I've always been struck by the timing of everything on Sundays. Last week I was up 40 points midway through the late-afternoon games. Was facing George Kittle, Cooper Kupp, and Antonio Gibson. They combined for about 89 points, most of which seemed to come in the second half. The league evaporated. It was a crushing loss.
But let's say Kittle and Kupp had faced off Thursday night. I might have thrown in the towel early. (Not really, but you know what I mean.) No doubt, I wouldn't have expected to win heading into Sunday. An entire mindset influenced not only by what happens, but when it happens.
I hung on to win yesterday to advance to the playoffs, continuing a streak that began eight seasons ago. I say "hung on" because my opponent had David Montgomery, and I had A.J. Dillon. My 19-point lead dwindled to 12. But instead I'd been down 16 points with only my Baltimore tight end remaining for Sunday Night Football, it would have been another "Mark Andrews miracle." So instead of feeling joy about a nail-biting comeback, I just felt relief last night that my team held on to win. Same points. Same outcome. Different rollercoaster.
Losing stinks. It really does. And we do this to ourselves year after year because the thrill of victory is worth the risk of disappointment. Or at least, that's why I do it. That, and the challenge of trying to be the best--of sizing up my team's weaknesses and trying to flip them for better players. Surprisingly, but not that surprisingly, I have only three players that I drafted: Keenan Allen (second round), Mark Andrews (fourth round), and A.J. Dillon (seventh round). Everyone else I sold high, or at least I tried to. Some kept elevating, like the Patriots DST (ugh, why did I trade them). If I'd been content to wait it out, there's almost no way I could have made the playoffs.
Based on our conversations over the years, I know many of you embrace the challenge, and many of you rise to the occasion. Here's hoping you pulled through yesterday. And if you need something big to happen tonight to reach the postseason, drop it in Comments so we can cheer you on.
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For tonight's game, some question marks as of Sunday midnight (as I'm writing this). Will Chase Edmonds return? Is DeAndre Hopkins 100%? Yesterday I went 8-4 on picking the point spreads. I'm now 23-12 since randomly starting this two weeks ago. I'll go for 24-12 and take the Cardinals (-2.5) over the Rams. Trusting Kyler Murray will score 18+ points, but I doubt he'll have the same success on the ground that he had last week. Hopkins is Hopkins unless there are reports that he's less than 100%. James Conner would become a TD-dependent RB2/3 if Edmonds is back. Of course, I wouldn't start Edmonds as more than an RB3/4 in that case. Zach Ertz should rebound after a dismal Week 13. Who knows what to expect from Christian Kirk or A.J. Green these days; Rondale Moore could outperform both, and we wouldn't be surprised.
For the Rams, Sony Michel will earn another start, and the Cardinals have been fairly easy to run on (4.7 YPC--third worst in the league). But the passing defense is a different story. I think Matthew Stafford will score less than 18 points. Opposing QBs are averaging only 14.1 fantasy points against the Cards this year. Cooper Kupp is a must-start. OBJ and Van Jefferson? Not so much. Same for Tyler Higbee. If Arizona's moving the ball well and keeping their defense off the field, I can see a bunch of three-and-outs for the Rams and frustration/desperation setting in by the third quarter.
Predicting the Cardinals will win 24-13. As always, leave your prediction below, and if you're closest, I'll write about you in an upcoming column (hint: it'll be tomorrow's column).
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But let's say Kittle and Kupp had faced off Thursday night. I might have thrown in the towel early. (Not really, but you know what I mean.) No doubt, I wouldn't have expected to win heading into Sunday. An entire mindset influenced not only by what happens, but when it happens.
I hung on to win yesterday to advance to the playoffs, continuing a streak that began eight seasons ago. I say "hung on" because my opponent had David Montgomery, and I had A.J. Dillon. My 19-point lead dwindled to 12. But instead I'd been down 16 points with only my Baltimore tight end remaining for Sunday Night Football, it would have been another "Mark Andrews miracle." So instead of feeling joy about a nail-biting comeback, I just felt relief last night that my team held on to win. Same points. Same outcome. Different rollercoaster.
Losing stinks. It really does. And we do this to ourselves year after year because the thrill of victory is worth the risk of disappointment. Or at least, that's why I do it. That, and the challenge of trying to be the best--of sizing up my team's weaknesses and trying to flip them for better players. Surprisingly, but not that surprisingly, I have only three players that I drafted: Keenan Allen (second round), Mark Andrews (fourth round), and A.J. Dillon (seventh round). Everyone else I sold high, or at least I tried to. Some kept elevating, like the Patriots DST (ugh, why did I trade them). If I'd been content to wait it out, there's almost no way I could have made the playoffs.
Based on our conversations over the years, I know many of you embrace the challenge, and many of you rise to the occasion. Here's hoping you pulled through yesterday. And if you need something big to happen tonight to reach the postseason, drop it in Comments so we can cheer you on.
---
For tonight's game, some question marks as of Sunday midnight (as I'm writing this). Will Chase Edmonds return? Is DeAndre Hopkins 100%? Yesterday I went 8-4 on picking the point spreads. I'm now 23-12 since randomly starting this two weeks ago. I'll go for 24-12 and take the Cardinals (-2.5) over the Rams. Trusting Kyler Murray will score 18+ points, but I doubt he'll have the same success on the ground that he had last week. Hopkins is Hopkins unless there are reports that he's less than 100%. James Conner would become a TD-dependent RB2/3 if Edmonds is back. Of course, I wouldn't start Edmonds as more than an RB3/4 in that case. Zach Ertz should rebound after a dismal Week 13. Who knows what to expect from Christian Kirk or A.J. Green these days; Rondale Moore could outperform both, and we wouldn't be surprised.
For the Rams, Sony Michel will earn another start, and the Cardinals have been fairly easy to run on (4.7 YPC--third worst in the league). But the passing defense is a different story. I think Matthew Stafford will score less than 18 points. Opposing QBs are averaging only 14.1 fantasy points against the Cards this year. Cooper Kupp is a must-start. OBJ and Van Jefferson? Not so much. Same for Tyler Higbee. If Arizona's moving the ball well and keeping their defense off the field, I can see a bunch of three-and-outs for the Rams and frustration/desperation setting in by the third quarter.
Predicting the Cardinals will win 24-13. As always, leave your prediction below, and if you're closest, I'll write about you in an upcoming column (hint: it'll be tomorrow's column).
---
- 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