Jared Goff

Week 19 vs. Dallas Cowboys

In his third NFL season, Jared Goff completed 364-of-561 pass attempts for 4,688 yards with 32 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. While the 12 picks were five more than Goff threw in 2017, the signal-caller set new career-highs in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and QB rating. That said, Goff struggled following the Rams’ bye week and shootout victory over the Chiefs. Part of that was due to the defenses that L.A. faced, but Goff’s production and efficiency have also taken a hit since Cooper Kupp suffered a season-ending injury. As for his matchup with the Cowboys, Dallas ranks 10th against fantasy quarterbacks this season. Goff is projected to score 18.6 points per game, which ranks fourth behind Patrick Mahomes (23.3), Drew Brees (21.4) and Andrew Luck (20.7). Defenses like Chicago and Atlanta (Divisional round playoffs last year) with athletic linebackers have given Sean McVay’s offense issues in the past and Dallas has one of the most athletic linebacking corps in the league. While the Rams employed one of the most dangerous offenses in the league again this year, we would temper our expectations for Goff on Saturday night when the Rams host the Cowboys. He is our QB4 for the Divisional Round.

Week 16 at Arizona Cardinals

Jared Goff completed 35-of-53 passes for 339 yards with two touchdowns and a fumble/interception in the Rams’ Week 15 loss to the Eagles. His numbers were good from a fantasy perspective, but the third-year quarterback did not play well for a third-straight week. Up until the fourth quarter with the Rams in catch-up mode, Goff struggled to move the offense against a banged-up Philadelphia secondary. He tends to crumble in the face of pressure and despite facing an Arizona defense that just allowed 40 points to the Falcons in Week 15 (well, 34…Josh Rosen threw a pick-six in the loss), Goff isn’t recommended for Week 16. The Cardinals rank ninth against fantasy quarterbacks in 2018 and with Goff struggling in his past three games, we would avoid him this weekend. Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Mitch Trubisky are ranked higher if you’re looking for a QB for your fantasy playoffs.

Week 14 at Chicago Bears

Jared Goff completed 17-of-33 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown and an interception while losing two yards on two rushing attempts in Week 13’s win over the Lions. He also lost a fumble and struggled for most of the game after roasting the Chiefs in Week 11. Perhaps the bye week hampered Goff and the Rams offense but they have no time to dwell on the performance with the Bears on deck. There are a couple of things working against L.A. in Week 14. For starters, Chicago’s defense is having an excellent season and has the athletic defenders to slow down L.A.’s offense. Secondly, the game will be played in the elements on Sunday night where it’s likely to be freezing cold in Chicago. Lastly, the Rams will be traveling for a second straight week and could struggle against a motivated Bears team that has its sights on winning the NFC North. Ranked as QB10 for Week 14, view Goff as a low-end QB1 for Sunday night. Jameis Winston and Mitch Trubisky are better options, although we won’t blame you for riding Goff given how great he has been this season.