Before getting to tonight's game, some more NFL news to unpack since yesterday morning: Tyreek Hill and Hunter Henry both reportedly have 4-6 week injuries. Both, however, could be on the shelf longer. The Chiefs and Chargers are postseason-caliber teams. They'll both likely prioritize getting to full strength vs. rushing their guys back. I'm not saying they'll artificially extend the timetables if Hill and Henry are ready to go sooner. But sometimes urgency is a best friend of fantasy success. You want a roster full of guys their teams desperately need on the field. While Hill and Henry aren't exactly replaceable, K.C. and L.A.C. will be fine without them. If you have one or both of them, they quite possibly won't be back in your starting lineup until November.
Mike Williams is a more complicated situation: a mysterious knee injury and the signing of another receiver--a contingency in case Williams sits this weekend. If that happens, Travis Benjamin and/or Dontrelle Inman will become instant WR3/4 streamers. It will be Benjamin's 44th game in a Chargers uniform, and Inman's 43rd. That's highly unusual for bit-part players. I don't expect Philip Rivers to miss a beat.
Quincy Enunwa's season--and possibly career--are over after suffering his second neck injury in two calendar years. He's signed for three more seasons, so if he's able to and wants to come back, presumably the Jets will have a spot for him. But Enunwa's breakout 2016 campaign feel like a long time ago, and there's no guarantee he'll earn a starting job in 2020, particularly if the team signs or drafts a capable #3 receiver as a contingency in case Enunwa isn't ready.
And with Joe Mixon still day-to-day, I'm once again harping on the fantasy universe's lack of appreciation for Gio Bernard. As I tweeted in late October, Mixon's handcuff wasn't always a handcuff. Like Mixon, he was a prized second-round pick, is a proven bellcow-capable talent, and is terrific in the passing game. His preseason RB/Overall ADP was 62/213. And he's rostered in only 39% of ESPN leagues. That's insanity.
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Tonight's contest pits two teams that, on paper, should be better than they are. Their defense hasn't helped. Last year the Bucs gave up the second most points in the league, while the Panthers' collapse (6-1 start, 1-8 finish) is well documented. In Carolina's defense, Cam Newton's injury was a significant reason, as they lost five straight by a touchdown or less.
I've been fielding several questions about Cam, with some of you already dropping him for seemingly better fantasy QBs. It makes sense. The 30-year-old is at a career crossroads. His previous massive fantasy seasons have included double-digit rushing touchdowns--something that seems inconceivable with CMC on the squad. I also think Greg Olsen's steep decline has removed what previously had been a consistently dependable red-zone target.
But let's face it: tonight has 55+ points written all over it. I like Cam as a QB1, and DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel are worth starting as WR3+'s. And I don't need to mention CMC.
For Tampa Bay, Jameis Winston is an annual enigma. But it's hard to imagine this team struggling again. With an ailing Mike Evans earning only five targets last week--and Chris Godwin only six--I'm seeing both guys combining for 20+ tonight. And O.J. Howard is worth trotting out as a back-end TE1 with TD upside. As for the running game, I won't guess (or "guessipate"). This is a three-headed backfield as expected; the hot hand will win.
Mike Williams is a more complicated situation: a mysterious knee injury and the signing of another receiver--a contingency in case Williams sits this weekend. If that happens, Travis Benjamin and/or Dontrelle Inman will become instant WR3/4 streamers. It will be Benjamin's 44th game in a Chargers uniform, and Inman's 43rd. That's highly unusual for bit-part players. I don't expect Philip Rivers to miss a beat.
Quincy Enunwa's season--and possibly career--are over after suffering his second neck injury in two calendar years. He's signed for three more seasons, so if he's able to and wants to come back, presumably the Jets will have a spot for him. But Enunwa's breakout 2016 campaign feel like a long time ago, and there's no guarantee he'll earn a starting job in 2020, particularly if the team signs or drafts a capable #3 receiver as a contingency in case Enunwa isn't ready.
And with Joe Mixon still day-to-day, I'm once again harping on the fantasy universe's lack of appreciation for Gio Bernard. As I tweeted in late October, Mixon's handcuff wasn't always a handcuff. Like Mixon, he was a prized second-round pick, is a proven bellcow-capable talent, and is terrific in the passing game. His preseason RB/Overall ADP was 62/213. And he's rostered in only 39% of ESPN leagues. That's insanity.
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Tonight's contest pits two teams that, on paper, should be better than they are. Their defense hasn't helped. Last year the Bucs gave up the second most points in the league, while the Panthers' collapse (6-1 start, 1-8 finish) is well documented. In Carolina's defense, Cam Newton's injury was a significant reason, as they lost five straight by a touchdown or less.
I've been fielding several questions about Cam, with some of you already dropping him for seemingly better fantasy QBs. It makes sense. The 30-year-old is at a career crossroads. His previous massive fantasy seasons have included double-digit rushing touchdowns--something that seems inconceivable with CMC on the squad. I also think Greg Olsen's steep decline has removed what previously had been a consistently dependable red-zone target.
But let's face it: tonight has 55+ points written all over it. I like Cam as a QB1, and DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel are worth starting as WR3+'s. And I don't need to mention CMC.
For Tampa Bay, Jameis Winston is an annual enigma. But it's hard to imagine this team struggling again. With an ailing Mike Evans earning only five targets last week--and Chris Godwin only six--I'm seeing both guys combining for 20+ tonight. And O.J. Howard is worth trotting out as a back-end TE1 with TD upside. As for the running game, I won't guess (or "guessipate"). This is a three-headed backfield as expected; the hot hand will win.