Falcons workhorse RB may lose some touches to Tevin Coleman
Devonta Freeman is expected to clear the league concussion protocol program by the middle of the week, according to Falcons coach Dan Quinn. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Rookie Tevin Coleman ran well in his stead during Week 12, but lost a fumble. He should get a few more touches than in previous weeks, but Freeman is the clear workhorse and if he’s ready to go, should assume at least 15-20 touches.
LeSean McCoy should get full workload in Week 13
ESPN reporter Mike Rodak said Bills RB Karlos Williams (shoulder) is wearing a sling in the locker room Tuesday. (ESPN)
Nerdy Football Analysis: This means that LeSean McCoy should be upgraded to an RB1 against the Texans this week. He’ll likely receive a full workload and is a must-play in all formats, even against the surging Texans.
Browns will chose between Austin Davis, Johnny Manziel
Josh McCown is probably done for the season with a possible broken collarbone, a league source told cleveland.com. Options include veteran QB Austin Davis or the embattled Johnny Manziel. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Mike Pettine was not very forthcoming with an answer about who he’ll start in Week 13, though after his demotion punichment for Week 12, it might make sense to give Manziel a shot to earn back the trust of the brass. “We’ll watch the tape and discuss that (Tuesday),” said Pettine. “I’m not prepared to answer that just yet.”
Cards will look to David Johnson, Kerwynn Williams
Mike Jurecki on Twitter: “Hearing Chris Johnson (tibia) expected to miss six to eight weeks. RB Kerwynn Williams could be an option from the practice squad.” (Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: It’s likely that this development, coupled with the Andre Ellington injury, gives rookie RB David Johnson the opportunity he needs to excel and reach RB2 value, though Bruce Arians has consistently downplayed his possible use as a workhorse for whatever reason. Johnson is the 1A add this week, with Williams as 1B.
The holiday season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Whoever said that didn’t bench Sammy Watkins or C.J. Anderson in fantasy football before their Week 12 breakout games.
The 2015 campaign has been a roller-coaster ride for fantasy owners thanks to high-profile injuries (Rob Gronkowski‘s and Jimmy Graham‘s were the latest), inconsistent production and unexpected performances every week. For example, Anderson has not lived up to preseason expectations, and Watkins’ inconsistency has driven fantasy owners mad.
Elsewhere, guys like Markus Wheaton carved up the once-fabled Legion of Boom secondary in Seattle, while Ryan Fitzpatrick outperformed Tom Brady. Whatever is a fantasy football enthusiast to do this year?
While some roster decisions have involved rolling the dice in 2015, the following list of rankings and rounded projections will hopefully provide some clarity for the flex position and beyond heading into a critical Week 13 with postseason spots on the line. The projections are based on a points-per-reception scoring system.
Brady will be without Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Dion Lewis for his Week 13 matchup, but his high ranking is a testament to his greatness and ability to work through those obstacles. It is also a testament to the Eagles defense.
Philadelphia allowed 45 points in each of the last two outings to the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions and Bucs have admittedly played better football over the past few weeks but have nothing on a Brady-led offense.
Philadelphia is spiraling downward as the season progresses, and a matchup with the defending champions and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time could be a disaster. That is, unless you are a fantasy owner relying on Brady.
MVP candidate Adrian Peterson faces a stingy Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 13, but sometimes talent trumps matchups in fantasy football.
The Seahawks allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs per game this season, according to ESPN.com, but Peterson is simply too talented to deny. The Minnesota Vikings playmaker leads the league in rushing yards by 223 over the next-closest competitor (Doug Martin) and has found the end zone in each of the last four games.
He is carrying the Minnesota offense atop the NFC North, and the team will ride him all the way to the playoffs. That means plenty of fantasy points in Week 13 and beyond.
Demaryius Thomas is coming off an abysmal game against the New England Patriots, with only one catch on 13 targets. However, fantasy owners should heed the target numbers as evidence that Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler trusts his go-to receiver.
Thomas is still well on his way to his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season with 875 on the year, and he gets to go against a San Diego Chargers defense that was 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game after Sunday’s action. Expect a strong bounce-back effort.
Gronkowski’s injury opens up an opportunity for tight end Scott Chandler, who will seize it against a vulnerable Eagles defense.
Chandler scored a touchdown Sunday against the Broncos and also received a team-high 11 targets, many of which came with Gronkowski on the field. Chandler also had something of a track record before he joined the talented Patriots, with 655 receiving yards in 2013 with the Buffalo Bills and 12 combined touchdowns in 2011 and 2012.
Brady will throw to Chandler enough against the Eagles to make the tight end a valuable waiver-wire target in Week 13.
A matchup with the Eagles defense means plenty of points for Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski. The special teams weapon is 24-for-25 on field goals this season and has drilled four of 50 yards or more.
Matt Dolloff of CBS Boston praised Gostkowski after his effort against the Broncos:
Gostkowski has grown into perhaps the best, most dependable kicker in the league. This season he has finally gotten the chances to prove it, and quickly silenced his remaining doubters. It’s too bad the Patriots couldn’t pull off the win Sunday night, because if they did, Gostkowski’s game-tying kick at the end of regulation–the entire preceding drive, really – would have been the stuff of legend.
A clutch kicker against a struggling defense is a recipe for fantasy gold.
The Chicago Bears face the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, but their high ranking is not primarily about Blaine Gabbert, who has been much better than expected. Rather, it is a recognition of one of the more underrated defenses in the league.
Chicago allowed less than 20 points in each of its last four games, and those contests came against stars such as Aaron Rodgers, Thomas, Todd Gurley and Philip Rivers. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has this team rolling right into playoff contention, and safety Chris Prosinski claimed that “the guy is a genius” when discussing his impact, via Adam Hoge of WGN Radio.
San Francisco also allows the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses per game, according to ESPN.com. That means the Chicago defense will carry it to another victory and rack up some fantasy points along the way.
Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com