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| Jay Cutler says "Start me. Or don't. Like I care." |
The Bye weeks are over and we are on the precipice of the playoffs. As such, your rosters should be solidified by now. If they aren't, this week's Best of the Rest has your back! There is a mix of one-week and rest of season options below, so please enjoy.
QUARTERBACKS
Jay Cutler versus San Francisco (46%)
I don’t do ranks, but if I did, Smokin’ Jay would be top three this week behind a suddenly furious Tom Brady-led Patriots team and Cam Newton taking on eleven guys the Saints scraped off Bourbon Street masquerading as a defense. He takes on a 49ers team that has been absolutely dreadful on the road this year, a team that is set to break all records for defensive ineptitude away from Levi’s Stadium. I won’t go into deep depths with Jay Cutler, but here are some sobering facts about the 49ers defense (I say this as a 49ers fan).
Jay Cutler versus San Francisco (46%)
I don’t do ranks, but if I did, Smokin’ Jay would be top three this week behind a suddenly furious Tom Brady-led Patriots team and Cam Newton taking on eleven guys the Saints scraped off Bourbon Street masquerading as a defense. He takes on a 49ers team that has been absolutely dreadful on the road this year, a team that is set to break all records for defensive ineptitude away from Levi’s Stadium. I won’t go into deep depths with Jay Cutler, but here are some sobering facts about the 49ers defense (I say this as a 49ers fan).
Quarterbacks in 49ers road games:
314.4 yards, 2.4 touchdowns, 0.4 interceptions for 23.74 fantasy points per game.
In the “not Nick Foles” category
All QBs have totaled at least 290 yards rushing and passing
All QBs have thrown multiple touchdowns
The 49ers are averaging one interception every other game on the road.
314.4 yards, 2.4 touchdowns, 0.4 interceptions for 23.74 fantasy points per game.
In the “not Nick Foles” category
All QBs have totaled at least 290 yards rushing and passing
All QBs have thrown multiple touchdowns
The 49ers are averaging one interception every other game on the road.
Since Cutler was injured in Seattle, he has played decently: no game under 200 passing yards and 1.5 touchdowns a game. Nothing spectacular, but solid. He’s still a good quarterback, and he will feast on the 49ers’ secondary Sunday
Alex Smith at Oakland (30%)
Smith has played extremely well at Oakland in his tenure as a Chief, passing for over 260 yards per game in his two games there and tossing seven touchdowns in those two games. He’s played solidly recently, and remains a middling option who won’t hurt your team. He’ll provide steady fantasy points. With the running back situation a mess, Smith will frequently turn to Travis Kelce Sunday, and the Raiders are absolutely terrible at defending the Tight End. Nothing flashy, nothing spectacular, but Smith is unlikely to hurt your fantasy squad.
Smith has played extremely well at Oakland in his tenure as a Chief, passing for over 260 yards per game in his two games there and tossing seven touchdowns in those two games. He’s played solidly recently, and remains a middling option who won’t hurt your team. He’ll provide steady fantasy points. With the running back situation a mess, Smith will frequently turn to Travis Kelce Sunday, and the Raiders are absolutely terrible at defending the Tight End. Nothing flashy, nothing spectacular, but Smith is unlikely to hurt your fantasy squad.
Deep Dive:
Blaine Gabbert at Chicago (2%)
This one is rough because there are only two quarterbacks under 10% ownership that are actually starting, Gabbert and Matt Schaub. So, we aren’t exactly working with a ton of options here. This play is based on the fact that the Bears are likely to end up going up big and playing prevent defense. This works into the hands of the 49ers’ dink-and-dunk offense. Expect a lot of yardage and underneath plays to the running backs and tight ends. Gabbert hasn’t lit the world on fire but he has been competent. This is a complete desperation play but Schaub can’t stop throwing interceptions, so…
Blaine Gabbert at Chicago (2%)
This one is rough because there are only two quarterbacks under 10% ownership that are actually starting, Gabbert and Matt Schaub. So, we aren’t exactly working with a ton of options here. This play is based on the fact that the Bears are likely to end up going up big and playing prevent defense. This works into the hands of the 49ers’ dink-and-dunk offense. Expect a lot of yardage and underneath plays to the running backs and tight ends. Gabbert hasn’t lit the world on fire but he has been competent. This is a complete desperation play but Schaub can’t stop throwing interceptions, so…
WIDE RECEIVERS
DeVante Parker versus Baltimore (26%)
Parker has been in and out of the lineup this season, but in the games he played a decent amount of snaps, he’s averaging 8.5 targets a game. With Kenny Stills out and the Dolphins going up the legendarily awful Ravens secondary, he should get peppered with targets again. He hasn’t gotten empty targets like Jordan Matthews, either, he’s converted seven of them for 120 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens have given up 20 games of over 7 fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season, which means that number two receivers have been feasting against them. Parker may start heating up, so he’s a great speculative add as well as a one-week option.
DeVante Parker versus Baltimore (26%)
Parker has been in and out of the lineup this season, but in the games he played a decent amount of snaps, he’s averaging 8.5 targets a game. With Kenny Stills out and the Dolphins going up the legendarily awful Ravens secondary, he should get peppered with targets again. He hasn’t gotten empty targets like Jordan Matthews, either, he’s converted seven of them for 120 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens have given up 20 games of over 7 fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season, which means that number two receivers have been feasting against them. Parker may start heating up, so he’s a great speculative add as well as a one-week option.
Eddie Royal versus San Francisco (19%)
This is with the caveat that he actually plays Sunday. He is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but Martellus Bennett is falling out of favor and Marquess Wilson is out for the game. Royal will be the number two receiver against a 49ers defense that has gotten destroyed by wide receivers on the road this season. For Royal’s part, he’s been a solid option when he plays and the receiving corps is depleted, which may be the case Sunday.
This is with the caveat that he actually plays Sunday. He is officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but Martellus Bennett is falling out of favor and Marquess Wilson is out for the game. Royal will be the number two receiver against a 49ers defense that has gotten destroyed by wide receivers on the road this season. For Royal’s part, he’s been a solid option when he plays and the receiving corps is depleted, which may be the case Sunday.
Deep Dive:
Brian Hartline versus Cincinnati (1%)
Last week’s deep dive makes another return. He’s quietly become the number two receiver in Cleveland over the last few weeks, totaling 31 targets in the last three games he’s played. He’s turned this into over 70 yards twice and two touchdowns another time. He’s hauled in 14 targets in the last two games combined, so he is especially intriguing in PPR. The Bengals are middle of the road against wide receivers, but have had bad showings recently, giving up 9 or more fantasy points to receivers six times in their last four games. At 1% owned and no Bye weeks, he’s an extreme desperation play, but also an intriguing DFS option.
Brian Hartline versus Cincinnati (1%)
Last week’s deep dive makes another return. He’s quietly become the number two receiver in Cleveland over the last few weeks, totaling 31 targets in the last three games he’s played. He’s turned this into over 70 yards twice and two touchdowns another time. He’s hauled in 14 targets in the last two games combined, so he is especially intriguing in PPR. The Bengals are middle of the road against wide receivers, but have had bad showings recently, giving up 9 or more fantasy points to receivers six times in their last four games. At 1% owned and no Bye weeks, he’s an extreme desperation play, but also an intriguing DFS option.
RUNNING BACKS
Antonio Andrews versus Jacksonville (48%)
Andrews has taken the majority lead in Jacksonville, and performed decently on Thursday Night Football against Jacksonville a few weeks ago. He’s averaged 4.2 yards per carry the last couple of weeks after his disastrous eight attempts for one yard debacle, so he’s running well. Jacksonville has given up over nine fantasy points to running backs eight times this year. He’s freely available, and is a lead back, so if you’re in a pinch, you could do worse.
Antonio Andrews versus Jacksonville (48%)
Andrews has taken the majority lead in Jacksonville, and performed decently on Thursday Night Football against Jacksonville a few weeks ago. He’s averaged 4.2 yards per carry the last couple of weeks after his disastrous eight attempts for one yard debacle, so he’s running well. Jacksonville has given up over nine fantasy points to running backs eight times this year. He’s freely available, and is a lead back, so if you’re in a pinch, you could do worse.
Charles Sims versus Atlanta (28%)
One of the running backs that got double-digits against Jacksonville was Sims. He’s had his carries scaled back, and was disastrous in his four touches last week, but he is still at 4.4 yards per carry on the seasons and he’s worth as good a shot as any. Sub-50% owned running backs are a bleak landscape, so banking on the Falcons’ terrible running back defense and Sims busting one long is your best bet if your on-roster RBs aren’t doing the trick.
One of the running backs that got double-digits against Jacksonville was Sims. He’s had his carries scaled back, and was disastrous in his four touches last week, but he is still at 4.4 yards per carry on the seasons and he’s worth as good a shot as any. Sub-50% owned running backs are a bleak landscape, so banking on the Falcons’ terrible running back defense and Sims busting one long is your best bet if your on-roster RBs aren’t doing the trick.
Terrance West at Miami (2%)
In his first game with Baltimore, he got seven carries and pulled off 37 yards with those totes. That is a good yards per carry, but West isn’t the type of back that will break out for any sort of longish run. If sub-50% running backs are bleak, imagine how bad it is to be scraping under 10%? It’s rough. This is banking on West and Javorius Allen splitting reps and West making maximum use of his. He’s not a great play, but the best of the sub-10% running backs.
In his first game with Baltimore, he got seven carries and pulled off 37 yards with those totes. That is a good yards per carry, but West isn’t the type of back that will break out for any sort of longish run. If sub-50% running backs are bleak, imagine how bad it is to be scraping under 10%? It’s rough. This is banking on West and Javorius Allen splitting reps and West making maximum use of his. He’s not a great play, but the best of the sub-10% running backs.
TIGHT ENDS
Jacob Tamme at Tampa Bay (35%)
The Falcons put Leonard Hankerson on injured reserve this week, so there are 6-8 targets per game up for grabs in Atlanta. Tamme is already averaging over 7 targets per game over his last four games, and with extra looks to sop up, his production will see a boost. Tampa Bay doesn’t give up a ton of points to the tight end position, but Tamme torched them in week eight to the tune of 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He’s available in just about 2/3 of leagues, so Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham owners who whiffed on a replacement can easily look towards Tamme this week to fill in.
Jacob Tamme at Tampa Bay (35%)
The Falcons put Leonard Hankerson on injured reserve this week, so there are 6-8 targets per game up for grabs in Atlanta. Tamme is already averaging over 7 targets per game over his last four games, and with extra looks to sop up, his production will see a boost. Tampa Bay doesn’t give up a ton of points to the tight end position, but Tamme torched them in week eight to the tune of 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He’s available in just about 2/3 of leagues, so Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham owners who whiffed on a replacement can easily look towards Tamme this week to fill in.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins versus New Orleans (28%)
The Legend of ASJ grows, as he has been cleared for contact, and he was dominant in the one game he’s played so far this year. He isn’t a strong bet to play this weekend, but is definitely worth a stash for the playoff run. Do it before anyone else does, and if he plays this weekend, temper your expectations. He went for 110 yards and two touchdowns in week one, but was hurt early in week two and hasn’t played since. He’ll need to shake off the rust, but could win seasons down the stretch for you.
The Legend of ASJ grows, as he has been cleared for contact, and he was dominant in the one game he’s played so far this year. He isn’t a strong bet to play this weekend, but is definitely worth a stash for the playoff run. Do it before anyone else does, and if he plays this weekend, temper your expectations. He went for 110 yards and two touchdowns in week one, but was hurt early in week two and hasn’t played since. He’ll need to shake off the rust, but could win seasons down the stretch for you.
Deep Dive:
Will Tye versus Jets (1%)
The Jets have been dominant against the tight end this season, but they haven’t really shut down any great TEs. Only Charles Clay and Rob Gronkowski got more than five targets this season, and Gronk smashed to the tune of 108 and a touchdown (Clay had over 10 yards a catch on his five catches). Tye has gotten 21 targets over the past three weeks, and with the beleaguered Jets secondary doing everything they can to stop Odell Beckham, Jr without Darrelle Revis, things should open up for Tye underneath.
Will Tye versus Jets (1%)
The Jets have been dominant against the tight end this season, but they haven’t really shut down any great TEs. Only Charles Clay and Rob Gronkowski got more than five targets this season, and Gronk smashed to the tune of 108 and a touchdown (Clay had over 10 yards a catch on his five catches). Tye has gotten 21 targets over the past three weeks, and with the beleaguered Jets secondary doing everything they can to stop Odell Beckham, Jr without Darrelle Revis, things should open up for Tye underneath.
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