Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez gives his thoughts from the Chargers’ 24-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 11.
In a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, Philip Rivers threw four interceptions, including one in the end zone on the final drive, and the Chargers couldn’t come out on top against the Chiefs in Mexico City.
Here is our instant analysis from Los Angeles’ 24-17 loss to Kansas City:
Injury Update
There were no injuries tonight.
Play of the Game: Mike Williams’ monstrous catch
In need of keeping their final drive alive, Williams came up clutch with an acrobatic catch that went for 50 yards on third-and-15.
7: Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown seven interceptions in his last two games, the most in any two-game span in his career.
Quick Takes
Tonight’s loss fell on Rivers’ shoulders. He had two opportunities to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but they both ended up being interceptions. Poor decision-making and regression in arm talent continue to be evident.
Running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler gave the offense life in the first half, but they were nonfactors in the second half, combining for only 23 yards from scrimmage after totaling 199 yards in the first half.
They weren’t perfect, but the offensive line performed better than their dreadful Week 10 outing. They only allowed two sacks on the night against a deadly Chiefs pass rush.
Rivers’ weapons did him a lot of favors with some of their eye-popping catches tonight. Wide receiver Keenan Allen had a bounce-back game, including reeling in his first touchdown pass for the first time since Week 3.
After a dominant first half, the defense came out in the second half looking like a completely different unit. Soft coverage and missed tackles in open space were the killer that allowed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to guide his team to a comfortable lead.
Defensive end Melvin Ingram had a phenomenal performance, coming up in a big way on three consecutive third downs to force the Chiefs to punt. Whether it was generating pressure or batting balls at the line of scrimmage, Ingram made great plays.
As a whole, the defense didn’t allow Mahomes to produce that many explosive plays. The absence of wide receiver Tyreek Hill was clear, but the secondary did a nice job keeping everything in front of them for the most part, aside from a couple plays, including tight end Travis Kelce’s touchdown.
Up Next
The Chargers have their bye in Week 12. Their next game will be against the Broncos at Empower Field on Dec. 1 at 1:25 p.m. PT.
It doesn’t sound like RB James Conner will be ready this weekend.
James Conner tells @ThePoniExpress@ChrisMuellerPGH that his shoulder injury is a “day by day thing” but won’t need surgery. No time table, but he’ll come back “when I feel like me again.”
Several weeks ago, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner suffered an AC joint sprain. After missing two games Conner tried to return against the Cleveland Browns. But five carries in Conner re-injured the shoulder and the run game never recovered.
Conner was on 93.7 The Fan and proclaimed his injury to be considered “day to day” but when he says he’ll come back when he feels like himself this doesn’t bode well. Conner is a physical runner and does nothing to avoid contact. This makes an injury like this especially problematic when you consider his shoulder is typically the first thing to make contact with opposing defenders.
If Conner cannot go this week against the Bengals, it will once again be up to the coaches, running back Jaylen Samuels and the offensive line to find a way to manufacture enough rushing yards to keep the Cincinnati defense honest.
Last week, we took a deeper dive into the coming fantasy playoff schedule, pointing out to fantasy players what teams had the best and worst schedules heading down the stretch, with the emphasis being on Weeks 14-17.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, we took a deeper dive into the coming fantasy playoff schedule, pointing out to fantasy players what teams had the best and worst schedules heading down the stretch, with the emphasis being on Weeks 14-17.
As we saw Nov. 10 in the Carolina-Green Bay game, the weather made a significant impact with a thin layer of snow covering the field in the second half of the game. When it gets to late December, the potential for bad weather that – whether it be snow, cold, wind or a combination of all of them – can virtually ground an offense.
It’s the reason why players routinely post eye-popping numbers in the regular season, but the team that runs the ball and plays defense wins in the playoffs.
We took a look at all 32 teams and based our top/bottom rankings on the potential for bad weather, not their opponents. Teams like the Rams with have a gauntlet down the stretch and Miami may have the easiest slate of opponents of any team during the typical fantasy playoffs (Weeks 14-16), but when you flip the script on how December weather in outdoor stadiums can impact the outcome of games (and fantasy production), the Rams will likely have the best of all worlds, while Miami will have to struggle through the potential for dismal weather..
If you have players that you’re convinced won’t be used or are expendable, you may to look to pick up a player from one of two of the teams with the most favorable schedules and consider having a backup plan for those on the downside of the list.
THE FIVE BEST
Minnesota Vikings (DETROIT, at L.A. Chargers, GREEN BAY, CHICAGO) – It doesn’t get much better than this. Three home games in their unfriendly dome environment and their one road game in Los Angeles. No complaints.
Los Angeles Rams (SEATTLE, at Dallas, at San Francisco, ARIZONA) – Simply in terms of the potential for weather impacting their games, three of them are in California and the other is under the roof at Jerry World. If they’re making it to the playoffs, they will have to cut through those guys to potentially knock one of them out of a spot, but they will very likely be able to execute their game plan.
Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta, SEATTLE, at Indianapolis, at New Orleans) – Again, three road games are never a picnic, but all of them are in domes – a blessing for a warm-weather team that finds it hard to replicate frigid conditions in practice. Christian McCaffrey should be at his need-for-speed best.
Houston Texans (DENVER, at Tennessee, at Tampa Bay, TENNESSEE) – Texas teams don’t like heading north in December or January (and they struggle when they do). Houston drew the good straw on this closing schedule. They got saddled with two road games when most championships are decided, but it is against Tennessee and Tampa Bay – teams who have been capable of being exploited and in venues that don’t see snow.
Los Angeles Chargers (at Jacksonville, MINNESOTA, OAKLAND, at Kansas City) – If Week 17 is when a champion is crowned in your league, this takes a bit of hit, but if you’re in a Weeks 14-16 title scenario, one game in Florida and two in Los Angeles doesn’t get much more likely for seasonable weather.
THE FIVE WORST
Miami Dolphins (at New York Jets, at New York Giants, CINCINNATI, at New England) – If you look at the opponents, you salivate. At the moment, the teams they play in Weeks 14-16 have a combined record of 5-25, but for a team from South Florida, the prospect of heading to MetLife Stadium in back-to-back weeks and closing out in Boston is not conducive to good weather probability. Most fantasy players have rid themselves of Dolphins, but those who haven’t may want to consider it – even with a schedule full of losing teams.
Chicago Bears (DALLAS, at Green Bay, KANSAS CITY, at Minnesota) – If you were to pick the two stadiums known for awful late-season conditions due to cold and wind, Lambeau Field and Soldier Field top the list. The Bears will play all three games in Weeks 14-16 in those venues.
Baltimore Ravens (at Buffalo, New York Jets, at Cleveland, PITTSBURGH) – Buffalo is always a concern and Cleveland can be brutal when the wind is coming off the lake. For a team predicated on running and speed, that could pose a problem.
Buffalo Bills (BALTIMORE, at Pittsburgh, at New England, NEW YORK JETS) – There are no gimmes on this slate, from two games in Buffalo to road games against the Steelers and Patriots. If the Bills are going to make the playoffs, they’re going to have to play January football in December.
Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago, L.A. RAMS, at Philadelphia, WASHINGTON) – Nothing comes easy here and road trips to Chicago and Philadelphia are no picnic for a team from Texas.
Weather is going to impact the NFL in the closing weeks of the season. It always does. While in most cases, if a fantasy owner has leaned on the same players all season, they likely aren’t going to make radical lineup changes, but, if you have roster spots that can be swapped out in the event you need it on game day if one or two of your players are going to be playing in blizzard conditions, it’s an option you may want to explore before your hands are tied in Week 15 or 16.
Here is the Week 12 Fantasy Market Report:
RISERS
Lamar Jackson – Jackson has been posting crazy good numbers all year, but it seems like he is finding another gear over the second half of the season. He hit a stretch in the middle of the season where his touchdown passes fell markedly (two TD passes in four games), but, in his last two games, he has emerged in the middle of the MVP discussions. He has thrown seven TD passes in his last two games and has five rushing TDs in his last five games. He’s been a fantasy stud all season, but he’s kicked into a second gear in November.
Jarvis Landry – In his first seven games of the season, Landry was catching passes and posting modest yardage totals consistently, but what was frustrating fantasy owners was that he wasn’t hitting the end zone. But, in the last four games, he has been targeted 40 times, catching 24 passes for 256 yards and has scored a touchdown in each of his last three games – a pace over the last month that would translate into 96 catches for 1,024 yards and 12 TDs over the course of a full season.
Josh Allen – Allen still doesn’t get the fantasy respect he deserves despite becoming one of the most consistent scorers in the league. He has accounted for two or more touchdowns in his last six games, including 10 passing TDs and four rushing touchdowns. He likely isn’t the No. 1 QB on many rosters, but he’s been playing like one since the beginning of October.
Randall Cobb – His role in Green Bay was reduced his final couple of seasons with the Packers and it didn’t appear to be changing in Dallas. Between Weeks 2 and 9, Cobb had more than three catches just twice and his high yardage total was 53 with no touchdowns. However, in his last two games, he has caught 10 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Dak Prescott has become a fantasy must-start because he’s finding ways to incorporate more players into the mix and Cobb has become a player owners will find hard to bench.
Jameis Winston – If your league doesn’t penalize you for interceptions (he has 18 on the season and 13 in his last five games, he has been a yardage monster. In his last eight games, he has thrown two or more touchdowns in six games, has one in both of the other two and thrown for more than 300 yards in seven of them. For leagues that deduct points for interceptions, Winston can kill you at times, but, if not, he’s putting up fantasy MVP type numbers on a weekly basis.
FALLERS
Alvin Kamara – While his numbers are still solid in PPR formats, Kamara was the first or second player taken in most drafts or auctions because of his ability to post giant numbers. In 15 games last year, Kamara rushed for 883 yards, caught 81 passes for 7089 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. In eight games this season (he’s missed two), he has rushed for 472 yards and caught 51 passes for 373 yards. Those numbers are similar to his 2018 numbers, but, he has scored just two touchdowns. He’s still putting up decent numbers, but not the numbers fantasy owners invested so heavily in.
Jacoby Brissett – He was one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league coming out of the gate, throwing 14 TD passes in his first six games as the starter. Over the last month, he has missed one game due to injury and, in the other three games, he has just one TD pass and one TD run. He has the ability to make big plays, but the shine is starting to come off of Brissett with fantasy owners that fell in love with him in September.
Joey Slye – Kickers aren’t given much credit for their contributions to fantasy lineups, but you remember them if you win or lose by a couple of points and kicker made the difference. In his first four games of the season, Slye scored 39 points with totals of 9, 12, 8 and 10 points. In his last six games, he has scored just 33 points, including two weeks with three points, two with four and one with six. If you’re wondering why he’s available in so many leagues, those point totals are probably the answer.
Jared Goff – In 2018, Goff took the fantasy world by storm, averaging 293 yards a game and throwing 32 touchdowns. While he is still posting decent passing numbers (averaging 278 yards a game), he has thrown just 11 touchdowns in 10 games (a pace for just 17 or 18 over the course of the season). Those are unacceptable numbers in the pass-happy era we live in now and when you haven’t thrown more than two TDs in any game with that supporting cast, it’s even more maddening.
Tevin Coleman – In the first four games returning from injury in Week 4, Coleman looked like one of the best running backs in the league, rushing for 309 yards and scoring six total touchdowns. But, in the last three games, he rushed 33 times for just 77 yards and hasn’t scored any touchdowns. At a time when fantasy owners have been putting him in starting lineups every week because of what accomplished in October, he has been an unqualified bust since Halloween.
We pore over the rankings each week, size up the matchups and weigh the fantasy-point projections each week as we seek to set the best possible lineups.
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
We pore over the rankings each week, size up the matchups and weigh the fantasy-point projections each week as we seek to set the best possible lineups.
Most of the forecasts prove to be more or less spot on, but there are still the overachieving surprises and disappointing duds each week, and these are the unforeseen outliers that wind up deciding the majority of matchups.
We’ve been taking of note players on both sides of the spectrum, and here, in our opinion, are eight of the most over- and underrated fantasy performers – going position-by-position – of 2019.
QUARTERBACK
Overrated – In making his return from a second straight injury-shortened season, Philly’s Carson Wentz was a popular QB1 pick this summer, and his 28.1-point opening-week outing (313 yards, three touchdown passes) appeared to have provided instant validation. But, nine games later, that’s easily proven to be Wentz’s best showing of the season as he’s only topped 24 fantasy points twice since then and comes out of play Sunday ranked 20th at the position with an average of 20 fantasy points per outing. A banged-up wide receivers corps certainly hasn’t made his life any easier, but Wentz has finished with multiple TD passes or 17.5 fantasy points or more only once since Week 4, putting him squarely in QB2 streaming territory.
Underrated – The Buffalo Bills really haven’t had a prolific offense since the Jim Kelly-Thurman Thomas-Andre Reed heydays a quarter-century ago, and after entering Week 11 ranked 25th in the league in scoring with 19.3 points per contest, the 2019 Bills don’t appear to be breaking that mold. Meanwhile, in fantasy, though, second-year QB Josh Allen – who wasn’t among the top 20 quarterbacks drafted in the majority of fantasy leagues this summer – is putting up QB1 numbers. Following his best outing of the season Sunday (256 passing yards, three aerial TDs and 56 yards and a TD on the ground), Allen ranks 10th at the position with an average of 23.6 fantasy points per game. But while Sunday’s showing in South Beach was his first 30-point game of the season, he’s delivered steady fantasy production, finishing with 20 or more points in six of his previous eight contests, with a season “low” of 16.2 in a game he didn’t even finish due to a concussion.
RUNNING BACK
Overrated – It hardly sounds possible that the lead back, who’s averaging 15.1 touches per game, on the run-heaviest (53.2 percent) and second most productive rushing squad (149 yards per game) in the league could be underperforming, but yet we have Tevin Coleman of the 9-1 49ers. Coleman does rank 17th in standard leagues (11.5) in terms of running back fantasy points per contest, but consider that 38.8 percent (35.8) of his 92.3 points on the season came in one game – his 118 total-yard, four-TD performance in Week 8 – and he’s finished with 12.1 points or fewer in six of his other seven contests, including five single-digit outings. Since that monster Week 8, Coleman has consistently been ranked as a solid RB2 but only has delivered a total of 17 fantasy points over those three games, including a meager 77 rushing yards on 33 attempts. And with Matt Breida (when healthy), Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. (when Breida is out), and even fullback Kyle Juszczyk continuing to be regularly involved as well, Coleman is simply a flex flyer at best until we see otherwise.
Underrated – The Rams’ Todd Gurley has been assailed for his usage decrease (16.3 touches per game – down from 21.8 over the previous three seasons and 2.0 receptions per contest – down from 3.7 from 2016-18) in a Rams’ offense that has struggled through most of the season, but , coming out of Sunday, we found Gurley ranked 11th (standard) and 16th (PPR) at his position in terms of fantasy points per game. He’s also tied for sixth among RBs with eight total TDs, having found his way into the end zone in six of nine contests. On Sunday night, Gurley hit season highs in rushing attempts (25), touches (28), total yards (133) and fantasy points (19.3/22.3) in the Rams’ 17-7 win over the Bears, and, believe it or not, has now scored double-digit fantasy points in seven of nine contests this season. Perhaps coach Sean McVay and the playoff-seeking 6-4 Rams have been saving Gurley for the all-important stretch run after he wore down late last season, and if so, Sunday night just may have offered a tantalizing view of things to come.
WIDE RECEIVER
Overrated – Check the top three of the wide receiver rankings, regardless of format, each week and you’re sure to find the Falcons’ Julio Jones listed. But through 11 weeks and 10 games now, Jones has only finished as a top-three wideout once and a top-10 performer only three times. Overall on the season, Jones ranks 13th among wide receivers in standard scoring (11.2 points per game) and 10th in point-per-reception formats (17.1 points), and the main culprit has been Jones’ now-seven-game TD-catch drought after snaring four scoring passes in the first three contests of the season. Jones famously failed to catch a scoring pass in the first seven games of last season, and in his current seven-game scoreless skid, he’s failed to wind up on the receiving end of any of the team’s 12 TD passes since Week 3 while watching teammates such as TE Austin Hooper (four receiving TDs in that span), WR Calvin Ridley (three) and RB Devonta Freeman (three) prosper during that span. Now, you’re likely still starting Jones each week, but expecting week-in and week-out WR1 production – let alone elite WR1 production – is simply unrealistic, especially as long as his latest TD drought continues.
Underrated – Even prior to his monster outing Sunday (season-best 25.7 standard points on nine catches for 137 yards and two TDs), the Bills’ John Brown was plugging along as one of the most overlooked consistent week-to-week fantasy performers. Allen’s speedy top target has finished with at least four catches and 50 receiving yards in all 10 of his games this season, and the only other wideout who can say as much is none other than league receiving leader Michael Thomas of the Saints. That means Brown has finished with at least 9.5 PPR points in every contest and is a rock-solid WR2, ranking 15th at the position with an average of 16.2 PPR points per outing.
TIGHT END
Overrated – Overvalued prospects at fantasy’s thinnest position are few and far between, but Lions rookie T.J. Hockenson is among the closest to qualify. Big things have been expected since his monster 19.1/25.1-point explosion in Week 1. Hockenson caught six of nine targets for 131 yards and a TD that afternoon in Arizona, but he’s caught all of 20 passes for 218 yards and one TD on 37 targets in nine games since while scoring no more than 8.7/11.7 fantasy points in any one contest. And now with backup QB Jeff Driskel at the controls for the foreseeable future, Hockenson is nothing more than a deeper-league streaming dart-throw.
Underrated – Starting in Week 4, with their WRs corps depleted, the Eagles have been one of the league’s most heavy “12” personnel teams. Second-year tight end Dallas Goedert has played at least 58 percent of the offensive snaps in all seven of those contests and has caught 22-of-34 for 241 yards and four TDs, good for 46.1/68.1 fantasy points. During that same seven-game span fellow Philly TE Zach Ertz has totaled 55.1/93.1 fantasy points, but while Ertz is seen as a must-start TE1, Goedert is lucky to appear on the list of prospective streamers most weeks. Don’t be fooled any longer, and realize Philly fields a pair of start-worthy tight ends.
EXTRA POINTS
Injured Lions QB Matthew Stafford ranks sixth among QBs with an average of 25.9 points per outing, and right behind at No. 7 is replacement Driskel at 25.4, establishing him as a solid streamer after only two starts. However, Driskel is averaging 239 passing yards per game and 6.63 yards per attempt to Stafford’s 312.4 and 8.59 figures, respectively, and is averaging 7.4 rushing fantasy points per game to Stafford’s .8 mark – all of which lowers the weekly fantasy ceilings and floors of the Detroit pass catchers.
One wide receiver who continues to produce despite his team’s less-than-ideal QB play is the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton, who notched his second 100-yard outing of the season in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. A high weekly floor is what stands out for the second-year wideout as Sutton has received at least seven targets in 100 games this season and has had 56 receiving yards in all but one contest. He’s a locked-in WR2.
Another young wide receiver on the rise is 49ers rookie Deebo Samuel who’s been targeted 21 times over the last two games and has reeled in 16 for 246 yards. With TE George Kittle missing both contests and WR Emmanuel Sanders being limited to a combined 60 snaps due to a rib cartilage injury, Samuel has garnered seven more targets, eight more receptions and had 166 more receiving yards than any other San Fran player during that stretch. Samuel suffered a shoulder injury in the second half Sunday but came back in to put the wraps on a season-best 134-yard outing on eight catches and should continue to be involved even with Kittle and Sanders get healthier.
Back to the Motor City, take note that Lions RB Bo Scarbrough – signed to the practice squad two weeks ago and activated for the first time Sunday to face the team (Cowboys) which drafted him in the seventh round last season – logged 14 of the team’s 19 RB rushing attempts and finished with a team-most 55 yards and a TD in the 35-27 loss. Every team’s lead back has a degree of value this late in the season, and it looks like Scarbrough just may have jumped into the driver’s seat for the Kerryon Johnson-less Lions.
Out of nowhere, we suddenly have to beware of the Falcons’ defense. In its last two games, facing the division-rival Panthers and Saints, the Atlanta “D” has registered 11 sacks and four interceptions while not allowing a TD pass in posting a pair of 17-point-plus road wins. During their 1-7 start, the Falcons were torched for 19 touchdown passes while totaling only seven sacks and two interceptions. That makes the Falcons’ D a must-start in Week 12 with Jameis Winston and the Bucs (league-high 18 interceptions thrown and fourth-most 36 sacks surrendered) visiting Atlanta this coming Sunday.
Daniel Gafford recorded a career-high 21 points on Monday in his first extended look of the season during a 115-101 loss to the Bucks.
Chicago Bulls rookie Daniel Gafford recorded a career-high 21 points on Monday in his first extended look of the season during a 115-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Prior to the game, Bulls head coach Jim Boylen said Gafford would see first-half minutes and the second-round pick took advantage of his opportunity. Gafford recorded 16 of his 21 points in the first half after converting on 8-of-9 shots from the field before halftime.
Gafford had previously logged just 12 minutes over four games this season and recently re-joined the Bulls after an assignment in the G League. The team recalled Gafford after Luke Kornet underwent surgery to address a sinus obstruction.
Gafford did the bulk of his work down in the paint, an area in which he thrives. Gafford was there to clean up missed shots from his teammates and also caught a number of lobs over defenders for easy buckets. He finished 10-of-12 from the field while he added five rebounds, including four on the offensive end, and two blocks in 20 minutes off of the bench.
With Kornet expected to miss at least a week of action, Gafford could continue to see an increased workload for the Bulls. Based on his performance on Monday, he could be in for more productive nights off of the bench.
The Bulls play next on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons.
UFC on ESPN+ 22 winners and losers react on social media outlets such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Since the early days when the sport was anything but a mainstream endeavor, the MMA industry has thrived and survived through various websites, forums, and – perhaps most important – social-media platforms.
Fighters interact with fans, each other and many more through the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which helps outsiders get a deeper look into the minds of the athletes.
Following Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo, several of the winning and losing fighters, along with their coaches, training partners or family members, took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters.
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
Here’s a look at some of the best players from the Chiefs’ Week 11 victory over the Chargers.
The Kansas City Chiefs gt back in the win column with a dominant defensive performance in a nail-biter against the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City. The Chiefs forced Philip Rivers to throw four ugly interceptions. Travis Kelce also had an impressive performance and reminded folks why he is one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Here are your Chiefs’ Players of the Game for Week 11:
Offensive Player of the Game: TE Travis Kelce
Kelce came up big tonight with seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. His performance against the Chargers was even more important for the Chiefs since Tyreek Hill left early due to a hamstring injury. When the offense looked like it was sputtering, Kelce was the one who stepped up and delivered some big plays.
Clark finally had the game that fans have been waiting for since he joined the Chiefs. He put up a dominant performance and was in the backfield all night long. He recorded a sack and a forced fumble, and forced the ball out of Rivers’ hand for an interception right into the lap of Derrick Nnadi.
Clark put so much pressure on Rivers that he was visibly getting mad and yelling at his offensive line. It’s the type of signature frustration from Rivers that always makes Chiefs fans happy. It’s also great to see that Clark doesn’t look to be hurting from his neck injury any longer. Hopefully, he continues to be the game-wrecking defender that everyone thought he would be.
Special Teams Player of the Game: P Dustin Colquitt
Colquitt took advantage of the 7,500-foot altitude in Mexico City. He had six punts for 240 yards, and five of them landed inside of the 20-yard line. Colquitt really makes the most of his opportunities like a true veteran should and it’s great that we can trust him to flip the field position. He’ll continue to pin teams deep in their own territory going into the playoff stretch.
The Huddle presents another season of The Blitzed Podcast. In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you B.P.N. NFL News, making the most from being out of the playoffs in a dynasty league by targeting players that can help you next year and management tips and DFS Pay to Plays, Stay Aways and Value Plays.
The Huddle presents another season of The Blitzed Podcast. In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you B.P.N. NFL News, making the most from being out of the playoffs in a dynasty league by targeting players that can help you next year and management tips and DFS Pay to Plays, Stay Aways and Value Plays.
Two weeks to go in the fantasy regular season either means you’ve given up the ghost trying to make the playoffs, you’re locked into a playoff spot or you are fighting for one of the few spots remaining. If you are out of it in a dynasty or keeper league, look to trade for potential and backfill your roster with potential as well. High picks that haven’t cracked NFL starting lineups are a great place to start. You may see a few of those players pop up in the report here and there. If you are firmly locked into a playoff spot, now is the time to look at playoff schedules to ensure that you get maximum point potential in weeks 14, 15 and 16. Grabbing a few now while other owners are focused on this week’s matchup only could give you an edge in the playoffs. Finally, remember that if you are still in the race but are not locked into a playoff spot, the playoffs start for you now. You need to win now and can’t afford to give away any points. Maximize this week’s points and live to fight another week once you win. There isn’t any sense in worrying about holding potential unless you can win this week and next.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Two weeks to go in the fantasy regular season either means you’ve given up the ghost trying to make the playoffs, you’re locked into a playoff spot or you are fighting for one of the few spots remaining. If you are out of it in a dynasty or keeper league, look to trade for potential and backfill your roster with potential as well. High picks that haven’t cracked NFL starting lineups are a great place to start. You may see a few of those players pop up in the report here and there. If you are firmly locked into a playoff spot, now is the time to look at playoff schedules to ensure that you get maximum point potential in weeks 14, 15 and 16. Grabbing a few now while other owners are focused on this week’s matchup only could give you an edge in the playoffs. Finally, remember that if you are still in the race but are not locked into a playoff spot, the playoffs start for you now. You need to win now and can’t afford to give away any points. Maximize this week’s points and live to fight another week once you win. There isn’t any sense in worrying about holding potential unless you can win this week and next.
It is the last week of bye weeks in the NFL with the Chiefs, Chargers, Cardinals and Vikings all getting the week off and then it’s back to 16 NFL games per week again until the end of the regular season.
Linebacker Plays
Much like this week, it was a skinny week for options last week at linebacker. Nick Kwiatkoski scored 4 total tackles on 65% usage in the Sunday nighter against the Rams. In the game, the Bears rolled more down linemen with three linebackers instead of four linebackers for the first time this year. It’s a frustrating development for fantasy owners as this wasn’t in the cards after last week. Danny Trevathan was out and figures to be out for a while so however Chicago opts to use their second ILB going forward, the work will go to Kwiatkoski. Josh Bynes scored 2 total tackles and an interception but received only 39% of the snaps compared to LJ Fort’s 49% and Patrick Onwuasor’s 15%. The blowout that the Texans suffered at the hands of the Ravens makes this one hard to read but a full split makes this one a hands-off situation for me. Unfortunately, the return of Denzel Perryman to a prominent role reduced Drue Tranquill back to droppable status.
Najeh Goode JAC LB – 4-3 WLB Value: LB3
If you are a glutton for punishment like I am, you might take one more crack at the Jaguars WLB before you snap. Najeh Goode appears to be recovered from his foot problem and received 96% usage in week 11 against the Colts. He converted that into 5 solo tackles. Not bad but if I’m being honest, I’d hope for better in a game that featured 36 rushes plus receptions to running backs. That said, the usage is there and his week 12 opponent is the Titans who are allowing an average of over 15 fantasy points per game to 4-3 WLBs including 12 from Quincy Williams, the WLB that faced them in week 3. Give Najeh a look on the back end of your starting lineup.
Neville Hewitt NYJ LB – 3-4 ILB Value: LB2 – LB3
Neville Hewitt returned to the Jets lineup in week 11 against the Redskins after missing the previous four weeks due to a neck issue. Hewitt played every snap and recorded 5 total tackles and an interception. For those who picked up previous recommendations Brandon Copeland and James Burgess, it was Copeland’s usage that suffered as Burgess played every snap while Copeland returned to OLB rotational usage. The Raiders in week 12 are a good matchup for Hewitt but it gets messy after that. Give him a look this week and then evaluate your options going forward.
Nate Gerry PHI LB – 4-3 MLB Value: LB2
Nigel Bradham’s ankle does not appear to be progressing, even out of the Eagles’ bye week. Nate Gerry continues to see high usage and his output is too high given his low ownership percentage. Against the Patriots, Gerry played every snap but one and turned in a game-high 10 total tackles to go with a sack. With the Seahawks in town, I like Gerry to turn in another solid performance as long as Nigel Bradham continues to remain out of the lineup.
Kiko Alonso NOS LB – 4-3 MLB Value: LB3
Alonso is a speculator’s pickup. The Saints deployment of linebackers has been fairly consistent this year. As long as he’s healthy, DeMario Davis approaches 100% usage. AJ Klein receives between 75 – 100% of the snaps depending on the game situation. After that Alex Anzalone picked up the scraps until his season-ending injury, after which Kiko Alonso drew some work between 10 – 40% of the snaps. In week 11 against the Buccaneers, Klein (43%) was out-snapped by Alonso (66%). Alonso was able to turn in 6 solo tackles and a PD in that game. One game isn’t a trend but Alonso has enough history to show that he can be a viable fantasy commodity when given the snaps to do so. Speculate at your own risk.
Defensive Lineman Plays
It’s rare that I recommend the DL1, LB1 or DB1 of the week in a given week so when it happens, I’m going to give myself a little credit. Maxx Crosby put together a matchup-winner effort against the Bengals with 5 total tackles, 4 sacks and a forced fumble on 78% usage. In the same game, Clelin Ferrell was a little disappointing with a single solo tackle and a PD on 65% usage. In a similar hot and cold pick with the Chiefs, Frank Clark was everywhere with 5 total tackles, a PD, a sack and a forced fumble whereas Chris Jones was invisible from a stat perspective.
Ranging from Calais Campbell to Yannick Ngakoue to Josh Allen, find a way to start your Jaguars pass rushers. Statistically speaking, with the Titans hosting the Jaguars this week, there is no better chance for your Jacksonville players to log a sack than this week as Tennessee is leading the league in sacks allowed with 4.2 per game. While some of those sacks were taken by Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill has been sacked four times in each of his last two games. The Titans are struggling to protect their quarterbacks and I would do what I could to try to capitalize on that.
Chad Thomas / Olivier Vernon CLE DE – 4-3 DE Value: DL2
Digging a little deeper here, the Browns may offer a bit of opportunity as far as a potential pickup goes. Myles Garrett is suspended for that ridiculous helmet-swinging incident. Olivier Vernon is currently out with a knee injury but head coach Freddie Kitchens has been quoted as saying that Vernon could be “very close” to returning in week 12. 2018 third-round pick Chad Thomas has filled in for Vernon over the past couple of games and actually has a sack in each game on a little better than 75% usage. The matchup for the Browns in week 12 is a juicy one, the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland. If you are sack hunting, both of these guys have a great shot at logging a sack in week 12 and they have low ownership percentages.
Defensive Back Plays
It was a remarkably consistent week for defensive back recommendations as no matter which option you took, you were rewarded with at least 12 fantasy points. DJ Swearinger at 60% usage split snaps with Curtis Riley at 40% usage. Swearinger still rewarded owners brave enough to use him with 7 total tackles against the Bengals. Jalen Thompson took every snap but one at strong safety and turned in 5 solo tackles and an interception against the 49ers. Finally, Nik Needham continued his strong IDP output with 6 solo tackles, 2 PDs and a forced fumble on 99% usage against the Bills.
Darian Thompson DAL S – 4-3 S Value: DB2 – DB3
With regular starter Jeff Heath out with a shoulder injury, former Giant Darian Thompson has stepped up to fill the starting strong safety role for the Cowboys. IN two games since assuming the role, Thompson has turned in 12 total tackles and a PD. Adding to the intrigue is the matchup in week 12, the Patriots in New England. The Patriots are affording opposing strong safeties 12.7 fantasy points per game this year. Given the low cost of ownership here, Thompson seems like an easy plug-and-play option for DB streamers.
Sheldrick Redwine CLE S – 4-3 SS Value: DB3 (Dynasty stash)
First off, first-team All-Name squad right here. Secondly, 2019 fourth-round pick Redwine is likely to be pressed into starting duty with the Browns seeing massive losses in their secondary. Jermaine Whitehead social media’d himself off of the team, Eric Murray remains out still recovering from knee surgery on Nov 1 and Morgan Burnett is out for the year with an Achilles injury. That leaves Redwine and Damarious Randall as the only true able-bodied safeties on the team. Juston Burris moved inside as well to help with safety duties as Randall was ejected from the Browns’ week 11 games against the Steelers for a helmet-to-helmet hit but he is a converted corner and was likely there for emergency purposes. Free agency might play into this a little bit but I’d expect the Browns to give their rookie a shot to prove himself. The Dolphins in week 12 aren’t a great IDP matchup but Redwine’s appeal is more in the fantasy playoffs or for dynasty purposes.
Ricardo Allen ATL S – 4-3 SS Value: DB3
Ricardo Allen hasn’t made much noise this year among IDP circles but he is the top IDP option amongst the Falcons’ secondary with Keanu Neal done for the year with an Achilles injury. While his numbers haven’t been eye-popping, he has a solid 7-9 point tackle floor and is coming off of his best game of the season against the Panthers with 6 total tackles, 3 PDs and an interception. He plays virtually every snap and if the Falcons’ defense continues to make strides, he may be in line for a big value increase. On top of that, the Falcons visit Tampa Bay in week 12. The Buccaneers are offering over 13 fantasy points per game to opposing strong safeties this year. I’d give Allen a look as a high-floor option at DB.
Russell Westbrook (28/13/10) had a breakout game as Houston (11-3) extended its winning streak to eight in Monday’s home win over Portland.
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If the Houston Rockets could win seven straight games without peak Russell Westbrook, just imagine what they might can do with the version that tallied 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists during Monday’s 132-108 home blowout (box score) over Portland (5-9).
It’s the eighth consecutive win for the Rockets (11-3), and their second in a row by 20+ points. Superstar guard James Harden scored a game-high 36 points on an extremely efficient 11-of-19 shooting perforance, while Clint Capela returned after a two-game medical absence and grabbed 20 rebounds for his fourth straight game.
The @HoustonRockets James Harden has more points scored than minutes played in each of his last nine games, the longest such streak since the ABA-NBA merger.
But the Rockets had already become accustomed during this streak to peak performances from the likes of Capela and Harden, who might have a realistic chance to average 40 points per game.
Thus, it was the contributions from Westbrook that were most eye-opening and took Monday’s showing to a new level.
Consider the fact the Rockets had won seven straight with Westbrook — a former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and future Hall of Famer — not even playing that well, by his career standards.
Craziest thing about the 7-game #Rockets winning streak is that Westbrook hasn't even played that well. Entering today, he was at 40% shooting, 19% on 3s and just 5.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Now add this version of Russ, with 27/11/8 in 30 minutes (so far) and three 3s? Whoa.
Of those seven prior games, the 31-year-old sat out two for planned maintenance on back-to-backs. In the five he did play, Westbrook shot just 40.0% overall and 18.5% on three-pointers, and the 6-foot-3 guard best known for averaging a triple-double in three straight seasons had tallied just 5.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
In the game before the winning streak began — a humiliating 129-100 beatdown in Miami on Sunday, Nov. 3 — Westbrook had just 10 points (3-of-11 shooting), 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, along with a historically bad plus/minus of -46 in just 26 minutes.
That trend changed in a big way during Monday’s win, with Westbrook grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists in 34 minutes. He also made three shots from three-point range, and his defense helped limit Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (and Westbrook’s personal rival) to just 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
Quite the sequence here from Westbrook. Gets the tip in, pumps up the crowd, and pokes the ball away from Lillard to end the quarter. This is one of his best outings as a Rocket. pic.twitter.com/1TuT3m6yWu
Westbrook still struggled at times with his jump shot at 9-of-26 (34.6%) overall and 3-of-11 (27.3%) on three-pointers, but he was much more aggressive than in recent games at attacking the basket. That can clearly be seen in his heightened assist and rebound totals.
In all, the slash line of 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists was Westbrook’s third triple-double as a member of the Rockets, and his first since the fourth game of the season back on Oct. 30.
It was an especially perfect time for Westbrook’s breakout performance of November, since it came on his first bobblehead night at Toyota Center with his new team.
.@russwest44 put on a show on his bobblehead night!
The competition for Westbrook and the Rockets stiffens later this week, with road games looming at Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Friday, respectively. They’ll certainly need to play very well to extend their eight-game winning streak against a pair of perceived Western Conference contenders
Then again, perhaps the most impressive part of Houston’s current run is that it has largely taken place without Westbrook being in peak form. That’s why Monday’s blowout win over Portland — with Westbrook leading the way — was a reminder that the red-hot Rockets still have significant untapped potential.
There were 18 seconds left on the shot clock after Russell Westbrook goes coast to coast for the easy layup. Elite speed. pic.twitter.com/Z7sFdnQ9AS
Westbrook on his offensive night: "Staying with it. Playing off my defense is what I want to do. It's how I've been doing it all season long." Said he takes pride in his defense nightly. "The offense will come." #Rockets
In fact, the 24-point win over the Trail Blazers was reminiscent of something Westbrook himself said back at the team’s Media Day in late September about his new team with the Rockets.
“It’s going to be scary, that’s all I can tell you,” Westbrook said of his pairing with Harden in Houston. “It’s going to be scary. … Not for us.”
