Tag: NFL utilization recap

The fantasy football playoffs are well in swing in most leagues, while some just wrapped up the regular season in Week 15. This is a critical juncture of the season, and things continue to change.

Some teams are giving younger players a look down the stretch, as evaluations begin for the 2025 season.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will have some strange rest patterns for players. In Week 16, we have two Saturday games, and in Week 17 we’ll have a pair of Wednesday games. Fantasy managers will have to be on their toes during the holiday season, adjusting to personnel changes and a different schedule, too.

We’ll take a look at the latest usage changes to help you going forward in the fantasy playoffs.

We’re well into December, and that means we’ve come to a critical juncture. The regular season for most fantasy leagues ended in Week 14, or will likely end in Week 15. So, a lot of you might be departing now, and if so, thank you for reading. If you’re into the playoffs, and sticking around to read, congrats.

Nothing is worse than hearing about a fantasy league you’re not in, but indulge me for a minute. In my big-money league, which has been together since the 1990’s, I ended up losing Stefon Diggs and Chris Olave to long-term injury, while enduring long spurts without Harrison Butker, Jordan Love, Christian Kirk and Tua Tagovailoa. Thank goodness for Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson and … Chris Boswell? I lost a tiebreaker for the final wild-card spot, but with all of the carnage, it was almost a crazy run to the playoffs.

Everybody has those crazy stories, and it’s how you work the waiver wire to either make or break your season. Adding Tucker Kraft, Jakobi Meyers, Adam Thielen and, yes, Boswell, kept my team afloat.

I hope you’re still plugging along and preparing for a deep run for your league’s trophy and bag.

Well, Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror now, and we’re hurtling toward the finish line of the fantasy football regular season.

The 2024 NFL regular season has its last round of bye weeks, with the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Washington Commanders each resting for the final stretch.

There are some heavy hitters sitting this week, so we’ll need to really focus on any changes to the depth chart in the past few days as the waiver wire should be very competitive in most leagues, with teams jockeying for playoff positioning.

It’s now December, and some leagues have just one or two regular season weeks left before teams qualify for the playoffs. Championships will be decided soon, and it’s the most wonderful time of … oh, wait. Is it too early for Christmas music? I have found Christmas music is just as polarizing as opinions on the new kickoff rules.

Woohoo. It’s Thanksgiving week. All 32 NFL teams are in action in Week 13, and the regular season is winding down. Hopefully the holidays treat you well. I plan to “utilize” my knife and fork to put a dent in the turkey and mashed potatoes. Well, you wouldn’t use a knife and fork on mashed potatoes, but you understand.

Looking back at Week 12, we didn’t have a ton of change and strange things in fantasy football. Six teams were on a bye, so that probably helped. And three losing teams that might make some changes also were off.

The important utilization stats, and any notable changes to future fantasy usage, were short and sweet this week.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, and I appreciate your readership. That is one thing I am very thankful for, especially after 2020 showed us that our lives can be upturned rather quickly. Hopefully you are hurtling toward a fantasy football trophy, and this piece has helped in some small part.

Man, where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe that 11 weeks of the NFL regular season are in the rearview mirror, and we’re barreling toward the fantasy football playoffs.

We continue to see changes each week, as a guy is useful one week, and then the next week he is gone as quickly as he emerged. We’re also witnessing some veterans dying a slow career death, and it’s rather sad.

Heading into Week 12, we have six teams on a bye, too, making this perhaps the most important and competitive waiver-wire week. The Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets will be off. Let’s review some key utilization statistics from the previous weekend to examine the fantasy landscape and consider how the developments of Week 11 might shape the future.

The first 10 weeks of the fantasy football season have concluded, marking a transition into Week 11 of the NFL. Let’s review some key utilization statistics from the previous weekend.

Each week, shifts in fantasy values occur, stemming from fresh injuries, recoveries, or even collateral effects of injuries at different positions. In addition, time is running short for certain players. While some have the luxury of a longer leash, others face impatient veteran coaches who prioritize immediate victories over sparing feelings.

Week 11 brings a bye for four additional teams: Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now, let’s examine the fantasy landscape and consider how the developments of Week 10 might shape the future.

Following the Monday Night Football game in Week 9, the National Football League’s regular season has reached its halfway mark.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, sustained a multiweek injury, impacting the fantasy values of various receivers and potentially the running game.

Reflecting on the MNF game, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton continues to impress, ascending into the must-start category. It’s worth noting that in the tight end role, significant production shifts can occur with minimal output.

Recent trades also have led to changes in fantasy values for certain players, affecting both their new teams and their former squads.

The Monday game between the Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs was not only entertaining but also provided valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts. After all, that’s why we’re here, right?

Looking ahead to Week 10, with the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks on bye weeks, the dynamic landscape of fantasy football becomes even more crucial to navigate.

During Week 8 of the 2024 NFL regular season, several players made a comeback from multigame injuries, which is promising news as some fantasy football stars are expected to rebound from a string of lackluster performances.

The Cleveland Browns underwent a quarterback change, and their offense has shown significant improvement, scoring a season-high 29 points against the Baltimore Ravens after struggling to surpass 18 points in the first seven games. Browns receivers are now regaining their fantasy football value as QB Jameis Winston has breathed life into the offense in place of the injured QB Deshaun Watson.

In other news, Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love suffered a groin injury. While initial reports suggest it may not be a long-term issue, it’s a development that’s being monitored closely, particularly in terms of its impact on wide receiver performance. With QB Malik Willis stepping in, the Packers’ passing game appears less favorable for Green Bay receivers from a fantasy perspective.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ passing offense also is under scrutiny with WR Chris Godwin (leg) out for the season and WR Mike Evans (hamstring) sidelined for at least two more games. This will be an offense in flux for another game or two.

As we approach Week 9, the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are on their bye week, leaving the remaining 30 NFL teams ready for action.