With redraft leagues over and champions crowned, the growing game of NFL playoff fantasy football gives us a few more weeks to enjoy filling out starting lineups. As the level of competition rises, start ’em/sit ’em decisions become a bit more difficult as the margins begin to shrink. Let’s dive into the start ’em or sit ’em decisions for the last game of the fantasy playoffs: Super Bowl 56.
NFL Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs: Start ‘Em
With only two teams left lacing up their cleats, we are splitting hairs as we look into start ’em or sit ’em options for the final week of fantasy football playoffs. As we await kickoff on Super Bowl LVI, who makes the start ’em list for the final time?
Start ‘Em | Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams
For all the noise coming from social media about Odell Beckham Jr. being nothing more than a WR3, he shut up a bunch of people over the back half of the season. He even saved one of his best games for when it mattered the most.
Beckham Jr. posted his highest yardage game against the 49ers, recording 113 yards on 9 receptions (11 targets). It was his first 100-yard game since Week 6 of 2019. With all eyes rightfully on Cooper Kupp, Beckham Jr. could get loose for a big game under the brightest lights. In one final act to silence the critics, Beckham Jr. is a start ’em for fantasy.
Start ‘Em | Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Chiefs learned from Week 17 when Ja’Marr Chase set a single-game rookie record with 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. On Sunday, there was always a secondary defender lurking to take away the splash plays. While it didn’t help Kansas City win, it put more pressure on Tee Higgins, who once again showed that he could be a No. 1 wide receiver on nearly any other team.
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Higgins recorded 6 receptions on 10 targets for 103 yards on Sunday. Although he didn’t find the end zone, Higgins was instrumental in the Bengals’ comeback. He had a 44-yard catch in the third quarter to pick up up a crucial third down, then an 18-yard reception on the very next play. After managing only 1 catch for 10 yards in Cincinnati’s Wild Card win over the Raiders, Higgins has posted a combined 199 receiving yards in the last two games. With Chase likely seeing Jalen Ramsey one-on-one all game, it will once again be Higgins’ time to shine.
Start ‘Em | Kendall Blanton, TE, Los Angeles Rams
We have a bye week between now and the Super Bowl, so this might change. We have yet to get the definitive word on the knee injury that forced Tyler Higbee out of the game. If Higbee can play, Kendall Blanton shouldn’t be considered. Yet, if Higbee is out, Blanton is arguably the best pass-catching TE on the field.
Blanton caught all 5 targets for 57 yards in the Rams’ win. He finished third on the team in receptions, receiving yards, and targets behind Kupp and Beckham. Blanton has posted games of 9.8 and 10.7 fantasy points in his last two outings, and the Bengals are susceptible against TEs.
Cincinnati was 27th in the NFL in points allowed to the position at 14.85 per game and was 31st over the final four weeks of the regular season. They gave up big games to Darren Waller and Travis Kelce, but that is expected. Blanton is a bit of a dart throw, but the upside is there in DFS should Higbee miss the biggest game of the season.
NFL Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs: Sit ‘Em
While these players do traditionally have value, there is some additional risk that fantasy managers might want to avoid. Who falls into the sit ’em category in a game filled with great players?
Sit ‘Em | Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Sure, it wasn’t 28-3, but it was 21-3. The Bengals needed an offensive explosion to come back, and it was an all-hands-on-deck synergy to pull it off. Well, all hands minus Tyler Boyd, who once again was quiet. Boyd caught 4 of 6 targets for 19 yards against the Chiefs despite playing on 48 of 69 snaps and running a route 38 of 42 passing downs.
His touchdown streak from Week 15 through the Wild Card round helped mask his dwindling production. Boyd has yet to record 40 yards since in his last four games, and he’s not seen over 6 targets since Week 13. I would avoid Boyd once again unless you are looking for a dart throw in DFS for a low-rostership play.
Sit ‘Em | Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson came into the NFC Championship Game with some wear and tear, and he left pretty much the same way, missing time due to a knee injury. Jefferson did set a postseason-high 5 targets but came down with only 2 passes for 9 yards.
Jefferson has an additional week to heal up before Super Bowl LVI, but I am not sure the role is there regardless of health. His last touchdown was in Week 14. Jefferson has gone over 60 yards once since Week 12 (Week 17, 63), and he has not seen more than 6 targets since Week 13. The Rams are operating as a two-WR team with Kupp and Beckham. Jefferson is a high-risk DFS option to keep in the sit ’em category.
Sit ‘Em | Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Finishing with 13.3 PPR points, Samaje Perine was the No. 2-scoring RB of the weekend. Perine recorded 3 receptions on 4 targets for 43 yards, with 41 of those coming on a TD late in the first half.
Passing volume is all Perine has to offer, as Joe Mixon was the only Cincy RB to record a carry on Sunday (21). Yet, Mixon also has a role in the passing game, as he’s managed 29 targets in his last five games. Even if the Bengals fall behind the Rams, they want their more talented RB on the field, which is Mixon. I would not chase the touchdown with Perine, who feels more like fool’s gold than a starting fantasy option.
