Fantasy football managers are making their playoff pushes, and every fantasy point counts. After analyzing every little piece of a matchup, who should you be starting this week: Amari Cooper against the Denver Broncos or Gabe Davis against the Philadelphia Eagles?
Should You Start Amari Cooper or Gabe Davis for Fantasy Football in Week 12?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say managers should start Cooper, but it is close. He is projected to have 9.4 fantasy points on three receptions and 44 receiving yards. Davis is projected for 8.8 fantasy points on 2.4 receptions and 42.5 receiving yards.
This is a tough decision, and I disagree with the Optimizer and am leaning toward Davis between these two options. However, the projections are so close that you could make an argument for either WR.
Fantasy Outlook for Cooper This Week
Making a decision on this start/sit would have been a different story if Deshaun Watson were still the starting QB for the Cleveland Browns.
Sure, it was no guarantee that Cooper would have a big game with Watson throwing the ball; in Week 4, he only had one reception for 16 yards, but it was more certain than with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center. In the two games DTR has started, Cooper has finished as the WR93 and the WR51.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Cleveland is on a tear right now, and they are mainly winning because of their defense, and I do not expect that to change. That, in addition to the fact that the Denver Broncos defense allows the 10th fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, and I am leaning away from Cooper if I have a better option. He is WR38 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings this week.
Fantasy Outlook for Davis This Week
Starting Davis in your fantasy lineup is like going on a roller coaster every single week. Some weeks, he is WR7; other weeks, he is WR157 and practically invisible. But when he hits, he hits. I think Davis is the better start over Cooper this week, especially if you are heading into that afternoon game behind in your projections. A ceiling performance from Davis can easily win you your week and matchup.
You attack the Eagles through the air. Their run defense is the best in the league, even after last week’s outing against the Kansas City Chiefs, and I think the Bills will concentrate on getting the ball in the air. Philadelphia allows the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the league. Davis is WR39 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings.
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