Sunday Morning Huddle: Week 16
Let’s face it, there’s an enormous amount of information out there on Sunday mornings. We’re not going to waste your time by repeating the news and notes about who’s in or out this week, since that’s really not what you visit us for. We’re also not going to do another article on starts or sits this week – we already have the personalized lineup advice for you on the premium content. Again, there are 100 places you can go for that, so no reason to repeat ourselves or others.
The Sunday Morning Huddle goes through each game and states what we’re looking to see from a dynasty perspective. One player will be picked from each team who has dynasty value tied to the game – players at a pivot point where their value could increase or decrease based on opportunity and performance.
EARLY GAMES
DETROIT AT CINCINNATI
It’s really looking like the beginning of the end for Ameer Abdullah. It’s been a terribly disappointing season all around for him and he lost snaps to Tion Green last week when Theo Riddick was hurt. The running back rotation will be one to watch today as Abdullah’s value hits rock bottom,
For the Bengals, they have a disappointing running back of their own in Joe Mixon. It looks like he’ll play today after suffering a concussion but his 3.3 yards per carry average this season has been a low point in dynasty leagues this season. Mixon could really use a couple of strong games to finish out the season.
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MIAMI AT KANSAS CITY
DeVante Parker has 46 catches for 543 yards and one touchdown this year, which is a far cry from what we expected after the Parker hype train was off the rails this preseason. He bounced back with six catches and 89 yards last week but he has to finish really strongly for his owners to have any sort of confidence going into next season.
Kareem Hunt had 155 yards and a touchdown and caught 7-of-9 targets for 51 yards and another score last week for the Chiefs and has now posted back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time since weeks four and five. He’s getting hot at the right time and will be a key for countless teams in the championship today.
BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND
I’ve had the feeling Tyrod Taylor is simply auditioning for other teams this season and that’s going to continue in a tough matchup against the Patriots today. I love Taylor as a player and hope for the best here. I have a feeling he’s going to have a rough day today but a solid one would help stabilize his future dynasty value – he’s going to start somewhere next year.
With Rex Burkhead out with an injury, it’s really anyone’s guess as to how the Patriots may use their running backs. I have a feeling the decision of owners to start or bench Mike Gillislee is going to result in won or lost titles – the problem is nobody really knows which way they should lean.
CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO
The same player is going to be under the microscope every week for the Browns moving forward – Josh Gordon. So far, so good for Gordon who has 201 receiving yards and a score in three games back. He’s likely just getting back into game shape and should continue to be peppered with targets.
For Chicago, I continue to be intrigued by Adam Shaheen. He had four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown last week and seems to be becoming a bigger part of the Bears offense each week. He’s out today and a strong finish would have helped his dynasty value moving into next year. Instead, all eyes should be on Mitchell Trubisky, who has been pretty “meh” so far this year.
TAMPA BAY AT CAROLINA
The Peyton Barber train continues to move forward as it looks like he’s supplanted Doug Martin as the starter in Tampa. The question now becomes if this is temporary or if he actually has a chance to keep this job moving into next season. I have my doubts he’s a long-term option for Tampa but he’s certainly been more impressive than Martin this year. Today will be big for him.
For the Panthers, all eyes should be on Christian McCaffrey, who had a monster game last week. While he hasn’t been as explosive as we had expected or hoped this year, his 73 catches have maintained his lofty rookie draft status.
ATLANTA AT NEW ORLEANS
For the Falcons, just about every player has pretty concrete dynasty value one way or another. Still, I’ve had my eye on Tevin Coleman for a while now. He really hasn’t looked as explosive to me this season and I’m starting to get a little concerned at this point. After a hot start, he’s really tailed off. Can he hit a big one today?
For the Saints, the two-headed monster of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara has been amazeballs. Kamara is starting to really look like he should have been in play for the rookie draft pick at 1.01 this year. His 6.6 yards per carry average is on pace to set the NFL record and while he has fewer than 100 carries on the year, his 68 catches have made him an RB1. Meanwhile, Ingram has looked great and already has 1,045 yards on the season, his career high.
DENVER AT WASHINGTON
For the Broncos, this has been a bit of a dumpster fire. We already know the quarterbacks on this roster have little to no value. I’m more interested in what CJ Anderson can do after rushing for 158 yards last week. His season has been really up and down that was his first 100-yard game since week two. He needs a couple more big games for the Broncos to likely feel comfortable having him as their workhorse moving forward into next season.
The Redskins are likely going to run out Kapri Bibbs this week after Samaje Perine injured his groin. If that’s the case, any “starting” running back needs to be considered. Late news says Perine will play but who knows how long he’ll last. Perine needs a strong finish to maintain value going into next season.
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT TENNESSEE
We know what we’re going to get from the likes of Jared Goff and Todd Gurley. I’m more interested in seeing what Robert Woods can do after he caught 6-of-7 targets for 45 yards and one touchdown last week in the destruction of Seattle. He’s been a bright spot for the Rams, who have had a ton of them the season.
For the Titans, I continue to focus on Corey Davis. He’s been disappointing from “go” this year and his six-catch, 69-yard performance on opening day seems like a decade ago. There is some concern starting to mount here.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW YORK JETS
For the Chargers, it might be the final stretch for Antonio Gates, who makes for an intriguing streamer today after the Chargers lost Hunter Henry to injury. Does he have any late career magic left?
For the Jets, it looks like the disappointing three-headed monster at running back will be in play again today. This is a frustrating situation for fantasy owners looking to see more from Elijah McGuire.
LATE GAMES
JACKSONVILLE AT SAN FRANCISCO
Can Blake Bortles continue his hot play? He’s gone from being benched to possibly looking at the franchise tag at the end of the season. This has been an amazing turnaround and one of the biggest stories in fantasy leagues this year.
The quarterback position is squarely in the spotlight here as well. Jimmy Garroppolo has been fantastic since taking over for the 49ers and it’s fair to really start wondering if San Francisco stole a franchise quarterback. Can he do it against the league’s best defense?
SEATTLE AT DALLAS
The Seahawks hit rock bottom last week after they were bludgeoned by the Rams at home. The entire team needs to bounce back and the player I’m looking at is Jimmy Graham, who has been non-existent the past two weeks.
For the Cowboys, it’s going to be very interesting to see just what Ezekiel Elliott can bring today. He reportedly showed back up with “water weight” and not exactly in tip-top shape. This game has major playoff implications and will be a fun one to watch, especially because many owners have pinned their fantasy hopes on the performance of Elliott.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT ARIZONA
The Giants will likely get a longer look at Wayne Gallman since their season is in the tank. While there won’t be too many people watching this game, dynasty owners have a keen interest in how Gallman finishes the year.
As for the Cardinals, it looks like Kerwynn Williams will play today. He’s an intriguing streaming option as well. However, the late start and risk of re-injury makes him a risky start.
MONDAY
PITTSBURGH AT HOUSTON
With no Antonio Brown, it’s time for the Steelers to unleash Juju Smith-Schuster (who has been fantastic) and Martavis Bryant (who used to be fantastic) today. One or both of them are destined to decide some fantasy championships today.
What is up with Lamar Miller? The fact the Texans have a backup quarterback hasn’t helped but he hasn’t rushed for more than 75 yards in a game all year – that’s like one carry for Alvin Kamara. It’s fair to wonder just what the Houston backfield is going to look like next season.
OAKLAND AT PHILADELPHIA
It looks like Amari Cooper will return this week. However, this has been a terrible season for him. Outside of one dominant performance, Cooper’s production has given owners serious doubt about just how valuable he’s going to be in the off-season. A couple of big games would be huge for him at the end of the season.
For the Eagles, it’s time of run to see Jay Ajayi unleashed with Carson Wentz out for the season. Ajayi was acquired for a spot just like this. Let’s give him a chance to produce a Christmas miracle.
Have a great Christmas everyone!
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
