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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 14
12/7/17
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: N/A

Alex Smith

Alex Smith posted a 342-3-0 line and finished as the QB6 the last time he faced the Raiders.


Grab a Helmet

Alex Smith vs OAK: Smith looked like his early season self last week, taking frequent deep shots, and moving the ball through the air better than he has in a month. I’m not sure if it was the return of the aggressive play calling from a new voice in the headset, but Smith was at his best carving up the Jets in their 38-31 loss. Smith gets another fine match-up, this time at home against the hapless Raiders defense. If the Chiefs can scheme a way to keep Khalil Mack off of Smith, he should be able to roast Oakland for the second time this season. This Kansas City team is in dire straits, and the home cooking should electrify this team. Smith hasn’t been the reason this team has lost 6 of their last 7, so keep rolling with oft maligned KC quarterback.

Jameis Winston vs DET: Another quarterback who should get a boost from the friendly confines of home, and a matchup against a fading defense is Jameis Winston. Winston was rusty last week in the Bucs overtime loss to the Packers. He struggled to get the ball to his playmaking receivers, and Tampa went run heavy. Detroit is doing this annual thing where they collapse down the stretch, and this defense has relied on turnovers and big plays to mask the fact they have trouble getting teams off the field on 3rd down. I think Winston hits on a few big plays to Jackson and Evans, and the Bucs pile up a big yardage day.

Jimmy Garoppolo @ HOU: Sure he didn't throw a touchdown, and could only muster 15 points against the wayward Bears, but Garoppolo brought a measure of calm to the 49ers offense. He seemed to elevate the play of his receivers, sending two of his pass catchers to career best days. The Niners are set for another long road trip, but the Texans have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to quarterbacks. I don’t know I’d have the guts to roll with Jimmy G in my playoffs, but in two-quarterback or DFS leagues, he’s a bargain basement option.

Grab a Headset

Kirk Cousins @ LAC: I don’t feel too bad for Kirk and neither should you. Sure he’s lost half the guys on offense around him to injury, but he’s played his way into a massive payday. The Redskins have to travel across country to play the red hot Chargers. Cousins has generally been matchup proof this season, but he’s going up against a tandem of pass rushers that are among the best in the league, and he has 2/5th of a healthy offensive line. Cousins has been running for his life in recent weeks, and he’s going to get battered in this one, keeping his floor, and expectations low.

Blake Bortles vs SEA: Jacksonville has stopped hiding Bortles lately, and while the former 1st rounder has sprinkled in a few games of effective play, I don’t trust him against a gritty defense like Seattle. Bortles still struggles to read coverages, consistently putting the ball in danger. I have a hunch Jacksonville employs a HEAVY dose of Leonard Fournette in an effort to keep Russell Wilson off the field. Jacksonville is going to hide Bortles in this one and try to win in spite of him, not because of him.

Derek Carr @ KC: After a lights out 2016 campaign Carr was considered a legit QB1 in fantasy this season but the fantastic fantasy numbers simply haven’t materialized. The quarterback position has been ravaged by injury and ineffectiveness most of the season and I’m sure there are plenty of playoff teams that have been streaming quarterbacks this year. It would seem that this would be a fine spot for Carr, as he’s facing off against a pass defense giving out more gifts than Santa, AND they just benched their top cover corner Marcus Peters. Carr was the recipient of one of those gifts as he popped off for 415 yards and 3 touchdowns in their last meeting. But there are too many things that worry me about this game. Carr hasn’t played well in his last several years playing at Arrowhead and he’s likely still going to be without Amari Cooper. The offensive line has regressed, and the Chiefs are a cornered animal. Carr is going to be a popular option this week, but I’d be wary.


Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers