Conference Championships Start' Em and Sit' Em

The fantasy "Start' Em or Sit 'Em" for players competing in playoff fantasy football leagues during NFL's Championship Sunday from Saints News Network's Fantasy Analyst Brendan Boylan.

While some bask in the glory of winning their fantasy football leagues during the regular season, others, like myself, are disappointed after losing their title game matchup. However, the playoffs have given new life to fantasy owners who may have had a bad year. 

As the playoff field continues to dwindle, more and more help is needed to avenge regular season woes. So here is my last-minute fantasy advice. We have one player to start, one to sit, and one sleeper headed into Fantasy Football's AFC and NFC Championship Round this Sunday.

Start 'Em: Kansas City Chiefs, TE Travis Kelce

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What a year it was for Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. The former third-round selection in 2013 put together the greatest single-season receiving performance the league has ever seen from the tight-end spot reeling in 105 receptions for 1,416 yards and 11 scores. 

Throughout the regular season, Kelce served as a consistent must start for fantasy owners averaging over 20 points per game in standard PPR leagues and racking up over 300 points in 2020. In this week's matchup against the Bills, the 6'5 mismatch should be Mahomes' go-to target in the red zone. 

In the two teams' Week 8 regular-season clash, Kelce reeled in 5 receptions for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns, and with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, I expect another stellar performance from #87.

Sit 'Em: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB Ronald Jones II

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Surgery on his hand and a nagging quad injury left Jones inactive against Washington in the Wild-Card Round. Last week Jones was listed as a Game-Time decision against New Orleans, and the third-year back toughed it out by collecting 62 yards in the victory despite RB Leonard Fournette earning the start.

The Buccaneers running game is beginning to pick up some steam with their two-headed monster backfield and face a team that struggled to stop them on the ground back in Week 8. Back in October, Tampa Bay ran for 158 yards on the NFC regular-season champions behind a huge day from Ronald Jones II.

With the weather calling for snow and 20-degree weather at Lambeau Field on Saturday, running the ball will be key to victory. However, without a 100-yard outing in over 2 months, nagging injuries, and a likely Leonard Fournette start, Jones is not a guy I would start this week. 

Sleeper Start: Green Bay Packers, WR Allen Lazard

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Lazard began 2020 with a BANG for fantasy owners and looked to be Aaron Rodgers' favorite deep ball threat. However, after a career outing against New Orleans, Lazard landed on IR and missed six games for the Packers before slowly working his way back to form in the postseason.

In the NFC Divisional Round, Lazard hauled in 4 receptions, 96 yards, and the game-sealing touchdown. The 58-yard score was the first of Lazard's playoff career and should bring momentum into the NFC Championship game against a Buccaneers team he could not play against in the regular season. 

If there is a Boom or Bust prospect in postseason fantasy, it is Rodgers' deep ball threat, Allen Lazard.

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