Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Alec Pierce

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.

Saturday, December 27, 2:42 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is coming off a big game in Week 16, recording four catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns on four targets against the San Francisco 49ers. The 25-year-old has been a big-play threat all season long for Indianapolis, averaging an NFL-best 20.3 yards per reception. Pierce's Week 16 performance alongside new Colts quarterback Philip Rivers is an encouraging sign after Pierce was targeted just once in Rivers' first start of 2025 in Week 15. However, as primarily a downfield threat, Pierce has a low production floor that fantasy managers need to take into account. In Week 17, Indianapolis will take on a Jacksonville Jaguars' defense that ranks 18th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,492) and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). Pierce was reasonably productive in his first matchup of the season against Jacksonville in Week 14, recording five catches for 80 yards on eight targets. All in all, Pierce profiles as a boom/bust flex option for fantasy managers in Week 17.