Risky Fantasy Football Championship Lineup Starts

Javorius Allen (RB, BAL)

Buck Allen has had two absolutely dreadful weeks in a row on the ground, with just 32 rushing yards on 12 carries over that span. He fumbled in both contests and failed to find the end zone either week. Interestingly, Allen has not scored a rushing touchdown all season. He has made his presence felt the passing game at times this year, but four receptions for 50 yards is not enough to make him relevant in standard or 0.5 PPR leagues.

The anemic Baltimore Ravens offense faces a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed just five rushing touchdowns to date, the second fewest in the league. They have also caused a league-high 12 fumbles, so they will absolutely be gunning for the ball, knowing that Allen has struggled with ball security in recent weeks. It's hard to imagine Allen finding the end zone this week, either on the ground or through the air, and he isn't likely to rush for 100 yards-- his season high is 67. Buck Allen is not someone you want in your starting lineup for the fantasy football finals, so leave him on your bench. Karlos Williams, Cameron Artis-Payne and Christine Michael all have higher upside and a lower owned percentage.

 
Marvin Jones (WR, CIN)

Jones only has one touchdown since Week 6, and none since A.J. McCarron took over at quarterback for the injured Andy Dalton. The Cincinnati Bengals will face off a Denver Broncos team that allowed more touchdowns to the Pittsburgh Steelers' receivers in Week 15 (three) than to all wideouts over the previous 14 weeks combined (two). However, the McCarron-led offense with a banged up receiving corps is not as formidable as a unit consisting of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton.

The Bengals are unlikely to enjoy the same kind of success. Jones will see incredibly heavy coverage from either Chris Harris or Aqib Talib-- especially if A.J. Green is out, but even as the WR2. Leaving Jones on your bench this week would be the safe thing to do, even in deep leagues. Big-play threats like Wheaton, Donte Moncrief, Stefon Diggs and Travis Benjamin all have the potential for more production in such leagues given their favorable matchups.

Side note: Green is also a risky play this week, especially given his lingering back injury, but Antonio Brown showed last week that an elite wide receiver can find openings in the Broncos' secondary. If Green is healthy -- which he is expected to be -- his talent is too great to bench in the finals.

 
Jason Witten (TE, DAL)

Witten is still being started in more than half of leagues, despite placing 17th among tight ends in fantasy points for standard leagues (16th in 0.5 PPR, 15th in PPR) over the last four weeks. On the season, he ranks fourth in receptions and eighth in yards, but a whopping 43 tight ends have as many or more touchdowns.

The future hall-of-famer has not recorded a touchdown since his two-score performance in Week 1, which says that he has not built strong chemistry with any of Tony Romo's replacements, whether it be Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel or incumbent starter Kellen Moore.

The Buffalo Bills have been susceptible to passing touchdowns, but only three tight ends have collected at least 70 yards against them this year. Combine that with Witten's lack of red zone production and a nagging chest injury, and you may want to avoid the veteran this week. Zach Ertz, Zach Miller and even Will Tye are more appealing options the week given their greater propensity to reach the end zone.

 
St. Louis Rams (DEF, STL)

The Rams' defense is the sixth-most owned unit in Fleaflicker leagues, despite ranking 23rd in fantasy points over the last five weeks. St. Louis has given up at least 20 points in five of its last seven games, and have an upcoming Week 16 matchup with Russell Wilson and the red-hot Seattle Seahawks offense.

With injuries to running backs Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks have relied heavily on the passing attack, and they have transformed into one of the league's most dangerous offenses. Wilson has thrown 19 touchdowns over this five-game stretch, averaging more than 250 yards through the air over that span. Chances are good that Wilson continues his torrid pace against a defense that just allowed 363 passing yards to Jameis Winston.

The Rams actually beat the Seahawks in their last meeting in Week 1, recording six sacks in the process, but this is a much improved Seahawks team that has only surrendered nine sacks over the past seven games (31 in the previous seven). It would be pretty shocking to see a similar outcome Sunday evening. Look to start the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers or Miami Dolphins over the Rams, if possible, for championship week.

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