FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Thursday Edition

September 19th, 2013 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Thursday’s Thoughts

I don’t spend too much free time doing too much thinking, but for some reason when Thursday lands my mind is lost in space and filled with thought (mostly fantasy football stuff, but it still counts).

That’s right, I spend a moment or several every Thursday (during football season) scouting my league line-ups and looking at the game matchups for the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Matchup. And this week they have got a great one. Head Coach Andy Reid and his Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Philadelphia to face his former team; and I don’t think any of them will be inviting him over for dinner.

The Chiefs are off to a great start at 2-0, and although they are facing a questionable Philly defense this road test could still be a big one. Chiefs Quarterback Alex Smith has been efficient, but he’ll need to be a little more than that Thursday if the Chiefs are to match the high-octane Eagles offense led by Michael Vick.

I think this matchup has a lot of interesting sub-plots and twists, and one thing it won’t be lacking is excitement. The Eagles offense has been explosive averaging 33 points per game and I think fantasy owners can confidently play their Eagles starters in Thursday Nights’ contest; (RB) LeSean McCoy, (WR) DeSean Jackson, (TE) Brent Celek, and Vick. For those in deeper leagues (14-16 teams) sitting in a tough spot this week, (WR) Jason Avant (10 targets) and (RB) Bryce Brown (13 touches) could be possible considerations in a flex spot (you have to be real desperate).

The Chiefs don’t offer as much charm and appeal to fantasy owners as the Eagles, but matched up against one of the leagues’ worst pass defenses lends itself some options. Running back Jamaal Charles is always a no-brainer (and Thursday he looks real good), but consider wide receiver Dwayne Bowe a must start for deep leagues and even standard. Looking across the Chiefs side of the ball, even (WR) Donnie Avery offers some value (not a lot, but some as a flex).

Smith is definitely a consideration this week, especially in deeper leagues. He’s a preferred play over quarterbacks like Josh Freeman, Ben Roethlisberger (442 yards passing), Jay Cutler (3 picks this season), Ryan Tannehill (2 TDs this season) and Brandon Weeden (OUT).

This was just what I was thinking.

That’s my take.

~David Ortega