Author: Desktop Quarterback

It’s now officially crunch time in fantasy football, and playoffs are just two week away in most leagues. Let’s look at who might help you get that much need Week 12 win, and who might leave you wanting more.

Booms

Andy Dalton (QB-CIN) – Dalton has been a serviceable fantasy option thus far, and goes up against a Cleveland Browns defense that is just not good. Dalton should have a pretty easy time getting the ball to A.J. Green and Company.

Tevin Coleman (RB-ATL) – Devonta Freeman is still in concussion protocol, and Coleman always seems to produce when he gets the chance. Look for him to do just that against division rival-Tampa Bay.

Corey Davis (WR-TEN) – Davis is finally healthy and has shown some flashes of brilliance in limited opportunities this year. A game against the Vontae Davis-less Indianapolis Colts could (probably should) be his chance to break out.

Busts

Jared Goff (QB-LAR) – While he’s been very impressive this season, Goff has been very matchup dependent. The New Orleans Saints and their revamped secondary will give the sophomore signal caller trouble this week.

Adrian Peterson (RB-ARI) – Peterson has been very hit or miss since getting to Arizona. This week will be the latter, as the Jacksonville Jaguars have been a top rush defense, especially as of late.

Corey Coleman (WR-CLE) – Big fan of Coleman generally, but this isn’t going to be his week. The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has been pretty strong throughout the year, and the lack of talent around him will make this a tough week for Coleman.

It’s getting to be crunch time in fantasy football, as the playoffs approach. In what is a do-or-die Week 11 for many teams, let’s look at who might help them win, and who might leave them hanging.

Booms

Alex Smith (QB-KC) – The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the most electric offensive teams this year, and face the downward-spiraling New York Giants this week. After resting up during the bye week, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs light up the Meadowlands.

Rex Burkhead (RB-NE) – The New England  Patriots offense (the running back group in particular)  is very hard to predict most weeks, except for the fact that they’re going to put up points. That’s a given. Burkhead seems to be in the good graces of coach Bill Belichick, and should lead the Patriots in attempts against a very weak Oakland Raiders defense.

Zach Ertz (TE-PHI) – Possibly a top 3 tight end when healthy, Ertz is back this week to face a Dallas Cowboys secondary that has seen better days. The defense will also be without Sean Lee who anchors the unit.

Busts

Kirk Cousins (QB-WAS) – The Washington offense hasn’t quite clicked this season, and now they travel to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints who are on another level at home. Look for their revamped secondary to give Cousins and Company a hard time.

Jay Cutler (QB-MIA) – Cutler’s name seems to come up every week as a top streaming option, and he has yet another plus matchup this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Cutler hasn’t quite delivered for those fantasy players that rely on his from week to week. Look for Cutler to disappoint again this time around.

Aaron Jones (RB-GB) – The Green Bay Packers offense has been anything but explosive since the injury to Aaron Rodgers. As much as anything, that has really made running the ball a tough task. While Jones has shown some promise when he’s gotten the opportunities, the Baltimore Ravens should keep him in check this week.

It’s getting to be crunch time in fantasy football, as the playoffs approach. In what is a do-or-die Week 10 for many teams, let’s look at who might help them win, and who might leave them hanging.

Booms

Matthew Stafford (QB-DET) – Detroit’s offense has had some hiccups over the course of the season, but Stafford has a bunch of weapons that should be firing on all cylinders against a weak Cleveland Browns team. Look for the Detroit offense to get in the groove this week.

Leonard Fournette (RB-JAX) – Fournette is back from serving his one game suspension, which also allowed him to rest up his ankle. He will be back with a vengeance, and make easy work of a soft San Diego Chargers defense. Fournette has proven that, even as a rookie, he’s one of the best running backs in the league. He’s going to eat today.

Antonio Brown (WR-PIT) – Almost unfair to put AB in this column, as he’s a “Boom” candidate every week, but he has a plus plus plus matchup today against the now Vontae Davis-less Indianapolis Colts. This game could get out of hand quickly. #businessisboomin

P.S. Sorry for the old, over used GIF, but it’s just too good.

Busts

Drew Brees (QB-NO) – One week remove from our “Booms” list, Brees is now on the wrong side of our column. On the road, against a stout pass defense, in freezing cold Buffalo? No thanks. Look for the New Orleans running backs to dictate the offensive flow of the game.

Melvin Gordon (RB-LAC) – Seeing as though he’s widely regarded as matchup proof ,you’ll have to start Gordon this week. However, in a game  where the Chargers could be trailing by a bunch, against a tough Jacksonville Jaguars defense, the idea of him getting a ton of carries seems unlikely.

Lamar Miller (RB-HOU) – For a few weeks it seemed like the Lamar Miller the Texans thought they were getting a few years back had arrived. Now in an offense with a much weaker pass attack, Miller has regressed back to his normal production. Fade him wherever possible.

Week 8 was not a great week for our “Booms and Busts.” Let’s see what we can do for Week 9.

Booms

Drew Brees (QB-NO) – Brees is historically unstoppable at home, and goes up against a very suspect Tampa Bay secondary this week. While New Orleans has tended to be a run first team this year, Brees should continue to dominate at home.

Tyreek Hill (WR-KC) – Hill, who has generally done well every other week this year, wasn’t able to get anything going against the Denver Broncos, and even threw an interception. However, the Dallas defense should be a good bounce back game for the dynamic all purpose player.

Vernon Davis (TE-WAS) – While I do think that the Seattle defense is better than they have been playing as of late, this is not going to be the week that they right the ship. Earl Thomas is banged up, and they have struggled against the tight end position. Given the personnel issues on the Seattle sideline, and Jamison Crowder being inactive, look for Davis to run wild in Seattle.

Busts

Jordy Nelson (WR-GB) – This Green Bay offense is unsurprisingly just not the same without Aaron Rodgers, and are going up against pretty solid Detroit defense which should continue to keep the Packers in check.

Matt Ryan (QB-ATL) – Ryan has certainly not looked like the player he was last year when he won the MVP. As a result, the Atlanta offense has been less than stellar. They now travel to Carolina to face a top ranked defense. Ryan is going to be in for a tough day.

Dez Bryant (WR-DAL) – Shut down by a hobbled Josh Norman last week, Bryant goes up against a strong Kansas City secondary that should continue to keep his production down.

Took a bit of a hiatus from “Booms and Busts,” but we’re back. Let’s take a look at Week 8.

Booms

Andy Dalton (QB-CIN) – Probably the hottest play in DFS and top streaming QB play this week, Dalton should be in for a monster day. The Cincinnati offense has really turned things around under new Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor, and faces an Indianapolis defense that can’t seem to stop anyone.

Pierre Garcon (WR-SF) – 7th in the league in targets, Garcon has yet to find the endzone this season. That changes this week. In a matchup where the 49ers will undoubtedly be trailing, they will need to throw often. Look for Garcon to find pay dirt against a banged up Philadelphia squad.

Hunter Henry (TE-LAC) – Henry is finally starting to look like the player everyone thought he’d be this year. Antonio Gates is still going to take some targets away from him, but the volume is there for him to be an impact player week to week. The New England defense is just not good, and has now lost top linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Henry is going to eat this week.

Busts

Jameis Winston (QB-TB) – Injured and facing division rival Carolina’s top ranked defense, Winston is going to be in for a long day at the office.

C.J. Anderson (RB-DEN) – The Denver offense has not been very dynamic as of late and should continue to struggle in prime time against the Kansas City. That should lead to a game script that won’t allow Anderson to get the touches he needs to succeed.

Amari Cooper (WR-OAK) – Cooper went off last week against a usually strong Kansas City defense, but don’t look for that to spill over into this week. Oakland travels to upstate New York to take on the surging Buffalo Bills, and should have a tough go at it against a strong secondary.