Some players are must starts (Aaron Rodgers, Alvin Kamara, and Rob Gronkowski, to name a few), but here we work to give you value and over-performers, depending on what type of fantasy format you are playing. At this point we are breaking up start/sit for Thursday and Sunday/Monday games. We apologize to those who must have complete lineups in by Thursday’s game.

Matt Phillips is a multiple fantasy football champion, and co-host of the podcast “Pigskin Dynasty: Your Podcast for All Things Fantasy Football”. You can find him on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Podbean, and other podcast mediums. He also has live episodes on Facebook every Sunday morning at 9:00 am EST.

Another Thursday night matchup worth watching. I will romanticize Aaron Rodger and Russell Wilson all day long. Green Bay and Seattle fan bases make this tilt something any NFL fan looks forward to. Though less than less week, there are studs that you must start unless you somehow drafted a team with insane depth. Considering Wilson’s recent five game run, you’d be crazy not to see him as a must start.

Let me add two comments before we move to the recommendations. First, screw you Jaguars defense for making Andrew Luck look better than he deserved, and me looking bad. Second, you can’t put up an obsence stat line, Ryan Fitzpatrick, but not get touchdowns.

Winner Matt.

Projections for Studs

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

Projection: 275 yards passing with 3 touchdowns

WR Davante Adams, Green Bay

Projection: 8 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown

QB Russell Wilson, Seattle

Projection: 235 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, 64 yards rushing, and 1 rushing touchdown

START

RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay

He is finally free! My prayers have been answered! Mike Mccarthy finally came to his senses and gave him a chance. I said it before, he is a stud and proved it last week. Having a career day with multiple scores and over 140 rushing yards on only 15 carries is a Thor statement.

And he also ran routes on 70 percent of Rodgers’ throws. He needs to be started every week! Trade for him!

Projection: 95 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns

RB Chris Carson, Seattle

He is coming back from injury, and I am assuming he will assume the role of lead back. Don’t get me wrong, this backfield is a timeshare, but I believe he will be the bell cow. Green Bay has allowed a running back to get at least 80 yards in three of the last four games.

Projection: 65 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, and 5 receptions for 30 yards

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay

Randall Cobb is out. Marquez has solidified his position as the number two man. Seattle has given up a 100 yard receiver in three straight games. Matt and I disagree a bit on his stat line.

Matt Projection: 5 receptions for 65 yards and 1 touchdown

Brian Projection: 7 receptions for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns

WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle

He has scored in 7 of the 9 games this season, which is amazing. He also only had 5 targets or fewer in three of the last four so he is kinda risky, but is the best option in this Seahawks arsenal. The Packers have been generous to receivers, allowing them to get to at least 70 yards in the last five games.

For the record, I think Lockett gets two touchdowns.

Projection: 6 receptions for 51 yards and 1 touchdown

TE Jimmy Graham, Green Bay

The matchup isn’t the best as the Seahawks are pretty good against opposing tight ends, and he is hampered by a knee injury. However, with this new found running game courtesy of Jones, I foresee a play action game. Graham should benefit from this with a red zone touchdown.

Projection: 4 receptions for 41 yards and 1 touchdown

K Mason Crosby, Green Bay

I know what you were saying, Crosby only got seven points last week. He isn’t playing well. I shouldn’t start him. Calm down and relax. Crosby did get a lot of kicking opportunities, they just happen to be extra points. He is on a high-powered offense and sometimes the offense is going to be really efficient. However, I do think the Seahawks will stop the Packers a couple times in scoring position, and therefore Crosby kicks field goals.

If you haven’t been paying attention, we love Mason.

Projections: 2 for 2 on field goals and 5 for 5 on extra points

SIT

RB Mike Davis, Seattle

He had a good run folks. Rashaad Penny is finally playing well, showing us why the Seahawks took him in the first round. He isn’t going away, and with Carson coming back I don’t think there’ll be many opportunities for Mike Davis. He may get a goal line touchdown, but I’m not taking that risk in starting him especially with the playoffs right around the corner.

Projection: 45 total yards

WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle

I am starting him in one of my leagues because I’m imacted by the byes and the league is pretty deep. But that doesn’t mean I like it.

If you have him I recommend sitting him. He did say that his knee issues are one hundred percent in the past, and it doesn’t affect him anymore, Still, he’s not the same Doug Baldwin of the past. Wilson is giving him roughly 5 targets a game, and that is not going to cut it. He also still hasn’t gotten a touchdown, so I want to see it before I believe it.

Projection: 4 receptions for 45 yards

WR Equanimeous St. Brown, Green Bay

He has probably the coolest name in the NFL, but that won’t give him looks from Rodgers. I know with Randall Cobb being out he has the opportunity to be the number three receiver in this offense, I just think Green Bay will try to be more balanced in between the run and pass.

Projection: 3 receptions for 36 yards

K Sebastian Janikowski, Seattle

He’s had five field goals in the last five games. The offense is moving but not stalling. I also believe this offense will score a lot of touchdowns in this game leaving little field goal opportunities.

Projection: 1 for 1 on field goals and 5 for 5 on extra points

Green Bay and Seahawks Defenses

Do you seriously think this will be a defensive battle of attrition? If so, nothing I say will convince you otherwise.

Matt didn’t mention this, but I think one of these defenses gets a score off their turnover. But in the long run does that matter?

Projection for Packers: 38 points allowed with 2 sacks and 1 turnover

Projection for Seahawks: 41 points allowed with 3 sacks and 1 turnover