Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Matt Ryan(2) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Best Quarterbacks values:
Matt Ryan, at Tampa Bay ($7,800) – Matt Ryan certainly hasn’t been the quarterback that I expected him to be so far this season. In Matt Ryan’s last four road games, Matt Ryan is averaging 15 Fantasy Points per game. The good news for us, is that this is just week-to-week Fantasy Football and not a season long league. So I think coming off the bye, in this matchup, that Matt Ryan will be able to have some success. Plus, Matt Ryan is averaging 20.3 Fantasy Points per game coming off the bye week in his career.
Quarterbacks values that I like:
Cam Newton, at Philadelphia ($7,700) – Cam Newton is a risky play because he has been horrible in his last three games in FanDuel scoring, failing to top-16 Fantasy Points. However, Cam Newton has played two Monday Night Football games in his career and he’s been fantastic in both of them, averaging 32 Fantasy Points per game. With the Panthers needing a win and points to beat the Eagles, I think the Panthers will release Cam Newton come Monday Night Football. If you need more of a reason, the Eagles defense lost DeMeco Ryans for the season, who was the leader in tackles this season for the team.
Carson Palmer, v. St. Louis ($7,900) – Carson Palmer has been as consistent as they come in Fantasy Football this year and he just signed a 3-year/$50 million contract over the weekend. In every game so far this season, Carson Palmer has managed to throw for two touchdowns and has scored at least 17 Fantasy Points. Plus, Carson Palmer has a favorable matchup this week, as the Rams have given up the 7th most Fantasy Points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season.
Quarterbacks values that I don’t like:
Josh McCown, v. Atlanta ($5,700) – One of my friends sent me a text telling me that he was going to buy into Josh McCown in FanDuel. So McCown is going to make the quarterback values that I don’t like because I think it’s a huge mistake to play Josh McCown this week. Now, I do not believe that he will put up the shockingly bad 1.32 Fantasy Points that he had at Atlanta in his last start. But I think coming off injury, that he is going to have some rust and that he is going to fail to score 10 Fantasy Points this week. McCown is a freighting quarterback for me this week. But this is coming from a guy who trusted Brandon Weeden last week and still managed to cash in.
Matthew Stafford, v. Miami ($8,500) – Look, let the people flock to Matthew Stafford that believe that Calvin Johnson coming back makes him a must start in FanDuel leagues. He’s not. The Dolphins have arguably the best defense in all of football. The Dolphins have allowed the fewest Fantasy Points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season and the reason is because of their pass rush and their cornerbacks. If the Lions want to be successful, they may be forced to do a bunch of short area check-downs to the backs and hope that they can make plays. Don’t love Stafford this week.
Risky Quarterback Value, but hey why not?:
Mark Sanchez, v. Carolina ($6,600) – I just saw you roll your eyes. You think that Mark Sanchez is a horrible quarterback, that has no chance to be successful in this league. Well, you’re wrong. Chip Kelly has supreme faith in his quarterbacks and it shows with Sanchez’s first pass attempt being a 52-yard bomb to Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown last week. The offense is changing, in fact it may be better because of the line that the Eagles are getting back. Sanchez is cheap, has an offensively gifted head coach, talented and actually has receivers who can catch the football. If you strike out, you can nail the rest of your team and still cash.
Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bobby Rainey(43) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Best Running Back Value:
Bobby Rainey, at Tampa Bay ($6,700) – Bobby Rainey has the best matchup on the planet this week for a running back. Atlanta has given up the most Fantasy Points to opposing running backs so far this season, along with the fact that they have also allowed the most rushing touchdowns so far this season. Some Fantasy owners are going to shy away from Bobby Rainey because they think back to the last game against the Falcons, where he fumbled twice and he struggled. Well, actually if you look at the film he only had two bad plays in that game and they were the two fumbles. Look for Rainey to redeem himself in this matchup.
Running Backs Values that I like:
Denard Robinson, v. Dallas ($6,800) – Denard Robinson has totaled 100-total yards in three straight games and with him being the only reliable piece of offense for the Jaguars, one must assume that he will total 100-total yards once again. The Cowboys have allowed back-to-back 100 yard rushing performances to running backs and with a banged up Romo, it looks like they will make it three straight games.
LeSean McCoy, v. Carolina ($7,700) – The Panthers have been absolutely awful against the run this season, allowing the third most Fantasy Points to opposing running backs. The Panthers have allowed the second most rushing touchdowns in the NFL this season. If you look at LeSean McCoy’s recent performances, you’d notice that he’s managed to top at least 11 Fantasy Points in each of them. The concern is that he has only managed to reach the end zone one time so far this season, but my prediction is that he gets the end zone in this matchup.
Ronnie Hillman, at Oakland ($7,400) – Take what you saw last week and throw it out the window. Last week Ronnie Hillman only managed 16 yards on 10 carries, and majority of the reason for that was game flow. The Patriots managed to get up big and the force the Broncos to throw the football, in order to attempt to get back into the game. However, this week the Broncos will matchup against the Raiders; who have given up the second most Fantasy Points to opposing running backs so far this season. Hillman has a good matchup this week, should be considered an option in your league.
Justin Forsett v. Tennessee ($6,500) – Remember how I said that Carson Palmer was the most consistent quarterback so far this season? Well, Justin Forsett is the most consistent running back so far this season. Whether he receives all the carries or not is besides the point, considering that he’s managed above 8.5 Fantasy Points in each of his games this season, regardless of his touches. On top of his consistency, he gets to matchup against a bottom ten defense against the running back and although his upside is limited, Forsett’s consistency and price has him a prospect that you are looking at this week.
Running Backs Values that I don’t like:
Lamar Miller, at Detroit ($7,200) – Although Lamar Miller has been a consistent threat in this offense, you know, managing double digits Fantasy Points in each of his last six games. However, this week, I’m not sure if he can get there. The Lions are one of the NFL’s best run defenses and if the Dolphins fall behind then it’s all up to Ryan Tannehill to win the game. With all the firepower on the Lions offense, you can expect them to put up some points, but Miller is banged up and has a tough matchup. I’ll let other people pay for him.
Joique Bell, v. Miami ($6,700) – I talked about short area passing earlier on how the Lions should attempt to beat the Dolphins but none of those plans involve Joique Bell. If you’ve watch the Lions over the last few weeks, then you would see that they really like Theo Riddick. In the last two games, Riddick has caught at least five passes in both of them and is now going to become the Lions receiving running back. With that being said, they only way that Joique Bell has value this week is if he gets a one-yard rushing touchdown this week, against the Dolphins. Don’t buy into Joique Bell this week, to much unknowns.
Frank Gore, at New Orleans ($6,800) – Give Frank Gore the Football! I just can’t believe that the 49ers will not allow Frank Gore to touch the football, especially when they are a yard away from the end zone. In the last four weeks, Frank Gore has only managed 59 total touches, which is 14.75 touches per week. Last year, when they were winning, Frank Gore was averaging 18.25 touches per game. Leave Frank Gore out of your FanDuel lineups, even in a solid matchup, because if the 49ers can’t trust him, then how can we?
Risky Running Back, but hey why not?:
Christopher Ivory, v. Pittsburgh ($6,300) – Whenever the Jets give Christopher Ivory at least ten carries, he plays well. Well, last week, he only got eight carries. I stuck Ivory in the risky section because there is a chance that Chris Johnson is going to be getting a lot more touches now after complaining about it. If that is the case, Ivory may have to score to have any value for your fantasy team. The Steelers have had a pretty good run defense, but it’s because in their last two games they have blown out the opponent, not allowing them to run the football. I think the Steelers make this ugly eventually, but Ivory should be a possibility for you.
Nov 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Antonio Brown(84) scores a touchdown as wide receiver
Darrius Heyward-Bey(85) follows him against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
The Best Wide Receiver Value:
Antonio Brown, at New York Jets ($9,100) – Usually the best value isn’t the guy who is worth the most, but it is in this case. Antonio Brown is the best wide receiver in all of football and with the way he is playing and that makes him the safest and the best value in FanDuel. Antonio Brown has caught at least seven passes in each of his last four games and he’s also had a 100-yard receiving game in three of them. The Jets have also played absolutely horrible against opposing receivers so far this season, which is going to lead to another big game for Antonio Brown.
Wide Receivers Values that I like:
Larry Fitzgerald, v. St. Louis ($6,800) – Larry Fitzgerald has destroyed the Rams’ secondary over the past two seasons. In his last four games against them, he’s totaled 31 catches on 53 targets for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Could be crazy but for his value, Fitzgerald is virtually creeping up to my must plays this week, until he proves differently. On top of that, the Rams have allowed the 8th most Fantasy Points to opposing wide receivers so far this season. Even with the Cardinals spreading the ball away, I’d consider Fitzgerald.
Kelvin Benjamin, at Philadelphia ($6,700) – A lot of people are going to look at the two catches on ten targets last week and just pass over his name in FanDuel. Which makes me really excited, considering that I think that Kelvin Benjamin has a good game this week. Most of Benjamin’s missed targets were a him issue, rather then a Cam Newton issue. That is a good thing, considering that you can clean up your drops. Benjamin has managed three games over double digit Fantasy Points in his last four games. Plus, the Eagles have given up the 5th most Fantasy Points to opposing wide receivers so far this season.
Eric Decker, v. Pittsburgh ($6,400) – Perhaps you don’t like Eric Decker, but you are kind of missing out considering that he’s caught at least six passes in three of his last four games. Decker scored last week with Michael Vick at quarterback and maybe he can repeat that success. For Decker’s price, I think he has to be looked at with his nine red zone targets so far this season. Plus, Decker does have a top tier matchup this week, with the Steelers allowing the 13th most Fantasy Points to opposing running backs so far this season.
Brandon Marshall, at Green Bay ($7,300) – It’s going to be a shootout! I know that Jay Cutler has struggled against the Packers in his career, but coming off the bye expect Brandon Marshall to make a big impact on this game. I don’t really have any stats to back up this claim, I just have a really good feeling about Brandon Marshall this week.
Wide Receivers Values that I don’t like:
Sammy Watkins, at Buffalo ($8,100) – It looks like Sammy Watkins is going to be out for Sunday’s game any way, but even if he’s not, you can’t play him in FanDuel. Sammy Watkins has been great, but that is when he is healthy. With his pulled groin, it suddenly becomes more difficult to cut, there is a chance that they just use him as a decoy. To much risk for me.
Vincent Jackson, v. Atlanta ($6,700) – Vincent Jackson he gotten 77 targets so far this season and has only managed to catch 32 of them. Some of the plays are related to pathetic quarterback play, but there are also scenarios where they are trying to force feed him and he just simply isn’t that guy any more. Jackson found the end zone against Atlanta in their last matchup, but if you look at the film it shouldn’t even of counted because it was a push off. Avoiding Vincent Jackson, until he proves otherwise.
Risky Wide Receivers, but hey why not?:
Justin Hunter, at Baltimore ($5,400) – Hunter is Zach Mettenberger‘s favorite weapons and it showed last week. Hunter saw ten targets and managed to catch a garbage time touchdown as well. Also if you watched the preseason there was a strong connection between Mettenberger and Justin Hunter, so all we can do is hope that it can keep up with the Ravens hurting in the secondary.
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Heath Miller(83) celebrates after catching an eleven yard touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Best Tight End Value:
Heath Miller, at New York Jets ($5,300) – Heath Miller is the most interesting tight end this week and it’s because he has the best matchup possible for a tight end and he has the hottest quarterback in all of football. The Jets have allowed the most touchdowns to opposing tight ends in the league and with the way that Ben Roethlisberger is play, it makes Heath Miller a potential must start tight end for his value.
Other Tight End Values that I like:
Larry Donnell, at Seattle ($5,300) – Larry Donnell managed to catch a garbage time touchdown last week and he might get another opportunity with the Seahawks allowing the second most touchdowns to opposing tight ends. It seems that the Legion of Boom, may be down Kam Chancellor as well on Sunday, which could make things a little easier on Eli Manning. Donnell has been known to take advantage of the good matchups that he is given.
Tight End value that I don’t like:
Delanie Walker, at Baltimore ($5,800) – Some will look at the double digit Fantasy Points against Houston and will be sucked into his value again this week. Well, even though the Ravens secondary is hurting, they have been pretty great against the tight end. So far this season, the Ravens have allowed the 5th fewest Fantasy Points to opposing tight ends. Safe to say that I’m worried about Delanie Walker this weekend.
Risky, but hey why not?:
Andrew Quarless, v. Chicago ($4,800) – Realize that if you take this chance, you may score zero Fantasy Points. But now the Bears allow the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends so far this season. If the Packers get rolling, it could just be one of those nights for Aaron Rodgers where everyone touches the football. On Sunday night football against the Bears secondary, with his value and his quarterback, he’s well worth the risk.