While political pundits pontificate about election results, I’m hard at work forecasting my outcomes in fantasy football. There’s never any uncertainty in fantasy football, right? I find it easier to predict an NFL player’s weekly production than the results and the aftermath of this election. No matter what teams or players you may lean toward, read on to see what candidates I’m pontificating for your lineups this week.
Week 8/Season Recap
Last week was horrendous for me. Heading into the halfway point of the fantasy season, I was getting about 66 percent of my calls correct. In Week 8, I missed all of them but one. To quote the character Pete Campbell from the Mad Men, “Not great, Bob!” Oh, and I was handed my first loss in the For Fantasy Sake staff league this week against one of our founders, Doug. Ugh. He is currently the second-place team, though.
I take solace in the fact that it was a strange week for fantasy. When the likes of Nick Mullens, Jordan Wilkins and Ross Dwelley end up in the Top 12 at their positions, you know it was an outlier week. Insane weather games and in-game injuries are partly to blame, but you can’t win them all. Season tally: 29-20.
Love ‘em
David Johnson at Jacksonville
Nobody’s really talking about Johnson, who’s been quietly putting up strong RB2 numbers this year. So far this season, Johnson is averaging 13.47 fantasy points. He’s scored doubled digit points every week except Week 2, which is not surprising against Baltimore’s stout run defense. Houston should maintain a lead against Jacksonville on Sunday, a favorable script for the run game. Oh, and the Jaguars give up 22.8 points per game to running backs.
Chase Edmonds vs Miami
Kenyan Drake is questionable for Sunday with an ankle injury and may have to hand over the lead role to Chase Edmonds. If Drake is out, those of us who rostered Edmonds will be handsomely rewarded. Edmonds is the more talented of the two backs, and the Cardinals will likely lean on their ground game in this one. The Dolphins are a little tough against the pass but give up the seventh-most points to backs. Edmonds has averaged 6.1 yards per carry and has caught 26 of 32 targets in seven games this season. If Drake sits this one out, Edmonds will shine, and he would be a nice flex if Drake does play.
Take a chance on him
Jakobi Meyers at Jets
Meyers is an intriguing streamer option against the lowly Jets this week. New England’s receiving corps is banged up with Julian Edelman on IR and N’Keal Harry questionable with a concussion. Meyers has looked good in their absence, posting double-digit fantasy points and 50 receiving yards or more in the last two games. He also saw a whopping 10 targets last week. The Jets have given up four touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers the last two weeks. If you’re struggling with player availability and Harry is out, I’d take a chance on Meyers coming through for you on Monday night.
Leave ‘em
Jonathan Taylor vs Ravens
Taylor hasn’t been living up to the preseason hype and was just out-snapped by Jordan Wilkins on Sunday. His usage this season has been perplexing as he should be a workhorse back. Now it seems he is dealing with a minor ankle injury sustained during the game against the Lions. However, Coach Frank Reich told USA Today Sports that the injury didn’t impact Taylor’s production–or lack thereof-during the Week 8 win. Wilkins’ performance in the game could earn him more touches this week, particularly if Taylor isn’t 100 percent healthy. Add the fact that they play the Ravens this week, the third-best team against running backs, makes Taylor better suited for your bench.
Corey Davis vs Bears
Aside from the two weeks he missed on the COVID-19 list, we’re finally getting the type of season we’ve always envisioned from Davis. He’s coming off a monster game against the Bengals, racking up eight receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Don’t be tempted to chase the points this week, though, as he’s facing the stingy Bears defense and is no more than a flex play at best.
Pontificating
Ok, that’s enough pontificating from me for now. I like that word cause it sounds dirty. Will we make the right choices for our lineups this week? We’ll know the results of our fantasy picks by the end of Monday night, and that’s more than I can say for this election.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
As always, start your studs! Unless it’s under extreme circumstances, obvious players will not appear in this column.
Logo graphic courtesy of @TheDiamondMike
