FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 11th 2017

Monday Night Edition

On The Cover This Week

The New Beast on the Block

This year’s NFL class of rookies is making quite an impression early this season with some strong debuts. One of the impressive performances on Sunday was turned in the Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette.

Fournette is a beast of a back out of LSU taken fourth overall in the 2017 NFL draft. He stands 6’1”, 228 lbs, and when he’s moving he’s at full steam, he’s a load to stop. As a sophomore at LSU Fournette set school records in rushing with 1,953 yards and touchdowns with 22. His 162.8 yards rushing per game average also earned him an NCAA rushing title.

On Sunday he made his NFL starting debut  and the Texans got a taste of the new Beast on the Block; the former Tiger did some serious damage. The Jags rookie runner trampled the Texans defense for 100 yards rushing on 26 carries and showed his versatility hauling in all three of his targets for another 24 yards.

Fournette proved on Sunday he can play with the big boys. Next up is Tennessee and another easy Sunday morning for the rookie.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 11th 2017

Monday Afternoon Edition

Monday Night Takes

It’s Monday Night Football tonight and for the season’s opening week, fantasy owners will be treated with two games. These are just some of my favorite plays for tonight’s matchups;

Michael Thomas (Saints-WR) The Saints 2nd year wideout will have a tough matchup against the Vikings secondary, but with Brees calling the signals he should be fine to start.

Adrian Peterson (Saints-RB) It’s hard to see what exactly Peterson’s role will be in the Saints game plan, but he figures to be involved in the ground game and could be featured in short-yardage and goal-line. He could be a nice flex vulturing a couple of short scores tonight.

Dalvin Cook (Vikings-RB) The Vikings rookie could be featured tonight in the running game and could find a lot of success against the Saints run defense. He’s a strong play tonight with an expected steady diet of upward to 20-plus touches.

Stefon Diggs (Vikings-WR) The game plan for Minnesota will likely be the ground game, but expect Sam Bradford and his primary target (Diggs) to find success in the air against a Saints secondary that allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers last season.

Melvin Gordon (Chargers-RB) Although the Broncos enter the 2017 season with one of the best defenses in the league, fantasy owners should still expect Gordon to have success tonight as a dual threat. Last season Gordon finished 2016 with 41 receptions to go with his 997 yards rushing and as well as the Broncos secondary played a season ago, their defense allowed over 4.0 yards per carry.

Demaryius Thomas (Broncos-WR) The Broncos offense this preseason had lot of the same look as last season, underwhelming. And while the lack flash, Thomas brings consistency. He averaged 10 targets per game in two contests last season; with that kind of opportunity tonight he should post nice numbers. He’s a safe play tonight.

Sleeper plays

Ted Ginn Jr (Saints-WR) With wide receiver Willie Snead out, a beneficiary in the pass game could be veteran receiver Ginn Jr. He’s still got blazing speed and could get behind the defense for long one tonight. Until we see more from Ginn, he’s strictly a flex option and interesting flier in DFS.

Hunter Henry (Chargers-TE) Likely drafted a TE2, Henry should be more involved in the pass this season and could have TE1 upside. Last season in their first matchup with Denver Henry was targeted 8 times and turned in a 6/75/1 line. Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams should keep the corners busy all night, making Henry a nice MNF sleeper play.

Jamaal Charles (Broncos-RB) I’m calling my shot here. I believe the Broncos want to make a concerted effort to run this season and will start tonight. Both running backs, CJ Anderson and Charles could get plenty of opportunity; don’t be surprised if Charles out performs Anderson. Charles is too risky to play tonight, but you may want to race to the waiver wire line following the game.

That’s My Monday Night Take!

~David Ortega

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September 10th 2017

Sunday Late Night Edition

Sunday Heroes

&

Lineup Killers

Here is the Week 1 run down of those players that may have saved your weekly matchup and scored you some green in DFS and those that cost you chances at both;

Sunday Heroes

Antonio Brown (Steelers-WR) Brown was solid on Sunday as the league’s No.2 wideout as he received a large volume or work finishing with 11 grabs for 182 yards.

Kenny Golladay (Lions-WR) The rookie wideout breaks out in week 1 with 4 catches for 69 yards and two scores. Strong start for Golladay, looks like a weekly favorite as a flex.

Austin Cooper (Falcons-TE) Not a lot of volume for the Falcons tight end just two targets, but  Cooper comes up big with 128 yards receiving and a score. Too soon to jump on this band wagon, but keep tabs on him as a possible bye week fill.

LeSean McCoy (Bills-RB) Just as most figured, Shady received a heavy workload on Sunday and turned in a big day with 159 total yards on 27 touches.

Jonathan Stewart (Panthers-RB) The Panthers starter received 20 touches on Sunday, turning them into 82 total yards and a score to remain fantasy relevant.

Leonard Fournette (Jaguars-RB) The rookie proved to be the new beast of the NFL, at least for this week totaling for 124 yards (100 rushing) and adding a TD.

Todd Gurley (Rams-RB) The Rams ball carrier was not spectacular, but he was productive totaling 96 yards with a score on 24 touches.

Matthew Stafford (Lions-QB) The Lions signal caller started shaky, but finished hot on Sunday passing for 292 yards and tossing four scores.

Golden Tate (Lions-WR) The Lions receiver continues to prove he’s a solid starting fantasy option and one of Stafford’s favorites; 10 catches, 107 yards receiving in week 1.

Cooper Kupp (Rams-WR) The rookie wideout played like a sleeper waking up, grabbing 4 of 6 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. A favorable streaming option and flex play.

Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys-RB) The Cowboys star running back continued to shine Sunday night totaling 140 yards on 29 touches to his fantasy owners delight.

Tarik Cohen (Bears-RB) The Bears rookie (Cohen who?) totaled 113 yards on 13 touches and added a receiving touchdown. You may not know who he is, but you’ll hear his name again next week.

Ty Montgomery (Packers-GB) The Packers starting running back was featured on Sunday, seeing 24 touches totaling 93 yards with a rushing touchdown. As long as he’s healthy he’s needs to be starting.

Lineup Killers

Kendall Wright (Bears-WR) A risky play in a poor offense that did not pay off. Wright only say four targets on Sunday, turning in a line of 3/34.

Bilal Powell (Jets-RB) Like the Jets offense on Sunday, Powell struggled totaling just 39 yards on 12 touches.

Jamison Crowder (Redskins-WR) The Offense struggled just like it did in the preseason and Crowder was nowhere to be found; 3 receptions for 14 yards.

LeVeon Bell (Steelers-RB) Bell returned to camp a week ago, but left his form at home. On 13 touches he totaled only 47 yards.

Martavis Bryant (Steelers-WR) It was pretty obvious he needs more time working with the offense. Bryant and his quarterback were out of sync all day; 2 catches on 6 targets.

John Brown (Cardinals-WR) Too much hype leading into week 1. Owners will need to see more substance before playing Brown in the future; week 1 line 4/32.

Carson Palmer (Cardinals-QB) Palmer showed his age with some poor throws and inconsistency as he really struggled with turnovers (3 interceptions on Sunday).

Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers-WR) Cam Newton did not look accurate with some of his throws. It may be too early to rely on Benjamin as a weekly play, owners will need to see improved play; 1 catch for 25 yards on 5 targets.

DeMarco Murray (Titans-RB) A disappointing outing on Sunday for fantasy owners as Murray registered just 12 carries for 44 yards on the ground and 2 catches for 16 yards. It’s too soon to bail out on Murray, a tough start but he should get it turned around.

Isaiah Crowell (Browns-RB) The Browns running back was unspectacular for owners on Sunday totaling just 66 yards on 19 touches. It was a bad Sunday, but not a time to panic.

Brian Hoyer (Niners-QB) Hoyer’s first start as a Niner was underwhelming as he passed for only 193 yards with an interceptions. He’s not roster worthy at this time.

Frank Gore (Colts-RB) Without Luck the offense will struggle and splitting carries with the rookie Marlon Mack will limit Gore’s ceiling; 11 touches for 52 total yards.

Tyler Lockett (Seahawks-WR) Need to see a larger sample size from Lockett. He’s unproven and not consistent enough to start; one catch for 8 yards.

And That’s My Week 1 Take!

~David Ortega

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September 10th 2017

Sunday Morning Edition

Sunday Morning Gametime

This is one of the most exciting times of the year, right up there with March Madness and Christmas; it’s the first Sunday of the NFL, week 1 and a full slate of games. This is what fantasy owners have been waiting for since camps opened back in July and the time has arrived.

Now that kick-off is just about 75 minutes away how about a couple of “Hot Takes” for week 1;

I’ve not heard anything definitive, but as long as quarterback Cam Newton starts, I am big on wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. A huge red-zone target in the passing offense, look for two scoreS today from Benjamin.

I may not be starting Niners quarterback Brian Hoyer today, but I think he’ll draw some fantasy owner attention today with a solid performance. He’s not goinig to be a sexy play any week, but he’s going to be a quarterback you can stream throughout the season.

One reason for Hoyer’s success will be his connection with wide receiver Pierre Garcon. He’s the number receiver in a system he’s familiar with he could see double digit targets today and post WR1 numbers against the Panthers.

The Bills running back LeSean McCoy is going to see plenty of carries today and could top the 150 total yards mark. The Jets defense has been picked apart this offseason and they could really struggle this season against opposing running backs, especially in the pass game.

And finally for Week 1, look for the old man (sorry Carson) in Arizona, quarterback Carson Palmer to find a little fountain of youth in Detroit today. He and the legend wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald could pull out some old tricks and post some big numbers today; 300 yards passing, 100 yards receiving, and at least one scoring connection.

That’s My Hot Takes for Today.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 10th 2017

Sunday Morning Edition

My DFS Play Today

So for those of you that play daily fantasy sports (DFS), here’s one of my favorite plays for today

My DFS Lineup (Fan Duel)

QB-Derek Carr ($7,700): The Titans will play tough against the run today, forcing Carr and the offense to stick to the air; which is good for DFS. I like Carr’s price against a secondary that allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing QBs in 2016.

RB-Bilal Powell ($6,300): This could be a popular play in DFS today as the Bills were awful against the run last season. Powell may be the Jets best player on offense today and he could see a heavy workload. He’s got a fair value today on Fan Duel and could cash in a couple of scores.

RB-Todd Gurley ($7,300): This should be meaty matchup for Gurley as he could see upwards of 25 carries against a Colts run defense that allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2016.

WR-Michael Crabtree ($6,900): He’s a favorite target of quarterback Derek Carr and is a nice stack at his price. The Colts secondary will be short-handed today without their best cover corner (Vontae Davis); expect Crabtree to find pay-dirt.

WR-AJ Green ($8,400): Green is a beast and should see a hefty volume of targets today. Green did not face Baltimore last season (injury), but in his last five starts against the Ravens Green has scored 6 touchdowns. He loves to torch the Ravens.

WR-Doug Baldwin ($7,500): The Seahawks are on the road to face the Packers in what could be a high scoring affair. Baldwin will line up against a Packers secondary that allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2016. Get him in your lineup!

TE-Zach Ertz ($5,900): This is a great price for Ertz against a Redskins defense that allowed the second most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2016. Ertz is likely to be a popular play, but at his price he’s a must.

K-Dan Bailey ($4,900): To be honest, because you have to start a kicker I am starting Bailey. He has a nice price and the last time he faced the Giants at home he posted 17 fantasy points.

Def-Texans ($5,100): The Texans are at home and draw a very poor Jaguars offense that ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing defenses in 2016. This looks to be a prime matchup for JJ Watt and company.

That’s My Lineup for Week 1.

~David Ortega