I’ve written about a lot this season – a former ESPN producer, a fantasy stoner, a native New Yorker, a two-drink minimum and just about everything in-between.
But the one thing I have yet to write about, minus a few cameos, is the person who inspires me the most to be great. The one who supports me tirelessly through all my late-night writings and early morning wake-ups: Kathleen “Katie” Mest.
As a writer, the topic of love has always particularly been a struggle for me, probably because before Katie, I never really knew what it was.
I first met her on Aug. 28, 2016, my second day of freshman year of college during our journalism department introduction meeting. She was the radiant girl in the front, and I was the out-of-place boy in the back, just trying to take it all in.
Months later, after beginning to get to know each other in casual settings – walking to our student newspaper meetings or the basements of college parties – I asked Katie on a date. The venue was a place called Steel City Samiches – basically a rip off version of Primanti Bros. that boasted huge Pittsburgh-style sandwiches with the coleslaw and fries on them.
Four years, a few Pittsburgh-style sandwiches, countless adventures and a global pandemic later, we’re still inseparable. We’ve grown from adolescent teenagers who were just trying to find ourselves in this messed up world to two individuals who now embrace their individuality, together.
Katie and I began a new tradition this year – setting up our Christmas decorations and tree while listening to 2000’s Disney Channel music, finished with a Fireball shot.
Whether it was editing my early “Start, Sit & Seth” columns in college or hearing my initial scheming about In-Between Media, Katie was always there, holding me steady. Although before this season she had never played fantasy football, she sat there most Sundays to witness my fantasy glories and follies over the years.
I’m not sure what it was this past offseason, the pandemic or me not shutting up about fantasy, but either way, it was enough to convince Katie to give it a shot for herself. She joined two leagues, one being a work league where her team, led by the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Ridley, is still in the hunt for a championship berth this week.
And, now, to make things even better, Katie recently came aboard the In-Between Media staff as an editor, meaning that every Thursday morning, she’ll be the first seeing this column series – just another example of her holding me steady and making me look better than I am.
She also has become a member of the fantasy Twitter community, @km_betweenFF, where you can find her renounced love for Metcalf, Younghoe Koo and pictures of dogs.
In whatever you decide to do in life – whether it’s starting a fantasy sports media company, raising a child or doing whatever your heart desires – just remember that doing it with your best friend just makes it that much better.
Now, let’s get to it:
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Taysom Hill (New Orleans): I know I’ve had Taysom Hill as my QB start selection two out of the last three weeks, but I feel the need to defend the BYU product, once again. He’s been a QB1 each week since garnering the start for New Orleans and is the QB6 during that span.
Yes, it’s gimmicky at times, but with his rushing floor and touchdown upside, he’s a top option. And although Hill will be facing Kansas City’s defense, the pure volume he will get makes him viable once again.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota): Yes, Kirk Cousins has indeed been much better at home this season than on the road. But six of seven of his home matchups have been versus bottom-nine defenses against the quarterback. Chicago, who’s allowed as many touchdown passes as they’ve had interceptions, is anything but that. There are too many better options this week to take the gamble with Cousins.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
Jeff Wilson Jr. (San Francisco): If Raheem Mostert is, in fact, out this week, I’m all in on Jeff Wilson Jr. Kyle Shanahan said prior to last week that he and Mostert were going to be their “one-two” down the stretch.
In games where he’s had double-digit carries, Wilson has scored a touchdown in three of four and has averaged 16.3 PPR points. With San Francisco playing Dallas (who has given up 13 rushing touchdowns and five yards per carry (YPC) to opposing backs) this weekend, I’m willing to risk it for the biscuit with Wilson here.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Todd Gurley (Atlanta): Has there been any bigger disappointment over the back-half of the season than Todd Gurley? On the season, he totals only 645 yards and a career-low 98 receiving yards – on pace for 83 percent less receiving yards than his 2017 breakout campaign.
To make matters worse for Gurley owners, division rival Tampa Bay, who has the league’s leading rushing defense yet again this season, comes to Atlanta on Sunday. Hopefully, you made this decision weeks ago, but Gurley should come nowhere near starting lineups this week and the rest of the way.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay): After his first single-digit fantasy point performance coming last week for the first time since Week 7, I’m continuing to roll with Mike Evans and other Buccaneers’ pass-catchers this week.
Evans has scored 11.1 percent of his career touchdowns against division rival Atlanta Falcons, and I expect that to continue this week as Tom Brady, who handed Matt Ryan his only Super Bowl defeat, heads to Atlanta in need of another conference win. Atlanta’s cornerback Darqueze Dennard is also listed as questionable for this week, possibly leaving rookie first-rounder A.J. Terrell matched up with Evans and setting the scene for a big day for Brady’s biggest weapon.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati): Second-round rookie receiver Tee Higgins broke all expectations I had for this season, as he is on pace for a 71-reception, 985-yard, six-touchdown stat line.
However, Higgins, who hasn’t peaked 60 or more yards without Joe Burrow and has only one touchdown in the last month, doesn’t possess the upside to justify starting him here this late in the season, especially against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers with Brandon Allen under center.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.