Believe it or not, I have not been doing well over the last couple of weeks. If you have read me earlier in the year, you have had some success but now on a week and a half down slide. We must be better and must learn when we are going to be trapped by a bad game. Two bad traps that I’ve fallen into over the last two weeks were Robert Griffin III v. Tampa Bay and Josh McCown v. Chicago. Hopefully this week goes much better.
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Dolphins 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks to consider:
Peyton Manning at Kansas City ($10,000) – Since joining Denver, Peyton Manning has played five games against Kansas City. In those five games, he has thrown 14 touchdown passes compared to only three interceptions. Although the Kansas City defense ranks in the top-10 in terms of fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, Peyton Manning is their Achilles heel and expect it to keep up this week. In FanDuel scoring Peyton Manning has dropped at least 20 fantasy points in nine of his last ten games.
Ryan Tannehill at New York Jets ($8,600) – In his last eight games, Tannehill has managed to score at least 20 plus fantasy points in five of those games. On top of Tannehill’s excellent play as of late, he gets to play the Jets who currently allow the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. In the last four games, the Jets defense has allowed 9 passing touchdowns. This means that you should expect at least two touchdowns from Tannehill this week.
Colt McCoy at Indianapolis ($6,000) – McCoy isn’t going to score you a ton of points. In fact, if you manage to get 18 fantasy points you should feel blessed beyond belief. However, I think Colt McCoy could have some success against the Colts defense. McCoy managed 18 fantasy points in his last start against Dallas earlier in the year. Remember, there isn’t enough evidence on why to start McCoy, so honestly you’re just taking a shot in the dark.
Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs to consider:
Le’Veon Bell vs. New Orleans ($9,200) – Bell has turned the corner. I realize that a lot of people are looking at the last matchup with Tennessee and saying, “Yeah, but it’s Tennessee.” Although Tennessee’s run defense has been embarrassing, I believe that we can expect more of these games. No more split carries and the Steelers have finally had some success establishing the run. Expect them to ride it out against the defense that allows the 9th most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Arian Foster vs. Tennessee ($8,700) – Bingo! The Titans give up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs, and with the Texans run first philosophy, Foster is going to have a huge game. Although, Foster is coming off an injury, he can still manage to have success without a huge workload.
C.J. Anderson at Kansas City ($7,800) – C.J. Anderson managed 130 yards before contact last week. Which means he was able to rush for 130 yards without someone even being able to touch him. Anderson is an all purpose running back who has the ability to pass block and catch passes out of the backfield. Even though the Chiefs give up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, Anderson just got done running for 167 yards against a middle of the road run defense.
LeGarrette Blount at Green Bay ($7,000) – It’s impossible to predict what the New England Patriots are doing on offense. However, I think this is the definition of a LeGarrette Blount designed game plan, because of the location and the Packers weakness. Blount only got 12 carries last week, but you have to like the fact that he received all the goal line touches. I don’t think that he is scoring two touchdowns this week, but he has the potential at 70 yards and a touchdown every week. Plus, if you look at Blount’s massive 6-foot 250-pound frame, that’s a guy you hate tackling, especially when its cold.
Tre Mason vs. Oakland ($6,000) – I expect a monster game from Tre Mason this week! The Raiders so far this season have allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing running backs and I think that Mason has solidified himself as the lead back for the St. Louis Rams. Don’t believe me? If you look at his workload over the last four weeks, you’d see that he is averaging 19.5 carries over that stretch. On top of that, Tre Mason has gone five straight weeks without a touchdown. I expect that to change this week.
Nov 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) catches the ball to score a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers to consider:
Emmanuel Sanders at Kansas City ($8,800) – Emmanuel Sanders has been a dominating force for the Broncos so far this season, and it seems like he’s always wide open. In fact, there was two plays last week that Sanders was streaking wide open down the field and Peyton Manning just missed him. Expect that connection to be fixed this week and expect Sanders to be able to get open against Kansas City. On FanDuel, Sanders has managed to score above 18 fantasy points in each of his last five games. Although the Chiefs haven’t allowed a multiple touchdown game to opposing wide receivers all season, I think that will change this week.
T.Y. Hilton vs. Washington ($8,700) – We all saw T.Y. rock the baby after that 73-yard touchdown last week. I think he will once again find the end zone as Andrew Luck should be able to have a bounce back week against the Redskins. T.Y. Hilton was able to have a great week on a day where he only got around five hours of sleep, maybe even less. This week he has a great matchup, and should be able to get a good night of sleep.
Josh Gordon at Buffalo ($8,100) – Remember when the Browns said they were going to limit Josh Gordon to 25 or 30 snaps? Well, he got 52 snaps last week and he was targeted on 16 of them. The Browns love the fact that Gordon is back, and they are going to force feed him until he can’t take it any more. It’s already been announced that Leodis McKelvin is done for the season, which is who was originally slotted to line up against Josh Gordon. Now, the Bills are going to have to find someone else to cover Gordon, which could put too much onto his plate. Now, let’s hope for Josh to get into the end zone on Sunday.
Jarvis Landry at New York Jets ($6,900) – I’ve kind of fell in love with Landry as a receiving prospect over the last few weeks because he’s actually been able to show us what he can do. Landry ranks third in kickoff return yards and ranks 19th in punt return yards. Although, Landry has never returned a kick or a punt for a touchdown in the NFL, but eventually he is going to break through. However, Landry as a receiving prospect has managed to find the end zone. In fact, he has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games. On top of that, he’s also scored four touchdowns in his last four games.
Robert Woods vs. Cleveland ($5,600) – Robert Woods could not have more favorable coverage this week than what he has. This week, Woods will covered by Buster Skrine, who has struggled all year in man-to-man coverage. Woods has an opportunity to take over this game just like he was able to do last week against the Jets. However, so far this year he hasn’t managed to string together back-to-back good weeks. But this matchup is tough to ignore.
Kenny Stills at Pittsburgh ($5,100) – Kenny Stills has gone back-to-back games with at least 10-plus fantasy points in each of them. Stills should continue to get all the deep work in the Saints offense as Brandin Cooks has been ruled out for the season. Are the touchdowns here to stay? Probably not, but we should expect him to be able to have some success against the Steelers. The Steelers have allowed at least one touchdown to opposing wide receivers in four straight games, and that should continue this week. However, it could go to Marques Colston.
Nov 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends to consider:
Rob Gronkowski at Green Bay ($7,700) – This is not the greatest matchup, but if you have the funds for Rob Gronkowski, you buy into him. Gronkowski has managed at least 10 fantasy points in each of his last four games. I think this is going to be a matchup where the Patriots are pounding the football into the teeth of the Packers defense, but Gronk is still going to be a viable option.
Delanie Walker at Houston ($5,700) – Zach Mettenberger loves the tight end, and although the Texans haven’t been horrible against the tight end, you have to buy into the recent production. Walker managed double digit fantasy points in his last contest against Houston, and with the way tight ends have been playing as of late, double digit fantasy points is premium tight end production.
Travis Kelce vs. Denver ($5,300) – I’m shocked at how little usage that Kelce is currently getting. However, if the Chiefs want a shot in this game, they have to get the ball to Travis Kelce in the receiving game. In the last matchup with the Broncos, Kelce got double digit fantasy points, but his week he must be better than that. I expect the Chiefs to exploit the Broncos inability to defend the tight end and attack their secondary that way.
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) celebrates with outside linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (59) after a sack during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Defenses to consider:
Rams, v. Oakland ($5,200)
Bengals, at Tampa Bay ($5,000)
Broncos, at Kansas City ($4,600)
Vikings, v. Carolina ($4,500)
Kickers to consider:
Josh Brown, at Jacksonville ($4,700)
Justin Tucker, v. San Diego ($5,000)
Greg Zuerlein, v. Oakland ($4,800)