First, let me say that I sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Having said that, though, it is time to refocus our attention on fantasy football. After all, in most leagues, there is just one week left in the regular season once all the turkey is gone. Managers need to buckle down and decide who starts and who sits to strengthen their postseason chances. If that is the situation you are in, no need to worry! This Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition is here to help!

As has been the case in all my articles, all position rankings are taken from ESPN. Additionally, as has been true with any of my writings, comments and questions are highly encouraged. Let’s talk about it!

Lastly, though there aren’t any teams on bye this week, three teams played on Thanksgiving, which has been the norm the past few years. What is new, however, is that there will be a Friday afternoon game. In practical terms, what that means is that players from Chicago, Detroit, New York Giants, Dallas, Las Vegas and Kansas City are unavailable for Sunday and Monday. Truly, we will really have to dive in deep to find the answers we seek. With all that said, let’s get into it!

Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts

Quarterbacks

Drake Maye, New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts

Last time around, I recommended sitting Drake Maye. That turned out to be a solid move. Even though Maye did throw for two touchdowns, he threw an interception for the fourth straight week and was guilty of a fumble for the second week in a row. As this is a new scoring period, however, I am flipping Maye so he receives starter status.

The reason? As usual it is the opponent. Even though the Colts upset the Texans in Houston in week 12, that has nothing to do with fantasy. Their defense ranks a lackluster 24th against quarterbacks. Even with the turnovers, Maye has thrown a TD pass in five of the six games he has started. Looking deeper, we discover he has passed for two or more scores in three games.

Playing at home, Maye should move that figure to four games. If you didn’t start a QB over the Thanksgiving holiday, there are now a lack of options at the position. That being the case, Maye is worth a start this weekend.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

His last time out, Baker Mayfield had his consecutive games to start the season with a touchdown pass snapped at ten. After his bye, though, expect Mayfield to get right back on that horse. Fortunately, to his credit, in his last three games, Mayfield hasn’t thrown an interception.

There is every reason to believe that particular streak will be extended Sunday afternoon. Truthfully, it isn’t that hard a prediction to make with the Bucs visiting Carolina. The Panthers defensive ranking against QBs is in the toilet at 27. That being so, this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/SIts sees clearly that Mayfield is in a must start position if on the roster.  

Running Backs

Chuba Hubbard Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Truly one of the biggest fantasy breakthrough players of the year, Chuba Hubbard continues to amaze. Though a tough Kansas City defense held him to 58 yards, Hubbard did score a touchdown. He now has reached the end zone in his last three games. Additionally, Hubbard has averaged over 4.8 yards a carry in seven games this season, five of which he has averaged over 5.1. 

The best news, however, is that the Buccaneers are next on the schedule. Tampa has had success in more than a few areas this year, but defending opposing running backs isn’t one of them. Their 26th ranking proves that statement.

If you were one of the lucky ones to either draft Hubbard or get him off the waiver wire, this is no time to back away from him. Get him in your starting lineup and worry about your other positions on the roster.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

Hubbard’s backfield opponent Sunday, Bucky Irving, also deserves a place on this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. In addition, you may have noticed that Irving is the second Buccaneer featured in this article. Taking into account Carolina’s sorry defense, that is easy to explain. Truly, their rush defense is particularly terrible, ranking last in the league.

As for Irving, he has set himself up as a worthy starter regardless of opponent. He has a rushing touchdown in each of his last two games. He has averaged 5.6 and 7.3 YPC in those same contests. He has achieved at least a 4.9 average in eight games in 2024. Given the year that he is having and the opponent, finding a place in starting lineups for Hubbard is an easy call.  

Wide Receivers

Marquez Valdez-Scantling, New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams

Often times, there are occasions when those of us who choose to get involved in the prediction business have to eat crow. This is one of those times. When last I visited Marquez Valdez-Scantling, in week eleven, I expressed no confidence in him.  It is my duty to report that in his last two games as a Saint, all Valdez-Scantling has done is score three touchdowns and average over 36 yards a catch.

As for this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition, it looks like more of the same could be on the way. The Rams come visiting New Orleans and bring their 21st ranked WR defense with them. Los Angeles also ranks 16th against QBs, 22nd against RBs and 25th against TEs. An offensive smorgasbord is a very strong possibility in this game, and fantasy managers will want to take full advantage. Of course, that includes starting Valdez-Scantling.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

For obvious reasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season has been deep in the ditch. Even as that is true, there are many reasons to have faith in Brian Thomas Jr. this week. First, despite subpar quarterback play, Thomas caught five of seven targets for 82 yards against the Lions before Jacksonville’s bye. The yards were his highest since week seven. The targets were his most since week four. 

Not coincidentally, the opponent that day was the Texans. Scanning the schedule, we see that Houston is again the team the Jaguars will play Sunday, this time at home. The Texans have been wobbly of late, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Houston is near the bottom defending wideouts, ranking 23rd. With all of that said, Thomas is a safe fantasy option in week 13.

Tight End Start

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts

After a very disappointing one catch effort against Chicago in week 10, Hunter Henry has come on strong the past two games. In week 11, Henry caught six of nine targets for 63 yards against the Rams. One week later, he brought in five of eight targets for 44 yards against the Dolphins.

For those scoring at home, that’s 17 targets for Henry the past two weeks. In five games so far in 2024, Henry has received eight or more targets. In the waste land that is the tight end position, fantasy managers will take that. But wait, the news gets better! Next up for Henry is the Colts’ 24th ranked TE defense. The Pats are at home. No doubt about it, that’s a winning fantasy scenario. Start Henry.  

Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Sits

Quarterbacks 

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks

Even coming off of a bye, Aaron Rodgers will receive no love on this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. In fact, this isn’t the first time that he has been featured in an article. Who knows, it may not be the last unless, as rumored, the Jets sit or release Rodgers. Be that as it may, at least in this instance, even though he is the Jets’ starter, Rodgers rides the fantasy bench.

His opponent? My Seattle Seahawks. The team comes into New York having saved their season with wins over division rivals San Francisco and Arizona. You may figure that with Seattle’s 21st ranked QB defense, Rodgers would be a start. No so fast. The Seahawks held the Cardinals, one of the NFL’s top offenses, to just six points, an interception and five sacks Sunday.

To be blunt, Rodgers’ season, never strong to begin with, has completely disintegrated. That pattern will continue Sunday. I am happy to report that the crystal ball for this Thanksgiving weekend is clear: keep Rodgers far from any starting lineup.  

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

When it comes to playing in the snow, we know that Jameis Winston excels. What a beautiful game that was between the Steelers and Browns! Despite two turnovers, Winston kept his team in the game, and eventually won it, despite the conditions, with 219 yards passing and a rushing touchdown.

Of course, that was great, but it is time to turn our backs on that game and look to the future. Having done so, we find that the Broncos are next up, in Denver. Unfortunately for the Browns, the Broncos have one of the top defenses this season. That includes a solid 8th place ranking against QBs.

As has been pointed out many times in these articles, playing in Denver is never easy. Add a top notch defense to the mix and there can be no doubt: bench Winston.

Running Backs

All Jacksonville Running Backs

As has been the case earlier in my articles, it doesn’t matter which Jaguars running back you have on the roster. Jacksonville has been awful all season, including their runners. With Houston up next, hungry to get their season back on track and bringing in the number six defense against RBs, it would be especially wise to ensure that all Jags in the backfield stay firmly on the bench.  

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets

When it comes to consistency, Kenneth Walker outdoes all. In his past three games, based on our league’s scoring system, Walker has scored exactly 13 fantasy points each week. Consistency is nice and all, but I’m sure that fantasy managers are looking for a little more bang for their buck than that. Another disturbing trend to Walker’s game is he’s in a scoring drought, with just one TD in his last four games.

Without question, as is mentioned above, there are severe problems all over the place in New York. Even so, defense is not among the issues. The Jets rank just inside the top ten in every defensive area, including ninth versus runners. This game has all the look of a defensive struggle. Even as big a Seahawk fan as I am, I must place Walker on the bench side of this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits article.  

Wide Receiver Sits

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills

When it comes to disappointments in the past few weeks, few, if any, rank quite as high as Ricky Pearsall. What is really disheartening is that it wasn’t that long ago that Pearsall was featured as a starter in one of my articles. Obviously, those glory days are over. Not surprising, given that Pearsall has no, that’s zero, catches in the last two weeks.

Making matters worse, the 49ers play their second road game in a row after losing to Green Bay last week. In this instance, the opponent is Buffalo. The Bills are playing about as well as anyone in football right now. Additionally, they are top ten in defending wideouts, ranking eighth. Oh, and the 49ers also have QB issues. It’s a bad mixture, to be sure, and fantasy managers are well advised to sit Pearsall.

Noah Brown, Washington Commanders vs. Tennessee Titans 

All things considered, Noah Brown is coming off a solid game against the Cowboys last Sunday. Without question, ten targets provides the opportunity to do just that. Brown took advantage, catching six passes for 71 yards. The catches and targets set a season high for Brown.

Obviously, all of that sounds good. The question of why he lands on the bench side of this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition must be asked. First and foremost, Brown has been maddenly inconsistent this season. Just one week earlier, he caught only a single pass for four almost invisible yards.

Second, he has just one touchdown to his credit. Third, he was facing the Dallas Cowboys defense. He isn’t quite so lucky this weekend, however, with Tennessee on tap. There are only three teams in the NFL that defend wide receivers better. Clearly, inconsistent play, a scoring drought and a top notch defensive opponent are not a good combination. There has to be a better WR option than Brown. Find him.

Tight End Sit

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Over the past four weeks, Mark Andrews has flipped between poor and solid performances. In week nine, he caught just two passes. In week ten, he brought in six passes, including a touchdown. In week 11, it was back to two catches. Finally, in week 12, he caught all five passes thrown his way and had a TD.

Of course, that brings us to this weekend. If the pattern holds, Andrews is due for a fantasy dud. Further, it doesn’t help his prospects that the Eagles are up next. Philadelphia ranks a solid third against TEs. Add it all together, the smart money says to bench Andrews if at all possible.  

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Thanksgiving Weekend Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter)  @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com and bellyupfantasysports.com for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!