It is still a shock to me that Ryan Tannehill has tremendous
fantasy value in 2019. As one of the biggest Tannehill naysayers
around, I never believed he would amount to much, and I correctly
predicted his demise in Miami. Tannehill has found a home in Tennessee
and looks to be their quarterback of the future. For DFS purposes,
Tannehill continues to put up shockingly-good production for his
price and should once again this week against a very beatable
Texans secondary that was just lit up at home by rookie Drew Lock
and the Broncos.
Blough proved in his first start in the NFL that he does have
some talent and can make plays in the right matchup. He caught
the Bears off guard and nearly completed the upset on Thanksgiving,
with two passing touchdowns and 280 yards in the air. With Tampa
Bay’s terrible pass defense coming to town and a likely
shootout in the Dome, Blough could be a sneaky source of points
this week and won’t have a high ownership percentage. I
don’t have the guts to start him in my season-long playoffs,
but I am willing to roll the dice on him in GPP with a Kenny Golladay
stack.
If you take away his massive performances against subpar defenses
like the Giants, Raiders, and Chiefs, Aaron Rodgers would have
some very pedestrian numbers this season. Although he has averaged
three touchdown passes at home against the Bears in the last five
seasons, I am going to avoid starting him based on the tough matchup
and the fact that he might be under siege by the Chicago pass
rush.
Carson is my number one running back of the week, based on a
couple of reasons. First, the Panthers are decimated by injuries
to their defensive line and cannot stop the run. Second, no other
team in the NFC is more committed to the run than the Seahawks,
and Carson may see close to 30 carries in this game with Rashaad
Penny out with a knee injury.
Chances are if you drafted Barkley in your season-long league
you missed the playoffs and are a little more than peeved at the
second-year running back who did not live up to expectations.
I get it, but if you are looking for someone to play in GPP and
want to finally cash in on a monster Barkley game, this could
be your week against a Dolphin team that gives up the second-most
points to running backs.
Mixon has been on a resurgence over the last month with five
games of at least 17 fantasy points in his previous six, including
last week’s 30 point game against the Browns. While I still
think he will get some volume against the Pats, the matchup is
too dicey, and there are too many other running backs to target
this week.
This might be the best matchup any wide receiver has had this
season. With Bucs heading to Ford Field to take on a terrible
Lions defense, Godwin would have been a solid play with Mike Evans
in the lineup. With Evans out and Jameis Winston chucking the
ball downfield at the rate he has been, Godwin could be in line
for an absolute mounter game.
Smooth Kenny G has a touchdown in each of his last two games
and has not missed a beat with David Blough under center. The
Lions get a plus matchup at home this week against a Tampa Bay
secondary that is even worse than their own, making Golladay a
solid start and an upside GPP stack with Blough.
In staying with the theme of avoiding Packers this week against
the Bears, I am fading Adams in all of my lineups this week. I
don’t think Adams is fully healthy and is salary is well
out of synch with the production he has been providing fantasy
owners.
The football world (not including the Saints fans) fell in love
with Kittle when he did his monster catch and run with half of
the New Orleans defense on his back and trying to rip off his
helmet. Fantasy owners will fall in love with him when he comes
through with a smash game this week at home against a Falcons
defense that can’t stop tight ends.
Other options to consider - Hunter
Henry vs. Minnesota
This one comes with an injury clause. If Fant is still limited
with an ankle injury and can’t play, owners should change
to Kittle or Henry. If Fant is active, he may be the secret weapon
the Broncos need to try and keep pace and upset the Chiefs at
Arrowhead.
I crashed and burned with my recommendation to fade Cook last
week against the 49ers, with Cook coming through with two touchdown
receptions before leaving early with a concussion. I believe in
the Niners’ defense ability to stop tight ends, and I won’t
play Hooper again this year until I see he is back and fully healthy.
Defense & Special Teams
High Priced Option Worthy of the Cost: 49ers
($3,800) vs. Falcons
