Sunday, November 20, 2016

Sunday morning observations -- Week 11

Good morning, Fools, from frosty North Texas. Winter is coming, indeed.

We're steamrolling down the stretch toward the fantasy postseason. Hopefully you're like me, with the highest -- or nearly the highest -- points in your leagues and aiming not just for a playoff berth, but a first-round bye. Both of my leagues also pay out a percentage of the pot for highest regular-season points, so that serves as extra motivation to get every starting spot right.

(BTW, not trying to act like I'm always in this position; most years I'm fighting to make the playoffs in at least one of my leagues. This season has been great from the start, not coincidentally because I took David Johnson with my first pick in both leagues.)

But enough about me. Let's take a spin around the league to cover the news we can use to dominate our matchups...

You know Rob Gronkowski is out, but Dion Lewis should see his first action of the season today in San Francisco. It's too early to start him, but with a nice debut, he could be a key player in Week 12. Especially if Gronk has to sit another game.

I snapped up Thomas Rawls a couple weeks ago, but I've stashed him on my bench for his first game back. If I didn't have safer options available, I wouldn't be too worried about starting him. While he probably won't get the workhorse treatment today, he is expected to be very involved. And Lord knows, the Seahawks need to fix their running game. (C.J. Prosise has proven his worth, but he is better suited in a change-of-pace, receiving role; at least for now.)

Though KC is playing solid defense, I like Doug Martin's chances today after he shook off the rust in Week 10.

I wouldn't start any Cardinal not named David Johnson or Fitz today. Carson Palmer is flailing, and the Vikes, while swooning, still play good pass D.

Latavius Murray (ankle) and Amari Cooper (back) are still listed as questionable for the Monday nighter in Mexico City. Both are expected to play, and each should perform well; but just know that there's some risk here, since both were limited in practice on Saturday.

Will Fuller is in the same boat, but he doesn't have the same upside as his opponents, mostly because he has to play with Brock Osweiler.

Other players who are already ruled out, or trending that way: DeAngelo Williams, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy Maclin, Chris Hogan, Torrey Smith and Larry Donnell.

That's it for now. Inactives and other late-breaking news to follow via Twitter in a bit. Good luck, Fools!

Bonus Question: So I made a blockbuster trade this week. Curious what you Fools think. I am 8-2 in my big-money league and lead the "highest points" race by about 50 points over #2. My only weakness on that team is at QB, where I started with Palmer and Bortles, and recently dropped Bortles for Dak. I traded Shady McCoy and Palmer for Matt Ryan and Ingram. Fortunately, I didn't play Ingram on Thursday (Jeremy Hill is my new RB2; also have Tevin Coleman, Hightower and Dion Lewis). It obviously hurts to lose Shady (it's a PPR league), and Ryan is on bye this week. But I figure it's all about the postseason, and I just got stronger at the most important position. I'm not a bonehead, right?

3 comments:

  1. Considering I've been getting excellent fantasy advice from you since 2004, I feel I can take a minute to comment on your trade. I would've made that trade if I were you too. DJ and Shady sounds nice but there's enough RB depth on your team for one of your guys to be a solid RB2 each week, especially Ingram,Hill and hopefully Dion. Plus Ryan upgrades you big time at QB. I like the trade!

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  2. In fantasy football, QBs are King! Not having a good QB every week will kill your chances. Good move - you now have Ryan/Dak vs. Palmer/Dak. Ingram/Hill/Lewis will fill in nicely.

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