Yikes. Two of the three headlining players from last week’s column left Sunday’s action with knee injuries. The curse isn’t real, guys. Kudos to those of you still standing in the semi-finals of your season-long league. Last week’s carnage left many brave regular-season squads flapping in the pre-solstice breeze. Some of my teams were spared by a first-round bye.
The harshest blow came in my own League of Champions, where Lamar Jackson hoisted my crumbling championship aspirations like Atlas until Mike Evans dropped the axe for defending champion Pat Fitzmaurice. My formidable contender evaporated in one tempestuous Sunday afternoon.
Yikes. Two of the three headlining players from last week’s column left Sunday’s action with knee injuries. The curse isn’t real, guys. Kudos to those of you still standing in the semi-finals of your season-long league. Last week’s carnage left many brave regular-season squads flapping in the pre-solstice breeze. Some of my teams were spared by a first-round bye.
The harshest blow came in my own League of Champions, where Lamar Jackson hoisted my crumbling championship aspirations like Atlas until Mike Evans dropped the axe for defending champion Pat Fitzmaurice. My formidable contender evaporated in one tempestuous Sunday afternoon.
On the other hand, my DFS lineups were formidable for the second week in a row. I had a strong feeling about Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams in a “Future HOFers from NorCal” stack. Adding in Evans and Jerry Jeudy, along with the Cowboys D/ST were the creme fraiche atop the fruit salad. While those plays were not included in the column, the wildest slate breakers have frequently appeared like a premonition right here between the margins. If it’s weird to be different, then I’m certifiably kooky. One more win and we’re in the money. Shall we fire up the pepper pot?
Fantasy Football Hot Takes: Week 16
C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell Go Crazy and Are Both Top-10 at Their Respective Positions; Texans Shut Down Hobbled Chiefs and Win by 10 at Arrowhead
The Chiefs shut up a lot of haters last week. It was just the Browns, but the defense got back to the basics and shut down a red-hot Jameis Winston. Patrick Mahomes was poised and showed flashes of his explosive potential before someone rolled up on his ankle. The Texans are not the same offense they were when Nico Collins was hurt. C.J. Stroud has certainly fallen short of last season’s mastery, but I wouldn’t count him out as a real threat to light up the run funnel Kansas City defense.
Joe Mixon appears to have dodged a significant injury, but he will likely need to get there with a strong showing as a pass-catcher. Collins is awesome, but watch out for Tank Dell this week. Dell looks sharper by the week. His speed and route running will put a lot of stress on the Chiefs and expose mismatches.
Mahomes will not be 100%, which means a nasty Houston pass rush is ready to attack. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson are going to be a problem. Derek Stingley completely locked up Tyreek Hill last week, erasing production on his side of the field. I want Marquise Brown to play (he might). If he does, Kansas City will be tougher to keep out of the end zone. If he doesn’t, I would look for a breakout performance from Xavier Worthy. The speedy rookie has been a fantasy dynamo since the bye. I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but always start Travis Kelce when Mahomes is hobbling around.
Steelers Rebound From Beatdown in Philly to Sweep Ravens; Pat Freiermuth Scores 20 PPR Points and Russell Wilson Tosses Three Touchdowns
If Pittsburgh was “exposed” in Philly, then we also found out just how dominant the Eagles are. The Birds are death to quarterbacks. Russell Wilson was just the latest victim. The good news is Wilson will have an easier time finding open receivers in Baltimore.
Everyone is hopeful for George Pickens to return from his hamstring injury, but I’m just as excited to plug in Pat Freiermuth. Arthur Smith loves to run play action off the wide zone runs and slip a tight end headed back to the play side. The Ravens are susceptible to wide zone play action with their aggressive linebackers. Freiermuth is primed for a huge day, especially if Pittsburgh can earn some respect on the ground with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Lamar Jackson played his worst game of the season in the Steel City. He completed fewer than half of his pass attempts and was under constant duress by a well-coached Pittsburgh defense. While I think Jackson will be better at home in this one, his ceiling is lower and his floor is shakier.
Mark Andrews becomes a necessary tool to attack the Steelers since Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving in the previous meeting. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have rarely both panned out in the same game. Derrick Henry hasn’t scored a touchdown in weeks. He won’t break 100 yards in this one, but I do believe he finds the end zone at least once.
Aaron Jones Runs Roughshod Over Seahawks With 170 Scrimmage Yards; Vikings Win Despite Three Sam Darnold Turnovers
Last week was a real letdown for the Seahawks. They started so slowly against Green Bay at home in primetime, then were dead in the water when Geno Smith hurt his knee. The defense wasn’t as bad as the 30 points the Packers scored on them, but it will be in a precarious position if Sam Howell has to start.
Minnesota is among the hottest teams in the league. Their aggressive defense under Brian Flores compliments the offense incredibly well and would give Smith or Howell fits regardless. I’m sitting all Seahawks this week, maybe except for Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a WR2 option.
Sam Darnold has taken us on a tilt-a-whirl ride this season. The same flaws exist to give any fantasy manager indigestion, but having Kevin O’Connell in your ear and an elite receiving arsenal helps. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are in line for median performances against a tough Seattle secondary.
T.J. Hockenson could be ready to step up and have a big day on the road, but my money is on a lethal ground attack with Aaron Jones. Seattle is only middling as a run defense and will have their hands full in coverage. Jones is one player I will be running to bet the over on his props. While the Seahawks could goad Darnold into giveaways, Minnesota’s offense has the multiplicity to overcome it.
Packers Hang 45 to Win; Jordan Love Is the QB1 on the Entire Slate With 350 Yards and Four Touchdowns Versus Saints
Green Bay was very impressive in Seattle. Jordan Love had his Dr. Jekyll card face up and laced in some incredible throws. This is a Super Bowl-caliber offense under Matt LaFleur. Josh Jacobs brings a needed counterpunch to the outside weaponry. Love is nearly impossible to stop on play action, especially when the Packers get ahead of the sticks.
Jayden Reed needs more work. With how well Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are playing, he could very well be left wanting again. Even Tucker Kraft has enjoyed five TE1 performances in 2024. New Orleans has seen its depth chart torn asunder on both sides of the ball. No mercy, the Cheeseheads are in a playoff race.
What nice thing can I say about the Saints’ offense? Just a minute, it will come to me. Oh, yes. Their only option is to run the hell out of the ball, putting Kendre Miller in the driver’s seat for the rest of the season.
The team recently picked up native Louisianan Clyde Edwards-Helaire after his release from Kansas City, but I don’t expect him to contribute much right away. Miller is a stud. Even if Desmond Ridder or Jake Haener is stinking it up back there, the talented runner from TCU is a star about to shine.
Dennis Allen will be white-knuckling in dismay when his misguided distaste for Miller only proves to be yet another reflection of the former coach’s gross incompetence.
