Key Starters and Tough Calls - Conference Championship Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Jared Goff

January 28, 2024

Joey breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for the Conference Championship (2024). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

The fantasy football season might be over, but you can still root for your favorite players in the Conference Championship. The most common way to participate is by playing in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests on various platforms. All you have to do is set a lineup and cheer on those players.

In this article, I will list several players who will be playing in the NFC/AFC Championship and explain whether or not they are great starts this weekend. As a reminder, the Detroit Lions will face off against the San Francisco 49ers, while the Kansas City Chiefs will square off against the Baltimore Ravens.

I will go through each position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end) to determine which players could be great starts and which players are better left out of your DFS lineups on Sunday. So, let's dive in and find out who makes the list.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Conference Championship 

RB Christian McCaffrey: San Francisco 49ers 

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey might be in the most difficult spot this weekend against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have given up the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season at just 17 half-PPR points. They have also been one of the best run-stopping teams all year.

Detroit is giving up just 87.7 rush yards per game and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher during the 2023-2024 season. The Lions have allowed fewer than 75 total rush yards to running backs in eight of the past nine contests. But, despite the matchup, McCaffrey should still get plenty of work in the running and passing game this weekend.

He had 24 touches last week, including seven catches through the air. His price is always so high on various platforms. But it might be worth it to grab him in all DFS contests for Championship Sunday because of his ability to score touchdowns. He has crossed the goal line 23 touches this season.

RB David Montgomery: Detroit Lions

Like McCaffrey, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery is also in a tough spot against the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs while giving up the third-fewest rush yards per game (92.3).

This 49ers front seven has been a lockdown unit against the run all year, making Montgomery a risky play in all contests. The Lions' running back has also not necessarily seen high usage in recent weeks to propel him in fantasy. He has rushed for over 60 yards just once over the past five games. With San Francisco having given up just three rushing touchdowns since Week 12, the veteran back is touchdown-or-bust in the NFC Championship.

RB Isiah Pacheco: Kansas City Chiefs

If there is a weakness for this Baltimore Ravens defense, it is against the run. So, a good game could be in store for Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco is coming off a solid game himself, running 15 times for 97 yards and one touchdown. The 24-year-old back has also been on a heater as of late and has rushed for over 85 yards in four of the past five games with five total touchdowns.

That alone makes Pacheco a nice option in DFS contests this weekend. But this Ravens' defense is also allowing over 4.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs this year. Baltimore did hold the Texans' backfield to just 11 carries for 29 yards in the Divisional Round. However, they've given up over 100 total rush yards in four of the last six games.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Conference Championship

WR Brandon Aiyuk: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk might be my favorite play this weekend, regardless if Deebo Samuel (shoulder) plays. Aiyuk is coming off a down performance in the Divisional Round, catching only three passes for 32 yards. But a better game should be in store for the 25-year-old wideout.

Aiyuk will be going up against a Lions secondary that has struggled to contain the pass in recent weeks. For starters, they have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to the wideout position this year. Additionally, Detroit has allowed some big games to WR1s over the past five weeks, including Justin Jefferson (141 yards & 192 yards), CeeDee Lamb(227 yards), Puka Nacua (181 yards), and Mike Evans (147 yards). The 49ers playmaker could be next.

WR Jauan Jennings: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings could see an expanded workload on Sunday in the NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions. With Samuel leaving last week's contest early with a shoulder issue, his status for Sunday's game is certainly up in the air. If he can't go, Jennings could be a sneaky option for your DFS lineups.

Samuel did not practice on Wednesday and was limited in Thursday's practice. So, Jennings could be the 49ers' WR2 this weekend. Last week, he stepped up in the Divisional Round and caught five passes for 61 yards on six targets. It was a solid day for the 26-year-old wideout, who could see more run against a Lions secondary that has had a hard time defending the pass this season.

There have been only two games this year where Jennings started as the team's primary WR2 -- Week 7 and Week 8 with Samuel out. In those games, he caught five passes for 54 yards in Week 7 against the Vikings but didn't see a target on 50 snaps in Week 8 against the Bengals. That does make him a risk in your lineup on Sunday. However, against this secondary, he should see enough volume to be worthy of a flex play.

Note: If Samuel does play, though, Jennings should not be considered for your DFS lineup.

WR Rashod Bateman: Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has been somewhat of a disappointment in his third season. However, the former first-round pick continues to act as the Ravens' WR2 this season over players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. Last week, Bateman played 65% of the team's snaps, which was the second-most for a Baltimore wideout in the Divisional Round.

He also put up a respectable three-catch for 39-yard performance to help lead the Ravens to the win. However, he is in a tough spot in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs. This secondary has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts per game this season, and a possible matchup against lockdown corner L'Jarius Sneed could be on the horizon.

Assuming Sneed does not travel with Flowers in the slot, Bateman might draw that matchup on Sunday. That will surely limit his fantasy potential this weekend. With zero games above 10 PPR fantasy points this year, he is better left off your lineups on Sunday.

Quarterback And Tight End – Fantasy Football Conference Championship 

QB Jared Goff: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has a big opportunity ahead of him in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers. He will try to lead the Lions to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. But can he lead your DFS lineups this weekend too?

This 49ers defense has been strong in all facets this year, including the pass. They limited Packers quarterback Jordan Love to just 194 pass yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions last week in the Divisional Round. This San Francisco secondary has not let one quarterback throw for over 255 yards in five straight games. But, during that span, they have allowed three quarterbacks to throw for at least two passing touchdowns in a game.

Goff has not been great this season when teams pressure him. That worries me against a 49ers defense that features Nick Bosa and Chase Young. So, I'd prefer Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson over him this weekend.

TE Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely: Baltimore Ravens 

There's a strong chance that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) will make his return in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs. Andrews, who cracked his fibula in Week 11 and needed surgery, practiced in full on Wednesday and is expected to return this weekend, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Now, there's no way of knowing what that might mean for his fantasy value this weekend. He will likely be limited in his first game back. But how limited? Andrews should still be in on critical downs and in the red zone, which could lead to a solid day for the veteran tight end.

Andrews' return will also probably hurt Isaiah Likely's usage on the field. Likely has scored a touchdown in five of the last six games and has stepped up in the veteran's absence. As of now, it remains to be seen how much both tight ends will play against the Chiefs. However, both should likely have a role in some capacity on Sunday.

The Chiefs have been solid at preventing fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year, allowing the ninth-fewest points to that position. But they have given up at least six catches in three of the past four games, including five catches to 45 yards to Dalton Kincaid last week. It's worth a shot to take Andrews or Likely for your DFS lineups.

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