A ton of notable football news yesterday. Last Saturday I tried something different, walking through the fantasy storylines I'm watching for in tomorrow's games. So let's do that again, with an eye toward the potential impact of current key injuries.
Cowboys vs. Falcons -- After an embarrassingly bad home loss to Denver (no knock on Denver, but still . . .), Dallas should rebound against a sub-par Atlanta D. I'm most interested in the backfield--whether Zeke Elliott's knee contusion last week could prompt Dallas to give Tony Pollard a little more run than usual. Among RBs with at least 15 carries this season, Pollard has the fourth most yards per carry: 5.0. And can the Falcons produce a consistent fantasy constributor outside of Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Pitts. I doubt it, but we'll see.
Titans vs. Saints -- Julio Jones is questionable. Adrian Peterson is 36 years old. Rarely does a 7-2 team look this vulnerable. I'm most interested in seeing what D'Onta Foreman can do. Last week he was my pick to eventually lead this backfield in Derrick Henry's absence. And with Alvin Kamara out, if my research is correct, this will mark the Saints' first game without him, Drew Brees, or Michael Thomas since September 27, 2015. Can Mark Ingram be an RB2? He had five receptions last week, and as I shared on yesterday's podcast, that's critically important for managers needing a high-floor RB with solid TD potential.
Colts vs. Jaguars -- Beyond Indy's obvious stars, Nyheim Hines is coming off back-to-back games with 2+ receptions for the first time all season. How odd is that. He entered the season averaging 3.5 catches per game for his career. A consistently involved Hines would be a boon for fantasy managers. And which Jaguar receiver will step up this week? And will it even matter for fantasy managers needing WR3+ production?
Patriots vs. Browns -- If Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson sit, Brandon Bolden could be a must-start, even in a relatively tough matchup. And if only Harris sits, Stevenson could inch closer to claiming at least a share of the lead-back role. Meanwhile, Cleveland's first game in the post-Odell Beckham, Jr. era. With Nick Chubb sidelined, it'll be D'Ernest Johnson or bust. I bet against Johnson once and am wary of doing it again. Is he for real?
Jets vs. Bills -- Wrote a piece for Pro Football Network that should run Sunday morning on how Mike White is undervalued against the Bills. Makes no sense when you factor in Buffalo's incredible pass defense. But they've also taken on only one great QB (Patrick Mahomes). Not that White is "great," but he's better than some of the sub-par quarterbacks steamrolled by the Bills. I think White will get 15+ points, which would be 4+ points more than opposing fantasy QBs' have done this season. And if Zack Moss sits, will Devin Singletary be the streaming RB I've been banking on for weeks?
Steelers vs. Lions -- Among the QBs who have played every game this season, Ben Roethlisberger has the fewest fantasy points. It's an ugly reminder of how far he's fallen. Still, his matchup this week is nearly perfect. I'm expecting 18+ points. And will the newly signed Josh Reynolds supplant Kalif Raymond or Amon-Ra St. Brown? I highly doubt it, though this offense is dysfunctional enough to try anything.
Washington vs. Buccaneers -- All eyes are on Antonio Gibson. He was one of my major sell-high pushes a few weeks ago on the PFN podcast and the website. If he can finish out the season, that's about the best fantasy managers can hope for. But with Washington on the verge of getting eliminated from postseason contention, I'd be shocked if Jaret Patterson doesn't earn some starts. And with Antonio Brown and Gronk out, and with Chris Godwin questionable, we know what Mike Evans can do. More interestingly, we know what Tyler Johnson *could* do. I remain uber-high on him, and this is a week where he could explode.
Cardinals vs. Panthers -- An odd matchup. Arizona has enough injured players to form a support group, and Carolina has enough underperformers to form a farm team. I'm very interested in seeing how James Conner handles bellcow duties, as well as how much run Eno Benjamin gets. For the Panthers, we're likely one week away from seeing Cam Newton on the field. He's my featured player in this coming Tuesday's PFN newsletter. Get ready to buy low on D.J. Moore, especially if he flops this week as expected. I believe Moore will be a must-start with Cam under center.
Chargers vs. Vikings -- Can Mike Williams get back on track? And will the 3-5 Vikings start giving a little more run to Alexander Mattison? It might surprise people that Minnesota's two best fantasy RB performances this year did not come from Dalvin Cook.
Broncos vs. Eagles -- A couple weeks ago I wrote in PFN about Jerry Jeudy's likely impact on Denver's receivers. Courtland Sutton has been tanking lately. Are both of them now no better than weekly WR3/4s? And is Jordan Howard for real? I expect he'll cool off.
Packers vs. Seahawks -- Two legendary QBs likely will return. After lowballing OBJ this week, the Packers will try to get back on track. Will they continue to feature A.J. Dillon as an active complement to Aaron Jones? And can we trust anyone in Seattle's backfield? Alex Collins has only six receptions all year, and Carson will be a game-time decision. I wouldn't want to have to start any Seahawk RB these days.
Raiders vs. Chiefs -- Kenyan Drake has the second most receiving yards in his career, and we're only a little over halfway through the season. We shouldn't be surprised if he continues to outplay Josh Jacobs. And can Darrel Williams produce one more good game, making it more difficult to give Clyde Edwards-Helaire (when healthy) his normal bellcow touches?
---
- PFN fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
- Free fantasy advice newsletter -- www.getrevue.co/profile/pfnfantasy
Cowboys vs. Falcons -- After an embarrassingly bad home loss to Denver (no knock on Denver, but still . . .), Dallas should rebound against a sub-par Atlanta D. I'm most interested in the backfield--whether Zeke Elliott's knee contusion last week could prompt Dallas to give Tony Pollard a little more run than usual. Among RBs with at least 15 carries this season, Pollard has the fourth most yards per carry: 5.0. And can the Falcons produce a consistent fantasy constributor outside of Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Pitts. I doubt it, but we'll see.
Titans vs. Saints -- Julio Jones is questionable. Adrian Peterson is 36 years old. Rarely does a 7-2 team look this vulnerable. I'm most interested in seeing what D'Onta Foreman can do. Last week he was my pick to eventually lead this backfield in Derrick Henry's absence. And with Alvin Kamara out, if my research is correct, this will mark the Saints' first game without him, Drew Brees, or Michael Thomas since September 27, 2015. Can Mark Ingram be an RB2? He had five receptions last week, and as I shared on yesterday's podcast, that's critically important for managers needing a high-floor RB with solid TD potential.
Colts vs. Jaguars -- Beyond Indy's obvious stars, Nyheim Hines is coming off back-to-back games with 2+ receptions for the first time all season. How odd is that. He entered the season averaging 3.5 catches per game for his career. A consistently involved Hines would be a boon for fantasy managers. And which Jaguar receiver will step up this week? And will it even matter for fantasy managers needing WR3+ production?
Patriots vs. Browns -- If Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson sit, Brandon Bolden could be a must-start, even in a relatively tough matchup. And if only Harris sits, Stevenson could inch closer to claiming at least a share of the lead-back role. Meanwhile, Cleveland's first game in the post-Odell Beckham, Jr. era. With Nick Chubb sidelined, it'll be D'Ernest Johnson or bust. I bet against Johnson once and am wary of doing it again. Is he for real?
Jets vs. Bills -- Wrote a piece for Pro Football Network that should run Sunday morning on how Mike White is undervalued against the Bills. Makes no sense when you factor in Buffalo's incredible pass defense. But they've also taken on only one great QB (Patrick Mahomes). Not that White is "great," but he's better than some of the sub-par quarterbacks steamrolled by the Bills. I think White will get 15+ points, which would be 4+ points more than opposing fantasy QBs' have done this season. And if Zack Moss sits, will Devin Singletary be the streaming RB I've been banking on for weeks?
Steelers vs. Lions -- Among the QBs who have played every game this season, Ben Roethlisberger has the fewest fantasy points. It's an ugly reminder of how far he's fallen. Still, his matchup this week is nearly perfect. I'm expecting 18+ points. And will the newly signed Josh Reynolds supplant Kalif Raymond or Amon-Ra St. Brown? I highly doubt it, though this offense is dysfunctional enough to try anything.
Washington vs. Buccaneers -- All eyes are on Antonio Gibson. He was one of my major sell-high pushes a few weeks ago on the PFN podcast and the website. If he can finish out the season, that's about the best fantasy managers can hope for. But with Washington on the verge of getting eliminated from postseason contention, I'd be shocked if Jaret Patterson doesn't earn some starts. And with Antonio Brown and Gronk out, and with Chris Godwin questionable, we know what Mike Evans can do. More interestingly, we know what Tyler Johnson *could* do. I remain uber-high on him, and this is a week where he could explode.
Cardinals vs. Panthers -- An odd matchup. Arizona has enough injured players to form a support group, and Carolina has enough underperformers to form a farm team. I'm very interested in seeing how James Conner handles bellcow duties, as well as how much run Eno Benjamin gets. For the Panthers, we're likely one week away from seeing Cam Newton on the field. He's my featured player in this coming Tuesday's PFN newsletter. Get ready to buy low on D.J. Moore, especially if he flops this week as expected. I believe Moore will be a must-start with Cam under center.
Chargers vs. Vikings -- Can Mike Williams get back on track? And will the 3-5 Vikings start giving a little more run to Alexander Mattison? It might surprise people that Minnesota's two best fantasy RB performances this year did not come from Dalvin Cook.
Broncos vs. Eagles -- A couple weeks ago I wrote in PFN about Jerry Jeudy's likely impact on Denver's receivers. Courtland Sutton has been tanking lately. Are both of them now no better than weekly WR3/4s? And is Jordan Howard for real? I expect he'll cool off.
Packers vs. Seahawks -- Two legendary QBs likely will return. After lowballing OBJ this week, the Packers will try to get back on track. Will they continue to feature A.J. Dillon as an active complement to Aaron Jones? And can we trust anyone in Seattle's backfield? Alex Collins has only six receptions all year, and Carson will be a game-time decision. I wouldn't want to have to start any Seahawk RB these days.
Raiders vs. Chiefs -- Kenyan Drake has the second most receiving yards in his career, and we're only a little over halfway through the season. We shouldn't be surprised if he continues to outplay Josh Jacobs. And can Darrel Williams produce one more good game, making it more difficult to give Clyde Edwards-Helaire (when healthy) his normal bellcow touches?
---
- PFN fantasy site -- www.profootballnetwork.com/fantasy-football/
- PFN fantasy podcast -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-mood-for-fantasy-football/id1580114372
- Free fantasy advice newsletter -- www.getrevue.co/profile/pfnfantasy