Fantasy Football

2019 FANTASY FOOTBALL, WEEK SIXTEEN – THE FINAL WAIVER WIRE

CONGRATULATIONS!  You made the championship game! We are all so proud of you, but you have one more important game to win before you get to puff out your chest and claim the trophy. The first thing I did once I knew my Championship Game match-up is study my opponent’s roster up and down. With only one opponent left in your way, figure out what they could be searching for on the wire and BLOCK them. See how much FAAB they have and try to determine what their pick-up move will be. No need to hold on to handcuffs anymore as they are rendered useless. If you have free bench space, gobble up as many options as possible to prevent your enemy from acquiring them. Of course you need to know your roster too, but by this time you should know it like the back of your hand. So first things first, pull a defensive move and try to hide waiver claims on your bench so your rival cannot use.

STUDY EACH GAME MATCH-UP FOR WEEK 16. Know what teams are still fighting for their Playoff lives and which are ruled out. Look at the Vegas lines and see what games are potential shootouts. I typically will start a kicker who has an indoor game as points are points and much easier to kick when the weather isn’t involved. Review all available Defense tilts and see which have the best opportunities to help you claim the prize. My job is done, our consensus ranks will be up on Thursday. You did it, now complete the job. DO IT!

Here are some guys that might help your crusade that are owned in less than 40% of leagues.

Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA)
Ownership: 16% ESPN, 25% Yahoo

Week 15: 23/41 for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Rushed four times for 33 yards and lost a fumble.

The 1-13 Bengals travel to Miami to take on the 3-11 Dolphins. The Vegas line is 46.5 and favors the fish by one point. So, FitzMagic has an implied total of 24 points. Cincinnati gives up an average of 20.4 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Miami has no run game with Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskins and they both are better weapons as pass catchers. Devante Parker gets peppered with targets and leaves fellow receiver Albert Wilson and tight end Mike Gesicki open downfield. One more flash of wizardry from the bearded warrior. “You can do magic, you can have anything that you desire.”

Running Backs
Mike Boone (MIN)
Ownership: 0% ESPN, 3% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 32%

Week 15: 13 rushes for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

I was up against a Dalvin Cook owner and boy does it suck to lose your bellcow in fantasy playoffs, even worse for real life as Minnesota is fighting for their own playoff lives. Alexander Mattison missed practice all last week and did not play on Sunday. This muddies the situation and I would only feel confident rolling out Boone if Cook and Mattison sit. Sure he scored twice but CJ Ham is used more in the passing game and Ameer Abdullah also lingers.

Boston Scott (PHI)
Ownership: 8% ESPN, 8% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 45%

Week 15: Six rushes for 26 yards. Caught all of his seven targets for 39 yards.

I would only consider calling out BS if you are in a PPR league as he has seen at least six targets in back to back weeks. If Jordan Howard is forced to miss another game, Scott would be in line for another 10+ touches against Dallas. Boston would need to find the end zone to be relevant. Only usable if Howard is out, but beware in standard leagues.

Detroit Backfield – Sure Kerryon Johnson is scheduled to be back from injured reserve. Wes Hills was the guy with Bo Scarbrough out in Week 15. Could you really put your trust in anyone of these guys in your Championship game? NOPE, no idea of how they will be used at Denver plus the Broncos have only allowed seven touchdowns to running backs all year.

Wide Receivers
Breshad Perriman (TB)
Ownership: 9% ESPN, 12% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 89%

Week 15: Snagged five of six targets and three touchdowns. Ran the ball once for three yards.

“And another one gone and another one gone… another one bites the dust!” Mike Evans is gone for the year and now Chris Godwin is most likely as well. That leaves Breshad as the number one option with Justin Watson and Ishmael Hyman as the other receivers for the Buccaneers. Vegas line is 51 so points are going to be scored, decent option but you have already seen his career game this past week. Five plus targets in each of the past three games, and I would think eight or more targets in this match-up. More of a PPR play.

Anthony Miller (CHI)
Ownership: 25% ESPN, 26% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 94%

Week 15: Caught nine of the fifteen targets for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Miller has received an average of over ten targets a game over his last five starts. If Taylor Gabriel sits again, Anthony would be in line for another large helping of Trubisky. Finished WR5 in Week 15 and WR8 in Week 13. Volume and lots of it. Should be positive game script against Kansas City for the last game at Soldier Field for the season. He has earned his way onto some fantasy Championship rosters, will he be on yours?

Chris Conley (JAC)
Ownership: 19% ESPN, 22% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 88%

Week 15: Caught half of his eight targets for 49 yards and two touchdowns.

CC has averaged more than six targets per game since Week Seven. DJ Chark is most likely out again which means more targets will be seen by both Conley and Keelan Cole. Conley lead the way with most team targets and received four red zone looks in Week 15. An option only if Chark sits.

Danny Amendola (DET)
Ownership: 17% ESPN, 25% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 86%

Week 15: Reeled in eight of thirteen targets for 102 yards.

That is now three weeks in a row with eight plus targets. Over the past nine games Danny has averaged over 7.5 targets per game. In that span he only has two 100 yard games and still no touchdowns. With Marvin Jones out, the volume will remain constant and if he can find the end zone, the safe floor becomes a nice ceiling.

Tight End
Noah Fant (DEN)
Ownership: 34% ESPN, 31% Yahoo
Week 15 Snap Percentage: 46%

Week 15: Caught two of three targets for 56 yards.

Fant is the number two option behind Courtland Sutton and the Lions are just not very good at stopping the pass as they rank 31st with giving up an average of 288.6 yards per game. Over the past two weeks with Drew Lock under center, Noah is starting to receive more opportunities. Seen a red zone target in each of last three.

Soak up the week and do your best to win so you can live the good life until next draft. Do not look back and wonder if you could have done more to win. Know your lineup and your options. KNOW YOUR ENEMY! Below is a music playlist I put together with some jams that made me feel extra special after the Week 15 win.  I hope you find enjoyment out of them too.

See you back here on Thursday for consensus ranks. We cannot tell you how proud we are of your accomplishments, but they do not mean anything if you cannot secure one more win.

America – You Can Do Magic
Beastie Boys – Slow Ride
Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
Billy Joel – This Is the Time
Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get it Started
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
McFadden & Whitehead – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now 
Metallica – Enter Sandman
Ollie & Jerry – There’s No Stopping Us
Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell
Public Enemy – Louder Than a Bomb
Queen – Another One Bites The Dust
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Vangelis – Chariots of Fire Theme Song

Todd D Clark – Fantasy Bro

Follow me on Twitter @Lunchmade

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