Saturday Edition
December 22nd, 2012
David’s Daily Digest
MNF (on Saturday) Quick Takes
The Lions have little or no running game to speak of heading into this week 16 matchup with the Falcons expect to see a lot of Matthew Stafford (which has become the norm). Stafford is averaging 50 pass attempts in each of his last four starts and is very likely to exceed that plateau tonight. Despite the Falcons stingy ways versus the pass (just 13 touchdowns allowed this season), it will be tough to keep Stafford and Megatron out of the end zone. Stafford is a reach this week, but is still a better option than Flacco, Dalton, or Freeman.
Megatron remains the one constant in the Lions lineup week in and week out. Last week Johnson pulled down 10 passes for more than 120 yards, but was kept out of the end zone. The Falcons secondary ranks 17th against the pass; expect better numbers today from Megatron and at least one trip to pay dirt.
The Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leads a group that even at 12-2, they are still fighting for respect from the rest of the league. Ryan is coming off an impressive win and performance against the Giants last week passing for 270 yards and tossing three touchdowns and will likely need a similar performance and win tonight to fight off the critics again. The Lions are no walk in the park, but Ryan has too many weapons to exploit the Lions 11th ranked secondary. Ryan has been on and off at times this season, but under the light and in the dome(s) he’s golden for fantasy owners; start him.
The Falcons running back Michael Turner is coming off a strong 52 yards rushing performance against the Giants last week. The Lions rank 18th against the run and though they allow the 15th fewest fantasy points to running backs, the defense has surrendered 11 rushing touchdowns this season. The Falcons should move the ball well in the air and could set up some easy scores for Turner. He’s not a top-10 start this week, but he’s a worthy fantasy start for championship weekend.
The Falcons and Lions will meet in primetime on this Saturday night and wide receiver Roddy White is a go. White is Mr. Monday night, the last time the Falcons played during the Monday night broadcast was back in week 2, he tallied 8 catches for 102 yards and a score. White has always been big in the Falcons passing attack and tonight should be more of the same. Facing an uninspired and underachieving Lions team and secondary tonight, expect White to play big with much more on the line. He’s a solid start for fantasy owners.
more Starts & Sits…
Jaquizz Rodgers is a risky start, he’s been on and off, but has yet to produce the type of game worthy of starting except in custom and PPR leagues.
Tony Shceffler should be a very good start, but too many drops and inconsistent play make him a shaky start. Nonetheless he does offer a higher ceiling, with limited options he may be worth a flier.
Julio Jones has too much potential and playmaking ability to sit. He’s the very definition of hit and miss, but owners can’t afford to see this freakish talent.
The Lions basically offer a committee rotation at running back with none of the options standing out from the others, avoid this backfield if possible.
By David Ortega
Saturday Edition
December 22nd, 2012
David’s Daily Digest
Ballard has a Good matchup.
The Colts running back Vick Ballard has been solid the past two weeks in fantasy scoring in double digits in each of his past two games. This Sunday Ballard will line up against the leagues 27th ranked run defense and will have a great shot at scoring in double digits for the third straight game. The Chiefs allow the 8th most fantasy points to running backs.
Bradshaw very shaky for Week 16.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw is making the trip to Baltimore, but given his injury status he remains a big risk on Sunday. Even if Bradshaw is active, the Giants could lean on other options limiting the ball carriers production. Given this is championship weekend, fantasy owners should look to alternative options to play it safe.
Cam has the hot hand
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been playing very well his past four starts averaging 264 yards passing while completing 62% of his throws; he has also tossed 9 touchdowns with no interceptions during the same run. Cam has also chipped in with 253 rushing yards and three scores in his last four games. This Sunday Cam will face the Raiders defense that allows the 7th most fantasy points to quarterbacks and have allowed 25 touchdowns. This is a great matchup for Cam on Championship Sunday.
Spiller set for another big Sunday
The Bills running back CJ Spiller has topped double-digits in fantasy points in 5 of his last 6 games. He’s coming off a solid 16 points performance (103 rushing yards with a touchdowns) last week against the Seahawks, and looks like a solid play this Sunday against the Dolphins 8th ranked run defense.
Stafford looking to rebound.
The Lions running game this season has become virtually non-existent and with Megatron on the trail of Jerry Rice’s record, Stafford will not be shy to put the ball in the air. The Falcons defense ranks 17th against the pass, so expect to see Stafford continue his torrid pace of averaging 50 passes per game (over his last four starts). Stafford has been a cold the past three weeks with five picks to three touchdowns; this could be the weekend to get hot.
Bryant a risk worth taking?
The Cowboys playmaking receiver Dez Bryant is playing with damaged wing, but despite the injury he was able to haul in 4 of 9 targets for 59 yards and a touchdown. Bryant is a big part of the Cowboys offense and one of quarterback Tony Romo’s most lethal weapons on the girdiron. With 9 targets last week, injured or not Romo shows no fear looking Bryant’s direction. A risk maybe, but his upside is top-10 talent and worth the play.
More takes for week 16.
By David Ortega
Sunday Edition
December 16th, 2012
Sunday Morning Gametime
Dez Bryant
The Cowboys wide receiver won’t have any padding to protect the injured finger, so he will be experiencing excruciating pain each time he catches and handles the rock; don’t like the odds for a big game under these circumstances.
David Wilson
The rookie is getting the start and will see plenty of touches today. With his great speed and favorable matchup against the Falcons defense, he has tremendous upside. I like Wilson as a top 10 fantasy RB today.
Roddy White
The Falcons wide receiver was always going to play; this guy has too much heart to sit. Bad knee or not, he’ll get his especially if Ryan is playing catchup or caught in a shootout against the Giants today.
Danario Alexander
The Chargers have a new number one receiver and he’s been hot over the past several weeks. Alexander is a beast and you have to like his matchup against the Panthers today, so start him with confidence.
Darren McFadden
The Raiders may finally see today the Darren McFadden that fantasy owners were hoping they’d see when they drafted back in August. McFadden has a plush matchup at home against a weak Chiefs run defense.
Jonathan Dwyer
The Steelers are a running team and have committed to Dwyer. I like his chances at pounding out a good day with at least a score against the Cowboys 16th ranked run defense.
Josh Freeman
The Saints and Buccaneers could be locked in a shootout; Freeman is going to have to put up numbers today to keep the Bucs in the game. He may not accumulate big yards, because of the team’s success on the ground, but he should see plenty of red=zone opportunities.
Donnie Avery
The Patriots showed on Monday night, what we have been seeing the past several weeks, holes in the Texans secondary. Reggie Wayne will be the focus of the defense which should open up plenty of opportunities for the other Colts receivers including Donnie Avery.
Just a few notes and thoughts for today’s games…
By David Ortega
