4-EYED OBSERVATIONS FROM WEEK 14 (2018)
The first week of the fantasy football playoffs are in the books and with it came moments of joy, sadness, and/or disbelief, especially if you faced or know someone who started Derrick Henry on Thursday Night Football. Regardless of that happening, this weekend left us with many headlines to discuss from both an offensive and IDP perspective.
As is my custom each week I will break down for you four observations from the weekend that should catch your attention with the main focus being to provide you insight on player performances as well as opinions on how a particular player can positively or negatively impact you going forward this season!
With that let’s jump into my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS FROM WEEK 14!
4-EYED OBSERVATION #1: Chris Carson: Bland but effective
I’ll admit I never expected Chris Carson to hold on to his starting role this long. In the preseason, in our NFC WEST observations, I was adamant that 1st round pick Rashaad Penny would lead this backfield due to his talent and draft capital invested in him. Not to mention with Chris Carson coming off of a broken ankle last season I was all but sure Penny’s starting role was locked in.
Yeah….I was wrong.
Last night, Chris Carson put up another impressive stat line against the Minnesota Vikings. Carson doesn’t do any one thing exciting, but in an offense which emphasizes running the ball, Carson makes the most out of his opportunities to provide consistent FLEX value each week. Next week he’ll face a 49ers team in which he posted 108 yards rushing and 12.3 fantasy points in 0.5 PPR leagues in week 13.
4-EYED OBSERVATION #2: JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to make his case for WR1 value
I’m just as surprised as you JuJu Smith-Schuster hasn’t made my any of my 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS this season, but after yesterday’s game I just couldn’t ignore his production any longer. Coming off of a disappointing performance in week 13, JuJu redeemed himself on Sunday posting 29 fantasy points in 0.5 PPR leagues bringing his point per game average on the season to 16.2 fppg. Facing a Patriots defense ranked 23rd against the pass, JuJu is in line for another impressive performance on Sunday continuing to make his case for WR1 value in 2019!
4-EYED OBSERVATION #3: Has Julian Edelman become a thing?
Who would have thought that after the acquisition of Josh Gordon this season Edelman would turn into the better and more consistent wide receiver from a fantasy football perspective? Edelman, in 0.5 PPR leagues, has posted double-digit fantasy points in 7 out of the last 8 weeks and should continue to do so on Sunday against a Steelers defense keying on Josh Gordon and yielding 233 passing yards per game. Now, remember, Edelman’s value is in gaining points or half points per reception so for those playing in non-PPR leagues he won’t return the same value as he would otherwise.
4-EYED OBSERVATION #4: Bobby Wagner owned the Vikings on Monday Night Football
HUGE stop by Frank Clark and Bobby Wagner on this fourth down play. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/6UkHB1vaBf
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) December 11, 2018
Over the past three weeks Wagner has averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game using our IDP scoring rubric:
His 9 total tackles and blocked field goal on Monday Night Football provided a solid outing for the linebacker. While his production earlier on the season made many left wondering if he was still worthy of an LB1 designation his performance the past month should leave no doubt in his fantasy manager’s mind that he is indeed just that. Next week he’ll face a 49ers team in which he scored 29 fantasy points in week 13.