Tag: fantasy football weekly

With it being the holiday season it is time to look at some of the best gifts under the fantasy football tree this year. The biggest present under the tree was one of the biggest running back in the NFL and that is Derrick Henry (RB Titans). Probably the best gift in all of fantasy football is a league winning type running back and Henry helps provide that by getting a heavy workload each week, rushing yards often in the high triples figures consistently, and plenty of touchdowns.

Most times kids at Christmas want the newest and shiniest type of toys under the tree. In fantasy football, those new toys are the rookies that enter the league each year and get fantasy owners very excited. The top rookie gifts this year have been Justin Jefferson (WR Vikings), Jonathan Taylor (RB Colts), Joe Burrow (QB Bengals), and D’Andre Swift (RB Lions). These rookies along with others have been good fantasy players this season and have bright futures ahead.

Lions vs. Buccaneers fantasy focus

Fantasy owners in 2020 continued to hope for the gift of a Kenny Golladay return, but that still hasn’t come since he left the field in early November. Kenny is looking for a large gift in the form of a new contract either from the Detroit Lions or some other team after this season is over. He played great for the limited time he played during this football season, but Kenny and fantasy owners alike will hope for much better gifts for him and from him next season when he hits the field again.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers skill players have had an up and down year throughout this season. Tom Brady (QB Buccanneers) has been a bit inconsistent at times and brilliant at other moments. Chris Godwin (WR Buccaneers) was poised for another breakout year until hand, finger, and other injuries forced him to miss multiple games. Mike Evans always seems to be dealing with multiple nagging injuries in between the tremendous catches he often makes on the football field. With all of that being said though the team is in prime playoff position and Antonio Brown (WR Buccaneers) seems to just be rounding into shape too.

The Detroit Lions have enjoyed having D’Andre Swift (RB Lions) back at running back, Marvin Jones (WR Lions) has impressed at wide receiver once again, and T.J. Hockenson (TE Lions) was named as the NFC Pro Bowl starting tight end after his second season in the NFL has been a great showing in a multitude of ways for the former Iowa prospect. The talk about the Lions centers around the toughness and quality play of quarterback Matthew Stafford in recent weeks though. Stafford has been playing great and again is showing he’s a top-quality fantasy quarterback that you can win with.

This game is on Saturday between the Buccanneers and the Lions at 1:00 PM EST inside of Ford Field. Expect all Buccanneers to have big days on offense. Tom Brady will throw it early and often to all of his skilled wide receivers and tight ends with Ronald Jones (RB Buccanneers) still dealing with injuries. Play everyone from Tampa Bay and expect big dividends, and play some of the Lions stars in hopes for quality return at least in fantasy football. This game will be a bombastic and boisterous win by the Buccanneers against the Lions.

Start
Justin Herbert (QB Chargers)
Darrell Henderson (RB Rams)
Terry McLaurin (WR Washington)
Dallas Goedert (TE Eagles)

Sit
Phillip Rivers (QB Colts)
Le’Veon Bell (RB Chiefs)
Marquise Brown (WR Ravens)
Tyler Higbee (TE Rams)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Tom Brady, Buccaneers
Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Running Backs
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Derrick Henry, Titans
Dalvin Cook, Vikings

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Stefon Diggs, Bills

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
George Kittle, 49ers

Team Defenses
Ravens
Browns
Bills

Kickers
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Greg Zuerlein, Cowboys

Waiver wire options

Mitchell Trubisky (QB Bears)
Marcus Mariota (QB Raiders)
Tony Pollard (RB Cowboys)
Darrell Henderson (RB Rams)
Chad Hansen (WR Texans)
Russell Gage (WR Falcons)
Jordan Akins (TE Texans)
Cameron Brate (TE Buccanneers)

Intriguing games and players in Week 16

(Week 16 Bye Weeks: None) 

Minnesota at New Orleans, Friday 3:30 PM, EST

• MIN: Dalvin Cook (RB), Irv Smith (TE)
• NO: Drew Brees (QB), Alvin Kamara (RB)

Tampa Bay at Detroit, Saturday 1:00 PM, EST

• TB: Tom Brady (QB), Antonio Brown (WR)
• DET: T.J. Hockenson (TE), D’Andre Swift (RB)

San Francisco at Arizona, Saturday 4:30 PM, EST

• SF: Raheem Mostert (RB), Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
• AZ: Kyler Murray (QB), Dan Arnold (TE)

Miami at Las Vegas, Sunday 8:15 PM, EST

• MIA: Matt Berida (RB), Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
• LVR: Brian Edwards (WR), Josh Jacobs (RB)

Atlanta at Kansas City, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

• ATL: Matt Ryan (QB), Todd Gurley (RB)
• KC: Demarcus Robinson (WR), Travis Kelce (TE)

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

• IND: Michael Pittman (WR), Jonathan Taylor (RB)
• PIT: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), Ben Roethlisberger (QB)

LA Rams at Seattle, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

• LAR: Jared Goff (QB), Darrell Henderson (RB)
• SEA: Russell Wilson (RB), Rashaad Penny (RB)

Tennessee at Green Bay, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

• TEN: A.J. Brown (WR), Derrick Henry (RB)
• GB: A.J. Dillon (RB), Allen Lazard (WR)

Buffalo at New England, Sunday 8:15 PM, EST

• BUF: Devin Singletary (RB), Zach Moss (RB)
• NE: Sony Michel (RB), Damien Harris (RB)

Bottom Line

The big question is do you or will you have a new bright shiny championship under your tree this year? After a year full of injuries, COVID-19, game reschedules, and many other unique factors it has been a fantasy football season like no other.

When it is all said and done though it is all worth it if you get to unwrap the bragging rights and all the other glorious gifts that come along with being named the reigning, defending, undisputed fantasy football champion of the world in your league.

With football Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this week – have a Merry Fantasy Football Christmas everybody!

We all have a great deal to be thankful for in 2020. During this crazy year that we have all experienced, we should be thankful for family, health, and all the other blessings in our life.

We should also be thankful for the NFL moving forward with the season allowing us to enjoy a fantasy football season as it was only a few months ago that we didn’t know if we would see football at all in 2020.

Lions vs Texans fantasy focus

Thanksgiving is a very special day in the city of Detroit, but this year will feel much different than any other Thanksgiving kickoff. There won’t be a big gathering in Downtown Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, no fans will be in the stands, and families won’t gather around their tailgates just outside the stadium for turkey just before heading into the stadium.

Football will still be played at 12:30 PM on Thanksgiving Day though as always and it is still one of the best traditions in all of sports. The Detroit Lions are coming off an embarrassing loss where they were shutout by the Carolina Panthers last week. Now with Deshaun Watson (QB Texans) coming in on Thanksgiving, they will have to turn things around quickly.

The Lions have had some tough injuries to some of their top fantasy players: Kenny Golladay (Hip), D’Andre Swift (Concussion), T.J. Hockenson (Toe), and Matthew Stafford (Thumb). Some of them have played through these injuries even if their play has been hampered and others have been out. Getting Golladay and Swift back would be big for the Turkey Day extravaganza.

The Houston Texans are coming off a big win over the New England Patriots and a tremendous game by their superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson. Expect Watson and his speedy wide receivers to give the Lions issues during this early holiday game on Thursday. Will Fuller (WR Texans), Duke Johnson (RB Texans), and Brandin Cooks (WR Texans) are all good fantasy plays this week.

There is a saying, “The Lions always play good on Thanksgiving”, but recent history doesn’t necessarily prove that to be true. It has been another tough season for the Lions and their coach is firmly on the hot seat. The Lions will need Stafford, Jones Jr., Hockenson, and others to help lead them to a victory and make everyone thankful to be a Lions fan this Thanksgiving.

Start/Sit

Start
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Gus Edwards (RB Ravens)
Terry McLaurin (WR Washington)
Evan Engram (TE Giants)

Sit
Ryan Tannehill (QB Titans)
Kerryon Johnson (RB Lions)
Mike Evans (WR Buccaneers)
Dallas Goedert (TE Eagles)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Josh Allen, Bills
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Deshaun Watson, Texans

Running Backs
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Derrick Henry, Titans
James Robinson, Jaguars

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Keenan Allen, Chargers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
Hunter Henry, Chargers

Team Defenses
Dolphins
Browns
Washington

Kickers
Younghoe Koo, Falcons
Rodrigo Blankenship, Colts
Ryan Succop, Buccaneers

Waiver wire options

Taysom Hill (QB Saints)
Sam Darnold (QB Jets)
Gus Edwards (RB Ravens)
Duke Johnson (RB Texans)
Michael Pittman Jr (WR Colts)
Curtis Samuel (WR Panthers)
Jordan Akins (TE Texans)
Dalton Schultz (TE Cowboys)

Intriguing games and players in Week 12

(Week 12 Bye Weeks: None) 

Houston at Detroit, Thursday 12:30 PM, EST

• HOU: Will Fuller (WR), Duke Johnson (RB)
• DET: Marvin Jones, Jr (WR), T.J. Hockenson (TE)

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

• BAL:  Lamar Jackson (QB), Marquise Brown (WR)
• PIT: James Conner (RB), JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR)

Las Vegas at Atlanta, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

• LVR: Henry Ruggs (WR), Bryan Edwards (WR)
• ATL: Matt Ryan (QB), Calvin Ridley (WR)

Arizona at New England, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

• AZ: Kyler Murray (QB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
• NE: Cam Newton (QB), Damien Harris (RB)

Kansas City at Tampa Bay, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

• KC: DeMarcus Robinson (WR), Mecole Hardman (WR)
• TB: Tom Brady (QB), Antonio Brown (WR)

Seattle at Philadelphia, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

• SEA: D.K. Metcalf (WR), Tyler Lockett (WR)
• PHI: Carson Wentz (QB), Miles Sanders (RB)

Bottom Line

Again, find reasons to be thankful during this crazy year that we have all lived through. We are very fortunate despite these very unique circumstances and we will all pull through this.

When it comes to fantasy football you should be thankful if your top draft picks have played like stars this year, if you have avoided major injuries throughout the season, and if you have a playoff spot secured.

Count your blessings if you have players like Dalvin Cook (RB Vikings), Patrick Mahomes (QB Chiefs), DeAndre Hopkins (WR Cardinals) or Derrick Henry (RB Titans).

Be grateful if you had the foresight to select players such as Stefan Diggs (WR Bills), Terry McLaurin (WR Washington), DJ Moore (WR Panthers), James Robinson (RB Jaguars), or Ronald Jones (RB Buccaneers).

Most of all though we should just be thankful we got football and fantasy football this year when the world is upside down. In all seriousness though, be thankful for all the great things we have even as we currently work our way through all of the struggles we are enduring in our country. Happy Thanksgiving!

• Wolverines Wire: U-M coverage from USA TODAY Network