FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

December 22nd, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 16: ALL THE MARBLES

So why do we play fantasy football; this is why we play. If you have managed to survive this far, like myself you are entering championship Sunday in your fantasy league. It’s not been an easy trek, but through 15 weeks you and I have managed to make the right calls and necessary moves to get to this point. The last thing we want to do is second guess with doubt when we are playing for all the marbles.

It has not been an easy task, but playing in seven fantasy leagues I find myself in the title game in four; two standard leagues and two custom scoring leagues. The common factor to all of the success for my four teams, no major injuries and no big lineup changes. I did a good job with my draft, avoided major issues, and stuck with my studs; Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Jamaal Charles, Matthew Stafford, Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon and Justin Tucker (to name a few).

My Lineups:

Today is Championship Sunday in the fantasy world and while I won’t be turning any of my lineups upside down a couple of notable players I will be riding today include; (WR) Jarrett Boykin, (RB) Bobby Rainey, (QB) Ryan Fitzpatrick and (TE) Joseph Fauria.

The Packers wideout has slowly been making noise with quarterback Matt Flynn under center. Each week his activity (targets) and production (catches) has increased since Flynn took over starting duties; including six catches last week. With Jordy Nelson drawing most of the attention from the Steelers secondary today, Boykin could become a busy wideout. Today I like him over players like Harry Douglas, Nate Washington, and Brian Hartline.

The Buccaneers running back (Rainey) has done a nice job thus far filling in and this week he could see another productive Sunday. The Rams defense will not be any kind of cakewalk, but he’ll see plenty of touches; over his past five starts he’s seen no fewer than 18 touches in four of those, with just 12 touches coming last week versus the Niners. And unlike the Niners the Rams also allow the 5^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Today I like Rainey over plays like Donald Brown and Knowshon Moreno.

The Titans quarterback (Fitzpatrick) has scored 15 or more fantasy points in three of his last four starts and he’s coming off a 4-touchdown and 400-yard passing effort. He has a prime matchup against the Jaguars who allow the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He’s not a flashy pick today, but Fitzpatrick looks to be more than a safe pick to score between 18-24 fantasy points.

The Lions tight end (Fauria) has only been a touchdown maker in spot appearances and with a chance to see plenty of work today, he’ll figure prominently in the pass game. Fauria (7 touchdowns this season) is a big target and should get plenty of looks today, especially in the redzone. I like him over plays like Dennis Pitta, Tim Wright, and Charles Clay.

This is my take for Week 16.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

December 15th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 15: FINDING HOPE

For some of us this week is our fantasy football semifinals and if you had any players go in Thursday night’s matchup between the Chargers and Broncos, then you too are likely in desperation mode looking for hope on Sunday.

Ogbonnaya Versus the Bears defense

With running back Willis McGahee (concussion) OUT today, hope could come in the form of Chris Ogbonnaya. The Browns back-up will get the start today and will face a Bears defense that allows the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Bears have also allowed a 100-yard rusher in six straight outings. The stars could be aligning for Ogbonnaya to have a big Sunday and bring hope to fantasy owners that need points.

Patterson versus the Eagles defense

The Vikings will be without Adrian Peterson today and no Toby Gerhart. The offense is going to have to generate yards and points from other sources. With the running game all but shelved today, I expect to see the Vikings get their explosive rookie Cordarrelle Patterson involved early and often. The Eagles defense allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers and good things happen when Patterson touches the ball; his line last week 5 receptions for 141 yards and a score. Today’s matchup is a good one for the Vikings to really feature their yards-after-the-catch beast.

This is my take for Week 15.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Edition

December 7th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 14: BOOM OR BUST

It’s the fantasy playoffs for many of us competing in custom leagues and now it’s do or die, one and done. Having made it this far, I am a firm believer of going big or going home. You don’t use your top draft picks on players you plan on sitting in crunch-time or the during your playoff run; play your studs.

This past week there’s been plenty of concerning injury news for fantasy owners gearing up for their championship run, but quite simply if you are going to make it all the way sometimes you gotta lay it all on the line. It’s Boom or Bust time.

Running back Reggie Bush has been nursing a calf injury this past week and early indications were he could be game-time. Although the weather will not be pleasant (forecast is COLD with some sleet), Bush has returned to practice this week and is expected to play. This kid has been too dynamic this season to be on your bench; over 1,300 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns this season, he’s a must start.

The current consensus seems to suggest that quarterback Carson Palmer will play on Sunday versus the Rams. Palmer has been rolling as of late, throwing for more than 300 yards in his last three starts and tossing multiple touchdowns in five straight games. He’s got a tough matchup this week against a very good Rams defense, but he’s also faced this group once before this season passing for 327 yards with two scores. His status may have looked iffy, but if he’s in with pass catchers like Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd he looks solid on Sunday; start him.

There’s been no definitive news regarding tight end Jordan Reed, other than he’s on track to play this week as was the case last week. It’s a tough matchup for Reed and the Redskins, but when healthy he’s been one of RG II’s favorites; Reed has 45 receptions and 499 yards receiving this season. Unless you have a Coby Fleener or Garrett Graham (who played Thursday) behind Reed on your bench, if Reed plays he needs to be in your line-up.

This is my take for Week 14.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

November 30th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 13: Four Horsemen

Looking for some fantasy players to ride this weekend, here are a group of studs I like today.

Quarterback

The Bengals are on the road today traveling to San Diego, but playing in the California sunshine should only help quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals signal caller has hit a rough patch over the recent weeks, but coming off a bye and facing the Chargers defense that allows the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks should be just what he needs. Dalton has plenty of weapons to work with and should be able to take advantage of a secondary that has allowed the 7^th most completions in the passing game.

Running Back

The Niners are focused and ready to make a playoff push, today will go along way getting back to the basics and pounding the ball with running back Frank Gore. The Niners ball carrier has been steady this season and facing a Rams defense that allows the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs should be a good way for Gore to continue this trend. In their previous matchup this season (back in week 4) Gore, who is ranked 12^th in rushing this season shredded the Rams for 153 yards and a score; ride him.

Wide Receiver

The Cardinals are on the road today and with quarterback Carson Palmer playing well of late, I like wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to have a solid outing against the Eagles secondary today. The Eagles defense allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers including 15 touchdowns (2^nd most in the league). Fitzgerald and Palmer are starting to click at the right time, hooking up for scores in their last two games. Play Fitz with great confidence.

Tight End

Last week the Redskins offense really struggled in the absence of tight end Jordan Reed (concussion). Reed has been one of RGIII’s primary targets this season with 45 receptions and 3 touchdowns. This week against the Giants Reed is back and I expect the offense to bounce back. The Giants allow the 10^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including 7 touchdowns this season. Reed should have a busy night against the G-men.

This is my take for Week 13.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

November 30th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 13: Sunday Favorites

We are not quite there with the fantasy playoffs, but for many of us today feels like do or die. With that said, today’s not the time to pull off any goofs or blunders by making a bad play or start.

Looking across the matchups today, I have a couple of players that jump out at me as favorites for my lineups.

With running back Trent Richardson being demoted, now starting Donald Brown jumps out as a nice play. In his previous matchup against the Titans (who allow the 5^th most fantasy points to running backs) Brown ramble his way to 94 yards of offense and two scores. He may not reach the same levels today, but he should be good for 75 yards and a score as the lead back.

The Bills are playing host to the Atlanta Falcons today and I think this will be a juicy matchup for running back Fred Jackson. The Falcons allow the 10^th most fantasy points to running backs and surrender the 4^th most yards on the ground. Jackson may not tally up a large sum of yards today, but he’s sure to see some goal line touches and I like his chances to score.

Over the past several weeks tight end Jordan Cameron has been relatively irrelevant to fantasy football owners with just 10 receptions for 65 yards and no scores in his last three starts. Well all of that could change today. The Browns are at home today and Cameron is facing the Jaguars; a defense that allows the 2^nd most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The Jaguars have allowed 64 receptions (6^th most in the leagues) and 8 touchdowns (tied for third most in the league) this season; some nice numbers for Cameron owners. I am expecting nothing less than a solid day from the Browns tight end.

These are just a couple of my favorites today and this is my take for Week 13.

~David Ortega