On a Roll: Chargers tight end Hunter Henry
has finished as the TE5, TE11 and TE4 the last three weeks.
Grab a Helmet
Dede
Westbrook vs HOU: Westbrook was a preseason darling before
suffering a hernia injury causing him to miss the first 11 weeks
of the season. But since his insertion into the starting lineup,
Westbrook has once again flashed, improving his totals week by week.
He has his best day as a pro against the vaunted Seattle defense
as he went for 5-81-1. This week the Jags get a Houston defense
that’s been toasted by nearly everyone, yielding the 2nd most touchdown
passes (24) in the NFL. Westbrook fits the mold of the type of receiver
that’s given Houston fits this year, and I’m willing to bet on upside
during a must-win week. The recent production and plus matchup make
Westbrook a worthy start as an upside WR3.
Hunter
Henry @ KC (SAT): Settled in as a top-3 option on one
of the hottest passing offenses in the NFL, Henry has strung together
a three game stretch that has seen him amass 16 receptions for 207
yards and 2 touchdowns. The Chiefs have been solid against opposing
tight ends, but that's only because they’ve been so generous to
outside receivers. Henry should be able to take advantage of some
mismatches down the seam as the Chiefs have their hands full with
Keenan Allen. The tight end position has been its usual black hole
of injury and ineffectiveness, but Henry provides a solid upside
TE1.
Devin
Funchess vs GB: I was skeptical that Funchess could take
over as the clear No.1 receiver on this team after Kelvin Benjamin
was dealt, but he’s been a high floor fantasy play for most of the
season, and downright great over his last five games, reaching 86
yards or a touchdown in all five. The Panthers face off against
a depleted Green Bay secondary that just gave up a career day to
DeShone Kizer. Funchess has seen consistent targets all year, so
the opportunity to make a few big plays, especially in the red zone
should be there. Lock Funchess in as an upside WR2.
Grab Some Pine
T.Y.
Hilton vs DEN (THU): The Bronco defense reasserted
themselves last week with a shutout of the Jets. The vaunted Denver
secondary shut down everything the Jets tried in the air, swarming
Josh McCown and suffocating the receivers. Hilton was clamped
down in their meeting last year (4-41), and has been handcuffed
by his own team most of this year. What’s even worse for Hilton
owners is that he hasn’t even gotten many opportunities to make
plays, failing to reach double digit targets in any game this
season (last year by this time he had 8 such games). It’s been
mostly a forgettable year for Hilton and both of these teams,
but if you made it this far with Hilton in your lineup, good on
you!
DeSean
Jackson vs ATL (MON): Another forgettable year belongs
to Jackson and the Bucs. Brought in on a $10-million dollar a
year contract to provide some sizzle next to the Mike Evans steak,
Jackson has career lows in yards per catch. Jackson’s allure was
his big play ability, and I for one have been guilty of trotting
him out on a weekly basis for fear I’d miss out on the 4-125-1
game he usually is good for once and awhile. But this season Jackson
has been a big play receiver not making big plays. He’s 29th in
the league with receptions of 20+ yards, tying him with Vernon
Davis (and 1 fewer than Todd Gurley!). The play action game has
been shoddy, Jameis Winston has been scattershot with the deep
ball, and the Buc offensive line is in shambles. Jackson isn’t
being utilized to his strengths and is a touchdown or bust play
at this point. It’s hard to justify having him in your lineup
this week.
Nelson
Agholor @ NYG: With the crushing loss of MVP candidate
Carson Wentz, downgrade all Eagles pass catchers this week, especially
Agholor. The primary beneficiary of Wentz’s elite arm and
escapability, many of Agholor’s biggest plays have come
on plays where Wentz makes something out of nothing. I’m
simply stunned that many pundits think that Nick Foles can pick
this offense right up and keep rolling, referencing the season
he had several years go with Chip Kelly. Foles has been at best
mediocre since that season, and lacks most of the tools that made
this pass offense so potent. Look for the Eagles to lean on the
run game against the G-men, and limit Foles to throws close to
the line of scrimmage. Agholor has been a fantasy stud at times
this season, but makes for a risky play in the fantasy playoffs.
