It’s Championship Week! All the studying, draft prep, waiver acquisitions, trades, prayers, and curses have led to this penultimate moment. (Congrats to my son Billy and his team PickNRoll, who easily knocked my Buffalo Soldiers out of the playoffs to advance to his first Championship game). Pay close attention to the weather with games in wintery cities. It’s like the NFL is begging for snow games! Likewise, beware the funky schedule with games Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I wonder how many family Christmas dinners were interrupted by Mahomes, Lamar, Najee or Stroud? My Uncle Charlie had one eye on the Chiefs-Steelers game and the other on the mashed potatoes. He managed to duck when Aunt Carolyn threw a dinner roll at him. A happy and healthy holiday to all, and hopefully a championship.
JINGLE BELL ROCK!
QB Jalen Hurts (vs. Cowboys) — The only late afternoon game on Sunday is a classic, harkening back to the days of Troy Aikman vs. Randall Cunningham. Jalen (head, check status) vs. Cooper Rush is a tad different. Hurts put up 36 Fantasy points in Dallas last time out.
QB Jayden Daniels (vs. Falcons) — Santa gave Daniels owners the best present ever, a trip to Atlanta and their lame secondary. Even Drew Lock and Desmond Ridder threw TDs against them. Jingle all the way.
RB Bucky Irving (vs. Panthers) — Panther defensive linemen must have whiplash from watching RBs zip past them. Last time against Carolina, Bucky was a pain in the neck to the tune of 152 yards and a TD.
RB Jonathan Taylor (at Giants) — If you made the playoffs with the oft-injured Taylor in your lineup, you’re in the minority. But with 421 rushing yards in his last three games, J.T. could lead you to a championship vs the G-Men.
WR Terry McLaurin (vs. Falcons) — Terry has shone as brightly as Rudolph’s nose on a foggy night, with 12 TDs on the season. With one more TD catch, he’ll go down in history, breaking Washington’s single season WR record.
WR Jauan Jennings (vs. Lions) — Do you hear what I hear? The last two games for Jennings were disappointing but the Lions have one of the worst secondaries in the league. Jauan will bring us goodness and light.
TE Trey McBride (at Rams) — Trey melted like Frosty the Snowman in a heatwave last week. Start him Saturday night and you’ll be a jolly, happy soul. Thumpity-thump-thump look at McBride go!
BAH HUMBUG!
QB Jared Goff (at 49ers) — The 49ers have been like Scrooge to opposing QBs, allowing under 200 yards and one TD pass per week.
QB Geno Smith (at Bears) — Old Jacob Marley came back to earth to warn Scrooge to change his ways. Likewise, I’m warning you to stay away from Smith, lest ye be boiled in pudding and buried with a stake of holly through your heart.
RB Rico Dowdle (at Eagles) — Uncle Rico was dynamite padding his stats down the stretch against the worst run defenses in the NFL: Giants, Bengals, Panthers. But against the big boys (Eagles, Ravens, Lions), he’s played like his nephew Napoleon.
All 49ers RBs (vs. Lions) — It’s a dart throw guessing who to start in the San Fran backfield, especially since WR Deebo Samuel had five carries last week. Even if Isaac Guerendo is healthy, (hamstring, check status), it’s too risky.
WR Amari Cooper (vs. Jets) — Duck decoys have been in use since 400 B.C., luring waterfowl close to arrows and spears. Don’t be lured by Cooper’s pedigree. This guy is the biggest decoy in the NFL.
WR Cooper Kupp (vs. Cardinals) — It’s not Kupp’s fault he gets three targets while Puka Nacua gets nine every week. Rumor has it that Stafford gave Nacua a new Lexus for Christmas. Kupp got a fruitcake.
TE Brenton Strange (vs. Titans) — You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I’m telling you why. Brenton Strange won’t win you a crown.
Thursday Night Special: The Seahawks fly to the Windy City for a must-win snoozer on Thursday night. The Bears keep getting roughed up in the NFC North but are better than their 4-11 record. Seahawks 24, Bears 21
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com. Catch Bill every Wednesday night at 6:45 on “This Week in Pro Football” on YouTube TV.