Hopefully, you are still alive in your leagues, but if you are not, then I’ll go over some Daily Fantasy contests which may keep you engaged. Week 14 is the week to get into the money round. If you win this week, then you have a chance to win cash. So, it’s critical.

Week 13 Review

Parker Is Producing Big Time
  • Parker Finally Hitting Potential – WR DeVante Parker of MIA was a 1st round pick, but he never really got going in South Florida. However, with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB and an injury at WR, Parker has dominated. This week he lit up the Eagles for 7 catches on 10 targets for 159 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Derrice Who? – I, for one, wrote RB Derrice Guice, WAS, off this year with another injury after his ACL tear in 2018. However, give the kid credit, as he has come back strong to help the Redskins to back to back wins – Guice 12 touches for 137 yards and 2 TDs (AP also ran for 99 and a TD).
  • Sutton is the Man – WR Courtland Sutton of the Broncos has embraced the WR1 role after the Sanders trade. Sutton wins time and time again in 50/50 balls – this week, he caught 4 balls on 5 targets for 74 yards, but 2 TDs! Plus, he drew the critical Defensive Pass Interference on the final drive. Sutton needs to be active each week – I’m talking to myself here.
  • Lamar Cannot Be Stopped – Even in a very tough match up, QB Lamar Jackson led his team to victory by throwing for 105 yards and a TD, while rushing for 101 yards and a TD. He is completely match up proof.
  • Watson Got It Done – With not gaudy yards (234 yards), QB Deshaun Watson threw for 3 TDs and caught a TD “pass” scoring all 4 of the Texans’ points.

Playoff Strategy and Alternatives

If you made it this far, then you know your team. You know who scores and who doesn’t. However, in reality, you are in a one week season now, so more Daily Fantasy rules apply.

Here are some quick fast rules for the playoffs:

  • Play Your Studs – I’ve been saying this for a few weeks now. You have go stand by the main guys who got you there. Your RB1, WR1 and likely your QB1 are set in stone. So, don’t overthink it, just start those guys, because if you don’t and you lose with them doing well on the bench, you will not be able to live with yourself.
  • Exploit Weak Defenses – Now, for the other 3-5 positions on your team that vary widely or are not as clear, be sure to target the weakest defense. If Week 13 is an example, the bad defenses got worked. Stack your players against those teams. Most sites show you the defensive rank against the position, and it is fair to trust those over the projection itself.
  • Stream Defenses Against Turnover Prone QBs – If you don’t have the top DSTs (NE, PIT, and SF), then don’t be afraid to pick up a DST that plays a QB who gives it up. I’m thinking – LAC, NYG, TB and JAC. These teams will give you points via TOs. Also, look at DSTs that sack the QB. Sacks are as consistent as any other DST stat out there. Plus, any sack can lead to a fumble. I’ll give you a few this week to look at.

If you are out of the playoffs, then why not try a little Daily Fantasy on FanDuel or DraftKings. The great thing about Daily Fantasy is that you can select anyone you want in a given week. Then, start over the next week.

Same rules above really apply to Daily:

  • Play Top Tier Guys Whenever Possible – The trick in Daily is to ID the top guys you really want in the week,. If you want them, then you have to sacrifice another position in a way. However, it is critical to play some studs each week – and then they need to perform for you.
  • Find Match Up Plays in Shootouts or Against Weak DSTs – The key to Daily is finding these guys. The underpriced guys who will smash it in one week. This week was DeVante Parker and Miles Sanders, next week may be a totally different guy.
  • DSTs Matter – Again, you need to find a DST that will get you 3-4x value with either TOs or Sacks or TDs. Picking on the TO prone QBs is the best way, and if not, then pick a stud DST that will do their thing.

In either case, whether you are trying to advance in the playoffs or trying Daily, the fantasy season now is a 1 week season. You can be 13-0 and get knocked off this week. So, put out your best lineup and don’t be afraid to take a few chances, if your 2nd tier guys are not facing good match ups.

Week 14 – 4×4 – Waivers, Sneaky Starters, Caution Players and Streaming DSTs

Waivers – Ownership Is Not An Issue Now – These Guys Need to Be Owned

Guice Is Back with A Vengenance
  • Derrius Guice, RB, WAS – He is healthy and playing like the 1st rounder he is. The Eagles are better against the run than the pass, but HC Callahan is committed to running the ball.
  • James Washington, WR, PIT – The kid is ballin’. I drafted him, cut him, picked him up and dropped him again, but I’m all in on him. He is playing really well, and he making plays – 4 catches for 111 yards and a TD.
  • Deebo Samuel, WR, SF – This kid is a force, and he may have only got 2 catches for 41 yards, but another TD. He is making plays.
  • Jack Doyle, TE, IND – Doyle has been great with Ebron out. He did it again with 11 targets leading to 6 catches, 73 yards and a TD.

One more note: I preached for weeks about handcuffs. So, if you don’t have Alexander Mattison, shame on you. Rashaad Penny is also a guy who I mentioned weeks ago – he should be owned everywhere.

Last Week: Jonathan Williams – 9 touches for 25 yards – the Titans stuffed the run; Benny Snell – 17 touches for 67 yards and a TD; Cole Beasley – total revenge game – 6 catches for 110 yards and a TD; AJ Brown – 3 catches for 45 yards – meh.

Sneaky Starters – Match Up Plays for Playoff Wins and Daily

  • Ronald Jones, RB, TB – The Colts are not great against the run, but Jones can also catch the ball. He is going to get a lot of work in this one.
  • Le’Veon Bell, RB, NYJ – Bell has not produced at his draft position, but he will get right against the Dolphins who give up 143 yards per game to rushers and plenty of receptions to RBs. Miles Sanders lit them up, what will Bell do?
  • James Washington, WR, PIT – AZ is not good against WRs. So, he will make some plays down the field again.
  • Brandin Cooks, WR, LAR – Yep, he hasn’t done jack for weeks with injuries and as a decoy. However, this is a big game, and with Woods going off next week, he will get special attention. SEA gives up big passing yardage to WRs, and Cooks will make it happen if you need a home run guy.

Last Week: Aaron Jones – was surprisingly ineffective with just 31 yards on 15 touches; DJ Chark – limited to just 47 yards on 2 catches – ouch; Mecole Hardman – was a non-factor with Hill back – 1 carry for 9 yards; Darren Waller – 7 catches for 100 yards – that’s great.

Caution Players – Players I Would Sit for Sneaky Guys

Kamara Is Not the Same in 2019
  • Kyler Murray, QB, AZ – The Rams destroyed the AZ offense, and the PIT DST is even better. I don’t like Kyler against that pass rush.
  • Alvin Kamara, RB, NO – He was my first round in pick in a league, and he is not explosive like the last 2 seasons. Plus, the SF D Line is no joke. I’ll sit him for other guys.
  • Tevin Coleman, RB, SF – After that huge TD outburst a few weeks ago, Coleman has been outshined by others in the SF backfield. Plus, the Saints are 3rd in the league in rushing yards against. Sit him.
  • Kenny Golladay, WR, DET – Kenny was great on Thanksgiving with 2 really big plays, but MIN is not going to let Golladay beat them. You may not sit him, but he is not going to bust out against the Vikes at home.

Last Week: Josh Allen – performed very well 231 yards passing, 1 TD and 43 yards rushing with 1 TD – a poor man’s Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton; Chris Carson – looked better than expected with a rushing TD and 109 total yards; Julio Jones – did not play due to injury; DeAndre Hopkins – only had 5 catches for 64 yards, but saved his day with a TD “pass” to Watson.

DSTs – Great Match Ups

  • Chargers – The Jags are imploding before our eyes. The Chargers D is not that bad, it really is Rivers giving other teams short fields. I don’t think the Jags will turn over Rivers as much as others.
  • Browns – The Bengals got their one win against the Jets. I think that is it for the season. Dalton was solid, but the Browns need this win badly, and at home, they should feast on the Bengals.
  • Vikings – The Vikes have faced some tough opponents, but the Lions with a 3rd stringer is not one of them. MIN will sack and turn over the Lions a lot.
  • Titans – The Titans bring 2 things to games their run game and D. They are fighting the Raiders in the playoff picture, and I don’t like the trend the Raiders are on – Carr is giving the ball up. Start the Titans.

Last Week: Panthers – this one started promising, but ended up getting torched for over 200 rushing yards and 29 points but got you 5 sacks no TOs, though; Eagles – recorded 3 sacks and 1 TO, but got lit up for 37 points – this secondary is awful; Broncos – 2 TOs we wanted and 3 sacks – not bad; Packers – Daniel Jones – 3 TOs and limited the NYG to 13 points.

Good luck in the playoffs.

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.