Starts:
QB – Ryan Tannehill, MIA
With five passing TDs in the past two weeks combined, against the Bills and Broncos, Tannehill should feast on the Jets secondary. Also, other than the game where Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers were stunned in Week 10, every quarterback that has faced the Jets has thrown for at least two touchdowns. Last week, Kyle Orton threw for 230 yards and two TDs against New York.
Other notables: Matthew Stafford (DET), Blake Bortles (JAC), and Teddy Bridgewater (MIN)
RB – Andre Ellington, ARI
He hasn’t topped 50 rushing yards in the last three games, but Ellington continues to be a PPR machine. In the last four weeks, he has caught at least four passes per game. The Falcons defense went three-straight games without allowing a rushing TD and then Isaiah Crowell ended that streak. Crowell scored twice and tallied 88 yards.
Other notables: Denard Robinson (JAC), Alfred Morris (WSH), and Chris Sims (TB)
WR – Justin Hunter, TEN
Just when we think we’ve figured out the Tennessee passing game, Hunter gets 10 targets and Kendall Wright only catches one pass. Since the Texans have allowed six receiving TDs in the last four games to opposing WRs, I’ll go with the most recent success for the Titans and start Hunter.
Other notables: Terrance Williams (DAL), Keenan Allen (SD), and Brandon LaFell (NE)
TE – Charles Clay, MIA
Other than the fact that Clay is averaging six catches in the last two games, the Jets defense has allowed five touchdowns in the last four games to opposing tight ends.
Other notables: Eric Ebron (DET), Zach Ertz (PHI), and Niles Paul (WSH)
Sits:
QB – Jay Cutler, CHI
It’s not just short-rest for the Bears, but also an early start. This equates as an 11:30am kickoff for the team from the central time zone. This season, Detroit has only allowed 14 passing TDs in 11 games. Only the Bengals have allowed fewer (11 passing TDs in 11 games). In his last six games, Cutler has been held to only one TD pass in four of those contests. However, he threw for three TDs apiece in the two other games.
Other notables: Colin Kaepernick (SF), Russell Wilson (SEA), and Geno Smith (NYJ)
RB – Joique Bell, DET
The Bears defense has been the object of ridicule for the past two seasons. However, they haven’t allowed a rushing TD to the opposing running back in the past four games. Bell is known as the bruising back for the Lions, but don’t expect him to vulture a touchdown on Turkey day.
Other notables: Steven Jackson (ATL), Ryan Mathews (SD), and Trent Richardson (IND)
WR – Vincent Jackson, TB
This season, the Bengals secondary is doing a number on opposing receivers. In the last six games, Cincinnati has only allowed three receiving touchdowns to the opponent’s receivers (Kenny Stills scored one and Allen Hurns scored two).
Other notables: Doug Baldwin (SEA), Michael Crabtree (SF), and Anquan Boldin (SF)
TE – Heath Miller, PIT
Other than Jermaine Gresham’s two TDs in Week 11, Levine Toilolo was the only other TE to score against the Saints, and that was back in Week 1. Also, even though Gresham scored twice, he only recorded 13 receiving yards. Having the ability to practice against Jimmy Graham really is beneficial for the Saints. That works against Miller and the Steelers.
Other notables: Jeff Cumberland (NYJ), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB), and Jermaine Gresham (CIN)
