Fantasy Football: Season In Review

Hopefully you did better than me this fantasy football season! That might be hard to do, but I will get into that later in this blog. First I want to go over the Super Bowl, then I will dive into my three best and worst pickups for the season and finally talk about my fantasy season in review.

First off, congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on a remarkable Super Bowl win over the Denver Broncos. As much as I wanted to see Peyton Manning shred the Seattle defense, it was not meant to be. For all of you San Francisco 49ers fans out there, just imagine what you could have done to the Broncos, be proud of your team, they are still headed in the right direction, and hopefully a little help from the health bug and you will be right back next year. 

For all my Raider-nation hopefuls, we have a long off-season ahead of us which will hopefully see the resurgence of the Silver and Black to prominence, although it is an uphill trek for us as our team now plays in what is the best or second best division in the NFL. The NFC West edges out the AFC West in my opinion.

On to fantasy football talk. Let's talk winners first because that is always more exciting. 

I have three players I will go over as the best fantasy pickups this year, unfortunately for me, I didn't always take my advice or was able to take my advice and watched some of my competition take a guy or two.

The first, and best pickup this year in any fantasy football format was Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. I was hot on this guy out of college, a tall lengthy receiver with good speed looked like a great fit for the 49ers, but they went with A.J. Jenkins. Ooops! This year Jeffery proved to everyone inside and outside of the Windy City that he has what it takes to be a top flight receiver. I missed out on Jeffery simply for the fact that when he became relevant, after his week four, five catch 100-yard performance I was in first place and was out of the running for any real waiver wire acquisitions. 

Here are Jeffery's numbers this year: 16 games played, 89 receptions on 150 targets for 1,421 yards with seven touchdowns. Those numbers are mind-blowing considering Jeffery failed to record over 25 catches last year or eclipse 400 yards. Jeffery will not be slept on this upcoming year and will continue to be a force in the receiving game as long as he goes on the field with teammate Brandon Marshall.

The second best pickup this year in fantasy football was running back Knowshon Moreno of the Denver Broncos. Moreno looked to split time with Montee Ball at the start of the season, and many people weren't high on the aging backs anticipated production. But then there were the people like me, the prognosticators. I might have read to deep into a Peyton Manning interview after week one, but in actuality I hadn't as Manning told the media it would be Moreno who would lead the backfield. I jumped on it, and in week two I grabbed Moreno.

Moreno proved to be a solid pickup for me, and was for many owners as several running backs this year went down with injury. Moreno's stats for the year: 16 games played, 241 rushing attempts for 1,038 yards with 10 touchdowns. While 1,000 yards is not eye-popping, the 10 touchdowns are, considering the offense he was in. Moreno also helped in the receiving categories catching 60 balls on 74 targets for 548 yards with three touchdowns. His 13 total touchdowns were tied for the fifth most this season behind only the likes of Jamaal Charles (19), Jimmy Graham (16), Marshawn Lynch and Demariyus Thomas (14). His 13 touchdowns were also tied with Vernon Davis and Dez Bryant. For a free agent, Moreno's production bordered on a first round pick territory as Charles, Graham, Lynch and Bryant were chosen in the first two rounds in all three leagues I played in.

While Moreno's production this year was great, I could see it fading next year as Ball will surely get more looks and the Broncos offense once again continues to pass the ball with Manning at the helm.

The third best pickup this year goes to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. The preseason outlook on the Eagles was one that didn't include Foles in the starting 11, but rather Michael Vick in the up-tempo Chip Kelly run offense. But after Vick went down with an injury, Foles stepped in. His first run at starting quarterback was mediocre, but it was short lived as he too went down with an injury. But when Foles came back, he became a force to be reckoned with.

I picked up Foles immediately after Vick went down assuming he would get some quality numbers in a high-powered offense, but more for the fact that I had Aaron Rodgers go down and was in desperate need of a quarterback. Foles proved to be very valuable for me. In particular it was the game against the Oakland Raiders, which was hard for me to swallow. In the game against the Raiders, in Oakland I might add, Foles tied an NFL record set by Manning in week one, with seven touchdown passes in one game. After this performance I knew I had picked up someone special, but I did not know how special.

Foles' numbers on the year also suggest something special: in 13 games played, he completed 203 passes on 317 attempts for 2,891 yards with 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions. That's a 13.5 / 1 ratio for touchdowns to interceptions. Not even Manning was able to match that this year going 55-10, which is a mark of 5.5 / 1 touchdown to interception ratio. 

With Foles putting up spectacular numbers this year and many quarterbacks going down he was an integral part of many successful fantasy teams this year and I expect his value to increase exponentially going into next year. I could see him in the ranks with Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, in the second tier of quarterbacks in the NFL.

In the bottom three pickups for the year I will start with the worst, Green Bay Packers quarterback Seneca Wallace. With Rodgers down for an extended period of time the Packers were still playoff hopefuls and were looking to sign any arm that would propel them into the playoffs. Wallace looked like a good addition, but for fantasy owners he turned out to be a terrible one as he only started one game completing five passes for 25 yards before being sidelined for the remainder of the season with an injury. Wallace earned a total of ONE fantasy point as a starter, so that makes him the worst pickup this season, and a guy I picked up in hopes he would fill the void from an injured Rodgers. Oops!

The second worst fantasy pickup this year was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman. While Freeman has had solid season in the past, this current one was one to forget. After starting the year with 570 plus yards and two touchdowns in three games, the Buccaneers parted ways with Freeman and the quarterback needy Minnesota Vikings gave him a run for his money. While I didn't pick up Freeman, I thought he might fair well with a change of scenery. It wasn't to be, with the Vikings he played in only one game completing 20 passes on 53 attempts for 190 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He ended that game with four fantasy points, and with 24 for the season as that was his last start.

The third worst pickup for the fantasy year comes from Darryl Richardson of the St. Louis Rams. While I only have Richardson listed as the third worst pickup, he might have been the worst player in fantasy football this year based solely on his projections and where he was DRAFTED. That's right Richardson was drafted in nearly 80 percent of leagues! Including one of mine. 

Richardson had a dismal year after being slated as the feature back in the Rams' offense. Richardson totaled 25 fantasy points on the year, with his last action coming in week eight against the Seahawks where he managed only 39 yards on eight carries, which actually isn't entirely terrible considering it was against the Seahawks. But if you put his season numbers into perspective you will see why he was so bad. In seven starts for the Rams he put up 69 carries for a total of 215 yards with zero touchdowns. Compare that to his rookie campaign in 2012 where he was a backup behind Steven Jackson and put up 415 yards on 98 carries. This year was a complete bust.

I would like to see Richardson come back, but after this dismal season I am not sure the Rams will give him another shot at the starting role, however stranger things have happened. As for his draft stock, I wouldn't touch this guy until he shows he can get it into the endzone, something he has yet to do in his NFL career.

Now that I have gone over the three best and worst pickups for the 2013 fantasy season I will talk about how my fantasy teams did. Let me start by saying I had three fantasy teams, two in 10-team leagues, and one in a 12-team league. One of the 10-team leagues was a dual quarterback league with bonuses assessed for good performances, while the other 10-team league, and the 12-team league were single quarterback leagues with standard scoring.

I will start with the 12-team league, which was my WORST performing team this year, a dismal THIRD place finish, mainly due to the fact that my first round pick Aaron Rodgers went down, and as great as Nick Foles was, he was not my saving grace. My top three performers on this team were Nick Foles, Knowshon Moreno and Eddie Lacy. My three biggest under performers were Roddy White, Antonio Gates and Colby Fleener. My best free agency pickup was Knowshon Moreno.

My second team I will go over is my standard scoring 10-team league. This team was solid but again injuries hit me hard and at the wrong time, in the playoffs where I needed my players most. However, even with injuries I was still able to pull off a second place finish. My top three performers were Nick Foles, Matt Forte and Tom Brady. My three biggest under performers were Danny Amendola, James Jones and Antonio Gates. My best free agency pickup was Nick Foles, but in actuality it was Keenan Allen as I benched Foles for Brady most weeks.

Finally my dual quarterback team in a 10-team league with bonuses. This team had the makings of a fantasy dynasty, that is until injuries once again plagued me. But even with injuries I was able to scour the waiver wire and find players to plug and play, which led me to the championship game. However, certain injuries are hard to overcome, damn you Rob Gronkowski, and I was finished with another second place trophy. My three top performers this season were Jamaal Charles, the 49ers defense and Alex Smith. My three biggest under performers this season were Roddy White, Hakeem Nicks and Jay Cutler. My best free agency pickup was Ben Tate.

That's all I've got for this fantasy season, I hope you enjoyed the ride and will take part in another fantasy league next year.

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week 17; Matchups To Watch For: Playoffs Pt. 3

Welcome in week 17 of the football season and week 17 of your fantasy season. Alas, for some of you this is the week to show your fantasy football dominance in your league in the Championship Game. But for others this is simply a week to watch football, back to normal, as if fantasy football didn’t exist.

Like I have all season, I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kyle Orton, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With Romo down for the count, Orton will get the start. I like Orton only because of the players he has around him, because the matchup is not that great against the Philadelphia Eagles. I would start Orton only if you had Romo, and don’t have another option.

The second player I like this week is New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore, who is owned in just over 64 percent of leagues. I like Moore for the fact he has big play ability and they matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. I would start Moore if you are looking for a second receiver or a flex start.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is New York Giants tight end Brandon Myers, who is owned in just over 68 percent of leagues. I like Myers as a starting fantasy tight end this week with the matchup against the Washington Redskins.

The fourth player I like this week is actually a defense, the New York Giants defense, which is owned in just over three percent of leagues. I like the Giants matchup against the Washington Redskins this weekend. With both teams out of playoff contention this game is going to be a true slugfest between NFC East teams looking to save some grace in week 17. I like the Giants as a starting defense if your matchup you have currently is poor.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Philadelphia Eagles kicker Alex Henery, who is owned in just over 10 percent of leagues. It’s been proven that a kicker can change a matchup and get the win, thank you Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago with his six field goals. So this week I like Henery and the Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys. While I don’t think Henery will get six field goals, anything is possible, and this is a playoff bound matchup so both teams will be putting everything on the table. I like Henery as a starting kicker if you have a poor matchup with your kicker.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is the San Francisco 49ers at the Arizona Cardinals. The hopes for both teams playoff placement are still alive. The 49ers are already in, but are still in the running for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage. On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals are fighting to maintain a Wild Card spot. I like the 49ers to win this game, and with a little help from the St. Louis Rams beating the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers should enjoy a first round bye going into the playoffs. I see the 49ers taking this one 31-17. On the 49ers side of the ball I like Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree. On the Cardinals side of the ball I like Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald.

The second matchup I like this week is the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are still in the hunt for a first round bye on the AFC side of the playoffs; while the Bills are just looking to earn an upset win to end the season on a high note. I like the Patriots to roll by the Bills in this game and earn that first round bye. I see the Patriots running away with this one, 41-24. On the Patriots side of the ball I like Tom Brady, Shane Vereen, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. On the Bills side of the ball I like Fred Jackson.

The third matchup I like this week is the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys. This is probably the best matchup of the year. Two playoff hopeful teams playing each other in the final week of the season looking to clinch the NFC East playoff spot. While neither team has a shot for a first round bye week, each team still wants to make the playoffs. I like the Eagles in this matchup, but the Cowboys have an outside shot to take this one. However, I see the Eagles winning this one 28-27. On the Eagles side of the ball I like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Zach Ertz and DeSean Jackson. On the Cowboys side of the ball I like Kyle Orton, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant.

That’s all for this season. I will be back after the Super Bowl to recap my three best and worst pickups I had over the season, which three players were over rated and under rated as well as a recap of what my teams did this season. Good luck in your championship game if you are in it, and if not enjoy the playoffs!

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week 16; Matchups To Watch For: Playoffs Pt. 2

Welcome in week 16 of the football season and week 16 of your fantasy season. For some of you this is the second round of the playoffs, and for others it’s the consolation round. Alas, for some of you this is the week to show your fantasy football dominance in your league in the Championship Game.

Like I have all season, I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who is owned in just over 56 percent of leagues. Cutler is back and he picked up right where he left off. Cutler obviously was the day one starter, but injuries sidelined him for Josh McCown, now Cutler is back and he will try to help the Bears make the playoffs. I like Cutler as a starting quarterback in one or two quarterback leagues this week if you have a chance to grab him.

The second player I like this week is Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is owned in just over 17 percent of leagues. I haven’t been keen on Tannehill since the beginning of the season by any means, but his showing last week makes me think he will be in for a repeat performance against the Buffalo Bills this week. I like Tannehill as a second quarterback in deeper leagues.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Tennessee Titans tight end Delaine Walker, who is owned in just over 26 percent of leagues. Walker has had his ups and downs this season, but recently he is coming off an up-type game where he had eight catches for 53 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. While I wont count on Walker to replicate those numbers, there are numbers to suggest he might. I like Walker in deeper formats, or if you need a replacement at tight end.

The fourth player I like this week is Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who is owned in just over two percent of leagues. I was high on Ertz out of Stanford, but he didn’t show me much to start the season, as he averages just two catches through week eight. But his recent play in weeks 13 and 15 that included three touchdowns and 11 receptions has me grabbing Ertz as a replacement for an injured tight end. His fantasy matchup this week against the Chicago Bears is not a great one, but he could still manage to help a team looking for a tight end in a very deep format.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater, who is owned in just over 11 percent of leagues. The Kansas City Chiefs blew the Oakland Raiders out last week last week, but Streater was able to pull down four passes for 59 yards. While that is not a huge fantasy impact by means, Streater has the ability to have a bigger game; such as the one he had against the New York Jets just a week previous when he had seven receptions for 130 yards, a career high. I like Streater in deeper formats with three wide receivers or as a flex in deeper formats as the Raiders take on the San Diego Chargers this week.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is the Denver Broncos at the Houston Texans. This is an interesting matchup as the Broncos are still hoping to keep their No. 1 AFC seeding alive for the playoffs, while the Texans are just hoping to give their fans a morale boost on their treacherous season. I expect the Broncos to win by a landslide. On the Broncos side of the ball I like Peyton Manning, Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball, Julian Thomas and Eric Decker. On the Texans side of the ball I like Matt Schaub, Dennis Johnson and Andre Johnson.

The second matchup I like this week is the Indianapolis Colts at the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a great matchup between two playoff bound teams as a pair of No. 1 drafted quarterbacks faceoff. The Chiefs are coming off a huge win over the Oakland Raiders where they put up more than 50 points; while the Colts are coming off a very one-sided win over the Houston Texans. I like the Chiefs to prevail in this game, which should see both teams score in the low to mid 20s. On the Colts side of the ball I like Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson and Griff Whalen. On the Chiefs side of the ball I like Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe.

The third matchup I like this week is the Atlanta Falcons at the San Francisco 49ers. The final regular season game at Candlestick is upon us next Monday night when the 49ers host the Falcons. This game is a far cry from where the two teams were this time last year, as the Falcons have really dropped the ball on the 2013 season. The 49ers are still in the midst of the playoff hunt, and looking to lock up the top wildcard position. I like the 49ers in this game, but wouldn’t put the win on a silver platter as the Falcons do still have quite a talented squad and will be looking to knock off the 49ers if they get a chance. On the Falcons side of the ball I like Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. On the 49ers side of the ball I like Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Anquan Bouldin and Michael Crabtree.

That’s all for this week, check back next week when I go over the top five waiver wire pick ups and the top three matchups to watch for.

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week 15; Matchups To Watch For: Playoffs Pt. 1

Welcome in week 15 of the football season and week 15 of your fantasy season. For some of you this is the first round of the playoffs, and for others it’s the consolation round.

Like I have all season, I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, who is owned in just over five percent of leagues. With tight ends around the league falling off left and right, and it already being a shallow position Pitta might be just who you need to fill in your tight end gap in the playoffs. While I don’t think Pitta will have a touchdown in every game down the stretch like he did in his debut last week, I still like his chances to catch five or six passes from Joe Flacco. Pitta is worth a start if you just like your tight end like I did … Rob Gronkowski, you were just what I needed. Why did you leave me so soon?

The second player I like this week is Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With Robert Griffin III down for the season and Cousins in, it’s a no brainer to take this quarterback for the stretch run. Last year Cousins played well when RG3 went down. I believe it will be the same again this year, as he faces the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. I would grab Cousins if you have Griffin, or another injured quarterback ala Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler or Terrelle Pryor.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Da’Rick Rodgers, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. Rodgers had an explosive game last week going for over 100 yards with a score. While I don’t expect him to keep that up for the remainder of the season, the idea that he can do it is there, and that intrigues me. I like Rodgers as a flex start in deeper leagues, or if you need a spot start due to an injury.

The fourth player I like this week is Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. McGloin will get the start Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. While this is not a great matchup for the Raiders, McGloin is a good quarterback, and if the Chiefs get an early lead McGloin will be trying to get the Raiders back in the game with his arm. I like McGloin as a spot start in deeper leagues, or if you had an injury at the position.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Oakland Raiders running back Marcell Reece, who is owned in just over three percent of leagues. The Raiders running game has been inconsistent at best this year, with Darren McFadden having a great start then going down due to injury. Then it was Rashad Jennings having great games, but he too went down with an injury. Jennings is cleared from his concussion he suffered two weeks back, but there is still the looming issue of head injuries that worries me. I like Reece for the fact that he will suit up no matter what. I would handcuff Reece with Jennings, and watch the reports going towards Sunday to see who you should start.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is the San Diego Chargers at the Denver Broncos. This is a Thursday night matchup, and a good way to get some early points on your competition making them scramble to make up points when it counts most, the playoffs. In the first meeting between these two teams the Broncos came away with a 28-20 win. Now the game shifts to Denver, and I expect the results to be the same. On the Chargers side of the ball I like Phillip Rivers, Ryan Matthews, Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen. On the Broncos side of the ball I like Peyton Manning, Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball and Julian Thomas.

The second matchup I like this week is the Philadelphia Eagles at the Minnesota Vikings. The Eagles are coming off a great win against another NFC North opponent in the Detroit Lions, and now are facing a team in trouble in the Vikings. I expect the Eagles to roll by the Vikings in this matchup. On the Eagles side of the ball I like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. On the Vikings side of the ball I like Toby Gerhart.

The third matchup I like this week is the New England Patriots at the Miami Dolphins. Historically the Patriots dominate this matchup, and I don’t expect it to change even with the Patriots losing Rob Gronkowski last week. There are some factors though that could make this game close. Last time the Patriots faced the Dolphins, Tom Brady only passed for 116 yards with one touchdown and one interception. However, since Brady has been on fire. I expect the Patriots to find a way to win this matchup, similar to the score in week eight, 27-17. On the Patriots side of the ball I like Tom Brady, Shane Vereen, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. On the Dolphins side of the ball I like Lamar Miller and Mike Wallace.

That’s all for this week, check back next week when I go over the top five waiver wire pick ups and the top three matchups to watch for.

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week 14; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week 14 of the football season and week 14 of your fantasy season. Like last week I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball, who is owned in over 77 percent of leagues. Ball was in line to be the go-to back when the season started, but veteran Knowshon Moreno beat him out and has proven to be a solid all-around back since. However, last week Ball showed that he deserved more carries with his first 100 plus yard rushing day of his young NFL career. I don’t think Ball will immediately take all the carries away from Moreno, but he should be worth holding onto if you have Moreno. Going forward the Broncos play the Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders so he should see some more time as the Broncos coast into the playoffs.

The second player I like this week is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams, who is owned in just over 42 percent of leagues. While Williams’ three receptions last week were the most since a week seven matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, I still like Williams going forward. Tony Romo has lots of choices in the offense with the Cowboys, but Williams always seems to be running opposite of Dez Bryant, and this week against the Chicago Bears I think Williams’ routes will pay off. I like Williams this week as a third receiver or flex and going forward I like him against the Washington Redskins and Eagles.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller, who is owned in just over 11 percent of leagues. Miller had his best game of the season last week, following his best yardage output the game before. It looks like the Seahawks are going to keep targeting Miller more, trying to get him more involved in the offense down the stretch. This week against the San Francisco 49ers might not be the best play, but in this fierce NFC West matchup anything is possible. I like Miller as a tight end play, or a flex in deeper leagues.

The fourth player I like this week is Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is owned in just over four percent of leagues. While the matchup against the Denver Broncos doesn’t look to be an inviting one, I actually like it for Fitzpatrick. I don’t think the Titans will keep up with the Broncos, so I believe Fitzpatrick will be a good play as the Titans look to play catch up in this game. The one precaution with this philosophy would be if Fitzpatrick tosses interceptions as he did last week against Indianapolis. I like Fitzpatrick as a spot start if you need a new quarterback.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is actually a defense, the Oakland Raiders defense, which are owned in just over 12 percent of leagues. The Raiders defense has actually been pretty solid this year except for a few miscues against the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles. This week against he New York Jets and error-filled quarterback Geno Smith, I look for the Raiders to continue their strong performance. I like the Raiders as a spot start this week.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is the Cleveland Browns against the New England Patriots. The Browns have had a very up and down season, while the Patriots have been on a roll lately thanks to the return of Rob Gronkowski. In this matchup I like the Patriots to win, but I like a few players on each side of the ball. On the Browns side I like Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. On the Patriots side I like Tom Brady, LaGarette Blount and Rob Gronkowski.

The second matchup I like this week is the Detroit Lions against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a matchup between two high-powered offenses, and I expect the game to be a shootout despite the recent success the Lions had against the Green Bay Packers. I like the Lions to win, but I still like a few players on each side of the ball. On the Lions side I like Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson. On the Eagles side I like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

The third matchup I like this week is the New York Giants against the San Diego Chargers. The San Diego Chargers are hoping for a late run to squeak into the playoffs with a wildcard spot, while the Giants are still in the running for the division despite the poor start to the season. I like the Chargers to win, but I like a few players on each side of the ball. For the Giants I like Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. On the Chargers side I like Phillip Rivers, Ryan Matthews, Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates.

That’s all for this week, check back next week when I go over the top five waiver wire pick ups and the top three matchups to watch for.

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week 13; Matchups To Watch For

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Week 13 of the football season is upon us and week 13 of your fantasy season. Like last week I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. While I was not high on Flynn after he was benched in favor or Terrelle Pryor on the Oakland Raiders, I am high on Flynn running the Packers offense. Flynn has a positive track record, albeit a small sample size, it is positive. This week I like Flynn taking on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. I think Flynn is worthy of a start if you have a bad matchup, or had one of the myriads of quarterbacks the Packers have started this year.

The second player I like this week is Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, who is owned in just over 11 percent of leagues. Another former Oakland Raider I was not high on with his time in the Silver and Black has turned the page and regained his gunslinger form in Arizona. While Palmer had tossed quite a few interceptions this season, his rate is slowing down, not having thrown one in his last two weeks. I would spot start Palmer this week against the Philadelphia Eagles and stash him on your bench for starts down the road against the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With Adrian Peterson dealing with some injury issues still, Gerhart is going to be the recipient of some extra carries. In the last two weeks Gerhart has only managed 15 carries, but made the most of it going for over 150 yards combined. If you ask me any running back that averages 10 yards a carry is worth a shot. So I like Gerhart if you have Peterson, or need a flex start.

The fourth player I like this week is Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater, who is owned in just over six percent of leagues. While Streater is not the a-typical number one receiver, he has been doing as much for the Raiders of the past few weeks, and I expect that to continue this week on Thanksgiving when the Raiders take on the Cowboys. I like Streater this week as a second receiver option of a flex, and like him going forward against the New York Jets, and San Diego Chargers.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Houston Texans running back Dennis Johnson, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With Arian Foster done for the season, and Ben Tate dealing with some injuries, I could see Johnson taking the majority of the carries again this week as he did last week if Tate continues to perform below the norm. I like Johnson as a handcuff to Tate owners, or a flex start if you are in dire need of a running back.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is a Turkey Day special as the Oakland Raiders face off with the Dallas Cowboys. This has always been one of my favorite games as a Raiders fan. But the same can be said for Cowboys fans, when facing the Raiders since 2003. I expect this game to be another fun and challenging back and forth contest. While I don’t expect the teams to score in the 30’s, that’s not completely out the realm of possibility. One quirk could be the return of Darren McFadden, so I caution Rashad Jennings owners on the start. On the Raiders side I like Matt McGloin, Rod Streater and Sebastian Janikowski. On the Cowboys side I like Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant.

The second matchup I like this week is another Turkey Day special as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens. In this classic AFC North matchup, it’s a battle between two teams looking to fight their way into the playoffs. I could see this game being a shootout, which is no wonder I don’t like either of these defenses that are usually stout against one another. On the Steelers side I like Ben Rothelisberger, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. On the Ravens side I like Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and Jacoby Jones.

The third matchup I like this week is a Monday night game as the New Orleans Saints take on the Seattle Seahawks. This is a potential playoff preview as the Saints travel into the Seattle to take on the Seahawks. On the Saints side you have a high powered offense that likes to spread the ball around, while on the Seahawks side you have a stout defense that is charged by the downhill running style of their offense. I could see this game going either way, but I do think the Saints are one for the upset here as the Seahawks are coming off a bye week. On the Saints side I like Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston. On the Seahawks side I like Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin.

That’s all for this week, check back next week when I go over the top five waiver wire pick ups and the top three matchups to watch for.

Hitting The Waiver Wire For Week Twelve; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week 12 of the football season and week 12 of your fantasy season. Like last week I will go over the top five waiver wire acquisitions as well, the top three matchups I like that could potentially help you get a win over your opponent.

The first player I see jumping off the boards this week is Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey, who is owned in just over 37 percent of leagues. Rainey ran wild last week against the Atlanta Falcons after a solid performance in relief during the Miami Dolphins contest. Back-to-back strong performances has me buying Rainey. I like Rainey as a second running back option or a flex from here on out.

The second player I like this week is Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown, who is owned in just over four percent of leagues. Jay Cutler is on the mend, and is scheduled to start next week, but this week McCown gets the start as the Bears face off with the St. Louis Rams. I like McCown for the start, and would be a good handcuff for Cutler owners going forward if he happens to get injured again.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Houston Texans tight end Garret Graham, who is owned in just over 23 percent of leagues. The Texans offense has been dysfunctional but Graham has been picking up where Owen Daniels left off. I like Graham this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars who have their own issues on both sides of the ball.

The fourth player I like this week is actually a defense, the Cowboys defense, who is owned in just over 35 percent of leagues. The Cowboys defense has allowed major points in a few games this year, but this week against the New York Giants I see a great game by the defense. I like the Cowboys this week as a spot start.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson, who is owned in just over two percent of leagues. Coming off an injury where the wideout has not played since week three tempts me for all the wrong reasons. What can Burleson add to the Lions offense? I like Burleson as a spot start for a flex this week, and could be a solid contributor for the rest of the season if he picks up where he left off.

Now that I have gone over the top five waiver wire pickups I will go over the top three matchups I think you could benefit from starting players in to get a jump on your opponent this week.

The first matchup I like this week is the Minnesota Vikings at the Green Bay Packers. Divisional matchups are always fun, and this Vikings and Packers matchup is no different. In this pairing I see a high scoring game, at least for the Packers. The Vikings have been struggling all year so its no wonder I only like one player on their team, Adrian Peterson. On the Packers side I like Scott Tolzien, Eddie Lacy and the defense.

The second matchup I like this week is the Dallas Cowboys at the New York Giants. Another divisional matchup. This on is also a Sunday night game when the Cowboys travel to New York to face off with the Giants. In this game I see a Cowboys team running all over the Giants to keep within striking range of the Philadelphia Eagles for the playoffs. For the Cowboys I like Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant and the defense.

The third matchup I like this week is the Denver Broncos at the New England Patriots. When Tom Brady and Peyton Manning take the field opposite of one another is has perennially been a good game, this week should be no exception as the Broncos are coming off a good win and the Patriots are coming off a bad loss. It is also the home coming for Wes Welker to face on his former team. On the Broncos I like Manning, Knowshon Moreno, Eric Decker and Wes Welker. On the Patriots I like Tom Brady, Stevan Ridley, Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola.

That’s all for this week, check back next week when I go over the top five waiver wire pick ups and the top three matchups to watch for.