Championship Week Slingshot Plays
“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.”
-1 Samuel 17:1-25:7
Don’t fret, you are still at the Dynasty League Football website and not a weekly Bible study. The story of David and Goliath is oft-quoted to describe any underdog situation. As a society, we are enamored with cheering for people to not only defy the odds, but doing so in simplistic yet spectacular fashion. Hollywood has capitalized on this desire as movies like the Mighty Ducks or the Karate Kid (the 80s version) highlight a person or team defying all odds to bring home the trophy.
David’s slingshot, the Flying V of the Ducks, or Danielson’s Crane Kick all highlight an important idea; sometimes it only takes a simple action to bring down a giant. Enter the below list of players. Now let me be perfectly clear about one thing, I am NOT advocating starting anyone mentioned in this article over any reliable, consistent fantasy contributor or a stud player who has had a few down weeks.
These players are designed for those dynasty degenerates who may be facing long odds in their playoff matchup and/or are searching for that last starter in a flex spot in leagues with no kickers or defenses (the preferable way to operate a dynasty league).
The zero hour is now upon us, and you’re right on the doorstep of a title. You survived a plethora of injuries to star contributors, a trade possibly gone awry, not spending enough FAAB on a coveted player, the endless smack talk from your opponents, and so on and so forth. YOU ARE IN THE ‘SHIP! Now go out and…
You don’t have to do a choreographed Broadway number with your friends, but go Seize the Day and bring home the trophy! With a win, you can take home a hefty cash prize, gloat to your friends for the next nine months, and be a part of dynasty football immortality. A loss… is unacceptable!
Week 15 Slingshot Plays Recap
Patrick Laird, RB MIA: 12 Rushes, 46 yards; 2 Recs, 8 yards; 7.4 FP – Miss
AJ Brown, WR TEN: 13 Targets, 8 Recs, 114 Receiving Yards, TD; 25.4 FP – Hit
Anthony Miller, WR CHI: 15 Targets, 9 Recs, 118 Receiving Yards, TD; 26.8 FP – Hit
Cole Beasley WR, BUF: 6 Targets, 1 Rec, 6 Yards; 1.6 FP – Miss
Tyler Higbee, TE LAR: 14 Targets, 12 Recs, 111 Receiving Yards; 23.1 FP – Hit
Patrick Laird is now a risky, low-end flex option now that Myles Gaskins is more involved in the offense. Cole Beasley ran into a buzz saw of a Steelers’ D and he’s better left out of your championship lineup against the Patriots.
I was incorrect urging caution on AJ Brown as he’s a locked-in starter on both your dynasty squad and his NFL team. Anthony Miller has been on fire lately and is a low-end WR2 option as long as Taylor Gabriel is out of the lineup. Tyler Higbee did the majority of his damage in garbage time, but he needs to be in your lineup as long as Gerald Everett is sidelined.
Championship Week Slingshot Plays
Philip Rivers, QB LAC
Yes, Rivers’ 8.6 point clunker of a performance on Sunday likely ended the championship dreams of any dynasty degenerate who started him. Yet, Rivers’ upcoming matchup against a Charmin-soft Oakland secondary should be exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Raiders pass defense has been in the Christmas spirit all season long, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, they’ve allowed three straight weekly QB1 performances to Patrick Mahomes (19.5 FP), Ryan Tannehill (27.5) and Gardner Minshew (18.7). As the preamble of this article states, do not start the 16-year vet over any stud or reliable quarterback. However, Rivers is a high-end QB2 with top ten upside for those who are in superflex leagues and/or have been streaming quarterbacks all season.
Mike Boone/Alexander Mattison RB MIN
On ESPN, @AdamSchefter said he'd be surprised if Dalvin Cook (shoulder) plays in Week 16 or 17.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 17, 2019
All indications are pointing towards Dalvin Cook being unavailable for both the Minnesota Vikings and those with dynasty shares in week 16. The biggest question is who fills in for the injured Florida State product between Alexander Mattison or Mike Boone. Whoever assumes the lead back role for the Vikings steps into a great fantasy situation as Cook was averaging 20.9 fantasy points and 19.4 opportunities (17.9 atts, 4.5 targets) per game.
With Mattison sidelined with an ankle injury in week 15, the Cincy alum tallied 56 yards and two scores after the team’s star running back went down. No matter which back draws the start, they will be an RB2 against a weak Packer run defense allowing the ninth most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the season.
Danny Amendola, WR DET
It might surprise some people to learn Amendola is seventh in wide receiver targets (29) over the last three weeks. Over this same stretch, he’s averaged 10.9 FP per game including an impressive week 15 performance. With both Marvin Jones Jr. and TJ Hockenson on the shelf, the former Patriot played a season-high 86% of the offensive snaps, producing eight catches for 102 yards. Amendola should have a safe double-digit PPR floor and should be started as a flex option ahead of Curtis Samuel or Chris Conley.
Zach Pascal, WR IND
After getting throttled by the Saints on Monday Night Football, the Colts barely flickering playoff hopes have been extinguished. With nothing left to play for on the season, it’s assumed the team will rest star wide receiver TY Hilton which is good news for Pascal.
In the six games Hilton has sat out this season, the Old Dominion alum has averaged 7.5 targets, over four receptions, and 62 receiving yards per game while adding three touchdowns. The Carolina Panthers have been gashed (fifth-most fantasy points allowed) by enemy wide receivers on the season including an 8-120-1 stat line from Tyler Lockett last Sunday. If Hilton sits, fire up Pascal as a high ceiling flex option.
OJ Howard/Cameron Brate, TE TB
Tampa Bay Targ Share thru Week 15:
Chris Godwin- 22.3%
Mike Evans- 21.9%
Breshad Perriman- 9.1%
OJH- 8.7%
Cameron Brate- 8.7%After Perriman, which player benefits the most on Saturday for TB sans Godwin & Evans? #GoBucs #FantasyFootball
— Josh Brickner (@joshbrickner) December 17, 2019
With over 44% of the team’s targets up for grabs this weekend, both OJ Howard and Cameron Brate enter the conversation in the wasteland of fantasy football tight ends this week. Both men may have an identical target share on the season, but a further breakdown of their numbers over the last four weeks tells a different story.
Howard leads Brate in offensive snap percentage (84%-35%), targets (21-13), and most importantly fantasy points (33-20.8). Thus, the Bama product is the preferred option in the Bucs tight end room, but if you’re in a super deep league and desperate… Brate is in play. In fact, the first thing Jameis Winston said to both of his tight ends before Tuesday’s practice was to expect to “get the rock.”
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