The Bucs defense started the season well, but there has been
a distinct drop off over the last month. It’s more than just getting
toasted by Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes in Wek 12. Since Week
9 they have allowed the most QB fantasy points in the league (31.7
FPts/G). Meanwhile, over the same time frame, the Vikings’ Kirk
Cousins ranks fourth in the league behind only Aaron Rodgers,
Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray producing 26.3 FPts/G. Adam Thielen
is healthy and rookie Justin Jefferson are thriving in an offense
that forces defenses to key on star running back Dalvin Cook.
Neither Jake Luton nor Glennon has put up the fantasy production
of Gardner Minshew in 2020, but Glennon is competent and has a
favorable matchup in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans. The
Titans have been a bottom-five defense averaging yielding 25.9
FPts/G for the season and 27.4 points since the beginning of November.
As long as D.J. Chark, Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault are available,
Glennon will be a viable low-cost option.
The Panthers defense has faded since November began, allowing
22.9 FPts/G for the season, but 27.3 points over the past four
games. Drew Lock’s issue of throwing interceptions (13)
is mitigated by the Carolina’s inability to pick the ball
off. The Panthers have just five INTs for the season and none
in the last four games. Lock has thrown multiple touchdowns in
three of the last five games.
If a head coach’s job is to put his players in a position
to thrive, throwing rookie second-round pick Jalen Hurts in against
New Orleans isn’t a very good plan. The Saints rank No.3
against opposing QBs for the season (19.7 FPts/G), but have been
even better over the last five games, allowing a miniscule 11.5
FPts/G. Over that span they have allowed just two touchdown passes
and picked off nine balls. The Eagles All-Pro right side (Brandon
Brooks and Lane Johnson) are out for the season so it’s
likely Hurts will be running for his life more than throwing passes.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
The Rams rank No.1 against opposing quarterbacks for the season
(18.6 FPts/G). Meanwhile, Newton doesn’t pass the ball well
and his fantasy value is almost exclusively dependent on his rushing
touchdowns. The Patriots’ QB produces 13.3 FPts/G when he
doesn’t run for a touchdown. The Rams have allowed just
three QB rushing touchdowns in 12 games.
The New York Giants defense is much improved and since the start
of November they have yielded just 16.8 FPts/G which ranks third
behind New Orleans and Pittsburgh. In addition, they have only
allowed quarterbacks to run for 107 yards and one touchdown through
12 games. Murray ranks second for the season averaging 30.3 FPts/G,
but 22nd over the past three weeks (18.9). Over that time he’s
run the ball just 15 times for 61 yards and no touchdowns. If
he’s not going to run, he’s not the elite quarterback
you expect.
