QB
Start of the Week
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Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)
Brees has only had 3 games this year where he passed for under 300 yards and only 2 games where he didn’t pass for at least 2 touchdowns. In week 6, when Brees played Carolina, he dropped a modest 465 yards passing with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Carolina gives up the 6th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season so I expect a repeat type of week.
Sit of the Week
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Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (at Los Angeles Rams)
Tannehill is coming off his best game of the season last week against the San Diego Chargers. Tannehill put up 240 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. These are not exactly the numbers you would expect for a “best game of the season” notation. This week he flies across the country to play against the Los Angeles Rams who give up the 9th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. If you added up all the passing touchdowns Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Cam Newton had this season against the Rams you get 2. That’s right those 4 quarterbacks collectively only threw for 2 touchdowns against the Rams this year. I don’t think Tannehill passes for even 1 touchdown this week.
RB
Start of the Week
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Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cleveland Browns)
Le’Veon and the Pittsburgh Steelers know that their playoff hopes are getting more and more slim. This week is supposed to be very cold and possibly snowy in Cleveland for this game which is not good for Big Ben and his knee issues. The Steelers will lean heavy of the run game and Le’Veon will take full advantage of the Browns awful rush defense. Cleveland gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs so I anticipate a field day for Bell.
Sit of the Week
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Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Over the last 3 weeks Jeremy Hill has been extremely beneficial to his fantasy owners. This is the week you need to curb your enthusiasm. Hill plays the Buffalo Bills who give up the 15th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and only 60 total rushing yards in the last three weeks combined. If Hill can’t get himself into the end zone this week I expect him to rush south of 50 yards leaving fantasy owners high and dry.
WR
Start of the Week
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Odell Beckham Jr., NY Giants (vs. Chicago Bears)
OBJ has lit up for 20 or more points in each of the last two weeks and this week he gets a juicy matchup against the Bears who give up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Odell has been giving the faithful fantasy owners what they expected when they drafted him early this year. He has 6 touchdowns over his last 5 games. I expect OBJ to not only go over 100 receiving yards but another touchdown too.
Sit of the Week
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Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers (at Washington Redskins)
Jordy has been unstoppable the last 3 weeks and most people will not be able to sit him, but it won’t keep him off my list. Jordy plays the Redskins who give up the 10th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. He will see a lot of Josh Norman this weekend and Aaron Rodgers will look to find other targets. Keep expectations low this week for Jordy who probably won’t go over 80 yards and won’t find the end zone.
TE
Start of the Week
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Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)
Olsen has caught 5 or more passes in 8 of 9 games this season and hosts the New Orleans defense that gives up the 13th most fantasy points to tight ends this year. In week 6 when Olsen faced the Saints he went for 6 catches and 94 yards. I expect similar numbers in a game that should see a lot of scoring, but this time he will be doing some of that scoring. Olsen will get in the end zone this week.
Sit of the Week
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Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Jimmy gave fantasy owners hope two weeks ago when he lit up Buffalo in week 9. However, he was quickly brought back down to earth last week. As a matter of fact, Graham has only had that game to hang his hat on over the last 5 weeks. He has not been over 100 yards or in the end zone in any other game in the last five weeks. This week he faces a Philadelphia defense that gives up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to tight ends on the season. If you need a lot of points this week look for a streamer.