Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
Baker Mayfield has put on a show as a rookie, stringing together five wins in his last six games. He's played well enough to win, but hasn't quite been a superstar in terms of fantasy. He's more serviceable than anything else. He gets a tough test this week against the Ravens, although he did put up 342 yards against them earlier in the year (just one of two 300-yard games against Baltimore all season). But the Browns aren't playing for anything, and the Ravens are playing for a playoff spot. This should be a really tough test for Mayfield, making him a risky play in Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Baker Mayfield had a rough outing last week, finishing with just 188 yards (his second-lowest yardage output of the season). He threw two touchdowns, but he also finished with two turnovers. This was somewhat expected though as it was a tough matchup.
Things should get much easier this week as Mayfield takes on the Bengals, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Cincy has toughened up a bit in recent weeks, allowing just one passing TD to QBs in each of the last three games, but we still like Mayfield to take care of business. He had his best game against them earlier in the year, throwing for four touchdowns with no interceptions. He's a low-end QB1.
Week 15 at Denver Broncos
Baker Mayfield had yet another average fantasy game last week. He played well in real life, completing 18-of-22 passes, but his 238 passing yards with one touchdown doesn't excite owners much. The rookie now has just one score in each of his last two games.
We don't expect him to turn things around too much this week in a fairly tough matchup against the Broncos. Denver has held opposing QBs to one passing touchdown or less in over half its games. Mayfield is outside of QB1 territory this week.
Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers
Baker Mayfield set a new career high in passing yards last week, finishing with 397. But he scored just one touchdown while throwing three interceptions. Before that game, though, Mayfield had a streak of five games with at least two touchdowns.
He gets a favorable matchup this week against the Panthers, who are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs. Carolina has allowed at least two touchdowns to quarterbacks in all but two games this season. Expect 200-300 yards with likely two scores from Mayfield this week, making him a decent start, but just outside QB1 territory.
Baker Mayfield at Houston Texans
Baker Mayfield set a new career high for touchdown passes in a game last week with four. This comes a week after he had a three-touchdown game vs. the Falcons. The yards haven't always been there for Mayfield this season, but the scores have been pretty steady.
To be fair, though, Mayfield has played the worst two defenses in the league the last two weeks when it comes to defending QBs. He gets a much tougher task this week against the Texans who are allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Mayfield is a lower-tier option this week.
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals
Baker Mayfield had a full week of rest to prep for the Bengals this week. Although Mayfield hasn't been spectacular as a fantasy QB (just one game above 300 yards), he has been serviceable. And he gets a favorable matchup vs. Cincinnati, which is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.
Mayfield isn't an elite choice this week, but is just outside of QB1 territory. Expect him to finish just shy of 300 yards with a pair of scores.
Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Baker Mayfield had one of his better games last week, finishing with 297 yards which was his second-highest output of the season. He also scored two touchdowns for the third game in a row. Mayfield hasn't had many elite games, but he's played well enough to remain a decent option.
He gets a favorable matchup this week against the Falcons who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to QBs. Atlanta has allowed at least 300 passing yards to quarterbacks in six of its last seven games. Expect Mayfield to put up similar numbers to last week where he flirts with 300, two scores and a possible turnover. He's just outside of QB1 territory.
Week 9 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Baker Mayfield faced two the of five most favorable defenses against QBs in the past two weeks, and averaged less than 200 yards against them. He did score multiple touchdowns in each, but he's far from being a strong fantasy option.
He gets another favorable matchup this week against the Chiefs, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs. The Chiefs' offense ends up forcing their opponents to try and keep up, so there's a chance Mayfield ends with more pass attempts than usual. He's outside of QB1 territory.
Week 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Baker Mayfield mostly struggled last week in what should have been a big game. He wasn't awful, throwing for two touchdowns and 215 yards while adding 43 yards on the ground. But it was the only game this season where a QB finished below 300 passing yards against Tampa Bay.
He gets another favorable matchup this week against the Steelers who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season. The Browns played Pittsburgh earlier in the year, but Mayfield was on the bench that game. Expect a similar performance to last week as Mayfield remains a below average option.
Week 7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield had his worst outing as a starting QB last week, completing less than half of his passes for 238 yards with one score and two interceptions. He was also sacked five times, and suffered an ankle injury in the process, although he's expected to be fine this week.
Assuming he is fine, Mayfield sure gets a great matchup this week. The Bucs' defense has been so bad they already fired their defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs due to the fact they've given up three or more TDs in every game but one this year. Oh, and they've only forced one INT.
There are a lot of better options out there this week, but Mayfield certainly isn't a bad choice considering the matchup.
