FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY HEROES WEEK 8

October 30th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Monday Evening Edition

NFL Sunday Week 8

Sunday’s Heroes

Another Sunday funday of NFL action is in the books. There were plenty of stars shining on the field and gladiators slaying the competition. With Monday Night Football kick-off underway, a quick look back at some of the best performances from Sunday Week 8.

Here were some of the Fantasy Football Heroes from NFL Sunday Week 8.

Sunday Heroes (Week 8)

QB-Joe Burrow (Bengals) Joe Burrow was cool under pressure, facing the Niners defense on the road in Santa Clara. Burrow completed 19 passes in a row on his way to 28 of 32 passing (87.5% completion rate) for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Over his last three starts Burrow (fantasy QB20) has averaged over 29 completions per game while throwing 8 touchdowns and adding 54 rushing yards.

RB-Alvin Kamara (Saints) The Saints running back has been a fantasy phenom this season. On Sunday he continued his tear totaling 110 yards of offense (59 rush, 51 receive) and scoring two touchdowns (1 run, 1 receive) on 21 touches. Over his last four games Kamara (fantasy RB2) is averaging 25+ touches, 116 yards of offense, with three scores (2 run, 1 receive).

WR-AJ Brown (Eagles) The Eagles receiver AJ Brown continues to be a force in fantasy and on the field. Once again he was dominant, helping to lead the Eagles to a win on Sunday over the Commanders. Brown was targeted 8 times and caught all 8 passes for 130 yards receiving with two touchdowns. Brown’s (fantasy WR2) Week 8 numbers bring his season totals to 60 receptions for 939 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns.

TE-Gorge Kittle (49ers) Kittle was a big part of the passing game on Sunday with Deebo Samuel sidelined. Kittle was targeted 11 times and caught 9 passes for 149 yards receiving in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Bengals. With his big day on Sunday, Kittle (fantasy TE5) raised his season totals to 32 receptions, for 443 yards receiving, and three touchdowns.

DL-Jeffrey Simmons (Titans) The Titans run stuffer did what he does. Simmons was a terror on the ground stuffing the run and turning in a big performance in Week 8. He recorded 6 tackles, including 2 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and one forced fumble. Simmons (fantasy DL17) raised his season totals to 17 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.

LB-Kayvon Thibodeaux (Giants) The Giants linebacker was busy on Sunday, creating chaos and wrecking havoc in the rainy conditions on Sunday in New York. Thibodeaux (fantasy LB27) recorded 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. His scoring on Sunday was tops for IDP.

DB-DaRon Bland (Cowboys) The Cowboys defensive back was Johnny on the spot Sunday, leading the Cowboys defense to a blowout win over the Rams. Bland (fantasy DB3) continued his strong seasonal play on Sunday recording 6 tackles, 1 assist, 2 passes defensed, and a pick six. Bland now has three defensive touchdowns this season.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY'S HEROES WEEK 7

October 24th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Evening Edition

NFL Sunday Week 7

Sunday’s Heroes

It was a big day of production on National Tight Ends Day for these fantasy studs. If you had any of these performers in your lineup this week, you likely secured a week 7 win. But it is fantasy football, so there are no guarantees.

Here were some of the Fantasy Football Heroes on Sunday;

Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs-QB) Magic was back on Sunday in Week 7 at Arrowhead. The Chiefs quarterback passed for over 400 yards (424), threw four touchdown passes, and added 29 yards rushing to finish the week as the third highest in fantasy scoring. Mahomes has reclaimed the Top-Fantasy QB title over the past three weeks.

Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions-RB) The Lions rookie runner had his best game on Sunday Week 7, compiling 126 total yards of offense. We knew Gibbs would see more work in the run game (11 carries on Sunday for 68 yards), but his contributions in the passing game powered his fantasy RB3 finish for Week 7. Gibbs full stat line for Sunday, 11 carries, 68 yards rushing, 1 rushing score, 9 receptions (10 targets), and 58 yards receiving. Expect to see continued increased usage with Montgomery still on the mend.

AJ Brown (Eagles-WR) The Eagles wide receiver has clearly separated himself as the team’s top and primary receiving option this season. On Sunday he was once again dominant in the Eagles air attack. Brown was targeted 15 times, registering 10 receptions for 137 yards receiving and one score. Brown has recorded 5 straight games with at least 127 yards receiving and 6 receptions, and is the fantasy WR1 just ahead of Tyreek Hill and Adam Thielen.

Travis Kelce (Chiefs-TE) The Chiefs tight end celebrated National Tight Ends Day with a memorable performance finishing the week as the Number One fantasy scorer. Kelce was targeted heavily on the day, 13 times for the afternoon, registering 12 receptions for 179 yards receiving and his 4th touchdown for the season. Kelce has once again separated himself from the pack and is the far and away number one tight end this season, by more than 5 fantasy points per game (ppr).

Myles Garrett (Browns-DL) The IDP player of the week Myles Garrett was a beast on Sunday, wrecking havoc and causing chaos all afternoon. Garrett recorded 7 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 pass defense, 2 forced fumbles, and he blocked a field goal. He was “The Destroyer.”

Michael Hoecht (Rams-LB) The Rams linebacker was a solid IDP play for week 7. Hoecht recorded 4 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and one forced fumble. A big day for the Rams 3rd year linebacker, his best of the season.

Kenny Moore II (Colts-DB) The Colts 7th year defensive back has been a solid IDP play over the past several weeks and on Sunday was more of the same. Moore recorded 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and added  two QB hits for the afternoon. He’s locked in as an IDP starter.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THURSDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

September 14th, 2023

David's Daily Digest

Thursday Afternoon Edition

Thursday Night Matchup: DFS Faves

It looks like the NFL got this one right with this Week 2 meeting between the Eagles and Vikings. The Vegas line has the over/under at 49.5, so the good news for fantasy owners is the expectation is an old fashion western shootout at the O.K Corral.

Both teams enter this matchup loaded with offensive weapons on both sides and according to Vegas we should see a lot of them. The Eagles defense ranks 29th against the pass, so expect a lot of Jefferson and Hockenson on the Vikes side. 

While the Vikes defense had much better numbers than Philly in week 1 on defense, Hurts and company may prove to be too much. Looking to Thursday night, I have some (DFS) favorites in play.

My Fantasy Five for Thursday Night Football;

1.Jalen Hurts (QB) - We’ll see some vintage Hurts in this one. He should give us a little bit of everything, passing and rushing. I would count on at least three scores, including one rushing. (DK-My Captain)

2.DeVonta Smith (WR) - The Eagles receiver is hardly a number two, but more like a 1B. Smith, like his teammate AJ Brown also registered 10 targets in week 1. He’ll be a key piece in this one and a strong DFS play.

3.TJ Hockenson (TE) - The Eagles had trouble (ranked last) with the tight end in week one and Hockenson is one of the best in fantasy and the NFL. Hockenson collected 8 passes in week one and could very easily duplicate his numbers on Thursday.

4.Justin Jefferson (WR) - The Eagles secondary struggled in week one against the Patriots. With Jefferson coming to town on Thursday night, it could be a long night for the Eagles defense. 

5.D’Andre Swift (RB) - Swift did not see a lot of usage in week 1, but with Kenneth Gainwell ruled out, he could be in line as the lead back and see plenty of work here. Swift is a risky play here, but I believe in the talent; it rises to the top. 

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 6th, 2023

Wednesday Late-Evening Edition

Fantasy Outlook: Opportunity (WRs)

Digging further deeper into the numbers. Here’s a look at the top pass catchers in 2022, in terms of opportunities.

Top 10 Most Targets in 2022

1. Justin Jefferson-187

2. Davante Adams-180

3. Tyreek Hill-170

4. CeeDee Lamb-156

5. Stefon Diggs-154

6. Garret Wilson-147

7. Diontae Johnson-147

8. AJ Brown-146

9. Amon-Ra St.Brown-146

10. Chris Godwin-142

One receiver that is not being talked about nearly enough is the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and he checks in at number four as the most targeted receiver in 2022. With Dak (Prescot) back in the saddle at quarterback, the No.6 fantasy receiver (Lamb) from last season has a great opportunity to build off his impressive numbers (107 rec /1,359 yds /9 Tds) from 2022.

A rising star checking in at number nine on the list, the Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 to follow up his impressive rookie campaign. St.Brown snatched 106 balls for 1,161 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns last season on his 146 targets - good enough for the No.8 fantasy receiver and very repeatable.

This is just a look at the numbers heading into the 2023 NFL season. Good luck Ballers.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 29th, 2023

Tuesday Evening Edition

My Top 10 Fantasy Football 

Draft Rankings for 2023

(PPR Format)

The final weekend and probably busiest weekend of fantasy draft season is creeping towards us and with so much excitement afoot it’s time to dial in your strategy and hone in on your 1st round picks.

Below are my Top 10 and full 1st round (12-team league) rankings for 2023 and of course, there’s no surprise here with my top pick of Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. This season the Vikings wideout is the consensus number one pick in most rankings and well deserved. In 2022, Jefferson led all receivers with 128 receptions and posted the 6th best All-Time receiving yards mark with 1,809.

The Top-10

1. Justin Jefferson

2. Ja'Marr Chase

3. Christian McCaffrey

4. Austin Ekeler

5. Cooper Kupp

6. Tyreek Hill

7. Travis Kelce

8. Saquon Barkley

9. Stefon Diggs

10. Davante Adams

The Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase falls in at number Two. An incredible talent and highlight-reel, Chase scored double-digit fantasy points in every game he played last season. He’s entering season number three and appears poised to post big numbers in 2023.

In the PPR format, I had to boost Chargers running back Austin Ekeler to the number four spot. Ekeler is a scoring machine with 38 combined touchdowns over the past two seasons and in 2022 he finished tied for the 5th spot in fantasy points per game (ppr). Perhaps his best stat is playing in all 33 games the past two seasons.

With a full season of health under his belt, I am probably higher on running back Saquon Barkley than most. In 2022 Barkley posted 295 carries, played in 16 games, and finished 5th in fantasy scoring for running backs. Healthy and ready to go in 2023, Barkley should only improve on those numbers.

Another fantasy wide receiver I am excited about more than most others is Davante Adams. I am not sure why so many are down on the Raiders receiver this year. Yes, he’s getting a new quarterback, but he’s still an elite receiver. His numbers over the past three seasons have been prolific. Since 2020 Adams has 4,443 receiving yards and 338 receptions, both rank first among fantasy wide receivers.

And filling out the tail end of Round One…

11. CeeDee Lamb

12. AJ Brown

The Eagles receiver AJ Brown was solid in 2022, especially down the stretch. For the season Brown was the number eight fantasy scoring receiver. In his last six games he posted no fewer than 13 fantasy points, eclipsing 17 or more points in four of those six games.

Set your sights high and draft with confidence.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Morning Edition
October 13th, 2019

Sunday Morning Gametime

Start
QB-Case Keenum, WAS; Even though it’s a road test, Keenum will have one of his better matchups of the season, facing a Dolphins defense that allows the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. If you need help at the QB spot, he’s a safe stream option today.

Sit
RB-Jordan Howard, PHI; The Eagles ball carrier faces a stiff matchup today against the Vikings 9th ranked run defense. The Vikings are only allowing 3.6 yards per carry and less than 90 yards total this season. Avoid Howard and look for safer options today.

Start
RB-Dalvin Cook, MIN; Despite the tough ground test today against the Eagles number one ranked run defense, Cook (No.3 fantasy running back) is getting utilized plenty in the pass game; 21 receptions and 200 receiving yards. The Eagles run defense has allowed 34 receptions (6th most) and 257 receiving yards (8th most) to opposing running backs. Cooks volume (averaging 22.6 touches per game) will make him a safe play today. 

Sit
WR-AJ Brown, TEN; The Titans receiver is coming off a quiet two catch effort in Week 5, but fantasy owners shouldn’t expect Brown to bounce back this week facing the league’s number 5 ranked pass defense. Avoid Brown today.

Start
WR-Terry McLaurin, WAS; With Case Keenum under center and the Dolphins secondary on the slate, a healthy McLaurin could be looking at big Sunday. Dolphins allow the 9th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and McLaurin has been one of Keenum’s best weapons when on the field. McLaurin could be a boom play today.

Sit
TE-Jason Witten, DAL; Even with few viable options at the TE position, Witten is likely one to avoid this week. Witten has become more of a touchdown dependent option and faces a Jets defense this week that allows the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

That's My Take
~David G. Ortega