It may be a decade or more before we know the full impact of coronavirus on the sports industry. To protect the health of athletes, spectators and all others involved Major League Baseball just wrapped its season with a World Series that was less than ideal but a spectacle all its own. The Dodgers managed to overcome a 1-3 deficit to the Braves in the NLCS and win their first world championship since Kirk Gibson which made Vin Scully do a double-take.
Ironically, it was this day in 1956 that the Dodgers sold Ebbets Field to a local real estate group and began planning to move west. Coincidentally, West is where they’re playing the best football. The NFC West in particular. Every team in the division is above .500 and they’re collectively sporting the best winning percentage in the NFL. It’s there that we will find the best game of the week (all respect to Pittsburgh and Baltimore) the 49ers are traveling to the great northwest to take on the Seahawks. When last these teams met Dre Greenlaw stopped Jacob Hollister inches from the goal line to secure a 49ers victory and ultimately a trip to the Super Bowl.
As wonderful as that was for me personally, this column isn’t interested in folks who can’t score! (And the Seahawks aren’t interested in stopping anyone either) I shouldn’t have to tell you how bad the birds are in the secondary, but in case you’ve forgotten. The Seahawks have allowed the most targets, receptions, receiving yards and fantasy points to the WR position. Yikes! The question is, are the 49ers prepared to take advantage of it without one of their top options in the passing game? Read on, my friends.
Wide Receiver
49ers rookie Brandon Aiyuk is coming off his best game as a pro, reeling in 6 of 7 targets for 115 yards. The 49ers were enamored with his deep ball skills throughout the draft process and selected him over budding superstars CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson. I expect his skillset to be on full display Sunday. It’s Brucie’s time to shine.
DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf. DK for short. One of only three players in NFL history to amass 80 receptions 1350 receiving yards and 12+ touchdowns while sporting a 17+ YPC average in their first 21 games. The 49ers are banged up in the secondary and will probably shadow him with Jason Verrett. Oh, Mylanta.
Travis Fulgham has emerged as Philadelphia’s No.1 WR. Drawing a 29.7% target share the last three weeks. He gets a Cowboys defense on Sunday that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the receiver position this season. Fulgham should be locked into lineups.
Davante Adams has two career 40+ point fantasy games – one last week against the Texans and the other in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. He gets the Vikings again this Sunday. I expect Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target to visit the end zone at least once.
Others I like:
Justin Jefferson vs Green Bay
The Ghost of A.J. Green vs Tennessee
Jarvis Landry vs Las Vegas
Running Back
I love a good revenge story! I mean who among us wasn’t eerily satisfied when Hugh Glass delivered wild west justice to John Fitzgerald, the man who killed his only son. Glass managed to survive a bear attack and close his open throat wound with a flintlock. Then dragged himself through the wilderness sleeping in animal carcasses for warmth and fleeing from native Indians… I imagine that’s what it’s like playing for Adam Gase. I also imagine it’s going to be equally as sweet watching Le’Veon Bell dance in the Jets End zone.
The Dolphins are an NFL worst in goal to go situations. Giving up touchdowns more than 70% of the time. Darrell Henderson has monopolized the Rams backfield of late. I expect a tuddy on Sunday.
Dalvin Cook. Welcome back, sir. May we show you to your table? Cook has scored 4 times in his last three games against the Pack. Green Bay is also last in the league in adjusted fantasy points against opposing running backs.
Zack Moss hasn’t scored since week one, but he returned last week from a toe injury that sidelined him for three weeks. But playing perhaps his best game as a pro, Moss was clearly the Bills’ best back. The Patriots are one of the worst teams in the league against opposing RBs. Last week the 49ers rolled up 197 yards and four touchdowns! I think the Bills get back to basics this week and pound the Pats.
Others I like:
David Montgomery vs New Orleans
Derrick Henry vs Cincinnati
Ezekiel Elliott vs Philadelphia
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson leads Detroit in targets, red zone targets and end zone targets. The Colts are particularly stingy against the pass and I expect Stafford to lean on his young tight end.
Dalton Schultz. We’re outlined just how bad the Eagles linebackers are in coverage in this very column and Schultz will be catching balls from, checks notes, Ben DiNucci… young QBs tent to use tight ends like a safety blanket and this should be no different.
The Bengals are one worst teams in the league at defending the tight end position – giving up the 2nd most points to the position. Enter Jonnu Smith. Before the back injury that sidelined him Smith had scored at least 11 PPR fantasy points every week. I suspect he’ll get back on track this week.
Others I like:
Rob Gronkowski vs New York Giants
Mark Andrews vs Pittsburgh
Hunter Henry vs Denver
