage output puts him slightly above average making me right to have started him too.
D: The Giants got the W, held the Colts to 10 points, had 2 sacks and a pick. I was right to start them this past week. The Bucs got the W, gave up 24 points, recovered 2 fumbles, 2 sacks and a pick. As I feared, i was right to start them. The Chargers D got the W, gave up 10 points, had a fumble recovery and 3 sacks. I was right to start them too. Sweep me baby. Uh huh. Uh huh.
Let us see who is available to possibly put in your starting lineup for this last week of the season.
QB:
Jarrett Stidham: Can you imagine the look on your face at the beginning of the year when i told you that you could win your championship with this guy as your starting QB at the end? Well, i am saying it now. Passing yards and TDs are there to be had against Kansas City.
Joshua Dobbs: If not Stidham, what if I said the same thing, but about Joshua Dobbs? Crazy huh. Impossible? Nope. The Jags are vulnerable, so, if you are in need, why not go for the moon. Which looks pretty full from my point of view tonight.
Aaron Rodgers: His best game of the year so far? His last chance at post season glory? His last game with the Packers? He might not light it up anymore, but he has a high baseline if you need that comfort.
RB:
Zach Moss: The Texans are bottom in the league in rushing yards allowed, bottom 5 in ypc, and 2nd in most rushing TDs allowed. Could be a good one for Moss.
Cam Akers: He is getting some favorable matchups at the end of the year making him look pretty sweet. Pretty pretty sweet. Should keep up the shine this week against Seattle, especially since Brooks is out.
Latavious Murray: I do not think i included him in either start or sit article all year. He has a favorable matchup against the Charges who might sit their starters. Even if they do not, they have the highest ypc against them this year, so, if given enough touches, he could still do well.
WR:
Diontae Johnson: I have tried. The Steelers have tried. They want to win, but they also do not want him to have the record for most receptions with no TDs in a season. They will look for him, especially in the red zone.
Christian Kirk: He has been absent of recent, but this week he has the Titans, who have given up the 3rd most passing yards so far this year and the 2nd most passing TDs. Looks like a recipe for success.
Garrett Wilson: The Dolphins are also in the bottom of the league in passing yards and passing TDs allowed this year. Wilson is not a bad option if one of your studs will have his snaps limited.
TE:
Tyler Higbee: He has been a boom or bust guy this year. He did not do well against Seattle the last time they played, even though they are not one of the better teams against tight ends. He’s due, right?
Taysom Hill: It is hard not to include him considering his jack of all trades possibilities. If not a regular starter for you, give him a go. The Saints have nothing to play for, so they might do some crazy stuff against Carolina that includes him.
Mike Gesicki: Our stalwart. This final week of the season, I give him his love and say he is worth starting and will do well against the J – E – T – S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
D:
I say the Texans do not fold for that number 1 pick but pull the upset against Indy on the road.
Even without Brooks, I think Seattle will be good enough, aka better than the Rams this week.
The Jags D has gotten better, and I did say to start Dobbs, but I think the Jags will overcome his solid game and win the game and the division.