Fantasy Football

Post Week Eleven Waiver Wire

Tuesday, 19 November, 2013

Post Week Eleven Waiver Wire

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EJ Manuel
The spotlight on Sunday’s game was entirely on Geno Smith’s horrid performance. But who caught my eye was EJ Manuel who came back strong after a poor return against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a rough first quarter the Bills ignited thanks to a long sideline throw by EJ Manuel. If he can get back to the level he was playing pre-injury Manuel can be a definite fantasy football asset to a team.

Josh McCown
The longer Cutler is declared out the more the hype around McCown grows. McCown led another comeback win Sunday over the Ravens. This time it was in horrendous field and weather conditions. This Bears offense is setup to produce points and will do so on a weekly basis.

Bobby Rainey
You could see this coming. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had instant success with running backs over the last few years with Cadillac Williams, LeGarrettte Blount, Doug Martin, Mike James, and now Bobby Rainey. The reason Rainey wasn’t high on many fantasy football writers waiver wire lists before was uncertainty on the amount of carries he would have. Based on thirty carries from Sunday, that has been answered. If running to the waiver wire was practical, owners would be scurrying in a marathon sprint type of fashion.

Donald Brown
I’m not going to completely write off Trent Richardson like every sports fan in America. But clearly the Browns disliked Richardson and cast him off to the Colts to get their investment of a first round pick back. To get more consistency at running back the Colts have turned more to Brown. Brown is what the Colts need to sustain a constant and serious threat to keep Andrew Luck and the Colts in playoff contention.

Daniel Thomas
After two total yards rushing against the Buccaneers Miami committed to the run game against the Chargers. It resulted in less pressure on the Dolphins offensive line and better protection for Ryan Tannehill on drop backs. Thomas should continue to see carries as they try to make a wild card playoff push.

Shane Vereen
Vereen is active again and though he will be brought along gradually you can expect the Pats to utilize him quite a bit. Before his injury Vereen was on his way to a stellar season. Even at this point of the season fantasy owners can get a fair amount of value by adding Vereen.

Rashard Jennings
Jennings was a sleeper start of the week and he delivered on the road in Houston with 150 yards rushing and a touchdown. Who would of thought the top two fantasy running backs of the week would be Bobby Rainey and Rashard Jennings? Oakland offers a high opportunity to the starter and right now that is Jennings with McFadden out with injury. With either McGloin or Pryor under center the team values and protects play calling with volume run calls.

Jerricho Cotchery
The Steelers have resorted to Big Ben in hopes of getting back in division and playoff contention. They’re letting Ben throw upwards of fifty times a game to help spark a team that’s ailing defense is surrendering too many points. Cotchery has seen an increased role as the team continues to run and gun for wins.

Michael Floyd
Floyd’s done this before with strong play in the back half of the season. I predicted that Carson Palmer should finish the second half of the season stronger and in turn boost the performance of all the Cardinals receivers. Palmer finally had a turnover free game Sunday and had only twelve incomplete passes. Floyd had the biggest play of the day on a catch and run touchdown in which he shredded several defenders.

Coby Fleener and Delanie Walker
Both tight ends shined in Thursday night’s game. Fleener has had a poor season thus far but figures to have a vital role with Reggie Wayne out. Walker on the other hand will also see more targets with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback over Jake Locker. While in Buffalo, Fitzpatrick even made Scott Chandler a viable fantasy performer.

Week Eleven Automatics/Don’t Do Its

Thursday, 14 November, 2013

Week Eleven Automatics/Don’t Do Its

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Automatics

Andrew Luck
Luck had the worst football performance of his career last week. Most quarterbacks would spiral in a downward direction statistically, but that won’t happen with Luck. Coach Pagano did the right thing in pulling Luck with under six minutes to go against the Rams. The performance by Luck hindered more on the Colts as a whole than just Luck. Look for the whole team to respond.

Terrelle Pryor
The Raiders are a touchdown underdog against the Texans but I believe they’ll play a better game than the spread sits at. Both teams really don’t have much to play for at this point of the season, that gives the edge to the Raiders as expectations were never heightened for them. Pryor has been a hot and cold fantasy player this year, and does most of his damage with his legs. Look for him to do damage with both his legs and arm this week.

Jacquizz Rodgers
Miami did not run the ball one iota against the Buccaneers. It isn’t that the Bucs can’t be ran on, but for whatever reason they felt there was no reason to run the football. Rodgers had a solid game all around against the Bucs earlier this season and probably has slipped off fantasy owners radars a bit over the last few weeks. Put him back in your lineups for success this week.

Ryan Matthews
Back to the poor performing Dolphins as San Diego heads to South Beach Sunday—Matthews should be lined up for an impactful game. Before Tampa Bay’s Mike James exited with an injury he was on his way to a career game. If he didn’t go down Miami more than likely would have lost in double digit fashion. San Diego has been one of the better teams in football with game plans, and they’ll look to establish the run early and often for Philip Rivers.

Larry Fitzgerald
Fitz has regressed since starting the season strong. Still he is right on track to get 1,000 yards receiving. With a couple of strong games he can have one of his best seasons in several seasons. This is a big opportunity game for Fitzgerald to separate himself from the mid-tier fantasy receivers against a Jaguars defense that is prone to the big play

Don’t Do Its
Colin Kaepernick, Knowshown Moreno, CJ Spiller, Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell, MJD, Eli Manning, and AP

NFL Team Rankings Post Week Ten

Wednesday, 13 November, 2013

NFL Team Rankings Post Week Ten

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1. Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs get the test everyone has been waiting for against the Denver Broncos
2. Denver Broncos- Peyton seems to be shaken off the injury bug that occurred with his ankle last week. The Broncos know this game against KC is crucial for controlling home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
3. Seattle Seahawks- Seattle’s offense is starting to finally turn the corner. Word on when Percy Harvin will enter the lineup is still up in the air.
4. New England- Tom Brady typically has standout games on Monday night football. Carolina and Cam Newton want to sway that history this Monday forthcoming.
5. New Orleans- A running game in New Orleans??!! Say it ain’t so.
6. Indianapolis- It was an awakening loss for the Colts Sunday to the Rams. They remain a top ten team based on their premium wins.
7. San Francisco- Something needs to change in a hurry for the 49ers offense. The read option is all but gone, and teams have forced the 49ers to throw the football.
8. Carolina Panthers- Suddenly a team on the verge of another down season turned it around and are 6-3.
9. Detroit Lions- No one is in better divisional control than the Lions right now. All of their other divisional mates are struggling mightily with injuries.
10. Cincinnati- The Bengals are not playing like a top ten team as of late. Their record though is 6-4 and they are still in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North division.
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. Arizona Cardinals
13. Green Bay Packers
14. Chicago Bears
15. Baltimore Ravens
16. NY Jets
17. San Diego Chargers
18. Philadelphia Eagles
19. Washington Redskins
20. Cleveland Browns
21. Miami
22. NY Giants
23. St. Louis
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
25. Houston Texans
26. Tennessee Titans
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Oakland Raiders
29. Minnesota Vikings
30. Atlanta Falcons
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
32. Jacksonville Jaguars

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers for Week Eleven

Wednesday, 13 November, 2013

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers for Week Eleven

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TY Hilton
The past two weeks Hilton has had second half statistical surges as the Colts have trailed. Against Tennessee the Colts shouldn’t get behind, or be behind by insurmountable points. At the same token I do not expect the Colts to adjust their offense at any point in this game. After the performance Andrew Luck had against the Rams the Colts are going to want Luck to regain all confidence. They’ll have him firing from quarter one until a kneel down occurs.

Tiquan Underwood
Mark Glennon’s first outing where he didn’t look like a third string quarterback was against the Atlanta Falcons about a month ago. In that game he hit Vincent Jackson on a couple of deep balls and nearly led a comeback in Atlanta. Tampa finally got their first win of the season against the Dolphins and should be able to be competitive against a reeling Falcons team. Atlanta should be giving extra attention to Jackson after what happened last game, leaving Underwood available for some big plays.

Rashard Jennings
Quietly Oakland is in the top five in the NFL rushing the football. It isn’t happening with a premier back carving up defenses each week. It’s happening with a duel threat quarterback in Terrelle Pryor. Houston is at the point where the team is going to start looking worse as the weeks go on. Case Keenum has dazzled with some touchdown passes to Andre Johnson, but the team has still lost both games he has played in. Teams that come into the season with high expectations that whittle away are always team to capitalize on. Jennings will get over 100 yards rushing on the road in Houston.

Rob Gronkowski
An area the strong Carolina Panthers defense still is vulnerable in is pass defense. The Panthers caught a break against the 49ers last week when Vernon Davis exited early with an injury. The backup tight end had a chance to haul in a throw late in that game that could of led to a touchdown. The prior week the Panthers struggled with Tony Gonzalez and I expect the Patriots to be able to attack the Panthers with Gronk the entire game.

Reggie Bush
I’m not buying the Steelers first impressive defensive performance against the Buffalo Bills. EJ Manuel was just returning from an injury and did not look comfortable the entire day. This is the same Steelers defense that has aged and has big time issues with speed. Detroit possesses that with its receivers and the all-important Reggie Bush. This game could possibly be Bush’s best game of the season.

Others: DeMaryius Thomas, Keenan Allen, Eddie Lacy, Pierre Thomas, and Pierre Garcon

Stretching the Field Post Week Ten

Tuesday, 12 November, 2013

Stretching the Field Post Week Ten

Tiquan Underwood
Confidence in having Glennon as a permanent future starting quarterback has to be waning. There have been a handful of games the Bucs could have won if Glennon would throw better passes. Monday the Bucs got away with Glennon’s inaccuracy and mistakes. Underwood had 21 yards a catch on three receptions.

Pierre Garcon
After the Redskins woes the first few weeks it looked like RG3 and the offense was on its way to a miserable season. Instead Garcon and the Redskins have been one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL. With Garcon healthy he is showcasing why he received a hefty contract offer from the Redskins. He had seven catches for well over 100 yards Sunday.

Golden Tate
Over the last month there might not be a receiver in the league that has risen from a mediocre week to week performer to a standout. Tate has been sensational and a go to receiver for Russ Wilson when the offense appeared to be struggling. It made some strides against the Falcons thanks to six catches for over a hundred yards.

Riley Cooper
With Nick Foles quarterbacking the Eagles have designed two to three plays a week where a home run ball is going to go Cooper’s way. Suddenly he has risen up the fantasy charts as the deep ball continues to hit for long touchdowns. He hauled in two out of three catches for big touchdowns Sunday.

Tavon Austin
Three touchdowns from Austin made it look like he was wearing his old West Virginia uniform. He was a blur at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and catapulted the Rams to a blowout road win. All St. Louis has to do is figure out a way to keep Austin involved in the offense on a week to week basis. Quick screens and more deep ball attempts have to be in the Rams arsenal.

TY Hilton
For the second consecutive week Hilton was a second half fantasy football killer. He could of scored a touchdown in the third quarter if he did not trip over his own two feet. At any rate Hilton’s fantasy value is growing as he continues to have success as the Colts number one receiver.

AJ Green
Thank goodness for Andy Dalton that he has one of the best wide receivers in football at his disposal. If it weren’t for Green, Dalton may have been seated on the bench a long time ago. Having a guy like Green keeps a young quarterbacks confidence up. Green finished Sunday with a miracle hail mary catch on eight catches for over 150 yards.

Julius Thomas
People that stole Thomas off of waivers early this season are smirking widely that he was able to return quickly from his injury. He is a bonus asset to a position that finding a top tier fantasy scorer is golden. Thomas hauled in three catches for 96 yards on three catches.

Best Catches to Targets From Week Ten

Tuesday, 12 November, 2013

Best Catches to Targets From Week Ten

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Rishard Matthews
Matthews had hardly been involved in the Dolphins offense this season, but had eleven catches on fourteen targets Monday night. It’ll remain to be seen if the Dolphins can keep Matthews involved in the offense or if it was a one game ordeal. Based upon the high amount of targets it’s safe to say Miami will continue to find a way to involve him.

John Carlson
If you’re in need of a tight end for a span of a few weeks than here he is. Carlson hauled in all seven targets from Christian Ponder and should continue to see quick route throws his way. We will have to see how Ponder’s non throwing shoulder injury affects the passing game, but look for Carlson to be an adequate tight end.

Brandon Marshall
Fantasy radar alerts before the season were mindful of Marshall’s hip. He had been limited in preseason because of it and it appeared that he may be a liability throughout the season. That has not been the case. Instead Marshall has continued to be a top ten receiver in the NFL. He hauled in seven catches out of twelve targets Sunday.

Jarrett Boykin
Boykin stands to continue to be a fantasy threat with Aaron Rodgers out. With a third string quarterback at under center, Boykin stands to be a familiar option for Scott Tolzien. Reps from third string quarterbacks don’t typically go to the team’s standout receivers. So Boykin’s eight catches on thirteen targets Sunday are a stat to keep looking forward to.

Kendall Wright
Wright continually is a high target receiver. Unfortunately in the Titans offense neither Jake Locker or Ryan Fitzpatrick has had success with throws down the field. That means Wright is great in PPR leagues but does not offer the threat of high yardage or touchdowns. He caught seven of nine passes Sunday.

TY Hilton
Hilton has proved me wrong and has been able to step up as the number one receiver in consecutive weeks. For it to continue the Colts need to run the football more and develop targets to other options. Hilton had seven catches on eight targets, and did most of his damage in the second half.

Others: Jordan Reed 6 catches/9 targets, Harry Douglas 7 catches/8 targets, Golden Tate 6 catches/7 targets, Alson Jeffrey 9 catches/18 targets, Brandon Pettigrew 5 catches/5 targets, Antonio Brown 6 catches/11 targets, AJ Green 8 catches/15 targets, Steve Smith 6 catches/11 targets, DeAndre Hopkins 6 catches/11 targets, Andre Roberts 5 catches/8 targets, DeMaryius Thomas 7 catches/10 targets, All Saints receivers