So, this is the part of the season that really hurts. Every decision can be re-examined and you either win and advance or head home with no more chances at the big cash. The only thing you have to remember is that you play for entertainment. You literally cannot control the outcomes, so the Fantasy Gods smile on you some weeks and other weeks they crap on you.
Week 14 – Review
- Derrick Henry, really? – It is likely that no one even started Titans’ RB Derrick Henry on Thursday Night Football, but he completely exploded in a romp over the Jags – 17 carries for 238 yards and 4 TDs (including a 99 and 54 yarder). Insane.
- His Name is George – SF TE George Kittle was incredible with 7 catches for 210 yards and 1 TD (an 85 yarder). Best TE of the week.
- Hanging with Mr. Cooper – Cowboys’ WR Amari Cooper has completely exploded in 2 of the last 2 weeks for the ‘Boys. Cooper scored 3 TDs this week on 10 catches and 217 yards including the game winner on a crazy tip play. Hard to ever bench him now.
- Give the Kid the Ball – Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley converted 18 touches by 197 yards and a TD (78 yarder). They won going away, but he is just electric.
- Good JuJu Again – The Steelers blew it against the Raiders, but WR JuJu Smith-Schuster does it again with 8 catches for 130 yards and 2 TDs.
- Gurley Stuffed – The Rams worst game was 23 points in a game, but the Bears stuffed Gurley and the Rams offense holding them to 6 points. Gurley was held to 58 yards on 14 touches. His only other single digit performance was against KC (9.4).
Injuries: Giants WR, Odell Beckham was a late scratch with quad injury, Falcons’ TE, Austin Hooper is questionable with a knee, Ravens’ QBs – Joe Flacco was inactive but healthy, but Lamar Jackson is questionable with an ankle, Bills’ RB Lesean McCoy is questionable with hamstring, Cowboys’ G Zach Martin left the game and is questionable with MCL injury, Chargers’ RB is questionable with MCL for Thursday Night Game at Chiefs, Dolphins’ CB Xavien Howard missed the game and is questionable with knee, Jets’ RB Isaiah Crowell is questionable with foot injury and WR Quincy Enunwa is questionable with ankle, Steelers’ RB James Connor is likely to miss game with ankle injury, QB Big Ben is questionable with rib injury (check status), Titans’ TE Jonnu Smith is out with MCL injury.
Week 15 – Forget About Week 14 – Focus on Your Match Ups
Nothing changes in Week 15. Start your Studs, check your match ups, work the wire. I regret not starting TE Ian Thomas from CAR and it cost me my match up. I picked him up, but I stuck with my marginal TE Jordan Reed. That 7.7 points would have me in the Finals. This week is the most important week of the year because with a win you will go profitable. So, don’t get cute, but make sure you feel good about every player in your line up. If you are out of it, like me, then why not try Daily Fantasy – it’s one week at a time and you can win money in either bigger tournaments (not suggested) or single entry contests (my suggestion) for as little as $1 a contest. I started doing Daily at the end of the season like 4 years ago, and it is a part of my weekly routine every year now.
Fan Duel – https://www.fanduel.com/contests
Draft Kings – https://www.draftkings.com/lobby#/featured
Week 15 4 x 4
Waiver Wire Guys (60% or Less)
Josh Allen, QB, Bills (37% Owned) – Allen actually had a down weak against the Jets with 206 yards passing, but he has now for 99 yards or more in each of the last 3 games plus 2 rushing TDs. That is great production and they host the Lions who are middle of the pack.
Tim Patrick WR, Broncos (0% Owned) – With Emmanuel Sanders tearing his Achilles and Courtland Sutton getting hurt, Patrick got 10 targets translating into 7 catches for 85 yards.
Robert Foster, WR, Bills (2% Owned) – Foster has gone for over 90 yards in 3 of his last 4 games. Sunday he caught 7 of 8 targets for 104 yards.
Dallas Goeddert, TE, Eagles (11% Owned) – Back on this list, Goeddert had another TD called back on a questionable play, but the rookie is starting to make plays. He caught 4 of 5 targets for 44 yards and a TD. The Rams are 19th against the TE.
Last Week: Jaylen Samuels was disappointing, but did get 18 touches for 92 yards. Chase Edmonds was a dud with only 3 carries and 14 yards. Dante Pettis was ok with 3 catches for 49 yards and a TD. Ian Thomas was solid with 9 catches for 77 yards.
No Trades – Unless in Dynasty League
Sneaky Starters (Not Your Typical Guys)
Josh Allen, QB, Bills (FD $7600) – Allen is running so much, he gives you a great floor in any game. 100 yard rushing is like 250 yards passing. So, if he can throw or run for 2 TDs, then you are in the 20s in scoring. The Lions are not great.
Doug Martin, RB, Raiders (FD $6300) – Martin has been very good under the radar scoring in 3 straight games. The Bengals are the worst defense in football now. Look for Martin to get 75 total yards and 1 TD.
Robert Woods, WR, Rams (FD $7500) – The Rams are going to make a statement. The Eagles are bad against WRs. Cooks is likely in the lineup, so Woods is the one who is sneaky.
David Njoku, TE, Browns (FD $5300) – Njoku has been a disappointment, but the Broncos got lit up by an athletic TE in Kittle. Njoku, could do the same. I like the Browns in this game in general.
Last Week: Lamar Jackson was solid with 147 yards, 2 TDs passing with 0 INTs, and 71 rushing yards. Rashaad Penny . Justin Jackson only got 9 touches for 35 yards taking a back seat to Ekeler. Austin Hooper was disappointing at best even prior to his injury – 4 catches for 37 yards
Defensive Match Ups
Jaguars (FD $4800) – Home against Sanchez or Josh Johnson at QB? Sign me up.
Falcons (FD $4000) – Very sneaky here, but Cardinals are the worst offense. Falcons are at home. Good start.
Rams (FD $3800) – Eagles just got throttled statistically at DAL. The Rams are in a bounce back spot. Look out.
Seahawks (FD $4200) – 49ers played well on Sunday, but SEA is a real defense. At least 3 TOs in this one.
Last Week: Bills really disappointing with 27 points allowed, 0 sacks and 2 TOs. Chargers let Cincy off the mat almost lost – giving up 21 points, 3 sacks and 0 TOs with Driskell at QB? Broncos wet the bed at SF – 20 points, 3 sacks and 1 TO. Cowboys wasn’t great giving up 23 points – mostly on Prescott TOs, 2 sacks and 1 TO (I missed the boat with Giants here).
Good luck getting in the money.
Wegs