Friday Late Night Edition
October 11th 2019
Week 6: Four Horsemen
QB-Gardner Minshew, JAX: The Jaguars quarterback has been a solid fantasy starter over the past 3 weeks, ranking as the No.8 fantasy QB. This week Minshew mania storms the field in Jacksonville to take on the Saints and a defense that has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks over the past 4 weeks. In his last three starts Minshew has passed for 791 yards, 6 touchdowns, and zero picks. He’s a solid play for Week 6, start him!
RB-Le’Veon Bell, NYJ: The Jets running has been a high volume usage monster through four games this season, totalling 98 touches. Bell currently ranks as the No.17 fantasy RB and this week takes on a Dallas defense that has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing running backs over the past 4 weeks. Bell has 27 receptions (ranks 3rd among RBs through 5 weeks) and has 166 receiving yards (ranks 9th). The Cowboys have allowed 37 receptions to opposing running backs, ranks tied for the 3rd most allowed through five weeks, so Bell owners can expect a busy Sunday for Jets ball carrier; start him.
WR-Auden Tate, CIN: Cincinnati’s strolls into Baltimore on Sunday and Auden Tate will start as the Bengals No.2 receiver. With Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd likely being the focus of the Ravens defense, Tate figures to be the beneficiary. Over the past 4 weeks, the Ravens defense has allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, including 873 receiving yards (3rd most). Tate is a bit of risky play, but the numbers show, he has upside potential play in this matchup; he’s my start.
TE-Greg Olsen, CAR: The Buccaneers defense has allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the past 4 weeks, including 29 receptions and 391 receiving yards (most allowed). This Sunday Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, the No. 9 fantasy TE through 5 weeks will look to rebound after getting shutout in Week 5 and only totaling 2 receptions over his past two games. In week 2, Olsen finished with 6 receptions for 110 yards receiving against the same Bucs defense he will see on Sunday; start him.
That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega
Sunday Morning Edition
October 6th 2019
Sunday Morning Gametime
Who to Start?
These are some of the players I am starting today, for my Week 5 lineups;
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Min; I just love the matchup and the opportunity for the Vikings offense to get their passing game off the ground. The running game should remain healthy, but I am looking for several big plays from Cousins in the passing game.
Carson Wentz, PHI; The Eagles quarterback has been on point this early completing 61 percent of his passes, averaging 240 yards passing with 9 touchdowns on the season. Wentz is currently the No.5 scoring quarterback in fantasy. Trust in Wentz.
Running backs
Tarik Cohen, CHI; The Bears are facing a pretty good Raiders run defense, but with the absence of wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, I expect to see quite a bit of Cohen lining up in the slot. Back in week one Cohen was targeted 10 times; we could see similar numbers today.
Aaron Jones, GB; With the injury to running back Jamal Williams, it could be the Aaron Jones show today against a good Cowboys defense. Where I like Jones today, is in the pass game; Cowboys have allowed the 8th most receptions to the running back. Another silver lining, the Cowboys have not been great stopping the run, allowing 4.5 yards per carry.
Wide Receivers
Chris Godwin, TB; This is a no-brainer for me. Godwin, the No.3 fantasy scoring WR (PPR format) has been nothing short of terrific this season. Today may not be another big game because he lines up along side with the No.5 fantasy wide receiver Mike Evans. The numbers indicate he’s a safe play averaging more than 8 targets per game.
Stefon Diggs, MIN; For many of the same reasons I am rolling with Cousins, I have to insert Diggs today. The talented wide receiver is coming off a career season in 2018, but is off to a slow start. Today could be the jump start he and the passing offense need.
Tight Ends
Jared Cook, NO; I have been riding with Cook for several weeks and losing patience. He has a great matchup today against the Bucs who allow the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Cook has yet to breakout this season, today could be his day.
Noah Fant, DEN; This is purely a gut feel and lack of options. Not to knock the kid out of Iowa (the No. 23 fantasy TE), he’s quietly been pretty good and I believe he’ll continue his rise. Fant is averaging just a tick under 4 targets per game in an offense that is due to breakout. Last week Fant scored his first NFL touchdown, showcasing some of his athletic skills. Today could be another step forward.
That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega
Saturday Evening Edition
October 5th 2019
DFS Saturday
For those of us that can’t get enough of fantasy football in the season long format, there is DFS. Here are a couple of fantasy lineups I am playing in DFS this week.
Here’s my lineups and my breakdown;
QB-Andy Dalton, CIN: The Bengals offense ranks last in rushing this season and Dalton is averaging over 40 passes per game. This Sunday the Bengals square off with the Cardinals and a defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Bengals offense seems almost exclusively passing dependent; I like Dalton’s prospect for a busy day and he should be a shoe-in for over 40 passes this week.
RB-David Johnson, ARI: I like Johnson’s usage in the passing game this season. Through 4 games DJ .has 28 targets (2nd most for running backs) and he’s involved in the run game with 173 yards rushing. He has a great matchup this week against the Bengals defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including the most receiving yards and 2nd most receptions.
RB-Leonard Fournette, JAX: The Jaguars are led by Fournette and their running game. Through four weeks, Fournette’s 72 carries ranked 6th in the NFL and his 404 yards rushing is third. He should be the focal point on Sunday and add his 23 targets leading to 16 receptions, he should be very busy on Sunday. I like his matchup against a Panthers defense that is allowing nearly 5.0 yards per carry this season.
WR-Chris Godwin, TB: After his big week against the Rams last Sunday, Godwin is off the injury report and geared up for another potential big day against the Saints. Through 4 weeks the Saints defense has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Godwin is currently ranked 3rd in fantasy scoring for receivers, he looks primed to continue his strong play.
WR-Allen Robinson, CHI: Through 4 weeks, A-Rob has yet to find the end-zone, but he has seen no fewer than 7 targets in each of his four games and scored in double-digits (PPR format, full-point). This Sunday, Robinson matches up against a Raiders secondary that has allowed the 9th most fantasy points to opposing wide-outs. He should be a safe play and see plenty of targets.
WR-Courtland Sutton, DEN: The Broncos second year receiver appears to be on the verge of a breakout season, ranking 15th in fantasy scoring among receivers through 4 weeks. His numbers have been solid and his usage has been consistent averaging nearly 8 targets per game; even with less than favorable matchup I like Sutton.
TE-Darren Waller, OAK: The Raiders tight end is seeing a regular diet of targets every Sunday; 37 targets in 2019, ranks 2nd among tight ends. With his 33 receptions (leads all tight ends) he’s a favorite of mine this week against a stout Bears defense. Even with the bad matchup, Waller is such a featured piece in the passing game, he’s a safe play.
Flex-James White, NE: The Patriots running back has been a featured part of the passing game averaging 7 targets per game. He’s also been productive in PPR format, scoring in double digits in all three games he has played this season. I would expect much of the same against the Redskins this week, less about what Washington allows, but more about how he’s used in the offense.
DST-Eagles: The Eagles defense has a great matchup against a Jets offense that allows the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing defenses. With Sam Darnold already ruled OUT for Sunday, this matchup looks pretty good for the hometown team (Eagles).
That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega
Friday Evening Edition
October 4th 2019
Friday Fantasy Fixx
Week 5 Lineup Decisions
Running Back Trends
Over the past two weeks, here are the top 10 most used running backs;
- Christian McCaffrey, CAR: 64 touches (51 carries/13 receptions)
- Le’Veon Bell, NYJ: 53 touches (39/14)*
- Leonard Fournette, JAX: 52 touches (44/8)
- Nick Chubb, CLE: 50 touches (43/7)
- Kerryon Johnson, DET: 49 touches (46/3)
- Derrick Henry, TEN: 46 touches (44/2)
- Ezekiel Elliott, DAL: 45 touches (37/8)
- Alvin Kamara, NO: 45 touches (33/12)
- David Montgomery, CHI: 40 touches (34/6)
- Dalvin Cook, MIN: 40 touches (30/10)
DNP Week 4*
Targets to Target
Over the past two weeks, these are the top 10 targeted wide receivers;
- Mike Evans, TB - 22 targets
- Keenan Allen, LAC - 22 targets
- Cole Beasley, BUF - 22 targets
- Davante Adams, GB - 19 targets*
- Jarvis Landry, CLE - 19 targets
- Preston Williams, MIA - 19 targets
- Chris Godwin, TB - 18 targets
- Sterling Shepard, NYG - 18 targets
- Josh Gordon, NE - 18 targets
- Mohamed Sanu, ATL - 18 targets
Out for Week 5*
PPR Specials
Over the past two weeks, these are the top 10 targeted running backs;
- David Johnson, ARI - 20 targets
- Christian McCaffrey, CAR - 14 targets
- Le’Veon Bell, NYJ - 14 targets*
- James White, NE - 14 targets
- Alvin Kamara, NO - 13 targets
- Dalvin Cook, MIN - 13 targets
- Devonta Freeman, ATL - 13 targets
- Austin Ekeler, LAC - 12 targets
- Saquan Barkley, NYG - 12 targets*
- James Conner, PIT: 12 targets
DNP Week 4*
That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega
Sunday Morning Edition
September 29th 2019
Sunday Morning Gametime
Week 4 matchups
The Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (QB4 according Fantasy Data) has been solid this season with the league’s 2nd highest passer rating 127.9 (minimum 2 starts), behind only Patrick Mahomes. His week 4 matchup pits him against the Saints defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Lock Dak up for another solid start in Week 4.
Through the first three weeks of the 2019 season, the Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (QB5 according to Fantasy Data) has been on a tear, averaging 300 yards passing and over 70 percent completions. His foe on Sunday is the Arizona Cardinals whose defense has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Wilson is a fantasy Road Warrior, start him.
The Chiefs will be bringing their Big Top Show to the Motor City this week and running LeSean “Shady” McCoy (RB19 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) will have a great matchup against a Lions defense that allows the 5th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. McCoy is still nursing an ankle injury, but appears ready to go and should be a safe RB2 for Week 4.
The Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (RB22 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) should be a featured focal point of the offense on Sunday when the Chiefs roll into town. The Chiefs defense has allowed the 9th most fantasy points to opposing running backs and Lions should be trying to play keep-away with Johnson. Through the first three weeks, Johnson is averaging 17.6 touches per game; he’s likely to see that total finish north of 20, start him.
The Redskins rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin (WR11 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) leads the team with 24 targets through the first three weeks of the 2019 season. This weeks he’ll get his shot at the Giants secondary that has allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. As the team’s primary receiving threat, McLaurin should see plenty of opportunities on Sunday; he’s a WR2 play this week.
The Chargers are on the road this Sunday to take on the Dolphins in a matchup that could go south for the Phins early. The Dolphins rookie wide receiver Preston Williams (WR51 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) has been seeing a health share of targets (23) through the first three weeks of the season. If the Dolphins can stay competitive, Williams should be heavily involved and even if this one gets away, he could see a lot of garbage time points (they still count). He’s a bye-week plug or flex play this week.
The Lions rookie tight end TJ Hockenson (TE15 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) started out the 2019 season as a nice fantasy play with a monster opener in week one, but the past couple of weeks he’s been a bit of a disappointment. This week Hockenson draws the Chiefs defense that has allowed the 5th most points to opposing tight ends. The Chiefs have also allowed the most receptions to opposing tight ends which should afford Hockenson plenty of opportunities to produce. He’s a borderline TE1-TE2 this week.
The Broncos offense is need of a kickstart this week and their rookie tight end Noah Fant (TE25 according to Fantasy Data, PPR scoring) could be the one to provide the spark. Fant will face a Jaguars defense that has allowed the 6th most receiving yards to opposing tight ends. Fant’s 11 yards per reception, ranks him 12th amongst tight ends with minimum 10 targets this season. He’s a week 4 sleeper.
That’s My Take
~David G. Ortega
