Before the season started, the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Washington Commanders looked like one of the best games of the year. The Super Bowl runner-ups vs the NFC runner-up. Who could ask for more?

Well, with the Commanders’ slow start and Jayden Daniels’ injury, this game just got a whole lot less exciting. Still, with so many offensive weapons on the field, this game will have plenty of fantasy implications, so here are our best starts and sits for Monday Night Football.

Fantasy Breakdown

Before we get into the start, sit recommendations, here’s a table breaking down how many points each team gives up to each position group, and where that ranks across the league.

Note: 32nd means they give up the most points. 1st means they give up the least points.

So what does this table mean?

Well, the Chiefs are pretty much good at everything. They rank top seven against every single position. Their defense is stout, and their offense is one of the best in the league. Basically, don’t start anyone against the Chiefs unless they’re a superstar or you have no other options.

As for the Commanders, they have been pretty poor against most positions. They give up a ton of points to quarterbacks and receivers, and sit around the league average against running backs and tight ends. They’re pretty good against opposing defense, allowing just 5.43 points per game, but with Jayden Daniels out, that should change this week.

Best Starts

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

If you’re like me and you stashed Rashee Rice in pretty much every league, you finally started reaping the benefits last week. I know he didn’t have the most yards, but he demanded a large target share (10 of Patrick Mahomes’ 35 targets), and that should only continue this week against a weak Commanders defense. Don’t be surprised if he goes off this week.

Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Obviously, guys like Mahomes and Travis Kelce are must-starts this week, so I’m trying to go out on a limb a little to give you a sleeper pick. Brashard Smith is coming off the best game of his career, rushing it 14 times and catching five passes. Isaiah Pacheco only had one more carry than him, and in a week where KC could go up big early, Smith could get a lot of work late in the game again. His receiving upside alone makes him a potential FLEX/RB2 play in a heavy bye week.

Chiefs Defense

I don’t often recommend starting defenses in these articles, but the Chiefs’ defense just has such a great matchup this week. The Jayden Daniels-less Commanders are going to struggle this week against one of the best defenses in football. This game has blowout written all over it, and I think KC takes the life out of Washington early.

Best Sits

Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ starting tight end has been pretty reliable as a fantasy option this season, but I wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole this week. I just don’t see the Commanders having much success in this game, and Zach Ertz should really struggle this week.

Jacory Crosey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

Another Commander I’m benching is Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He was highly touted this offseason and took over as the starter once Austin Ekeler went out. He’s coming off back-to-back poor performances, and now he gets one of the best run defenses in the league. He’s another guy I wouldn’t touch this week.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

The only Chief on our sit list is Xavier Worthy. He’s set to play this week, but he’s been dealing with a couple of injuries, and Rice’s return last week caused him to see just three targets. On top of those factors, the Chiefs could get up big early and either replace their starters late or just pound the rock in the second half to run the clock out. Feels like he’s going to be very touchdown-dependent this week.