FSH NOTEBOOK: FRIDAY'S FANTASY FIXX

October 20th, 2023

David’s Daily 

Friday Late-Evening Edition

Friday’s Fantasy Fixx

(Week 7: Best Matchups/Plays)

With an exciting Thursday night game just concluded, could this be a preclude of what is to come this weekend? Fantasy managers can only hope for it as we all try to navigate our fantasy lineups through a heavy dose of byes this week. 

The Thursday night matchup did bring a little relief for many as there were plenty of fantasy winning plays last night. If you had Alvin Kamara (29.3 fantasy points), Travis Etienne Jr (22.7 fantasy points), and Christian Kirk (19 fantasy points), you had to be happy with their outcomes. Even both quarterbacks, Trevor Lawrence and Derek Carr, were serviceable along with the Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13.2 points) and the Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (9.5 points).

Looking forward to this weekend, which players will bring fantasy delight to our lineups? These are some of the plays that I believe will bring more solace to our Week 7 fantasy matchups. They can also work for your DFS plays.

Geno Smith (Seahawks-QB) It’s been a bit of an up and down season for Smith and the Seahawks, but a home tilt should bring some good home cooking and strong play. The Cardinals defense is allowing the 5th most fantasy points and 4th most passing yards to quarterbacks and this could be just what the fantasy doctor ordered.

Kenneth Walker (Seahawks-RB) The Seahawks running back has been on a roll, scoring at least one rushing touchdown in four straight games. He’ll have a great shot at number five facing a Cardinals defense that’s allowing over 5 yards per carry for the last four weeks. Expect another solid outing for Walker this week.

Aaron Jones (Packers-RB) Coming off the bye, Aaron Jones could finally be healthy enough to return to the Week 1 form when he totaled 127 yards and scored twice. The timing could not be any better, in a Week 7 road tilt facing a Broncos defense that has been the worst against the run and has allowed 8 rushing touchdowns. Expect a score or two for Jones on Sunday.

Rashee Rice (Chiefs-WR) The rookie receiver seems to be trending more and more towards becoming a reliable receiving option in the Chiefs passing game. Rice has averaged 4.5 targets, 4 receptions, 52.5 yards receiving, and .5 touchdowns the past two weeks and has seen a 46% or more snap share in 3 of his last four games. In Week 6 Rice finished third among the Chiefs receivers with 35 snaps. Facing the Chargers this week, this one feels like a breakout game. 

Curtis Samuel (Commanders-WR) The Commanders wide receiver has been steady the last three weeks, he’s the fantasy WR12, with 17 catches, 15 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Up next for Samuel is the Giants secondary that has allowed the 8th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers over the past 4 weeks.

Tyler Lockett (Seahawks-WR) The Seahawks receiver is off the injury report and ready to take advantage of the Cardinals defense that has allowed the 4th most fantasy points and 2nd most reception to opposing receivers the last 4 weeks.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons-TE) The Falcons 3rd year tight end has been starting to come alive the past couple of weeks. In his last two games Pitts has caught 11 passes for 130 yards receiving, and one score. His recent production has him flirting with fantasy starter status. Pitts feels like a safe play in this one, being featured as much as he has, 17 targets over the past two weeks.

Saquon Barkley (Giants-RB) After seeing Barkley (28 touches) finish up the Sunday night game against the Bills in Week 6, his health is trending in the right direction as he faces a familiar foe he’s had past success against. Barkley should see a full workload once again and could be in for a highly productive afternoon.

Seahawks (DST) This Seahawks defense has been one of the better scoring defenses (2nd) the past four weeks, with 19 sacks and 7 takeaways. At home this week, this defense is a safe play.

Strong plays to consider for DFS as well.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 9th 2017

Saturday Night Edition

Who Are You Starting & Sitting (Week 1)

Start or Sit

Charles Clay (start) The Bills tight end has a nice matchup against a Jets secondary that ranked 9th worst against opposing tight ends last season and allowed 10 touchdowns. He’s a low TE1 this week.

Kendall Wright (start) The Bears wide out will likely fill a familiar role in the offense this season and goes up against a Falcons secondary that ranked 10th worst against opposing receivers and allowed the 6th most receptions. He’s a nice flex this week.

Jeremy Hill (sit) The Bengals appear to have a bit of a convoluted backfield this season and add that they face a Ravens defense that allows the 7th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and I am inclined to stay away.

Martavis Bryant (start) The Steelers wide receiver could have a juicy match up this week playing alongside with Antonio Brown. Add the Browns secondary allowed 20 touchdowns to opposing receivers last season and Bryant is favorite flex this week.

John Brown (start) The Cardinals wide receiver has been working hard to get healthy and back to form and in the team’s third preseason game he showed what he’s capable of when healthy with two scores. Sunday he’ll take on a Lions secondary that allowed the 7th most receptions to opposing wide receivers and 20 receiving touchdowns in 2016. Brown is another favorite for a flex play this week.

Leonard Fournette (sit) The Jags passing offense really struggled in the preseason which makes me believe the rookie runner is going to see a lot of 8 and 9 man in the box this season. Fournette will also be facing a Texans defense that returns JJ Watt and allowed the 11 fewest rushing yards a season ago. It’s going to be a long day for Fournette on Sunday.

Marshawn Lynch (sit) A lot of folks are excited about the return of Beast Mode, but fantasy owners may want to temper their expectations this Sunday. Lynch and Raiders will face a Titans defense that allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs last season. You may have to start him because of where he was drafted, but if you have options you may want to consider.

Terrelle Pryor (start) The Redskins newest big target has a tasty matchup on Sunday facing an Eagles secondary that allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. In the matchup I start Pryor and believe he’s got a great shot to score.

Sammy Watkins (sit) The Rams newest receiver may have a difficult time finding the end zone on Sunday. The Rams offense sputtered through the preseason and even with a Colts secondary missing cornerback Vontae Davis, the Rams are likely to run the ball a lot. Watkins could be tough sit on Sunday, but if you have to play him, it could be a long day.

Tyler Lockett (start) The Seahawks travel to Green Bay and like the recent heat wave in Southern California, Lockett could get hot on Sunday against a secondary that allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Lockett is not likely to see a large volume of targets, but he could get loose on a long one which is why I like him as a flex start.

Kelvin Benjamin (start) The Panthers wide out has looked sharp this preseason and should be peppered with bunch of targets on Sunday. He’ll face a Niners secondary that allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. He’s a mid WR2 start for me.

Paul Perkins (sit) The Cowboys were very good against the run a year ago allowing the second fewest yards rushing and the 4th fewest fantasy points. Perkins is going to have a tough time running against the Boys on Sunday night.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega