NFL

Fantasy Football- Players we hate

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The NFL season is half way over, which means that fantasy playoffs are right around the corner.  If you are a playoff team you probably avoided these players. Let’s list off the top five players we hate (that we drafted).

This list is based on guys that have been playing but not producing.  If they are injured I give them a pass.  If they are LeVeon Bell I refuse to speak his name out loud in public.

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry was suppose to have his coming out party in the playoffs last year.  Damn was I wrong.  The Titans left DeMarco Murray walk in the off season, which meant that Henry would be the guy right?? Nope Dion Lewis has taken over the bulk of the carries in the backfield.  Henry is averaging a staggering 3.3 yards per carry so far in 2018.

Henry also gives you nothing on the receiving end with eight catches the entire season! Henry is trending in the direction of fellow Alabama alumni Trent Richardson, I would look for him to be moved in the off season unless things change drastically. I hate you Derrick Henry!

LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills

McCoy has had a great fantasy career, but currently I have the same amount of Touchdowns as he does this season.  It’s zero in case that wasn’t clear.  I know the Buffalo offense is a joke.  Nathan Peterman is the equivalent of a dumpster fire while on the field, but McCoy is still only averaging 3.1 yards per carry this season.  Chris Ivory has become more relevant out of the backfield.   I really don’t need to say much more than that.  I may not have drafted you in any leagues LeSean but I hate you for those who did.

Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins, Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins

Drake has had his moments this season, especially when I have had to face him.  But overall he has been a bust this season.  The ageless Frank Gore has taken away carries from the 2017-18 fantasy surprise.  Miami has had their issues at Quarterback, starting Brock Osweiler (not sure that’s how you spell it but who cares).  The QB situation has caused problems for the Dolphins but they should still be able to utilize Drake out of the backfield in passing situations but for some reason they refuse to do it consistently.

I added Kenny Stills to this list because I am tired of hearing about his potential.  Stills disappears in games to the point where he literally gets no targets.

Kenyan and Kenny I hate you both equally.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Nelson had a great start to the season then the return of Alshon Jeffery made him basically disappear. Agholor had 8 Touchdowns last year, half way through the season he is sitting at one.  He has been so bad that literally the Eagles went out and found a replacement for him at the deadline, adding Golden Tate.

Has Agholor forgotten how to run a route?  Has Carson Wentz forgotten that he is on the team.  Why do you suck now Nelson?  I hate you!

 

 

What I learned from week 8

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Jameis Winston is a what I thought he was.

I have been preaching this for the last two seasons, Jameis Winston is a talented player that will never be a winner. He is the definition of a loser as a player and a person.  When you choose a player #1 overall you are expecting to get a great talent that is going to progress into a potential Hall of Famer.  It doesn’t always work out that way but in this case he has been the exact opposite of what you are looking for. Winston has gotten worse year by year and continues to just hurl the ball all over the field whether or not it makes sense or not.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will take over in week nine for the Bucs and hopefully the organization realizes that if you are forced to put in Fitzmagic mid-way through a season the guy he is replacing is most likely not the answer to your organizations future.

My advice for Jameis is to drop the I from his name and go by James Winston and hope that most people don’t realize who he is.  Maybe then he will get a chance somewhere else.

Redskins are the class of the NFC East.

The NFC East was up for grabs and the Redskins have grabbed it a locked it away.  Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson have given them leadership on the offensive end while the defense has quietly been very underrated.

The most surprising aspect of Sunday’s matchup with the Giants was that Washington was only favored by 1.5 points! The final score was only 20-13 but the score didn’t show the true dominance of the Redskins.  The Cowboys and Giants are flashy, the Eagles are the champs, the Redskins are the best in in the NFC East.

The Saints are legit contenders.

The Saints are good.  They are very good.  Week 1 they were tricked by the Fitzmagic but since that lose they have won 6 in a row in impressive fashion. The return of Mark Ingram has given them another weapon to use along with Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.  Drew Brees is known for spreading the ball around, whenever you think that you have them figured out they find a new star in the making.

The Saints have had three impressive wins versus winning teams the Ravens, Vikings and Redskins.  The Saints will continue to be tested as their schedule doesn’t get much easier down the stretch of the season. The are looking at matchups against the Rams, Eagles and Bengals over the next three weeks.  The Saints have the ability to run, throw and the defense has stepped up holding down the run.  I think they take down the LA Rams this week and the rest of the NFL realizes this team is for real.

The Steelers may not need L-Bell.

James Conner continues to roll along as the premier back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Conner has the support of the locker room and the fans.  146 rushing yards, 66 receiving yards and  two touchdowns are LeVeon like numbers.  The Steelers have pulled off three straight victories including two in the division.  With the Ravens loss this weekend to Carolina they have been put right back in the driver’s seat of the AFC North.

So what happens if Bell returns from his hold out?  Does the team really play as hard for him?  If he is in shape and ready he can be a difference maker for them.  At this point how can they turn the backfield back over to Bell.  Conner has earned his playing time and the team is winning.  James Conner is for real and he wants to be there.  Trade Bell and get yourself something for him before it is to late.  Bell is great, but sometimes its time to cut the cord.  The time has come for the Steelers.  This is James Conner’s team.skysports-james-conner-nfl_4469320

What I learned from Week 5

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Aaron needs help.

443 yards and 3 touchdowns from your QB.  Most of the time that wins a game for any team, not if you are the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers didn’t have a flawless game, fumbling the ball twice in bad positions that led to two Lions scores.  He did however do enough to win the game.  The Packers continue to have an issue with the game calling.  With a defense that can’t stack up against even the most mediocre offense the Packers have to work to establish the run.  The Lions came into this game dead last in defending the run yet the Packer came out slinging the football all over the field even though they were undermanned due to injuries to Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison.

I get that the Packers have the best QB in all of football when he is healthy but the defense and play calling just does not do enough to complement his abilities. Mike McCarthy’s time as head coach may be up.

Mason Crosby……

The Chiefs are the best in the AFC.

I have been fighting the fact that the Chiefs are the best in the AFC, but after the domination of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday its an argument that can’t be ignored. They go against the team holding the crown on Sunday when they matchup with the New England Patriots.  Mahomes vs. Brady, the future vs the current.

The Chiefs head into Foxboro confident as they should be.  This will be a shootout, first defense to make a play will win, very intrigued!

Titans are the most confusing team in the NFL.

The Tennessee Titans continue to be a thorn in the side of bookmakers and themselves losing to the Josh Allen led Buffalo Bills on Sunday.  They still sit on top at the top of the AFC South due to two division wins over the Texans and the Jaguars accompanied by a win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.  This team seems like they should be good…but they really aren’t.

The Titans offense has become the definition of inconsistent.  Are they are running team, passing team, defensive team??? These questions continue to be a mystery to anyone that watches them play.  Losses to the Dolphins and the Bills will be something that they look back on when the playoffs are looming. These were missed opportunities that will haunt them.

The Falcons are missing the playoffs.

The Falcons have been crushed with injuries on the defensive side of the football.  Giving up 43, 37, and 41 over the last three games.  Things won’t get any easier this week as Jameis Winston and the high powered Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into Atlanta for what should be an offensive showcase. Sitting at 1-4 in a crowded NFC playoff picture this is as close to a must win as you get in week 6 of the NFL season.

With the injuries to the secondary I don’t see Atlanta have much of a chance to stop Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and underrated Chris Godwin on Sunday.  That will drop them to 1-5 and will most likely put them in the mindset of what will we be doing to rebuild for next season.  This team can’t play defense and can’t find their most valuable target Julio Jones in the Red Zone, this weekend has doom written all over it.

The NFC East stinks

The East sucks. All four NFC East teams took an L this weekend.  Two of the four were on primetime Sunday and Monday Night.  Right now the Redskins sit on top of the division with a 2-2 record.  Everyone else is under .500 and they are lucky to be there.

The Giants can’t keep their diva receivers happy.  They are 0-2 at home and don’t seem to have a clue what to do on both sides of the ball.

The Cowboys offense is in shambles.  With no go to receiver in sight teams are stacking the box to keep Zeke at bay.  This team needs another playmaker to have any chance to make a run.

The Redskins seemed like the team that had it together.  But a butt whooping at the hands of the Saints on Monday night has brought them back to reality.  The Redskins got the quarterback that Jay Gruden wanted when they traded for Alex Smith they still have the talent to win the division but a run in the playoffs seems unlikely.

The Eagles need a runningback.  Go get LeVeon Bell and become real contenders.

 

What I learned from week 4.

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Greatest Show on Surf.

The LA Rams were good last season.  This season they may be unstoppable.  Adding downfield threat Brandin Cooks has opened up the middle of the field for slot receiver Cooper Kupp as well as forcing teams to play Robert Woods one on one.  This team can throw, run and control the tempo.

This team has offensive talent throughout the roster.  The Vikings defense has not been the dominant force that it was in 2017 but they still were completely dominated an overmatched.  The only defense that can maybe slow them down would be the Jaguars but they won’t have to deal with them during the season.  Every player on this team is a must start in your fantasy lineup and its not even debatable.

Steelers will finish third in the AFC North.

The Steelers fell to 1-2-1 on Sunday night getting handled easily by division rival Baltimore.  The Steelers gave up 14 points right off the bat and never truly were able to overcome the deficit.  The Steelers defense is bad and it won’t get much relief for the next two weeks.  The Falcons come to town next week followed by a trip to Cincinnati.  Both of those games are tough matchups for a Steelers defense that has given up 26. 27, and 42 over the last three games.

It is realistic that the Steelers are going to be 1-4-1 before they get the relief of the Browns coming to Pittsburgh. The Steelers also need to make a decision on what to do with their disgruntled RB LeVeon Bell, it is causing a rift in the team.  They are in trouble and are very likely to not make the playoffs this season.

Patriots still own the Dolphins and the AFC East

Last week I wrote that I learned the Patriots may be in trouble.  They were beaten on the national stage by a team that had been dominated by Sam Darnold during the first week of the season.  Then the Patriots got exactly what they needed to turn themselves around a trip to Miami against their whipping boys the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins were a mirage of 3-0 that had people buying into the potential of them winning the division.  Bill Belichick and Tom Brady quickly reminded us that they are the class of the AFC East and they are an AP class while the Dolphins are trying to work their way out of entry level.  The Patriots will not have the returning Julian Edelman next week which will only make this team even more dangerous and it will open up the playbook for Gronk and Josh Gordon.  The Pats were also able to establish rookie Sonny Michel and the run game.  This team is dangerous and I quickly have learned that you never count out the Pats.  My bad.

Titans may be for real.

I have been a hater of the Tennessee Titans since the season started.  They don’t play the brand of football that grabs your attention.  But you cannot ignore what they have done over the last three weeks.  Wins over Houston, Philadelphia and Jacksonville put the Titans at 3-1, first place in the AFC South.  They have found themselves there despite inconsistent play on the offensive end.

Corey Davis and Marcus Mariota seemed to build a rapport with each other, Davis going for 9 catches 151 yards and a touchdown yesterday against a suspect Eagles secondary.  The Titans have found the mojo with their arial attack which can open up the run game for Derrick Henry.  With the victory over the Jags the Titans sit in the drivers seat for the division and could be a tough matchup for any AFC teams.

What I learned from Week 3

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The Broncos QB situation is still a problem.

Case Keenum has had a solid NFL career.  Highlighted by a pro bowl season for the Vikings in 2017 he was a prize on the free agent market that many teams were interested in.  While he was the the grand prize he still garnered a lot of interest from multiple teams.  Eventually he landed with the Denver Broncos.  A team with a solid defense and good core of receivers, it made sense for him and the organization.

The Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 start before falling to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday 27-14.  Keenum did not play like a prize QB going 22 for 34 for 192 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.  What was the most staggering was Denver’s inefficiencies in the red zone. An inability of Keenum to score in the red zone along with an inability

Cleveland has their QB.

The Cleveland Browns have moved into the new era of a QB savior.  Baker Mayfield made his debut with the Browns on Thursday Night Football leading them to their first victory in over 600 days.  The new savior of Cleveland sports was crowned.  The question is whether he will be the new King of Cleveland sports or will he follow in the line of Cleveland QB’s that paved the way.  Is he Lebron or Manziel?

No matter what Baker turns out to be the people of Cleveland have fallen in love again.  Hue Jackson could be the only one standing in the way of this new affair.  Jackson refuses to name Baker the starter despite him leading the Browns to victory.  Hue still believes in Tyrod Taylor but the fans are ready for their #1 draft pick to play and play now.

The Patriots have real issues.

The Patriots fell to the Detroit Lions Sunday night 26-10 in a game that they were never truly in.  While the loss is bad, it pales in comparison to the issues in the locker room.  Reports of turmoil between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick continue to make national attention.  Now talks of the Patriots potentially looking to move on from Rob Gronkowski continues to fuel the fire of dissention in the locker room.

We have seen the Patriots get off to slow starts in the past but with the continued in house disruptions you have to question whether this team is on the same page. Eventually losing coordinator after coordinator has to cause a problem for the on-field preparation.  There is a lack of talent as well.  Is this the year where Brady and Belichick can’t get past their differences?

 

 

I Talk Sports- Picks ATS (NFL, NCAAF

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I will be the first to admit that a 1-4 start to my season was not ideal.  Meltdowns from the Steelers, Florida Atlantic and Arkansas were a grocery list of bad beats.  Oh and the Saints forgot how to play defense.  Luckily late adds like Penn State and the Rams kept me in good graces.  Let’s get into this weeks picks.

Houston Texans -2 at Tennessee Titans

Following the longest game in NFL history the hobbled Tennessee Titans return home to take on division foe Houston. Both teams will be looking to avoid an 0-2 start to the regular season.

Let’s start with the obvious, the Texans have dominated the Titans winning 9 of the last 12 meetings.  They are also 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games against the Titans.  Houston’s defense will look to bring the heat on a Marcus Mariota whom is likely to start despite an elbow injury that caused him to leave their week 1 game.  All signs point to Mariota playing on Sunday but with some injuries to the offensive line the Titans could be looking at a long day trying to stop powerhouses JJ Watt and Jadaveon Clowney.

The Texans have lost 8 straight games on the road but this matchup with a healthy DeShaun Watson and and a returning Will Fuller will be to much for the Titans to handle.

PicksTexans -2

 Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins -5.5

The Washington Redskins have been flying under the radar during the preseason.  The addition of Alex Smith was not a sexy one but could pay dividends during the season.  His first game was as success full as you would think completing 21 of 30 for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns against an above average Cardinals secondary.  Veteran Adrian Peterson showed he’s still got it by rushing for 96 yards and a touchdown on 26 touches. He also caught two passes for 70 yards.

The veteran Redskins will now have a chance to feast on a Colts defense that has been its achillies heel for an eternity. Statistically, they finished in the middle of the pack in total yards allowed this past Sunday. However, Andy Dalton averaged 8.7 yards per attempt, sixth-highest in Week 1, and Cincinnati gained 5.1 yards per rush as a team, second-most in Week 1. Alex Smith will have homefield advantage and the weapons necessary to pick a part the secondary.  Luck will keep the Colts in the game but the Redskins are to solid on offense to let this game slip away.  I would love this line to get to three but that won’t happen I’ll settle for where it is.

Picks Redskins -5.5

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons -6

The Carolina Panthers play a gritty style of football.  The Falcons don’t like to score in the red zone.  This game has tightly contested written all over it.  The Panthers come into Atlanta as 6 point dogs most likely due to a litany of injuries including long time tight end Greg Olsen.  Cam Newton’s go to receiver broke his foot, he will likely be out for at least three weeks.

The Falcons are dealing with their own injuries as well. The loss of Keanu Neal for the season is a huge blow to the defense, linebacker Deion Jones has also been missing practice due to a foot injury.  Other injuries for the Falcons includes mental injuries, offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian tends to forget that he has arguably the best wide receiver in football on his team in the red zone.  Matt Ryan has forgotten how to throw a pass with any velocity as well.  This game is a tough one to pick.  So I am going to go a different direction.  I am looking under for this one and leaning towards the Panthers covering.

PicksPanthers +6 and under 44.5

Ohio Bobcats at Virginia Cavaliers -3.5

Virginia fell to Indiana in week two of the college football season but they intrigued me with their ability to keep it close.  Virginia Quarterback Bryce Perkins has been good for the Cavaliers, dealing with tough weather conditions last week, he will have a favorable matchup against an Ohio secondary that was picked a part by Howard Quarterback Caylin Newton.

Virginia will need to get out to a lead quickly and not look back.  Ohio’s best option will be to play a grind it out style to control the clock.  Keep the bad secondary off the field.  I don’t think Ohio has it in them.

PicksVirginia Cavaliers -3.5

Mizzou Tigers -6.5 at Purdue Boilmakers

The season could not have started in better for the Missouri Tigers.  Two dominate offensive games.  Drew Lock looks like a legit NFL prospect, as a team they have scored 91 points in two games and have covered both weeks spreads…Lock is also averaging 396 passing yards per game over the first two.

Purdue on the other hand has not started the season they way they had envisioned.  A tough loss to Northwestern in game one was followed up last week with a surprising defeat at the hands of Eastern Michigan. A big problem for the Boilermakers has been on the offensive side of the ball. They are averaging only 23 points per game. They have also had an issue with throwing interceptions. Giving a talented offense like Mizzou multiple opportunities will lead to a long night.

PicksMissouri Tigers -6.5

James “Why Not” Pick of the Week 0-1

PicksDolphins +3

My “Why Not” pick of the week fell just short of cashing due to a late interception thrown by DeShaun Watson.  This week I am sticking with the NFL and going with The Miami Dolphins.  The Dolphins will head into the 1-0 New York Jets looking to build on their upset victory over the Tennessee Titans. Sam Darnold looked great outside of his first throw of the game but I still see a rookie QB in a divisional game.  The Dolphins also have a passing attack that can be a problem for any secondary.  Establishing veteran Frank Gore alongside Kenyan Drake will also give the Dolphins a solid run game to back up Ryan Tannehill.  I am not only looking for the Dolphins to cover but I think they win outright.

 

What I learned from Week 1.

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Aaron Rodgers is the GOAT.

If you didn’t already believe Rodgers was the greatest of all time he finds a way to make you discuss it again.  Looking like he was dead in the water to a much improved Bears team, potentially to injured to return.  Aaron Rodgers pulled his best Willis Reed impression Sunday entering the game down 20-0 and inspiring a monumental comeback against hated rival the Chicago Bears. Rodgers threw for 286 YDS and three touchdowns while many questioned his potential return.

Bears coach Matt Nagy was having flashbacks of 2017 playoffs as he watched his team crumble blowing a lead in a early season division showdown . While Nagy can be blamed for playing conservative.  Was their really anything he could do when Rodgers came back into the game.  We watched him enter and we knew what was going to happen.  Hate him or love him Rodgers has cemented himself as the best currently playing the game.  Even the immortal Tom Brady has to see the greatness that is Aaron Rodgers,

The Chargers are the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers have a stigma that may never leave them.  They are always considered the best team in their division pre-season, yet no one really expects them to win said division.  The Kansas City Chiefs continued their recent dominance over Phillip Rivers and the gang defeating them 38- 28.

The Chargers season did not start off very immaculate as Tyreke Hill immediately made an impact on special teams running back a first quarter punt.  The Chargers were playing from behind right away, a position they have all but come accustomed to in their recent history.  The gunslinger Phillip Rivers did his part in throwing for over 400 yards but as we have seen for what seems like an eternity Rivers can be great but come up short as they so often do.

This team still has the talent to win the division and be a contender, but they have to prove it to themselves first.   A history of coming up short is hard to overcome. Ask the Bills.

Jameis Winston is overrated.

Ryan Fitzpatrick showed us the potential that has been talked about with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last few seasons.  With great offensive talent like Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and OJ Howard the Buccaneers have been a sleeper pick of many to breakout the last few seasons.  On Sunday we saw what this team is capable of as they took down defending NFC South Champions the New Orleans Saints in convincing and dominating fashion.

Jameis Winston has all of the talent a star Quarterback in the league needs.  Mobility, athleticism, arm strength, but I have always questioned his ability to lead.  Talent can win games in sports, sometimes the best athlete is just to much for the opposing team to handle. But leadership wins championships. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see Ryan Fitzpatrick taking this team to the Super Bowl especially in the stacked NFC.  I do see a team that seemed to play inspired football with a QB that they trusted.  I have said it before I think Winston is overrated and needs a change of scenery.  Maybe Sunday’s performance will show Buccaneers management that the time has come for Jameis to be moved.

Maybe the Cowboys are better with Dez?

This question may be a bit premature but the first game of the season did not go the way Jerry Jones had envisioned losing to the Carolina Panthers 16-8.  Dak Prescott was underwhelming to say the least throwing for just 170 YDS and 0 touchdowns.  The Panthers defense is no joke but it seemed as if the Cowboys never could find a rhythm.

I bring up Dez Bryant because this team seems to lack a real threat on the outside that can help to open up the dominate run game of Ezekiel Elliot.  While Bryant was not a star last year statistically, Bryant does bring reputation and prestige to the position.  A defense is forced to keep an I on him and potentially utilize a top defender to him.  Without that threat the Cowboys will have an issue moving the ball in 2018-19.

The Lions are bad.

Matt Patricia is cool.  He is not the cookie cutter mold that most coaches are.  He has his own style on the field.  But his team stinks.  They can’t play defense, they can’t play offense, they got owned on Monday Night at home against a rookie QB that actually threw a pick six on the very first play.

Mathew Stafford is good but he will never be great.  If Patricia is going to be successful he needs to abandon the ways of previous seasons. Take the ball out of Staffords hands, utilize the three runningbacks Bloung, Riddick and rookie Kerryon Johnson.  Establish the run and keep the horrid defense off the field.  This team has 5-11 written all over it.