It is time. Fantasy playoffs have arrived and its nut cutting time. No more messing around and hoping for a win or giving the team the old we will get them next time speech. You lose this week your out, your done, its over for eight long excruciating months. However, if you win you know your one matchup away from a championship match. We all know nothing is sweeter than holding that trophy, spending that money but most of all talking all that trash. With all that being said it’s time to trust your gut more than ever, you know if your making a good call or not. Don’t agonize over lineup decisions chances are the first lineup you set is your best one. Now its time to figure out if any of our favorite Cleveland Browns players can help us this week move on to the semi-finals.
Quarterback- Baker Mayfield – Start
Baker is a start for me and while he struggled against the Texans he still put up over 18 points in fantasy. If Callaway scores either of the touchdowns, Baker has an even bigger day. Carolina will be no easy game here either. They have a good front seven and a secondary that earlier in the year was considered elite. They have struggled against the pass here in the second half of the season. Cleveland needs a big win and a bounce back win as well. Cleveland at home in the Dawg Pound I’m expecting a big game for Baker this week.
Running backs – Nick Chubb- Start, Duke Johnson Jr. – Sit
Chubb has continued to not only be the workhorse here but also has started contributing more and more in the passing game. Carolina much like Houston are in the top 10 against the run. However, that didn’t slow down Chubb much last week. Baker likely won’t throw multiple interceptions again this week so running the ball will still be a major part of the game plan. Meaning expect a lot of Chubb yet again
Duke is still a sit for me after week 10 he has really seen his role disappear again. I can’t trust him in such a huge week while only producing in 4 of his 12 games this season.
Wide receivers – Jarvis Landry – Start, Antonio Callaway – Start, Rashard Higgins – Sit, Breshad Perriman – Sit
Landry really came through last week. After weeks of trusting him and he falling flat I finally called to bench him and he rose up last week for his first double digit game since week 7. I would trust him again this week as I think him and Baker are continuing to develop chemistry and he’s been getting an insane amount of targets.
Callaway has been getting better each and every week and should have had another long touchdown last week. He has really developed into a serious deep threat, I think he scores a long touchdown here that doesn’t get called back.
Higgins is a tough call for me as I love his play out of the slot. He has the best touchdown upside out of this group. However, I wouldn’t start him unless he is your second flex or a deep league where you need someone with upside.
Tight end- David Njoku – Start
Njoku struggled yet again last week and was vulture by DeValve. All that being said the tight end position for fantasy is just awful. Njoku is a must start if you have him because well you likely don’t have anyone better. It also helps that the Panthers are one of the top teams giving up points to the tight end position.
Cleveland Browns Defense – Sit
While Cam has struggled of late and is dealing with an injury this offense is explosive. Christian McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in the league. The Panthers also have multiple speedy and dangerous wide receivers on the outside. I do think Baker puts up points against the Panthers forcing them to put up points on the Browns.
Continue to follow Full Press Coverage all season long for all of your Cleveland Browns and fantasy news and insights. If you have any other fantasy questions feel free to hit me up on twitter @SportsfanaticMB. Go Browns!