FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 26th 2017

Sunday morning Edition

My Week 12 Injury Takes

Here is the latest of some key players as the Countdown to Sunday Kickoff winds down;

TE-Jimmy Graham; the Seahawks tight end (ankle) is expected to play and should see his normal workload in a juicy matchup against a Niners defense that’s allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing TE’s over the past month. Graham needs to be in lineups.

WR-DeAndre Hopkins; the Texans receiver (foot) is expected to play Monday against the Ravens. It’s a tough matchup against a stout Ravens secondary, but Hopkins is a must-start every week.

QB-Jacoby Brissett; Brissett (concussion) has been cleared to play and will start Sunday against the Titans. Brissett should have his full complement of receiving weapons against a Titans defense that’s allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing QBs over the past two weeks.

WR-Chris Hogan; the Patriots receiver (shoulder) has been ruled out for week 12. His absence continues to open up the target distribution to receivers Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks; over the past 2 weeks Cooks has tallied 12 catches for 223 yards.

WR-Harry Douglas; the Titans have activated wide receiver Harry Douglas from injured reserve. Douglas has been far off the fantasy radar this season, but with Rishard Matthews questionable Douglas could have some sleeper value in deeper leagues.

RB-Ty Montgomery; the Packers running back is doubtful for today and will Aaron Jones still on the shelf, it will be Jamal Williams again with the starting duties. It will be tough sledding today for Williams facing a Steelers defense that has allowed the 3rd fewest rushing yards the past month.

TE-Rob Gronkowski; Last week against the Raiders, Gronk was quiet, but did manage a score. This week he has been removed from the team’s injury report and will be one of Brady’s primary options today.

WR-Julio Jones; The Falcons wide receiver is not listed on the team’s injury report. It should be all-systems-go for Julio today against the Bucs.

WR-John Brown; The Cardinals receiver has been ruled out for Week 12. His absence mean receiver JJ Nelson will likely spend most of his time in the slot today. With the Jags Jalen Ramsey expected to play, it’s likely to be a long day for Nelson.

QB-Jay Cutler; The Dolphins will be without quarterback Jay Cutler, ruled out for Week 12. With Cutler sidelined, Matt Moore will get the road start against the Patriots; Moore is a potential mid-QB2 option this week.

WR-Rishard Matthews; the Titans receiver a late add to the injury report, is listed as questionable for Sunday. If he’s out, Corey Davis could see an expanded role in the passing game.

WR-Marqise Lee; the Jaguars receiver has been removed from the injury report this week. Lee leads the team in receiving this season, but he faces a tough matchup against the Cardinals and Patrick Peterson; he’s a low-value option this week in all formats.

TE-Greg Olsen; the Panthers have activated their tight end and he is expected to play. The word is he’ll only play about half of the offensive snaps, but owners can expect most of those to be on passing downs. He’s still part of the TE1 discussion for Week 12.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 25th 2017

Saturday Night Edition

My Week 12 DFS Plays

With an exciting slate of 12 games on the board for Sunday, I am more than excited about playing me some DFS. Here are some of the names that will filter their way to my lineups for Week 12;

Duke Johnson Jr; The Browns running back posted a solid line the last time he faced the Bengals, thinking he can duplicate the type of outcome on Sunday.

LeSean McCoy; The Chiefs defense has not been great against the run of late and Shady is still one of the league’s most elusive and exciting running backs.

Tyrod Taylor; This is a full-on contrarian play for sure, but I like the odds with Taylor after being reinserted into the lineup with his matchup against an over-rated Chiefs defense. I am playing him in a stack with McCoy and Jones.

Martavis Bryant; he’s a risky boom or bust play every week, but the absence of JuJu Smith-Schuster favors his chances.

Kareem Hunt; I’d be expecting a big bounce back day after last week’s dud. Hunt has been too good this season to say quiet two consecutive weeks.

Kenny Stills; I’m not expecting quite the same day he had a week ago, but if he can post a modest 6 catches for 90 yards (or better), at his price I’d be more than happy.

Brandin Cooks; Just playing the numbers and the matchups with Cooks here. I am also making my pick based on what we saw last week. Brady and Cooks are starting to get in sync; look out opposing defensive backs.

Ben Roethlisberger; I am definitely feeling a big game from Big Ben this week. Last week’s 299 yards passing and 4 touchdowns was his best game this season, but this Sunday could be better.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 25th 2017

Saturday Evening Edition

Week 12 Perfect Line up

(NFL.com)

I am just like most fantasy football nuts, I love to play the games and all of the games. Every week I take my shots and let the Hail Marys fall where they may and included is the weekly Perfect Lineup on the NFL site. My track record has not been great of late, as I like to play the numbers, mixed in with a little bit gut-feelings and intuition. Last week my team tanked big, but that’s the great thing about fantasy, there’s another week to play until there isn’t. Here are my picks for Week 12;

QB-Ben Roethlisberger; The expectation is this offense is going to breakout at some point and while 40 points last week and subsequently a nice passing day from Big Ben (299 yards and 4 touchdowns) would be good indicators, that type of game falls a little short. It’s a great start nonetheless and has generated some buzz, but my gut is telling me this week is the boom week for Big Ben and the offense; bigger than last week.

RB-Kareem Hunt; Last week the hopes were high for Hunt and the Chiefs offense, but unfortunately there was only disappointment. This week owners will be singing a different tune with Hunt and company taking on the (Bills) worst run defense in the league over the past month.

RB-Mark Ingram; The Saints starting running back Mark Ingram is the league’s No.6 RB in standard and PPR, but over the past two weeks he’s number one. Ingram has lead the charge in his last two games with 287 scrimmage yards and 4 touchdowns and Sunday he faces a Rams defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing running backs for the season.

WR-TY Hilton; Over the past month, only one defense against opposing wide receivers has been worse than the Titans. In the last four weeks the Titans defense has allowed the 2nd most touchdowns (6) and fantasy points to opposing receivers. This sounds like a very good matchup for wide receiver TY Hilton and with his quarterback Jacoby Brissett cleared for Sunday, all signs point toward big day.

WR-Julio Jones; The Falcons receiver is healthy this week or as healthy as he’s been this season and it comes in time for fantasy owners. The Falcons draw the Bucs this week and their 29th ranked pass defense and a secondary that has allowed the most receiving yards, most receptions, and 3rd most touchdowns to opposing receivers.

TE-Rob Gronkowski; The Patriots tight end was held in check a week ago with just three catches for 12 yards, but Gronk still managed to find the end zone. I would expect a healthier Gronk to enjoy greater success this week against the Dolphins. Gronk is always a Brady favorite in the red zone and could be looking at one of his multi-touchdown weeks.

PK-Justin Tucker; I am expecting the Ravens offense to have some great success moving the ball and as per usual of the offense this season, they will be calling on the sure footed Justin Tucker.

Steelers Defense; This looks like great matchup for the Steelers defense, a home matchup against a backup quarterback (Brett Hundley) that has been struggling. Hundley is coming off a three-pick performance a week ago. Look for the Steelers defense to turn up the heat and bring lots of pressure, early and often.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 25th 2017

Saturday Evening Edition

Week 12 Favorite Plays

It’s a critical weekend in the fantasy world in most season-long formats, with just two weeks left before the start of the fantasy playoffs. This Sunday’s slate of games will carry more weight and go a long way for those teetering on the brink. And with so much riding on Sunday, here are a few of the Not-the-Usual-Suspects to consider for those in need of a plug-and-play;

QB-Joe Flacco; The Ravens signal caller has been off the starting fantasy radar most of the season, turning in just four 200+ yards passing games and just two multiple touchdown performances. He’s been No-Go-Joe most of this season, but Sunday against the Texans Flacco could turn things around. The Texans have been awful against the pass all season long and over the past four weeks they have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, including the most passing yards and touchdowns. This will be a great week for Flacco to succeed.

RB-JD McKissic; I like the Seahawks matchup here against the Niners on Sunday and with running back Mike Davis doubtful the backfield remains wide open. McKissic is the team’s pass receiving specialist out of the backfield and in his last two games he’s averaged 10 touches per game and collected 9 receptions. In PPR formats especially, the Seahawks ball carrier will have flex appeal against a Niner’s defense that has allowed the most receiving yards and (tied for) the 8th most receptions to opposing running backs.

RB-Rex Burkhead; This pick is a little outside the box thinking in my opinion, but if you in need and looking the Patriots running back Rex Burkhead could fill the need. Locked in a timeshare with running back Dion Lewis, Burkhead is the more appealing in PPR formats. Burkhead has played a significant number of offensive snaps over the past several weeks and in his last three games he’s total 14 receptions for 116 receiving yards and a score, while adding 19 carries for 67 rushing yards. On Sunday he’ll lineup against a Dolphins defense that has surrendered the 4th most fantasy points to opposing running backs over the past four weeks.

WR-Jeremy Maclin; With Flacco expected to be highly successful this week against a struggling Texans secondary, Maclin figures to be one of the benefactors. Maclin is easily the team’s leading wideout in an otherwise less than impressive offense, leading in catches (31), yards (343), and tied for team lead in touchdowns (3). The good news, Maclin’s number is regularly called; he has 14 receptions on 19 targets in his last three games. Maclin is not looking at a monster game, but he could find paydirt and offer some fantasy help in week 12.

WR-Kenny Stills; the Dolphins wide receiver erupted last week for a huge game (7 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown) with quarterback Matt Moore under center. With starter Jay Cutler ruled out, Moore will get the nod and Stills is back in play in week 12. The Phins take on the Patriots who have allowed the most receptions and 9th most receiving yards to opposing receivers the past two weeks.

TE-Jared Cook; In what has been a down year for the Offense, the Raiders tight end Jared Cook has been a nice addition to the passing game. He is leading the team with 535 yards receiving through 10 games, but has only scored once. That all could change this Sunday matched up against a struggling Denver secondary. In their first matchup the Broncos defense held Cook in check with just 3 catches for 46 yards, but in the team’s past four games they have allowed the most receiving yards (348) and the most touchdowns (4) to opposing tight ends.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 23rd 2017

Thursday Night Edition

Week 12 Diamonds in the Rough

This is the final stretch of the fantasy football regular season as we have now entered week 12. With the bye weeks complete, there are still 13 games left on the slate and plenty of gems waiting to be inserted into your lineup this week.

Tyrod Taylor returns to the lineup.

After the Nathan Peterman failure last week, the Bills are going to go back to quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Bills new, old starter is currently the No.14 fantasy QB through 11 weeks and will face the Chiefs 28th ranked pass defense that allows the 9th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Chiefs are in a slide right now and Taylor may have some vengeance on his mind this week. There are not a lot of signs pointing toward a big game, but any given Sunday may apply.

A change in Denver could mean more changes

The Broncos offense is in turmoil, currently one of the worst in the leagues, but a recent bright spot has been 2nd year running back Devontae Booker. The Broncos running back has steadily seen his role and production grow in the offense with Week 11 being his best game of the season. His 19 touches and 98 total yards were season highs and the best that the backfield has seen in weeks. With the recent firing of Mike McCoy, the offense will be under new direction which could open the door to changes; new starter, new workload split, etc. This is a situation worth monitoring.

Time for the Bee-sting of Martavis

The Steelers offense finally showed some real life in week 11 rolling up 40 points against the Titans. One missing component of the Killers Bees this season has been the Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Through 11 weeks he’s barely been a blip on anyone’s radar and there’s been even less reason for him to be. With the Steelers offense looking like it’s getting ready to start rolling again, Bryant could be in line for a potential breakout game. This Sunday night is a prime matchup at home against a Packers defense that’s allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing receivers over its past four games. Bryant is more likely a boom or bust option, but if you need to reach, he could answer the call.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega