Roundtable Week 15: Skittish about December, Part 2

Photo: USA Today Sports

Welcome to Week 15 of the 2023 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.

This week's roundtable features these four topics:

• Skittish about December - Part II (see below)
• System or Player? The RB Edition
• Too Young or Prime? Emerging Top Producers in 2024 Redraft Leagues
• For Real/Fool's Gold - QB Edition

Let's roll.

Skittish about December

Matt Waldman: In my Top-10 feature two weeks ago, I examined Miami's offense and realized on film and the box score that Tua Tagovailoa's production has dipped against defenses that have a strong enough front four to generate a quick pass rush and/or provide challenging coverages that either confuse the QB or make him attempt throws beyond his paygrade.

The Jets and Ravens are two opponents with that potential against Tagovailoa during the fantasy playoffs. While I'd certainly continue starting the Dolphins' receiving corps, I'd be more hesitant about rolling with Tagovailoa, this year's QB10 in a 12-team league, if I had an equal or more compelling option available.

With this example as a guide, tell me about a starter in a 12-team format with lineups that allot for 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, and 1 TE whom you're having doubts about their playoff schedule, and you're considering taking the risk with a different option on your bench or waiver wire.

Will Grant: Stefon Diggs scares the heck out of me right now from a fantasy perspective. He's the No.6 fantasy wide receiver for the season, but his performance has been all over the place for the last four games:

• 3-34 in Week 10
• 4-27 in Week 11
• 6-74-1 in Week 12 (on 11 targets)
• 4-24 in Week 14 (also on 11 targets)

The Bills face the Cowboys this week and rank fifth in passing yards allowed this season. The Buffalo goes on the road to face the Chargers, who may be an easy win where Diggs isn't needed, and then they finish the season against two division opponents who always play them tough - the Patriots and the Dolphins. If Diggs is my No.1 receiver - I will probably start him - but I certainly won't feel good about it.

Corey Spala: George Kittle is a starter I am concerned about for the fantasy playoffs. He will face the sixth-toughest tight end playoff schedule; all defenses are top-15 against tight ends. He begins the playoffs (Week 15) against Arizona, the same defense that held Kittle to one target and nine yards in Week 4 (96% snaps played). This defense has allowed the fourth-fewest receptions and third-fewest yards against tight ends this season. In Week 16, Kittle will face Baltimore, which has allowed the 16th fewest receptions but 8th fewest yards.