FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Edition

December 7th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 14: BOOM OR BUST

It’s the fantasy playoffs for many of us competing in custom leagues and now it’s do or die, one and done. Having made it this far, I am a firm believer of going big or going home. You don’t use your top draft picks on players you plan on sitting in crunch-time or the during your playoff run; play your studs.

This past week there’s been plenty of concerning injury news for fantasy owners gearing up for their championship run, but quite simply if you are going to make it all the way sometimes you gotta lay it all on the line. It’s Boom or Bust time.

Running back Reggie Bush has been nursing a calf injury this past week and early indications were he could be game-time. Although the weather will not be pleasant (forecast is COLD with some sleet), Bush has returned to practice this week and is expected to play. This kid has been too dynamic this season to be on your bench; over 1,300 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns this season, he’s a must start.

The current consensus seems to suggest that quarterback Carson Palmer will play on Sunday versus the Rams. Palmer has been rolling as of late, throwing for more than 300 yards in his last three starts and tossing multiple touchdowns in five straight games. He’s got a tough matchup this week against a very good Rams defense, but he’s also faced this group once before this season passing for 327 yards with two scores. His status may have looked iffy, but if he’s in with pass catchers like Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd he looks solid on Sunday; start him.

There’s been no definitive news regarding tight end Jordan Reed, other than he’s on track to play this week as was the case last week. It’s a tough matchup for Reed and the Redskins, but when healthy he’s been one of RG II’s favorites; Reed has 45 receptions and 499 yards receiving this season. Unless you have a Coby Fleener or Garrett Graham (who played Thursday) behind Reed on your bench, if Reed plays he needs to be in your line-up.

This is my take for Week 14.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

November 30th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 13: Four Horsemen

Looking for some fantasy players to ride this weekend, here are a group of studs I like today.

Quarterback

The Bengals are on the road today traveling to San Diego, but playing in the California sunshine should only help quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals signal caller has hit a rough patch over the recent weeks, but coming off a bye and facing the Chargers defense that allows the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks should be just what he needs. Dalton has plenty of weapons to work with and should be able to take advantage of a secondary that has allowed the 7^th most completions in the passing game.

Running Back

The Niners are focused and ready to make a playoff push, today will go along way getting back to the basics and pounding the ball with running back Frank Gore. The Niners ball carrier has been steady this season and facing a Rams defense that allows the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs should be a good way for Gore to continue this trend. In their previous matchup this season (back in week 4) Gore, who is ranked 12^th in rushing this season shredded the Rams for 153 yards and a score; ride him.

Wide Receiver

The Cardinals are on the road today and with quarterback Carson Palmer playing well of late, I like wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to have a solid outing against the Eagles secondary today. The Eagles defense allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers including 15 touchdowns (2^nd most in the league). Fitzgerald and Palmer are starting to click at the right time, hooking up for scores in their last two games. Play Fitz with great confidence.

Tight End

Last week the Redskins offense really struggled in the absence of tight end Jordan Reed (concussion). Reed has been one of RGIII’s primary targets this season with 45 receptions and 3 touchdowns. This week against the Giants Reed is back and I expect the offense to bounce back. The Giants allow the 10^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including 7 touchdowns this season. Reed should have a busy night against the G-men.

This is my take for Week 13.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

November 30th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 13: Sunday Favorites

We are not quite there with the fantasy playoffs, but for many of us today feels like do or die. With that said, today’s not the time to pull off any goofs or blunders by making a bad play or start.

Looking across the matchups today, I have a couple of players that jump out at me as favorites for my lineups.

With running back Trent Richardson being demoted, now starting Donald Brown jumps out as a nice play. In his previous matchup against the Titans (who allow the 5^th most fantasy points to running backs) Brown ramble his way to 94 yards of offense and two scores. He may not reach the same levels today, but he should be good for 75 yards and a score as the lead back.

The Bills are playing host to the Atlanta Falcons today and I think this will be a juicy matchup for running back Fred Jackson. The Falcons allow the 10^th most fantasy points to running backs and surrender the 4^th most yards on the ground. Jackson may not tally up a large sum of yards today, but he’s sure to see some goal line touches and I like his chances to score.

Over the past several weeks tight end Jordan Cameron has been relatively irrelevant to fantasy football owners with just 10 receptions for 65 yards and no scores in his last three starts. Well all of that could change today. The Browns are at home today and Cameron is facing the Jaguars; a defense that allows the 2^nd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The Jaguars have allowed 64 receptions (6^th most in the leagues) and 8 touchdowns (tied for third most in the league) this season; some nice numbers for Cameron owners. I am expecting nothing less than a solid day from the Browns tight end.

These are just a couple of my favorites today and this is my take for Week 13.

~David Ortega