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.

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

Welcome in week 11 of the football season and week 11 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 Scott Tolzien, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With Aaron Rodgers down for a few more weeks, and Seneca Wallace likely out for the same time, Tolzien will be getting the nod in Green Bay. In his time last week Tolzien threw for 280 yards and a touchdown but did throw two interceptions. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt and say the interceptions came as he was thrown into the fire against a hot Philadelphia Eagles squad, so I still like Tolzien as a spot start going forward against the New York Giants.

The second player I like this week is Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Brian Leonard, who is owned in just over three percent of leagues. With the Buccaneers original backup running back Mike James done for the season with a broken ankle, now its time for third down back Leonard to get his share of carries with the first team offense. While Leonard managed just 57 yards on 20 carries last week against Miami, I could see his value spiking this week against the Atlanta Falcons. Going forward the Buccaneers play the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints so I could see Leonard having sustainable value. I like Leonard as a bye week start this week or a flex start in deeper leagues going forward.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya, who is owned in just over three percent of leagues. With Willis McGahee not turning the page in his career as far as making an impact with the Browns offense, it looks like Ogbonnaya might start getting more plays. However, this might not mean Ogbonnaya will become the starting back, but will take some carries away from McGahee. So far on the season Ogbonnaya has topped out at five carries, with his best production coming in week six against the Detroit Lions with seven catches for 61 yards with a touchdown and five rushes for 24 yards. I could see this kind of production coming back to life as the Browns faceoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers twice and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final weeks of the season. I like Ogbonnaya as a spot start for a flex in deep leagues.

The fourth player I like this week is New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen, who is owned in just over 70 percent of leagues. I like Vereen coming back this week on Monday night football against the Carolina Panthers. Despite being out of action since week one against the Buffalo Bills I have high hopes for Vereen. While I don’t expect Vereen to have a 100-yard showing in his first game back, I do expect him to have a good showing with a possible touchdown in the mix. I like Vereen as No. 2 running back or a flex start.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Miami Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews, owned in just over three percent of leagues. While I don’t see Matthews putting up quite the same numbers as he did Monday night in the Dolphins game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I do see his workload ramping up as the season progresses. I like Matthews as a spot play this week for a bye week receiver or a flex receiver in a deeper league.

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 New Orleans Saints. Two NFC teams bound for the playoffs facing off in a week 11 matchup. The 49ers are coming off a loss in which they failed to reach double-digits in scoring while the Saints are coming off a blow out loss to the Dallas Cowboys. This game is going to be a good barometer for each team to see what they need to fine-tune going forward to the playoffs. While I don’t see this game going over 60 total points, I could see each team scoring in the high 20s. On the 49ers side I like Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. On the Saints side I like Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston.

The second matchup I like this week is the Kansas City Chiefs at the Denver Broncos. In an AFC West showdown the undefeated Chiefs go into Mile High to take on the Broncos. This matchup pairs up two teams looking to ride into the playoffs with the AFC West crown in their back pocket. The Chiefs are coming off a bye week in which they had two weeks to prepare for Peyton Manning’s aerial-assault, while the Broncos are coming off 28-20 win over the San Diego Chargers where Manning himself went down along with the collective breath of the fan base. I see this game being somewhere in the teens to low 20s favoring the Chiefs. On the Chiefs side I like Jamaal Charles and the Kansas City defense. On the Broncos side I like Peyton Manning, Knowshon Moreno and the Denver defense.

The third matchup I like this week is the Washington Redskins at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins and their pitiful defense will travel to Philadelphia to take on the red shot Eagles. The Redskins are coming off a loss to the Minnesota Vikings while the Eagles are coming off back-to-back wins in which they were the underdog. Now the Eagles are favored, so time to stick with them and their red-hot backup gunslinger Nick Foles. On the Redskins side I like Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris. On the Eagles side I like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

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 Ten; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week ten of the football season and week ten 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 Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who is owned in just over 30 percent of leagues. While I don’t think Foles will have another seven-touchdown game like he did against the Oakland Raiders last week, I think he can continue to have good games as he connects with his wide receivers like DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper. I would grab Foles if you had Michael Vick, or need a bye week start at quarterback.

The second player I like this week is Houston Texans running back Ben Tate, who is owned in just over 69 percent of leagues. Tate was one of those guys drafted with the intention of holding onto him until Arian Foster went down. Well that time has come and Tate is making the most of it. Despite the quarterback quandary in Houston, Tate’s production should not vary. I would grab Tate if you had Foster or need a bye week start at running back.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Green Bay Packers quarterback Seneca Wallace, who is owned in just one percent of leagues. With Aaron Rodgers down and Wallace the only backup in site for Green Bay, he will be thrown into the fire again this week against the Detroit Lions. However, now with a week of play under his belt I feel confident that Wallace can deliver a good fantasy production. I would grab Wallace if you have Rodgers or need a bye week start at quarterback.

The fourth player I like this week is Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum, who is available in just over six percent of leagues. Keenum had a huge game with Andre Johnson last week. While I don’t see them pairing for three touchdowns every week going forward, I could see Keenum tossing multiple touchdowns as he gets comfortable with the offense. I like Keenum going forward if you like the Texans offense, or just need a bye week start at quarterback.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Green Bay Packers running back James Starks, who is owned in just over 24 percent of leagues. While Starks is still not the go to back in the Green Bay offense he has put together solid games in back-to-back weeks along side of Eddie Lacy. I like Starks going forward, especially if the injury to Aaron Rodgers goes on for more than one week, as the Packers will look to run the ball more with Lacy and Starks. I would take a shot on Starks if you have Lacy, or need a bye week flex 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 Philadelphia Eagles at the Green Bay Packers. In what was slated to be a matchup between marquee quarterbacks, it is now likely a matchup between backup quarterbacks as the Eagles Nick Foles will go up against the Packers Seneca Wallace. While I don’t see Foles tossing seven touchdowns again, I do see this game being a barnburner with the scoring in the high 20s to low 30s. On the Eagles side I like Foles, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. On the Packers side I like Seneca Wallace, Eddie Lacy, James Starks and Jordy Nelson.

The second matchup I like this week is the Dallas Cowboys at the New Orleans Saints. A pair of gun slingers who are used to playing in a dome, one offense with a go-to receiver and the other offense with a group of legitimate receivers and two top end tight ends. This is the story line of the Cowboys and Saints this week. On the Cowboys side I like Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. On the Saints side I like Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston.

The third matchup I like this week is the Denver Broncos at the San Diego Chargers. There are not many better matchups all season than this when the Broncos travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers. The Broncos are sitting at second place in the AFC West, despite having what most talking heads called ‘the best offense in football.’ While the Chargers are somewhat of a revelation as throw to the curb Phillip Rivers is coming back to life as a top 10 quarterback. I expect a show down as the two teams battle for positioning in the AFC West. On the Broncos side of the ball I like Manning, Knowshon Moreno, Julian Thomas, and Wes Welker. On the Chargers side of the ball I like Rivers, Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen.

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 Nine; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week nine of the football season and week nine 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 Tennessee Titans quarterback Jack Locker, who is owned in just over 12 percent of leagues. Locker is back in at quarterback and the Titans are looking to make some moves in the AFC South. This week against the St. Louis Rams I could see Locker have a career game, I would take a shot on Locker if you need a bye week start.

The second player I like this week is Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert, who is owned in just over 23 percent of leagues. Tolbert has had five scores through seven weeks making him a threat on the ground in just about any game. This week the Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons who have been having their own sizable troubles on defense. I like the fact that Tolbert has been getting goal line carries so I like him this week as a flex or a bye week start at running back.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who is owned in just over six percent of leagues. Baldwin had a huge touchdown last week; forget about the huge penalty that came as he taunted his way into the end zone, and think about the good. Baldwin’s score was also the longest touchdown pass quarterback Russell Wilson has tossed in his career, so I could see more targets coming for the wide out. I would start Baldwin as a flex or a bye week start.

The fourth player I like this week is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who is owned in over 79 percent of leagues. While I am not a huge fan of the Steelers offense, Sanders fills in nicely at wide receiver with quarterback Ben Rothelisberger in the pocket looking for a deep target. I could see the Steelers getting behind this week against the Patriots and Rothelisberger looking to sling the ball around. Sanders hopefully is the recipient of those targets. I would start Sanders a third wide out, flex or a bye week start.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who is owned in over 42 percent of leagues. The Patriots have had their share of offensive woes this season, but Edelman has been as consistent as they come when he is healthy and on the field. I like Edelman this week against the Steelers, as he could find his way into several mismatches against linebackers. I like Edelman as a third wide receiver option, a flex or a bye week 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 Pittsburgh Steelers at the New England Patriots. I like this matchup because the Patriots are coming off a poor showing from their offense, and the Steelers are coming off a loss to the Raiders. In this matchup I like lots of offense, including the Patriots Tom Brady, Stevan Ridley, and Danny Amendola. For the Steelers I like Ben Rothelisberger and Emmanuel Sanders. I expect this to be a game in the mid 20’s; so two touchdowns for each quarterback wouldn’t be a shocker.

The second matchup I like this week is the Kansas City Chiefs at the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs continue to impress and I see them with another win in Buffalo this weekend. I like the Chiefs offense and defense, while I only like one player on the Bills. For the Chiefs I like Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles and their defense. For the Bills I like Fred Jackson. I could see the Bills getting some late points against the Chiefs defense, but I don’t see either team topping 28 points.

The third matchup I like this week is the Philadelphia Eagles at the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are coming off of a nice win over the Steelers and the Eagles are coming off a loss to the New York Giants. With the Eagles quarterback situation still in shambles, it’s hard to like many of their offensive weapons they have but there are some I still like. For the Raiders I like Terrelle Pryor, Darren McFadden and their defense. For the Eagles I like LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

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 Eight; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week eight of the football season and week eight 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 Mike James, who is owned in just over seven percent of leagues. With starting running back Doug Martin out for the week and possibly more, James is a solid pick up. While James might not put up Martin-esque type numbers, he will be the ‘starting back’ this week, so he is worth a shot. I would take James if you had Martin or need a bye week spot start at a flex.

The second player I like this week is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who is owned in just over seven percent of leagues. I like Heyward-Bey because of two reasons, he is coming off a game with a touchdown, and he will be seeing more targets from quarterback Andrew Luck now that Reggie Wayne is injured. I would take a shot on Heyward-Bey if you had Wayne, or are looking for a bye week spot start at a flex.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is Philadelphia Eagles Riley Cooper, who is owned in just over three percent of leagues. I like Cooper this week because he has seen a big increase in the amount of targets going his way over the past two weeks. Also in the same past two weeks Coopers has totaled over 200 yards receiving with a score on 10 catches. While I don’t see Cooper getting 100 yards a game with a score, he is being targeted opposite of DeSean Jackson and could do well this week against the New York Giants who have been pretty bad on defense for the majority of the season. I would start Cooper as a flex start for a bye week fill in.

The fourth player I like this week is New York Giants running back Peyton Hillis, who is owned in just over nine percent of leagues. The Giants have been having running back issues all year, first with David Wilson, then with Brandon Jacobs. The Giants have landed Hillis and he showed off his skills last week in the win against the Minnesota Vikings. While I don’t think Hillis will put up 100 total yards and a score every week, he has a good chance to if the Giants get on track. I would take Hillis for a test drive this week against the Eagles, and if he pays off keep starting him. Remember at one point in his career Hillis was a top 10 fantasy back, could he be channeling his past? If you grab you him, you better hope so.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who is owned in just over 34 percent of leagues. Dalton put up a monster game last week with 372 passing yards and three touchdown passes, which sparked my re-interest in Dalton. Before the season started I was high on Dalton as he was once again paired with AJ Green, but early on he Dalton didn’t pay dividends, but after last week I want to give him another shot. I like Dalton as a bye week start, or someone you can stash on the bench for a matchup start later in the year.

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 Dallas Cowboys at the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys will be looking to take a hold of the NFC East with a win, while the Lions are trying to stay in the mix in the NFC North with a win of their own. I expect this game to be a shootout as have been many of the Cowboys games this year, so it is no shocker that I don’t like the start of either defense, but love the start of several players on offense. On the Cowboys side I like Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. On the Lions side I like Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush.

The second matchup I like this week is the San Francisco 49ers at the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 49ers are looking to creep closer to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West while the Jaguars are still looking for their first win of the season. The Jaguars have been giving some tough teams a good battle, but I don’t see that happening this week against the 49ers. I like several players from the 49ers this week including their defense, Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Anquan Bouldin and Vernon Davis.

The third matchup I like this week is the Green Bay Packers at the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers are looking to take a hold of the NFC North while the Vikings are looking to secure their second win of the season. The Vikings are also in the middle of a quarterback quandary, so I expect the Packers to take this one with ease. In this game I like several players on the Packers including their defense, Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy and Jordy Nelson.

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 Seven; Matchups To Watch For

Welcome in week six of the football season and week six 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 St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy, who is owned in just over seven percent of leagues. I like Stacy for the fact he has made it clear he will be getting the majority of carries for the Rams, and now has beaten our former starting running back Darryl Richardson for the first team job. I would take a shot on Stacy if you need a running back, a bye week start, or just want someone on the bench going forward incase one of your backs goes down.

The second player I like this week is Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, who is owned in just over one percent of leagues. With an injury to DeMarco Murray, Randle is worth a shot. I would go for Randle is you have Murray or need a bye week running back. Randle’s value could rise quickly if he shows he can step in and fill Murray’s role, so now is a good time to buy on Randle.

The third player I see coming off the boards this week is San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is owned in just over six percent of leagues. I should have seen this coming from the former California Golden Bear wide receive, as he was put on the Biletnikoff watch list as a junior. But there are still a few things don’t make Allen my number one choice this week. Allen’s teammate Eddie Royal had a hot start, and now is very cold after posting less than spectacular numbers in his last three starts, which leads me to believe the same could be true of Allen if quarterback Phillip Rivers changes his mind on who to target. However, I do like Allen as a bye week start, or a flex start if you are needing a waiver wire pick up as the Chargers face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.

The fourth player I like this week is Houston Texans tight end Garrett Graham, who is owned in just over 36 percent of leagues. In his first start with the offense in place of injured Owen Daniels, Graham made only two catches. I look for that to change if the offense goes forward with TJ Yates. The best protection blanket for a new quarterback is a tight end, and Graham can be effective if given the ball. I would go after Graham if you need a bye week start or had Daniels.

The fifth player I would take a shot on this week is Washington Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson who is owned in just over 14 percent of leagues. The Redskins offense is starting to pick up and in my eyes Hankerson will be the person to put the Redskins offense over the top. While teammate Pierre Garcon takes the majority of targets, the ones Hankerson does receive can come in big spots, the problem is consistency for the former Miami University wide out. Hankerson has not posted a touchdown since week one. I would look for Hankerson to fill in as a bye week start as a last choice flex.

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 New England Patriots at the New York Jets. Tom Brady and company will look to stay atop the AFC North with this divisional matchup against Geno Smith and the Jets. The Patriots are coming off a solid week a good win over the New Orleans Saints, and will look to improve their record to 6-1 with a win over the Jets. While on the Jets side of the football Smith has been Jekyll and Hyde at quarterback, every other week he seems to put up good numbers. This week is that week if he continues the trend, and in a divisional matchup I am looking for a good game albeit lower scoring than suggested. I like Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Stevan Ridley, Geno Smith, and Santonio Holmes in this matchup.

The second matchup I like this week is the Cleveland Browns at the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are coming off a nice win over the Baltimore Ravens while the Browns are coming off a two-score loss to the Detroit Lions. I look for more of the same as the Packers roll to an easy win over the Browns here. In this matchup I like Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Jermichael Finley and Willis McGahee.

The third matchup I like this week is the Denver Broncos at the Indianapolis Colts. In Peyton Manning’s first visit to Indianapolis since joining the Broncos, this will matchup two of the power house teams in the AFC against each other with the undefeated Broncos taking on the one-loss Colts. I like all the big guns in this matchup as I look for another shootout on Sunday night. The players I like the most include Peyton Manning, Wes Welker, Julian Thomas, Knowshon Moreno, Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne and Trent Richardson.

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.