Week 10 is in the books and for some of us, the playoffs are only a few weeks away. As the playoff push grows more imminent for some managers, weekly opportunities become evermore crucial. So, let's not beat around the bush and dive right in.
Baltimore Ravens
Injury
TE - Nick Boyle (O-Knee)
Opportunity
Mark Andrews - TE1 (99% owned)
Boyle suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday night and now opens up the door for even more usage for starting tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews has been every bit of the phrase 'Boom or Bust'. But, fortunately for him he will now get more opportunity, further justifying to fantasy managers to keep him in the lineup. He has a slew of great matchups down the stretch with the Titans this week, Dallas, Cleveland and Jacksonville. He's a trade target for all those frustrated Andrews owners.
New Orleans Saints
Injuries
QB - Drew Brees (O-Ribs)
WR - Tre'Quan Smith (D-Concussion)
Opportunities
Jameis Winston - QB2 (1.4% owned)
Deonte Harris - WR3 (1% owned)
Marquez Callaway - WR4 (0.3% owned)
Brees looks to be out for about 2-3 weeks at the very least. Winston will battle Taysom Hill in practice this week to see who gets the start against a vulnerable Falcons defense. I see Winston being named the starter but don't get ahead of yourself, there will be a lot of Taysom Hill sprinkled into this game, so Winston is a risky play, especially if you're fighting for the playoffs. It looks doubtful for Tre'Qan Smith to come back being that he'll have to make it through the concussion protocol. I don't see him playing, so Harris should be the guy to see targets outside of Thomas and Sanders. Still, with Winston behind center, I wouldn't trust any wide receiver option outside of Thomas and Sanders being a flex play. Overall, the Brees injury has the upside of this offense capped.
Detroit Lions
Injuries
QB - Matthew Stafford (Q-Thumb)
WR - Danny Amendola (Q-Hip)
Opportunities
Kenny Golladay - WR1 (97% owned)
Marvin Jones - WR3 (83% owned)
Marvin Hall - WR4 (0.6% owned)
Stafford injured his thumb in Week 10 against the Redskins, but x-rays came back negative and the team has no doubt he will play against the Panthers. Amendola went down with a hip injury, opening up the door for Hall to see more opportunities. This game is a plus matchup for the Lions running backs and the team will be cautious of Stafford's injury. If Golladay returns, Jones becomes a what-the-heck-flex and Hall is a no-play unless you're in deep leagues and praying for a touchdown.
Carolina Panthers
Injury
QB - Teddy Bridgewater (Q-Knee)
Opportunity
PJ Walker - QB3 (0% owned)
On the other side of the Lions game, the Panthers are confident Bridgewater's injury is not significant, but MRI's showed he has an MCL sprain. There is a very good chance he cannot go this week, and if so, Walker should get the start. This immediately downgrades the receiving options, forcing Anderson and DJ Moore into middling WR2 territory with more uncertainty than ever. Walker likes to run and the Lions are one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. This should be a Mike Davis game, so temper expectations for the wide receivers if Bridgewater is out.
Chicago Bears
Injury
QB - Nick Foles (Q-Hip/Leg)
Opportunity
Mitchell Trubisky - QB3 (1% owned)
Tyler Bray - QB4 (0% owned)
Well, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Foles, Trubisky, or Bray, we are still playing Allen Robinson and David Montgomery. That's it.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury
RB - Chris Thompson (IR-Back)
Opportunity
James Robinson - RB1 (99% owned)
Thompson should be out for the entirety of the year. This is only notable from this standpoint... more passing down opportunities for Robinson. He's a RB1 from here on out and should be in lineups regardless of matchup.
Chris Hexter is a former Towson University Tiger who majored in Communications and minored in Mass Communication Studies. Chris is a fantasy football writer and public relations and marketing professional for manufacturing and IT companies. Besides beating his friends in his home league, Chris enjoys shanking balls in golf, gaming, and spending time with his loving girlfriend (she made him say it). You can find him on twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisHexter?s=09
Questions, comments, suggestions are welcome. Follow me on twitter @ChrisHexter and I'd be happy to answer any fantasy football question you may have.
