Welcome to Week 6, yes it's already Week 6 as we move closer to the Week 11 $20,000 Championship Freeroll. For those interested, and I know you are, fill your entry, earn cash prizes and if you finish above the the RotoWire experts you will earn an entry into the Championship Freeroll. You can join this week's contest here.
Congratulations go to depositbonus 1 with 167.62 points who nipped 6mil's 166.70 points. Depositbonus1 can thank his duo of running back picks in Bucs' Doug Martin with 35.3 points and Ravens' Justin Forsett with 25 points. Martin was only owned by 2.7 percent putting him ahead of the group. Depositbonus1 was smart to listen to Josh Fathollahi's column last week who correctly picked Martin as one of his Value Picks. Ironically his worst pick was his most expensive in Pats TE Rob Gronkowski ($8,400) who registered only 8.7 points. The rest of his lineup collected 14.3 points and more.
In the RotoWire Expert Leaderboard Adam Wolf (rotosomething) continues to hold down first place, but his lead has shrunk. Tate McIntyre (tamc10) had a big week with Week 5 high of 147.60 and moved into second place overall behind a big week from Eli Manning (29.74), Antonio Gates (25.7) and Justin Forsett (25). Wolf still leads 655.46 to McIntyre's 646.32. As a side note I dropped out of the top 10 with my biggest foible being Broncos TE Owen Daniels with a big fat goose egg despite going against the Raiders, the team that allows the most points to tight ends.
Also before you make your selections check the status of some of these top players who could be a game-time decisions on Sunday or Monday including Colts QB Andrew Luck, Bills RB LeSean McCoy, Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon, Pats RB Dion Lewis, Ravens RB Forsett, Giants WR Odell Beckham, Ravens WR Steve Smith, Bears WR Alshon Jeffrey (again) and Bears TE Martellus Bennett.
Expert Standings
Here is how the Top-10 shakes out in the Expert Competition. You can see the full standings here.
- Adam Wolf (rotosomething) - 655.4
- Tate McIntyre (tamc10) - 646.32
- Josh Collacchi (JCollacchi) - 622.96
- Jake Letarski (rotojakeski) - 617.06
- Clay Link (linkdaddydollaz) - 615.66
- Peter Merrill (black26) - 615.12
- Jeff Erickson (jefferickson) - 609.52
- Brian Pelowski (brianp) - 604.90
- Jason Brown (modano9) - 596.34
- Jeff Stotts (RotowireATC) - 588.1
Value Picks
QB Blake Bortles: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
FanDuel Price: $7,300
Bortles might be hurt a little if Allen Hurns does not play this week, but this will be the second week for the return of TE Julius Thomas so it could only help with a full complement of targets. In addition Houston is tied for sixth in the league in allowing the most passing touchdowns in the league (nine). The Texans pass rush has been a big disappointment this season. In addition RB T.J Yeldon is questionable to play so Jacksonville might have to rely more on the running game.
QBSam Bradford: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
FanDuel Price: $7,700
If you like to collect points on a Monday night, Bradford might be the tonic. While I'm tempted to also pick Giants QB Eli Manning, WR Odell Beckham is hurting with a hamstring injury and without him in the lineup is not a tempting pick. Bradford continues to comfortable in the Chip Kelly's offense and it would be a big time to breakout on the big stage of Monday Night Football.
RB Eddie Lacy: Green Bay Packers vs. San Diego Chargers
FanDuel Price: $7,300
This might not be a value pick, but there are seven RB ahead of Lacy. This should be a big day for Lacy. The Chargers are one of the worst against the run being the third most generous on the ground. It could be anticipated that Green Bay jumps out to a big lead and will be just running the ball in the second half.
RB Lamar Miller: Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans
FanDuel Price: $6,400
There is a lot of talk that with new head coach Dan Campbell they will be relying more on the run. And that was a big part of the talk by the announcers two weeks ago against the Jets in London. Expect the Fins to go ahead and give Miller plenty of chances against the Titans.
TE Antonio Gates: San Diego Chargers @ Green Bay Packers
FanDuel Price: $5,500
Gates returned to the field after his suspension and proceeded to have a big night against the Steelers. San Diego is expected to behind in this game and will have to throw the ball. The Packers defense will try to contain Keenan Allen just like the Steelers defense was able to do so the ever reliable Gates should continue his return on the field in fine fashion. In addition there are nine tight ends that have higher dollar amounts in this week's game.
TE Julius Thomas: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
FanDuel Price: $5,200
Thomas returned to the field after a hand injury kept him out of the first four games. He was only targeted two times last week, but should get a full load this week. It will be against an underperformed Texans team that has allowed nine passing touchdowns this season.
WR Mike Wallace: Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
FanDuel Price: $5,400
I have never been a big Mike Wallace fan as his time with Dolphins was basically a bust, but he's showing a little life with the Vikings. Wallace had eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in Denver, a tough defense. The Chiefs have been porous in the defensive backfield and have allowed the most points to receivers in the NFL. In addition fellow Vikings receiver Charles Johnson has been listed as questionable heading into the weekend.
WR Eric Decker: New York Jets vs. Washington Redskins
FanDuel Price: $6,100
I've been trying to get Mr. Decker in some of my fantasy leagues. He has been consistent and the Jets offense has been surprisingly good with Ryan Fitzpatrick as quarterback. Decker has scored a touchdown in each of the three games that he has played including eight catches and 97 yards against the Colts in Week 2.
High Risk/High Reward
QB Tom Brady: New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
FanDuel Price: $9,000
If there is one week where Brady needs to be mentioned, it is this week. Unfortunately, we have to bring up Deflategate, but as well all know that it was the Colts who were the ones who initially broke up the issue of the footballs. While Brady might not be vindictive, there is no double that his head coach is and will try to pour it on. The Pats have been known to pour on the points even when they aren't looking to avenge something. Brady will put up even more points if Andrew Luck is on the field. The Colts have given up the 12th most points to quarterbacks in the league.
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
FanDuel Price: $8,500
It doesn't matter if the quarterback is Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer, Hopkins finds a way to get open and pile up the points. Hoyer is expected to be at quarterback, but if he is faltering, head coach Bill O'Brien will go to Mallett. Either or Mallett or Hoyer, Hopkins gets it done and he leads the NFL in receiving yards per game at 116.
RB Matt Forte: Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
FanDuel Price: $8,400
Forte might put up as much receiving yards as rushing yards. The Lions are reeling be it offensively or defensively. The Bears might be without a couple of their receiving weapons with the team possible being without Alshon Jeffrey, Eddie Royal and Martelius Bennett. Forte has been known to be a great receiver out of the backfield. In addition this might be the weakest defense that the Bears have faced this season as they already have faced the likes of Arizona and Seattle so far in 2015 and Forte has been able to put up points event against those stout defense. Forte averages 76 yards on the ground and 33 yards receiving against the Lions while having a career best six rushing touchdowns and 10 overall touchdowns in 14 career games against Detroit.
Steer Clear
WR Odell Beckham: New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
FanDuel Price: $9,100
It definitely is difficult to not bite at the Beckham apple this week against the Eagles, but he did not practice Thursday while nursing a hamstring injury. Beckham continues to be one of the best wide receivers in the game, but you can't gamble that he will be playing Monday night and you getting a big goose egg in your lineup when you set it about 1 p.m. on Sunday.
WR Antonio Brown: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
FanDuel Price: $8,600
Brown has hurt me in the leagues that I have him in, but it's not his fault. The void of Ben Roethlisberger in the lineup has severely damaged his value including only three catches on six targets on Monday night against San Diego. He faces an even tougher defensive backfield in Arizona. While there was an outside chance that Roethlisberger gets on the field on Sunday, you don't want to chance it especially with a price tag of $8,600. The only hope in this game might be if Arizona jumps out to a big league and they play prevent allowing Brown to get garbage time points.
You can follow me @ChicagoEd on Twitter and good luck this week in the Rotowire and FanDuel Fantasy Football Championship