Welcome to the 2nd 2023 edition of Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Ems. Many students here at BHS are involved in fantasy football leagues. Many also fail to receive guidance on the important weekly decisions that may change the outcome of their matchups. I, along with guest analysts, will break down a handful of players at each position weekly and give you advice. Any readers with specific players they would like covered are encouraged to email to myself (info at the end of this article) or other analysts. 

Here’s last week’s results: 

My Previous Starts:

QB: Jared Goff, QB17 (16 Points).

Goff and the Lions feasted upon a Chiefs team lacking Kelce and Chris Jones. Mahomes’ WRs couldn’t make a catch, and the Lions defense helped Goff lead a frustratingly conservative offense. Without pressure on the scoreboard, Goff didn’t have the greatest fantasy night. Definitely was not a sure start so sorry.

RB: J.K. Dobbins, T-RB21 (11 Points).

Dobbins, despite tearing his achilles in the middle of the third quarter, produced a solid day including a dive into the endzone. His day was capped when he left with his injury, and managers should cut him as he is done for the season already. But last week he was a solid RB2/FLEX like predicted. 

WR: Drake London, T-WR-∞ (0 Points) and Chris Godwin, T-WR37 (10 Points).

London stunk. The Falcons just ran and ran and ran the ball. Pitts and all other passcatchers did nothing as well. London and Pitts owners should be very worried. I got the wrong read here. It’s the Bijan and Allgeier show. Godwin on the other hand did get looked at considerably, just did not get great production. The Bucs will limit his capabilities in fantasy at times. Be hesitant in future weeks until he can prove himself. 

TE: Juwan Johnson, T-TE18 (6 Points).

Johnson was alright as the Saints had a very successful Week 1 game under their new QB. Olave, Shaheed, and Jamaal Williams carried this offense frustratingly, but I trust Johnson to bounce back. 

My Previous Sits: 

QB: Aaron Rodgers, T-QB-∞ (0 Points).

Not the way I expected him to bust this week, but alas, my pick was right. Rodgers tore his achilles on the fifth play of the game, breaking the hearts of fans across the tri-state area. Without completing a pass for the Jets, he heads to the IR and your fantasy waivers. I hope you sat him. 

RB: David Montgomery, T-RB14 (13 Points).

Montgomery’s workhorse performance was so upsetting. Electric rookie Jahmyr Gibbs was the clearly better RB, yet Montgomery got fed and fed despite being stagnant. Montgomery seems to have a positive fantasy outlook in the future given his 20+ carries and TD. Dan Campbell, what are we doing??

WR: Van Jefferson, T-WR56 (6 Points) and Zay Flowers, T-WR17 (16 Points).

Van Jefferson was completely overshadowed by rookie Puka Nacua and former bust Tutu Atwell (both of whom you should have picked up in your leagues). So I was wrong to not pick up any Rams WRs, but right to not start Van last week. Flowers, on the other hand, did not have the growing pains I expected. He played over 85% of Ravens’ snaps, way more than Rashod Bateman, and Flowers led the league in designed play calls. The Ravens understandably see his electricity and purposely got him involved, leading to his 16 ‘scoreless’ points. 

TE: Chigoziem Okonkwo, T-TE-∞ (0 Points).

Okonkwo was the third of ten players selected this week to not record a point. Nuts. Tennessee fed Henry all game, and Okonkwo was just not in the gameplan. Next week may be different. 

I’m a harsh critic of myself, so I’d say I went 4/10 (40.0%) last week, with the same 4/10 (40.0%) total on the year. 

So now, heading into Week 2, here’s advice from a few dear friends and I:

Start ‘Ems (Who you should START this week)

QB: C.J. Stroud, Houston

Yes, I know this sounds nuts. But if you had Aaron Rodgers and no great backup, pick up Stroud this week. Facing a very bad Colts defense which is porous against pass plays, Stroud is going to go nuts. Stroud had a solid debut, where he had an impressive completion percentage and over 40 passing attempts. The Texans struggled, but will bounce back big on the back of the rookie, who will throw his first few NFL TDs this week. If you need a QB flyer, Stroud is a gutsy but potentially week-winning choice. 

RB: Jamaal Williams, New Orleans 

Williams’ debut in New Orleans was very disappointing as they threw the ball a lot. He will bounce back, especially in the passing game, and find the end zone. Williams is a fine FLEX play against a weak Carolina run defense, and do not focus so much on his poor debut. 

WR: Mike Williams, Los Angeles A, and Nico Collins, Houston

Williams is primed for a huge week against Tennessee. If you had any apprehension about playing him following his Week 1 performance, switch up your mindset. Trust your drafting ability and play Williams without any hesitation. Collins, on the other hand, might finally be breaking out. After being fellow “Start ‘Em” C.J. Stroud’s top target last week, Collins will build further upon his strong season debut with a monster week against a bad Colts defense. 

**GUEST PICK-MERTZ** TE: David Njoku, Cleveland

“Njoku will score [a TD] this week”, says headitor James Mertz. Njoku up against the Steelers on MNF can be a nice player to close out your week if you’re down a few. 

Sit ‘Ems (Who you should SIT this week)

QB: Dak Prescott, Dallas

Dak, despite Dem Boyz getting 40 points last week, had a weak fantasy week. Now with starting WR Brandin Cooks a game-time decision and the Jets defense playing really well, Prescott is a risky start. 

**GUEST PICK-ACKERLY** RB: Cam Akers, Los Angeles N

“Please, I beg you…sit Cam Akers. If I would’ve told you before last week that Akers would have 20 carries AND score a touchdown in week 1, you’d think he would put up quite the performance. Except the complete opposite happened, Akers had 22 carries for 29 yards…an efficiency I’m confident I could top. Akers has never been the same since his achilles tear, yet every year he gets the same hype. Stop the hype, sit (or cut) Cam Akers. 

WR: Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas

*Note: Meyers is doubtful with a concussion as of Friday*

Meyers was a popular waiver wire add after his great Week 1 performance, but coupling in his current injury and the Bills’ good pass defense, Meyers will disappoint and not be a viable FLEX option this week in regular single-FLEX 10 or 12 team leagues. 

TE: Hayden Hurst, Carolina

Hurst was another popular waiver wire add after he had a nice Week 1 that saw him as rookie Bryce Young’s safety blanket. Truth is, I don’t see it this week. The Saints D is solid, and in Young’s first primetime bout, I see the rookie floundering and Hurst suffering alongside him. 

Thank you for tuning in. If you have requests for next edition or questions, email me at [email protected], or Ackerly ([email protected]) or Mertz ([email protected]). Good luck this week to all!