Fantasy Sports

It’s playoff time and guess who advanced? You guessed it, this guy. I got crushed in the last week of my season so badly, I didn’t even write about it last week. I had given up. But in a rematch with my end-of-season nemesis, I returned the favor.

It did not start off pretty, as Thanksgiving saw a lot of action and a little inaction.  Dak Prescott struggled against the Bills. He still provided me with 22.7 fpts.  

Julio Jones was declared inactive after Cole Beasley went off against the Cowboys.  I should have seen that coming, but I was laced with tryptophan and wasn’t thinking straight.  That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

All of that, John Conner still out, and basically being forced  to start N’Keal Harry, I saw my season slipping away.

However, thanks to solid performances from Austin Ekeler, Darius Slayton and Robert Woods, I was able to overcome my roster disaster and pull out the win and play another week.

Ekeler is continuing to be a reliable piece of my lineup. I still contend he is a flex star, but given my situation he is my RB2. To be fair, he has four touchdowns in his last six games and is averaging four receptions in that same time frame.  At this point, he is still my RB2 behind Aaron Jones.

Darius Slayton has been a great addition over the last month, as the Giants are playing out the string and have health issues at the receiver spot. Slayton was good for 10.4 fpts and has averaged 10 targets over his last three games. If Golden Tate and Sterling Shepherd continue to have health issues Slayton stands to produce more over the next few weeks.

Robert Woods had a breakout game at Arizona and it is most likely the reason I am playing this week. Woods was targeted 19 times. He caught 13 of those for 172 yards. That was good enough for 30.2 fpts. Woods. however, has still yet to record a receiving touchdown this year. He is finding his groove with the offense, as he has averaged 13 targets in the last three games he’s played. If you’ve got him, play him.

Going into Week 2 of the playoffs I am going with these guys

QB Dak Prescott Although Baker Mayfield at home against the Bengals looks appetizing

RB Aaron Jones Jones has dropped off from the huge pace he was on. He gets the Redskins at home this week and should be able to turn it around.

RB James Conner Right now, he may be back. I will keep an eye on this

WR Robert Woods Keep feeding him the ball

WR Julio Jones If he’s healthy, I play him.

TE Darren Fells He’s providing value for me.

Flex Austin Ekeler  This obviously changes if he gets pressed into RB2 duty

Players not on my team that I like this week

QB Aaron Rogers He torched the Giants last week on the road. This week he gets the Redskins at home. Rodgers will throw at least two touchdowns and 300 yards.  Matt Ryan gets a Panthers team he torched a few weeks ago and they just fired their coach. Ryan will throw for three touchdowns and 275 yards.

RB Derrick Henry Henry has been consistent this year and he gets a Raiders team that has all but given up. Look for Henry to rush 100 yards and a TD. Nick Chubb against the Bengals looks enticing. He’ll get at least 90 yards, but look for Kareem Hunt to get the RB touchdowns.

WR Chris Godwin He’s becoming the primary man in Tampa. He has 20 targets and three touchdowns over the last three games. He goes up against a Colts team that has had issues with stopping the pass. DeVante Adams against the aforementioned Redskins could lead to a big day as well.

Good luck in your playoffs everyone!

I don’t want to talk about my game last week. It’s been a rough few weeks for my team, as it has been decimated by injuries and bye weeks. Not having a huge free agent pool to pull from, makes my problem that much worse. Now I head into the playoffs and I hope I can survive. This week I want to talk about players around the league at each position that I think will help teams as we head into the home stretch of the season.

Patrick Mahomes has been good since coming back from injury. He has four touchdowns since coming back from injury. The difference this week is that he will be in the confines of Arrowhead Stadium and playing the Oakland Raiders who just got destroyed by Sam Darnold and the New York Jets. I expect Mahomes to throw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns against the 29th-ranked defense.

It’s really hard to go against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens right now; they are on fire. I think that will continue this week against the San Francisco 49ers in Baltimore. I think Jackson is playing that good right now and I expect throw for a touchdown as well as rush for one. Playing at home will also give him the boost he needs in the elite matchup.

Christian McCaffrey is the everything man in Carolina. He has seven touchdowns in the last five games (five rushing, two receiving). He has already rush for over 1,000 yards and is second on the team in targets with 82. With five games left, he has the potential to also get 1,000 yards receiving. Getting the Redskins at home this week, amidst losing four of the last five games, is a good thing for McCaffrey and the Panthers.

DJ Chark has been a solid start fantasy-wise all season long. With the Jags playing the Bucs in a battle for Florida, I am looking for DJ Chark to pull in eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Given the way the Bucs have been giving up yards and points this year, that number could jump up as well.

I really like Julian Edelman this week at Houston. I know the Patriots offense has struggled this year, but seeing Jakobi Meyers and N’Keal Harry start to gain the trust of Tom Brady, and the possible returns of Philip Dorsett and Mohammed Sanu, things could open up for Edelman. I am looking for Edelman to lead the team in targets (no surprise), grab 10 catches and rack in over 100 yards. I’m not sure he will see the end zone but that would be a nice little bonus.

George Kittle has been a machine this year, and if the 49ers want any chance in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon, Kittle needs to be big. Going up against a tough Ravens defense on the road will be hard, but I see Kittle reeling in eight catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. That may not be enough to win the game, but it will help your fantasy team tremendously.

I know I said I didn’t want to talk about my team, but here is my lineup for my first-round playoff game.

QB Dak Prescott Garrett lost that game in New England last week

RB Aaron Jones Getting pummeled by the 49ers was not fun for anyone, especially me

RB Austin Ekeler This is a problem for me, but it’s all I got.

WR Julio Jones He’s questionable for the Thanksgiving game. If he plays, I am hoping he sees his first TD since the Clinton administration

WR Robert Woods He did well in the Rams beatdown handed to them by the Ravens

TE Darren Fells Goes up against tough Patriots D

Flex Darius Slayton This may change a few times before kickoff

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I was hoping to get through this week unbruised and unbattered. So much for hoping. Three byes, one injury and a late scratch absolutely did me in. I was beaten up pretty bad this week, dropping my record to 6-5 on the season and a four-way tie for third place.

I had to know that my week was going to go poorly from the start. James Conner reaggravated his shoulder injury and was limited to only 13 offensive snaps in the Steelers’ loss at Cleveland.  Myles Garret’s antics aside, that was the beginning of the end of my Week 12 performance.  Conner carried the ball five times for 10 yards and hauled in a reception for 6 yards. That’s it!  Conner, who was supposed to be my workhorse while Aaron Jones was on the bye, gave me 2.6 fpts. It does not get much better.

For some reason, Robert Woods was a non-injury scratch on Sunday night against the Bears.  That forced me to put N’Keal Harry into action, as both Geronimo Allison and Darius Slayton were on the bye. I did not expect much from Harry, but he hauled in three catches for 18 yards.  Good enough for 4.8 fpts. Woods’ status will need to be reviewed as the week goes on as he missed the game due to a personal matter.

I did have two shining spots this week with solid performances from both Dak Prescott and Austin Ekeler. Prescott torched the Lions defense with 444 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also went interception free for the first time since week 6.

444 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also went interception free for the first time since week 6.

Ekeler continues to put up points for me, but as a receiver. He totaled 132 yards in the Chargers loss in Mexico City; only 24 of them were on the ground. This whole scenario puts me in a pickle. If Conner cannot go in week 12, Ekeler has the bye. I may be suiting up myself as my RB2. My waiver wire participation will spike tremendously this week.

Guess what? Julio Jones didn’t get in the endzone – again! He has not caught a touchdown since Week 3. He did haul in six receptions for 91 yards, good enough for 14.7 fpts.

Darren Fells, Cole Beasley and Matt Prater’s performance were not even worth mentioning, as they total 15 fpts combined. My head hurts just saying that out loud.

A lot of soul searching this week as I need to figure out my lineup and roster. Here is my lineup as of today before any free agent pickups.

QB Dak Prescott Ride or die. I have no reason to play Baker Mayfield over him

RB Aaron Jones I need you man. You have to carry the load now

RB James Conner I am not confident you will play, so I will be putting someone that will only give me 2 points here

WR Julio Jones Please score a touchdown this week. Just one

WR Robert Woods If he gets his personal matter taken care of, he plays, if not it will be Darius Slayton

Flex Darius Slayton If he moves up to WR2, Beasley will get the call again

TE Darren Fells Bottled up by the Ravens D, I’ll be looking for him to break out against Indy

K Matt Prater Because he’s my kicker

Def Titans I don’t have anything to add to this

Players not on my team that I like:

QB Matt Ryan The Falcons have been clicking lately on both sides of the ball. Going up against a Tampa Bay team that gives up a lot points is prime picking for Ryan. On the flip side of that, Jameis Winston could have a big day too.

RB Nick Chubb Chubb was very disappointing last week against the Steelers. Look for him to bounce back against the Dolphins at home. It still is not clear how much impact the return of Kareem Hunt will impact Chubb, but look for him to have a big game. I hate to say it, but Ezekial Elliot against the Patriots may not be a terrible play.

WR Chris Godwin This kid has been lighting it up. Look for the Falcons to concentrate on Mike Evans, which will open some targets for Godwin.Jarvis Landry has been the most consistent receiver for the Browns. I like him against the Dolphins, too.

TE Dallas Goedert He scored the Eagles’ only touchdown against the Patriots. Zarch Ertz is still the man in Philadelphia, however, as depleted the offensive options are because of injury Goedert stands to produce more.

Good luck this week! Follow me on Twitter @nicoladandrea. 

Back on the winning track this week. The return of most of my starters, coupled with solid play from them, led to me improving to 6-4 on the season with a 120.5 – 96.8. All players on my team, with the exception of TE Chris Herndon, scored in double figures. The star pupils, however, were Aaron Jones and Dak Prescott 

Jones followed up his dismal Week 9 performance with an outstanding performance against the Panthers. He totaled 93 yards rushing and had three touchdowns, to amass 27.3 fpts. He did not receive any targets in the receiving, which was a large part of his success in prior weeks. As stated last week, the return of DeVante Adams to the lineup in Green Bay affects Jones targets. Adams had a team-high 10 targets in Week 10; the next highest was Allen Lazard with six. But if Jones will keep getting the ball around the goal, there should be no reason to be concerned

Prescott was on fire in his game against the Vikings, and could have led the Cowboys to a comeback win. There were some questionable play calls in the red zone that prevented the Cowboys from pulling out the win and for Dak to produce even more, but that’s another argument. Prescott threw for 397 yards and three touchdowns against a tough Minnesota defense, good enough for 25.9 fpts. His only interception came on the last play of the game as he heaved it into the endzone. Prescott has pretty much flatlined and will consistently produce in 23-30 fpts range, which I am totally cool with.

The streak of zero touchdowns from my top two receivers continued and now sits at six weeks. Julio Jones hauled in three receptions for 79 yards on nine targets (10.9 fpts) in an upset win over New Orleans. Robert Woods was the top guy for the Rams (7 rec, 95 yards, 16.5 fpts), as Brandin Cooks missed the game with a concussion, and Cooper Kupp was bottled up defensively. I am hopeful that both players will find the endzone in Week 11. It is more likely for Jones, but if Woods can continue to be the possession receiver he has been the last couple of years, his production will be very helpful

Austin Ekeler and Cole Beasley provided the points they were expected to in Week 10. Ekeler totaled 48 yards, two receptions and a touchdown. Beasley had 74 yards on four receptions. The problem I have is that I have them both in the lineup. I cannot have that if I want to win this league. However, the signs are that James Conner will play this week against Pittsburgh. If so, that may help my problem.

Darren Fells will be back this week. That is all I have to say about my TE.

My Lineup for Week 11: 

QB Dak Prescott I just need him to stay consistent

RB Austin Ekeler With Jones on the bye he gets another start. 

RB James Conner He really needs to play this week or I will need to find an RB on the waiver wire.

WR Julio Jones Find the end zone

WR Robert Woods Keep proving you are the most reliable of the Rams receivers

Flex Cole Beasley This whole bye/RB/Injury situation is killing me

TE Darren Fells Herndon ended up on the IR, so Fells needs to stay healthy. Bad year for TE’s for me (Walker, Dissly, Herndon)

K Matt Prater He’s still the only kicker on my roster.

Players not on my team that I like this week:

Before I start, if you followed my advice last week, I’m sorry. I would never have guessed that the Falcons would have shut down the Saints. Also, I would never have thought there would be a time when Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold would have out-rushed Saquon Barkley

QB Patrick Mahomes He looked good in his return from injury, which bodes well for Kansas City. A Monday Night showdown with the Chargers could be a nice performance before heading into the bye week. For some reason, I really like Deshaun Watson this week at Baltimore. He seems to do well in these types of games.

RB Josh Jacobs I am really starting to like this kid. A nice double threat out of the backfield and it seems Derek Carr really trusts him. I’ve been high on Dalvin Cook all season  If healthy, he is a top-five RB, hands down.

WR Amari Cooper at the Bengals seems like a no-brainer. The Bengals seem to give up a lot both on the ground and the air. Thank God they don’t go to war for us.

TE Hunter Henry He’s going up against a Chiefs defense that gives up a lot of yards to receivers.  

There you have it. Good luck! Follow me on Twitter @nicoladandrea.

My biggest fear happened last weekend and I got crushed. My bench has been a weakness for me pretty much all season, and with a large league and rosters, fixing it is very difficult. I am making do Having two key starters on the bye and a lackluster performance from everyone else, all contributed to a 50-point drubbing. My record now stands at 5-4.

Dak Prescott returned from the bye and picked up where he left off. Unfortunately, where he left off was a declining week to week performance. He was my top point getter (21.5 FPTS) with with 257 yds and 3 TDs. He still can’t help throwing an interception each week. I said I would ride Dak until the end and I will continue to do so. He gets Minnesota at home. The Vikings are capable of shutting down an offense or giving up the big play repeatedly. It’s a crap shoot.

My running backs absolutely killed me this week. With James Conner out because of a shoulder injury I was left with Aaron Jones and Austin Ekeler, who ironically were playing each other. Aaron Jones had been hot the past several weeks, that did not translate this past weekend. He had just 30 yards rushing and his targets suffered greatly with the return of DeVante Adams. Jones was only targeted once with one catch in the loss at the Chargers.

Ekeler was what he has become with the return of Melvin Gordon to the lineup, a change-of-pace back that can catch out of the backfield. He had 70 yards rushing and 23 yards receiving, but no TDs. It was good enough for 13.3 FPTS, which is what I am supposed to get out of a flex, not a starter. If Conner is good to go Sunday, Ekeler will drop to the flex spot. If not, I am in trouble again.

The receiver spot has been my Achilles’ heel all season, but with my top two receivers on the bye this week (Julio Jones and Robert Woods) it was a recipe for disaster. Cole Beasley and Darius Slayton were forced into action and totaled 10.9. Combined, they were targeted six times and hauled in three total catches. Beasley was able to get into the end zone. Jones and Woods will be back this week. I know I have been frustrated with Woods all season, but he’s been better than this.

Darren Fells has had the hot hand at TE for me and he produced as expected. He is on the bye this week and I picked up Chris Herndon off the waiver wire to fill in. Hopefully he plays this week so I am not scrambling at game time.

This weeks lineup:

QB Dak Prescott He’s better than the alternative, Baker Mayfield

RB Aaron Jones He turns it around this week at home against Carolina’s 27th ranked defense

RB James Conner I am putting him in, knowing that he will be replaced by Ekeler if he can’t go

WR Julio Jones Keep doing what you’re doing, just get into the endzone

WR Robert Woods Sorry for doubting you Bobby. Your absence was greatly felt.

Flex Austin Ekeler Home where you belong. If Conner can’t go, Beasley comes in.

TE Chris Herndon Hopefully, he can produce like Will Herndon. Only five people got that reference.

K Matt Prater He’s the only kicker on my roster.

Players not I my team that I like this week:

QB Drew Brees Brees hasn’t missed a beat since returning from injury. He’s got the lowly Falcons at home where he really likes to play. I can totally see him scoring 30 or more Fantasy Points. After watching Lamar Jackson last week I really feel bad for Bengals fans this week. Jackson is going to tear it up.

RB –Saquon Barkley There isn’t a lot to root for in New York with either team this year, but I think Barkley can have a big day against his roomates in the Meadowlands on Sunday. Alvin Kamara complimenting Bree against Atlanta is a good play as well. He missed the last game and then had the bye. He should be good to go

WR Michael Thomas Brees has to throw it to someone. I truly like Julio Jones this week, but he’s on my team. Tyreek Hill at Tennessee looks real nice. I’m guessing the Chiefs hold Pat Mahomes out one more week, as they have the bye next week, If Mahomes goes, Hill could have a big day

TE Hunter Henry He’s been producing since coming back from injury. A Thursday night matchup in Oakland could be good for the big target.

Good luck this weekend. Follow me on Twitter @nicoladandrea.

Second Place baby! Second win in a row and this time it was a team effort. I am 5-3 (3-5 in my other league, blah). Two quarters of the way through the season and I am primed for a final push. However, I have two byes that may cause problems for me this week

This week’s final was 160.6-96.5, a good overall showing. Baker Mayfield was not the absolute disaster I had anticipated, but he was not extremely helpful either, finishing with 194 yds, one TD and an INT, (11.6 FPTS). Dak Prescott is back off the bye and Mayfield will be back to the bench. Thanks Baker, maybe you’ll start next year.

My RBs were the name of the game this week as both James Conner and Aaron Jones were huge in wins for their respective teams. Conner totaled 150 yards and a TD to give me a solid 24 FPTS. However, an injury to his shoulder late in the game may affect his availability this week and going forward. Jones once again did his damage as a receiver. He had 159 receiving yards on seven catches and two TDs. Jones has 22 catches on 27 targets over the last four games, which coincidentally is when WR Devante Adams went out. Will the return of Adams affect Jones targets? We shall see. Austin Ekeler gave me 10 pts as my Flex.

Julio Jones once again was productive (10 rec, 152 yds, 25.2 FPTS), but did not get in the endzone. Jones would be a top-five fantasy scorer if he could get in the endzone more. Robert Woods is still struggling to get targets and I may move him to the bench once he comes back from the bye. Cole Beasley doubled his output in a loss to the Eagles. Decision is coming, sorry Bobby.

Darren Fells was a good pickup for me as he hauled in two TDs (23.8 FPTS) in a comeback win against the Raiders. Fells is my guy going forward because Delanie Walker has been injured and non-existent since week 1. He’ll stay on my roster, unless he moves to the IR, for backup purposes. But Darren in my guy.

Given that I am writing this article later than I normally do this week, I was able to make some moves before print. I was able to pick up Darius Slayton, WR, NYG. His role may be increased as Sterling Shepherd is once again sideline. Another pickup was Geronimo Allison, WR, GB. This was more of a safety pick, as I was really thin at receiver with both my starters on the Bye. Lastly, I added N’Keal Harry. If he gets activated by the Patriots, he has nothing but upside.

My Lineup this week:

QB Dak Prescott Back from the bye and ready to get back to work

RB Aaron Jones This guy is on fire and this trend will continue whether Adams is back or not

RB James Conner Until he’s ruled out, he’s in

WR Cole Beasley I need him to survive this week. A home game against the Redskins will help

WR Darius Slayton This could change given the recent pickups that I did. He’s in now

Flex Austin Ekeler Hopefullym he continues to produce or he may go to the bench when Woods comes back.

TE Darren Fells Watson seems to trust him right now.

K Matt Prater I cut Robbie Gould. Hopefully, he doesn’t burn me.

Players not on my team that I like this week

QB Aaron Rodgers is on fire right now and the Packers are clicking. He’s averaging over 30 FPTS the last three weeks and is playing a decimated Chargers team. Matt Stafford against the Raiders is also a good play.

RB Ezekial Elliot going up against the Giants seems like a solid play this week. Elliot seems to have found himself the last two games before the bye. A divisional game on Monday night, on the road, seems like a bad idea, but I think it will work for him. Christian McCaffrey is the only thing good going on in Carolina. Play him.

WR Stefon Diggs is starting to come around as well as the Minnesota offense. A road game against a horrid Chiefs defense that is struggling right now could provide well for Diggs and the Vikings. Mike Evans against Seattle at home is a good look. Hopefully, he repeats last week’s efforts.

TE Hunter Henry has produced since coming back from injury. Will it continue? I think so.

Go Pats!