The handsome one started the season off on a bad note with a
261-yard, three-interception game against the Vikings in a tough
road matchup at US Bank Stadium. Don’t let the numbers fool you.
The 49ers played the Vikings tougher than the box score suggests
and multiple injuries to the offensive line allowed the Vikings
to key in and put pressure on Garoppolo. With a home matchup this
week against the hapless Lions who made Sam Darnold look like
a seasoned vet in his NFL debut, Jimmy G will bounce back in a
big way this week and is a nice value play at $6,000.
Other options to consider - Drew
Brees vs. Cleveland & Alex
Smith vs. Indianapolis
The Bucs punched the Saints in the mouth last week to the tune
of 529 total yards of offense and 48 points as Ryan Fitzpatrick
delivered the performance of the early season. While I don’t anticipate
a massive scoring contest and the Saints will likely sure up some
deficiencies on defense, I do think Drew Brees and the Saints
will be able to score a ton against Cleveland, and Tyrod Taylor
will be throwing a ton to Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry. Pair
Taylor and Gordon for a GPP stack.
Although Rodgers is the GOAT and put up four touchdowns against
the Vikings the last time the two teams played in Green Bay, the
knee strain is a cause of concern, and it might make sense for
Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff to give Rodgers the week
off to heal against the vaunted Vikings defense.
McCaffrey is the play of the week in all formats for a number
of reasons. First, a foot injury to Greg Olson will lead to even
more targets for McCaffrey in what could be a shootout at the
Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Add in the fact that the Falcons will be
without two of their best playmakers on defense in Keanu Neal
and Deion Jones, and you have the recipe for a monster game for
McCaffrey.
The ageless one looked like an old shell of himself on Sunday
against a Cardinal team that we all presumed would be strong against
the run. There are no assumptions about the ineptitude of the
rushing defense for the Colts, and Peterson will once again be
used heavily by Jay Gruden this week.
A back injury mixed in with a tough road matchup against the
Rams makes Johnson a natural fade this week. Don’t spend
$8k on Johnson when you have much better options in McCaffrey
and Conner.
In certain circumstances, you need to pay a premium for a player
in a perfect situation that may lead to fantasy gold. In the case
of Antonio Brown playing at home against a Chiefs defense that
just allowed over 400 passing yards to Philip Rivers, I feel confident
that Brown is worth the premium price. Pair him with Big Ben in
cash games for an excellent foundation to go along with a monster
ceiling.
Gordon salvaged opening week three target dud with a touchdown
late from Tyrod Taylor. Hue Jackson said they plan to get Gordon
more involved and the Browns will likely need to play catchup
in the second half to keep pace with the Saints. I am planning
on using a Gordon and Tyrod stack in GPP to finish in the green.
Although I am a big Adams apologist and believe he will be a
top-five fantasy WR at the end of the year, his injured shoulder
along with Rodgers’ knee injury, has me fading all Packers
this week. If McCarthy and the Packers coaching staff were smart,
they would sit Adams and Rodgers to live to fight another day.
Kittle was a target monster last week after Marquise Goodwin
went down and projects once again to be a favorite target for
Jimmy Garoppolo against the Lions. Although I understand the argument
to play him in both cash and tournament formats, Kittle’s floor
of six targets makes me feel confident that he is an excellent
low-cost option. If you have extra money left over and can pay
up for a top tight end Zach Ertz against the Bucs is your play.
A season-ending injury to Delanie Walker opened the door for
Smith to get a shot to be the tight end of the future for Tennessee.
A SPARQ score freak and favorite of the fantasy community, Smith
is worth the home run play in tournaments this week against a
Houston team that was torched by Gronk and Brady last week.
I thought about recommending to fade Gronk based on his tough
matchup on the road against Jaylen Ramsey and the Jags, but thought
better of it and wouldn’t be surprised to see Gronk destroy
the Jags for multiple scores to prove a point to the trash talking
cornerback. Instead, I will stick with my theme of avoiding Packers
against the Vikings and will fade Graham in a tough matchup that
could go sideways if Rodgers doesn’t play.
Defense & Special Teams
I am paying up for the Rams ($3700) this week in a home tilt
against a Cardinals team that looked lost against the Redskins.
I have serious doubts the Sam Bradford will play the whole game
as Aaron Donald, and the Rams will be in the backfield early and
often against Arizona.
If you are looking for a cheap play, I would consider the Texans
($2600) against the Titans.
