RADIO
Melvin Gordon Ready To Knock Off The Rust
12/18:Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (knee) said that he is ready to knock off some rust in Week 16 against the Ravens after missing the last three games with a knee sprain. “I feel good, not 100% obviously,” Gordon said. “I don’t think that’s a secret. But I’m good enough to get out there.” While he may not be 100 percent, he should be put back into all starting lineups if he plays. The Baltimore defense leads the league in yards and points allowed and ranks No. 3 against the run, so it won't be easy. Rookie Justin Jackson would back Gordon up if Austin Ekeler can't get cleared from his concussion.Source: Los Angeles Times - Jeff Miller
Ian Thomas Struggles In Loss Against Saints
12/18:Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas struggled in the loss against the New Orleans Saints this week. Thomas had been involved heavily in the previous game but was only able to finish this game with 14 yards and two receptions.
Thomas struggled to make an impact earlier in the season when Greg Olsen missed through injury. With a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this week who only give up an average of 6.4 points to the position, fantasy owners should look elsewhere for their tight end this week.Source: NFL.com
D.J. Moore Falters In Loss To Saints
12/18:Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore faltered in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints. On a day where both offenses struggled to make a mark on the game, Moore finished with two receptions for 12 yards and a single rush of 22 yards.
Moore has struggled in recent weeks since making himself the primary receiver of the offense but has a good matchup next week against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons give up an average of 25.2 points to the position and Moore should be considered for your fantasy lineup this week.Source: NFL.com
Curtis Samuel Fails To Make An Impact In Loss
12/18:Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel was not able to make an impact in the game against the Saints this week. Samuel came into the game in good form but finished the game with just one reception for 17 yards as well as eight rushing yards.
Samuel has an opportunity to bounce back in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons who give up an average of 25.2 points to the position, and should still be considered to be in your fantasy lineups.Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Throws Touchdown In Loss
12/18:Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey threw a touchdown in the Panthers loss against the New Orleans Saints. McCaffrey finished the game with 53 yards on the ground, to add to his team-high eight receptions for 67 yards. While he wasn't able to find the end zone himself, he did throw a pass to tight end Chris Manhertz on a trick play that completed for a 50-yard touchdown.
McCaffrey has a Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who give up an average of 22.6 points to the position. McCaffrey has a great fantasy floor, due to his work in the passing game and should be trusted in this matchup- even if the Panthers offense as a whole struggle.Source: NFL.com
Cam Newton Struggles Against Saints In Loss
12/18:Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton struggled against the New Orleans Saints in a loss this week. Newton finished the game with 16 completions from 29 attempts for 131 yards and an interception, adding 15 yards on the ground. Newton has led the Panthers to six straight losses and has struggled to be the fantasy force he was at the start of the season.
For Week 16 Newton faces the Atlanta Falcons, who have given up a league-high average of 21.1 points to the position. Even with the recent struggles that he has had, Newton should be considered to be started in fantasy matchups this week.Source: NFL.com
Todd Gurley Day-To-Day
12/17:Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (knee) is dealing with inflammation and is day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McVay. It's the best possible news for Gurley's owners after he missed a little time in the third quarter of Sunday night's loss to the Eagles. He still had 12 carries for 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while adding a season-high 10 catches for 76 yards. Gurley might be rested in practice this week but should be good for the excellent Week 16 matchup against the Cardinals pathetic rush defense. He'll remain an elite RB1 for fantasy championship week.Source: Orange County Register - Rich Hammond
Keith Ford Totals 46 Rushing yards in NFL Debut
12/17:Buffalo Bills running back Keith Ford accumulated 46 rushing yards on 14 carries while also hauling in a pass for seven yards in Sunday's victory over the Lions. It was the undrafted rookie's first action in an NFL uniform, and he was forced into a featured role in the second half of the game as Marcus Murphy (elbow) was unable to continue after getting injured late in the second quarter. The 24-year-old averaged 3.8 yards per attempt on 10 attempts in the second half of the game. Ford, who had a long run of just nine yards, could have a role against the Patriots in Week 16 but at this point, the Texas A&M product shouldn't be on fantasy owner's radar.Source: Pro Football Reference
Josh Allen Engineers Another Comeback Victory
12/17:Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 13 of 26 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 14-13 victory over the Ravens. The rookie also ran for 16 yards along with a score on nine carries. Trailing 13-7, and following a 23-yard defensive pass interferenceread more...
Justin Hardy Has Another Touchdown In Week 15
12/17:Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy made it back to back weeks with a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Hardy had another three receptions in this game, and added 29 yards to the 30 he had last week on three receptions against the Green Bay Packers. It is interesting that Hardy has suddenly become a red zone target for Matt Ryan but it is also hard to trust. At best Hardy is the fourth receiving option in that offense and is also probably behind Austin Hooper as well. Next week is a good matchup but it would take a brave person to use Hardy in fantasy championships. In DFS tournaments he could be an interesting low-priced contrarian play.Source: ESPN
Falcons Defense Has Pick Six Sunday
12/17:The Atlanta Falcons defense/special teams returned a decent fantasy day Sunday, thanks in large part to a pick six from Deion Jones. The Falcons defense bolstered their fantasy point total with seven sacks and gave up just 14 points to the Cardinals offense. They also picked off Josh Rosen a second time in the game, and therefore returned one of their best totals of the season. The Falcons defense is hard to trust next week in Carolina, but if Cam Newton is struggling with his shoulder they could make for an interesting contrarian matchup play in Week 16.Source: ESPN
Matt Bryant Has Solid Week 15 Return
12/17:Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant had a 100% record against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Bryant made both of his field goals, including a long of 33 yards and all four of his extra points. Bryant is one of the most consistent kickers in the league and when he has had the opportunities he has generally come through in 2018. Heading into next week the Falcons should be able to move the ball on Carolina and that should be good for Bryant, especially given the Falcons tendency to struggle to score touchdowns on the road. If Bryant is fully healthy he should be a usable kicking option in Week 15.Source: ESPN
Austin Hooper Misses Out In Week 15
12/17:Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper had a dreadful day against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Hooper was targeted just once in the game and failed to pull it in, registering a big zero on the day. It was always going to be a tough matchup for Hooper, and he will have left fantasy owners extremely frustrated. The worst part is that his Week 16 matchup is against the Carolina Panthers, who rank third worst in fantasy points surrendered to the tight end. Hooper should be able to have success in Week 16 and could be an interesting DFS option.Source: ESPN
Marcus Murphy Has Dislocated Elbow
12/17:Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that running back Marcus Murphy (elbow) suffered a dislocated elbow in the Week 15 win over the Lions. It's unlikely that Murphy will be able to play in the final two games. He started on Sunday with both LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory inactive, carrying the ball 11 times for just 35 yards before his injury. Keith Ford took over as the lead back once Murphy left. With one of McCoy or Ivory likely returning in Week 16 against the Patriots, Ford could return to backup duties. If not, Ford would be a deep sleeper in DFS and deeper leagues.Source: WKBW - Joe Buscaglia
Mohamed Sanu Unimpressive In Week 15
12/17:Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu had an unimpressive outing against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. Sanu caught 50% of his targets (six) for just 30 yards. He did manage to add 11 yards on a single rush but it was still an underwhelming day for his fantasy owners. Sanu has been up and down this season, and with more options now in the mix for the Falcons that does not look likely to change over the last two weeks. Despite a nice matchup against a bad Carolina secondary it is tough to trust Sanu in any format in Week 16.Source: ESPN
