Nick Foles will be the starting quarterback this week for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Does that mean it’s wise to start Dede Westbrook in fantasy on Sunday?
After managing just three points against the division rival Houston Texans two weeks ago in London, the Jacksonville Jaguars are moving off Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback in favor of their Week 1 starter Nick Foles, who is coming back from a broken clavicle suffered in that game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
The move is a tad controversial because Minshew played well filling in for Foles and Foles has only played in one quarter of meaningful football for the Jaguars. Regardless, this is the direction the team is heading in. But does this mean it’s wise to start wide receiver Dede Westbrook in fantasy this week, now that Foles in back in the fold over Minshew?
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Jason Moore of The Fantasy Footballers would rather wait and see if the supposed rapport between Foles and Westbrook is good before inserting him into your fantasy starting lineup. Foles did have success targetting Westbrook in the preseason, but that was also the preseason. Minshew spread the ball around fine, but D.J. Chark was clearly his favorite receiving target.
The good news is that when Foles plays well, he is able to see the entire field and delivers aerial strikes to any number of his receivers. This was a major reason he was so popular with his previous team in the Philadelphia Eagles, whereas their usual starter Carson Wentz would lean too heavily on his tight end Zach Ertz in the Philadelphia passing game.
What are the odds of the Jaguars having success this week? Well, they’ll be playing a division rival in the Indianapolis Colts on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium. While the Jaguars will be well-rested coming off their annual bye, the Colts are in desperate need for a win. Indianapolis lost at home to the Miami Dolphins with Brian Hoyer at starting quarterback over an injured Jacoby Brissett.
Overall, Jacksonville is still very much alive to compete for a playoff spot this year, despite only hovering around .500. We’re the least confident of any division leader in the AFC with the Texans. Though Houston swept Jacksonville this year, both AFC Wild Card spots are still in play. We’ve seen Foles lead a team with a strong defense to a Super Bowl Championship, so you never know.