There is a heaping serving of fantasy chaos heading into Sunday's games. Speaking for myself, I'm 5-5 and facing Joel Verzosa. Joel is always prepared. He knows many things I don't. Sometimes he shares them in the comments. Sometimes he uses his info to crush me. Either way, always entertaining, and I gotta say, always a bit stressful.
These are make-or-break weeks for many of you, too. So let's make it count. Here are some of the most challenging fantasy questions this weekend. I'll go game-by-game. If you have more, ask more below. We're here to give our two cents anytime.
Also, before we get started, if you've listened to our fantasy podcast and enjoy it, please give it some stars. If you want 1,000 words twice a week of special fantasy content (all stuff I'm currently writing), sign up for PFN's free fantasy newsletter on the PFN Fantasy Twitter page.
Colts vs. Bills -- Michael Pittman is one of my shocking "sits" this week. Yes, despite being a locked-in WR1, I don't trust him against the best NFL pass defense since 2009. As for Buffalo, the backfield remains a crapshoot. I keep thinking Devin Singletary will/should take over. I believe he's more talented, and the numbers largely show that. But for now, he and Zack Moss will continue to be 50/50 calls.
Bears vs. Ravens -- With Allen Robinson doubtul, is this Darnell Mooney's moment to shine? His volume needs to improve, as does Justin Fields' QB chops. I trust more in Fields than I do Mooney longer term. For now, I'd gladly stream both in deeper leagues. And for Baltimore, Rashod Bateman is a tough one, right? Should be a good bet for 8-10 points. But most of us need more. I have to say as much as I like him, he remains one of those, "Yeah, I suppose I'll start him" receivers.
Browns vs. Lions -- Nick Chubb should return. Given the opponent, I would absolutely stream D’Ernest Johnson, who deserves a shot at the Kareem Hunt role as long as Hunt is sidelined. And D'Andre Swift is one of my other big contrarian "sits" on the PFN website this week. Coming off a 33-carry performance and facing a sometimes-tough Cleveland defense, I can't imagine starting any Detroit player with confidence, and that includes the seemingly unbenchable Swift.
Titans vs. Texans -- Can we trust anyone besides A.J. Brown? You all know my views on D'Onta Foreman over Adrian Peterson. But I'm not ready to call Foreman a must-start until he earns a bigger share of the backfield (hopefully soon). And it's safe to assume Marcus Johnson and/or Geoff Swaim will be streamable. For Houston, can we trust anyone besides Brandin Cooks? Maybe Nico Collins for 7+ points. But yeah, not enthsuiastic.
Vikings vs. Packers -- Besides the obvious Big 3, plus Kirk Cousins, Tyler Conklin remains an underappreciated TE1. And can A.J. Dillon be elite? I'm betting yes, and that it will lead to greater usage later this season. He's the real deal. Please read this piece before making up your mind. The stats favoring Dillon are jarringly interesting: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/aaron-jones-or-a-j-dillon-who-will-be-better-in-the-fantasy-playoffs/.
Jets vs. Dolphins -- Who will lead the Jets in receiving with Joe Flacco at the helm? Safe money remains on Corey Davis, though Elijah Moore continues to loom. And Tua Tagovailoa will give managers another capable fantasy streamer to choose from. I doubted him last year and into this summer. No longer.
Eagles vs. Saints -- If Miles Sanders returns, can we trust any Philly RB? Sadly, probably not. And if Alvin Kamara sits, is Mark Ingram a must-start? Probably, and hope he remains an offensive focal point, assuming Tony Jones isn't suddenly activated.
Panthers vs. Washington -- I'm big on buying low on Robby Anderson. We'll see if he and Cam Newton can be as good as I believe they'll be. And was the Week 10 version of Antonio Gibson the real Antonio Gibson going forward? He couldn't be trusted in lineups most weeks. We'll see if last week was a fluke, or if he's officially back.
Jaguars vs. 49ers -- I like Marvin Jones bouncing back against the Niners. That said, every Jag WR is boom-bust. And if Elijah Mitchell sits, don't be surprised if Jeff Wilson earns next week's starting job. He showed very well in spot starts last year. Mitchell isn't the automatic starter when he returns.
Raiders vs. Bengals -- Josh Jacobs or Kenyan Drake? No clue. The team probably knows. Go talk to someone who works for them. It's a confusing fantasy situation. And Tyler Boyd was a trendy draft pick. He's struggled. Is he the 4th or 5th option on offense? Or will he still get his targets over the course of the season?
Chiefs vs. Cowboys -- Assuming CEH sits, Darrel Williams will get another week to shine. Man, wish I hadn't traded him weeks ago. Did not anticipate his dominance. And Amari Cooper is out (COVID list). Assuming there's no other fallout, Michael Gallup gets a clear bump.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals -- Whoever's ready to roll in Seattle's backfield, are you ready to roll with them? I couldn't trust anyone this weekend besides a healthy Chris Carson, and Carson isn't suiting up. For Arizona, should we start any wide receiver besides Christian Kirk? They all seem TD-dependent.
Chargers vs. Steelers -- Can Mike Williams get going again? One of the biggest mysteries in fantasy. And can we trust a returning Chase Claypool? If Mason Rudolph earns another start, his odds look a little better, which is a sad-but-true commentary on Ben Roethlisberger.
Buccaneers vs. Giants -- For Monday night, all eyes are on Rob Gronkowski's status. The problem is, we might not know for sure until Monday. So fantasy managers have to either roll the dice or play it safe. If you don't have a top-8 TE, I'd roll the dice given Gronk's upside, then pick up O.J. Howard (or if you have to, Cameron Brate) in case Gronk sits. And for New York, can we trust Saquon Barkley if he returns? Not as a top-20 RB, in my opinion.
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- 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
These are make-or-break weeks for many of you, too. So let's make it count. Here are some of the most challenging fantasy questions this weekend. I'll go game-by-game. If you have more, ask more below. We're here to give our two cents anytime.
Also, before we get started, if you've listened to our fantasy podcast and enjoy it, please give it some stars. If you want 1,000 words twice a week of special fantasy content (all stuff I'm currently writing), sign up for PFN's free fantasy newsletter on the PFN Fantasy Twitter page.
Colts vs. Bills -- Michael Pittman is one of my shocking "sits" this week. Yes, despite being a locked-in WR1, I don't trust him against the best NFL pass defense since 2009. As for Buffalo, the backfield remains a crapshoot. I keep thinking Devin Singletary will/should take over. I believe he's more talented, and the numbers largely show that. But for now, he and Zack Moss will continue to be 50/50 calls.
Bears vs. Ravens -- With Allen Robinson doubtul, is this Darnell Mooney's moment to shine? His volume needs to improve, as does Justin Fields' QB chops. I trust more in Fields than I do Mooney longer term. For now, I'd gladly stream both in deeper leagues. And for Baltimore, Rashod Bateman is a tough one, right? Should be a good bet for 8-10 points. But most of us need more. I have to say as much as I like him, he remains one of those, "Yeah, I suppose I'll start him" receivers.
Browns vs. Lions -- Nick Chubb should return. Given the opponent, I would absolutely stream D’Ernest Johnson, who deserves a shot at the Kareem Hunt role as long as Hunt is sidelined. And D'Andre Swift is one of my other big contrarian "sits" on the PFN website this week. Coming off a 33-carry performance and facing a sometimes-tough Cleveland defense, I can't imagine starting any Detroit player with confidence, and that includes the seemingly unbenchable Swift.
Titans vs. Texans -- Can we trust anyone besides A.J. Brown? You all know my views on D'Onta Foreman over Adrian Peterson. But I'm not ready to call Foreman a must-start until he earns a bigger share of the backfield (hopefully soon). And it's safe to assume Marcus Johnson and/or Geoff Swaim will be streamable. For Houston, can we trust anyone besides Brandin Cooks? Maybe Nico Collins for 7+ points. But yeah, not enthsuiastic.
Vikings vs. Packers -- Besides the obvious Big 3, plus Kirk Cousins, Tyler Conklin remains an underappreciated TE1. And can A.J. Dillon be elite? I'm betting yes, and that it will lead to greater usage later this season. He's the real deal. Please read this piece before making up your mind. The stats favoring Dillon are jarringly interesting: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/aaron-jones-or-a-j-dillon-who-will-be-better-in-the-fantasy-playoffs/.
Jets vs. Dolphins -- Who will lead the Jets in receiving with Joe Flacco at the helm? Safe money remains on Corey Davis, though Elijah Moore continues to loom. And Tua Tagovailoa will give managers another capable fantasy streamer to choose from. I doubted him last year and into this summer. No longer.
Eagles vs. Saints -- If Miles Sanders returns, can we trust any Philly RB? Sadly, probably not. And if Alvin Kamara sits, is Mark Ingram a must-start? Probably, and hope he remains an offensive focal point, assuming Tony Jones isn't suddenly activated.
Panthers vs. Washington -- I'm big on buying low on Robby Anderson. We'll see if he and Cam Newton can be as good as I believe they'll be. And was the Week 10 version of Antonio Gibson the real Antonio Gibson going forward? He couldn't be trusted in lineups most weeks. We'll see if last week was a fluke, or if he's officially back.
Jaguars vs. 49ers -- I like Marvin Jones bouncing back against the Niners. That said, every Jag WR is boom-bust. And if Elijah Mitchell sits, don't be surprised if Jeff Wilson earns next week's starting job. He showed very well in spot starts last year. Mitchell isn't the automatic starter when he returns.
Raiders vs. Bengals -- Josh Jacobs or Kenyan Drake? No clue. The team probably knows. Go talk to someone who works for them. It's a confusing fantasy situation. And Tyler Boyd was a trendy draft pick. He's struggled. Is he the 4th or 5th option on offense? Or will he still get his targets over the course of the season?
Chiefs vs. Cowboys -- Assuming CEH sits, Darrel Williams will get another week to shine. Man, wish I hadn't traded him weeks ago. Did not anticipate his dominance. And Amari Cooper is out (COVID list). Assuming there's no other fallout, Michael Gallup gets a clear bump.
Seahawks vs. Cardinals -- Whoever's ready to roll in Seattle's backfield, are you ready to roll with them? I couldn't trust anyone this weekend besides a healthy Chris Carson, and Carson isn't suiting up. For Arizona, should we start any wide receiver besides Christian Kirk? They all seem TD-dependent.
Chargers vs. Steelers -- Can Mike Williams get going again? One of the biggest mysteries in fantasy. And can we trust a returning Chase Claypool? If Mason Rudolph earns another start, his odds look a little better, which is a sad-but-true commentary on Ben Roethlisberger.
Buccaneers vs. Giants -- For Monday night, all eyes are on Rob Gronkowski's status. The problem is, we might not know for sure until Monday. So fantasy managers have to either roll the dice or play it safe. If you don't have a top-8 TE, I'd roll the dice given Gronk's upside, then pick up O.J. Howard (or if you have to, Cameron Brate) in case Gronk sits. And for New York, can we trust Saquon Barkley if he returns? Not as a top-20 RB, in my opinion.
---
- 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