Category: Booms and Busts

Football is back – Opening Night 2018! Let’s get right back into it with our “Booms and Busts” for Week 1 2018:

Booms

A.J. Green (WR-CIN) – The Colts defense is very young and allowed the 10th most fantasy points to the position last season. This will give Andy Dalton lots of opportunities to get his favorite target the ball. Green also tends to play better on the road. Gotta like that combo.

Royce Freeman (RB-DEN) – The newly minted starter in Denver, look for Rolls Royce to start his rookie season off with some fireworks.

DeAndre Hopkins & Will Fuller (WR-HOU) – Both Hopkins and Fuller were touchdown machines with Deshaun Watson under center last year. With Watson back from injury, and the lackluster Patriots defense on the docket, look for this dynamic trio to pick up where they left off.

Busts

Odell Beckham (WR-NYG) – Hate to say this, especially right out of the gate, as I’m a big Odell fan and think that he is going to have a great season. However, Jalen Ramsey is quite possibly the best corner in the business, and is going to give Odell a very tough time on Sunday.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB-SF) – Like Odell, Jimmy G is poised for a big year. Unfortunately, his Week 1 matchup is far from ideal. Starting the year on the road against possibly the best defense in the league (the Vikings) will be a humbly experience for the young QB.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB-DAL) – He’s going to get the ball, but with a less than stellar pass threat and a strong Panthers defense lining up against him, Zeke is going to have some trouble getting started in this one.

Good luck in the first week back!

Championship week – let’s get that belt!

Booms

Jared Goff (QB-LAR) – Todd Gurley has been an absolute beast as of late. However, just about the only thing that the Tennessee Titans defense does well is run defense. That should mean that Goff will need to be more involved, putting him in a good spot to expose a weak secondary.

Christian McCaffrey (RB-CAR) – McCaffrey has been getting a lot of touches lately, and takes on a Tampa Bay defense that has had trouble with pass catching running backs.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR-PIT) – Smith-Schuster has gotten 5+ targets in his last 5 games, and should get even more work with Antonio Brown hurt this week. Don’t be surprised if JuJu wins many fantasy managers their matchup.

Busts

Derek Carr (QB-OAK) – Other than a few games this year, the Philadelphia Eagles defense has been tops in the league. After struggling against the Dallas Cowboys last week, Carr is not the quarterback you’re looking for in the fantasy finals.

Devonta Freeman (RB-ATL) – Coming off a monster game, Freeman has a decent matchup on paper, especially if Tevin Coleman can’t play again. However, the New Orleans Saints could put the Falcon in a position where they’re throwing more than they’d like. Look for the Saints’ reinvigorated defense and an unfavorable game script to work against Freeman.

Demaryius Thomas (WR-DEN) – Thomas has been a target hog regardless of who is under center for the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, the Washington Football Team has given up only 10 receiving touchdowns to the position this season. Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland should continue to lock down the opposition in this one.

Just one more week before you get a shot at your league’s championship trophy (or hopefully a belt). Let’s take a look at the guys that are going to get you to the finals, and the ones that will leave you fighting for 3rd place.

Booms

Blake Bortles (QB-JAX) – Bortles has healthy wideouts and has been limiting turnovers as of late. That combined with the fact that Leonard Fournette is banged up might mean that Bortles gets the chance to throw quite a bit this week against a very weak Houston Texans defense.

Jordan Howard (RB-CHI) – Howard has been pretty inconsistent this season following big games up with small games. However, he’ll keep the streak alive this week when the Bears face a Detroit Lions defense that has given up the second most rushing touchdowns on the year. It doesn’t hurt that he also shredded them last time they played.

Marquise Goodwin (WR-SF) – Goodwin and Jimmy G seem to have some good chemistry. Averaging 102.5 yards and 10 targets over the span of their two game relationship, Goodwin should continue to get a lot of looks from his quarterback in a tantalizing matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Busts

Tom Brady (QB-NE) – “It was one bad game…and he didn’t have Gronk!” We know, we know. However, that game was also against the Miami Dolphins. Not great. Look for Brady’s struggles to continue this week against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that will have Joe Haden back, is ranked 4th in the league, and is only surrendering 201 passing yards a game.

Todd Gurley (RB-LAR) – Gurley has been unreal this season, not only on the ground but through the air as well. However, he gets a less than stellar matchup this week against a stout Seattle Seahawks rush defense. Not great timing for such a matchup.

A.J. Green (WR-CIN) – Green has been getting a lot of targets over the past few weeks, but hasn’t quite been himself. Don’t plan on him having a monster game this week against a Minnesota Vikings defense that will be assigning lock down cornerback Xavier Rhodes to him.

Ah, fantasy football playoffs, round 1. Let’s do this. Who is going to get you to the semifinal? Who is going to leave you with a mediocre draft pick next year?

Booms

Josh McCown (QB-NYJ) – McCown has been ballin’ lately, and gets a Denver Broncos defense that’s allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league this season.

Giovani Bernard (RB-CIN) – Joe Mixon is concussed following Week 13, and looks doubtful to play this week. That puts Bernard in a prime spot to receive a ton of volume in both the rushing and passing attack. Fire him up against a Chicago Bears defense that has given up 4.24 yards per carry to RBs over the last 5 weeks.

Josh Gordon (WR-CLE) – Flash Gordon is back, and he could very well be the player that wins you a fantasy championship over the next few weeks. He got 11 targets last week against a solid Los Angeles Chargers defense. This week’s matchup is against a weak Green Bay secondary that will be without top cornerback Davon House. Sign us up.

Busts

Kirk Cousins (QB-WAS) – Cousins hasn’t been particularly exciting lately, and is up against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the 7th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Christian McCaffrey (RB-CAR) – While his prowess as a pass-catcher will come in handy this week, McCaffrey goes up against a Minnesota Vikings defense that’s second best in the league against the run.

Mike Evans (WR-TB) – It’s tough to sit Evans, and we wouldn’t even recommend it, but don’t plan on him going off this week. The Detroit Lions secondary has been inconsistent over the past few weeks, and Evans only got 6 targets last week in what was a much easier matchup.

The last week before the playoffs start. Now’s the time to lock up that bye, or clinch the final playoff berth. Let’s look at who might help you get that much needed Week 13 win, and who might leave you on the outside looking in.

Booms

Tyrod Taylor (QB-BUF) – Taylor is back as the starting quarterback in Buffalo. While New England’s defense has been much better as of late, look for Taylor and his dual-threat ability to give them trouble in Buffalo.

Isaiah Crowell (RB-CLE) – Crowell has gotten double digit touches every week but one this season. The Los Angeles Chargers are a bottom five defense against the run. Great combo for The Crow.

Marqise Lee (WR-JAX) – After an off game against Arizona, Lee has a tantalizing matchup against the Indianapolis Colts and their non-existent defense. Look for him to get back to his normal ~10 target self.

Busts

Cam Newton (QB-CAR) – Newton just couldn’t seem to get it going last week against the New York Jets, a team that he shouldn’t have had any trouble with. Follow that up with a road game against division rival New Orleans, and you’ve got the makings for a big letdown.

Ben Roethlisberger (QB-PIT) – He’s on the road in Cincinnati, a place he hasn’t played well for most of his career. His number one wide receiver is officially questionable. Fade Big Ben on Monday Night Football.

Devonta Freeman (RB-ATL) – In his first game back from concussion protocol, Freeman has a less than ideal matchup in the Minnesota Vikings. It won’t be Freeman getting you that Week 13 win.

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.