The Shot Dude: Professor Pigskin
Class is in session, and today's topic is NFL101.
With no NHL or NBA on the schedule, today's focus is football.
Your favorite Shot Dude has magically transformed into Professor Pigskin.
Call it a Festivus miracle!
At least for today, I have some of the NFL's finest playmakers, their FanDuel pricing, and some reasons why they should succeed in their games this week.
This week's schedule is a bit spread out due to the holidays but you can find all the matchups with the help of the Bovada data tool on our Home page.
Please stay alert, follow along, and take notes,so you can be a winner in your fantasy games.
Quarterback
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville ($8200) ... fits my criteria for the perfect QB choice this week. First, dude's is healthy and performing well as evidenced by him scoring at least 22 fantasy points in 7 of his last 10 games. Secondly, The Jaguars face the Saints, who rank second to last in defense against quarterbacks. Lastly, this game has the highest posted total of the weekend at 52. Since Bortles has already thrown multiple touchdowns in 11 games this season, I think he's primed to do it again this week. Others: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh($8900); Cam Newton, Carolina($9300).
Running Backs
Latavius Murray, Oakland ($6100) ... has a great matchup against San Diego's 29th-ranked defense against the run this week. Back in Week 7, these two teams combined to score 66 points with Murray supplying 85 yards and a touchdown. I could see him easily equaling or even supassing that 15-point fantasy performance this week against the generous Charger defense.
Frank Gore, Indianapolis ($6000) ... can easily exploit the Dolphin's defense, which ranks 30th against oppossing RBs. Gore hasn't exactly been a TD machine this season, but does have double-digit fantasy scoring efforts in 6 of his last 10 contests. With a close two-point spread and an over/under total of 44, there will be TDs scored; the ground game could be the main source. Others: Tim Hightower, New Orleans($6300); David Johnson, Arizona($7300).
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh ($9300) ... is playing out-of-his-mind good with four fantasy scores of 33 points or more in his last six games. A benefit of spending down for runners is that you have more salary for receivers, so why not splurge on the game's best? Oh yeah, and Baltimore just happens to be 29th against defending wide receivers, giving fantasy players even more reason to have Brown in their lineups this week, and that's not even counting his special teams work.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville ($8400) ... has a touchdown line in his game log that lights up like a Christmas tree, with 11 trips to the end zone in his last 10 games. It's best to pair your quarterback with a wide reciever; when they hook up for a touchdown, your lineup gets credit for two scores even though only one was produced. The Bortles-Robinson pairing is the most logical to use with a game total so high.
Kamar Aiken, Baltimore ($6600) ... is enjoying top-dog status in Ravenland ever since the injury to Steve Smith Sr. Dude has responded well, with 5 double-digit fantasy score games in his last 6. Most impressive was his eight-catch, 128-yard performance with a touchdown last week against Kansas City. You should always take advantage of a player priced as a WR2 who is performing at a WR1 level. Others: DeSean Jackson, Washington($6800); Stefon Diggs, Minnesota($6000); Travis Benjamin, Cleveland($5400)
Tight End
Antonio Gates, San Diego ($6200) ... has hauled in six or more passes in six of his last nine games and is looked for more than any other Charger receiver by Philip Rivers. Oakland's defense against tight ends is second-to-last in the league this year which bodes well for Gates to contribute an all-star fantasy effort. This game features a 47 point total so we should see some scoring fireworks. Others: Greg Olsen, Carolina($6800); Will Tye, New York Giants($5100).
Kicker
Blair Walsh, Minnesota ($4600) ... is kicking indoors in a game with a total of 46, enough said. Kickers always seem to be a crap-shoot, but I normally look for one in a game where weather will not play a factor in his success or failure. Walsh has at least eight fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games as the Vikings offense has done better than most people expected this year. Others: Shayne Graham, Atlanta($4700); Graham Gano, Carolina($4800)
Defense
Detroit ($4600) ... is home against San Francisco, which is projected to have one of the lowest scoring production this week. The 17-point total prediction is generous, considering the 49ers are the NFL's worst scoring offense at a paltry 14.7 points per game. Their chances to do much this week aren't great, as Blaine Gabbert has been interception-prone and injuries have forced them to use inexperienced running backs. Others: Seattle, ($5400); Buffalo, ($4600).
That concludes our session on NFL fantasy for this week. Now, go out and make Proffessor Pigskin proud.
In your NFL fantasy games, as with anything you do, give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.