This article is part of our Run 'N' Shoot series.
What's left to say about Cam Newton? After Sunday's thrilling win, he's now the only QB to throw for 300 yards and five TDs while rushing for 100 yards in one game. Panthers-Giants wasn't the Game of the Year, though -- give me lead changes and fewer fistfights. (Sorry, ODB, you deserve a suspension.)
•Antonio Brown isn't just the NFL's best receiver; after shredding the top-ranked Broncos defense, he's playing at a level that necessitates comparisons to all-time NFL greats. I'd take peak Jerry Rice and Randy Moss over Brown, but 2015 Brown has an argument against any other receiver, no? And to think I hoped Brown might have a quiet game against Denver and go under-the-radar for DFS in Week 16.
• Just when we thought no division could get uglier than the NFC East, Brandon Weeden is now quarterbacking the AFC South-leading Texans. Which playoff game will be more of a joke, the Texans against an 11-win AFC wild-card team, or the NFC East winner against Seattle?
• Lost amidst Doug Baldwin's record-setting touchdown binge is the complete transformation of the Seattle offense. Running game? Pfft. Ever since Marshawn Lynch went down Seattle has been a pass-oriented monster. The beautiful part for us gamers is that it's a three-headed monster with little else. Here, check out the targets the last two weeks: Baldwin: 9, 6; Jermaine Kearse: 8, 8 Tyler Lockett: 7, 7; all other Seahawks combined: 17. Against a Rams defense whose
What's left to say about Cam Newton? After Sunday's thrilling win, he's now the only QB to throw for 300 yards and five TDs while rushing for 100 yards in one game. Panthers-Giants wasn't the Game of the Year, though -- give me lead changes and fewer fistfights. (Sorry, ODB, you deserve a suspension.)
•Antonio Brown isn't just the NFL's best receiver; after shredding the top-ranked Broncos defense, he's playing at a level that necessitates comparisons to all-time NFL greats. I'd take peak Jerry Rice and Randy Moss over Brown, but 2015 Brown has an argument against any other receiver, no? And to think I hoped Brown might have a quiet game against Denver and go under-the-radar for DFS in Week 16.
• Just when we thought no division could get uglier than the NFC East, Brandon Weeden is now quarterbacking the AFC South-leading Texans. Which playoff game will be more of a joke, the Texans against an 11-win AFC wild-card team, or the NFC East winner against Seattle?
• Lost amidst Doug Baldwin's record-setting touchdown binge is the complete transformation of the Seattle offense. Running game? Pfft. Ever since Marshawn Lynch went down Seattle has been a pass-oriented monster. The beautiful part for us gamers is that it's a three-headed monster with little else. Here, check out the targets the last two weeks: Baldwin: 9, 6; Jermaine Kearse: 8, 8 Tyler Lockett: 7, 7; all other Seahawks combined: 17. Against a Rams defense whose secondary is much weaker than its front seven, I'd be fine playing Lockett or Kearse in Championship Week, and in GPPs, I'll be looking to pair them with Wilson in Week 16.
•Adrian Peterson's injury means it was impossible to have drafted an early-round running back and have him carry you to a 2015 fantasy title. All of the top RBs were either hurt, ineffective or both. With that in mind, how early would you draft David Johnson if your 2016 draft were now? After Sunday night's highlight show, he can't make it out of the second round, right?
• The 2015 Buffalo Bills, summarized by this exchange of texts with RotoWire colleague Kevin Payne:
Kevin: "We suck. And I actually bought into Rex's bullsh--."
Me: "I did, too. I want Rex fired."
• If Ted Ginn had slightly better hands, he'd be DeSean Jackson.
•Kirk Cousins has 15 passing TDs, four rushing TDs and 0 INTs in his last seven home games. Odell Beckham might be the best player in the division, but with DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed healthy, the Redskins have the best offense. Let's see if Cousins can find this same magic on the road the next two weeks, as he has a 6:9 TD:INT ratio away from home in 2015.
• In the "did you realize?" category: in PPR formats, Bilal Powell has 20, 19 and 24 fantasy points the last three weeks. With the Jets in pass mode against the Patriots this week, he may well win some owners a fantasy title.
• I can never pick the right week to play Danny Woodhead. Man, do I hate that guy.
• Here's my early look at Week 16 prices on DraftKings.
Merry Christmas, friends.
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger at Balt, $6,800: Six QBs are more expensive than Ben this week, but against the Ravens' terrible pass D (101.9 QB rating), there won't be six QBs with better stats.
Blake Bortles at NO, $6,500:Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Julius Thomas are healthy, and the Jaguars get the awful Saints D in a dome where weather won't be a concern. Jax-NO has an early O/U of 51.5, the highest of the week. Yes, Bortles' Week 16 ceiling is massive.
Running Back
David Johnson vs. GB, $5,800: The whole world is going to own Johnson after his Sunday night explosion, so I'll be fading him in GPPs. For cash, though, it doesn't get better than a talented freak who plays all three downs on a great offense.
James White at NYJ, $4,700: The Jets defense is terrific against the run (3.8 YPC, just two TDs allowed), so you can bet the Patriots, who gameplan based on opponents' weaknesses as much as anyone, will throw early and often. White is the back New England uses in the passing game, so regardless of game flow, expect White to be heavily involved.
Bilal Powell vs. NE, $3,900: Game flow should set up nicely for Powell here, ensuring his streak of 19-plus DK points reaches a fourth straight game. This price should be closer to 5K.
Wide Receiver
Allen Hurns at NO, $5,300: After two quiet games, Hurns' price is the lowest it's been since Week 9. The Saints porous defense should be the perfect cure for what's ailed him, particularly if star rookie Delvin Breaux spends any time shadowing Allen Robinson.
John Brown, $5,300, and Michael Floyd, $4,900 vs. GB:Larry Fitzgerald is slowing yet is still priced at $7,100. Give me the Cardinals' two most talented receivers at a fraction of the price in a matchup that may require them to throw all game. The O/U for GB-AZ is 49, and with prices like this, it's not hard to stack this game.
Tyler Lockett, $4,500, Jermaine Kearse, $3,200 vs. StL:Doug Baldwin's price has risen all the way to $6,800, which is simply too high for his skill set. While the masses fall victim to recency bias and chase Baldwin, I'll look to Lockett and Kearse at much cheaper prices.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski at NYJ, $7,600: New England will be throwing this week, yet it will be doing it with Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Scott Chandler either out or less than 100 percent healthy The spread is only 3, too, so the Pats probably won't have the luxury of taking their foot off the gas. Add it all up and this is a Gronk Week for me in all formats.
