The Baltimore Ravens are only a half-game out of a playoff spot as they challenge for first place in the AFC North. The Jacksonville Jaguars, meanwhile, are only on a one-game losing skid, so, you know, that's something. The two teams play one another Sunday afternoon.
Jaguars vs. Ravens start/sit advice: Justin Forsett, Toby Gerhart, Joe Flacco
Can the Baltimore Ravens keep winning and earn a playoff spot?
The Jaguars lost starting running back Denard Robinson for the rest of the season to a mid-foot sprain. Other than that, the team is more or less healthy from a fantasy perspective. The Ravens certainly can't say the same. Running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is expected to miss Sunday's game with knee and ankle issues, and wide receiver Torrey Smith appears likely heading in the same direction with a knee problem.
The Ravens will host the Jaguars Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
JAGUARS
Start ‘em?: It’s a bad week for streaming defenses, so if you’re in a pinch, the Jaguars’ defense -- averaging 11.3 a game over its last three -- could be a desperation play.
Sit 'em: There isn't any significant upside to Blake Bortles, really. He hasn't topped 18 fantasy points in any game, and he's put up 11 or fewer six different times. ... With Denard Robinson done for the year, Toby Gerhart, Storm Johnson and Jordan Todman should all see touches, but against a strong run defense, they are meaningless for fantasy. ... In any given game, Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns, Cecil Shorts III and/or Marcedes Lewis could put up numbers, but there's just no way to predict it on a game-to-game basis. ... Josh Scobee hasn't had more than 10 points in a game all season long, and he only reached 10 one time.
RAVENS
Start 'em: Not since Week 3 has Justin Forsett had fewer than nine fantasy points in a game. He's an every-week no-doubt must-start. ... You always want a defense against the Jaguars, and that's before considering that the Ravens' defense is fairly decent in its own right.
Start 'em?: After hovering around sub-mediocre most of the year, Joe Flacco has put up exactly 23 fantasy points in back-to-back games. He's a mid-level QB2 in a nice matchup. ... With Torrey Smith likely out Sunday, Steve Smith Sr. makes for a defensible play. That said, he's alternated good and bad games in his last four, so he's tough to trust. ... Justin Tucker has been frustratingly inconsistent in his fantasy production this year; he's averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game in his last four, but that's two games of four or fewer points and two of 12 or more.
Sit 'em: Lorenzo Taliaferro isn't likely to play Sunday, which will help Bernard Pierce, but he's still well outside fantasy consideration. ... With his first real action of the season in Week 14, Kamar Aiken had 12 fantasy points, but you can't really expect that to continue. ... Owen Daniels has fallen from being a reasonable fantasy starter to barely rosterable over the last few weeks.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Justin Forsett, Baltimore defense
Start if you're desperate: Jacksonville defense, Joe Flacco, Steve Smith Sr., Justin Tucker
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