Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Rashod Bateman

Friday, December 26, 9:56 AM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen remains a steady veteran presence, but his fantasy upside is evaporating at the worst possible time. Last week, Allen caught all five of his targets, yet his 47% snap share underscores a concerning trend as he continues to split routes with rookie Tre' Harris. This week's matchup against the Houston Texans is the toughest possible test, as the Texans rank second in completion percentage allowed and third in interception rate. With Houston allowing the fewest passing yards per game and consistently pressuring the quarterback, the aging veteran may struggle to find open windows in a game script expected to be a defensive slog. Fantasy managers in championship matchups should look for higher-upside alternatives. He is merely a low-end WR4/FLEX option this week.

Friday, December 26, 11:15 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has finished as a WR3 or higher in just two games all year in half-PPR formats. Once in Week 3 as the WR15 and again in Week 9 as the WR36. His average finish this season is the WR78, which firmly puts him outside of the start-worthy options in most fantasy leagues. The Green Bay Packers have been quite generous to opposing receivers (ranked 30th over the last four weeks), but Bateman will most likely have Tyler Huntley behind center in this matchup. In Huntley's other two starts this year, Bateman received one and four targets respectively, with a combined three catches for 59 yards. For fantasy managers in their championship game, Bateman projects as the WR84, which would be very hard to trust in a must-win situation.