There are many intriguing fantasy plays in the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Both teams have top-10 offenses and creative offensive gurus for head coaches. Let’s take a look at who to start and who to sit.
*Projections from our colleagues at The Huddle
QB Patrick Mahomes
Watching Mahomes play at the level he has this season has been an absolute treat. He has thrown for over 400 yards in each of his last two games and continues to somehow create something out of nothing when all else around him fails.
Last week against the Tennessee Titans with the Chiefs’ offense sputtering, Mahomes threw 68 passes and carried the ball six times, leading a come-from-behind victory.
It would be nice if K.C. could get the running game going and alleviate some pressure off of Mahomes, but with the way that he’s been playing, it’s hard to imagine anyone slowing him down too much. He should continue to roll against a mediocre Jaguars’ secondary.
RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire/Jerrick McKinnon/Isiah Pacheco
There’s no sign that the Chiefs will move away from their running back-by-committee approach. Last week against the Titans, neither Edwards-Helaire, Pacheco or McKinnon could get anything going as they all three were held under two yards per carry.
K.C. is struggling to find week-to-week consistency within its running game. Since he leads the team in carries by a considerable margin, Edwards-Helaire is the only Chiefs’ RB worth rostering but should only be in lineups if you’re in a deep league and have no better options.
WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster/Marquez Valdes-Scantling/Kadarius Toney/Skyy Moore
Mahomes and Smith-Schuster have really found their chemistry over the last three games, making Smith-Schuster a must-start each week regardless of the matchup. Last week he saw a season-high 12 targets and grabbed 10 receptions.
Valdes-Scantling is the definition of boom-or-bust, showing no rhyme or reason for what he will produce on any given week. He’s worth a roster spot if you’re weak at receiver, but should only be put in your lineup if the matchup is very appealing. That could be the case this week against the Jags with Mecole Hardman ruled out.
Kadarius Toney made his Chiefs debut last week, catching two passes for 12 yards. It seems likely he’ll get more involved each week and could be worth a stash if you have a good roster. Even with Hardman out, however, it still seems too early for Toney to be in any lineups.
Skyy Moore hasn’t made much of an impact all season. Even though he should see an increase in snaps with Mecole Hardman out, he’s not a safe bet for a fantasy roster spot yet.
TE Travis Kelce
Even in a game where Kelce had some drops and was visibly frustrated, he still recorded 10 receptions for 106 yards against the Titans. There is simply no containing the superstar tight end as he comfortably continues to pace the position in fantasy this season. If there is one thing to nitpick, Kelce hasn’t found the endzone since Week 5.
Chiefs' defense/special teams
After a bit of a slump, the Chiefs’ defense has put together nice back-to-back outings against the Titans and San Francisco 49ers. The K.C. defense survived an early punch in the mouth from running back Derrick Henry and settled in for a dominant second half.
It will face a good test this week against an underrated Jags’ offense which quietly ranks seventh in the league in total offense. The Chiefs’ defense is better left on the bench this week, but if it fares well it will be a good sign that you can trust the unit moving forward.
K Harrison Butker
Butker has struggled since returning from injury, missing three field goals and an extra point in his last three games. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub remains confident in Butker, and so should fantasy owners.
Butker has been an elite kicker since joining the Chiefs back in 2017 and has made several big kicks in big games. He’ll come through this slump sooner rather than later.
QB Trevor Lawrence
If you’re in a league that can start two quarterbacks Lawrence is a perfect QB2, but he’s not exactly what you want in a QB1. He’s in a bit of a slump right now as a passer, having thrown just three touchdowns in his last five games. He can salvage his production at times with his running ability.
Last week he had a season-high 53 rushing yards and has three rushing touchdowns in his last four games. The Chiefs’ defense is surrendering the ninth-most passing yards per game and is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns given up, making Lawrence worthy of being in your lineup this week.
RB Travis Etienne
Etienne is one of the hottest players in the NFL right now, eclipsing 100 rushing yards in each of his last three games. He’s also scored four touchdowns during that span and has the highest yards per carry average among players with at least 100 rushing attempts.
When the Chiefs’ defense makes it a priority, it can be very effective against the run. However, sometimes it puts more emphasis on getting after the quarterback or defending the pass. Regardless, Etienne has established himself as a legitimate RB1 and should be in lineups each week no matter the matchup.
WRs Christian Kirk/Zay Jones
He has the occasional quiet week, but for the most part, you can count on Christian Kirk to produce. He is easily the best pass-catching option for Lawrence and his versatility is a big plus to continuously be involved.
He has scored double-digit fantasy points six times this season and the Chiefs’ defense is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, making him a must-start.
Opposite him is Zay Jones, who has seen a healthy seven targets per game this season, but hasn’t reached the 100-yard receiving mark yet and has only scored one touchdown. There isn’t a strong enough track record there to start Jones with any confidence.
TE Evan Engram
Before a back injury slowed him down last week, Engram was putting together a nice string of fantasy point totals over the previous four weeks. He, fortunately, was able to return to the game and is set to play this week against K.C. It’s a good matchup for Engram who is a fine start in a shallow position group.
Jaguars defense/special teams
Outside of a couple of solid performances, the Jaguars’ defense hasn’t been very fantasy relevant this season. While its front seven is solid against the run, it has a middling pass rush and a below-average secondary. Factor that in with a matchup against the elite Chiefs’ offense, there’s no way the Jags’ defense should be in any lineups.
K Riley Patterson
Patterson is quietly having a nice season, having connected on 13-for-15 field goal attempts including five from 40-49 yards. He’s hampered a bit by the inconsistencies of the Jaguars’ offense, but you could do worse than Patterson as your fantasy kicker if you’re thin on options.
