The 10-2 Seahawks head to L.A. to take on the 7-5 Rams in a game that has plenty of playoff implications for both teams. The Rams may be more desperate as they trail the 8-4 Vikings for the last wildcard spot but Seattle has the slimmest of leads in the NFC West and would also like to move up to the No. 1 seed so they can have home field advantage.
The Rams are favored by -1 and the game has an over/under of 47.5. This is basically a pick ‘em game with upside to go over the total as both teams could be forced to score late in the matchup.
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks ($10,600)
My choice for the Captain’s seat was either Wilson or Gurley, and I’m leaning Wilson in a game I believe will be close and high scoring against a tough Rams run defense. When these teams played in Week 5, Wilson threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns. Chris Carson topped 100 yards but didn’t find the end zone and D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and David Moore all found the end zone but didn’t put up big yardage in a 30-29 win.
The addition of Jalen Ramsey since then is worrisome, but Metcalf has also stepped up well and they’ve added Josh Gordon. Wilson isn’t in a smash spot, but the game flow should be one that pushes him to do his usual prime time heroics.
CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams ($8,200)
Gurley saw one of his biggest usage days of the season last week in a blowout of the Cardinals, as he turned 20 touches into 115 yards and a touchdown. In his earlier matchup with the Seahawks, he scored two touchdowns, but ran the ball 15 times for 51 yards and caught three passes for six yards.
It appears Sean McVay wants to start using Gurley more like he has in previous seasons, which is great news, but he continues to lag in targets, which was a huge part of his game in the past. Until we see those numbers increase, we’ll have to settle for his floor staying low.
FLEX MEN
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks ($8,000)
Metcalf is my favorite Seattle receiver this week, as Jalen Ramsey should spend the majority of his time on Tyler Lockett. Metcalf’s targets are also some of the best in the league, as they are either deep or in scoring position. He’s topped 70 yards and hit six receptions in three of his last four games and has played like the No. 1 receiver with Lockett hurting and sick recently.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams ($6,600)
Higbee played on 91 percent of the snaps last week with Gerald Everett out and caught 7-of-8 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half. Playing the Cardinals is great for tight ends of course, but Seattle is susceptible to them as well. They’ve allowed the fourth-most fantasy points on the season and over the last two weeks, the Eagles and Vikings caught 26 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, and Everett is out again.
Jacob Hollister, TE, Seattle Seahawks ($4,800)
Hollister should also get a bump by avoiding Ramsey’s coverage and he had 81 percent of the snaps last week and led the team in targets in a tough matchup with the Vikings. The Rams are also stingy against tight ends but the work that Hollister saw last week makes me feel much safer about his touchdown chances this week.
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