FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FOOTBALL WINS

September 26th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Afternoon Edition

Fantasy Football Wins!

(NFL Week 3)

This is always one of the fun parts following the weekend, when I can look back at my successes. There will always be those players locked-in your lineups, but I consider some of these players as those that may or may not be in lineups; and they should be and shouldn’t be.

Cousins is fantasy gold.

QB-Kirk Cousins (QB4) - Despite the team’s lack of success in the win column, as long as Cousins is the starter and he has Justin Jefferson available, he’s a must-start in fantasy. The guy has been pure fantasy gold, finishing in the top each of the first three weeks.

The Cowboys running back continues to play like a star.

RB-Tony Pollard (RB13) - The Cowboys running back has been a star thus far this season. On Sunday he turned in another solid performance rushing for 122 yards. For the season Pollard is the fantasy RB9.

As expected, another quiet day.

RB-AJ Dillon (RB52) - The Packers desperately need Aaron Jones back. In the two games without Jones, Dillon has been a dud. In the two games without Jones available, Dillon has finished outside the Top-50 fantasy running backs. He belongs on your bench for the time being.

The Jets passing game is non-existent.

WR-Allen Lazard (WR59) - The Jets wide receiver caught three balls for 39 yards on Sunday. As long as the offense struggles, Lazard is going to remain fantasy irrelevant. For the season he’s fantasy receiver No.73. He can be dropped.

The Chiefs receiver room is a mess.

WR-Kadarius Toney (WR100) - The Chiefs wideout has clearly been a disappointment thus far this season. It’s still early in the season and his quarterback is Patrick Mahomes, but sitting at fantasy WR102 with just 7 catches for 35 yards to this point, he can’t be trusted. It’s safe to drop him.

The Texans rookie continues to play well.

WR-Tank Dell (WR6) - The Texans rookie wide receiver was big on Sunday, recording 5 receptions for 145 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown reception. This was the second straight week Dell has finished as a Top-20 fantasy receiver. He's a must-start at this point.

Another quiet day for Titans tight end

TE-Chigozeim Okonkwo (TE25) - The Titans 2nd year tight end is off to a slow start this season. On Sunday was more of the same, catching three passes for 7 yards. For the season, with just 10 targets in three games Okonkwo sits at fantasy TE44. He shouldn’t be owned and not worth streaming.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FOOTBALL WHIFFS

September 26th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Morning Edition

Fantasy Football Whiffs!

(NFL Week 3)

So week 3 was an unforgettable week for fantasy owners, filled with some generational performances that will go down in history. If you had players like Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Davante Adams in your lineup, you are probably smiling looking at your week 3 outcome.

If by chance you had any of these players in your lineups, your happiness does not exist. These were my Week 3 whiffs.

Ridder has a rough time in the Motor City.

QB-Desmond Ridder (QB26) - The Rookie quarterback could not take his show on the road to Detroit. The Lions defense stepped up and gave him lots of trouble, sacking Ridder seven times. After a strong week 2 performance (fantasy QB12), Ridder posted a dud on the road passing for 201 yards, no touchdowns and a fumble lost.

Following his Week 2 dud, definitely expected better.

QB-Trevor Lawrence (QB17) - It wasn't a terrible day for the Jaguars signal caller, but his 279 yards passing with one touchdown pass and pick for the QB17 spot is not good enough for owners that drafted him as a fringe QB1. 

With the matchup he had, expected better numbers

RB-Najee Harris (RB34) - The Steelers running back plodded his way to 65 yards on the ground on 19 carries. He recorded zero catches and was only targeted once. It’s almost time to leave Harris on your bench, almost.

Did not expect the team’s leading receiver to disappear.

WR-Nico Collins (WR66) - After two weeks, Collins was starting to look like a locked-in WR1. On Sunday he was only targeted three times. Catching 2 passes for 34 yards, which is a little concerning. At this point he still needs to be in lineups.

Still getting the targets, just not the numbers.

WR-Calvin Ridley (WR58) - After laying an egg at home in Week 2, the Jaguars offense came back and laid another in week 3. Ridley followed up his week 2 disappointing stat line with another on Sunday. Ridley only registered three receptions for 40 yards, but he was targeted another 7 times. His production has been anemic, but the opportunity is there.

Wasn’t expecting the top spot, but Top-12.

TE-Hunter Henry (TE25) - After consecutive weeks finishing as the fantasy TE1, Henry came back to earth. The Patriots tight end only registered two receptions in week 3 on 5 targets. His 3.7 fantasy points finished outside the top 20 for the week.

Expected Schultz to play a bigger role in the passing game.

TE-Dalton Schultz (TE43) - The Texans tight end was only targeted three times on Sunday, recording a single catch for 9 yards, in a game the team won. I certainly didn’t expect this low output from Schultz. This was a big whiff in week 3. 

I was expecting Hayden to be more involved.

TE-Hayden Hurst (TE37) - The Panthers tight end was quiet on Sunday recording one catch for 11 yards. This was the second straight game where Hurst has finished outside the top-30 fantasy tight ends. He can be dropped.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY HEROES WEEK 3

September 25th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Monday Afternoon Edition

NFL Sunday Week 3:

Sunday’s Heroes

What a wild weekend NFL Sunday week 3 was. 70 points scored in a single game, by one team. Three players on the same team with over 30 fantasy points, and two running backs from the same team scoring four touchdowns each. It was a day filled with great performances by some great players.

These were the NFL Week 3 Sunday Heroes.

QB, Justin Herbert (Chargers) - The Chargers signal caller was impressive on the road, leading the Bolts to a big and much needed week 3 win. Herbert was spectacular, completing 40 of 47 passes (85.1% completion) for 405 yards passing with 3 touchdowns. He finished the day as the fantasy QB1.

RB, De’Von Achane (Dolphins) - It was a “Welcome to the NFL” and breakout game for the Dolphins rookie running back as he ran rampant all over the Broncos defense. The Rook was Mister Big play all afternoon with impressive runs and scoring three times, including a scintillating display of speed on a 67-yard rushing scamper to the house. On the day, Achane rushed for 203 yards on 18 carries (11.3 yards per carry), adding 4 receptions and 30 yards receiving. He finished the day as the fantasy RB1.

WR, Keenan Allen (Chargers) - It only makes sense with the big day that Herbert turned in this afternoon, that Keenan would factor big. The Chargers wide receiver was ridiculous on Sunday, not only setting career highs with receptions (18) and yards (215) in a single game, but he also threw his first NFL touchdown pass to fellow teammate wide receiver Mike Williams. Allen was the fantasy WR1 for week 3.

TE, Sam LaPorta (Lions) - The Lions rookie tight end was huge on Sunday contributing big in the passing game and the team’s win at home. LaPorta started quickly in this one and was targeted often throughout. The rookie finished the day with 8 grabs, for 84 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown reception on 11 targets.

IDP, Kyle Hamilton (Ravens) - The Ravens safety was special on Sunday in a losing cause against the Colts. Hamilton turned in stellar performance recording 7 solo tackles, two tackles for a loss, and three 3 sacks. The Ravens defensive back also added three QB hits, a pass defense, and a forced fumble for good measure. An outstanding week 3 performance on Sunday.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY MORNING POSTS

September 24th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Sunday Morning Edition

NFL Sunday Week 3

(X – Shout Outs)

My Four Horsemen

These are the players I expect to shine on Sunday.

QB-Kirk Cousins - The Vikings signal caller is fantasy QB1 through two games. He has passed for 708 yards, with 6-1, TD to Int ratio. The Chargers defense allows the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing QBs.

RB-Kenneth Walker - The Seahawks running back is tied for fantasy RB14 through two games. Walker is averaging 17 touches, 60.5 scrimmage yards, and a touchdown per game. The Panthers D has surrendered 5 scores (4 run, 1 catch) to the position.

WR-George Pickens - The talented Steelers receiver leads the team with 17 targets, 9 receptions, and 163 yards receiving thru two games. He faces a Raiders D that allows the highest completion rate to WRs - 83.8%.

TE-Sam LaPorta - The rookie tight end has 10 receptions, 102 yards receiving, no scores thru two games. With a less than 100% St.Brown, LaPorta could see a big uptick in his usage and offer great DFS value.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: 10 THINGS FOR NFL SUNDAY

September 24th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Sunday Morning Edition

10 Things for NFL Sunday

NFL Sunday week 3 is only just a few hours away, fresh batteries are in my remotes, breaking out all of my TVs, switching on Youtube TV (with Sunday Ticket), and I’m giving all of my fantasy lineups a second and third look. 

There’s still a lot to take in, the never-ending notes to review, last minute changes to make due to injuries, all the while the clock to kickoff is counting down. You just gotta love fantasy football.

The cold beverages are on ic and football foods are in great supply for the 10 hour marathon that lies ahead. And speaking of ten, here are the Top-10 things on my mind as I await the kickoff to NFL Sunday Week 3;

1. “Can the Cheetah be Caught” - The Dolphins will be without wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, so I’m expecting to see the Phin go into overdrive getting the ball into the hands of Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins offense still has other capable receivers to occupy the defense, so the reeling Broncos are going to have a tough time slowing down the Cheetah, let alone catch him.

2. “Can the Bills keep Cooking” - The weather may not cooperate in this matchup with the Bills and Commanders. Bills running back James Cook (fantasy RB17)  is coming off career week 2 performance, Cooks posted his best game as a pro with 123 yards rushing and 17 carries. He totaled 21 touches in week 2 and could be in line for a repeat workload.

3. “Is it Miller Time at Lambeau” - With Jamaal Williams shelved for Sunday, the Saints rookie running back Kendre Miller will not only make his debut, but he’ll have a real opportunity to have an impact. As the old saying goes “Cream rises to the top”, Miller could have an impact today.

4. “Can Stroud find more Nico” - Through two weeks this season, quarterback CJ Stroud to wide receiver Nico Collins has been bank. Collins has been targeted 20 times in two games and enters today as the fantasy WR7. I’m expecting more of the same against the Jags.

5. “Ridley, Believe it or Not” - Last week was more of a forgettable week for Ridley and the Jags offense. This week is a nice get right game for Ridley and company. Even though his numbers were down last week (2/32/0), Ridley was still targeted 8 times, 19 for the season.

6. “An All-out Aerial Assault in Minny” - It’s Herbert versus Cousins, it's the Chargers and the Vikings. Through two weeks the Chargers defense is last versus the pass and last week, the Vikings secondary showed their vulnerability against the pass facing the Eagles. The Chargers have a pair of receivers that should give the Vikes secondary fits all afternoon. The Bolts have to contend with Justin Jefferson, enough said. Shootout.

7. “Can Walker get Running” - The Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker has yet to get moving this season, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry. He’s fantasy RB14 facing the Panthers 23rd ranked run defense today, and will try to get the ground game out of first gear.

8. “Can Hollywood Right the Script” - The Cowboys defense has been stellar through two weeks, but they just suffered a major loss to their secondary. That could be key for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to breakout today, as the Cardinals play host and look to secure their first win of the season.

9. “Is Skies the Limit” - The Chiefs entered Jacksonville last week 0-1 and came out of there with the road win. The passing game has yet to really get off the ground (by Mahomes standards), but we did see the appearance of Skyy Moore. The 2nd year receiver caught three balls, 70 yards and a touchdown on 4 targets. I see the Chiefs starting to feature the young receiver more and more and the season progresses.

10. “Sunday night Pickens” - Could Sunday Night be the encore performance fantasy owners are hoping for? Pickens is now the clear number one receiver and last Monday he showed his skills and big play ability. Enter the Raiders defense in week 3 that has allowed the highest rate of completion to opposing wide receivers. As long as the O-line gives Pickett time, we could see another big game from Pickens.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega