Deep down everyone probably thinks they could be a head coach or general manager in the NFL, and there really isn’t anything wrong with that. Sure, it was annoying when your buddy that didn’t know who Percy Harvin was during your fantasy draft professed he could run the Colts better than Jim Caldwell would be able to.
You chuckled and moved on with your day.
“Sure, pal … sure you could.”
“You want to bet on it?” said friend barks back, as though his theory will actually be proven right some day. ”I’ll give you Drew Brees for your place kicker if the Colts win more than three games by Week 8!” Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
What goes into finding the next Wes Welker-type player to help jumpstart your fantasy season? Do you have a battered receiving corps and need a contributor with a pulse that comes on the cheap?
While every scenario is different to some degree, common factors often remain. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
I view it as fantasy football’s version of the Procession of the Equinoxes.
It stems from the common mistake made by fantasy owners when prepping for their drafts: Said player’s stats at last season’s end do not automatically mean he will be in the same position of success in the upcoming season.
It seems like common sense, no? Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
If one looks hard enough, they will find anomalies in all fields of statistical research. Fantasy football is no different, above all when it comes to ranking players and reviewing fantasy matchups.
From time to time, fantasy owners take things for granted. It’s easy to get caught up, and it’s even easier to listen to fantasy services that, more often than not, don’t break down the numbers. Join me while I analyze a few defensive matchups this week whose surface appearance can be deceiving.
Note: The fantasy points used below are based on standard scoring formats (4 points per passing TD, 1 point per 20 passing yards, 1 point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per rushing/receiving touchdowns non-PPR). Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
The following players have positive history versus their Week 7 opponents. I will help you understand if these players can live up to the expectations of their past successes.
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Laurels: Averaged 331 passing yards and two touchdowns per game last year
Fantasy tip: I don’t think Rivers will have any trouble putting up yardage, but the Chiefs’ defense isn’t AS BAD as some people think. Rivers threw three interceptions to four touchdown passes in those two games, and prior to the ‘08 season Rivers’ numbers against KC weren’t exactly sparkling (averaged 184 yards, 0.5 TDs, 1.5 interceptions in 2007). Expect similar numbers to last year’s averages, but don’t be surprised if he is pressured into a few mistakes. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
Three players have me really intrigued this week, and I’ve been looking for any bit of extra information I can find to ensure our rankings are as precise as possible with these players.
I’ve been toiling over what to do with Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Antonio Bryant and, my main focus of last week, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams.
For the receivers, they each have poor matchups, on paper, and strong history against their respective Week 6 opponents. Williams’ matchup is a favorable one – possibly good enough to get him on track. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
I was recently asked by a fantasy owner of DeAngelo Williams if he should hang onto the back or send him packing after his first big game of the year. Generally, I have an immediate gut reaction that leads me to research to support my initial response, but this time I was completely neutral and had to do my homework before getting back to this inquisitive viewer.
After sifting through statistics of all sorts for what seemed like an inordinate amount of time I found nothing substantive that swayed me either direction. I was at a loss. I really hate to go by a gut feeling alone, because I firmly believe that there is a legit, statistically backed reason why people have these intrinsic reactions.
At long last, I found the data I was looking for to draw a conclusion. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
Marshawn Lynch returns from a three-game suspension, which probably has his fantasy owners excited. I don’t own him in any league, and there is a good reason why: Fred Jackson.
We all have seen what Jackson has done through three weeks, particularly in the first two games of the year. Dating back to training camp I wasn’t a fan of Lynch because of Jackson’s emergence last season and an projected increased workload for Jackson. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
Remember back to history class in high school … some kids found the subject to be as exciting as a Ben Stein lecture on micro-economic theory – or even his roll call, for that matter. (Bueller?!?!) Others were wide-eyed and attentive, taking notes while playing the day’s lecture in their cerebral cinema as if they were living the experience themselves.
I was of the latter. Naturally, I tend to look at past performances to help better my prognostication for upcoming fantasy football matchups. While history certainly isn’t the be-all, end-all for determining how your fantasy players will fare going forward, it never hurts to question if history will repeat itself.
Quarterbacks
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders
Schaub faced the Raiders in Week 16 of the 2008 season. He completed an uncharacteristically low 52.8 percent of his passes. Schaub’s day finished with 255 yards and an interception while being blanked in the touchdown column. Steve Slaton was held in check (18 for 66 on the ground). Temper your expectations for Schaub this week, but he has played so well in the past two games that you almost have to start him. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
Remember back to history class in high school … some kids found the subject to be as exciting as a Ben Stein lecture on micro-economic theory – or even his roll call, for that matter. (Bueller?!?!) Others were wide-eyed and attentive, taking notes while playing the day’s lecture in their cerebral cinema as if they were living the experience themselves.
I was of the latter. Naturally, I tend to look at past performances to help better my prognostication for upcoming fantasy football matchups. While history certainly isn’t the be-all, end-all for determining how your fantasy players will fare going forward, it never hurts to question if history will repeat itself.
Running backs
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
While he wasn’t bad against the Lions’ horrendous 2008 run defense, Forte wasn’t special, either. He ran 15 times for 36 yards (2.4 per carry) with a rushing touchdown in Week 5. In that same game, he caught four balls for 25 yards, adding another score. A total of 61 yards and two TDs is quality production, don’t get me wrong. He racked up 126 yards on the ground (one catch for five yards) in their Week 9 matchup, giving him a per-game average of 21 touches for 96 offensive yards and one score. Given his slow start and a sore knee, don’t expect Forte to enjoy that breakout game just yet. Want more? Keep reading…
Share/Save
