Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Bijan Robinson

Friday, December 20, 10:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old did not practice on Wednesday, but was back to a full participant the following two sessions to close out the week. The 6-foot-4 wideout has dealt with back issues seemingly all season long, but it has cost him just one week of playing time. The former second-round draft pick has been Anthony Richardson's preferred target in the passing game over the last four weeks since being reinstated as the starting QB, averaging over five catches per contest, albeit for just 60 yards per game. The fifth-year pro hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 6, which happened to be against his Week 16 opponent, the Tennessee Titans. Although he found paydirt in that first meeting, he did so on just three catches for 35 yards. With the Titans allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and with Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes on the season, expectations for Sunday's divisional showdown should be tempered. While the Colts are 3.5-point favorites in this one, there is a low expected total of 42.5 and Pittman Jr. projects as a WR4 this week, so hopefully fantasy managers have other options.

Friday, December 20, 8:03 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson logged at least 20 carries for the fourth time in the last five contests last week and will be expected to carry the load again this week with rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. under center for the Falcons. With eight rushing TDs on the season and a receiving TD to boot, the 22-year-old is a top-five back for fantasy through 15 weeks, and in Week 16 he'll face a generous rush defense in the New York Giants. The Giants have yielded 14 scores on the ground, the second-most rush yards on the season, and the second-highest yards per carry, resulting in the fourth-most fantasy points scored by opposing running backs. While Robinson has seen a drop off in receptions over the last two weeks, his rookie QB will likely use him as a security blanket and the former first-rounder should get back on track in that regard. Deploy Robinson as a top-tier RB1 on Sunday in Atlanta.