The History of Zero Points

Fact – No previous NFL season has ever reached Week 9 without a shutout.

There have been exactly ZERO shutouts in the NFL through Week 11.

You know, that horrific happening when a team plays sixty minutes and yet produces no points to prove they were even there. In fantasy football, you don’t even have to look at the box score to know your player didn’t have a big week. For any offense, shutout is a dirty word.

Fact – No previous NFL season has ever reached Week 8 without a shutout. This is a record setting year.

It’s a brave new world now, but it always includes at least a field goal.

NFL shutouts since the 1970 merger

There were plenty of shutouts over time – 505 since the 1970 merger. But none this season. Here’s also proof how much better offenses are than back in the 1970’s when defenses ruled. The NFL prior to the merger had plenty of shutouts as well, but they played shorter seasons.

Fact – The worst shutouts were  Titans 0, Patriots 59 (2009) and Falcons 0, Rams 59 (1976).

Fact – The lowest total points scored in an NFL game was six, reached in 12 games and most recently 2023 when the Chargers beat the Patriots 6-0.

Most shutouts of an offense since 1970

Ths contains teams by their city, so there are more than 32. The AFC East had three of the Top-7 offenses that were shut out. These are over 54 years.

Most shutouts by a defense since 1970

Interesting that over the 54 years, most of the best defenses at shutting out an opponent are still among the top defenses.

Statistics courtesy of stathead.com, a part of Pro Football Reference

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 12

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 12.

For those who had Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell in their lineups last Sunday, good for you. In the history of the NFL – regular season and postseason – nobody else had made six field goals in a game more than twice. On Sunday, Boswell did it for the fourth time.

Never underestimate kickers in your lineup, especially with the potential of bad weather coming during the fantasy playoffs.

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 223

Talking NFL news, top-5 skill players, DFS lineups, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, rest-of-season top-5s at skill positions, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways, and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 11

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 11.

For those who drafted some of the top tight ends only to be bitterly disappointed, it would appear the tide has turned.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has caught 32 passes over the last three games. Sam LaPorta (shoulder) of the Detroit Lions is catching touchdowns after a slow start. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews has five touchdowns in his last five games.

For those who were impatient, these guys were traded after painfully slow starts. Those who are patient have been rewarded. Only give up on tight ends after National Tights Ends Day.

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 222

Talking NFL news, preparing for six teams on bye in Week 12, DFS lineups, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, prepping for the bye-pocalypse,  and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways, and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 10

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 10.

Years from now, the 2024 season will be remembered as the year of the fantasy kicker. With many leagues giving out five points for field goals of 50 or more yards, having a long bomber is a must. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have one.

At the halfway point of the season, only five teams roster kickers who have missed more than 50% of their attempts from 50-plus yards – the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.

Teams are now expecting kickers to make 60-yard field goals and, as long as they keep asking, kickers will quietly become a more important fantasy roster spot.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 10 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football entering Week 10.

With the fantasy football season entering its second half, the waiver wire remains arguably the most important tool to make that push for the playoffs.

There are four teams on a bye in Week 10, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 9

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 9.

With the trade deadline looming on Election Day, there are a lot of potential deals that could be made, because the disparity of the haves and have-nots in the NFL is bigger this year than usual.

Buffalo, Houston and Kansas City are already locks for their division titles, the NFC North may send four teams to the playoffs, and NFC West has all four within a half-game of each other.

Will the trade floodgates open? Get your popcorn ready.

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 220

Talking NFL news, fantasy strength of schedule, DFS, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, player targets based on playoff strength of schedule, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 8

The top risers and fallers heading into Week 8.

Before the start of the season, a lot of teams were hyped to make the playoffs and even have a potential deep Super Bowl run.

After seven weeks, many have them have fallen flat, including the New York Jets (2-5), Miami Dolphins (2-4), Cincinnati Bengals (3-4), Cleveland Browns (1-6), Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5), Dallas Cowboys (3-3), New Orleans Saints (2-5), San Francisco 49ers (3-4), and Los Angeles Rams (2-4).

While there is still time for many of them to turn their seasons around, for those who don’t, change may be coming. Younger talent will get a longer look, and they may be sellers at the trade deadline. That could shake things up as much or more as Davante Adams and Amari Cooper being sent packing for greener pastures.