October 23rd, 2016
Sunday Morning edition
Sunday Morning Gametime: Week 7
"Who's In, Who's Out?"
The Raiders who face the Jaguars today, will be without Latavius Murray, so it looks like it will be a committe effort with the rookie backfield (Jalen Richard & Deandre Washington). The Jags up front are solid against the run allowing the 11th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs; so both are out for me today.
The Bills are saying there is a chance running back LeSean McCoy plays, even in a limited capacity it's tough to sit Shady. It's a risky move, but if Shady plays, he's in today against the Dolphins who are surrendering over 4.3 yards per carry this season.
The Chargers will have wide receiver Travis Benjamin today in a matchup that could very well end up a shootout. The Falcons are putting up ridiculous numbers in the passing game this season, which could force the Bolts to play a lot of catch up on Sunday. If Benjamin is playing, he's in.
The Dolphins will have a healthier Arian Foster in the backfield today, but with a tough matchup against the Bills and following running backs Jay Ajayi breakout performance in week 6, Foster's production will likely be limited. Until we see more from Foster going forward, he's out.
Quarterback Geno Smith will be making the start for the Jets today, and facing a Ravens defense that has been stingy against the run he will be tested in the air. With Geno in today (and not a likely fantasy start in any formats), we will most likely see him putting the ball up quite a bit today. Even with the change at quarterback, wide receiver Brandon Marshall (27 receptions, 433 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns this season) is in for me.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
October 22nd, 2016
Saturday Evening edition
Week 7 Fantasy Notes & Predictions
Tomorrow, week 7 kicks off early with another London matchup featuring the Rams and the Giants. I'm pretty sure Todd Gurley owners are starting to get a little restless. In six games this season Gurley has yet to top 100 yards rushing, but a new continent could be the difference tomorrow. The Giants have been pretty good this season against the run, but they do allow more than 3.8 yards per carry this season and have allowed the 11th most fantasy points to opposing running backs over the past two weeks. Perhaps maybe some jet-lag or overseas distractions could kick in and take their toll as well. With that said, I like Gurley to finally top the century mark and reach the endzone.
The Falcons will be playing host to the visiting Chargers and for quarterback Matt Ryan that will likely mean his 5th game with more than 300 yards passing in seven starts. Ryan leads all players in fantasy scoring and has been huge this season with 2,075 yards passing and 15 touchdowns in six games. The Chargers secondary have had their struggles this season allowing the 10th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and nearly 300 yards passing per game. Tomorrow could be another long Sunday on the road for the Bolts defense. With Ryan throwing for a bunch tomorrow, fantasy owners should keep their eyes on wide receiver Mohamed Sanu; could be a nice day for the Falcon wideout.
With Redskins starting tight end Jordan Reed expected to be sidelined again this week, fantasy owners looking for a plug and play option should consider Vernon Davis. Davis will get the start and facing the Lions defense he'll have a good shot at scoring against a defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and 7 touchdowns (most in the league). Davis is likely a boom or bust option for redraft leagues, but has great value in DFS.
The Buccaneers return from their bye to face the visiting Niners and with Doug Martin still sidelined, running back Jacquizz Rodgers will get the start. Rodgers carried the load in week 5 with 30 rushing attempts for 101 yards and added 5 receptions for another 28 yards receiving. This week he matches up against the Niners defense that has allowed 3rd most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 9 rushing touchdowns (2nd most in the league). Rodgers is a borderline RB1/RB2 this week and is in line for another productive Sunday. He's also a great value play in DFS.
That's my take for Week 7.
~David G. Ortega
October 18th, 2016
Tuesday Evening edition
Sunday Fantasy Heroes
Every week fantasy owners are seeing big performances from big names and last Sunday (Week 6) was no different. In the Big Easy, it was all home-cooking for Saints quarterback Drew Brees passing for 465 yards with 4 touchdowns, while over in Foxboro Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was serving notice to the league with another big day; 376 yards passing with three touchdowns.
Up in the Northeast, Bills running back Shady (LeSean) McCoy was getting jiggy rushing for 140 yards and three scores and in the Big Apple, Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr was playing big with 8 receptions, 222 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. These were just some of the big names fantasy owners know and had in their lineups, but let's take a look at some notables that may have been overlooked in week 6 and should be considered in Week 7.
Week 7 Waiver Watch
The Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler played well on Sunday completing 26 of 41 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Kessler may not be quite ready for prime-time this Sunday on the road against the Bengals, but he's keeping an eye on as a possible bye week fill-in if the matchup is right.
The Rams starting quarterback Case Keenum had a big day throwing for 321 yards with three touchdowns on the road agains the Lions. Keenum was good up until his last throw, a game ending pick. It was a bounce back performance for Keenum after a disastrous week 5, but this quarterback is going to need to stay on the watch list for while until fantasy owners see more consistency.
Up in Oakland in the Black hole may be where some go to disappear, but the Chiefs running back Spencer Ware showed up on Sunday. Ware rushed for 131 yards and two scores on 24 carries, even with the return of Jamaal Charles. He's definitely a solid weekly play, keep him in your lineups.
After a week of just 11 carries, Ravens running back Terrance West toted the rock 23 times on Sunday to the tune of 87 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 4 receptions for another 36 yards. West has definitely worked his way onto the flex radar and could be moving his way up the RB3 charts as well.
The Rams passing game has not been much to cheer about, but quietly wide receiver Kenny Britt has been creeping up the fantasy radar. This week he may have reached fantasy relevance with a big day on Sunday grabbing 7 balls for 136 yards and two scores. Britt has managed to work his way into the top 20 and should now be owned.
The Bears 2nd year wide receiver Cameron Meredith has managed to put two solid performances back-to-back with his 11 catch 113 yard receiving performance on Sunday. In the past two weeks Meredith has been a near top 15 fantasy WR option and now warrants ownership and weekly consideration as a WR3 or flex play.
These are just a handful of weekly notables that fantasy owners should continue to watch.
That's my take.
~David G. Ortega
October 16th, 2016
Sunday Morning edition
Sunday Morning Gametime
We have less than 90 minutes until gametime and looking at some of the injury forecasts for today, I have a couple of tid-bits I will throw into the pot. These are just some of my favorite starts and sits for Sunday week 6.
"Who's In, Who's Out"
The Dolphins will roll out running back Arian Foster today against the Steelers. Foster has been out for several weeks with injury and has always been a health risk for fantasy owners. If you lack better options, he's a week 6 PPR start for me this week; he's in.
The Bengals will be tested today, but an upstart Patriots defense riding the high of the return of their team leader Tom Brady. The Pats offense will put a lot of pressure on the Bengals "O' today to match scores. AJ Green is the likely popular play in Cincy, but I like wide receiver Brando Lafell to contribute to day. He's more of a mid-to-low WR3, but I am playing him where I can; he's in.
A new offensive coordinator in Baltimore and maybe the team will committ more to the run this week. Last Sunday running back Terrance West was having a solid day, but just finished with 11 carries for 95 yards. This week I expect to see the Ravens to stay with the run a little longer equating to more than 11 carries for West. He's a mid-to-high RB3 this week against the Giants, but I like his chances to score; he's in.
With Jonathan Stewart returning to the lineup this week, running back Fozzy Whittaker will be returning to my bench. He's could see some work in the pass game, but in week one playing behind Stewart, Whittaker saw just 4 touches. He's out for me today.
I have Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant in a couple of leagues myself and with the 4pm EST kick-off, the risk seems too high. The Cowboys have a bye next week and it makes more sense to get their star receiver back to 100% health, rather than rushing him out there on to the field. Dez is out for me today.
That's My Take.
~David G. Ortega
October 15th, 2016
Saturday Evening edition
Week 6 Fantasy Notes: Strong Plays?
Taking a look at the schedule for Sunday and reviewing some of the latest news and notes, I've come up with a couple of fantasy notes for Week 6.
There are reports already that running back James Starks is out for Sunday, making starter Eddie Lacy a posibly nice play for this week. Now the Cowboys present a tough matchup for Lacy (allow 4th fewest points to opposing running backs), but with no Starks to back him up he'll get plenty of chances and should get plenty of work. If no better options are available, Lacy should be in your lineup.
Since his return to the field, running back Chris Ivory has seen little action and only 21 touches in two games. Ivory is clearly the number two option as running back TJ Yeldon has emerged as more of the featured back in Jacksonville. Yeldon is averaging better than 16 touche in four games and is coming off his best performance in week 4; 71 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. Yeldon has decent matchup on Sunday against the Bears and should be considering a low-end RB2.
One more note-worthy Sunday start is more of a sneaky play in tight end Vernon Davis. Starter Jordan Reed has already been ruled out and will miss action, opening the door for Davis. The former Niner tight end has not been utilized much this season, but could see considerable action this week. Davis is more of a week 6 flyer, but he has the talent and ability to make some noise for fantasy owners.
That's My Take.
~David G. Ortega
