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Patriots Expected to Waive Leonard Hankerson

Fantasy Football
December 26, 2015

Leonard Hankerson‘s stay in New England proved to be a short one, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Patriots will waive the wideout this afternoon. The five-year veteran joined the Patriots last week after being cut from the Falcons injured reserve list. The 26-year-old was active for the team’s victory over the Titans, but he didn’t earn a single target in the contest.

In eight games for the Falcons this season, Hankerson compiled 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns. The receiver’s best season came in 2012 with Washington, when he caught 38 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

Hankerson will now be subject to waivers, just like he was last week. Since the Patriots managed to acquire the player despite being towards the end of the waiver order, Florio doesn’t expect the receiver to find another job this season.

NFL Predictions Week 16: Fantasy Projections and Guide to Latest Vegas Odds

Fantasy Football
December 26, 2015

Fantasy football gamers everywhere will hope to end 2015 on a high note this weekend, which hosts championships for standard leagues.

After belaboring over lineup dilemmas for 15 weeks, players must make the right calls one more time. Stick with the studs who got them there or play the matchups? Will the hot hands stay hot or freeze at the worst possible moment?

Studying Week 16’s spreads and over-under lines, courtesy of Odds Shark, can help steer a contestant into the right choice. The betting info speaks volumes about matchups to exploit or avoid in order to achieve glory.

 

Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

There are managers out there who used a late-round pick or waiver add on Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars as insurance for Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees. Those people are spending much more time deliberating their starting quarterback than they ever thought possible.

Under NFL.com‘s standard scoring, the second-year passer has tallied the fifth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks. He has Rodgers and Brees beat because of his 31 passing touchdowns, and he’s right on Carson Palmer’s heels, as shown by NFL Network’s Twitter page before Thursday night’s game:

Despite completing 57.7 percent of his passes, which ranks No. 33 behind Matt Cassel, Bortles is averaging 272.9 passing yards per game while amassing at least one score each time. He has morphed into a worthwhile fantasy quarterback under normal circumstances, so the best possible matchup puts him in consideration as the week’s top play.

For anyone needing another reminder, the New Orleans Saints can’t play defense. They have surrendered 39 passing touchdowns, a 116.5 quarterback rating and an NFL-high 23.93 NFL.com fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.

The Superdome is usually portrayed as an advantage for Drew Brees’ offense, but the opponents also welcome the controlled environment. ESPN Stats & Info pointed out New Orleans’ defensive ineptitude at home this season:

Outside of Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger, don’t hesitate to start Bortles over a big-name stud.

Projections: 25-of-42, 350 Passing Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INTs

 

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams

Owners face a different conundrum with the St. Louis Rams’ Todd Gurley. The rookie running back has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in a dozen games, cementing his spot as a too-good-to-sit star. His Week 16 outlook doesn’t look great.

The Seattle Seahawks have surrendered a league-low 11.72 NFL.com fantasy points to opposing backs. Lately, teams haven’t had a chance to run, as the Seahawks sport a plus-102 point differential during their five-game winning streak.

Vegas likes their chances of making it six, tabbing them as 13-point favorites. The 40.5 over-under line is the week’s second lowest, forecasting little scoring in a blowout loss for St. Louis.

Such an outcome would hinder Gurley’s workload, especially as the game progresses. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, he does his most damage during the second half:

Two victories revitalized the neophyte, who amassed 226 yards and three touchdowns over 40 touches. In two proceeding blowouts, he registered 71 yards and a score on 19 touches.

Because of his supporting cast, Gurley carries far more downside than a stud running back should. Yet given the position’s lack of standout talent, it’s hard to imagine any squad rostering two or three superior alternatives.

Projections: 13 Carries, 50 Rushing Yards, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 15 Receiving Yards

 

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Why fight it? Bench depth for half the season, the Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin is suddenly a touchdown machine who lifted many owners into the fantasy finals.

Baldwin, who scored 15 career touchdowns during his first four years, has accrued 13 this season. As noted by NFL on ESPN, his 10 scores over a four-game stretch places him alongside an all-time great:

Expanding the sample size by two more weeks, the Seahawks wideout has compiled 34 catches for 560 yards and 11 scores in the past six contests. Per the News Tribune‘s Gregg Bell, Baldwin is not interested in discussing his historic stretch.

Look, I’m going to kick you guys in the shins. This stuff means absolutely nothing, OK? I’ve had four games which have been OK, five games or whatever it is. But when it’s all said and done, what have you done over the course of a career? That’s what I’m going to be focused on.

Along with the surging Seahawks, his output sure means a lot to fantasy gamers. A fringe flex play for deeper gamers is now a must-start without even looking at the matchup. He opened the season with a tame 35 yards against the Rams, but they rank No. 21 against the pass with a 67.6 opposing completion percentage.

If defenses can’t stop him, his own body might. Suddenly his status is in peril, as the team’s Twitter account named him as an uncertainty to suit up:

According to the Seattle Times‘ Bob Condotta, Baldwin practiced in full capacity on Friday, which bodes well for his outlook:

Even if active, Baldwin can’t score two or three touchdowns in every game. Eventual regression aside, he’s a top target for a quarterback who has completed at least 70 percent of his passes in five straight games.

Projections: 6 Receptions, 8 Targets, 85 Yards, 1 TD

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Browns’ Armonty Bryant, De’Ante Saunders Arrested

Fantasy Football
December 26, 2015

Browns linebacker Armonty Bryant and cornerback De’Ante Saunders were arrested early Christmas morning, reports Scott Taylor of WOIO TV in Cleveland (via Twitter). According to Taylor, the duo was stopped on I-71 and arrested at 2:16 am on Friday morning. While Saunders was arrested for OVI (operating a vehicle impaired) and speeding, it’s uncertain why Bryant was arrested, although a gun and Adderall were found in the vehicle. The two players were picked up by a friend after being processed early Christmas morning.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer gave Taylor a brief statement regarding the arrests (via Twitter):

“We have been made aware of the arrests of De’Ante Saunders and Armonty Bryant after a traffic stop early Friday morning.

These are charges that we take very seriously. The importance of responsible decision-making is something we continually stress to all members of our organizations, which makes it extremely disappointing that these two individuals would put themselves in this situation by making such poor decisions.

Armony will be inactive on Sunday for our game against the Chiefs and will not travel with the team to Kansas City so he can tend to this personal legal matter.

In addition to being a pending legal matter, this incident is subject to the NFL personal conduct policy and we have no further comment at this time.”

Bryant, a seventh-round pick in 2013, is having a career year in 2015. The 25-year-old has started two of his 14 games, compiling career-highs in tackles (40), sacks (5.5), and forced fumbles (two). Bryant is set to make $675K next season, but the Browns could cut the linebacker without being left with any dead money.

Saunders, an undrafted rookie, joined the Browns in November. The Tennessee State product made his only appearance in Week 9 against the Bengals, where he compiled a single tackle. The 23-year-old was on the Browns practice squad at the time of the arrest.

Brian Hoyer expected to miss Week 16

Fantasy Football
December 26, 2015

InjuryBrandon Weeden expected to start

Brian Hoyer (concussion) making good progress but Texans not expected to play him this week. On track for Week 17 return. (Jason LaCanfora on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: With Hoyer out, that means Brandon Weeden will get the start against Tennessee. Weeden posted a 105-1-0 line in relief of T.J. Yates last week against the Colts. This doesn’t affect the fantasy value of WR DeAndre Hopkins as Yates to Weeden is a lateral move. Tennessee is giving up the 8th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Sunday Matchups to Exploit and Avoid

Fantasy Football
December 26, 2015

It’s scary to mess with your fantasy football lineup in the championship round, but the best options aren’t always the players with the biggest names.

The entire season has seen plenty of inconsistency and poor showings from the league’s biggest stars, and Week 16 likely won’t be much different. With this in mind, you don’t want to necessarily just play the obvious choices without considering other options.

Here is a look at some noteworthy players you should bench if you have other options, followed by some sleepers to outperform expectations if you still need some help.

 

Sit ‘Em

Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Fumble issues have led to just 12 carries over the past two games for Javorius Allen, which have equaled just 32 rushing yards. On the plus side, head coach John Harbaugh has noted the lack of playing time won’t necessarily carry over, per ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley:

“It probably won’t carry over, but you play the best players. At running back, the best players don’t fumble. Fumblingit is what it is. You have to hold onto the football. He knows that. I have a lot of love and respect for Buck. No way is Buck going to be banished, by any stretch.”

The problem is this also means one fumble and Buck Allen could be done for the day. After losing the ball in back-to-back games, it will be tough to rely on him to avoid more fumbles.

Meanwhile, the matchup isn’t great even if Allen does get a full workload. The Pittsburgh Steelers rank fifth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game while only the New York Jets have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Steelers’ five for the season.

Allen has plenty of talent, but this isn’t a trustworthy pick for your title game.

 

A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

The Monday night game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos will be a big one, but no matchup might be more interesting to watch than A.J. Green and Chris Harris.

Both of which are coming off bad games in Week 15, with Harris being torched by Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus explained what this performance meant:

Green also struggled with just one catch for 37 yards Sunday. His problem was not a great matchup, however, as he just couldn’t get separation from a mediocre San Francisco 49ers defense. The real issue lies at quarterback where he is still getting comfortable with backup A.J. McCarron.

It isn’t likely this chemistry starts to develop against an elite Broncos defense. Harris should be able to stick with Green, who doesn’t have as much quickness as Brown. Although Green could sneak out for a few big plays, he shouldn’t be expected to produce his usual high numbers.

 

Start ‘Em

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets

Although the matchup doesn’t look great on paper, Ryan Fitzpatrick has done a great job over the past few weeks to keep the New York Jets in playoff contention. During the current four-game winning streak, the veteran quarterback has 10 touchdowns and just one interception, averaging 307.3 passing yards per game in this stretch.

The Jets have quality weapons to target down the field in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, each of which have produced at high levels during this stretch to get open and make plays down the field. Bilal Powell has also helped out in the passing game.

Although the New England Patriots defense has been impressive lately, Fitzpatrick has already shown he can do well against this unit. In Week 7 he threw for 295 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions while falling short of a road upset.

Now at home, Fitzpatrick has a chance to improve upon this performance and help out fantasy teams in the process.

 

Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers will continue to be without their starting running back Jonathan Stewart this week, once again leaving a mismatch of players to take over, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer:

While all three players should get carries, last week showed Cameron Artis-Payne is the clear top of the pecking order. Although the rookie struggled to get onto the field most of the year, he thrived in a feature role last week with 14 carries for 59 rushing yards.

Considering both Mike Tolbert (five carries for 10 yards) and Fozzy Whittaker (two carries for two yards) were relegated to smaller roles against the New York Giants, you can probably expect a similar breakdown against the Atlanta Falcons. 

Artis-Payne also played a key role in the passing attack with two catches for 34 receiving yards, proving his value regardless of game flow. With the Falcons allowing a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns on the year, the Panthers running back also has a chance to get into the end zone for the first time in his career.

 

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for all your fantasy football and daily fantasy needs.

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