Eagles, Buccaneers Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions: Should You Start Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, DeVonta Smith, Rachaad White and More?

The NFL’s Wild Card Round wraps up on Monday. There was supposed to be just one game - Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills contest was postponed until Monday afternoon, so we’ll get a Monday doubleheader of sorts.

It’s time to dive into the Eagles and Buccaneers matchup and determine what guys you should be starting in playoff fantasy leagues or DFS.

The articles for the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans game, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs game, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills game, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys game and Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions game are all available now.

Quarterback Options

The quarterback battle looks like a lopsided one, but Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield has actually turned in several better fantasy showings than Philadelphia Jalen Hurts this season, and would have several more if not for Hurts scoring on a bunch of quarterback sneaks.

Mayfield threw for over 200 yards in all but five games, while going over 300 yards on three occasions. He threw at least one touchdown in all but two games and has 10 multi-touchdown outings. Mayfield threw nine interceptions over eight weeks.

Mayfield isn’t a huge runner, but did have two games over 30 rushing yards. He scored once on the ground.

Hurts was pretty underwhelming all season, falling below 200 passing yards seven times, while going over four times. There were four games in which Hurts didn’t throw a touchdown, and he had just six games with multiple touchdown passes. Hurts threw 15 interceptions across 11 weeks.

Hurts’ running ability allowed him to be one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the game. He topped 30 yards on 10 occasions, while scoring 15 times.

Both of these defenses struggle to slow opposing quarterbacks. Philadelphia’s defense allowed 21 fantasy points per week to QBs, while Tampa Bay allowed 18.

These teams met during the regular season. Hurts tallied 277 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while rushing for 28 yards and a score. Mayfield had 146 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in the contest.

Hurts will be without top pass catcher A.J. Brown, while Mayfield is the only big-time offensive player that has an injury designation for the Bucs. Mayfield is questionable, but I’d be shocked if he cannot play - if he’s out, Kyle Trask would probably get the start and you can avoid all Tampa Bay offensive players.

Verdict: This matchup is great for both quarterbacks, and I’d be fine with starting either guy this week. I have the Bucs pulling the “upset” in this one, winning 20-17. Despite the lower score, I expect Mayfield and Hurts to both have strong outings. If I had to make a choice between the two, I’m taking Hurts because of his running ability.

Running Back Options

Each team has a workhorse running back to turn to on Monday. Philly has D'Andre Swift, while Tampa Bay has Rachaad White.

Swift went for over 1,200 total yards but had just six touchdowns this season. He has a lot of short rushing touchdowns stolen by Hurts.

Kenneth Gainwell backs him up and will get a few touches, but I wouldn’t advise starting him outside of extremely deep lineups.

White had over 1,500 total yards and nine total touchdowns this season - he was one of the better fantasy backs by the end of the season. 

Chase Edmonds backs him up, but again, I’d avoid playing him this weekend, as he’s only going to get a handful of touches.

This sets up as a tougher matchup for the backs. Philly’s defense allows just 19 fantasy points to opposing running backs, while Tampa Bay’s defense allowed only 17.

In the team’s regular season meeting, Swift recorded 138 total yards on 17 touches, while White had 62 total yards on 17 touches.

Verdict: I think both defenses are going to do a good job in slowing the running game, but with each RB’s pass-catching ability, I’d be fine starting Swift or White. I’m personally leaning against starting both guys, but would choose White over Swift because he had better receiving numbers this season.

Wide Receiver Options

With Brown out, the Eagles will need a big game out of DeVonta Smith.

Brown went for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns this season, so it won’t be easy replacing that. Smith had 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns.

Quez Watkins was the next most-targeted receiver, and he had just 21 targets this season. Olamide Zaccheaus and Julio Jones are also options to replace some of Brown’s production. When Brown left the game in week 18, Watkins finished with 11 targets. Jones and Zaccheaus had four each.

Tampa Bay relies heavily on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, while Trey Palmer had a nice stretch of outings to end the season.

Evans finished the regular season with 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. Godwin added 1,024 yards and two scores, while Palmer had 385 yards and three touchdowns.

This is a great matchup for the Bucs’ wideouts, as the Eagles’ defense allowed opposing WRs to average 45 fantasy points per game this season. The Bucs’ defense allowed 36 fantasy points per game.

In the first meeting, Brown had 131 yards on nine grabs and 14 targets, so that’s a lot of catches and yards to account for. Smith had just 28 yards on four catches and five targets, while Zaccheaus tallied 58 yards and a score on two catches and three targets.

Evans had 60 yards and a score on five catches and 10 targets. Godwin added 32 yards on three catches and five targets, while Palmer was limited to 8 yards on one target and catch.

Verdict: With Brown out, it would make sense to start Smith this week, but I wouldn’t be super confident in him going off - I’d still lean toward playing him given the lack of other weapons. I see Watkins, Zacchaeus and Jones all involved, but not enjoying huge days, so I’d sit them. As for the Bucs, I definitely want to start Evans, and I’m also leaning toward playing Godwin, but like Smith, I wouldn’t be super confident in him. I’d sit Palmer. Here’s how I’d rank the wideouts in this game: Evans, Smith, Godwin, Zaccheaus, Palmer, Watkins, Jones.

Tight End Options

Philly has the talented Dallas Goedert that could help out in the passing game. Tampa Bay has Cade Otton at its disposal.

Goedert dealt with an injury this season, and was rather underwhelming when on the field. He had 592 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Otton had a few solid weeks, but only accumulated 455 yards and four scores this season.

This is a very favorable matchup for Goedert, as the Bucs’ defense allowed 14 fantasy points to the position per week. The Eagles’ defense allowed 12 fantasy points, so Otton could also enjoy a solid day.

In the regular season meeting, Goedert went for 41 yards on five grabs and seven targets. Otton tallied 16 yards on one catch and two targets.

Verdict: With Brown out, I love the idea of starting Goedert this week. He could actually outperform Smith, especially if he can find the end zone. Otton is a player I like, but I’d lean against starting him this week - the Bucs’ offense can move the ball without needing Otton, and while I think he makes a couple grabs, it won’t amount to a big fantasy outing.

Other Thoughts

These defenses are weak against the pass but stout against the run. With the quarterbacks playing in this game - who were pretty average starters most weeks - that’s why I envision a lower-scoring game. I think some turnovers will factor in, but I think Tampa Bay has more talent on offense and they’ll do just enough to earn the win.

I’d definitely consider starting either of these defenses this week. Twenty or less points and maybe a turnover and some sacks could make for decent fantasy point totals. I’d actually take the Bucs’ defense if I needed to choose between the two - I think Brown being out won’t do any favors to an already reeling Eagles’ offense.

In a lower scoring game, kicking could be a big deal, and each team has a reliable kicker.

Philly’s Jake Elliott was 30-of-32 on field goals this season and 45-of-46 on extra points. Tampa Bay’s Chase McLaughlin was 29-of-31 on his field goals and made all 33 of his extra points.

I’m fine with starting either guy and think they each get a couple field goal tries in this one.