By MIKE HERNDON

If you follow the Twitter accounts of many sportswriters (or ex-sportswriters) in the Southeast, you’ve probably discerned that our musical tastes tend to lend heavily to two artists – Bruce Springsteen and Jason Isbell.

I suspect it has something to do with the songwriting. While of different ages and different eras, Springsteen and Isbell are among the greatest songwriters this fine country has ever produced and we, as wordsmiths of a different, less literary vein, understand and appreciate the craft. Which of the two we prefer may depend on our age, though I have to now consider myself among the older group and I am an Isbell guy. 

I’ve seen him several times in several different venues, from a solo acoustic gig at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile about a decade ago to the Ryman in Nashville earlier this year, where he often spends weeks-long residencies with his band, the 400 Unit.

Perhaps that’s why, when asked what lead-in music I’d prefer for my weekly fantasy football radio spot with my former newspaper editor, Randy Kennedy, on Sports Talk 99.5 in Mobile (Tuesdays at 5 p.m. during the fall), I chose an Isbell song.

So in a week where six NFL teams have already played on Thanksgiving Day and two more played on Friday, I offer some abbreviated start-sit advice inspired by one of my favorite artists:

Starts:

If you’re looking for Something More Than Free …

… consider starting Josh Dobbs on Monday night against the Bears. Dobbs will forever be known for leading the Vikings to a win without knowing many of his teammates’ names after coming over in a trade. But since then, he’s continued his strong play, throwing and rushing for a touchdown each in each of his last two games. Now he gets a Bears defense that yields the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. And he’s still thankful for the work.

I Hope the High Road leads you home again …

… to Joe Mixon as a start at running back, as the Bengals will likely try to lean on their ground game against the Steelers with Jake Browning under center. Fortunately for the Bengals, Pittsburgh is down two middle linebackers and finds themselves susceptible to the run.

There’s Miles between us …

… and boy you should have seen all the receivers trashing the Tampa Bay secondary of late. This week, the Colts get their shot at the Bucs, which should mean you can set yourself apart from your opponent by starting Michael Pittman, Jr.

It shouldn’t take you 24 Frames …

.. to figure out that Trey McBride is a fine start at tight end this week against the Rams, who yield the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. McBride has seven or more targets in each of the Cardinals’ last three games not quarterbacked by Clayton Tune. Fire him up with confidence.

Sits:

Don’t call what you’re wearing an Outfit …

… and don’t expect the same kind of performance this week from Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguar quarterback had his first and only big fantasy day of the season last week, but he doesn’t have a particularly sterling career record against the Texans. He’s 1-4 vs. Houston all-time, and after throwing for three touchdowns in his first game against them back in 2021, he’s only found the end zone once against them in the last four meetings.

You don’t want to die in a Super 8 motel ….

… and you don’t want to rely on Javonte Williams against the Browns’ tough defense. Williams has finally emerged into a viable fantasy option over the last few weeks, rushing for 79 yards or more for three straight weeks. But he was held to only 37 yards on 11 carries last week against Minnesota, so trotting him out against the Browns might make for a weekend that doesn’t go so well.

If We Were Vampires and death was a joke …

… we might be OK with assuming that the real Davante Adams is back and expecting a WR1 day from him this week. But we’re not vampires, our fantasy teams are mortal, and Adams will likely see a lot of Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed, who has begun traveling with each opponent’s top receiver with great success. Last week, he held the Eagles’ AJ Brown to one catch for 8 yards. Kansas City has allowed only two receivers to break 100 yards this season.

If you’ve got a Death Wish …

… go ahead and start Donald Parham Jr. or Gerald Everett against the Ravens, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Find a reason to carry on and find a better option at tight end.

Categories: Fantasy Football