Week 17 at Washington Redskins
The Eagles offensive starters will be full-go in Week 17, as Philadelphia hopes to sneak back into the playoffs with a win and Vikings loss. With Nick Foles at the helm, this offense has posted back-to-back weeks of 30 points or more. Vegas has set a lower implied total for Philly this week at 24, despite the Eagles being installed as 6.5-point favorites. Washington ranks just 20th in aFPA to WRs, but Golden Tate is an afterthought in this offense now with just 11 targets combined in the past three games.
Week 16 vs. Houston Texans
Jolly Ol' St. Nick Foles brought presents yet again to Philadelphia fans last week, and with playoff hopes still alive, Foles may come down the chimney yet again. Against Houston, Philly has an implied team total of 23.75 points, a little better than average for the Week 16 slate. The Texans rank just 26th in aFPA to WRs this season, but Golden Tate has just eight targets in the past two weeks. He's far too risky to start in Week 16.
Week 15 at Los Angeles Rams
The defending Super Bowl champs continue to suffer major injuries to starting positions, with the latest in the form of a back injury for Carson Wentz. Insert the Super Bowl MVP against his former team, as Nick Foles comes back to the spotlight. The Rams are just 23rd in aFPA to WRs this season, and this game has an over/under of more than 50, but the Eagles have an implied team total of less than 20. Extreme negative game script could mean high-volume passing. For these reasons, we like Tate as a FLEX option this week.
Week 14 at Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles head to Dallas for a pivotal division match-up. Philadelphia has an implied team total of just 20.25 points, in the bottom third for Week 14 against a strong Cowboys defense. Dallas ranks 11th in aFPA to WRs. Golden Tate has surpassed Alshon Jeffery in the target pecking order in recent weeks, out-targeting him 23 to 13 in the past three games. Tate had his best game as an Eagle, catching every target last week. This efficiency will be required for those that want to start him again this week, as we have him projected still as just a FLEX.
Week 13 vs. Washington Redskins
The Philadelphia - Washington game has a low over/under of just 45 points. The Eagles are home favorites against a backup quarterback, which could lead to more rushing volume than usual this week. Washington is 22nd in aFPA to WRs, but the trade for Golden Tate has made it tough for any Eagles receiver to post fantasy relevant numbers, including Tate himself. He is being targeted more than Alshon Jeffery, but he's turned 16 targets into just 78 yards over the past two weeks. He cannot be trusted in lineups.
Week 12 vs. New York Giants
The Eagles offense was embarrassed in the Superdome last week, but there are indications of a bounce back this week. Philadelphia has an above average implied team total of 26 points. However, Golden Tate just isn't what he was in Detroit. Not yet at least. He has only six receptions for 67 yards in two games with the Eagles. He belongs out of starting lineups until further notice.
Week 11 at New Orleans Saints
The Eagles are riding the struggle bus lately, but a stop at Superdome station is always a good place to cure what ails in fantasy. A suspected shootout Sunday has the Eagles with an implied team total of more than 23 points, despite being eight-point underdogs. Plus, the Saints are a pass funnel defense, ranking fourth in aFPA to RBs but dead-last in aFPA to WRs. Marshon Lattimore should be covering Alshon Jeffery this week, freeing up Nelson Agholor and Golden Tate in better match-ups against P.J. Williams and Eli Apple, respectively. Agholor could be worth dart throw FLEX consideration in a heavy bye week, but we want to see more consistent usage from Tate on his new team before rolling him back into lineups.
Week 10 at Oakland Raiders
The Eagles have an implied team total of 25.25 points this week -respectable, but not elite. Philadelphia is a touchdown favorite at home, which should lead to positive game script. With the Eagles adding Golden Tate into the mix this week, it's hard to predict what impact Tate will have. We suspect he will take Nelson Agholor's role in the slot. Until we see how this plays out, we can't recommend Tate as anything more than a risky FLEX against a top five defense in aFPA to WRs.
Week 8 vs. Seattle Seahawks
In Miami last Sunday Matthew Stafford threw only 22 passes, as the Lions dominated on the ground. Golden Tate was targeted a team-high six times, leading to four grabs for 36 yards. He also contributed to the rushing attack with a 30-yard run in the win. In the past two contests, Tate has totaled just 78 yards without a TD. He’ll be going against the No. 3 pass defense in the Seahawks this week, making Tate a WR3/flex play.
Week 7 at Miami Dolphins
With Matthew Stafford only throwing for 183 yards two weeks ago versus the Packers, Golden Tate finished with season lows of five grabs and 42 yards. In the Lions first five games, Tate is averaging nearly seven receptions, with two 100-yard games and three TDs. Miami’s pass defense is near the bottom of the league so be sure Tate is re-added to your starting lineup.
