We are in it now, go or no go time. We have only 3 more regular season weeks in most leagues. It is time to get your lineup tight. Let’s review Week 10 and get into it.
Week 10 Heroes and Zeroes:
Heroes:
- Mr. Jones Does It Again: So, if you are a Jones, then it seems you are more likely to score TDs. This week Green Bay’s RB Aaron Jones made the most of his 13 carries (no catches) churning 93 yards and 3 more TDs. Jones only trails McCaffery in TDs this season.
- Dalvin is Cooking: I had a bit of twitter back and forth with some Vikes fans this weekend, as the Vikes RB Dalvin Cook ripped the Dallas D for 183 yards on 33 touches and a TD. Cook leads the league in yards from scrimmage with 1415 in 10 games (McCaffery is close in 9 games).
- Captain Kirk: Cardinals’ WR Christian Kirk had himself a game converting 10 targets into 6 catches, 138 yards and 3 TDs. Kirk emerges as the clear #1 in the fast paced AZ offense.
- Lamar Spins to Glory: QB Lamar Jackson has shown his doubters he can sling it – he passed for 223 yards and 3 TDs against Cincy on just 17 attempts. However, no one runs like this guy, and his spin move midfield translating into a 47 yard TD run (65 yards rushing and 1 TD). He is so electric.
- Mr. Henry Runs Wild: Titans’ RB Derrick Henry just crushed the Chiefs’ D with 188 yards rushing, including a 68 yard scamper for 2 TDs. Anytime you can get 190+ yards from your RB, you’ll probably win your match up.
Zeroes:
- Cooper Where Art Thou: I, for one, was wondering if Rams’ WR Cooper Kupp was hurt. Nope, he was targeted 4 times with 0 catches. Ouch!
- Saquon Struggles: The prohibitive #1 Pick in Fantasy was held to 1 yard rushing on 13 carries on Sunday against the Jets. He was able to add 5 catches for 30 yards, but that’s not what he was drafted for.
- Bad JuJu: Well, after a solid outing 2 weeks ago, the #1 WR of the Steelers has been just terrible with another poor performance – 3 catches for 44 yards.
Home Stretch Composition
We are in the final 3 weeks of the Fantasy Regular Season. This is when your team needs to play its best to secure a playoff spot. If you have been struggling, hopefully, you have made some deft waiver wire moves to catch fire. If you are a top dog, then keep pummeling the competition. Follow these simple rules:
- Play Your Studs: At this point, you should not question who your top guys are. The fewer the decisions you make, the better your results at this point. So, if you have a guy who has been crushing ever week, then don’t think about it – play them.
- Handcuffs: Your top RB or even top 2 RBs should be covered by their immediate back up. It is very late in the year to wait for a guy to get healthy. I’ve won a title with Kahlil Bell (who is that?) – that was Matt Forte’s back up in 2011. He actually won me 2 titles that year because I had him on the squad. I’ve gone over the list, but here are the guys you need for sure: Mattison (MIN), Pollard (DAL), Bonnafon (CAR), Williams (GB), Hunt (CLE).
- Stream DSTs and/or QBs, if necessary: 2 positions you can stream, if you don’t have a reliable starter are at QB and DST. Those two positions can be real difference makers this time of year.
- Consistent Guys: With 3 weeks left, sure you can go for the boom guys, if the rest of your team is stable. However, you are going to get crushed more often than not trying to figure out which guy is going to catch a 50 yard TD each week. After your studs and streamers, be sure your WRs, RB2 or TE are guys who will score. Chasing those unstable performers will give you headaches. It has been my team in 2 leagues this year, and that’s why my lineup booms or busts. Consistency wins.
Week 11 4×4 (Waiver Targets, Last Trade Targets, Sneaky Starters and Caution Players)
Waiver Targets (60% Owned or Less)
- Jeff Driskel, QB, DET (3% Owned) – Driskel was really solid against the stout Bears’ D. He also really fast, so in addition to the 269 passing yards and a TD (1 INT), he ran 5 times for 37 yards. Stafford will likely miss this week’s game vs. the Cowboys.
- Brian Hill, RB, ATL (2% Owned) – Hill got 20 carries vs. Freeman’s 10. That means something to me. Hill also caught a passing TD.
- James Washington, WR, PIT (9% Owned) – I guess I can’t quit this guy. I drafted him on all my teams, and he didn’t do a damn thing. However, in Week 10, he turned 7 targets into 6 catches, 90 yards and 1 TD. With JuJu getting doubled, then Washington could shine down the stretch.
- Demaryius Thomas, WR, NYJ (17% Owned) – What is this 2016? Thomas has looked good in NY, and Darnold must trust him. Anderson is the deep guy, but Darnold looked at Thomas 9 times for 6 catches and 84 yards. That’s significant.
Last Week: Brian Hoyer – came back to Earth with 204 yards passing, 1 TD and 3 INTs; Zach Pascal – got the targets with 7, but only 2 catches for 26 yards; Davante Parker – he was fine with 5 for 69 yards (10 targets); Mike Gesicki – disappointed with just 3 catches on 6 targets for 28 yards.
Trade Targets (Last Week for this list)
- James White, RB, NE – He has not had the same type of year as he did last year. However, I have a feeling that after the bye, Belichick is going to start using his RBs more effectively. White will have some good match ups, and he can explode in certain match ups. He is a good target.
- Melvin Gordon, RB, LAC – A week too late here, but it seems like Gordon is finally in shape, and he is ceding the carries from Ekeler. Gordon will close the year getting 66% or more of the touches. Try to get him this week against KC.
- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU – He has been on this list before, but I’m serious this time. Get him after this bye, and I expect a major positive regression to end the season.
- Calvin Ridley, WR, ATL – Ridley has not had the TDs this season like last year, so he is down in value. I like how ATL responded after their bye. Matt Ryan will find this guy, and I expect the Falcons to finish the year strong.
Last Week: Alvin Kamara – disappointed with 12 touches for 74 yards; Ronald Jones – 19 touches for 106 yards and a TD (Fumble); Courtland Sutton – on bye; Mohammed Sanu – on bye.
Sneaky Starters
- Jimmy Garappolo, QB, SF (FD $8000) – AZ has been terrible against opposing QBs all season. Garappolo will get his for once in this match up.
- Carlos Hyde, RB, HOU (FD $6300) – Hyde has had some big games this year, but he is undervalued again here. Baltimore is not great against the run, giving up 130 yards to Mixon last week. I like Hyde to have a really good game.
- Curtis Samuel, WR, CAR (FD $6300) – Kyle Allen has been playing pretty well, and he seems to be targeting Samuel more and more. He was targeted 8 times and got in the end zone – Moore would also be a good target, but Samuel is cheaper on FanDuel.
- Mohammed Sanu, WR, NE (FD $5800) – Philly and NE come off the bye together, but I like the NE passing game against this suspect secondary. Sanu seems to have Brady’s trust, and I like him for a good price.
Last Week: Daniel Jones – 308 yards passing, 20 yards rushing, 4 TDs and a FL – good; Ronald Jones – see above; Andy Isabella – wrong AZ WR (Kirk) – 3 catches for 78 yards; Tedd Ginn – 3 targets for 0 catches – Doh!
Caution Players:
- Kyler Murray, QB, AZ – The Niners let Murray run all over the place 2 weeks ago, but I think they will have a better game plan this time.
- Sony Michel, RB, NE – The Eagles can stop the run. So, I expect the Patriots to air it out in this game, which means James White not Sony Michel.
- Nick Chubb, RB, CLE – The Steelers are playing really good defense. Plus, Kareem Hunt will take some carries away. He’s your stud, sure, but don’t expect a huge game on Thursday.
- Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN – Diggs is talented, but the Broncos are really stingy against the pass giving up just 202 yards per game. Diggs will have to work to get his numbers.
Last Week: Russell Wilson – only threw for 232 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT – he did have 53 yards rushing and a fumble; Dalvin Cook – well, that was wrong, start your studs; Julio Jones – 3 catches for 79 yards on 9 targets – not great; Darren Waller – 3 catches for 50 yards on 5 targets.
Good luck in Week 11.
Wegs