Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks I’m playing with this week:
Drew Brees, v. CAR ($9,400) – I’m a big time Drew Brees fan this week. If he plays well, then I should have a nice week. If not, then it’s going to be a messy one for me. However, Drew Brees has hit his hot streak right at the right time. This week he will face the Panthers, who have allowed the 9th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season. Oh, and Drew Brees will be at home. Although, home hasn’t been “home sweet home” for the Saints this year, Brees has still managed to complete 72% of his passes and throw 14 touchdowns in the Super Dome.
Andy Dalton, v. PIT ($7,900) – So last week I thought we’d see “good” Andy Dalton. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Well, I forgive quickly, and I am going right back to the well with him this week. Although this is a divisional game, I was peeking at the film of the Steelers defense, and the Steelers really struggle with tackling after the catch. This is going to be a tailor-made game plan for Andy Dalton and the receivers are going to be able to have success after the catch, which will help him.
Teddy Bridgewater, v. NYJ ($7,100) – Teddy Bridgewater makes me really nervous on tape, but I can’t avoid the matchup. The Jets not only allow the most touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season, their defense has also packed it in and have given up. The Jets have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season, and they should continue to fail this week.
Risky Quarterback that I considered:
Zach Mettenberger, v. Giants ($6,800) – Mettenberger has a beat up shoulder, but it is the New York Giants. The Giants secondary is terrible, as they allow the eighth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and they are currently trending downwards. Mettenberger has played well over the last three weeks, posting 17, 20 and 11 fantasy points in his last three games.
Running Backs I’m playing with this week:
Le’Veon Bell, at CIN ($9,300) – I’ll be playing Bell in nearly every league this week. I cannot deny the fact that Ben Roethlisberger hurt his hand and that the Steelers are going to pound the football. Bell has had back-to-back games with at least 29 fantasy points, and he will match up against the defense that allows the 6th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Bell’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield always makes him a threat.
Marshawn Lynch, at PHI ($8,600) – The Eagles have actually been okay against the run this season. However, Pete Carroll is going to attempt to keep the ball away from the Eagles offense, and they are going to do that by running the football. I really like the fact that the Eagles want to speed up the game because it will allow the Seahawks to touch the football more often, providing Lynch with more opportunities.
C.J. Anderson, v. BUF ($7,800) – I didn’t see this coming. In fact, the matchup for C.J. Anderson is terrible. However, when you have Peyton Manning as your quarterback, matchups sort of become void. In the last 4 games, Anderson has had at least 24 fantasy points in three of them, and in the one he didn’t, he still managed 15 fantasy points. So avoid the matchup concern and start Anderson.
Jonathan Stewart, at New Orleans ($5,200) – Stewart is slightly risky, but hey, someone has to buy into it. Stewart will have the backfield all to himself this week with DeAngelo Williams being ruled out for the game on Sunday. Stewart managed to score 12 fantasy points last week, and although that isn’t great, we will take it for his value.
Frank Gore, at Oakland ($5,700) – Frank Gore has been disappointing. In fact, part of me wants to buy into Carlos Hyde more, and I may do that once this article is posted. However, for either of them, we can’t deny the fact that the matchup is awesome and that it’s a must win week for them. Although Frank Gore has only totaled 5 fantasy points in the last two weeks, he has had back-to-back tough matchups. This week he will play the Raiders, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs so far this season.
Risky Running Back that I considered:
Toby Gerhart, v. Houston ($4,500) – The Texans are a middle of the road run defense, and with Denard Robinson struggling, the Jaguars may attempt to give Gerhart a try once again. I don’t love Gerhart, but I like his value. If he gets you five fantasy points, you kind of just have to smile.
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) pulls in a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers I’m playing with this week:
DeMaryius Thomas, v. BUF ($9,400) – In his last nine games, Thomas has totaled at least 13 fantasy points in each of them. With DeMaryius Thomas posting nine touchdowns in that span, its tough to get away from his this week against Buffalo. Although Buffalo’s defense looks tough on paper, they won’t be enough to stop the Manning-to-Thomas connection.
Jordy Nelson, v. ATL ($8,900) – I’ve been asked a lot this week, Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb? And I answer it the same way every time the Packers play at home. I tell them that you have to start Jordy Nelson at home because he and Rodgers are unstoppable there. In Jordy’s last seven home games, including playoffs, he has managed to find the end zone. The Falcons defense is terrible, and it allows the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. That shouldn’t stop here.
A.J. Green, at PIT ($8,800) – Remember when I said earlier in the piece that the Steelers are currently struggling with tackling after the catch? Well, A.J. Green is also a beneficiary in that case. In the last three weeks, A.J. Green has been over 13 fantasy points in each of them. With the week Dalton had last week, we should be expecting more from A.J. Green this week.
Odell Beckham Jr., at TEN ($8,200) – Everyone fell in love with Odell Beckham Jr. after that absurd catch that he made on Monday Night Football. However, we have to lower expectations for Beckham right now. I didn’t touch him in FanDuel last week, but this week I am, especially after what Ryan Fitzpatrick was able to do to this defense. In his six games, OBJ has managed to top at least 12 fantasy points in all of them.
Jarvis Landry, v. BAL ($6,900) – The matchup appears scary, however, if you look at the personnel, the matchup becomes favorable. Ever since losing Jimmy Smith, this Ravens defense hasn’t been quite the same defense. I’ve been all over Landry for the last three weeks, and once again I like him. Landry not only is averaging 6.4 catches a game in each of his last five games, but he also has kickoff and punt return ability. Although he hasn’t taken one back yet, you never know. This could be the week.
Stedman Bailey, at WAS ($6,300) – When Bailey came out of college, he was so much more impressive on tape than Tavon Austin. However, Bailey fell and Austin was a first round draft pick. Bailey was a player who perhaps fell off your radar or perhaps was never there to begin with. However, Bailey is on your radar now, and he rightfully should be. In his last two games he has totaled 30 fantasy points and he has a favorable matchup this week.
Marques Colston, v. CAR ($6,000) – Everyone is rushing to pick up Kenny Stills this week in FanDuel, yet I’m going to lean on Colston. Stills has much more upside, but I believe that the focus is going to shift on protecting the deep ball. While the Panthers are worried about not being burnt by Stills, the Saints will get a lot of Colston and Jimmy Graham underneath.
Risky Wide Receivers that I considered:
Donte Moncrief, at CLE ($6,000) – This is a risky play because we honestly don’t know if Pep Hamilton is logical enough to make the switch. Moncrief is currently the Colts second best receiver, and they have to get him onto the field. It appears that they are slowly learning, but I think the Colts turn to Moncrief when they get into trouble this week. Moncrief saves the day.
Nov 24, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) is not tackled by Baltimore Ravens strong safety Will Hill (33) on a 10-yard touchdown catch and run in the first quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends I’m playing this week:
Jimmy Graham, v. Carolina ($7,100) – As if you need another reason to play Jimmy Graham, I’ll give you one anyways. Jimmy Graham has played the Panthers eight times in his career, and in those eight games, he has caught a touchdown in seven of them. Plus, in the one game he didn’t have a touchdown, he did manage 129 yards in that game. Yes, Jimmy Graham dominates the Panthers and is coming off a bad game and plays at home. It’s going to be a rough Sunday for Carolina.
Travis Kelce, at Arizona ($5,300) – The Cardinals allow the 7th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and they will be without Tyrann Mathieu to cover him on Sunday. Kelce is slightly tough to trust because we just don’t know how much the Chiefs trust him. Until the Chiefs show signs of trusting him again, he’s going to be tough to trust.
Risky Tight End that I considered:
Vernon Davis, at Oakland ($4,900) – Gut call. Before last week’s game, I got a little gut call on Tavon Austin. Well, this week’s gut call is Vernon Davis. I don’t think Davis is going to blow up, but I think he has the potential to score 10 fantasy points this week against the defense that allows the 12th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Chris Borland (50) stands on the field against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Levi
Defenses I’m playing this week:
49ers, at Oakland ($5,600) – Derek Carr is regressing in front of our eyes, and it’s okay because that’s what rookie quarterbacks are supposed to do. The Niners are going to be hungry for a win, and although they are the most expensive defense this week, they are worth it.
Lions, v. Tampa Bay ($5,300) – I have no faith in Josh McCown on the road.
Vikings, v. New York Jets ($5,000) – The Vikings are clearly my favorite defense this week. The Jets have been terrible and the Vikings defense has been underrated so far this season.
Risky defense that I considered:
Jacksonville Jaguars, v. Houston ($4,800) – They seem frightening, but the Jaguars are at home and have been playing better as of late. Although Fitzpatrick is coming off a career game, I think he is going to take a major step backward this week, which could lead to a good game for the Jaguars.
Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Detroit Lions place holder Sam Martin (6) holds the ball for place kicker Matt Prater (5) in a field goal attempt during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Kickers I’m playing this week:
Matt Prater, v. Tampa Bay ($5,300)
Greg Zuerlein, at Washington ($5,000)
Caleb Sturgis, v. Baltimore ($4,900)
Shayne Graham, v. Carolina ($4,500)