FSH NOTEBOOK: SATURDAY'S FF QUICK TAKES

November 11th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Saturday Evening Edition

Week 10 FF Plays

Sneaky Plays for Week 10

It’s another week impacted by the Byes and fantasy managers will have to dig a little deeper this week with teams like the Eagles, Dolphins, and Chiefs off this Sunday. There will be no Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, or AJ Brown available this Sunday, so time to go diving and find some fantasy value.

Mayfield is in Play this Sunday.

The Buccaneers quarterback has been a steady fantasy play over his last three games. Mayfield has been scoring in the fantasy starting range during this stretch averaging 259 yards passing, while completing 63.2% of his passes with five touchdowns. While the Titans defense has been pretty good against opposing quarterbacks, Mayfield faces a secondary that allows the 9th most completions and the 6th highest completion rate this season with the fewest picks this season.

Trent Irwin has value against the Texans.

With the Bengals receiving corps banged up and wideout Tee Higgins already ruled out, Irwin is in play this Sunday. The Bengals could also be without Ja’Marr Chase on Sunday opening up opportunities for the remaining pass catchers. While Tyler Boyd will be the popular pickup and insert this week, Irwin could fill a void in deeper leagues and provide value in DFS.

Noah Brown is a streaming Dark Horse.

Following a breakout game in week 9, the Texans wide receiver Noah Brown should be on most fantasy managers' radar heading into Sunday. Led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, the Texans passing game appears to be in high gear heading into this Week 10 road tilt with the Bengals. In two of their last three games, the Bengals secondary has been lit up by opposing receivers allowing the 7th most fantasy points in each contest.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FRIDAY NIGHT FF QUICK TAKES (WEEK 10)

November 10th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Friday Evening Edition

Fantasy Football Quick Takes

Passers that are Slingin It

Dak Prescott (Cowboys) The Cowboys signal caller Dak Prescott has been on a heater over his last three starts. He is completing 71.4% of his passes averaging 316.7 yards passing per game with 8 touchdowns and a passer rating of 120.73. Prescott and the Cowboys have won two of their last three, falling just short last week against the Eagles. This week with a home tilt against the Giants, Prescott should be considered mid-to-low QB-1.

Joe Burrow (Bengals) The Bengals passer has been on a roll of late finishing in the Top-10 fantasy quarterbacks for the week in three of his last four starts. Through his last four games Burrow is averaging 283.2 yards passing, completing 76.9% of his passes while tossing 10 touchdowns. With a matchup against the Texans secondary ranked 24th against the pass, Burrow is locked in as a low-end QB-1 this week.

Sam Howell (Commanders) The Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been slinging it pretty good over his last three games. During this span Howell has averaged 323.7 yards passing per game with completing over 65% of his passes. With quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa on a bye, Howell is in play this week as a low end QB-1 starter.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEEKLY WAIVER WIRE

November 7th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Weekly Waiver Wire

Noah Brown (Texans) The former Cowboys wide receiver had a welcome to the party kind of game on Sunday blowing up for 153 yards receiving with a score. Brown is barely owned in ESPN Fantasy Leagues (0.9% rostered) and should be considered a stash candidate and low end flex option with a potential high ceiling.

Keaton Mitchell (Ravens) The Ravens rookie running back had the hot hand on Sunday and exploded for 138 yards rushing on just 9 carries. He’ll figure to see more opportunities going forward and only owned in 1.0% of ESPN Leagues; he's another stash candidate (especially in Dynasty).

Tank Dell (Texans) The Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell is owned in just over half (55.7%) of ESPN Leagues), though he seems to be a true boom or bust fantasy play, if he’s available he has a tremendous ceiling and should be owned.

Tyler Boyd (Bengals) The Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd is only owned in 47.7% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues and over his last three games he’s been a solid fantasy WR3. With the Bengals offense starting to heat up and Ja’Marr Chase coming out of Week 9 a little dinged up, Boyd should be on fantasy rosters.

Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) Even though it may not have looked pretty, the Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing in fantasy starter territory over the past several weeks. During his past three starts Mayfield has averaged 259 yards passing with 5 touchdowns. He’s only owned in 45.4% of ESPN Leagues and offers some streaming value through the remaining Byes.

Odell Beckham Jr (Ravens) After finally reaching paydirt for the first time this season the Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr turned in his best game. OBJ hauled in 5 passes for 56 yards receiving and a touchdown. OBJ is only owned in 42.4% of ESPN Leagues and should be owned. As he starts to look more like the old OBJ, he has a chance for better games being a part of the Ravens 4th best offense in the league.

Jonnu Smith (Falcons) The Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (fantasy TE14) blew up on Sunday, recording 5 catches for 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. After a quiet couple of games Smith found his mojo in Week 9. Smith has seen at least 5 or more targets in 6 of his last 8 games this season. He remains involved in the Falcons passing game and only owned in 27.1% of ESPN Fantasy games, he should be owned.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) Targeted 7 times on Sunday, the Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had his busiest game this season, since Week 1. Smith-Schuster finished as the fantasy WR25 for the week.  JuJu is only owned in 29.9% ESPN Fantasy Leagues and while his Week 9 performance wasn’t a breakout, he may offer some relief as a streaming option through the Byes.

Demario douglas (Patriots) The better option out of Foxboro is the Patriots rookie receiver Demario Douglas. Only owned in 21.9% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues, Douglas has been seeing a steady diet of at least 6 or more targets over the past three weeks. His ceiling has not been exceptionally high, but his floor has been steady and safe as a flex play.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY'S HEROES WEEK 9

November 6th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Monday Evening Edition

NFL Sunday Week 9

Sunday’s Heroes

Week 9 was led by an NFL rookie movement on Sunday. There was a record setting memorable performance by a rookie quarterback (CJ Stroud), a breakout performance from a rookie running back (Keaton Mitchell), and a huge game from a rookie wide receiver (Tank Dell). While these performances were special and deserve recognition, there were a few other outstanding players that earned the Sunday spotlight.

Joshua Dobbs (Vikings) Playing in relief of the injured starter quarterback Jaren Hall, Dobbs entered the game in the first half and led the Vikings to a come-from-behind Week 9 win. Dobbs completed 20 of 30 passes for 158 yards passing and two touchdowns. Dobbs is expected to start Week 10 and is in the streaming conversation.

Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) The Patriots' ball carrier turned in a solid Week 9 performance. Stevenson (fantasy RB27) carried the ball 9 times for 87 yards with a rushing touchdown and added 6 receptions for 42 yards receiving. With a Colts matchup in Week 10 Stevenson will be ranked as a back-end RB-2.

Noah Brown (Texans) The Texans wide receiver showed up big in Week 9 turning in a memorable performance worth noting. Brown was targeted just six times, but caught all six and made the most of his opportunities, totaling 153 yards receiving with a long 75-yard score. Brown and the Texans have a date with the Bengals in Week 10. He is barely owned in many leagues and should be scooped up and inserted as a flex.

Jake Ferguson (Cowboys) For the second straight week Ferguson found the endzone, but this week he did quite a bit more on the field. Ferguson was targeted 10 times, caught 7 balls, for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys will host the G-men in Week 10, Ferugson is in-line to be a TE-1 once again.

Maxx Crosby (Raiders) The Raiders pass rusher was once again a terror on Sunday recording 3 sacks, 6 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 3 QB hits. 

Ja’Whaun Bentley (Patriots) The Patriots linebacker was among the leaders in tackles on Sunday, recording 10 solo to go along with 3 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, and 2 sacks.

Kenny Moore (Colts) The Colts defensive back was Johnny-on-the-spot not once, but twice. Along with his 7 solo tackles, Moore recorded two picks for a pair of touchdowns..

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: 10 THINGS FOR SUNDAY

November 5th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Sunday Morning Edition

10 Things for Sunday

It’s Sunday morning, we have early morning football from Germany on the tube and NFL Sunday Week 9 is underway. With the main slate set to kickoff in just about 2 hours, I have a few questions as I look over the matchups today. 

Who’s going to have a big game, will anyone shock the world, and are we in for some high scoring affairs. Some of these are just general questions concerning today, but as I take a closer look at Week 9 here are the 10 questions.

1. Can Action Jackson serve up some Home Cooking?

Lamar Jackson is having a very good 23 campaign and with a home tilt today against the Seahawks he’ll look to continue. In his last two home starts he has 696 yards of offense and six touchdowns. Today could be big numbers.

2. Will the return of Watson Spark the Browns?

The Browns quarterback makes his return today after missing 3 of the team’s last four games. While his return should be a boost to the offense, just as important running back Jerome Ford appears ready to lead the backfield today. The Browns should fare well on the ground today against the Cardinals.

3. Is it Time for Stroud to Shine?

The Texans rookie signal caller has been relatively quiet the past several weeks. After throwing 7 touchdowns in his first 5 games averaging 292 yards passing, he has just two scoring throws and 169.5 yards passing per game. A home matchup with a leaky Tampa Bay secondary could be the fix needed, dial up some Texans receivers today.

4. Can Derek Carr Stay Hot?

The Saints passer has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight contests. He has the Bears 30th ranked pass defense on the slate today and a good chance to make it four. The Bears have allowed over 300 yards passing three times this season and gave up 298 in Week 8.

5. Can a Change at QB Spark some Offense?

The Falcons will play host today to the Vikings and will be doing so with a change at quarterback. Taylor Heinicke will take over the offense today for Atlanta in hope of sparking more offense through the air. In relief last week Heinicke stepped in and completed 12 of 21 with a touchdown. With no Drake London, today could be the Kyle Pitts, Van Jefferson, and Bijan Robinson show.

6. Is it Time to Set Jones Free (again)?

There were calls a couple of seasons ago to set Aaron Jones free. This season the Packers running back has been hampered by a lingering hamstring injury, but finally there may be a ray of hope. Per the Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur, Jones has looked good in practice this week and the team could be ready to cut him loose. If Jones is turned loose, he’ll have a chance to be an RB-1 today. 

7. Who will catch passes for the Patriots today?

The Patriots are depleted at the receiver position today with Kendrick Bourne placed on IR earlier this week and DeVante Parker ruled out. Could today be JuJu Smith-Schuster time? JuJu has only recorded 15 catches this season, including one last week for 3 yards. This is a tough situation fantasy managers may want to avoid.

8. Is it Taylor’s Time?

The Colts running back Zack Moss has continued to be a big part of the team's running game, but for two straight weeks now Jonathan Taylor has led the team in Rushing. Last week was Taylor’s best rushing output, with 95 yards on 12 carries and with a Week 9 matchup against a Panthers 24th ranked run defense, Taylor could be poised for a big day. Dial up some JT today. 

9. Will Big Changes in Vegas Pay Fantasy Dividends?

The Raiders decided to clean house after their Monday night loss to the Lions. The Raiders offense looked bad and now with the firings of HC Josh McDaniels and the GM, the team announced a change at quarterback. With rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell under center, is there hope for Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers to be productive? The Raiders offense looked bad on Monday night, so they really can’t get any worse, I am willing to roll the dice with a home matchup with the Giants.

10. Can Joe Cool Chill the Bills?

The Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been playing well the past several weeks and the offense could be on the verge of hitting on all pistons. With Ja’Marr Chase (fantasy WR5) playing great and Tee Higgins getting healthier, Burrow may be just getting started. The Bills secondary and defense has allowed the 6th most passing yards over the past 4 weeks, expect Joe and company to push those numbers higher. Dial up your Big Cats today.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega