FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday morning Edition
September 15th, 2019

Sunday Morning Gametime

Week 2 Matchups

The Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, threw 5 touchdowns in week 1. This week he is facing a Giants pass defense that allowed 4 passing touchdowns and 7 plays of 20+ yards (tied for most in the league) with zero sacks and ranks last in the NFL. I’m starting Lamar, especially in DFS.

The Seahawks signal caller, Russell Wilson is on the road this week against a Steelers pass defense that allowed 366 net yards of passing, recording just one sack while giving up three passing touchdowns and 7 plays of 20+ yards (tied for most allowed in the NFL). Start Wilson.

Kerryon Johnson played 50 snaps in Week one and recorded 18 touches totaling 62 yards of offense. In week 2 the Lions running back will get plenty of run against a Chargers run defense that currently ranks 31st in the league, allowing over 200 yards on the ground in week 1. Kerryon should be in lineups today.

A week 2 matchup against a Colts defense that allowed 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns to opposing running backs, could be good news for the Titans Dion Lewis. He could be in the flex conversation today, but proceed with caution. I am probably sitting Lewis; need to see more production.

The Bills receiver John Brown could be looking at another solid fantasy week facing a Giants secondary that allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers. In week one, the Giants allowed 18 receptions off 22 targets for 341 yards. I have Brown in my lineups as a flex.

Week 2 could be a bounce back week for the Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. This Sunday he gets a Seahawks secondary that surrendered 6 pass plays of 20+ yards and 276 yards to opposing receivers in week 1. Start Juju, he gets back on track in Week 2.

The Redskins tight end Vernon Davis, could follow up his strong week 1 performance with another solid outing in week 2 against the Cowboys. The Cowboys defense allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in week 1, including 12 receptions for 124 yards receiving. Davis is a streaming option for me this week.

A sleeper play that the fantasy world is quickly waking up to, is the Raiders tight end Darren Waller. Playing on Monday, Waller was able to showcase some of his upside and in week 2, a showdown with the Chiefs could continue the trend. The Chiefs defense held the Jaguars tight ends in check in week 1, but did allow 8 receptions on 9 targets. Waller is a great DFS play and viable option in Season-long leagues.

That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 18th 2017

Wednesday Evening Edition

Sunday At A Glance 

(Week 6)

Watson continues to Own it on Sundays

The Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson is having a season to remember. Against the Browns the rookie was superb once again completing 17 of 29 passes for 225 yards and three more touchdown passes. His numbers had him ranked as the No.2 fantasy QB for the week and it was his fourth straight game with at least 20 fantasy points.

Cousins is rolling now.

After a slow this season, it seems Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is rolling now. On Sunday Cousins completed 25 of 37 passes for 330 yards, adding three touchdowns; 2 pass, 1 run. This was Cousins third consecutive game with at least 20 fantasy points; during the stretch he has 915 passing yards and 8 total touchdowns. Yeah, he’s rolling now.

Dion Lewis Provides a spark.

With normal starting running back Mike Gillislee seemingly stuck in neutral on Sunday, the Patriots turned to Dion Lewis (who started on Sunday). Gillislee was running well gaining 44 yards on the ground before a first half fumble sent him to the sidelines for an early stretch. Enter Lewis and the spark the Patriots offense needed. Down by 14 points early, Lewis took handle of the run game reigns and total 52 yards on 11 carries, including a one-yard plunge in the 2nd quarter to get the Patriots on the board. With Gillislee in a touchdown drought (since week 2), fantasy owners may see Lewis role in the offense continue to grow.

Steelers find a hole in Chiefs defense.

And just when you thought they were formidable, the struggling Steelers show up and crash the Chiefs home celebration and spoil their undefeated start. Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger bounced back from an ugly week 5 showing to dice up the Chiefs defense for 250 yards passing and nearly 200 yards rushing. It was the Steelers best offensive output of the season, although they could only muster 19 points. Running back Le’Veon Bell led the way with 179 yards rushing, while Antonio Brown was a huge factor as well with 8 receptions for 155 receiving yards and a score. They looked formidable when the week started, but the Steelers may have just found some cracks in the Chief’s armor.

Fitz and Peterson; The Newest Dynamic Duo

With the arrival of running back Adrian Peterson, the Cardinals rushing offense received a huge and badly needed injection. The Cards entered the week as one of the worst rushing offenses in the league, but finished as the 6th leading rushing team for the week. Coincidently with Peterson in the backfield, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald decided to take a dip in the fountain of youth turning in a stat line of 10/138/1; good enough for the No.2 fantasy WR for the week (in PPR). And oh yeah, that Peterson fella just managed 134 yards rushing on 26 carries with 2 touchdowns; he was the No.4 fantasy RB in PPR (No.2 in standard).

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID DAILY DIGEST

January 14th, 2017
Saturday morning Edition

Fantasy Five for Saturday

Back in Week 6 the Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan ($8,300 DFS salary) torched the Seahawks secondary completing 27 of 42 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan has been brilliant throughout his 2016 campaign, passing for nearly 5,000 yards and tossing 38 touchdowns (2nd in the league). Despite the success the Seahawks defense has had against opposing quarterbacks, I believe Ryan is in for another big day on Saturday against the Seahawks.

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones ($8,300 DFS salary)  is just a beast and in the earlier matchup this season with the Seahawks he just did his thing; 7 receptions, 139 yards, and a touchdown. The Seahawks will definitely focus on trying to stop Jones, but Falcons will have OC Kyle Shanahan on the case and ready to show the NFL teams that passed on him why they made a mistake. Expect the Falcons to move Jones around and make a concerted effort to get the ball in his hands; no fewer than 10 targets for the receiving monster today, plenty of opportunities to post safe numbers.

With the Falcons offense rolling on Saturday, my expectation is this game will take on the shape of a good old fashioned shootout. I am sure the Hawks would prefer to stay with the ground game, but with quarterback Russell Wilson ($8,200 DFS salary) under center, they won’t shy from taking it to the air. Wilson has the ability to rise and play big and that’s what I would expect from the former Badger out of Wisconsin.

The Texans-Patriots matchup has the feel of a defensive battle, rather than shootout. The Patriots are always tough at home, the Texans offense is questionable on the road in this one, and the Texans defense is one of the best in the league. I am not expecting many fireworks in this one, but I do like Patriots running back Dion Lewis ($5,400 DFS salary) to heavily involved, especially in the passing game. Lewis averaged better than 16 touches per game over the last three weeks of the season. I would expect similar numbers in this one, but look for more involvement in the short passing game from Lewis.

As I speculate, the Texans-Patriots matchup will be more about the defense and one key factor will be place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski ($4,800 DSF salary). Playing at home the Patriots defense will put a lot of pressure on quarterback Brock Osweiler and the Texans offense. Turnovers and short fields could dictate this one and Gostkowski will play big.

These are DFS plays I am leaning with today.

That’s my Take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 30, 2016
Sunday Morning Edition

Sunday Morning Gametime

We may be hours from our normal Sunday NFL Kickoff routine, but tune into FOX to catch the Redskins-Bengals live from London. An early score has the Redskins up 10-7, just about mid-way through the 2nd quarter.

Now looking ahead to Sunday's slate of games, just a couple of my own Fantasy Notes for today;

"My Fantasy Notes"

For the Patriots, there is no Dion Lewis this week against the Bills, so if you are a James White owner hang on to him. Even when Lewis likely returns in week 9, there's no guarantee he reinserted right away. Remember, he's missed a lot of football, White will still have value.

Today Browns quarterback Josh McCown makes his return. It's not real big fantasy news, unless you own tight end Gary Barnidge. The Browns big pass catcher has fallen off this season, ranked as the 14th fantasy tight end. Last season Barnidge finished 2nd amongst fantasy tight ends and much of his damage was done with McCown, so his stock is up today.

"Injury Notes"

The Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is listed on the injury report this week, but from all reports I am readng it sounds like he is playing. If healthy today against the Falcons, he's worth taking a shot as a flyer this week. Whenever you have quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball, your receiver has a chance.

Running back Lamar Miller will be playing banged up today, but it's not a good matchup for Fantasy owners. Miller and the Texans draw the Lions who allow the 11th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. Miller when healthy has been solid and with his upside, he's a risky play today that owners will have a tough time sitting. If he's active he should be in your lineup.

That's my take.

~David G. Ortega

WEEK 5: BUYING AND SELLING

October 11th, 2015
Sunday (NFL Week 5)

Week 5: Buying and Selling

Four weeks into the season should be plenty of sample size to figure a few things out for your Sunday fantasy football lineup, but that doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels.

You did a pretty good job drafting this year and after four weeks you're sitting in a pretty good spot, so now's the time to use your fantasy savvy to make a few tweaks and improve your championship run.

Through the first four weeks we've seen enough to know when it's time to let someone go and move on and when it's time to find value.

These are my week 5 buys and sells;

I am buying into Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, 1,187 yards passing and 9 touchdowns are enough for me to believe he's a reliable play week-in and week-out. Not only is the Red Rifle producing on the offensive side, but he's only thrown one interception in 116 attempts this season. Today may be a stiff test at home against the Seahawks, but I still believe Dalton finishes as a QB1 today.

I am also buying into running back Dion Lewis of the Patriots. Remember a running back by the name of Shane Vereen. Lewis has inherited that role as the teams lead back in the passing game and averaging 10 carries per game through the teams first three games is a great indicator he's a safe weekly play. He's also dominating the backfield with 154 offensive snaps this season, putting him on the field two-thirds of the time. Today's matchup against the Cowboys defense that allow the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs should be a great opportunity for Lewis to produce; the Cowboys have also surrendered the (tied for) third-most receptions to opposing backs.

 A couple of names that I am selling after four weeks; Bears wide reciever Alshon Jeffery (questionable today and not expected to play) and and Broncos running back CJ Anderson (just not producing).

You probably used a high pick to select Jeffery, so you don't want to give him away, but it's time to move on. Jeffery was a disappointment last season and without a top receiving threat opposite him (when he returns) you are probably not going to get back what you invested; it's time to move-on and get what you can.

Anderson is a little different. Again owners probably bought high on him and again, you need to get some return. Right now back-up running back Ronnie Hillman clearly looks like the better back and better fit for the Broncos offense. Anderson is not going to reside on the bench, he's still figure in the mix, but how long can you hang on with performances of 29, 27, 18, and 43 yards rushing? He is still relevant, so you should be able to get some return on him, but move him now before his value bottoms out.

Some plays I will be leaning on this week, start;

Justin Forsett vs the Browns D
Alfred Morris vs the Falcons D
Kendall Wright vs the Bills D
Jordan Matthew vs the Saints D

And yes I am playing Anthony Dixon versus the Titans with no Karlos Williams or LeSean McCoy.

Just my take for week 5.

~David G