For the first time in over a month, the Cleveland Browns were able to get a win against their division rival Baltimore Ravens at home last week. The offense had been off to an awful start, and trying to find any fantasy value for Browns players was nearly impossible. Though it was only one week, the offense looked so good that I was actually excited to research and write this article this week.
After a good week against the Bengals, second-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman had a breakout game last week against the Ravens, scoring his first two career touchdowns and producing 28.9 fantasy points. The new starting quarterback, Jameis Winston, was behind him on the leaderboard, scoring 23.56 points, thrones for over 300 yards, and three passing touchdowns. Things will be harder this week as the team plays against a very stingy Chargers defense that has been playing great football this year. They have only allowed one team to score 20 points against them all season.
Start 'Em: Cedric Tillman, WR
It will be a tough matchup for the young pass catcher as the Chargers have allowed the least amount of fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. But I still have faith that Cedric Tillman can be a good fantasy contributor this week, and it’s all because of his chemistry with Jameis Winston. From the time Winston stepped onto the field last week, he has looked Tillman’s way early and often, and he has been rewarded for it. Tillman isn’t afraid to make a catch in traffic and take a hit, and if you underestimate his speed, he can make you pay by stretching the field vertically.
Sit 'Em: Nick Chubb, RB
It still isn’t time for Nick Chubb to be in the starting lineup, even though he started to look more like himself last week. You can tell he was feeling and moving much better last week, but he still hasn’t broken into the open field and hit the home run fans have become so accustomed to seeing. He had 16 carries, so clearly, they are increasing his workload, but he is going against a Chargers defense that has done a good job limiting opposing rusher's fantasy outputs this season. It does seem like he is close to being himself, and if the passing attack continues to push the ball downfield and keep teams from stacking the box to stop the run, Chubb’s time will come soon.
Start 'Em: Jameis Winston, QB
What a performance from Jameis Winston last week in his first start since the 2022 NFL season. It was like riding a bike. Winston stepped on the field like he had been the starter the whole season, and the offense ran like a well-oiled machine. The Chargers defense has been good, but they have allowed three opposing quarterbacks to score over 20 fantasy points against them over the last month or so. He won’t be perfect; there were multiple dropped interceptions last week, but he will push the ball vertically down the field and will hit a couple of those; he is a great option if your regular starter is on a bye this week.
Start 'Em: Elijah Moore, WR
It was a great week for Elijah Moore last week against the Ravens. He tied his career high in targets, getting 12 from quarterback Jameis Winston. Moore didn’t do anything different against the Ravens; he has been running great routes and separating all year; he just had his quarterback finally get the ball to him on time and accurately. As I said earlier, this isn’t a favorable matchup, but Winston is doing his job, and his quick trigger will give Moore opportunities to make plays in the open field with the ball in his hands, something he is very good at.
Sit 'Em: D'Onta Foreman, RB
Veteran running back D’Onta Foreman’s usage has been all over the place this season and with if Jerome Ford is back he will likely be the third guy on the depth chart. Ford was able to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday and it is clear they want to give the bulk of the workload to Nick Chubb anyway. Foreman will continue to be a guy that can do some nice things in short yarage and redzone opportunities but that just isn’t enough to roster him let alone put him in your starting lineup.