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: DFS WEEKLY (WEEK 8)

October 28th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Sunday Morning Edition

DFS Weekly Primer

Fantasy Five

It’s another week of DFS play for me and looking over the week 8 slate I see several options I can work with to build a lineup. It’s been a rough season for me, I haven't quite had the success I was hoping for and expecting, but Week 8 is another day.

I like players like (RB) Alvin Kamara, (WR) Ja’Marr Chase, and (WR) Terry McLaurin this week and will have plenty of shares of each in my DFS lineup to go along with the following plays here. These are some of the plays that I like in DFS this week.

Dameon Pierce (Texans-RB) The Texans running back has been relatively quiet this season, but a great matchup this week against the Panthers affords the opportunity to shine. The Panthers are the 31st ranked defense against the run and allow the 5th most yards per carry. If the stars align, Pierce could be back in the fantasy fold.

Breece Hall (Jets-RB) Fresh off the bye, the 2nd year back would appear to be healthy and ready for a big Week. Hall has been the clear leader in the backfield the past couple of games and is poised for a big outing against a porous Giants run defense (ranked 27th against the run). His low DFS (DK) salary makes him a premium play this week.

Calvin Ridley (Jaguars-WR) The Jaguars wideout has been highly inconsistent, along the boom or bust lines this season. He is currently the fantasy WR45, but he continues to see a steady diet of targets weekly.  Squaring off with the Steelers this week, Ridley will face a secondary that is ranked 25th against the pass, allowing the 3rd most fantasy points and 7th most receiving yards to opposing receivers.

Odell Beckham Jr (Ravens-WR) This week the Ravens passing game has a good matchup against the Cardinals 23rd ranked defense. The rookie wideout Zay Flowers figures to be a key play for the Ravens on Sunday, but after logging a Full practice on Friday and carrying no injury designation Beckham Jr could be ready for a bigger role this week. OBJ is coming off his best game of the season in Week 7 that included 7 targets. At his low (DK) salary value, I like his chances to make a splash in Week 8.

George Kittle (49ers-TE) With the 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel already ruled out, Kittle (fantasy TE8) can expect to see a greater share of targets in his Week 8 matchup with the Bengals. The Bengals defense allows the 7th most fantasy points and 3rd most touchdowns (4) to opposing tight ends this season. Kittle is due for a big day.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THURSDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

September 21st, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Thursday Afternoon Edition

Thursday Night Matchup: DFS Faves

This one is definitely not a Clash of the Titans, with the New York Giants hobbling into the bay area to square off with the Niners. The G-men will be without their lead-running back Saquon Barkley (ankle injury), who has already been ruled out.

In my best estimation for fantasy purposes, this matchup has a strong possibility for the following, a strong performance from the Niners offense and a lot of garbage time yardage for running back Matt Breida and tight end Darren Waller. The only question could be how long will they remain in this affair before they get pulled.

Like most, I like Christian McCaffrey because he figures to be involved early and often, but I also believe the Niners will attack the Giants defense utilizing several of their other weapons. Quarterback Brock Purdy should be solid and I like him to hook up with several of his favorites tonight.

My Fantasy Five for Thursday night;

1.49ers Defense (DST) - The Giants come into this matchup wounded and without their best player, running back Saquon Barkley. It could spell for a long night for quarterback Daniel Jones and offense. The Niners defense will look to get after Jones in this one and could post a number of sacks and even create a turnover or two. (DK-My Captain)

2.Brock Purdy (QB) - The Niners quarterback could be in for a big night. Even with one of his favorites (Brandon Aiyuk) possibly sidelined in this contest, he has more than enough fireworks to work with. If Aiyuk sits, expect Brock to spread the ball around to his backs and tight end.

3. Christian McCaffrey (RB) - The Niners running back figures to be a big part of the offense tonight, but if Aiyuk is out expect CMC to help pick up the slack in the passing game. This matchup looks like a good one for a score or possibly two.

4. Darren Waller (TE) - The Giants tight end looked healthy last week turning in his best game of the young season with 6 catches for 76 yards on 8 targets. With Barkley OUT for this one tonight, you have to believe Jones and company will make Waller a focal point of the pass game.  . 

5.George Kittle (TE) - The Niners tight end could see his workload in the passing game increased tonight in the possible absence of Aiyuk. Kittle has only 6 receptions for 49 yards receiving through two weeks, ranking as fantasy TE26. I like his chances for a productive night.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 4th, 2023

Monday Morning Edition

2023 Draft Day: On the Clock

(12-Team, PPR format, Fantasy Calculator ADP)

WR-Terry McLaurin, Current ADP 5.01 – The Commanders wide receiver finished as the No.23 fantasy receiver last season, finishing the year with 77 catches, 1,191 receiving yards and five scores. He’s currently coming off draft boards as WR26. An early 5th round pick of McLaurin is good value for fantasy owners.

TE-George Kittle, Current ADP 5.07 – Last season’s No.2 fantasy tight end, is Kittle being under-valued a bit in current fantasy drafts coming off the board as TE4. His last three Season finishes in fantasy have been TE2, TE6, and TE2. In 2022 Kittle finished the year with 60 receptions and 765 yards receiving, but it was his career high (11) receiving touchdowns that carried his fantasy value. A feat that could be tough to duplicate in 2023.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 10th 2017

Tuesday Evening Edition

Week 5 Sunday's Heroes

Not-the-Usual Suspects 

It's been a bit of an off year for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, but it was nice to see him among the weekly passing leaders. This week comes just 7 days after a strong performance in Week 4. Against the Giants on Sunday Rivers passed for only 258 yards (3rd best passing yard total this season), but he added three touchdowns. Although it was not his best passing day (only 21 of 44 passing) it was his day in fantasy (20.82 fantasy points). The Chargers signal caller is tough and gritty and as we saw on Sunday very capable. He's got the weapons, so there will be better passing days and more scoring on Sundays like this ahead. Rivers, currently the No.11 fantasy QB is making his case as a fantasy QB1.

After watching the Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz light up the Cardinals secondary, can anyone argue how good this kid has become and leap he's taken from his first year. Wentz finished Sunday completing 70 percent of his passes for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns. On the year the Eagles 2nd year quarterback has 10 passing touchdowns and is averaging 272 yards passing per game. He's the No.6 fantasy QB and a legitimate QB1 that needs to be started every Sunday.

It was not a quiet return on Sunday for running back Marlon Mack. The Colts rookie ball carrier was returning from injury after missing action in week 4. Mack was the No.8 fantasy RB for week 5, finishing his day with 91 yards rushing on 9 carries and adding a touchdown. The performance was enough for his head coach to acknowledge that he's earned a bigger role in the offense, putting Mack in play as a weekly flex.

In Green bay the Packers may have just found their next feature back in rookie Aaron Jones. Against the Cowboys on Sunday Jones was solid with 125 rushing yards on 19 carries (6.5 yards per carry average) and a rushing touchdown. Jones found a way onto the field in Week with Ty Montgomery going down, but his 32 carries for 174 yards rushing have earned his way to staying. Even when Montgomery returns Jones is going to be a factor. But while Montgomery is out, Jones has back-end RB2 value.

With his quarterback quickly rising up the fantasy ranks, Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor has quietly moved up the fantasy tree himself. On Sunday Agholor finished the day with 4 grabs for 93 yards and a score, good enough to push his season totals to 16/266/3. Agholor has been one of the more efficient receivers in the NFL and is currently the No.24 fantasy WR; he should be considered a starter in most formats.

With Greg Olsen on the shelf for the next six weeks, tight end Ed Dickson has emerged as a reliable weapon in Carolina. On Sunday Dickson was huge with 5 catches for 175 yards. It was his second consecutive game with at least three catches and 60 receiving yards. With only a total of 9 targets over the past two weeks, it may be too early to be pushing for Dickson as a reliable TE1. But if he can string his third game in row with good numbers, he's going to get the call.

The second best fantasy tight end (in PPR) on Sunday was the Niners rookie George Kittle. The rookie pass catcher is quickly making an impression in the fantasy world. On Sunday he posted a stat line of 7/78/1, good enough to elevate him to the No.16 fantasy tight end spot after 5 weeks. It was a breakout game for Kittle, but not necessarily a breakthrough. We'll need a larger sample size before we can trust George as a weekly play.

That's My Take

~David Ortega