“1 pm Only” tournaments only include games during that afternoon. Meaning that all of the primetime games and night games are excluded from the contest. I have been playing these leagues all season long, and tend to enjoy them more than the all-day event because by four o’clock I already know if I’ve won. Rather than doing what you usually have to do, which is waiting to find out until Monday. Reminder, you probably won’t win as much money in these tournaments, but they are still fun to play. Here is a quick look at my lineup for tomorrow for 1pm only leagues.
Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback:
Joe Flacco, at Houston ($8,100) – Although the Texans have only allowed one 20-plus point scorer this season, they haven’t really been tested all season long. The Ravens are staring the playoffs right in the face, and Joe Flacco isn’t going to let the Ravens miss the playoffs because of him. Gary Kubiak, former Texans head coach, is now calling plays in Baltimore and has an understanding with his former players’ tendencies on defense. The Texans haven’t allowed a fantasy quarterback to top 15 fantasy points in their last five games. However, in that stretch, they have played Andrew Luck, Blake Bortles, Zach Mettenberger, Andy Dalton and Brian Hoyer. Not really a flashy list.
Dec 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs:
Joique Bell, at Chicago ($7,300) – The Bears have allowed an opposing running back to score over at least one touchdown in three straight games, and have allowed multiple touchdowns in two of their last three. Although the Lions love to rotate the backfield between multiple running backs, Bell still has managed to grab at least 19 touches in each of his last four games. Besides the New England game, Joique Bell has scored double digit fantasy points for five straight weeks. Bell should be a safe bet for at least 19 touches this week and against a bleeding run defense. It is safe to say that I’m buying in.
Lamar Miller, v. Minnesota ($6,300) – I’m not sure if it’s simply just poor coaching or running backs forget how to perform against the Vikings. But in a must win week, I expect the Dolphins to hit the ground hard. The Vikings give up the 10th fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and they allowed the 9th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Simple logic tells you that the Dolphins, should attack the Vikings on the ground if they want to win, and that is exactly what I expect them to do. However, the Vikings have allowed just one rushing touchdown in their last five weeks, but I don’t think that will apply to this game.
Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) makes a catch prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers:
Torrey Smith, at Houston ($6,400) – Whatever Baltimore tries to say, Torrey Smith wasn’t ready to go last week against Jacksonville, and that’s why they attacked them on the ground. This week Torrey Smith has healed from his knee injury and is ready to revert back to how he was performing before the injury. Before the injury, Smith reeled off four straight games with double digit fantasy points, and in those four games, he managed to score at least one touchdown in three of them. With the Texans allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, I’m going to buy in to the matchup and the player.
Kenny Stills, v. Atlanta ($6,100) – Shootout for the division? Yes, this is sort of like a winner take all and loser go home scenario. Neither team is going to go down without a fight. It wouldn’t surprise me if each team combines for less than 20 rushing attempts. It could be one of those games, and Stills has been an electric weapon for Brees as of late. He’s failed to hit double digits in the last two games, but before that he hit double digits in each of the previous three. Stills should be electric on Sunday, in hopes of bringing the Saints a playoff spot. (For those wondering about the Colston or Stills debate, the answer is Stills for me, but that is because I believe the floor is higher and so is the ceiling.)
Roddy White, at New Orleans ($7,300) – Roddy White actually hasn’t practiced much at all this week, but I’m not afraid to play him. No way can the Saints allow a hobbled Julio Jones beat them this week. I expect the Falcons to roll out Jones as a decoy, which could lead to a big day for Roddy White. Plus, Roddy White, a guy who usually plays poorly on the road, loves these games in the Super Dome. I expect the game to be a shootout as both teams allow top-10 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End:
Rob Gronkowski, at New York Jets ($7,800) – The Jets are really struggling to cover tight ends so far this season. However, they are also struggling to cover anyone who is catching passes. The great news is that the Jets have currently given up the second most touchdown passes in the NFL to opposing tight so far this season. Gronkowski is as safe as it gets at tight end and with Edelman out, Brady is going to be looking for Gronk quite often. Gronkowski has been the definition of consistency, posting double digit fantasy points in each of his last seven games, and nine of his last ten games.
Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Detroit Lions defense during the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Kicker:
Stephen Gostkowski, at New York Jets ($5,500) – Gostkowski has posted double digit fantasy points in seven of his last ten games and with the Patriots being without Blount or Edelman, they may struggle to convert in the red zone.
Defense:
Lions, at Chicago ($5,200) – Where to begin? Trestman is gone at the end of the season, the team has quit, the quarterback has quit, and the players are confused. Good luck with that disaster, Chicago. I kind of feel bad for Jimmy Clausen on Sunday, but then again, I’ll just let my defense feast.