Life is busy these days. Week six of the NFL season also means week seven of the academic year for me.
The responsibilities of my school work, football practices and applying for internships, all while being chill has been difficult. Thus, the latter as been given the least amount of attention the past 10 days.
I shall say no more though!
For El Will is back to deliver his low key fantasy advice filled with questionable grammar and giggles.
We all know how good I am at apologies (check out season three episode two for examples), therefore I owe one more.
I’m sorry to my handful of readers I let down last week. I enjoy writing this column more than you know, and I felt like I let the boys down. (and gal readers out there too. Shoutouts to my mom, aunt, Natalie, Alexa, Hailey and any other female readers I got. Much appreciated.)
Like I said, I promise to channel my inner Vince Howard and be better.
Moving forward, lets address the elephant in the room. I am talking of course about.
Devonta Freeman becoming a fantasy god over night
Did you know Devonta Freeman wore number 33 last year?
Yeah I didn’t either. Clearly I didn’t know how good he really was either because last week I told a friend of mine to “definitely trade him because there is no way he keeps this up.”
Well, after 153 yards rushing and one touchdown game last week, Freeman showed up Thursday night to score 38 points in one of my fantasy leagues.
In his first start in a primetime nod (Tevin Coleman started the Monday night season opener versus Philadelphia in week one) it is clear Freeman is the real deal.
This run above is similar to a his touchdown run last night. He is explosive, powerful and the focal point of Atlanta’s offense.
Congratulations to any and all Freeman fantasy owners as I am certain the second year back will keep giving the people what they want.
Speaking of giving the people what they want, you know my guy Dan said this first right Jalen?
In the spirit of giving the people what they want, I’ll like to share a short story with you all before I get into my Week six previews.
Last Wednesday night, the UW-Eau Claire dance team gave the audience what they needed with this talented performance at our annual Homecoming celebration.
The energy in the arena was low, and they fired everyone up.
Honestly though, I wasn’t that impressed. I’ve seen my friend’s little sister do a lot better.
My friend’s little sister is even a member of the University of Minnesota dance team now.
Honestly, I’m not going to try to relate this story about UWEC’s dance team and my friend’s sister to fantasy football because it doesn’t at all.
I just wanted to tell a decent story to start the column off.
Anyone know where I can get season tickets for the Gopher Dance team?
Week Six Game Previews
Seahawks vs Panthers
Anyone who bought stock in the Seahawks offense this year or owners of Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch or Jimmy Graham are freaking out more than the woman in this fire new remix to hotline bling.
Seriously though, Russell Wilson has been sacked a league high 22 times and I don’t see those numbers slowing down at all. The offensive line is still a mess and despite Thomas Rawls 169 rushing yards, he’ll move to the bench as Beast Mode is expected to return to the line up.
Wilson and Lynch are in most lineups, but if Graham doesn’t record more than five catches this week then depending on your situation at tight end it might be time to move on from the guy everyone labeled as “the No.1 TE in football” a year ago.
To Gronk.
The Panthers are undefeated and in position to steal one on the road, but as for their fantasy options, stay away from everyone but their defense.
Chiefs vs Vikings
I am going to say it here first.
I think Knile Davis scores more fantasy points than Charcandrick West from this point on.
You all have West?
PUT IT ON THE BOARD!
“Put it on the board.” is a phrase commonly used on the 06010 fantasy focus podcast staring Matthew Berry if you missed my reference.
Anyway, I think Davis is actually the guy to own going forward here.
West has a lot in common with Charles from a skill stand point except for one thing.
He’s not Jamaal Charles.
Davis has proven he can carry the load of an NFL offense in the past, and I think that he’ll do it again this year now that Charles is gone.
Minnesota is coming off a bye, and I don’t expect much to change inside its offense.
Don’t start Mike Wallace unless you have to.
Texans vs Jaguars
I can see it now.
My roommates and I, Dan, Alex and Matt are sitting in our living room watching football.
Except Matt isn’t there because he left five minutes ago to “let his dog out quick”. (He won’t be back until late night.)
And Alex is still in bed because its Sunday and he’s still in a drunken slumber.
So as my roommate Dan and I sit and watch the Red Zone channel, host Andrew Siciliano jumps to the Texans and Jaguars game.
After a minute of viewing the action, I look over at Dan to ask him what he thinks of Arian Foster only to see him doing this.
He passed out watching this snore fest of an early game.
On paper, it sounds bad. But there is a lot to look for in this game.
First, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns are quietly becoming a nice dynamic duo.
Going up against a underperforming Texans defense has me saying start both these guys if you want. I like what I’ve been seeing.
A couple things here for the Texans.
- Enjoy Arian Foster. He’s back and should be in everyones lineups. 28 total touches in his last game and 10 days rest. Except another big game from Foster.
- DeAndre Hopkins is on pace to shatter the record for targets in a season with 240. He might be in a better situation than Julio Jones right now. More healthy and just as many targets. I’m sorry to my friend Sam but Kraemer got you in this trade.
- Another buddy of mine named Austin claims Cecil Shorts is a sneaky nice play this week in a revenge matchup with his former team.
As you all saw last week with Uncle Leon, I enjoy letting my friends voice their opinion on the fantsy column. It also takes the accountability off myself if they happen to be wrong.
Chill.
Bengals vs Bills
Andy Dalton went from not having cable last year to looking like Michael Jordan out there with the rock.
https://twitter.com/BlackPplVines/status/654874212079935493
I read a report that a source close to Dalton credits him getting booed at the Pro Bowl last year as the moment that catapulted him into having the season he is now.
He’s fantasy’s number one quarterback and like the referee in that video believed Jordan, I BELIEVE Dalton is here to stay.
The Bengals are ultra-talented and though the situation with Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard is frustrating, Dalton has weapons all around him.
Including Marvin Jones, who I think has a nice game against a Bills defense that will be on the field a lot come Sunday.
If the Bills defense is defending their end zone often on Sunday, that means their offense will be on the bench. With question marks floating around Tyrod Taylor’s health, I want nothing to do with their offense this week.
Even if Sammy Watkins gets his newly demanded “ten targets a game” this week.
I’m out.
Colts vs Patriots
Doesn’t it feel like everyone everywhere is taking New England to just destroy the Colts Sunday night?
Here’s my question though, wasn’t it the Colts that lost by like 40 in the AFC Championship game last year?
Shouldn’t they be the ones with “something to prove” in this game.
With all that being said, I do think Tom Brady and the Patriots are going to try and score 70.
They won’t. It’ll be more like 31, but Brady is going to take his shots.
Expect a lot of shotgun plays which means big nights for Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman and Gronk.
Also the Colts have a chance to get TY Hilton back on track against a weak Patriots secondary.
New England gets to the quarterback quickly and getting Hilton the ball early should neutralize their pass rush.
I have no way of know if that is their game plan. All I’m saying is that if this was Madden 16, that’s what I’d do.
But in all likely hood, the Patriots will rock the Colts because they are hotter than President Obama right now after dropping his new Donald Trump diss track.
WATCH THIS! IF ITS THE ONLY THING YOU DO. WATCH IT
Eagles vs Giants
Okay remember when I said the Eagles offense was gonna be really good and Sam Bradford is a legit fantasy quarterback.
Don’t blink now but…
I know, still not that impressive. 25 than 20 but WAY better than his first three weeks, and I like his matchup Monday night. The Giants can stop the run, meaning it’ll be up to Sam Bradford, Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles to beat New York.
Count on that happening.
The Giants are walking into a scary situation Monday night. I expect them to be without Odell Beckham and maybe no Ruben Randle. That leaves the only wide receiver on their team that I’ve heard of being Dwayne Harris.
Enter Shane Vereen.
He had eight catches last week. Most of which came down the stretch once Beckham and Randle were out.
Start him with confidence.
Shots for the road
- Trade Matt Forte – His usage is high and you could probably still get a lot for him. It’s gotta be a good price but I see a decline in usage coming once Jeffery returns.
- Javorius Allen (running back for the Ravens) is the back up to Justin Forsett and will be a nice play if Forsett doesn’t play.
- Add Christine Michael (Dallas Cowboys running back/former Seahawk) now.
- Danny Woodhead scores 15 plus fantasy points in PPR leagues this week.
- The Browns beat the Broncos.
That’s all I got this week! As always, thanks for your time and have a great fantasy weekend.