Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Zay Flowers

Saturday, January 25, 4:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been a shell of his former self since returning from injury. Even when given the opportunity to start last week's contest, Pacheco remained inefficient and ceded work to veteran Kareem Hunt. The 25-year-old handled five carries for 18 yards against the Texans, compared to eight carries, 44 yards, and a touchdown for Hunt. Given the importance of the matchup and Pacheco's struggles, the Chiefs likely lean on Hunt as their workhorse back in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Kansas City will face the potent Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With the Chiefs searching for a historic three-peat, the stakes are too high to rely on Pacheco. The second-year back should not be viewed as a start-worthy asset in fantasy playoff leagues and should be considered a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.

Sunday, January 19, 5:13 PM

According to the team, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Flowers sustained this knee injury during their Week 18 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The top wideout has been unable to practice each of the previous two weeks. Flowers was able to do a pre-game workout but was unable to turn the corner in time to suit up. Flowers has enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign as he eclipsed the century mark for the first time in his career and tallied four scores. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews to lead the passing attack this evening. Bateman is a solid WR2 in DFS formats, as he should continue to see an increase in targets operating as the top option on the depth chart.