Well, it was certainly another interesting and unpredictable week in fantasy football. Incidentally, it was a week for my dark horses to gallop into the sunset. Jacoby Brissett scored over 36 points and Dallas Goedert scored almost 15 points in PPR which included a costly fumble. Brissett was QB4 and Goedert was TE7 in Week 7. My streamers of the week were a mixed bag. Josh Allen actually had to play the entire game since the Miami Dolphins came out and scored more points (21) than any other team has against Buffalo this year, including the New England Patriots. Therefore, Allen put up around 23 fantasy points. That may not sound great but it was good enough to be the eighth-best quarterback this week. Darren Fells, on the other hand, did not do much. He had two receptions for 27 yards. But to put it into perspective, he was not that far behind Zach Ertz, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle. Yes, another brutal week for tight ends unless your name was Darren Waller. Remember when he was a streaming option?
This week the quarterbacks look poised to prosper. If you haven’t done so, pick up Jacoby Brissett. I was not sold on him taking over the reins in Indy but he seems like the real deal. I am not advocating him this week since he is against the third-toughest defense in Denver but at this point he might be matchup proof. The tight end scene seems a little murky as usual. A lot has to do with injuries. So read the tight end portion carefully because all of my choices are based on some big “If’s.”
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Quarterback Streamer of the Week
Ryan Tannehill (TEN) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although he is not facing the easiest adversary when it comes down to quarterbacks on paper, he is actually facing the easiest defense since Week 3. Tampa Bay were tough on opposing offenses in their first two games but since then have played like we would expect. Every quarterback they have faced since Week 3 has scored over 25 fantasy points except Kyle Allen in Week 6. Daniel Jones scored 36 which was bested by Teddy Bridgewater with almost 38 a few weeks later. Allen almost had 20 and missed the mark because the Panthers were so far ahead that he didn’t have to pass much.
Ryan Tannehill is coming off a strong first start. He passed for over 300 yards and threw two touchdowns in a neutral game script. This game should be close and should favor high scoring. As bad as Jameis Winston was in London, knowing that his future is literally “on the line,” look for him to try to get back into Bruce Arians’ good books. Tannehill is not sexy but he’s done something that Marcus Mariota has never really done. He’s involved all of his talented pass-catchers including Corey Davis, A.J. Brown, and Adam Humphries. As bad as Tampa Bay is on defense, they are incredibly effective against the run. It might be a long day for Derrick Henry but this will force Tannehill to throw enough to compile yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points.
Alternative Streamer of the Week
Teddy Bridgewater (NO) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Technically, Teddy Bridgewater is facing the third-easiest defense in the league against quarterbacks this season. However, based on last week and with Patrick Peterson back, I am not too sure that this will hold up. What’s enticing is that Arizona likes to keep the game fast-paced which bodes well for higher scoring. And as game-managing Bridgewater looked when he took over for the injured Drew Brees, has since looked more like the first-round talent he was supposed to be years ago when he was drafted by the Vikings. Out of his nine touchdown passes this season, seven of them have occurred in the past three games to go along with only one interception. He has nearly averaged 280 yards in that span against feared defenses like Chicago and Jacksonville. I do think the Cardinals are improving on defense but they are not quite there yet. If anything, Bridgewater seems like a safe option this week.
Dark Horse Sleeper QB
Mason Rudolph (PIT) vs. Miami Dolphins
Here is another sweet matchup this week for a quarterback. Mason Rudolph looked like he was improving steadily each week as a starter until he was forced out of a game against the Ravens. He should be well-rested now and ready to continue his uphill trajectory. As we all know, the Dolphins have no interest in winning this year and Pittsburgh still has a chance to win their division or at least have a chance at making the playoffs. Their defense is formidable and Rudolph has a lot of talent around him. He has only averaged around 167 yards per game but in his last two starts threw for 229 yards against Cincinnati and had 131 against Baltimore in only just over a half.
The Dolphins have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw under 200 yards except Case Keenum. Rudolph is certainly an upgrade over Keenum and the Pittsburgh offensive personnel far exceed Washington’s. As long as Miami can contain Conner to some degree, look for Rudolph to improve on his past statistics and help you win your week. And yeah, Miami gives up nearly 30 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks – the worst in the NFL.
Tight End Streamer of the Week
Chris Herndon (NYJ) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
So here’s the big “IF”: If Chris Herndon plays, pick him up. He was due to come back after his suspension but got delayed with a practice injury. He should be back to commence his 2019 campaign but pay close attention. The reason I am going with him this week despite playing the 11th-toughest defense against tight ends is really only for one reason. Out of the possible tight ends owned in less than 40% of Yahoo Leagues, there is not a better option than Herndon. He is by far the best player available on a team that looks to be ascending now that Sam Darnold is back. Darnold loves Herndon and even went as far as to mention him as one of the crucial pieces for the Jets to win.
I told you to pick him up before but since he is only 29% owned currently, this is the last week to do so. After this week, the Jets start a six-game run against bad defenses. They play the Dolphins, Giants, Redskins, Raiders, Bengals, and finish with the Dolphins again. He should be a TE1 starting this week until the end of the season.
Alternate TE Streamer of the Week
Josh Hill (NO) vs Arizona Cardinals
Josh Hill is as exciting a tight end as his name. However, he was TE9 last week when Jared Cook missed the game against Chicago, a team that prides on their defense. In that game, Hill caught all three of his targets for 43 yards and that important touchdown. Hill will be touchdown dependent but be assured that Teddy Bridgewater has thrown a touchdown to one of his tight ends in the past three games. In fact, three out of his seven touchdowns all season have gone to either Cook or Hill. So the big “IF” is, if Cook is out again, look for Hill to be the beneficiary. There does not seem to be another tight end of consequence on their roster and they are playing the Cardinals who have been the kindest to tight ends, despite last week’s valiant effort versus Evan Engram. They still gave up a touchdown to the other New York Giant tight end Rhett Ellison, so this bodes well for the tight end suiting up for the Saints. Hopefully, that player will be Josh Hill.
Two Dark Horse Sleepers at TE
Jonnu Smith (TEN) vs New York Jets and Mike Gesicki (MIA) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Like I said before, it is getting ugly. Here are two über-athletic tight ends that many have had high hopes in the past but unfortunately neither have met those expectations. Jonnu Smith played well in Delanie Walker’s absence in Week 7, securing three catches on as many targets for 64 yards. He’s a decent option with the big “IF” of Walker missing more time.
If that is not possible then Mike Gesicki might be your guy. He’s consistently put up around eight fantasy points in the past two weeks (if two weeks makes one consistent) with a combined 11 targets. He is definitely more attractive with the big “IF” knowing that Ryan Fitzmagic is under center. He most probably will be since he was surprisingly good against one of the best defenses in football, the Buffalo Bills.
Two More Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert (PHI) vs Buffalo Bills and Darren Fells (HOU) vs Oakland Raiders
I like Dallas Goedert the player more but like the match up Fells has. Goedert is against the toughest defense in football right now, the Buffalo Bills, who are also the stingiest versus tight ends. He does seem to be usurping Zach Ertz so it might be worth the gamble to go with him and if he is indeed proving to be the player we expected, he’s worth a look longterm.
Oakland, on the other hand, likes to give fantasy points to tight ends. Jimmy Graham had four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown against a team that is in the bottom-10 when it comes down to helping opposing tight ends get points. Fells was not great last week but he is still the go-to guy in Houston and most likely will give you a floor that is not zero. It’s ugly so try to pick the least ugly option this week. Good luck!
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Marc Mathyk is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Marc, check out his archive and follow him @Masterjune70.
