INDIANAPOLIS — Well, at least I can say I've made things interesting.
Once down 7-2 in my weekly head-to-head FanDuel Fantasy Focus competition with Colts.com writer Kevin Bowen, I have fought tooth and nail, especially here at the end of November, to win three straight and cut Kevin's lead to 7-5 heading into the final month of the season.
And we all know that, according to Lou Brown, the fictional manager of the Cleveland Indians in the movie Major League, that three wins in a row is called a "winning streak."
I'd like this streak to continue this week.
To do that, I'm relying heavily on the Green Bay Packers duo of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to continue their positive momentum — really, they're the only two doing anything for that team of late — and also pinning hopes on second-year running back Todd Gurley, who really hasn't had the follow-up season many hoped he'd have after such a fantastic rookie campaign in 2015.
I'm a little light at the receiver position, but that approach has paid off for me before. Kevin, meanwhile, is all in at wide receiver, with names like Brown and Beckham Jr. gracing his lineup this week in a desperate attempt to end his own skid and claim the two wins necessary to earn the 2016 FanDuel Fantasy Focus title.
All I can worry about, however, is my team and my lineup. This week is the most important week of the season because it's my next opportunity. I have my blinders on, and I'm going one game at a time.
Here's my entire Week 13 FanDuel lineup, sleepers and passes, as well as the full results from last week's action.
As always, send me any chatter, questions, "LOL"s or anything else to @AWalkerColts on Twitter using #FanDuelFF.
Also, be sure to catch this week's FanDuel Fantasy Focus show LIVE around 3:30 p.m. Friday on Colts.com and/or on the Colts Mobile App, as Caroline Cann, Kevin and myself discuss the upcoming week in fantasy football.Andrew's Week 13 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Aaron Rodgers ($8,500; vs. Houston): The sky has kind of been falling in Green Bay the past few weeks, but strictly looking at stats and fantasy numbers, Aaron Rodgers hasn't really seen much of a slip from what you would expect. I think he burns the Houston defense more than a few times.
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($9,300; vs. New York Giants): Bell comes with a pretty high price tag once again, but it paid off for me last week, for the most part, and I think the Pittsburgh offense has a little momentum heading into this matchup against the Giants.
RB: Todd Gurley ($6,800; at New England): I know Gurley bit you last week, but I'm getting tired of picking the running back who's playing the Colts seemingly each week, and Matt Forte of the Jets was my other option here. Here's to hoping Gurley torches the Patriots — man, look at his value though. Down $700 from last week alone.
WR: Larry Fitzgerald ($7,000; vs. Washington): Redskins head coach Jay Gruden hinted that Josh Norman would shadow Fitzgerald for this one, but I just don't see that happening the whole game. The Cardinals' offense just hasn't been great this year, but I like this matchup against Washington's other members of the secondary.
WR: Doug Baldwin ($6,900; vs. Carolina): Baldwin is coming off an odd stat line of eight targets, seven catches and just 34 yards last week in that weird 14-5 loss to the Buccaneers. I think Russell Wilson will connect with Baldwin more down the field in this matchup against the Panthers.
WR: Davante Adams ($6,800; vs. Houston): I'm going to match up Aaron Rodgers with Adams this week, who is coming off a big week scoring almost 26 points against the Eagles. I really like the value here, especially with Jordy Nelson still sitting at $7,400.
TE: Vernon Davis ($4,600; at Arizona): Jordan Reed put up monster numbers while playing through a Grade 3 shoulder sprain last week, now he is officially labeled as out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. I like the value here from the veteran Davis, who is having a resurgent year of sorts with the Redskins and has done very well in Reed's place at other junctures this season.
K: Adam Vinatieri ($5,000; at New York Jets): Another miss from the GOAT last week in an otherwise unproductive night. But I can't go away from him now.
DEF: Denver Broncos ($5,000; at Jacksonville): If Denver's defense doesn't shut down the Jaguars this week, then… The only thing I worry about is the Broncos pouring it on early, coasting in the second half, and then Blake Bortles throwing for 250 meaningless yards in the third and fourth quarter.
Andrew's Guys To Pass On:
QB Drew Brees ($9,300; vs. Detroit): This guy is putting up another monster season, but I just can't justify paying $9,300 for him — a jump of $700 from last week. He'll get numbers, but I don't think he'll get $9,300 worth.
RB LeSean McCoy ($8,400; at Oakland): I had McCoy on this list last week, and it burned me. He's up $300 after a monster performance, but I think this Oakland defense is rolling a little bit coming off that big win against the Panthers.
QB Cam Newton ($7,600; at Seattle): Newton depended on the deep ball last week a couple times against the Raiders, but I don't think that'll be much of an option this week against the Seahawks. Also, look for that Panthers' offensive line to struggle (again), making this a long afternoon for Newton.
WR Julio Jones ($8,300; vs. Kansas City): We all know how good Kansas City's secondary has been, and Jones is coming off a huge flop last week (as Kevin can attest to). Jones can assuredly bounce back, but not $8,300 worth of bouncing back.
Andrew's Sleepers ($6,000 or less)
TE: Vernon Davis ($4,600; at Arizona): Jordan Reed put up monster numbers while playing through a Grade 3 shoulder sprain last week, now he is officially labeled as out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. I like the value here from the veteran Davis, who is having a resurgent year of sorts with the Redskins and has done very well in Reed's place at other junctures this season.
WR Tyreek Hill ($5,800; at Atlanta): Man, did this guy impress last week against the Broncos. It's not often you win AFC Offensive Player of the Week against that defense. Hill has had a "hilly" season when it comes to fantasy, but ride the momentum this week.
WR Malcolm Mitchell ($5,600; vs. Los Angeles): Mitchell has seemingly thrived with Rob Gronkowski out, and now that Gronk is out likely the rest of the season, look for Tom Brady to continue going Mitchell's way. He's a major target in the red zone for the Patriots (two touchdowns within the 10-yard line last week), but he can also be a deep target.
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Week 12 Results
Andrew's Week 12 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Kirk Cousins ($7,400; vs. Dallas): 30.16 points (18.55 minimum value; 11.66 total value)
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($9,500; at Indianapolis): 22.2 points (23.75 minimum value; -1.55 total value)
RB: Rob Kelley ($5,700; at Dallas): 5.2 points (14.25 minimum value; -9.05 total value)
WR: Antonio Brown ($8,800; at Indianapolis): 29.6 points (22 minimum value; 7.6 total value)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins ($7,000; vs. San Diego): 9.5 points (17.5 minimum value; -8 total value)
WR: Torrey Smith ($4,700; at Miami): 9.9 points (11.75 minimum value; -1.85 total value)
TE: Jordan Reed ($7,400; at Dallas): 26.5 points (18.5 minimum value; 8 total value)
K: Adam Vinatieri ($4,800; vs. Pittsburgh): 1 point (12 minimum value; -11 total value)
DEF: Tennessee Titans ($4,500; at Chicago): 4 points (11.25 minimum value; -7.25 total value)
= 138.06 total points (-11.44 in total FanDuel value; -1.27 per player)
**
Kevin's Week 12 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Matt Ryan ($8,700; vs. Arizona): 19.26 points (21.75 minimum value; -2.49 total value)
RB: Todd Gurley ($7,500; vs. New Orleans): 10.9 points (18.75 minimum value; -7.85 total value)
RB: Jeremy Hill ($5,900; vs. Baltimore): 11.2 points (14.75 minimum value; -3.55 total value)
WR: Julio Jones ($8,700; vs. Arizona): 5.5 points (21.75 minimum value; -16.25 total value)
WR: Brandon Marshall ($7,100; vs. New England): 15.7 points (17.75 minimum value; -2.05 total value)
WR: Steve Smith ($6,300; vs. Cincinnati): 4 points (15.75 minimum value; -11.75 total value)
TE: Travis Kelce ($6,300; vs. Denver): 14.1 points (15.75 minimum value; -1.65 total value)
K: Josh Lambo ($4,600; vs. Houston): 3 points (11.5 minimum value; -8.5 total value)
DEF: Denver Broncos ($4,900; vs. Kansas City): 6 points (12.25 minimum value; -6.25 total value)
**= 89.66 total points (-60.34 in total FanDuel value; -6.7 per player)
WEEK 12 WINNER: Andrew (5-7)
WEEK 12 PICK OF THE WEEK: QB Kirk Cousins, Andrew (30.16 points; 11.66 in total value)
WEEK 12 JOKE OF THE WEEK: WR Julio Jones, Kevin (5.5 points; -16.25 in total value)
REVIEW: Week 12 Guys To Pass On
Andrew:
RB David Johnson ($9,500; at Atlanta): 26.1 points (23.75 minimum value; 2.35 total value)
QB Tom Brady ($9,100; at New York Jets): 19.04 points (22.75 minimum value; -3.71 total value)
RB LeSean McCoy ($8,100; vs. Jacksonville): 28.4 points (20.25 minimum value; 8.15 total value)
WR Dez Bryant ($8,000; vs. Washington): 9.7 points (20 minimum value; -10.3 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 2-2
ANDREW SAVED YOU: 3.51 in total value
Kevin:
QB Tom Brady ($9,100; vs. New York Jets): 19.04 points (22.75 minimum value; -3.71 total value)
QB Marcus Mariota ($8,300; vs. Chicago): 21.64 points (20.75 minimum value; 0.89 total value)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. ($9,000; vs. Cleveland): 24.6 points (22.5 minimum value; 2.1 total value)
TE Rob Gronkowski ($8,500; vs. New York Jets): 0 points (21.25 minimum value; -21.25 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 2-2
KEVIN SAVED YOU: 21.97 in total value
REVIEW: Week 12 Sleepers
Andrew:
RB Darren Sproles ($5,400; vs. Green Bay): 7.9 points (13.5 minimum value; -5.6 total value)
WR Will Fuller ($6,000; vs. San Diego): 8 points (15 minimum value; -7 total value)
WR DeSean Jackson ($5,900; at Dallas): 19.8 points (14.75 minimum value; 5.05 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 1-2
ANDREW COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -7.75 in total value
Kevin:
RB: Jeremy Hill ($5,900; vs. Baltimore): 11.2 points (14.75 minimum value; -3.55 total value)
WR Corey Coleman ($5,300; vs. New York Giants): 11.3 points (13.25 minimum value; -1.95 total value)
TE: Martellus Bennett ($5,500; vs. New York Jets): 4.1 points (13.75 minimum value; -9.65 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 0-3
KEVIN COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -15.15 in total value
