Walton Spurlin
FantasyPros
Twitter: @WaltonSpurlin
Website: https://www.fantasypros.com/
Player Note on Michael Bennett (DE - DAL)
It's now or never for the Cowboys' pass rush to step up as they still have faint playoffs hopes. The Redskins' offense has allowed 26.5 sacks to opposing defensive linemen on the season. While he did have five total tackles last week the veteran defensive end has not had a sack in the past two games. A banged up Redskins' offensive line should allow Bennett to get to the quarterback at least once this week.
Player Note on Jerry Hughes (DE - BUF)
The veteran defensive end has a nice Week 17 matchup to end what has been a down season on a high note. There is the question of just how much he plays with the Bills looking to the playoffs. The Jets' offense has allowed 48 sacks this season with defensive linemen being credited with 36.5 of them. He had 1.5 sacks in the Week 1 meeting between the teams.
Player Note on Jarran Reed (DT - SEA)
Jadeveon Clowney (core) is expected to play this week but will likely be less than 100% and perhaps on a snap count. They will look for Reed to step things up and look to turn around what has been a disappointing 2019 season. In nine games played he has managed to post just two sacks. On the plus side, 1.5 of those sacks came against the 49ers' offense in the first meeting between the teams. He could be worth a flier start in deeper leagues as an injury replacement.
Player Note on Dre Greenlaw (LB - SF)
The rookie linebacker had a big game in the Week 10 meeting between these division rivals. He finished the game with eight total tackles and an interception. He is in for another big game against a Seahawks' offense that runs the ball an average of 30 times per game.
Player Note on Jabaal Sheard (DE - IND)
It has been a lost season for the veteran defensive end since returning from a knee issue. In 12 games played he has managed just 3.5 sacks. He'll look to bounce back a bit healthier in the 2020 season. It's too risky to trust him at this critical point in the season.
Player Note on Robert Quinn (DE - DAL)
It has been a nice debut season for the veteran defensive end in Dallas. He leads the team with 10.5 sacks and has added two forced fumbles. It's the first time since 2014 that he has posted double digits sacks in a season. He'll look to add to that total this week when he faces a Redskins' offense that has allowed 26.5 sacks to opposing defensive linemen.
Player Note on Maxx Crosby (DE - OAK)
The defensive end will look to close out a very nice season rookie campaign with another sack this week at Denver. He has put up 42 total tackles and 8.5 sacks to date in 2019. The Broncos' offense has allowed 22 sacks to the defensive line position through 15 games.
Player Note on Calais Campbell (DE - JAC)
It appears that the back issue he has been dealing with all season will prevent the veteran from posting top-10 defensive linemen totals this season. The matchup this week is not a positive one for a bounce back performance. In the first meeting between the teams he finished with just a single tackle.
Player Note on Aaron Donald (DT - LAR)
A disappointing 2019 campaign mercifully ends for the Rams this week. Donald started slowly this season but has regained the form he displayed last season. In his last six games he has put up 6.5 sacks. In the Week 15 matchup against the Cardinals' offense he finished with two total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Player Note on Marlon Humphrey (CB - BAL)
The big play producing cornerback is putting up top-12 defensive backs totals in balanced scoring formats. It will be interesting to see if he plays a full compliment of snaps in what is a meaningless game for Baltimore. He did have a forced as well as recovered fumble in the Week 5 meeting between the teams.
Player Note on Michael Bennett (DE - DAL)
It's now or never for the Cowboys' pass rush to step up as they still have faint playoffs hopes. The Redskins' offense has allowed 26.5 sacks to opposing defensive linemen on the season. While he did have five total tackles last week the veteran defensive end has not had a sack in the past two games. A banged up Redskins' offensive line should allow Bennett to get to the quarterback at least once this week.
Player Note on Jerry Hughes (DE - BUF)
The veteran defensive end has a nice Week 17 matchup to end what has been a down season on a high note. There is the question of just how much he plays with the Bills looking to the playoffs. The Jets' offense has allowed 48 sacks this season with defensive linemen being credited with 36.5 of them. He had 1.5 sacks in the Week 1 meeting between the teams.
Player Note on Jarran Reed (DT - SEA)
Jadeveon Clowney (core) is expected to play this week but will likely be less than 100% and perhaps on a snap count. They will look for Reed to step things up and look to turn around what has been a disappointing 2019 season. In nine games played he has managed to post just two sacks. On the plus side, 1.5 of those sacks came against the 49ers' offense in the first meeting between the teams. He could be worth a flier start in deeper leagues as an injury replacement.
Player Note on Dre Greenlaw (LB - SF)
The rookie linebacker had a big game in the Week 10 meeting between these division rivals. He finished the game with eight total tackles and an interception. He is in for another big game against a Seahawks' offense that runs the ball an average of 30 times per game.
Player Note on Jabaal Sheard (DE - IND)
It has been a lost season for the veteran defensive end since returning from a knee issue. In 12 games played he has managed just 3.5 sacks. He'll look to bounce back a bit healthier in the 2020 season. It's too risky to trust him at this critical point in the season.
Player Note on Robert Quinn (DE - DAL)
It has been a nice debut season for the veteran defensive end in Dallas. He leads the team with 10.5 sacks and has added two forced fumbles. It's the first time since 2014 that he has posted double digits sacks in a season. He'll look to add to that total this week when he faces a Redskins' offense that has allowed 26.5 sacks to opposing defensive linemen.
Player Note on Maxx Crosby (DE - OAK)
The defensive end will look to close out a very nice season rookie campaign with another sack this week at Denver. He has put up 42 total tackles and 8.5 sacks to date in 2019. The Broncos' offense has allowed 22 sacks to the defensive line position through 15 games.
Player Note on Calais Campbell (DE - JAC)
It appears that the back issue he has been dealing with all season will prevent the veteran from posting top-10 defensive linemen totals this season. The matchup this week is not a positive one for a bounce back performance. In the first meeting between the teams he finished with just a single tackle.
Player Note on Aaron Donald (DT - LAR)
A disappointing 2019 campaign mercifully ends for the Rams this week. Donald started slowly this season but has regained the form he displayed last season. In his last six games he has put up 6.5 sacks. In the Week 15 matchup against the Cardinals' offense he finished with two total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Player Note on Marlon Humphrey (CB - BAL)
The big play producing cornerback is putting up top-12 defensive backs totals in balanced scoring formats. It will be interesting to see if he plays a full compliment of snaps in what is a meaningless game for Baltimore. He did have a forced as well as recovered fumble in the Week 5 meeting between the teams.
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Against the Spread: Divisional Round Picks
Game: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Pick: Atlanta Falcons (-3)
The Falcons defense has come on late in the season and I simply don't trust Nick Foles to get the job done. There is a reason he was the back up and the offense has looked very shaky since Wentz went down.
Game: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
Pick: New England Patriots (-13.5)
The Patriots seem to thrive when there is a bit of controversy swirling around and recent reports of a rift fits the bill. Tennessee was struggling to deal with tight end Travis Kelce last week before he went out with a concussion. They will have no answer for Rob Gronkowski this week.
Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (+7)
I like the Steelers to eke out a win as there is no way Ben Roethlisberger throws five interceptions again against Jacksonville. That being said I do believe that the "Sacksonville" defense will keep them within the seven points spread.
Game: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Pick: New Orleans Saints (+4.5)
The Saints defense has been getting great pressure on the quarterback lately and I see that continuing this week in Minnesota . Case Keenum has had a great season but will be pressured into an untimely turnover or two. Give me Brees and the potent Saints offense this week.
Which game pick are you most confident with?
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
Pick: Atlanta Falcons (-3)
The Falcons defense has come on late in the season and I simply don't trust Nick Foles to get the job done. There is a reason he was the back up and the offense has looked very shaky since Wentz went down.
Game: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
Pick: New England Patriots (-13.5)
The Patriots seem to thrive when there is a bit of controversy swirling around and recent reports of a rift fits the bill. Tennessee was struggling to deal with tight end Travis Kelce last week before he went out with a concussion. They will have no answer for Rob Gronkowski this week.
Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (+7)
I like the Steelers to eke out a win as there is no way Ben Roethlisberger throws five interceptions again against Jacksonville. That being said I do believe that the "Sacksonville" defense will keep them within the seven points spread.
Game: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Pick: New Orleans Saints (+4.5)
The Saints defense has been getting great pressure on the quarterback lately and I see that continuing this week in Minnesota . Case Keenum has had a great season but will be pressured into an untimely turnover or two. Give me Brees and the potent Saints offense this week.
Which game pick are you most confident with?
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
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