Not long now until those Fantasy Playoffs

By Martin Richardson

Bill Parcells famously said that the season doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving. Well then, here we are and welcome to the 2024 NFL season.

I’ll make a bold prediction that the Cowboys will be bang average, the Texans will start well and then flatter to deceive as the season progresses and the New York Jets will implode and somehow get even worse even after such a massive implosion.

For fantasy football players, well, I predict that the number one overall pick will miss most of the season through injury, getting injured twice and probably costing players their own championship push.

Ok, I’ll stop now.

But to take on that famous Parcells quote, we are now approaching the business end of the season, with fantasy players getting closer to either a wooden spoon or a fantasy championship. So now any decision you make will matter more than ever. Should you have been stung by that vicious hit on Trevor Lawrence and need a QB; or you were one of the many people who drafted CMC and now need a starting RB; or even if you were one of the few who had Taysom Hill ballin’ for you in recent weeks; then don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some options that could slot right in for your fantasy teams.

CALEB WILLIAMS

The Bears have somehow managed to make a season where they had 2 first round draft picks, as well as a solid offseason supplementing their team in key positions and turn it into a farce to rival the Jets. A change at OC with Shane Waldron being removed and Thomas Brown coming in, only for Matt Eberflus to be fired shortly after that.

However, out of all of this chaos and confusion behind the scenes, rookie QB Caleb Williams has been a more consistent and in turn, a much better fantasy QB. Against Green Bay, he threw for 231 yards, but didn’t manage a touchdown, leading to that heartbreaking loss as the clock hit zero. However, after that, he has 340 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Vikings; a much better performance and a huge game for fantasy managers. And to add to that, on Thanksgiving he had 256 yards and another 3 touchdowns against the Lions.

All this tells me that Williams is in a much better place than he was prior to all the moves to the backroom staff. If you’re in need for a QB for bye weeks or just a bit of an upgrade to help you cross the line into the playoffs, then you need to look Williams’ way.

BUCKY IRVING

Well, anyone else as excited as I am about Bucky Irving? I mean, he has been nothing short of sensational in recent games. Over 180 total yards and a touchdown against the Panthers, In a game that should not have been as close as it was. Over 150 total yards against the Giants and even when he has a limited game against the 49ers, he still comes away with a touchdown.

I’ve been really impressed with how he has taken his chance in the offense and I think now he is the number one option down in Tampa, taking over the role from Rachaad White (as much as it pains me to say it). What excites me more is that now, as a Bucs fan, I am going into games wondering what ridiculous things he will do next and how OC Liam Coen is going to scheme him into this offense to make such an impact.

Somehow, he has 14% availability in some leagues, and he goes into a stretch of games where he could really turn up and turn on the style. He has the Raiders this week; then the Chargers which could be an interesting one; then the Cowboys and no one knows which version of that team will turn up; then Irving and the Bucs take on two divisional rivals in the Panthers and the Saints. All of whom could provide chances for Irving to get big numbers.

If you have the chance to get him involved in your teams, then you’ve got to make that move as soon as you can.  

jerry jeudy

I pray the lord keeps delivering me some top Jeudy games over the next few weeks.

We all know that Jameis Winston is going to keep dropping some fantastic meme-worthy sound clips and be exactly like that until he inevitably gets hooked for too many mistakes or the Browns want to go back to Watson at QB. But until then, then you all need to just sit back and make the most of it. Fantasy players need to take a look at Jeudy and how productive he has been. All eyes were initially on Cedric Tillman, mine included, but its Jeudy that has been a top player in recent weeks. In his last two games, he’s had 142 yards against the Saints and then his monster revenge game against the Broncos: 235 yards and a touchdown from 9 receptions. So Jeudy is making the most of what he’s given and that can only be a good thing for fantasy players.  

Now, the Browns run in is a little tricky, with the Steelers who are on fire right now and then the Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins and Ravens, so Jeudy and that offense will have to try and maintain their performances, which is something the Browns haven’t really been able to do all season.

Zach Ertz

I love it when someone just quietly goes about their business and has a great season. Well Zach Ertz is doing exactly that. The Commanders moved on from Logan Thomas, leaving Ertz as the TE1, and as QB Jayden Daniels has needed to get chains moving or make sure a drive continues, he has leaned on his veteran TE for those plays.

And just as questions may well have started to be asked about the Commanders and how legit they are as a playoff contender, slumping to an 8-5 record after a great start to the season, Ertz has stepped up to be a dependable outlet for his rookie QB. In his last three games, he has had: 47 yards and a touchdown against a good Eagles team, 38 yards and a touchdown in that very odd game against the Cowboys and 35 yards and touchdown against the Titans. Granted, those yardage numbers are nowhere near a Brock Bowers, but what makes up for it is that three game touchdown streak that is something you need to take notice of.

He is available on waivers in 35% of ESPN leagues, and with favourable games against the Falcons, Saints Cowboys and Eagles, Ertz could be a decisive factor in those fantasy matchups if you’re in need of a difference maker.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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