By Winsto (11/30/2024)
1..25% of the NFL teams playing on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, here are a few takeaways regarding those teams:
a. As impressive as Jahmyr Gibbs (RB-Detroit) and David Montgomery (RB-Detroit) have been this fantasy season, we were reminded of the dangers of starting a platoon RB Thursday. When Detroit’s offense is held in check (2 TDs), then the opportunities for both become limited. This is not to say they should be benched, but rather to say there is more risk involved in starting them versus other top 12 RBs.
b. Also, it sure did seem like Detroit made a concerted effort to get Sam LaPorta (TE-Detroit) more involved in the Red Zone, as 2 of his 3 receptions went to TDs.
c. The downside to relying on any New York Giants skill position players for fantasy was obvious on Thursday. Dallas’s defense is not particularly good, but because of the limitations of New York’s offense, especially now that Daniel Jones (QB-Minnesota) has moved on—I can’t believe I am typing that statement, you should consider other options unless the offense is going against a very porous defense. I think Malik Nabors (WR-NYG) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB-NYG) are talented, but the limitations of this offense will put limitations on their fantasy value.
d. Just when we thought Jaylen Wright (RB-Miami) overtook Raheem Mostert (RB-Miami) as the main back-up to De’Von Achane (RB-Miami), Mostert touches the ball 7 times to Wright’s 0.
e. There is no wide receiver on Green Bay’s team that I trust as a weekly starter except in deeper leagues. Even with Jayden Reed (WR-Green Bay) scoring 2 TDs, his total receiving yards was 24. Yes, he had 23 yards rushing, but that is not something you can typically count on.
f. I wonder if people realize how close Patrick Mahomes (QB-Kansas City), DeAndre Hopkins (WR-Kansas City), and Xavier Worthy (WR-Kansas City) really were to having great fantasy days. The tackle position, particularly the Left Tackle, has been the Achilles heel of this offense, and it showed on Friday. If newly signed LT D.J. Humphries, just recently being medically cleared from a torn ACL from last season, can just play average, I do think this offense, and its skill position players, will take off. Incidentally, I think Humphries will be starting in Week 14. Also, Noah Gray (TE-Kansas City) is not going away and should be considered a top 14 TE for the rest of the season. Obviously, Travis Kelce (TE-Kansas City) is still the guy, but Gray is seeing snaps—for perspective, his playing time is comparable to the playing time of Jayden Reed (WR-Green Bay).
2. With Cedric Tillman (WR-Cleveland) and Josh Oliver (TE-Minnesota) both being ruled out for Week 14, I expect more targets for David Njoku (TE-Cleveland) and T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota). Both are solid options this week. I would also include Jerry Jeudy (WR-Cleveland) here, but he has a tough match-up against Patrick Surtain II (DB-Denver).
3. I wonder if I am the only one slightly nervous about Breece Hall (RB-New York Jets) and Chase Brown (RB-Cincinatti). Both teams are coming off their Bye weeks, and both could make slight adjustments, such as incorporating Braelon Allen (RB-New York Jets) and Khalil Herbert (RB-Cincinatti) more into the offense. In addition, I, like most of the world, cannot understand some of the decisions the Jets coaching staff makes sometimes, and that gives me slight pause for Hall, particularly with him dealing with a (seemingly) minor knee injury. As for Brown, my concern with Herbert is less, but the match-up against Pittsburgh is tough. Any loss of touches for Brown, particularly short-yardage/goal line, could doom him into more of a low end RB2 than borderline RB1.
4. I want to believe that Buck Irving (RB-Tampa Bay) has taken lead in this committee of a backfield that is Tampa Bay, especially given the delicious match-up against the Caroline defense. I want to believe, because Irving could have a great day. Yet, Rachaad White (RB-Tampa Bay) is still playing a large role, and Sean Tucker (RB-Tampa Bay), despite his goal line fumble last week, still looms in the shadows to take some touches. Irving is definitely a risk/reward play this week.
5. I ranked the San Francisco players based on notion that Brock Purdy (QB-San Francisco) would not play this week against Buffalo, but he is set to start. That would normally be great news for the skill position players, particularly Jauan Jennings (WR), Deebo Samuel (WR), and George Kittle (TE). I typed normally because the weather in Buffalo is looking frightful, with snow, cold, and wind. If I had comparable alternatives for the receiving skill position players in this game, I would pivot toward them. I am also a bit concerned with Christian McCaffrey (RB-San Francisco), as much of his fantasy production is through the air. I would be hard pressed to sit him this week, but factoring in the predicted weather, though check for updates in the morning to verify, and San Francisco will be missing two OL (Tren Williams and Aaron Banks), I would entertain the idea, at least.
6. I think that the Taysom Hill (TE-New Orleans) experience will continue.
7. With Austin Ekeler (RB-Washington) placed on the I.R., Jeremy McNichols (RB-Washington) could be a sneaky play in Week 13. 7.
8. I still think that Kimani Vidal (RB-Los Angeles Chargers) is going to be relevant in fantasy football. With J.K. Dobbins (RB-Los Angeles Chargers) placed on I.R., Week 13 could be the launching pad for that to happen.
9. It really is looking like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR-Seattle) has emerged. I wonder if he can continue the break-out against a decent New York Jets secondary.
10. And finally…, I wonder why there was a turkey in jail the other day. I guess it was suspected of fowl play.