After a high-scoring semi-final round, the final week of the fantasy season is here. It’s time to examine matchups for some players who have helped several fantasy teams reach the championship. These are fantasy championship matchups to watch.
Matchups To Watch For The Fantasy Championship
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels vs Atlanta
Jayden Daniels has been nothing short of a sensation this season. He’s already a fantasy superstar, and there’s a good chance that he’s on many teams playing this week. Daniels suffered a bit of a dip in the middle portion of the season, but he’s been on a tear over the last four weeks.
Daniels is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points across those weeks. He has also thrown more touchdowns in the last four weeks than in the previous 11. This week, he faces an Atlanta Falcons defense that is the seventh-worst against quarterbacks. The Falcons also look significantly worse than they did at the start of the season.
It’s an important game for both teams to secure playoff seeding, and big players tend to step up in big moments. Daniels is primed for an exceptional performance.
Running Back
Kyren Williams vs Arizona
As one of the few workhorses left in the league, Kyren Williams is a great fantasy player. Only Saquon Barkley averages more rushing attempts per game, and Williams is also a touchdown machine. He’s tied for second in rushing touchdowns with 13 and has another two receiving.
Williams has been given so many carries that his receiving volume has been inconsistent, but he’s still a top-ten back in points scored. The Rams face the Arizona Cardinals this week, who allow the seventh most points to running backs. The Rams are also 6.5-point favorites, so the game script plays in Williams’ favor.
In a Saturday night prime game with the Rams looking to secure the division, they will rely on Williams. Expect another game with 20+ carries against a team that just allowed Chuba Hubbard to go for 152 yards and 32.5 fantasy points.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Brown vs Dallas
A.J. Brown against the Dallas Cowboys is one of the more intriguing fantasy championship matchups. There are a few factors that contribute to this. The first is that the Cowboys are a bottom-third defense against wide receivers, and Brown averages 88 yards per game against them in his career as an Eagle.
However, the second and most significant factor is that Jalen Hurts will likely miss this game. Kenny Pickett came in and threw a touchdown to Brown, but his stock decreases if Hurts can’t play. It’s an important game for the Eagles, who are potentially still fighting to be the number one seed in the NFC.
Keep an eye on the quarterback situation, but Brown should be able to have joy against one of his favorite opponents.
Tight End
Jonnu Smith vs Cleveland
After a slow start to the season, Jonnu Smith has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL since Week 5. He broke the Dolphins franchise records in yards and receptions for a tight end. He’s the TE1 overall since Week 11 and has three games of over 20 points in that stretch.
Smith’s power and speed have provided a new dimension to the Dolphins’ offense. The Dolphins need Smith now more than ever, with Tyreek Hill struggling throughout most of the season and Jaylen Waddle limited by injury. The Browns also allow the ninth-most points to tight ends.
It will be cold in Cleveland on Sunday, so Tua Tagovailoa must get the ball out of his hands quickly. Smith will likely be the beneficiary of many quick throws over the middle and tight end screens, which have been so effective for him this season. Smith is one of the waiver wire pickups of the season, and there’s no doubt he’ll make his mark during championship week.
Main Photo: Peter Casey – USA Today Sports
