The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran tight end Jack Doyle to a three-year extension, the team announced Friday.
Doyle has been the epitome of what the Colts want in their tight end room and leadership in the locker room. With both Doyle and Eric Ebron set to hit free agency, it was a smart move for the Colts to lock up the productive, dual-threat tight end.
Congrats to my friend and client @doylejack84 on signing a 3 year contract extension with the @Colts . So well deserved. An incredible person who makes a difference on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/vjm9xAbelO
As one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, Doyle is also a sneaky possession tight end. He’s always a reliable target in the short-intermediate passing game and has been everything the Colts ask for in a locker room leader.
On the season, Doyle has 36 receptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns. His impact goes far beyond the box score as he is one of the reasons the Colts are able to run the ball so efficiently on the edge.
The Colts signed Doyle to a three-year extension ahead of the 2017 season. It was Chris Ballard’s first since taking over the general manager position during that offseason.
With Doyle now under contract through the 2022 season, the Colts will continue to add depth to a tight end position that holds much value in the offense.
Top-ranked DFS PRO Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite Daily Fantasy Football plays at various salary ranges for Week 14 of the NFL. Find out who Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Top-ranked DFS PRO Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite Daily Fantasy Football plays at various salary ranges for Week 14 of the NFL. Find out who Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
QUARTERBACKS
KYLE ALLEN- $5700 DRAFTKINGS, $7100 FANDUEL
I believe this is the week to pay down at the quarterback position and save cash because you’re going to need it. Kyle Allen can get you there, at near minimum salary for the quarterback position on both sites. He is coming off consecutive 20+ point games and I think it continues in Week 14. The Falcons rank 22nd against opposing quarterbacks and are allowing 259 yards passing per game. The rookie will have something to prove after Ron Rivera was fired and his future is going to become even more of a question moving forward. I think Allen steps up and exceeds value with another 20 point performance this week.
RYAN FITZPATRICK- $6000 DRAFTKINGS, $7400 FANDUEL
The value train continues and who better to highlight that than a man who has gotten a ton of value out of his career. Ryan Fitzpatrick or “Fitzmagic” as they call him, keeps getting it done and puts up points each week no matter what team he plays for. He is coming off two back to back monster games. Fitzpatrick had a 25 point outing versus the Browns and backed it up with a 30 point performance versus the Eagles. He now faces off against the New York Jets and their suspect secondary. Fitzpatrick will be finding his way into my tournament lineups and I will stay away from him in cash games.
RUNNING BACKS
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY- $10300 DRAFTKINGS, $11000 FANDUEL
Christian McCaffrey is having one of the best seasons I have seen while playing fantasy football. The man is a lock and is averaging a whopping 31 points per game and hopefully carrying me to my season-long championship. He gets points in good and bad matchups, he scores when his team is winning or trailing in games. As long as he is healthy he is on the field accumulating fantasy points. McCaffrey will gash the Atlanta Falcons on the ground and the air. If you have followed this column all season I have written him up in almost every week and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon. I don’t mind pairing him with Kyle Allen and hope this game shoots out.
DERRICK HENRY- $8200 DRAFTKINGS, $9100 FANDUEL
If you like to follow game logs you will like to see 24, 36, 32, and 27 as Derrick Henry’s last 4 games. He has 1140 rushing yards on the season, along with 13 touchdowns and has seen a bump in production ever since Ryan Tannehill took over as quarterback. He gets a dream matchup against Oakland who has allowed the 18th most points to opposing running backs and should be in for another big game. I love the combo of McCaffrey and Henry locking up a solid base of 50 points for both your cash games and tournaments in Week 14.
WIDE RECEIVERS
DEANDRE HOPKINS- $7400 DRAFTKINGS, $8300 FANDUEL
DeAndre Hopkins is an elite wide receiver who is coming off a tough matchup versus the Patriots and Stephon Gilmore. I hope that drives down ownership on Hopkins this week. DeAndre has been consistently good all year and I’m expecting a breakout game at home in the dome. If the Broncos can keep this game close we can see fireworks out of Hopkins here at home.
DEVANTE PARKER- $6900 DRAFTKINGS, $7200 FANDUEL
DeVante Parker was one of the main reasons I will be heading to the FanDuel World Fantasy Football Championship in Puerto Rico next weekend, so I will be sure to play him in a nice matchup versus the New York Jets. Parker is coming off 37 point game and gets to face the Jets who rank 22nd against opposing wide receivers. I love the stack with Fitzpatrick in tournaments.
TIGHT ENDS
JACK DOYLE- $4600 DRAFTKINGS, $6300 FANDUEL
Jack Doyle has seen an uptick in targets and receptions with Eric Ebron put on injured reserve. I want to pay down at tight end and Doyle is one of the best value tight ends of the slate. Doyle should be heavily targeted again this week and the Buccaneers struggle to cover the tight end. They rank 31st against opposing tight ends and allow 281 yards passing per game. I see Doyle with at least 5 receptions for 55 yards and I believe he finds his way into the endzone again this week. Lock Doyle in for the best value tight end of the slate.
VANCE MCDONALD- $4300 DRAFTKINGS, $5800 FANDUEL
We can keep this one short. Play the tight end every week against the Arizona Cardinals. It’s a written rule that you can pair with locking Christian McCaffrey in your lineups. The Arizona Cardinals haven’t been able to cover the tight end for years and the trend continues this week. If you need proof go look at the last 20 games of tight end matchups against the Cardinals and you will be shocked by what’s been done. McDonald should be a safe value play for both cash games and tournaments.
DEFENSES
GREEN BAY PACKERS- $4000 DRAFTKINGS, $5000 FANDUEL
Let’s keep it short and sweet with our defenses. We will be targeting two home teams facing off against weak offenses. The Packers get to face off at home in harsh temperatures versus a rookie quarterback and a lackluster offense. This should be a statement game for this Packer team and hopefully the defense steps up and makes some big plays.
HOUSTON TEXANS- $3300 DRAFTKINGS, $4600 FANDUEL
It’s the same strategy here. Let’s lock in the home team versus a rookie quarterback. This Texan defense has looked better and is coming off an impressive win verse Brady and the Patriots. I think the Texans make for a strong play on DraftKings at $3300 and I will sprinkle in shares of this defense in both cash games and tournaments.
Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than seven years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.
As crazy as this may sound, I’m not in a place of concern for the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) right now. For them to be in this position, losers of four out of their last five games seem to be fitting a team that, at one point, was thriving under more than unfavorable situations. But of course, the tide begins to change.
Following their 5-2 start to the season, the Colts are once again at the .500 mark as they lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Despite possessing a 10-point lead early in the third quarter, the Colts couldn’t build off of it as they allowed the Titans to score 24 points en route to winning 31-17.
Here are five postgame takeaways from the Week 13 loss:
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Another target is seriously injured
For an offense that was already dealing with various injuries to its biggest contributors, they didn’t need to suffer another one on Sunday. But, of course, you can’t get everything you ask for. During the second quarter, wide receiver Chester Rogers was injured and eventually ruled out of the game, and we discovered why earlier on Monday.
The Colts’ third receiver in command (when everyone is healthy) and starting punt returner suffered a season-ending knee fracture. While Rogers didn’t produce a catch in Sunday’s game, his absence still hurt the Colts’ struggling offense. The Grambling State product is capable of making timely plays that spark their offense and is well-versed in Frank Reich’s offensive scheme.
The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) found themselves on the wrong end of a second-half comeback in the Week 13 loss against the Tennessee Titans (7-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Despite the strong start to the game in the first half, this wound up being another putrid outing for the Colts offense. They have now scored fewer than 20 points in six games this season. Of those six games, the Colts have lost three in a row.
Here are the studs and duds from the divisional loss against the Titans:
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
STUD: WR Zach Pascal
He’s had some disappearing acts this season, but Pascal has mostly stepped up when the Colts have needed him this season. He did so again on Sunday against the Titans while recording a career-high for receiving yards in a game.
Pascal led the Colts offense with seven receptions for 109 yards. He also saw 10 targets, good for second behind Jack Doyle. With T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell both inactive due to injuries, Pascal stepped up in a massive way despite the end result for the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts TE Jack Doyle scored a 21-yard touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
After making a statement with a forced fumble against Derrick Henry, the Indianapolis Colts offense got on the board first with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett to Jack Doyle. With Eric Ebron on injured reserve, Doyle will be stepping into a bigger role as a pass catcher.
The veteran tight end caught all three of his targets on that drive for 37 yards and the 21-yard touchdown to give the Colts an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Analyzing key Week 13 NFL prop bets that seem poised for a pay day, featuring props around Davante Adams, Zach Ertz and Jack Doyle.
Some prop bets are pure luck in nature, like betting on whether the final point total will be even or odd. There is no skill to determining that. Where skill does come into play is taking on the bets that challenge an individual player to have a big game … or at least score a touchdown.
Here are three bets we’re making along with our friends at The Huddle that you should consider placing bets on — and we’re not including that absurd -400 number on Christian McCaffrey scoring a a touchdown. These are three affordable bets that could easily hit for you.
Up and Adams
The Giants pass defense has been hideous all year and have allowed huge days to elite receivers all season, including Mike Evans (three TDs), Adam Thielen (two TDs), Kenny Golladay (two TDs), Amari Cooper (one TD) and Allen Robinson (one TD). In two career meetings, Packers wideout Davante Adams (-143 to score) has caught 13 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown in each game. You have to know the Packers are aware of this and will push Adams early and often, especially when they get in the red zone.
Looking to place a bet? Get some action at BetMGM. NEW CUSTOMER OFFER: Risk-Free first bet (up to $500; paid in free bets).Sign up now!
The truth Ertz
Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports
The Dolphins are brutal on multiple levels on both sides of the ball. The Eagles got a new lease on life with the Cowboys’ loss to Buffalo on Thanksgiving Day and need to take advantage of it. It is easy to envision Philly scoring four or five touchdowns in this game and, if they score four, it’s hard to imagine tight end Zach Ertz (100) not having at least one of them.
Jack of all trades
Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports
The Titans have been brutalized by tight ends all season – both great and middling alike. It is a weakness teams have taken advantage of, including the Colts, with Eric Ebron scoring a touchdown in the teams’ first meeting this season. Now Jack Doyle (+230) is the only show at tight end and, at that price, is a value pick for a team prone to not covering tight ends in the red zone.
Now that you have the skinny on what to do with each player, visit BetMGM to place a bet on your favorite NFL Prop Bets now. For additional sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com now and for a complete set of today’s live odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.
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Sam Darnold, Benny Snell Jr. and LeSean McCoy highlight the Week 13 list of fantasy sleepers.
In most fantasy football leagues, Week 13 is the final week of the regular season. You might be desperate for a win and need one sleeper to put you over the top.
Or you might already be well set for the playoffs. Even if you are, you should be looking to add as much depth as possible for the postseason.
Either way, Touchdown Wire presents nine fantasy football sleepers for Week 13.
9. Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons
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Gage could be a good player to start in the Thanksgiving night game with the Saints. He gradually has taken on a bigger role in the offense because so much defensive attention goes to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Gage had eight catches for 76 yards in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. He should play a bigger role going forward.
The Indianapolis Colts are in the heart of the AFC playoff race with just five games remaining and while there are some that have carried the team, there are others that need to step it up over the next month.
Some players may need to simply add a little bit more to what they were already doing. Others may need to improve their game greatly in order for the Colts to have a chance in the next five games.
Here are five Colts that must step up in the final five games:
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QB Jacoby Brissett
With flashes of brilliance and confusing struggles alike, Brissett has to improve his game over the next month. The Colts’ passing attack has been almost non-existent in recent games and even though the offense revolves around the run, they have to be able to hit big plays in the passing game.
The lack of chunk plays this season has been a big reason why the Colts haven’t been able to win by more than one score. While it isn’t all on Brissett, he does deserve some of the blame. Despite having the tools to hit on deep balls, Brissett doesn’t seem as comfortable taking chances in tight windows.
Maybe Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni prefer him to take the more high-percentage throws, but he needs to be able to move the offense down the field at a higher rate than what has been happening lately.
As the Indianapolis Colts (5-4) attempt to recover from what was an abysmal performance against the Miami Dolphins (2-7) on Sunday, it is important to look back at what went right and what went wrong.
While the takeaways from the game will be predominantly negative—because that’s how it works after a loss to a team like the Dolphins. But there were some positives that stood out despite the loss.
Here is the good, the bad and the ugly from Week 10:
The Good
LB Darius Leonard: He certainly looked like an All-Pro in this game. The Maniac led the team with 13 tackles (11 solo) while adding a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and two passes defended.
DE Justin Houston: The veteran edge rusher was solid against the run and extended his sack streak to five games. He has six total over that span.
Rookie CBs: The Colts relied heavily on rookie cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell. Both held their own and made some big plays throughout the loss.
TE Jack Doyle: Ol’ Reliable was the lone bright spot in the offense on Sunday. He caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
The Bad
Offensive Line: They struggled in run blocking (3.8 yards per carry) and the right side was porous in pass protection, especially when facing a stunt.
Red Zone Offense: The Colts had their share of chances to score touchdowns. But they converted just one of their four trips inside the 20-yard-line.
K Adam Vinatieri: The good news is Vinatieri made both of his field-goal attempts. The bad news is he missed another extra-point attempt—one that cost the Colts a chance to tie the game on their final drive.
The Ugly
QB Brian Hoyer: What to say that hasn’t already been said. It was a feeble outing for the veteran, who tossed three interceptions and recorded a 38.8 passer rating. Suffice it to say the Colts need Jacoby Brissett to return ASAP.
