It is hard to believe tonight's game will feature Case Keenum, Demetric Felton, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. And a bunch of Bronco starters. But still, Cleveland . . .
For the Browns, one of the biggest questions is whether Keenum is ready. He's joked that he's so accustomed to spot-starting, he's meeting teammates for the first time in the huddle (https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1450875302108934155?s=20). Of course, that might be hyperbole. But the fact that it might *not* be speaks volumes about the uphill challenges he faces. In his last start in Week 17 of the 2019 season, he threw for about 200 yards and one touchdown while tossing two picks. In three of four prior 2019 starts, he failed to get a TD. His somewhat impressive 2017 campaign (thanks in large part to Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen) is deep in the rearview mirror. Now 35 years old, it's hard to imagine him netting more than 12 points tonight.
The running game is in trouble. I like Demetric Felton as a deep flyer before the team signed John Kelly. Now all bets are off. It could be very much a hot-hand situation without the payoff. In other words, someone might get 8+ touches. But will they exceed six fantasy points? If we get more intel before the game, it might clear things up. For now, I can't justify risking starting off a week poorly because you put your faith in Keenum and a third- or fourth- or fifth-string RB talent.
At wideout, Donovan Peoples-Jones seems like the most likely WR4+. Writing this late Wednesday night, it remains unclear whether OBJ or Jarvis Landry will play. If they do, Peoples-Jones will not advisable. If only one does, then that "one" and Peoples-Jones will compete for relevance. I just don't see Keenum passing for more than 200 yards. David Njoku will be boom-bust as usual. The over-under on startable Browns in fantasy is 2, and I'd lean more toward the under than the over if OBJ and Landry are back, especially against Denver's near-elite pass defense.
Speaking of Denver, Teddy Bridgewater is on the right side of questionable. He has been both better than expected and not quite good enough to be a weekly streamer. He's the 19th-best fantasy QB despite playing without Jerry Jeudy for five games, which isn't too shabby given what we're accustomed to seeing from Bronco QBs since 2015. (In fairness, Drew Lock posted comparable fantasy numbers last season.)
The Browns' D has been much better against the run (3.6 yards per carry) than the pass (102.5 opposing QB rating). If we see a heavy dose of three-and-outs from Keenum & company, it will mean more possessions for Denver, which is #3 in time-of-possession this year. Interestingly, Cleveland is #2. Advantage Broncos in this one, as Courtland Sutton and/or Tim Patrick and/or Noah Fant (likely two of the three) should post solid fantasy outputs. Meanwhile, Jeudy appears less than 50-50 to play, do don't bank on it for now.
As for the running game, I keep waiting for Javonte Williams to take over--and he's not even on my fantasy team. So I'm guessing many of you are eager for the rookie to step out of Melvin Gordon's shadow. They both have a tough road tonight. Williams has 14 receptions, compared to 13 for Gordon. That's the key for now. They're both averaging north of 4.5 yards per carry. Their touches are nearly identitical. The difference between starting and sitting one of them tonight might come down to whether they get two receptions or five.
Predicting a 19-13 Broncos victory. An ugly game with a couple big plays. And perhaps plenty of commercials. Leave your prediction below, and if you're closest, I will reward you with six or seven words of public accolades.
---
Pro Football Network fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
Listen to the PFN fantasy podcast Monday, Tuesday, and Friday -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
For the Browns, one of the biggest questions is whether Keenum is ready. He's joked that he's so accustomed to spot-starting, he's meeting teammates for the first time in the huddle (https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1450875302108934155?s=20). Of course, that might be hyperbole. But the fact that it might *not* be speaks volumes about the uphill challenges he faces. In his last start in Week 17 of the 2019 season, he threw for about 200 yards and one touchdown while tossing two picks. In three of four prior 2019 starts, he failed to get a TD. His somewhat impressive 2017 campaign (thanks in large part to Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen) is deep in the rearview mirror. Now 35 years old, it's hard to imagine him netting more than 12 points tonight.
The running game is in trouble. I like Demetric Felton as a deep flyer before the team signed John Kelly. Now all bets are off. It could be very much a hot-hand situation without the payoff. In other words, someone might get 8+ touches. But will they exceed six fantasy points? If we get more intel before the game, it might clear things up. For now, I can't justify risking starting off a week poorly because you put your faith in Keenum and a third- or fourth- or fifth-string RB talent.
At wideout, Donovan Peoples-Jones seems like the most likely WR4+. Writing this late Wednesday night, it remains unclear whether OBJ or Jarvis Landry will play. If they do, Peoples-Jones will not advisable. If only one does, then that "one" and Peoples-Jones will compete for relevance. I just don't see Keenum passing for more than 200 yards. David Njoku will be boom-bust as usual. The over-under on startable Browns in fantasy is 2, and I'd lean more toward the under than the over if OBJ and Landry are back, especially against Denver's near-elite pass defense.
Speaking of Denver, Teddy Bridgewater is on the right side of questionable. He has been both better than expected and not quite good enough to be a weekly streamer. He's the 19th-best fantasy QB despite playing without Jerry Jeudy for five games, which isn't too shabby given what we're accustomed to seeing from Bronco QBs since 2015. (In fairness, Drew Lock posted comparable fantasy numbers last season.)
The Browns' D has been much better against the run (3.6 yards per carry) than the pass (102.5 opposing QB rating). If we see a heavy dose of three-and-outs from Keenum & company, it will mean more possessions for Denver, which is #3 in time-of-possession this year. Interestingly, Cleveland is #2. Advantage Broncos in this one, as Courtland Sutton and/or Tim Patrick and/or Noah Fant (likely two of the three) should post solid fantasy outputs. Meanwhile, Jeudy appears less than 50-50 to play, do don't bank on it for now.
As for the running game, I keep waiting for Javonte Williams to take over--and he's not even on my fantasy team. So I'm guessing many of you are eager for the rookie to step out of Melvin Gordon's shadow. They both have a tough road tonight. Williams has 14 receptions, compared to 13 for Gordon. That's the key for now. They're both averaging north of 4.5 yards per carry. Their touches are nearly identitical. The difference between starting and sitting one of them tonight might come down to whether they get two receptions or five.
Predicting a 19-13 Broncos victory. An ugly game with a couple big plays. And perhaps plenty of commercials. Leave your prediction below, and if you're closest, I will reward you with six or seven words of public accolades.
---
Pro Football Network fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
Listen to the PFN fantasy podcast Monday, Tuesday, and Friday -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372