Thirty-four years ago this week the Fox Broadcasting Company became the fourth commercial broadcast television network in the U.S. when it debuted The Late Show, hosted by Joan Rivers. Despite the rub from the affluent Rivers and hit shows like the X-Files and Beverly Hills 90210, the Fox Network lacked credibility and wasn’t considered a major rival to the “Big Three” companies (ABC, CBS, NBC).
All that changed in December of 1993.
The NFL’s decision to go with Fox continues to reverberate around the sports world, not only with football but in the way sports rights costs are perceived by networks to this day. Fox began treating the NFL as entertainment. Not only with their big on-air personalities but with the implementation of such things as the score box, the first down line and the overall production value which brought viewers closer to the game.
A lot of you are probably too young to remember the NFL without Fox but they truly revolutionized the way football is enjoyed. This column isn’t splitting any atoms but hopefully you enjoy it. Which is the entire point of this fantastical hobby of ours. Now, on to the touchdowns!
Wide Receivers
Don’t look now but the Panthers have won two in a row! The rushing defense is improving but the story is the right arm of one Theodore Bridgewater. During the current two game winning streak Bridgwater has thrown for 572 yards and 3 touchdowns. His favorite target? Robby Anderson. Anderson is PPR WR9 on the strength of 28 receptions and 377 yards. The only thing missing are the touchdowns. Enter the Falcon! The Falcons are the worst defense this side of Dallas. They’re particularly susceptible to the deep pass. Anderson gets free for a deep one but the Falcons get off the schneid.
Will Fuller is healthy. Well, as healthy as Will Fuller gets. And despite the shutout pitched by Baltimore in week two he’s developed into QB DeShaun Watson’s most reliable target. The talented speedster has scored two weeks in a row. Let’s make it three. The Jaguars are one of the worst teams defending opposing QBs and can be exploited on the back end.
Darius Slayton currently has a 20% target share of one of the most voluminous passing offenses in the league. That makes him extremely attractive against a Dallas secondary that has allowed 8 touchdowns to outside receivers and given up an average of 35 PPR points per game to the opposition’s top option. It would be a minor miracle if he doesn’t score.
Hollywood. Most people think of Rodeo Drive or the walk of fame. I think of the P’Casso song by the same name.
“I’m livin Hollywood now without the fame
Just a lil’ bit of money I’m about my game
I’m about my name, I’m about my strife ”
Marquise Brown owners know all about that strife. He hasn’t scored since week 15 of last season. It’s time to be about that game, Marquise and earn the name Hollywood. Two scores this week for the speedster.
Running Backs
James Robinson has been an absolute lineup lock. If you scored him off your leagues waiver wire, kudos! You’ve got yourself a gem. According to ESPN, The Texans have allowed the most rushing fantasy points and fifth most points per carry this season. And they just fired their head coach and the franchise is in complete disarray.
The Jaguars are almost as bad against opposing rushers at their division counterpart. That’s great news for David Johnson who is coming off back to back games of either a season low YPC or Snap percentage. Expect the veteran to get back on track this week.
Todd Gurley has been a touchdown machine so far this season. Scoring four times so far. He gets a Carolina defense who have been historically bad at defending opposing running backs since last year. I expect lots of points in this one and for Gurley to keep his streak alive.
All Aaron Jones does is score touchdowns… and even though the Packers are on a bye I have no doubt that the talented RB will find a way to score this weekend. 😀
Matt Breida hasn’t done much of anything for the Dolphins this year, but if they give him the rock he’s going to be extra motivated by the opposition.
Tight Ends
If you follow me you know that I was big on Eric Ebron this summer. I expected him to have quite the red zone presence in Pittsburgh and so far this season he has a 16% target share. The Eagles are quickly turning into this year’s Arizona Cardinals. Their linebackers can be exploited in coverage. They’ve given up a 26/276/5 line to opposing tight ends.
Evan Engram is getting plenty of volume. He is currently third in the NFL in targets to the position, including a 10 target game last week. Unfortunately, he is sporting a rather pedestrian 4.6 ADOT. The talented tight end seems to be struggling to recover from the Lisranc surgery that sidelined him for the final 12 games of 2019. But these Cowboys couldn’t cover butt quack with feathers. Get Engram in your lineup.
Darren Waller is a cavalcade of fantasy production. And he loves the Chiefs. In two games last year he caught 13 of 17 targets for 163 yards. They did manage to keep him out of the end zone but the talented TE rectifies that this weekend.
