So, most people probably thought they were doing pretty well in Week 9 in the early games.  The were stand out performances, but if you didn’t have guys in the late games you may have gotten rolled.  I am going to apologize, in advance, that this post will be a bit abbreviated due to other commitments.

Week 9 Review:

  • Rams at Saints = Fantasy Gold – Them gold in them there hills, and there certainly were in the late game on Sunday.  The NFC Championship preview was an incredible game.  The Saints and Rams didn’t have a punt for either team until the 3rd quarter.  Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara scored 3 TDs in the first half alone.  WR Michael Thomas was unstoppable, as the Rams tried to shadow him with CB Marcus Peters who is still looking for an Offensive PI call – Thomas lit up Peters for 211 yards and a TD.  Now, Rams’ RB Todd Gurley was held in check with only 68 yards rushing and 11 yards receiving.  However, the return of WR Cooper Kupp helped get QB Jared Goff back to elite level – Kupp 89 yards receiving and a TD, Goff threw for 391-3-1 int.  What a fun game!
  • Rodgers vs. Brady – This was billed as the 2 best QBs in the game, which is fair.  However, the Pats are just a better team.  The Pack were able to run with them for a while, but the Pats limited top target Davante Adams to just 40 yards and a score.  Meanwhile, TB12 found his new toy, WR Josh Gordon early and often for 5 catches, 130 yards and a TD.  Another big note – WR Cordarrelle Patterson carried the ball 11 times for 61 yards and a TD.  With Michel out and White dinged up, Patterson is a must add now.  The faceoff was not as great as billed as Rodgers threw for just 259 and 2 TDs, while Brady 294 yards and 1 TD.  The Pats ran the ball in 3 times on the night in the win.
  • Rivers is Balling – If Mahomes and Gurley were not just setting the world on fire, the Chargers would get more pub.  RB Gordon has been great, too, but look at these numbers QB Philip Rivers – 2236 yards, 67.1% Completion Percentage, 19 TDs and 3 INTs.  He is projected for 4472 yards, 38 TDs and only 6 INTS – his career averages are 4183 yards, 28.4 TDs and 13.75 INTs.  He will crush those.  His best years for each are 4792 yards (he may not get that many), but 34 TDs is in jeopardy and 9 INTs which looks possible.  Just incredible and the big win at Seahawks he was good again.
  • James Connor Continues – Steelers’ RB Connor was bottled up in the first meeting with the Ravens, not this time – 107 yards rushing plus 56 receiving and a TD.  I don’t think Bell will get his job back, even if he does actually play for the Steelers this year.
  • Julio Scored!! – Yes, that’s right, Falcons’ WR Julio Jones who is 2nd in receiving yards in the NFL scored his first TD on Sunday against Washington.  He had to give a second effort to get across the line, but the monkey is off his back.  I expect several more of those before the season is over.
  • Hunt On Fire – Remember when people were worried about Chiefs’ RB Kareem Hunt?  Well, he returned to his native Cleveland and promptly put up 141 total yards and scored 3 TDs.  That offense keeps churning, and Hunt will continue to be a Top 5 guy.
  • Key Injuries:  Ravens’ CB Jimmy Smith is in the concussion protocol, QBs Derek Anderson and Josh Allen could be out again this week – ugh, Peterman, Panthers have QB Cam Newton listed as Questionable with Shoulder injury and TE Greg Olsen questionable with a foot, DE Khalil Mack is still listed as questionable with the ankle for the Bears, Bengals’ WR AJ Green is already listed as Out with foot injury and TE CJ Uzomah is questionable with shoulder, Browns’ CB Denzel Ward is questionable with a hip injury, Broncos’ RB Royce Freeman is still questionable with an ankle injury, Packers’ WR Geronimo Allison is already listed as Out with groin, Texans’ WR is questionable with hamstring still, Colts’ RB Marlon Mack is questionable with ankle, Jags’ QB Blake Bortles is “questionable” with a shoulder and RB Fournette is still listed as questionable with hamstring, Dolphins’ QB Ryan Tannehill is doubtful with shoulder – more Brock, Vikings’ Stefon Diggs is questionable with ribs injury (he missed Week 9), Pats’ WR Josh Gordon is questionable with finger injury and Michel is still questionable with knee, Steelers’ Big Ben is questionable again with finger that he played through Sunday, 49ers’ RB Raheem Mostert is on IR with forearm injury, Seahawks’ RB Chris Carson is questionable with hip injury, and Redskins entire receiving corps in on report – WR Richardson is on IR, WR Crowder is questionable with ankle, RB Chris Thompson is questionable with ribs and TE Jordan Reed is questionable with neck injury.

Week 10 4 x 4

Waiver Wire Pick Ups (60% or Less)

  • Nick Mullens, QB, 49ers (2% Owned) – Who?  Yes, this Southern Miss product jumped on the scene Thursday night in the romping of the Raiders.  Mullens threw for 262 yards and 3 TDs – very efficient and looked extremely competent.  He takes on the Giants this week who are reeling and with another heavy bye week, why not?
  • Mike Davis, RB, Seahawks (42% Owned) –  Davis has been really good in spot duty with Carson on the shelf.  On Sunday, Davis 107 total yards on 22 touches.  Look for him to get more at the Rams.
  • Marquez Valdez-Scantling (46% Owned) – MVS as he is known was really the best Packers’ WR on Sunday with 3 catches for 101 yards (6 targets).  The Pack lack a deep threat, and MVS is the guy for the job with his rare size and speed combination.
  • Nick Vannett, TE, Seahawks (2% Owned) – If you need a TE this week, Vannett is your guy, the Rams struggle against TEs.  Plus, Vannett got his largest amount of targets in Week 9 with 8 making the most of them for 6 catches for 52 yards and a score.

Last Week:  Fitz was good again in garbage time.  DJ Moore was a ghost and lost TDs to WR Curtis Samuel.  Christian Kirk was on bye, but he is still a good add.  Chris Herndon led the Jets in receiving, but did not score.

Trade Targets (Buy Low)

  • Dion Lewis, RB, Titans – This guy is so good.  It is probably too late to buy low on him, that should have happened in the bye week.  It is clear he is the lead runner in Tennessee.
  • Mike Evans, WR, Bucs – He was a total no show in Week 9 – may be the best time to offer for him. He will continue to put up numbers.
  • Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals – Not really a buy low, but if your league is not that savvy, you may be able to pick up a #1 WR for the next 2 weeks for a cheap price.  With Green out, Boyd will get the most targets.
  • Rob Gronkowski, TE, Pats – Yes, this is risky, but let’s face it, the position is trash.  Gronk is out and the team is winning, but he will return.  No one is better in cold weather games in the red zone than Gronk.

Last Week:  Fournette should return this week after the bye, but he is still questionable.  Jordan Howard was great with 2 TDs in Week 9.  Keenan Allen got his squeaky wheel game with 10 targets, 6 receptions, 124 yards.  Evan Engram was on bye, so let’s see if he gets after it this week.

Sneaky Starts

  • Josh Adams, RB, Eagles ($4500 FD) – Adams got the rock 9 times and got 61 yards in London.  Call me crazy, but he looked pretty good, while Smallwood and Clement have not dazzled.  He is worth a very cheap flier this week.
  • Mike Davis, RB, Seahawks ($5800 FD) – Nothing sneaky here, if Carson is out, Davis will get the work.  He is cheap and a free square on FanDuel.
  • Maurice Harris, WR, Redskins ($5900 FD) – He broke out in Week 9 with 10 catches for 124 yards.  Another good play this week with all the O-line woes and the Bucs will put up points.
  • Nick Vannett, TE, Seahawks ($5200 FD) – As noted above, the Rams are not great against the TE, and Seattle should be chasing points.  I like him and definitely in DFS.

Last Week:  Dion Lewis came through with 122 total yards and a TD.  Nick Chubb was great again even in a blow out with 90 total yards and a TD.  Devin Funchess was not great with only 44 yards, as the Panthers ran the ball a lot.  Jared Cook is on the Raiders, enough said.

Guys to Avoid

  • Andrew Luck, QB, Colts – The Jags have struggled offensively, but they are still #1 against the pass in the league.  The losses are more on the TOs by the offense.  After the bye, I expect the Jags to really limit Luck here.
  • Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions – He had a rough outing against the Vikes on Sunday, and that will continue this week against the Bears at Soldier Field.  The Lions are trending the wrong way, as it is.
  • Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals – The Saints are the best defense against the run this year.  Plus, with AJ Green out, the Saints may just stack the line to make them throw over the top.  Adjust expectations.
  • Davanta Adams, WR, Packers – After a lackluster performance in NE, Adams may bounce back, but Miami’s Xavien Howard is a legit CB who will follow Adams.  I would lower expectations for Adams here.

Last Week:  Matt Ryan was incredible at Washington – he seems match up proof now.  James Connor was also outstanding, 0 for 2.  Tarik Cohen was a non-factor as expected for only 13 total yards.  Melvin Gordon was great again for 123 total yards and a score.  1 of 4 is not good here.

Good luck this week.

Wegs

 

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.