By Dave Hunter
The Hunter Report - DFS Week 17
Well, this is it. We’re heading into Week 17 and the regular season is just about over. My chances of a Top 10 finish in the NFL $22 FantasyFeud.com/FootballDieHards.com Season League are pretty slim, needing to clear about 60 points over the team ahead of me. It seems like Week 1 was so long ago, my best week of the NFL season. I won that week, but couldn’t build consistency week-to-week over the remainder of the season. Still, at least I got my entry fee back and stayed competitive for most of the year.
My lineup from Week 16 was pretty pitiful, scoring 114.82 points for 14th place out of 46 teams. The weekly winner goes to “JFRO922”, who netted 169.86 points:
QB – Alex Smith, KC (16.4)
QB – Blake Bortles, JAC (29.22)
RB – Matt Forte, CHI (9.2)
RB – Christine Michael, SEA (3)
WR – Golden Tate, DET (7.9)
WR – Allen Hurns, JAC (26.6)
TE – Eric Ebron, DET (6.9)
FLEX – Ted Ginn, CAR (1.4)
FLEX – Chris Ivory, NYJ (6.2)
DEF – Kansas City Chiefs (8)
It was another hit-or-miss week. I really wanted to load Allen Robinson into my lineup to take full advantage of the Jaguars matchup facing the Saints yuck-o pass defense, rostering both Robinson and Allen Hurns, but I passed on that idea. Uh-oh – that was a big miss there. My expectations of Ted Ginn continuing his wide receiver dominance fluttered away in Week 16, eh? It was pretty ugly.
Let’s see if I can muster up enough moxie to pull off a weekly win, and at least end the season on a positive note. Keep in mind that the regular season will be ending; however, I will continue forth with “The Hunter Report” through the end of the playoffs
Check out the yearly standings for yourself. I’m “TheRolyPolyBoy” and I climbed one spot to 11th place overall out of 46 teams for the year in the NFL $22 FantasyFeud.com/FootballDieHards.com Season League:
https://www.fantasyfeud.com/lounge.aspx#lid=826497&lrid=1609828
QUARTERBACK
Top Level
Drew Brees, NO @ Atlanta Falcons ($146,800) – Is Brees back as a top play? I think so, especially facing the Atlanta pass defense. Look for Brees to net over 300 yards and 3 TDs on the day. If you’re paying almost $150 K for him, that’s the expectation.
Other choices: Blake Bortles, JAC @ Houston Texans ($140,900); Eli Manning, NYG vs. Philadelphia Eagles ($136,700)
Mid-Range
Matt Ryan, ATL vs. New Orleans Saints ($131,900) – It’s all about the matchup. I mean, you don’t get much better than Ryan facing the Saints pass defense. Cha-ching, right? I know Ryan has been highly inconsistent this season, as the Falcons have been, so I get it if you want to avoid. Good feeling here, though.
Other choices: Kirk Cousins, WAS @ Dallas Cowboys ($131,600); Alex Smith, KC vs. Oakland Raiders ($126,200)
Value
A.J. McCarron, CIN vs. Baltimore Ravens ($120,100) – It’s about the matchup again. The Ravens’ pass defense really stepped up in Week 16 against the Steelers but don’t expect that again as we wind down the 2015 NFL season. Look for McCarron as a cheap source of production at the QB slot.
Other choices: Brock Osweiler, DEN vs. San Diego Chargers ($114,200); Johnny Manziel, CLE vs. Pittsburgh Steelers ($112,700)
Over-Value
Carson Palmer, ARI vs. Seattle Seahawks ($143,200) – I love Palmer and what he’s done this season; however, I’m just not prepared to spend this kind of dough facing the Seahawks’ defense. Are you? If so, you’re much braver than I am. Maybe you’re playing the contrarian way by rostering Palmer. Pass.
RUNNING BACK
Top Level
Devonta Freeman, ATL vs. New Orleans Saints ($143,200) – The Saints have given up tons of points to running backs this season. Overall, their defense is about as porous as it gets. I like the idea of pairing Freeman up with one of the value backs I list below. Don’t be surprised if Freeman racks up 2 TDs and 120 yards on the day - me like-y.
Other choices: Tim Hightower, NO @ Atlanta Falcons ($120,800)
Mid-Range
Darren McFadden, DAL vs. Washington Redskins ($110,200) – Consistency is McFadden’s game. You likely won’t get a blowout production day from him, so when you’re building your lineup keep that in mind. Still, D-Mac provides some stability at the RB slot even with the Cowboys struggling to put points on the board. I like the matchup and the potential of an upset victory for the Cowboys at home. D-Mac has averaged over 100 yards over his last three contests.
Other choices: Charcandrick West, KC vs. Oakland Raiders ($108,700)
Value
James White, NE @ Miami Dolphins ($96,100) – You’re not after White’s rushing skills, rather instead his receiving abilities out of the backfield. White gets into the end zone via receiving TDs, and with the Patriots struggling with wide receiver production White makes the perfect complement RB in a FantasyFeud.com wide receiver-heavy lineup.
Other choices: Jeremy Hill, CIN vs. Baltimore Ravens ($82,000); Jeremy Langford, CHI vs. Detroit Lions ($78,900)
Over-Value
Adrian Peterson, MIN @ Green Bay Packers ($131,800) – Listen, I’m not going to say don’t roster AP, although I’d be very wary of making him your primary running back considering the price tag and that the Packers are not easy to beat at home. You can do better for your dollars spent.
WIDE RECEIVER
Top Level
Julio Jones, ATL vs. New Orleans Saints ($148,300) – I’m overjoyed to spend this kind of salary on Jones. Again, I’m getting geeky over the matchup facing the Saints. If there’s one player this week that you should spend the big bucks on, it’s Jones. Maybe I’m getting a bit excited here, but come on. Jones is the bees-knees facing the Saints.
Other choices: Antonio Brown, PIT @ Cleveland Browns ($145,300); DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($138,700); Allen Robinson, JAC @ Houston Texans ($135,400)
Mid-Range
A.J. Green, CIN vs. Baltimore Ravens ($128,700) – Green is averaging 14.62 FPPG for DFS owners this season. Plus, considering his 84.2 REYDG to go along with his targets? Dude is masterful, and can put up the numbers no matter who’s slinging him the ball. Love Green here.
Other choices: Brandin Cooks, NO @ Atlanta Falcons ($125,700); Demaryius Thomas, DEN vs. San Diego Chargers ($118,800)
Value
Allen Hurns, JAC @ Houston Texans ($102,800) – It’s all about the Jaguars passing game, isn’t it? The price is just too attractive for me to ignore. Hurns has had problems staying on the field this season due to injury, although when he’s been healthy he’s given us DFS guys a plethora of production. Value-play here, baby.
Other choices: Emmanuel Sanders, DEN vs. San Diego Chargers ($88,800); DeSean Jackson, WAS @ Dallas Cowboys ($87,600); Markus Wheaton, PIT @ Cleveland Browns ($79,400)
Over-Value
Eric Decker, NYJ @ Buffalo Bills ($133,100) – Hmm. I like Decker and appreciate his ability to catch the ball, and find the end zone, but this price is just far too high for me facing a decent Bills defense. Okay, maybe the Bills pass defense isn’t all that great. Still, the price tag here is bothering me. Right?
TIGHT END
Top Level
Jordan Reed, WAS @ Dallas Cowboys ($123,400)
Mid-Range
Delanie Walker, TEN @ Indianapolis Colts ($105,500)
Value
Benjamin Watson, NO @ Atlanta Falcons ($81,800)
Over-Value
Rob Gronkowski, NE @ Miami Dolphins ($142,200)
Good luck in Week 17! Feel free to stalk me on Twitter: twitter.com/@TheRolyPolyBoy