Fantasy soccer is a ardour for a lot of. Typically that zeal pushes fantasy managers to make emotional choices even when the info recommend in any other case. Every week in the course of the 2024 NFL season, Liz Loza will try and strike a stability between what the info states and what the guts needs. That is referred to as Info vs. Emotions.
Greetings — for the ultimate time in 2024 — from Bristol, Connecticut! There is a chill within the air, flurries dusting the bottom, and fervent debates over Christmas music occurring at company lunch tables. I had no thought the jingle-jangle of vacation melodies elicited such sturdy opinions amongst informal shoppers.
I found this axiom when a couple of of my favourite colleagues and I grabbed a chunk in our firm’s cafeteria this previous Monday. As has now grow to be routine, we gathered on the similar desk to postmortem on the morning, lament our fantasy data, and spill some lukewarm tea. Normal operation. There have been, nevertheless, a couple of variations this go-around.
The area was festively adorned with tinsel and plastic holly berries. The kitchen was providing a smattering of seasonal delicacies. And there was a continuing loop of carols bellowing from the audio system. It was this final element that created fairly a stir, because it impressed a passionate debate about vacation songs, shifting every of us to listing our prime 5 most over- and underrated Yuletide bangers.
What can I say? We’re fantasy analysts. We wish to rank issues.
Anyway, I used to be surprised on the zeal with which every of us argued our positions. Neglect chestnuts, we have been roasting one another. A couple of matter that, by the way in which, I assure none of us had spent a single minute excited about till challenged by one in all our friends. It was superior. I nonetheless cannot consider the attractive chuckleheads I work with did not know that Coldplay had a Christmas music, however I really like them (and the spirited dialog we had) all the identical (if no more).
It additionally jogged my memory of the significance of remaining ardent when setting one’s fantasy lineup throughout our sport’s postseason. The actual fact is, there isn’t any room for shoulder-shrugging in Week 16. Every of our starters have to be chosen with intentionality much like that which Wham! conveys in “Final Christmas.” It’s lastly time, buddies, to get in our emotions. I imply, come on fill-in-the-blank participant I have to go OFF! Save us from tears!
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders: Daniels has been somebody particular by means of the majority of 2024, rating sixth amongst QBs in whole fantasy factors whereas averaging greater than 20 per contest. Coming off of a 23-fantasy level end (QB7) in Week 15, Daniels is ranked as a prime 10 quarterback heading into Week 16. However the matchup versus Philadelphia might show daunting for expectant traders.
Daniels struggled in his first outing dealing with the Eagles, recording his second-lowest passing whole (191 yards) of 2024. He moreover recorded his third-lowest fantasy level whole (13.4), which was largely salvaged by a garbage-time TD to Zach Ertz (who, coincidentally is in concussion protocol and should not go well with up on Week 16), in that very same Week 11 effort. Philly’s cross protection has been, unsurprisingly, stout, permitting the fourth-fewest fantasy factors to opposing quarterbacks, together with Russell Wilson who managed 8.4 fantasy factors (his second-lowest FPT whole of the 12 months) at Lincoln Monetary Subject final Sunday.
Daniels’ physique of labor in tandem together with his clutch taking part in fashion and elite dashing capacity make him exhausting to take a seat. Expectation administration, nevertheless, is required. Buyers are suggested to flex for upside and brace for a regression in manufacturing. Fortunately, the schedule softens when the Commanders host the Falcons (19 fantasy factors per sport allowed to QBs) in Week 17. Advance by all means needed.
Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Neglect Rudolph — let King Henry run! The 30-year-old set managers up for early success, clearing 14.7 fantasy factors in Weeks 2 by means of 9. Henry moreover recorded touchdowns in 10 of his first 11 outings whereas additionally logging 100+ dashing yards in 5 of his first 9 video games. Since then, nevertheless, the vet’s roll has slowed, as he is gone underneath his early season fantasy level whole for 5 consecutive contests, has failed to search out the top zone for 3 straight efforts, and has posted a single sport over 100 dashing yards over his previous 5.
The final time Henry registered a spike was at Pittsburgh again in Week 11. That is fascinating as a result of he’ll face the Steelers in Baltimore this weekend. It is price nothing, nevertheless, that whereas Henry scored in that sport, he additionally registered his second-lowest dashing whole of the season (65 yards). Mike Tomlin’s protection has held opposing rushers to simply 4.0 YPC (fifth-fewest) and restricted Saquon Barkley to simply 65 yards on 19 carries in Week 15. As such, there figures to be robust sledding for Henry forward. His skills might have helped carry managers to the playoffs, however expectations have to be tempered with the stakes sky-high.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints: Fantasy’s present RB2 general, Alvin Kamara has (jingle bell) rocked as a primo worth choice by means of a lot of 2024. Sadly, the vet fell sufferer to a groin damage final Sunday and, in consequence, might not see the sector in Week 16. Miller stuffed in because the crew’s main rusher, managing his highest dashing whole of the 12 months in Week 15 and figures to imagine RB1 duties this weekend if Kamara cannot go.
Whereas it might really feel troublesome to belief such an injury-prone participant (Miller has missed 19 video games since getting into the league in 2023) the actual fact is, the Saints are out of choices at almost each offensive place. Led by an interim head coach and with out Derek Carr (hand), Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee), Taysom Hill (knee), and nearly zero playoff possibilities, New Orleans is greatest to characteristic the second-year again.
Aside from sturdiness issues, the 22-year-old’s solely draw back is an absence of labor within the passing sport; Miller has but to gather a single reception over his final three video games. Although, once more, given the holes within the roster that might change. It is moreover price noting that Miller logged 4.6 yards per sport over 4 contests this season (Kamara registered a YPC of three.5 throughout these 4 outings), demonstrating spectacular effectivity significantly given the Saints’ high quality of expertise underneath heart. Finally, Miller does not supply a lot upside at Inexperienced Bay this week, however he might discover utility as an emergency flex and may actually stay on dynasty radars.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants: I am certain all Nabers needs for Christmas is a succesful QB. But, the rookie seems to be passer-proof, averaging 17.2 fantasy factors per contest (QB7) regardless of drawing appears from Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle. Nabers proved the purpose in dramatic vogue, compiling his most strong stat line since Week 4 (10-82-1 on 14 targets) with the one-two-punch of DeVito and Boyle underneath heart final Sunday.
Effectivity points determine to stay, however Nabers’ quantity is more likely to, as soon as once more, buoy his inventory because the Giants are 8-point underdogs at Atlanta. Noting Nabers’ elevated ground (he has recorded a single outing of fewer than 10 fantasy factors in 2024), the LSU standout stays worthy of prime 7 positional consideration in a plus matchup dealing with the Falcons. Atlanta’s protection has allowed the fourth-most factors per sport to opposing vast receivers and, per Mike Clay’s Shadow Report, the third most to the perimeter. Nabers might not at all times skim his ceiling, however the odds of staying above the rooftops is excessive this weekend.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers: Thielen has strung collectively a holly jolly resurgence since Week 13, posting double-digit fantasy factors in every of his previous three efforts. Quantity has been key for the vet, as he is averaged 9.3 appears per sport throughout that span. Jalen Coker’s return (quadriceps) presumed to threaten Thielen’s goal share, and whereas the rookie flashed with an 83-yard TD seize, the vet continued to steer the corps in appears this previous Sunday. Moreover, Thielen topped the crew in slot snaps, recording 28 in Week 15.
That units up properly for Thielen’s traders versus Arizona in Week 16. The Cardinals’ secondary has been notably extra beneficiant to the slot than the perimeter, permitting the 14th-most fantasy factors to Y-receivers over the previous 4 weeks. For higher context, Jaxon Smith-Ngiba logged stats traces of 5-82-1 and 6-77-1 on 12 targets in his two video games versus Arizona (Weeks 12 and 14). As well as, DeMario Douglas might not have been prolific, however was environment friendly changing every of his three targets whereas additionally discovering the top zone this previous Sunday.
With Carolina as soon as once more anticipated to chase factors (+4.5) and Bryce Younger nonetheless in want of a succesful security valve, Thielen affords managers high-floor flex-appeal this weekend.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Oh come all ye devoted McMillan stans, the Washington product seems to have lastly materialized right into a legit fantasy asset. The street was seemingly affected by extra stops than Santa’s flight path, however the voyage tells the story.
Weeks 1-3: Rookie taking part in behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Cade Otton.Week 4-5: Injures his hamstring in observe, sidelined for 2 video games.Week 6: Practiced on a restricted foundation heading into the weekend, not a part of the sport plan.Week 7-8: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each exit with accidents, McMillan attracts 15 look over two video games.Week September 11: Reinjures hamstring, out for one more two gamesWeek 12-13: Sluggish-played in his return from damage.Week 14-15: Mixed 9-134-3 on 13 whole targets
A easy route runner with inside and outdoors capacity, McMillan affords the Bucs a lot wanted versatility. The 23-year-old has averaged 13.8 fantasy factors per sport when featured as a top-2 or -3 choice within the crew’s aerial assault. With Sterling Shepard hampered by a foot challenge, the 23-year-old ought to proceed to attract significant appears. And he figures to make good on his alternatives at Dallas on Sunday night time. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy factors over the protection’s final 4 outings. Think about McMillan a flex choice within the top-40 WR vary.
Brenton Unusual,TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville does not want Evan Engram to return dwelling for Christmas with Unusual proving himself to be a nifty security valve. The Penn State product averaged six appears per contest and 10.9 fantasy factors per sport when Engram was sidelined from Weeks 2 by means of 5. Had that run continued, Unusual would rank seventh on the place in fantasy factors per sport, behind George Kittle (16.2), Brock Bowers (15.2), Trey McBride (15.0), David Njoku (13.4), Jonnu Smith (12.9), and Travis Kelce (11.9).
Within the first sport since Engram (shoulder) was formally positioned on IR, Unusual once more proved his mettle, changing 11 of 12 appears for 73 receiving yards. The trouble delivered fantasy managers 18 factors, making Unusual the digital sport’s
