Tag: Jamaal Williams

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.

6 takeaways from Bears’ 41-25 blowout loss to the Packers

This was a statement loss for a team that prides itself on never giving up and could be the breaking point for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy.

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The Chicago Bears’ bye week came at a perfect time as the team was reeling following four straight losses and injuries at key positions. A week off would surely help this team fix some key issues and give them the boost they need to make a run at the playoffs right?

Wrong.

In a nationally televised game against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears defense got carved up more than a Thanksgiving turkey, thanks to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Fame quarterback tossed three touchdowns and only threw eight incompletions as the Packers rolled the Bears 41-25.

The Packers had this one in the bag early, leading by as much as 24 points. The Bears defense had no answers for Rodgers and the Green Bay offense and despite a promising start on the other side of the ball, the Bears offense and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky quickly fell into disarray.

This was a statement loss for a team that prides itself on never giving up and could be the breaking point for a coaching staff that was already under the microscope. No matter how you look at it, this game was flat out embarrassing on all levels. Here are my takeaways from yet another loss to the Packers.

Why Packers won’t have RB Jamaal Williams and LB Kamal Martin vs. 49ers

Both Jamaal Williams and Kamal Martin are OUT for the Packers against the 49ers.

The Green Bay Packers will be without both running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, and neither will miss the game due to an injury.

Why won’t Williams and Martin be available?

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the NFL ruled both players as “high-risk close contacts” to running back A.J. Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19.

The ruling is based on information from contact tracing.

Due to the designation, both Williams and Martin must now isolate and be away from the team for at least five days, meaning neither player could return until Saturday.

The Packers already placed Dillon on the COVID-19 reserve list.

The team’s running back position is in shambles, with Dillon and Williams unavailable and starter Aaron Jones still fighting through a calf injury. Tyler Ervin has running back experience, and second-year running back Dexter Williams is on the practice squad.

The Packers have more depth at linebacker, with Krys Barnes, Ty Summers, Oren Burks and newcomer James Burgess available. It’s possible Christian Kirksey (pectoral) could be activated off injured reserve before Thursday.

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Gallery: Vikings upset Packers at Lambeau

The top photos from Sunday’s Vikings’ win over the Packers at Lambeau Field.

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Packers RB Jamaal Williams burns Tom Brady over 4th down blunder

Before Packers-Bucs this weekend, Jamaal Williams gave Tom Brady some bulletin board material.

Two of the best teams in the NFC will meet on Sunday in the premier game of Week 6, and Packers running back Jamaal Williams has already given Tom Brady and the Buccaneers some bulletin board material.

Last Thursday, Tom Brady failed to lead the Buccaneers on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter against the Bears after appearing to lose track of downs in the final minute. On 4th-and-6, Brady threw an incomplete pass to effectively end the game, but then held up four fingers, thinking he still had a fourth down play to run. Both Brady and Bucs coach Bruce Arians have denied that Brady didn’t know it was fourth down, but the video evidence makes it fairly clear.

During an appearance on Game On Wisconsin, Williams was asked if he or opposing running back Ronald Jones III had the better quarterback. Williams joked that he was pretty sure Aaron Rodgers knows “what 4th down is.”

The Packers and Bucs will play in Tampa Bay at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers hypes RB Jamaal Williams, TE Robert Tonyan

Aaron Rodgers sees big things in store for Jamaal Williams and Robert Tonyan, two potential breakout players for the Packers offense in 2020.

Running back Jamaal Williams and tight end Robert Tonyan could be important rotational players for the Green Bay Packers’ offense this season.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hyped them both on Wednesday.

Asked about a potential breakout player for the Packers in 2020, Rodgers immediately mentioned Williams, a fourth-year running back who could have a bigger role in the passing game this season.

“Jamaal Williams came back and had a little bit something different to him this year,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. “He’s just a half-step quicker. The agility is there. The burst is a little bit more. So I give him a lot of credit for the way he grew. You know, a lot of times the big jumps come between years one and two and two and three. This guy is going into his fourth season coming off a year last year where he had multiple games in a row with touchdown catches, and is an important part of our offense.”

Like coach Matt LaFleur and running backs coach Ben Sirmans, Rodgers said he saw Williams working on his abilities as a receiver this offseason, and all the work translated to a terrific summer on the practice field.

“So I think Jamaal has had a fantastic camp and I’m excited about what he’s done. And the thing that he does as well is he just brings so much energy to our football team. So he’s going to be an important part of what we’re doing,” Rodgers said.

Many assumed Williams was going to have a reduced role this season, given the emergence of Aaron Jones as a star and the addition of second-round pick A.J. Dillon. Williams is the most well-rounded of the team’s three backs and should have a legitimate role, especially if he can be a true threat on passing downs and third down.

While Williams fights for snaps at running back, Tonyan has an opportunity to play a big role at tight end.

Rodgers called Tonyan a “multi-talented” player for the Packers and praised his improvement as a blocker, making him a more versatile player and a better fit for the position.

Rodgers said Tonyan got stronger this offseason, helping drive the improvement.

“He’s really become a good point of attack blocker,” Rodgers said. “And you pair that with a really advanced ability to run routes, I think he deserves an opportunity to get some reps and get the ball in space. I think he’s good after the catch. I think his ability to run routes, and set things up, is going to be a part of our offense that we need to tap into.”

Rodgers almost sounded like he was campaigning for Tonyan to get on the field.

“That depends on how much he plays, to be honest,” Rodgers said when asked what Tonyan can provide in 2020. “If he gets the opportunities that it seems he’s earned, I think he can add a lot to the offense. I think he’s a multi-talented guy.”

Tonyan, a converted receiver, caught 10 passes last season but dealt with a significant core injury. He is competing with Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara for snaps at tight end.

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Matt LaFleur on Packers RBs: ‘Going to see all of those guys in the mix’

The Packers are deep at running back, and they plan to use all their available options at the position in 2020.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is probably going to frustrate a lot of fantasy football owners this fall.

The Packers’ playcaller isn’t going to be shy about using all of his running backs during the 2020 season.

“We feel really confident with our running back core as a whole unit. I think you’re going to see all of those guys in the mix. They all bring something a little different to the table,” LaFleur said after Sunday’s scrimmage at Lambeau Field.

Fourth-year veterans Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams both return after combining for almost 2,300 total yards and 26 total touchdowns during the 2019 season. Each figures to play a significant role again in 2020, with Jones as the lead back and a top offensive weapon and Williams satisfying any role LaFleur needs, whether it’s as a runner, receiver or blocker.

And then there’s 247-pound rookie A.J. Dillon, who could give the Packers offense another flavor out of the backfield once he begins to master the little things about the position.

“I think A.J. has shown improvement. Like any young back, there is a lot to learn in this offense, just in terms of the pass game, in pass protection. Certainly, he has some great skills as a runner. He’s gotta have the mindset that he better be ready to roll,” LaFleur said.

The Packers have used Dillon as both a between-the-tackles runner and as a receiver during camp, helping highlight their desire to make him an all-around threat.

The Packers also have Tyler Ervin, who could be used as a receiver/running back hybrid in 2020, and Dexter Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019, who is physically talented and likely improved after struggling to get on the field as a rookie.

This is a deep, talented position group, and LaFleur – who wants to feature the position while also keeping everyone as healthy as possible over what will be a grueling season – intends to use them all.

Last season, Jones played 663 snaps, or roughly 61 percent of the offense’s total. Williams played 373 snaps, or roughly 35 percent. With Dillon in the mix, and Ervin likely to play a role on offense, the splits could be more even in 2020.

At the end of last season, LaFleur mentioned he wanted to find a quality third option behind Jones and Williams, both to keep them fresh and have a backup plan in case of injury. He has plenty of options now.

Fantasy football players might curse the development, but the Packers are likely going to spread out snaps and touches amongst a deep running back group this season.

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Packers RB Jamaal Williams ‘really, really improved’ as a receiving threat

The Packers believe Jamaal Williams has “really, really improved” as a weapon in the passing game for coach Matt LaFleur.

The Green Bay Packers asked Jamaal Williams to become a better player as a receiver this offseason, and the fourth-year running back looks like he’s accomplished the task.

Although Williams caught a team-high five touchdown passes in 2019, Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans wanted to see a more complete player in the passing game when Williams returned in 2020. So the Packers’ do-it-all running back spent a big chunk of his offseason working on running routes, getting quicker and attempting to turn an established weakness into a potentially valuable strength.

“That’s been the biggest thing he’s improved,” Sirmans said Wednesday. “Jamaal did a great job throughout the offseason improving his overall quickness and ability as a receiver. Those things have shown up big time so far in camp.”

At exit meetings following the Packers’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers last January, Sirmans told Williams – who caught a career-high 39 passes in 2019 – that he wanted him to become quicker and more explosive as a receiver.

“That’s one of the vocal points that we talked about last year at the end of the season, an area where I wanted to see him was just his overall quickness and agility against man coverage. He’s really worked hard in the offseason,” Sirmans said.

Williams’ social media account is littered with videos of him catching passes and working on various routes while training in Arizona.

The work is paying off. Sirmans said he’s seen drastic improvement from Williams as a route runner so far at training camp.

“Whether he’s pressed up in man or we’re doing option routes, he has such a better feel for running routes. He knew that was one of his weaknesses last year. He’s really, really improved in that area. I think that’s going to make him a bigger weapon in this offense,” Sirmans said.

Williams, who is entering a contract year in 2020, has the Packers’ complete trust as both a runner and pass protector, but adding a more dynamic element in the passing game could make him one of the NFL’s most versatile and valuable backup running backs this season.

The head coach has also seen his progress.

“He brings a lot of energy to our football team. And versatility. He came in really, really good shape. I saw some of his workouts, and it did not look easy. He really works his tail off,” coach Matt LaFleur said last week.

LaFleur specifically mentioned a route run by Williams during an 11-on-11 drill.

“I think he’s kind of a sleeper in the pass game as well. I think he’s done some great things for us in the pass game, he’s demonstrated that. Today, he ran a route and did a great job getting open, but the ball didn’t go his way. We have a lot of confidence in Jamaal, not only his ability to run but also in the passing game and as a pass blocker.”

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Gallery: Everson Griffen’s 2019 season with the Vikings

It was reported on Wednesday that Everson Griffen had signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Here are photos from his 2019 campaign.

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Packers RBs Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams earn salary escalators for 2020

Packers RBs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams hit proven performance salary escalators for the 2020 season.

Green Bay Packers running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams both earned a base salary escalator for the 2020 season.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the two running backs will have their base salaries bumped to $2.147 million next season thanks to the NFL’s “proven performance escalator.”

As noted by Bill Huber of SI, the raises will cost the Packers around $2.6 million in cap space in 2020.

Any player drafted in the third round or later can earn the escalator by playing at least 35 percent of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps during at least two of his first three NFL seasons or by playing at least 35 percent of the total offensive or defensive snaps over the entire three-year period.

Jones and Williams both hit each criterion.

Jones, a fifth-round pick in 2017, played over 35 percent of the offense’s snaps in 2018 and 2019 and played over 35 percent of the offense’s total snaps between 2017-19.

Williams, a fourth-round pick in 2017, played at least 35 percent of the offense’s snaps all three seasons and played over 35 percent of the offense’s total snaps between 2017-19.

Hitting the escalator raises a player’s base salary to that of the lowest restricted tender in the final year of his rookie deal.

Over the Cap has the entire list of players qualifying for the proven performance escalator in 2020. Overall, 42 players earned the escalator. The Packers are one of only 11 teams to have at least two players earn the escalator.

As it stands now, only receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling will have an opportunity to earn the escalator in 2021.

Last season, outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell, inside linebacker Blake Martinez and defensive end Dean Lowry all earned the escalator. The year prior, only inside linebacker Jake Ryan earned the raise.

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