NFL Fantasy Week 3 Rankings
Fantasy: Week 3 Rankings (Updated)
by Justin Boone
Quarterbacks
PlayerOpp
1Drew Breesvs ATL
2▲Andrew Luckvs SD
3▼Aaron Rodgersvs DET
4Cam Newtonvs MIN
5Ben Roethlisberger@ PHI
6Matt Ryan@ NO
7▲Carson Palmer@ BUF
8▲Ryan Tannehillvs CLE
9▲Russell Wilsonvs SF
10Philip Rivers@ IND
11Blake Bortlesvs BAL
12▼Eli Manningvs WAS
13▲Marcus Mariotavs OAK
14▼Matthew Stafford@ GB
15Joe Flacco@ JAC
16Derek Carr@ TEN
17▼Jameis Winstonvs LA
18▲Ryan Fitzpatrick@ KC
19Kirk Cousins@ NYG
20▲Dak Prescottvs CHI
21Brock Osweiler@ NE
22▼Tyrod Taylorvs ARI
23Brian Hoyer@ DAL
24Alex Smithvs NYJ
25▼Carson Wentzvs PIT
26Andy Daltonvs DEN
27▲Sam Bradford@ CAR
28▼Trevor Siemian@ CIN
29Jacoby Brissettvs HOU
30Case Keenum@ TB
31Blaine Gabbert@ SEA
32Cody Kessler@ MIA
EPISODE 027 - "@Meetthematts, @PhillyGodfather, @The_SportsGuy7, and Joe Caracappa call in the studio..."
Special Note: This podcast starts 30 minutes into the actual conversation. We do cover plenty of NFL and MLB in this so stay tuned! I apologize for the technical difficulties. - ANDY
Thanks to our guests for calling the show!
NFL Fantasy News
Fantasy: Reviewing the landscape after Week 2
by Justin Boone
Week 2
- T.J. Yeldon - It's not happening for Yeldon in fantasy this year. The second-year back had a beautiful matchup all to himself Sunday, and managed a disappointing 38 yards on 15 touches as the offensive line continued to struggle. The desperate among us may want to take a chance on Chris Ivory taking control of this backfield when he returns to full health, but Jacksonville's running game is bordering on a stay away scenario for fantasy owners.
- Adrian Peterson - A torn meniscus may have been shielding us from seeing the truth about Peterson - that he's no longer an elite back. Prior to suffering the injury Sunday night, Peterson had totaled 50 rushing yards on 31 carries through six-plus quarters in 2016, an average of 1.6 yards per carry. Dating back to last season, the 31-year-old topped 70 yards just once over his final six games, including playoffs. While he sits out, the Vikings will get a chance to see if Jerick McKinnon can emerge as a new weapon, but tough-run defenses await over the next three weeks (Panthers, Giants, Texans).
- Tyrod Taylor - Fantasy owners who lost faith in the TyGod after he fell flat in Week 1 likely regretted their decision as he threw for three touchdowns Thursday against the Jets. Taylor showed he still has an extremely high ceiling with that performance, but his stats were inflated by two long scores. Unless new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn can cure the foot injury that's reduced Sammy Watkins to an average player, every member of the Bills' passing game will be a risky fantasy play over the next month.
- Melvin Gordon - With Danny Woodhead out for the year due to a torn ACL, Gordon's projections for the rest of the season get a nice bump. After racking up 159 yards and three scores over the first two weeks, Gordon now gets to feast on the weak run defenses of the Colts and Saints. If he stays healthy, a breakout season is guaranteed.
- Seahawks' offense - The good news is Doug Baldwin reportedly avoided a serious knee injury after an MRI came up negative. The bad news is the offensive line is a major area of concern and has stifled Russell Wilson and company for two straight weeks. Better days are ahead as they get the 49ers, Falcons, and Saints in three of their next five games. Time to make a trade offer for your favorite Seahawk.
- Charles Sims - How is Sims only owned in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues? If Doug Martin misses time, Sims would vault into the high-end RB2 conversation, with RB1 upside. As it turns out, Martin was forced from Sunday's game with what he later called a "slight tweak" of his hamstring, leaving his Week 3 status in doubt. Sims deserved to be owned in almost all leagues prior to this news, so make sure you grab him wherever he's still available.
- Browns' offense - Corey Coleman looks like a potential star, Isaiah Crowell posted a 100-yard game, and Josh Gordon is coming back in a couple weeks. However, all the early season excitement over the Browns might be over with Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown sidelined. Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler will start by default and that's a problem if you're rostering a Browns skill position player. It was fun while it lasted Cleveland.
- Raiders' backfield - Latavius Murray owners have seen a nice return on their investment through two weeks, but they can't be happy with the backfield by committee that's developed in Oakland. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington aren't challenging Murray for the starting job, however they are severely decreasing his weekly value by siphoning work. Murray, who's averaging 14.5 touches per game, has been surprisingly efficient so far and he'll need to keep that up if he's going to remain an RB2.
- Quincy Enunwa - The Jets are devoid of a receiving threat at tight end, which has allowed Enunwa to carve out what appears to be a consistent role in the offense. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound receiver leads the team in receptions with 13, and has 146 yards and a touchdown through two games. The team talked him up in training camp and now he's delivering alongside Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. If he's still on the waiver wire in your league, don't hesitate to scoop him up and see how long this lasts.
- Ezekiel Elliott - The rookie has yet to break out, posting two solid yet unspectacular stat lines to start the year. The production will come, as long as his fumbling issues don't get him sent to the bench first. Elliott didn't play a snap after his second fumble of the day versus the Redskins. It was veteran Alfred Morris who toted the rock down the stretch, scoring the game-winning touchdown. Elliott is firmly entrenched as the Cowboys starter, so owners can remain calm, but don't be surprised if Morris' usage lowers Elliott's ceiling slightly.
3 Intriguing QB's from week 2...
3 intriguing QB performances from Week 2
by Sage Rosenfels
What does it take to be an NFL quarterback? I’m sure I could throw out the many cliches you hear around combine time. He has a strong arm. He can make all the throws. He is a coach on the field and a great X’s and O’s guy. He’s a dual threat who can beat you with his arm and legs. We’ve heard all of these phrases and they are all true. But the most important attribute of an NFL starting quarterback, which is also much more challenging to predict, is “He knows how to win games."
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott, in only his second-career start, proved to me that at a very young age he already has an understanding of what it takes to win NFL games. Having a strong arm or the ability to run had zero to do with how he managed the game for the Cowboys and brought them their first victory of 2016. Let me take you through the key plays in his final few drives which impressed me the most, but wouldn’t stick out as big plays on the stat sheet.
To begin the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were trailing Washington 23-20 with the ball at their own 30-yard line. Prescott gets sacked on the first play of the drive and then the Cowboys lose another yard on a second down run. It’s now third-and-16, and rather than playing conservative with the young quarterback, the Cowboys trust his decision-making skills. They call a pass, but Prescott checks it down for a 10-yard gain. The Cowboys punt. No big deal right? For a young player, learning how to live for another day and end every possession with some sort of kick isn’t an easy task. Dallas trusted their quarterback to make the right play and he rewarded them with a veteran move. Smart play No. 1.
Next, on a key drive with six minutes left and facing a third-and-11, Prescott finds a mismatch with Cole Beasley lined up against safety David Bruton Jr. Not only does he see the matchup, but the Cowboys audible to a new play and he finds Beasley on a 12-yard out route and a first down. Recognition. Audible. Execution. Key first down. Smart play No. 2.
Lastly, with Dallas up 27-23 with under two minutes left and Washington holding one timeout, Jason Garret calls a bootleg on a third-and-6. Taking more time (or timeouts) from the Redskins is key at this point. You can see the trust Jason Garret has in his QB by putting the ball in his hands to make the right decision. Most coaches simply run the ball and punt. Instead, Prescott rolls right, only to find nobody open. Instead of throwing the ball away which would stop the clock, Prescott takes a meaningless sack. Washington uses its last timeout. Dallas punts and forces Washignton to go 90 yards for a touchdown to win. Smart play No. 3.
Playing NFL quarterback is a lot of things. Winning is the only thing that matters. Prescott has shown a lot in his rookie season, but nothing as impressive as how he managed the game in his first victory on Sunday.
Ben Roethlisberger
Speaking of guys who know how to win, Ben Roethlisberger finds a way to get the job done in many different ways. He won a lot early in his career by leaning on Jerome Bettis and the NFL’s best defense. He only had to throw the ball 20-25 times a game to win. Though Roethlisberger had a knack for making the big play, he wasn’t depended on to carry his team.
During the middle of his career, Ben became one of the best “playmaker” quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to extend plays by moving around in the pocket, fighting off 300-pound defensive lineman, and finding open receivers down the field was incredible. Brute strength and natural ability helped him become a top-five NFL quarterback on his way to a second Super Bowl ring, but Roethlisberger also got beat up and the injuries started to mount.
In 2016, Roethlisberger is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but is still finding other ways to win. His defense is good, but it definitely won’t be confused with the Dick LeBeau Steelers defenses of the mid-2000s. He’s got a superstar tailback in Le'Veon Bell who is currently suspended. So now how is he winning? By using his experience and smarts instead of his braun.
Though he is helped by the fact that veteran running back DeAngelo Williams is looking like a young Pro Bowler, Roethlisberger has also become one of the best throwers in the game. Antonio Brown is his obvious first target, but Cincinnati wasn’t going to let Brown beat them this week, so Roethlisberger spread the ball around to eight other targets on a nasty, wet day in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger doesn’t rely on one thing to win. Take away one option, and he will beat you with another.
Whether it’s with a strong defense, an elite running game, or a star wide receiver, Ben will find a way to beat you. It doesn’t matter if he has all three options available or just one - his game has evolved to be multidimensional. Sunday, he beat Cincinnati in terrible conditions. If you are going to contend year after year in the AFC North, you better understand how to win ugly. Roethlisberger has won a lot of games like this, and he’d have it no other way.
Sam Bradford
The performance many people were keeping an eye on this week was that of Sam Bradford with the Minnesota Vikings. Traded only two weeks ago, I documented the challenges Bradford faced before he could find success in his new home.
He passed those tests with flying colors against the Packers on "Sunday Night Football." With a running game which was non-existent, Bradford looked comfortable with the offense and his accuracy was suburb. It didn’t take long for him to realize what Vikings fans have known for a year: throw it to Stefon Diggs, A LOT.
Bradford has always been an excellent deep-ball thrower. With Adrian Peterson and a strong defense, the likely game plan would be to call plenty of play action and take deep shots. The Vikings struggled to run the ball Sunday night, managing only 30 yards, but the key play in the game came after two successful Peterson runs. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner quickly capitalized on the Packers’ safeties getting overly aggressive in the run game. A full play-action fake to pull up the Packers’ linebackers and strong safety, and Bradord hit Diggs on a beautiful inside post. Timing, accuracy, and the experience to read the coverage correctly were all on Bradford’s side.
If the Vikings win this year, it will be because of plays like this. Their defense is as good as there is in the NFL. Their run game has to pick up. But so far, Sam Bradford has done his part in his new home up north in Minnesota.
Blogs by Danny B Part 3
Blogs by Danny B
Part 3
The 80's were a crazy and fun time, great music, great friends & the money I was making was amazing! On any given week I would make 5 to 10k, sometimes more from betting and my percentage of what I brought in through my betting route. Most of my clients were childhood friends or friends of a friend etc. The problem I had was I enjoyed the night life and the better things in life, fancy cars, hotels, food, women and parting!
Normally after a weekend of going nuts I would spend most of my profit or blow it in Atlantic City or in the local gambling houses that were a dime a dozen in North Jersey. Taken book was not my only source of income as we did other things I choose not to mention in this blog to earn money.
The crew I worked for were very connected and were very powerful and feared men, men you don't cross or say no to. I did what I was told and never turned down a request that was asked of me, I was a solider and very loyal one.
In my next blog I will explain why I left New Jersey and the lifestyle I lived for over a decade..
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 2
Blogs by Danny B
Part 2
The Army was a great experience for me, especially being awarded Solider of the Year at the 101st Airborne Division.. I also got the chance to travel and spend time in Germany.. I also met President Regan and served under Col Pete Dawkins who won the Heisman Trophy when he played for Army..
I got out of the Army in 1982 and was determined to try my hand at Baseball, a dream I had since I was 8 years old. While I was in Germany a baseball scout noticed me and recommend I give it a shot and gave me a number to Brad Smith who owned a independent team in Southern California. I played well but I quickly realized the competition was overwhelming and gave up my dream after 1 season.
I left California in December of 1983 and headed back to New Jersey the place that I ran from 4 years prior. With nothing to fall back on I reached out to a old friend that was a big time bookmaker (Big Sid) who gave me a job collecting money and recruiting new players that were looking to bet.
I was very good at what I did and made a name for myself on the streets as a solid guy and great earner..
In my next blog I pickup the story and the lead up to me becoming a Sports Handicapper and the
various moves I made over my 22 year career.
Danny B
Blogs by Danny B Part 1
Blogs by Danny B
Part 1
It was June 1994 when I arrived in Southern California, I remember it so clearly..
My cousin Jamo picked me up at LAX and we were headed to Buena Park close to Knott's Berry Farm were my family was living..
My cousin had been there since 1984 after leaving NJ due to Gambling debts he owed to several bookmakers and he also owed loan sharks money too, a very common story for many who grew up in Hudson County NJ..
Since we were teenagers Jamo and I were betting on sports, from Football to Baseball to Basketball to hanging out at the race track, we were hooked and loved it... There was a bookie on every corner so placing a bet was as easy as buying candy back then. too easy!
By 1979 I was in deep debt myself and owed several bookies nearly 15k.. I was only 16 at that time, crazy but true... After clearing up my debt I needed to get away so I joined the Army on my 17th birthday and left 1 month later to attend basic training in Fort Knox Ky..
In my next blog I will cover the early years from 1983-1994 that lead me to a career as a professional sports handicapper.. I hope you enjoy it...
Danny B
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EPISODE 026 - "@Phillygodfather talks about his NFL Contest and gives props to @TimDonaghy2 Plus, @BigFellaATM speaks his mind about the NFL season..."
In this episode we discuss three NFL games...
JETS/BILLS
PACKERS/VIKINGS
AND
EAGLES/BEARS
@Phillygodfather and @BigFellaATM share their thoughts. We also discuss the ongoing Colin Kaepernick BS and just some great talk in general.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
We start the NFL season off right with Danny Biancullo on Inside the Numbers. Stay subscribed on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and our blog for all the latest info!
EPISODE 025 - "JEFFNADU, @ACSPORTS, and a very special guest..."
This episode is wild! Our friends @JeffNadu, host of "The Big Man on Campus" podcast www.spreaker.com/show/the-big-man-on-campus featuring ESPN's own Phil Steele and @ACSports23 calls in. These are sharp guys that hold nothing back! You'll want to take notes for this one!
Also, we hear from "Saul" ....When in doubt better call Saul!!!
Happy Labor Day Weekend 2016
I wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday Weekend... Enjoy your Family, Friends and Football....
To all the Brave Men and Women who put their lives on the line for us... I Salute You...
To Colin Kaepernick... You should be ashamed of yourself....
Danny B
Podcast for 8/31 with The Philly Godfather
On my next podcast that will air on 8/31 we will hear from Pro Sports Bettor "The Philly Godfather" ... The PGF and I will cover several games for week 1 of the NCAA Season and we will also talk about his New Site and Contest....
Danny B
INISIDE THE NUMBERS
"INSIDE THE NUMBERS" with your host Danny Bianculo is the nations longest running sports betting talk show. Danny's been featured on CNN, HBO, and ESPN sports for his knowledge on the sports betting industry.
Read more about Danny Biancullo via www.dannybiancullo.com
NCAA Football Hawaii/California
Tonight we kick off the 2016 NCAA Football Season down under... We have Hawaii and Cal playing at ANZ Stadium in Sydney..
A group of sharp bettors I work with are trying to catch a middle tonight and here is how they bet the game..
Hawaii + 22.5 and California -19
Betting these numbers they have a great shot at catching the middle.. Its a smart bet only a few were able to make..
Danny B
EPISODE 023 - "Andy get's fired and hired, Danny talks sports..."
In this episode we talk about some surprisingly good news for Andy, and Danny talks about the upcoming Football Season, and our NFL PROS VS JOES contest.
Football Contest
Just a reminder to all Cappers that are entering my NFL contest ... We start up September 7th and all picks must be posted by 6pm EST...
Thanks... Danny B
EPISODE 022 - "Linda 'Rocky' Turner calls the show..."
In this episode Danny Biancullo talks about his latest visit to Yankee Stadium, and shares his excitement for our first female guest: Linda "Rocky" Turner. Linda shares some stories from the past, and makes plans for Jamie's 40th birthday. Had some tech issues, but please just be patient and DEAL WITH IT!!! KEEP SUBSCRIBING AND LISTENING!!! MORE GREAT GUESTS TO COME...
Danny B's National League Predictions
Lets start with the NL East
Back in April I said the Nationals would win the NL East and going into today they have a solid 8.5 game lead over Miami who have surprised many this season.. The Mets are 10.5 out and need to win the series at Arizona to stay close in the wild card race...
In the NL Central the Cubs have a 12 game lead over the Cards and will win the Central just like I said back in early April
Out West its a very close race between SF and the Dodgers who trail the Giants by 1 game.. I feel the Giants will win the West but we will see the Dodgers in the Playoffs as a wild card team.
NL East Nationals
NL Central Cubs
NL West Giants
Wild Card Teams
Dodgers and Pirates
Danny Biancullo