TNF Reaction: Kittle Cruises and Weekend Hail Marys

By Winsto (12/16/2022)

San Francisco Sweeps Seattle

On the San Franscisco side, George Kittle (TE) took full advantage of Deebo Samuel’s absence, going 4-93-2.  That, my friends, is a solid day at the office for the tight end position.  Yes, Seattle’s defense has not been tough on opposing tight ends this season, but Kittle should continue to thrive.  His remaining opponents, aside from Washington (Week 15), can be quite generous to the tight end position (Week 16 @ LV and Week 17 @ Arizona).  Stay with him as long as San Francisco is still playing for something. 

Christian McCaffrey (RB) owners should feel okay, as he went 26-108-1 rushing and 6-30 receiving, though you were probably hoping for more of a blow-up game, considering Seattle has given up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs this season.  Once again, I will suggest grabbing Jordan Mason (RB), especially if I am a McCaffrey owner for three reasons:

  1. Mason closed out the game with a nice long run and went 4-64 when the team needed to run the ball to ice the game. 
  2. He looks the part and the coaches seem to trust him.
  3. McCaffrey rushed 26 times in this game.  That is the most carries he has had this season, and only the second time he has rushed more than 18 times this year. 

 

As for the rest, Brandon Aiyuk (WR) disappointed here, going 2-19.  He also dropped another target.  I do think better games will be in his future, especially against Los Vegas in Week 15.  Brock Purdy (QB) was solid (217-2) and could be useful if you play in deeper leagues and/or are scrambling after losing Kyle Murray (QB-Arizona).

As for Seattle, Ken Walker (RB) did okay against a tough defense, going 12-47 on the ground and 4-32 in the air.  Geno Smith (QB) has seen better games, going for 238-1.  A meeting with Kansas City’s defense in Week 16 should help him rebound.  However, he may be forced to rebound without Tyler Lockett (WR), as he broke his finger and will probably miss at least the next game.  Lockett went 7-68 last night.  Meanwhile, D. K. Metcalf (7-55) was involved, but also did not help with a couple of penalties.  Noah Fant (TE) went 5-32-1.  He is like most the 2022 tight ends: hit or miss. Looking ahead, Walker, Smith, Metcalf, Fant, and even Marquise Goodwin (if Lockett does indeed miss time) could have nice games against Kansas City next week, though Week 17 against the New York Jets may make me at least consider other options.

 

Week 15 Hail Marys?

Are you desperate or in a deep league and need a sneaky play to help put you over the edge?  Here are some possibilities:

  • Jeff Driskel (QB and TE?-Houston)–So in some fantasy websites, Drisker gets the Taysom Hill treatment.  Drisker was a QB for several seasons, converted to TE to keep his career afloat, but then converted back to QB this year.  What is interesting is that, unlike Taysom Hill (QB/TE-New Orleans), Drisker played 50% of the snaps for Houston at the QB position against Dallas in Week 14.  He also got all of the red zone snaps.  He went for 36 yards rushing and threw for 38 yards a TD.. THAT WAS AGAINST DALLAS.  In Week 15, HOUSTON PLAYS KANSAS CITY!  Look, there are no guarantees, and the floor could theoretically be negative points (INTs could be thrown).  BUT, there is nice upside here if the snap distribution is similar to what we saw last week.
  • Chris Moore (WR-Houston)–Early signs suggest that Nico Collins (WR) will not play, and Brandon Cooks (WR) is still iffy.  With Houston missing Collins and Cooks in Week 14, Moore went for 10-124 against Dallas.  In case you you missed it from the Drisker section, HOUSTON PLAYS KANSAS CITY.  I agree with my colleague, Lamar.  Moore could have a nice game.
  • Parris Campbell and/or Alec Pierce (WRs-Indianapolis)–Their Week 15 opponent, Minnesota, gives up the 2nd most fantasy points to the wide receiver position.  Surely one of these guys will do something, right?
  • Jameson Williams (WR-Detroit)–(Okay, yes, I am apparently a huge Williams fan, as I have mentioned him several times in past columns.)  Hear me out.  Detroit is playing a very stingy New York Jets defense, who have three solid cornerbacks who may neutralize Amon-Ra St. Brown, D. J. Chark, and Josh Reynolds.  But do they have enough to neutralize Williams as well?  Williams has elite talent, and he should have some match-ups against New York’s 3rd and 4th best cornerbacks.  And also, he really only needs one play–see his 1-41-1 stat-line from Week 14.  I can not think of a more Hail Mary play than starting Williams if you are in a truly desperate need.
  • For the really desperate, I present to you Rex Burkhead and/or Dare Ogunbawale (RBs-Houston)–Damion Pierce (RB) looks to be out for Week 15.  Surprisingly, Houston also cut the assumed back-up, Eno Benjamin (RB).  Burkhead and Ogunbawale are all that is left.  And again, if you have been missing a reoccurring theme here in this section, HOUSTON PLAYS KANSAS CITY!  That tends to lead to fantasy success (aside from DST units).