50 Shades of Fantasy Football, Vol. VI: No place like home
By Mike Randle
31. The Miami Dolphins have started the season 0-2. They lost a close Week 1 battle in Seattle (12-10), and came up short in a big comeback against New England (31-24).
32. The Dolphins are currently tied for 26th in total defense (408.5 yards allowed per game), and rank 25th (673 yards per game) in total offense.
33. Despite being universally regarded as “off to a bad start,” Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill currently rates as the 11th best quarterback in fantasy football.
34. Over the past two seasons, Tannehill is averaging over a half-touchdown more in home games. Overall, he is averaging more fantasy points and fewer interceptions per game in Miami.
35. When Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker has played during that time period, Tannehill averages almost 30 more passing yards per game.
36. Parker missed the first game of the season with a hamstring injury. In Week 2, he had eight receptions for 106 yards and tied with wide receiver Jarvis Landry for the team lead in targets (13).
37. Landry is off a great fantasy start to the season. He is currently first in the NFL in both receptions (17) and yards after catch (198). Landry also ranks second in targets (23), and third in Target Share (32.4 percent). (PlayerProfiler.com).
38. Despite being 0-2, the Dolphins are favored by 10.5 points, and face an 0-2 Browns team that will start a rookie Cody Kessler at quarterback.
Prediction: The Dolphins will fire on all cylinders and blow out the Browns in their home opener. Tannehill has a great day and finishes as a top-eight fantasy quarterback play for Week Three.
39. Since 2011, Drew Brees has the following averages at home in New Orleans: 333 passing yards, 3.05 touchdowns, 0.73 interceptions, and 31.3 fantasy points per game.
40. In his last four games in New Orleans, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is averaging 333 passing yards, 2.1 passing touchdowns, 0.5 interceptions, and 26.5 fantasy points per game.
41. Ryan is the current top fantasy quarterback with 62 fantasy points, while Brees is third with 55.
42. In four of the last six games in New Orleans, the winning team has scored 30-plus points. Atlanta leads the all time series 49-45.
43. New Orleans wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead are currently tied for second among fantasy wide receivers with 34 points each.
44. Currently, these teams have two of the worst statistical defenses in the NFL. Atlanta ranks 28th in overall defense, allowing 412.5 yards per game. New Orleans is even worse, ranking 31st at 451.5 yards per game.
45. The Over/Under for this game is the highest of any game in Week 3: 53.5.