Nobody needs to be told starting Patrick
Mahomes, Christian
McCaffrey, or DeAndre
Hopkins is a good idea. Duh, right? You can’t have studs at
every position, though, unless you’re in the shallowest of leagues.
This is where the Shot Caller comes in. Need help deciding which
bargain basement QB to use and which to ignore on Mahomes’ bye
week? Let’s talk. Looking for solutions at running back because
McAffrey is a game-time decision? Look no further. Need to know
which of your unproven targets to start and which to sit since
you ignored Hopkins and went RB-RB-Kelce in your first three rounds?
You get the idea. Past results may not guarantee future success,
but ignoring them entirely can ruin your Sundays in a hurry (maybe
even your Mondays and Thursdays). Read on for a little history
and, hopefully, a little sage advice.
Note: Fantasy points
based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.
Has Tannehill resurrected his career in Nashville? It sure seems
like it at this point. The former Dolphin has averaged 25.3 FPts/G
since he took over the Titans’ offense, well above his career average,
and seems to be the perfect complement to road grader Derrick Henry
and a rugged defense. I’ve especially liked the way he’s utilizing
his legs, having scored three TDs with them in his last four games.
This was always the element Marcus Mariota was supposed to bring
to the offense (and did, at times) and if Tanny can continue to
be a threat with his feet, his squad will be a tough out come playoff
time. Speaking of playoffs, Tennessee could go a long way toward
securing a spot by beating the Raiders this Sunday. Start him against
an Oakland secondary yielding 25.8 FPts/G to the position so far.
Now that New England’s lost two of four after kicking off
the season with an eight-game winning streaking, everyone’s
asking what’s wrong with Tom Terrific. We’re used
to watching the ageless one elevate the play of those around him,
but something’s been off since the midway point of the season.
He clearly misses Gronk, doesn’t have a legitimate second
WR, and isn’t getting much help from a lackluster rushing
attack (96.3 yds/game, 21st overall). Nevertheless, we saw something
last week that might be played back again in Week 14. The Pats
quickly fell behind, stopped pretending Sony Michel is a difference-maker,
and turned the offense into the James White and Julian Edelman
show. 326 yards, three TDs, and 29.6 fantasy points later, Brady’s
owners could breathe a sigh of relief. He’s still a Top
10 QB and KC is still a great matchup.
Brady’s Super Bowl LII adversary isn’t a Top 10 QB this season
and has similarly suffered through the season’s second half. From
Weeks 7 through 12, he’s averaged just 16.9 FPts/G, a full point
better than the future HOF’er in Foxboro but well off his career
pace. A 30th-ranked WR corps hasn’t helped (16.5 FPts/G), but things
are trending upward, at least fantasy-wise, after a solid Week 13
effort against the Fish (27.5 pts). Next up, a Giants defense that’s
surrendered fewer than 23.5 points to the position just twice this
season, Dwayne Haskins/Case Keenum in Week 4 and Kyler Murray in
Week 7. Murray only threw the ball 21 times in that second one,
played in lousy weather. This is a great spot for Wentz and his
Eagles and they need a W in the worst way.
Minshew’s been tabbed to close out what’s been a lost season for
the Jaguars and it appears the team is already looking to move on
from Nick Foles and his four-year, $88 million contract. It’s hard
to blame them. Foles was injured early and ineffective upon his
return and, while he was out, the rook from Washington State looked
like a cheaper alternative with significant upside. He’s averaged
20.2 FPts/G this year—tied with Philip Rivers and better than several
more established signal callers (e.g., Jared Goff and Drew Brees)—and
brings noticeable spunk to a franchise desperately in need of it.
Unfortunately for him, Rivers’ teammates are giving opposing QBs
fits this season. The Bolts have allowed ONLY two opposing slingers
to top 23.5 points, Deshaun Watson and Ryan Tannehill, so it might
be best to wait a week on Minshew Mania.
Blough’s rookie year couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.
A surprise Thanksgiving Day starter, the undrafted FA from Purdue
connected with Kenny Golladay for his first NFL completion, a 75-yard
touchdown heave. The Lions would go on to squander this early lead,
but the former Boilermaker was terrific throughout, throwing a later
TD pass to Marvin Jones and closing the day with 280 yards and 22.1
fantasy points. That would be good for 13th at the position, meaning
Blough went from no name to surprise starter to fringe QB1 in a
matter of days. What a league, huh? Jeff Driskel’s now been placed
on IR, meaning the kid makes his first road start this Sunday in
Minnesota. I can think of better places to make one’s first NFL
road start. He may have saved your bacon last week, but don’t expect
miracles this week.
New Orleans is sitting pretty at 10-2 and looks primed to avenge
last season’s brutal NFC Championship loss, especially if
they’re able to best the Niners at the Superdome this coming
weekend and set themselves up for home-field advantage throughout
the playoffs. To do so, they’re going to need more from
their future HOF wheelman. Brees’ season has been interrupted
by injury, yes, but regardless, he’s averaging only 19.6
FPts/G, his worst mark as a Saint. Yup, the last time he averaged
fewer than 20 per game, he was wearing a SD Chargers jersey. It’ll
be tough getting to 20 this week considering San Francisco allows
only 15.6 on average. Kyle Shanahan’s crew struggles with
mobile quarterbacks, but Brees is the furthest thing from that.
You may not be able to afford reserving him, but if you have a
solid backup, consider it.
