Tag: Curtis Samuel

Tunnel Vision of Week 16

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
Tom Brady 348 4
 Deshaun Watson 324-38 3
 Andy Dalton 377-15 3
 Mitchell Trubisky 265-10 3
Aaron Rodgers 231-19 4
Running Backs Yards TD
Alvin Kamara 22-155
3-17		 6
Myles Gaskin 14-87
5-82		 2
Samaje Perine 13-95
4-41		 2
David Johnson 12-128
3-11		 2
Jeffery Wilson 22-183
1-21		 1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
Mike Evans 10-181 2
Michael Gallup 6-121 2
Jamison Crowder 7-92
1-43 pass		 2
Brandin Cooks 7-141 1
Nelson Agholor 5-155 1
Tight Ends Yards TD
Irv Smith Jr. 6-53 2
Jimmy Graham 4-69 2
Travis Kelce 7-98 1
Rob Gronkowski 2-58 2
Darren Waller 5-112 0
Placekickers XP FG
Jason Sanders 2 4
Mike Badgley 1 4
Greg Zuerlein 4 3
Daniel Carlson 1 4
Austin Seibert 4 3
Defense Sck-TO TD
Buccaneers 4-2 0
Panthers 3-4 1
Seahawks 3-1 0
Lions 2-0 1
49ers 2-2 0

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

QB Matt Stafford (DET) – Ankle
QB Kyler Murray (ARI) – Leg
QB Deshaun Watson (HOU) – Arm
QB Jared Goff (LAR) – Thumb
RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL) – Chest
RB Chase Edmonds (ARI) – Hip
RB Darrell Henderson (LAR) – Ankle
RB Frank Gore (NYJ) – Chest
WR Sammy Watkins (KC) – Calf
WR Jakeen Grant (MIA) – Ankle
WR K.J. Hamler (DEN) – Concussion
TE Dallas Goedert (PHI) – Calf

Chasing Ambulances

QB Matt Stafford (DET)  – Stafford keeps getting knocked out of games and this time it was an ankle sprain. It is reported to be minor,  and he may play in Week 17. He already said that he would play the final game if possible and there is a chance that it would be his final game in Detroit if trade rumors end up being true.

QB Kyler Murray (ARI) – Had his leg whipped in the loss to the 49ers but initial evaluations were that it wasn’t serious. HC Kliff Kingsbury hasn’t officially given an update yet which will be later this week.

QB Deshaun Watson (HOU) – His arm was awkwardly bent backward on a pass play when he was hit as he threw the ball. He his was stuck in the facemask of the defender as he went by. He did return to the field for one more pass but his arm will undergo further examination to ensure that he did not damage it.

QB Jared Goff (LAR) – Early word is that Goff broke the thumb on his passing hand when it hit a defender’s helmet after a pass. There are concerns that he will miss the critical matchup with the Cardinals this week if not even more time. John Wolford is the backup quarterback. He was a free agent rookie in 2018 that played for the Arizona Hotshots in the AAF league.

RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL) – Had his chest  injured in the third quarter of the win over the Giants on a hard tackle and was held out of rest of the game. He wasn’t needed so they could have just been protective of their primary running back. There should be more clarity after Monday.

RB Darrell Henderson (LAR) – Left the loss to the Seahawks after injuring his ankle and never returned. He limped off the field. With Cam Akers already out with a high-ankle sprain, the Rams are down to only Malcolm Brown and practice squadder Xavier Jones.

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

TE Irv Smith Jr. (MIN) – The second-year tight end is stepping up into a bigger role. He caught six passes for 53 yards and two scores in the loss to the Saints this week, which gives him five touchdowns over his last five games.

RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn (TB) – Ran for 62 yards on 15 carries and caught a seven-yard pass. Leonard Fournette signed a one-year deal and is expected to sign elsewhere so Vaughn should step into the No. 2 role behind Ronald Jones next year.

RB Jeff Wilson (SF) – Ran for a career-high 183 yards on 22 rushes in the win over the Cardinals. He added a 21-yard catch for a touchdown. No other back ran more than twice. The 49ers like their committee and Wilson is making a case to remain part of the rotation even when Raheem Mostert is healthy – which has not been that often this year.

QB Taylor Heinicke (WAS) – Dwayne Haskin is likely to have plenty of time for the strip club since he’s likely played his last for the Football Team. Haskin was benched after throwing for 154 yards and two interceptions as Washington fell behind 20-0 against the visiting Panthers. Heinicke came into the game and completed 12-of-19 for 137 yards and one score. If Alex Smith remains out in Week 17, Heinicke is likely to be the starter.

RB Myles Gaskin (MIA) – He returned from a two-game absence on the COVID-list and was reported to share the workload with Salvon Ahmed who has impressed when given the opportunity. But Ahmed only carried six times for two yards while Gaskin led the Dolphins with 14 carries for 87 yards, and was also their leading receiver with five catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Cannot imagine that running back will be considered a need in the offseason.

RB Samaje Perine (CIN) – The fourth-year journeyman back logged a career-best 95 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns and four receptions for 41 yards. Perine was given a longer look to help the Bengals make decisions in the offseason and he responded well, although they played the Texans.  He’ll face the Ravens next week which will be more telling.

WR Curtis Samuel (CAR) – Led the Panthers with a career-best 106 yards on five catches in the win in Washington and he was also the leading rusher with a career-high 52 yards on seven carries. The former second-round pick in 2018 had been a disappointment but has fourished in HC Matt Rhule’s new offense.

RB Dare Ogunbowale (JAC) – Replaced James Robinson against the Bears and ran for 71 yards on 14 carries. He added three catches for seven yards. Playing at the Colts will be tougher if Robinson remains out, but Ogunbowale gets the benefit of the defense not caring as much about the rushing offense during the second half when the Jaguars are falling further behind.

RB Darrell Williams (KC) – With Clyde Edwards-Helaire out, the expectation was that Le’Veon Bell would take over as the primary back and potentially be a big asset. But Bell only ran for 30 yards on seven carries and caught a single pass for nine yards. Williams ran ten times for 46 yards and caught four passes for 27 yards. Same split backfield and Bell was still the No. 2 back.

QB Justin Herbert (LAC) – He passed for 253 yards and one score in the win over the Broncos. That totaled 28 touchdowns which is a new all-time rookie record, surpassing Baker Mayfield’s 27.

WR Ja’Marcus Bradley (CLE) – The Browns lost all of the wideouts on their active roster to the COVID list, and called up Bradley from the practice squad. He caught 5-of-11 targets for 60 yards as the second best receiver for the Browns behind only Austin Hooper. Baker Mayfield did not shy away from him during his debut.

RB Jonathan Taylor (IND) – Not sure how it works in 2021 if Marlon Mack returns, but Taylor has responded well when used as a full-time workhorse. He ran for 74 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries at the Steelers and that gives him five touchdowns and 307 rushing yards over his last three games.

TE Travis Kelce (KC) – Caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Falcons. That gives him 1,416 yards in the season for the most by any tight end in NFL history. And he has one more game to play.

WR DeSean Jackson (PHI) – He was finally activated from injured reserve and caught just one pass at the Cowboys – an 81-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He never had another target but showed his vintage bomb-catching ability in his first game back.

RB AJ Dillon (GB) – The Packers second-round rookie saw minimal use in the  seven previous games that he was active.  He spent time on the COVID-19 list. Jamaal Williams missed this week with a thigh injury and Dillon was expected to provide relief carries for Aaron Jones. But the 6-0, 247-pound back proved an effective weapon in the snowy conditions in Green Bay on Sunday night. Jones gained 94 yards on ten carries but the rookie ended with 124 yards and two touchdowns on his 21 carries. He added a five-yard catch. On a cold, sloppy field, the powerback brings a new element to the backfield.

QB Jalen Hurts (PHI) – Passed for 338 yards and ran for 63 yards in the loss in Dallas. Combined with Week 15, he joins Michael Vick as the only quarterbacks with back-to-back games of 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards.

NFL Playoffs

AFC

14-1 Chiefs First-round bye
12-3 Steelers won the North
11-3 Bills won the East

There are five teams that are 10-5 and only four more spots.

Titans, Ravens, Browns, Dolphins, Colts

NFC

12-3 Packers lead for No. 1 seed
11-4 Saints won South
11-4 Seahawks won West
10-5 Buccaneers will be a wildcard

NFC East will be either the 6-9 Football Team, 6-9 Cowboys, or 5-10 Giants. Division winner advances, the other two drop out.

The final two NFC wildcards will be either

9-6 Rams
8-7 Bears
8-7 Cardinals

Huddle player of the week

Alvin Kamara  –  It was amazing enough to happen at all and for Week 16 when fantasy championships are being earned? Kamara ran for 155 yards on 22 carries and an astounding six touchdowns – it could have been seven but they let Taysom Hill run one in for some reason. Kamara also added three catches for 17 yards in one of the best fantasy performances of all time. Sadly, not every Kamara owner was in their league championship and the performance was wasted.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Andy Dalton 377-15 3 QB Drew Brees 311-(-3) 0
RB Myles Gaskin 14-87
5-82		 2 RB Josh Jacobs 13-69 0
RB Samaje Perine 13-95
5-82		 2 RB Melvin Gordon 16-79 0
WR Michael Gallup 6-121 2 WR D.J. Moore 5-37 0
WR Nelson Agholor 5-155 1 WR DK Metcalf 6-59 0
WR Sterling Shepard 9-77 1 WR DeAndre Hopkins 8-48 0
TE Irv Smith 6-53 2 TE T.J. Hockenson 4-23 0
PK Jason Sanders   2 XP   4 FG PK Younghoe Koo   2 XP
Huddle Fantasy Points = 217 Huddle Fantasy Points = 66

Now get back to work…

Winners and losers from the Panthers’ 20-13 win over Washington

Here are our winners and losers from Sunday’s game.

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Playing spoiler to Ron Rivera and the Washington Football Team’s division-clinching hopes, the Carolina Panthers earned a decisive 20-13 victory in the nation’s capitol today.

Here are our winners and losers from Sunday’s game.

Winner: WR/RB Curtis Samuel

Samuel is having a career year for Carolina. Today, the versatile receiver got it done through the air and on the ground, totaling 158 yards from scrimmage and leading the team in rushing and receiving yards. Both were career highs for Samuel, who will either sign an extension with the Panthers or hit free agency this offseason. Unfortunately for Carolina, the latter is looking increasingly likely with each impressive performance.

Loser: Panthers’ draft position

The Jaguars may have clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but the Panthers’ draft position had the potential to swing multiple places in the Top-10 depending on how their final two games finished. With the win in D.C., Carolina will temporarily slide down to the ninth pick in the draft, which if it holds all but solidifies the team missing out on a top QB prospect.

Winner: Carolina secondary

The Panthers’ defense picked up right where they left off last week against Green Bay, but the effort was notably easier as they faced the mistake-prone Dwayne Haskins most of the game. Overall, the Carolina secondary took advantage of favorable matchups to force the second-year quarterback into a final stat line of 154 yards, two interceptions and a fumble before he was benched for Taylor Heinicke. Tahir Whitehead and Tre Boston both had picks, while Donte Jackson forced an end-zone incompletion in one of Washington’s last-ditch efforts.

Loser: QB Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater’s poor performance was largely overlooked thanks to an even worse outing by Haskins, but it’s worth mentioning, nonetheless. The Panthers won today thanks to an impressive defensive and special teams effort, not an offensive one. Bridgewater finished the game with a lower quarterback rating than Taylor Heinicke, posting 197 yards on 19 completions while throwing for a touchdown and one interception.

Winner: DT Derrick Brown

Th defensive line has been a major source of hope as of late, and a large reason for that success has been the emergence of first-round draft pick Derrick Brown. Brown deflected two passes at the line of scrimmage and got to the quarterback once, helping to set up the Panthers’ defensive line to finish the game with three sacks and four tackles for a loss.

Loser: OT/G Michael Schofield

Filling in for Trent Scott, Michael Schofield was no match for rookie defensive end Chase Young. The Panthers offensive line allowed Young the opportunity to all-but-solidify his Defensive Rookie of the Year bid, as the No. 2 overall pick ended the game with four tackles, a sack, a pass deflection and a quarterback hit. Montez Sweat also chipped in, adding a key fourth-quarter sack on Bridgewater after easily getting past Schofield.

Winner: Fumble recoveries

As the offense stalled on first-quarter drives, the punt coverage team scored the first touchdown of the day after Washington muffed Joseph Charlton’s kick. Trenton Cannon made a textbook tackle to knee the football into the end zone, then Zylstra fell on it to put six on the scoreboard and score his first NFL touchdown. The Panthers also had a defensive fumble recovery forced by Marquis Haynes, Sr. and recovered by Jermaine Carter Jr.

Loser: K Joey Slye

Slye did not attempt a single field goal today, and that was not because the Panthers never got in range. After missing an extra point attempt in the first quarter, Matt Rhule and Joe Brady consistently tried to convert fourth downs rather than kick mid-to-long-range field goals. If the Panthers’ staff has lost trust in their kicker, it’s only a matter of time before a new one is brought in.

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Report: Panthers fine 4 players for breaking COVID-19 protocols

The Carolina Panthers have fined four players $10,000 each for breaking the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols during their recent bye week, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.

The Carolina Panthers have fined four players $10,000 each for breaking the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols during their recent bye week, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.

Wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown and linebacker Shaq Thompson are the players who were fined. The rule they violated was gathering off-site from the team facility over the bye week.

Moore is still currently on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list and missed Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Starting defensive tackle Zach Kerr is on the list, as well. The other players have all been activated.

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Panthers coach Matt Rhule comments on failed final drive vs. Denver

According to coach Matt Rhule, Bridgewater was told by the coaches not to run the play.

There were many frustrating things about the Panthers’ five-point home loss to the Broncos on Sunday. The way it ended should be at the top of the list.

For the seventh time this season, Carolina had a chance to win or tie with a final drive. For the seventh time, they fell short. The failed last series never really got off the ground, either. Teddy Bridgewater’s decision to rush a play before the two-minute warning was the first nail in the coffin. According to coach Matt Rhule, Bridgewater was told by the coaches not to run the play.

As for the last play of the drive, which saw Bridgewater throw well short of the sticks on fourth and eight, Rhule says that Curtis Samuel’s route was supposed to be run several yards deeper. Nevertheless, he’d prefer if his QB had thrown past the sticks.

Despite the latest disappointing turn of events, Rhule says he has no plans to use the final three games of the season as a “tryout.”

That means we likely won’t get to see P.J. Walker start another game this year unless Bridgewater is injured.

However, there’s a chance we could see Greg Little. Rhule said he is next up if left tackle Russell Okung winds up being ruled out against the Packers.

Speaking of which, the Panthers have opened as nine-point underdogs for Saturday’s game in Green Bay.

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2 keys to a Panthers win over the Broncos in Week 14

Here are two that will help get them back in the win column.

The Carolina Panthers have lost six of their last seven games heading into today’s matchup with the Denver Broncos. If they’re going to turn that trend around, they’ll need to follow a few keys.

Here are two that should help get them back in the win column.

Offense: Let Curtis Samuel lead

The Panthers are missing a couple of key pieces on offense this week, with Christian McCaffrey out due to shoulder/thigh injuries and D.J. Moore still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That makes it all the more important for Carolina to get No. 10 involved. Robby Anderson should get his targets, but Curtis Samuel is the best playmaker in the lineup today and therefore needs to get the most touches. Samuel has been dynamic as a rusher and a receiver this season and this is an excellent opportunity for him to prove (again) that he’s worth a long-term, lucrative contract extension.

Defense: Make Denver one-dimensional

The Broncos don’t have a very capable starting quarterback in Drew Lock, who has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (9) this year. Meanwhile, Denver has a couple of solid running backs in Philip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon and they have one of the league’s more run-heavy offensive schemes. The gameplan for defensive coordinator Phil Snow should be to shut down the Broncos’ rushing attack and force Lock to beat his young defense.

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Panthers activate 3 more players from reserve/COVID-19 list

HHowever, there is some good news to report.

Friday practice has begun for the Panthers ahead of their matchup with the Broncos this weekend. While they are favored by 3.5 points, the team is shorthanded right now due to injuries and the pandemic, as they have been all season. However, there is some good news to report.

According to Bill Voth, linebacker Shaq Thompson, defensive tackle Derrick Brown and wide receiver Curtis Samuel have all been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. D.J. Moore and Zach Kerr are still out, though.

And now the bad news: running back Christian McCaffrey is not at practice.

McCaffrey is dealing with multiple injuries. He suffered an AC joint issue in his shoulder Week 9 against the Chiefs and also tweaked his thigh during the bye week.

The full Week 14 injury report will be coming out soon, and we’ll get a better idea of who will be in the lineup against Denver and who won’t.

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8 Panthers players placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Panthers just announced that eight players have been placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Panthers just announced that eight players have been placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.

Here is the list, per the team website.

WR D.J. Moore
WR Curtis Samuel
DT Derrick Brown
DT Zach Kerr
LB Shaq Thompson
OT Greg Little
P Michael Palardy (IR)
WR Ishmael Hyman (PS)

This is a pretty brutal list for an inexperienced team that’s had problems with injuries and COVID-19 all season.

Wide receiver is obviously the major concern, here. If Moore and Samuel are both out it will be an enormous blow to Carolina’s passing game, no matter how impressive Robby Anderson has been this season.

Defensive tackle is another other huge concern. Both Brown and Kerr have played well this season and with Kawann Short out for the year there’s not very much depth left behind them at all. To make matters worse, defensive tackle Bruce Hector is also on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list. That’s where wide receiver Ishmael Hyman is headed, as well.

As bad as all this is for the depth chart, right now football is a secondary concern. What matters most is the health and safety of these athletes and their families. We wish all those involved a full recovery and urge everyone to take precautions to do everything they can to avoid catching a virus that has killed almost 300,000 Americans to date.

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Fanrasy Football Targets, Touches and TDs: Week 13

A look at the best and worst fantasy football schedules the rest of the way.

So we’re past Thanksgiving.

That not only means fewer than 30 shopping days until Christmas, but also that the fantasy football playoffs are essentially upon us.

In the majority of leagues, postseason play kicks off Week 14 and runs through Week 16 when the majority of 2020 champions will be crowned.

With that very stretch in focus, this week’s TT&T is referencing The Huddle’s extremely useful Fantasy Strength of Schedule tool and looking at the easiest and toughest postseason itineraries for each of the five main fantasy positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and team defense/special teams. The 10 easiest and 10 toughest are listed for each, followed by quick thoughts on what jumps out from the rankings.

All statistics and rankings are through Week 12 play Monday night.

Quarterback

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy QB schedules

1) Rams, 2) Buccaneers, 3) Washington, 4) Packers, 5) Chargers, 6) Broncos, 7) Jets, 8) Lions, 9) Bears, 10) Falcons

Notable

  • Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert had his first sub-20-fantasy-point game with 19.6 in Buffalo on Sunday, but he still currently ranks fifth among healthy quarterbacks with an average of 27.9 points per outing. According to the strength of schedule tool, the Chargers have faced the fifth-easiest fantasy QB slate so far this season (Weeks 1-12), and it’s not going to get any tougher in the fantasy playoffs with matchups against the Falcons, Raiders and Broncos, so plan to keep riding the rookie.
  • Grizzled veterans Aaron Rodgers (sixth among QBs with a 27.5-fantasy-point average) and Tom Brady (eighth with 24.7 points) should continue to defy Father Time, at least through the fantasy postseason, with top-four fantasy QB schedules that feature a combined three positive matchups (opposing teams in the top eight of average QB fantasy points allowed), three neutral contests (opposing defenses ranked ninth through 24th) and no negative matchups (25th and below).
  • The Rams’ Jared Goff is going to be tough to trust coming off his season-worst 11-point dud Sunday against the 49ers, but the fantasy postseason schedule is juicy, particularly matchups against two of the four most favorable fantasy defenses (Seahawks and Jets) in Weeks 15 and 16 if you get that far and still need a streaming or a QB2 option in a two-quarterback league.
  • The Lions’ Matthew Stafford and Falcons’ Matt Ryan also are set up as favorable streaming options, but definitely keep an eye on the health of their respective receiving weapons (namely WRs Kenny Golladay and Julio Jones) before rolling with either in a win-or-go-home fantasy playoff contest.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy QB schedules

1) Bills, 2) Texans, 3) Bengals, 4) Cardinals, 5) Colts, 6) Jaguars, 7) Panthers, 8) Vikings, 9) Eagles, 10. Cowboys

Notable

  • You’re almost assuredly still going to keep riding top-seven fantasy QBs Kyler Murray (first), Josh Allen (fourth), and Deshaun Watson (seventh) in the fantasy playoffs, but don’t expect smooth sailing with a combined nine-game postseason itinerary that features five minus matchups, four neutrals and no plus fantasy contests.
  • The Vikings’ Kirk Cousins is sixth among QBs (two-start minimum) with an average of 26.6 fantasy points over the last three weeks, and that should continue with favorable matchups against the Jaguars (third best for fantasy QBs) and Bucs (fifth best) ahead the next two week. But games against the Bears (third stingiest vs. fantasy QBs) and Saints (seventh) in Weeks 15 and 16 are cause for concern if you’re trying to map out possible streaming plans for the coming month.

Running back

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy RB schedules

1) Titans, 2) Packers, 3) Bears, 4) Lions, 5) Broncos, 6) Buccaneers, 7) Dolphins, 8) Colts, 9) Ravens, 10) Panthers

Notable

  • League rushing leader Derrick Henry (1,257 yards) is already crushing with an average of 20.1 fantasy points (point-per-reception scoring) — and that’s despite only 23.3 total receiving points (14 catches for 93 yards and no TDs). And here’s predicting King Henry will be the crown jewel on a number of league championship teams with a fantasy postseason schedule that consists of plus matchups against the Jaguars, Lions and Packers — all top-six defenses in terms of average fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.
  • The Packers, with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, also are 3-for-3 in positive fantasy running back postseason matchups with games against the not-so-formidable run defenses of the Lions, Panthers and Titans.
  • If you’ve been hanging tight through the ups and downs with rookie RBs D’Andre Swift (Lions), Jonathan Taylor (Colts) and K. Dobbins (Ravens), it could very well pay off in the fantasy postseason provided that Swift recovers from his concussion, which kept him out in Weeks 11 and 12, and Taylor gains clearance from COVID-19 issues.
  • Those who spent the No. 1 overall draft pick on Christian McCaffrey have only received three games out of him so far due to injury, but they’ve yielded a whopping 90.4 fantasy points. And if you make it to the postseason despite CMC’s prolonged absence and he returns in Week 14, that top pick could very well pay off when it matters most as the Panthers face the 10th-most favorable fantasy RB postseason schedule with games against the Broncos, Packers and Washington.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy RB schedules

1) Vikings, 2) Chiefs, 3) Bills, 4) Cowboys, 5) Eagles, 6) Giants, 7) Seahawks, 8) Cardinals, 9) Texans, 10) 49ers

Notable

  • Among running backs who have played at least four games, Minnesota stud Dalvin Cook leads the way with an average of 25.1 fantasy points per contest. But it’s interesting to note that, according to The Huddle SOS, the Vikings have played the easiest fantasy running back slate to date (Weeks 1-12). Minnesota will encounter the toughest running back road in the fantasy postseason with games against the Bucs, Bears and Saints. You’re still rolling with Cook, but temper expectations that he’s going to single-handedly carry your squad to a league title.
  • Those fantasy general managers who have weathered the weekly roller coaster with high draft picks Ezekiel Elliott, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kenyan Drake and Miles Sanders need to be prepared for tough fantasy postseason itineraries and might need to seriously weigh other starting options come playoff time.

Wide receiver

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy WR schedules

1) Rams, 2) Buccaneers, 3) Washington, 4) Bears, 5) Packers, 6) Lions, 7) Jets, 8) Ravens, 9) Chargers, 10) Titans

Notable

  • The Rams’ Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are both currently WR2s with 16.6 and 14.3 fantasy-point-per-game averages, respectively, and the going should be even more favorable in the fantasy playoffs with the easiest projected schedule for wide receivers, particularly the back-to-back matchups against the Jets and Seahawks in the Weeks 15 and 16. It’s a big reason why we just got done talking about Goff as a viable streaming option in the fantasy postseason.
  • Despite continued far from ideal QB play, the Bears’ Allen Robinson ranks 13th among wideouts with an average of 16.7 fantasy points per game, and he should continue to shine with a fantasy playoff slate that consists of the Texans, Vikings and Jaguars, all of which ranks among the top third of most favorable fantasy wide receiver secondaries.
  • The Lions’ Golladay has only played four full games — and none since Week 7 — this season due to injury issues, but if he can return in the coming weeks, he should be able to feast on a Week 14-16 slate that includes matchups against the Packers, Titans and Bucs.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy WR schedules

1) Panthers, 2) Jaguars, 3) Patriots, 4) Seahawks, 5) Texans, 6) Raiders, 7) Bills, 8) Steelers, 9) Dolphins, 10) Broncos

Notable

As mentioned with McCaffrey above, the Panthers’ fantasy postseason schedule is more of a run funnel, as the Carolina wideouts face the toughest playoff slate with games against the Broncos, Packers and Washington. That could mean an end-of-season damper for Panthers receivers Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore and the surging Curtis Samuel. To date, the SOS metrics say the Panthers have faced the easiest fantasy WR slate so far, but that’s about to change drastically.

  • The Texans’ wideout duo of Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks has been a boon for Watson, but now Fuller has been suspended for the remainder of the season and the next three weeks are brutal with a matchup against the Bears (fourth toughest vs. opposing fantasy wide receivers) sandwiched between the divisional home-and-home contests against the Colts (seventh toughest).
  • Seattle’s DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are both WR1s, with a combined average of 37.3 fantasy points per outing — tops among wide receiver duos. But playoff matchups against two of the three toughest fantasy wide receiver secondaries (Washington, Rams) in Weeks 15 and 16 is brutal timing.

Tight end

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy TE schedules

1) Broncos, 2) Vikings, 3) Jaguars, 4) Falcons, 5) Ravens, 6) Texans, 7) Steelers, 8) Jets, 9) Seahawks, 10) Bears

Notable

  • Can Denver Noah’s Fant, currently 11th among active tight ends with an average of 9.6 fantasy points per game, finish with a florurish? A Week 14-16 schedule that consists of games against three top-third fantasy TE defenses (Panthers, Bills and Chargers) certainly throws the door wide open to that possibility.
  • The Falcons’ Hayden Hurst and the Steelers’ Eric Ebron, both tied for 12th at the position with an average of 9.5 fantasy points per game, have been solid high-end streaming options for most of the season, and both definitely should be locked in with favorable fantasy postseason schedules ahead.
  • Speaking of tight end streaming options with plus slates coming up, keep Vikings tight ends Irv Smith (if healthy) and Kyle Rudolph on the radar as Minnesota faces the Bucs, Bears and Saints — all beatable fantasy tight end defenses — in the fantasy playoffs.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy TE schedules

1) Bills, 2) Cardinals, 3) Raiders, 4) Colts, 5) Bengals, 6) Panthers, 7) Titans, 8) Washington, 9) Eagles, 10) Dolphins

Notable

  • Thanks to his tight end-leading seven touchdown grabs (tied with Travis Kelce and Robert Tonyan), the Titans’ Jonnu Smith ranks eighth among still-active TEs with his average of 10.2 fantasy points per game. But Smith is tied for 16th at the position in both receptions (30) and yards (338) and faces two of the eight toughest fantasy tight end defenses (Lions and Packers) back-to-back in Weeks 15 and 16.

Team defense/special teams

Easiest Week 14-16 fantasy D/ST schedules

1) Cowboys, 2) Cardinals, 3) Seahawks, 4) 49ers, 5) Panthers, 6) Browns, 7) Texans, 8) Chargers, 9) Saints, 10) Rams

Notable

  • This is where a fantasy strength of schedule lookahead is especially useful with the abundance of defensive/special teams unit streaming.
  • An intriguing list to be sure as six of these 10 D/STs (Cowboys, Cardinals, 49ers, Panthers, Texans and Chargers) rank in the bottom half at this position in terms of average fantasy points per game. Dallas, which is ranked 27th among D/STs with an average of 4.2 fantasy points per outing, presents the biggest conundrum as it has three plus-matchups (opposing offenses ranked among the eight most charitable in terms of average fantasy defensive points surrendered), including the Bengals in Week 14 and Eagles in Week 16.
  • Those already rostering the Browns, Rams and Saints — all current top-nine D/STs — will be wise to keep them locked in through the fantasy postseason.

Toughest Week 14-16 fantasy D/ST schedules

1) Lions, 2) Chiefs, 3) Colts, 4) Falcons, 5) Dolphins, 6) Packers, 7) Raiders, 8) Broncos, 9) Giants, 10) Jaguars

Notable

  • Figuring out how to handle the Indy and Miami D/STs, both current top-five units, will be challenging as neither has a top-half postseason matchup with the Raiders’ offense (17th-most-favorable matchup) coming the closest.
  • Stay away from streaming the Chiefs’ and Lions’ D/STs as they have five negative and one neutral fantasy playoff matchup between them in six combined games.

Fantasy football Week 13 waiver wire targets: Elite WRs are still out there

Heading into week 13, we examine the waiver wire as the playoffs get closer.

As Week 13 of the fantasy football season gets underway, we are now beginning to see players really make their marks for teams as organizations make their playoff pushes. In what has been a wild year of football, several players have really stood out over the past couple of weeks.

In particular, running backs are being highly valued over the past couple of weeks. Waiver wire running backs are becoming increasingly important, as depth becomes crucial,

As a result, waiver wire additions have been important over the past couple of weeks. I know for my team, those additions have been important to me playoff hunt.

We take a look at additions off the waiver wire that you should consider.

Week 12 fantasy waiver wire: Pass-catches rule the day in latest rankings

These players could help change your season.

It’s that time again fantasy football owners. Time to restart your rosters in preparation for next week. As the season marches on, we are seeing interesting trends as to who is still available on the waiver wire, and who can provided an instant impact once they are taken off of it.

In a season full of unpredictability, the same could be said for the wire itself. New players are emerging as top targets, while others are hidden gems flying under the radar. Whatever the case may be, this particular group of players could be important.

We take a look at top targets on the wavier wire heading into week 12.