Alex Smith posted a 342-3-0 line and finished
as the QB6 the last time he faced the Raiders.
Grab a Helmet
Alex
Smith vs OAK: Smith looked like his early season self
last week, taking frequent deep shots, and moving the ball through
the air better than he has in a month. I’m not sure if it was the
return of the aggressive play calling from a new voice in the headset,
but Smith was at his best carving up the Jets in their 38-31 loss.
Smith gets another fine match-up, this time at home against the
hapless Raiders defense. If the Chiefs can scheme a way to keep
Khalil Mack off of Smith, he should be able to roast Oakland for
the second time this season. This Kansas City team is in dire straits,
and the home cooking should electrify this team. Smith hasn’t been
the reason this team has lost 6 of their last 7, so keep rolling
with oft maligned KC quarterback.
Jameis
Winston vs DET: Another quarterback who should get a
boost from the friendly confines of home, and a matchup against
a fading defense is Jameis Winston. Winston was rusty last week
in the Bucs overtime loss to the Packers. He struggled to get the
ball to his playmaking receivers, and Tampa went run heavy. Detroit
is doing this annual thing where they collapse down the stretch,
and this defense has relied on turnovers and big plays to mask the
fact they have trouble getting teams off the field on 3rd down.
I think Winston hits on a few big plays to Jackson and Evans, and
the Bucs pile up a big yardage day.
Jimmy
Garoppolo @ HOU: Sure he didn't throw a touchdown, and
could only muster 15 points against the wayward Bears, but Garoppolo
brought a measure of calm to the 49ers offense. He seemed to elevate
the play of his receivers, sending two of his pass catchers to career
best days. The Niners are set for another long road trip, but the
Texans have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
I don’t know I’d have the guts to roll with Jimmy G in my playoffs,
but in two-quarterback or DFS leagues, he’s a bargain basement option.
Grab a Headset
Kirk
Cousins @ LAC: I don’t feel too bad for Kirk and neither
should you. Sure he’s lost half the guys on offense around him
to injury, but he’s played his way into a massive payday. The
Redskins have to travel across country to play the red hot Chargers.
Cousins has generally been matchup proof this season, but he’s
going up against a tandem of pass rushers that are among the best
in the league, and he has 2/5th of a healthy offensive line. Cousins
has been running for his life in recent weeks, and he’s going
to get battered in this one, keeping his floor, and expectations
low.
Blake
Bortles vs SEA: Jacksonville has stopped hiding Bortles
lately, and while the former 1st rounder has sprinkled in a few
games of effective play, I don’t trust him against a gritty defense
like Seattle. Bortles still struggles to read coverages, consistently
putting the ball in danger. I have a hunch Jacksonville employs
a HEAVY dose of Leonard Fournette in an effort to keep Russell
Wilson off the field. Jacksonville is going to hide Bortles in
this one and try to win in spite of him, not because of him.
Derek
Carr @ KC: After a lights out 2016 campaign Carr was
considered a legit QB1 in fantasy this season but the fantastic
fantasy numbers simply haven’t materialized. The quarterback
position has been ravaged by injury and ineffectiveness most of
the season and I’m sure there are plenty of playoff teams
that have been streaming quarterbacks this year. It would seem
that this would be a fine spot for Carr, as he’s facing
off against a pass defense giving out more gifts than Santa, AND
they just benched their top cover corner Marcus Peters. Carr was
the recipient of one of those gifts as he popped off for 415 yards
and 3 touchdowns in their last meeting. But there are too many
things that worry me about this game. Carr hasn’t played
well in his last several years playing at Arrowhead and he’s
likely still going to be without Amari Cooper. The offensive line
has regressed, and the Chiefs are a cornered animal. Carr is going
to be a popular option this week, but I’d be wary.
