October 8th 2016
Saturday Evening Edition
Week 5 Sunday Sleepers
After taking a look at this week's matchups, here's a small pair of wide receivers that could have big days on Sunday.
With the Redskins 25th ranked pass defense rolling into town, Ravens wideout Steve Smith Sr. could be looking to build off his recent success. Smith is coming off games of 87 yards and 111 yards receiving and has seen a significant spike in targets (22 in the last two weeks). With the Redskins allowing the 5th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, Smith should have plenty of opportunities to make noise on Sunday. Smith is a nice flex play this week and mid-WR3 in deeper leagues.
Another value at wide receiver this week is the Cowboys Cole Beasley. The Cowboys 5th year receiver has been pretty steady this season averaging nearly 70 yards receiving per game and has 23 catches on the year. This week the Cowboys play host to the Bengals and their 11th ranked pass defense. This should fare well for Beasley as the Bengals allow the 12th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the Cowboys will once again not have Dez Bryant available. Beasley is not a big red-zone target, but he could get some extra looks on Sunday and cash them in for a big afternoon. Beasley is more of a flyer this week, but could have some flex appeal.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
October 7th 2016
Friday Evening Edition
Week 5 Friday Fantasy Fix
With four weeks in the books, there are several interesting matchups this weekend (Week 5) worth taking a look at for fantasy owners.
In Baltimore running back Terrance West is looking at a prime matchup against the Redskins run defense ranked 30th versus the run. West should get plenty of looks this Sunday coming off a 21 carry effort in week 4. He is also averaging better than 4 yards per carry and is currently the leagues 17th leading rusher. With the Redskins allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 7 rushing touchdowns this season, West looks to be a week 4 must play.
Colts running back Frank Gore was just removed the team's injury report for week 5 and that comes just in time. This Sunday Gore gets the Bears run defense, ranked 26th versus the run and allowing 123 yards per game on the ground. The Colts are in big need of getting the running game rolling and this Sunday, home cooking could be just what the doctor ordered to get the ship righted. Gore, the leagues 15th leading runner has averaged better than 21 touches the last two weeks; expect more Gore this Sunday and lots of production.
The Eagles running back Ryan Matthews was also just removed from the team's injury report and with a favorable matchup this Sunday against the Lions run defense he could finally get his 2016 fantasy season rolling. The Lions run defense is ranked 22nd versus the run and they also allow better than 5-yards per tote. If Matthews is finally healthy, he could see some extended work with positive results. Matthews is more of a sleeper or low-end flex play this week.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
October 3rd 2016
Sunday Morning Edition
Week 4 Fantasy Notes and Picks
We are a little less than an hour from the morning games kicking off, so with a couple of games already in the books (or just about-Ind @ Jax in 4th quarter), I am just taking a peak at the day ahead...
My Top 10 WR's for Week 4
(Sunday Only)
1. Demaryius Thomas - prime matchup for a big day
2. Julio Jones - unstoppable, will still post numbers.
3. Brandin Cooks - Chargers will have hands full.
4. DeSean Jackson - always the big play threat.
5. Antonio Brown - can't stop him, only try to contain.
6. DeAndre Hopkins - he will get open today.
7. Alshon Jeffrey - Lions secondary will have hands full.
8. Travis Benjamin - could be a shootout today.
9. Doug Baldwin - like his matchup today on road.
10. Mike Wallace - matchup is too good to pass up.
Looking at some prime DFS plays, I am putting my stock in Kelvin Benjamin today against the Falcons secondary, 4 touchdowns allowed to wide receivers and 8 scores allowed in the red-zone.
I am also running with Dennis Pitta at tight end. Pitta faces the Raiders today, allowing the 6th most receiving yards to opposing tight ends. Pitta has been seeing a lot of work as well; 20 targets in his last two games.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
October 2nd 2016
Sunday Morning Edition
Sunday Player Watch:
We have an early game this morning, so real quick just going to throw this one out there. The Jaguars want to run the ball to compliment their pass game, this is why they acquired running back Chris Ivory.
Last week Ivory made his debut as a Jag, but the start was anything but memorable. Today could be very different. The last time Ivory was in London, his day was memorable with 166 yards on the ground. He was a jet at the time.
He could take a stroll down memory lane today, facing a Colts defense that has allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs, over 4 yards per carry this season, and 4 rushing scores. Ivory should be featured in the run game and if he is, look out it could be a very good day.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
September 30th 2016
Friday Evening Edition
Friday Fantasy Fix
We've got three weeks in the books and whether or not it's enough info to accurately predict outcomes and performances, doesn't matter I am going to offer my two cents nonetheless.
Here are just some notes, observations, and ridiculous predictions for week 4 of the NFL.
Must Plays...
With 2nd year quarterback Trevor Siemian seemingly growing up week-to-week right before our eyes, there's little doubt the Buccaneers defense is going to challenge the young gunslinger. Last week it was Emmanuel Sanders rising up with the big day, this week I like Demaryius Thomas to come up big. Thomas was only targeted 7 times last week, but still came up big with a solid fantasy day. This week I am expecting even greater.
The Cardinals will have a tough divisional matchup this Sunday against the Rams, but that shouldn't matter to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The 13-year vet leads the team in targets, receptions, yards receiving, and touchdowns, by far and it's not even close. Fitz doesn't look like he's lost a step and this week's matchup should be just another one for books. In two matchups last season, Fitz was targeted 20 times and caught 15 balls. He only totaled 154 yards and didn't score, but this year the savvy vet seems to be finding his way to the end zone. If he gets enough looks, he's going to produce.
I am sure if you've been like me, you have been counting the first three weeks just waiting for Steelers running back LeVeon Bell's suspension to end. Now that it has, it's time to play the kid and expect a heavy does of Bell on Sunday. He's a dual threat who may not see 20 plus carries, but he'll be active in the pass game and be one of Sunday's PPR darlings in week 4. Fantasy owners also note, the Chiefs allow the 11th most fantasy points to opposing running backs and have allowed the 7th most rushing yards this season.
Plan B...
If your starter is on a by this week and you have to go to plan B, the Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker could provide the needed relief. Last week he was stifled against a tough Vikings defensive front, but should have find greater success this week against the Falcons. In three games this season the Atlanta defense is 22nd versus the run and allow the 4th most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Another plan B play for week 4 is Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian. He's definitely not playing like a second year quarterback and he has plenty of weapons to dispurse the ball to. The Buccaneers defense will likely stack the box and try to make the kid beat them with his arm; which he may be able to do. Last week Siemian passed for over 300 yards, he could very well follow up with an encorE performance.
Sleepers...
The Saints are on the road this week in San Diego and if you are thinking of playing running back Travaris Cadet, this could be the week. In PPR formats, Cadet could be looking at a big week agains the Chargers defense that allows the 9th most fantasy points to opposing running backs and has allowed the second most receptions. Cadet is a pass-catching specialist and already has 11 receptions (tied for 8th in NFL for RBs) on 16 targets (tied for 8th in NFL for RBs) this season.
This may not be a true sleeper play, but it's borderline especially in redraft leagues where this guy may not have even made any fantasy teams. They have not played a lot, just three games this season, but I like the combination of wide receiver Mike Wallace's speed and quarterback Joe Flacco's big arm. This Sunday the Ravens host the Raiders, a.k.a the big air secondary; that is the Raiders give up a lot of big plays and Wallace was made for the big play. Wallace is seeing a steady diet of targets thus far and this should continue into Sunday. The Raiders have allowed 16 pass plays of 20 yards or more already this season, which only means Wallace and Flacco will add to that total.
Flyers...
So far this season the Bears have had little to cheer about, but at least fantasy owners have tight end Zach Miller. Last week the former Jaguar had his best game of the season with 8 grabs for 78 yards and two scores. Now he may not score twice again this season, but this week against the Lions secondary worst against opposing tight ends he's looks to be lock to find pay dirt. The Lions allow the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and have surrendered five touchdowns in just three games. I would expect the Bears to be looking for Miller in the red zone on Sunday.
Waiting list...
The Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is expected to see action for the first time this season on Sunday, but if you drafted Jam expecting him to return to form this is probably not the week. Fantasy owners should lower their expectations. In deeper formats, you may have to roll the dice and take a shot, but if you have options this may be a play worth waiting on.
That's my take for Week 4.
~David G. Ortega
