INDIANAPOLIS — My three-week winning streak is over, and now my back is really against the wall.
After my loss to Colts.com writer Kevin Bowen last week in our FanDuel Fantasy Focus competition, my record now stands at five wins and eight losses.
If Kevin can claim just one more win, he will claim victory for the season.
And, as such, I've become desperate in my lineup this week, as I shelled out $9,700 for Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson, who really might be worth that the way he's been playing in recent weeks, but is still way, way too expensive for my liking.
But, I gotta say: Johnson's price aside, I like my lineup this week. I think there's at least a few sure things, which in FanDuel is oftentimes all you need; as long as three or four people meet or exceed their value for the week, and then the rest at least are mediocre, then you're usually going to do alright.
That just didn't happen for me last week. Don't get me started.
Anyway, here's my entire Week 14 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 noon 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 14 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Russell Wilson ($7,900; at Green Bay): Wilson should do some damage against a Green Bay secondary that hasn't exactly been solid this season. I'm hoping for 300 yards and three touchdowns, and maybe a rushing touchdown, for Wilson in this one.
RB: David Johnson ($9,700; at Miami): Wow — look at that price! Will we see a $10,000 player before the season is over? I'm shelling out the cash for Johnson this week because he's just been unstoppable of late, and while Miami does a pretty good job against the run, it's hard to go against the hot hand.
RB: Matt Forte ($7,700; at San Francisco): Forte was putting in a pretty solid season before the Colts came calling on Monday night. But I think this 49ers defense is just what the doctor ordered for Forte, who will be relied upon a ton with Bryce Petty starting the rest of the season.
WR: Terrelle Pryor ($6,700; vs. Cincinnati): With Robert Griffin III likely back under center for the Browns, I like what that does for the big-play ability of Pryor down the field. The Browns are the Browns, but they always seem to get up for their games each season against the Bengals, so maybe they snap their 0-fer this time around?
WR: Julian Edelman ($6,600; vs. Baltimore): While Baltimore's defense is solid, I like this pricepoint for Edelman here at $6,600. You know Edelman will get at least a few catches, but I'm banking on him getting into the end zone at least once in this ballgame.
WR: DeSean Jackson ($5,800; at Philadelphia): Give me DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia at this price point all day long. Jackson has continued to be Kirk Cousins' primary deep threat this season, and with the playoffs on the line, I think Jackson comes up huge for the Redskins in this one.
TE: Jimmy Graham ($6,600; at Green Bay): I'm pairing up Russell Wilson with his tight end, Graham, who I thought was pretty cheap this week. Graham's kind of come back alive this season, and I like this matchup against the Green Bay linebackers/safeties.
K: Dan Bailey ($4,700; at New York Giants): I usually go with Adam Vinatieri here, but I was a little short on cash. But there's nothing wrong with going with Dan Bailey, who plays for the hottest team in the league going against a division rival.
DEF: Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($4,100; vs. New Orelans): This was another money pick, and let me tell you — it was slim pickins. But I went with Tampa Bay's defense just because they have treated me well in the past, and they should be well prepared for their division rival, the Saints, even though I'm weary that Drew Brees is going to come back from last week's horrible game and go off.
Andrew's Guys To Pass On:
QB Tom Brady ($8,600; vs. Baltimore): I think this very good Baltimore defense will give Brady fits the entire day. While Brady, as usual, will make some plays, I think there are plenty of other better options for the money this week at the quarterback position.
WR Julio Jones ($8,300; at Los Angeles): Julio Jones isn't expected to miss time with a turf toe injury, but we all know how important those toes and feet are to a receiver, making all those cuts and stops and starts. I'd say skip over Jones this week and let him show that he's healthy enough to be in your lineup next time around.
QB Cam Newton ($7,800; vs. San Diego): What's going on with this guy? He's benched for the first series last week, and then goes and lays an egg and has just 12.48 points on the day. Again, there's better options at this position, and you have to wonder when Cam will get back to his old self.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ($7,200; at San Francisco): The Jets have already announced Bryce Petty will be starting for the rest of the season, so I don't understand why Fitzpatrick's price is so high, other than maybe the fact the Jets are playing the 49ers. Nevertheless, he wasn't having a good season, anyway, so don't be tempted to even think about starting him.
Andrew's Sleepers ($6,000 or less)
RB Jerick McKinnon ($6,000; at Jacksonville): McKinnon had 14 points last week, and his price is up $500 this week against a Jaguars team that just can't seem to get things right. I like this matchup for the Vikings.
WR Brandon LaFell ($5,800; at Cleveland): Can LaFell keep the momentum going from last week's big game against the Eagles, when he had 95 receiving yards and a touchdown? Well, he's going against the Browns, so chances are Andy Dalton will continue looking his way.
WR DeSean Jackson ($5,800; at Philadelphia): Give me DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia at this price point all day long. Jackson has continued to be Kirk Cousins' primary deep threat this season, and with the playoffs on the line, I think Jackson comes up huge for the Redskins in this one.
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Week 13 Results
Andrew's Week 13 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Aaron Rodgers ($8,500; vs. Houston): 15.96 points (21.25 minimum value; -5.29 total value)
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($9,300; vs. New York Giants): 19.2 points (23.25 minimum value; -4.05 total value)
RB: Todd Gurley ($6,800; at New England): 5.7 points (17 minimum value; -11.3 total value)
WR: Larry Fitzgerald ($7,000; vs. Washington): 12.8 points (17.5 minimum value; -4.7 total value)
WR: Doug Baldwin ($6,900; vs. Carolina): 10 points (17.25 minimum value; -7.25 total value)
WR: Davante Adams ($6,800; vs. Houston): 2.2 points (17 minimum value; -14.8 total value)
TE: Vernon Davis ($4,600; at Arizona): 7.2 points (11.5 minimum value; -4.3 total value)
K: Adam Vinatieri ($5,000; at New York Jets): 13 points (12.5 minimum value; 0.5 total value)
DEF: Denver Broncos ($5,000; at Jacksonville): 17 points (12.5 minimum value; 4.5 total value)
= 103.06 total points (-37.29 in total FanDuel value; -4.14 per player)
**
Kevin's Week 13 FanDuel Lineup:**
QB: Matthew Stafford ($8,300; vs. New Orleans): 23.84 points (20.75 minimum value; 3.09 total value)
RB: Theo Riddick ($6,500; vs. New Orleans): 10.2 points (16.25 minimum value; -6.05 total value)
RB: Jeremy Hill ($5,800; vs. Philadelphia): 11.5 points (14.5 minimum value; -3 total value)
WR: Antonio Brown ($9,000; vs. New York Jets): 14.4 points (22.5 minimum value; -8.1 total value)
WR: Odell Beckham Jr. ($9,000; vs. Pittsburgh): 15 points (22.5 minimum value; -7.5 total value)
WR: Golden Tate ($5,900; vs. New Orleans): 24.5 points (14.75 minimum value; 9.75 total value)
TE: Travis Kelce ($6,300; vs. Atlanta): 18 points (15.75 minimum value; 2.25 total value)
K: Cairo Santos ($4,700; vs. Atlanta): 3 points (11.75 minimum value; -8.75 total value)
DEF: Green Bay Packers ($4,500; vs. Houston): 8 points (11.25 minimum value; -3.25 total value)
= 128.44 total points (-21.56 in total FanDuel value; -2.4 per player)
WEEK 13 WINNER: Kevin (8-5)
WEEK 13 PICK OF THE WEEK: WR Golden Tate, Kevin (24.5 points; 9.75 total value)
WEEK 13 JOKE OF THE WEEK: WR Davante Adams, Andrew (2.2 points; -14.8 total value)
REVIEW: Week 13 Guys To Pass On
Andrew:
QB Drew Brees ($9,300; vs. Detroit): 10.04 points (23.25 minimum value; -13.21 total value)
RB LeSean McCoy ($8,400; at Oakland): 22.6 points (21 minimum value; 1.6 total value)
QB Cam Newton ($7,600; at Seattle): 12.48 points (19 minimum value; -6.52 total value)
WR Julio Jones ($8,300; vs. Kansas City): 14.8 points (20.75 minimum value; -5.95 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 3-1
ANDREW SAVED YOU: 24.08 in total value
Kevin:
QB Matt Ryan ($8,600; vs. Kansas City): 17.18 points (21.5 minimum value; -4.32 total value)
RB Le'Veon Bell ($9,300; vs. New York Giants): 19.2 points (23.25 minimum value; -4.05 total value)
WR Julio Jones ($8,300; vs. Kansas City): 14.8 points (20.75 minimum value; -5.95 total value)
WR Demaryius Thomas ($7,100; vs. Jacksonville): 9.1 points (17.75 minimum value; -8.65 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 4-0
KEVIN SAVED YOU: 22.97 in total value
REVIEW: Week 13 Sleepers
Andrew:
TE: Vernon Davis ($4,600; at Arizona): 7.2 points (11.5 minimum value; -4.3 total value)
WR Tyreek Hill ($5,800; at Atlanta): 9.7 points (14.5 minimum value; -4.8 total value)
WR Malcolm Mitchell ($5,600; vs. Los Angeles): 12.2 points (14 minimum value; -1.8 total value)
ANDREW'S RECORD: 0-3
ANDREW COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -10.9 in total value
Kevin:
RB Wendell Smallwood ($5,500; vs. Cincinnati): 1.9 points (13.75 total value; -11.85 total value)
WR Golden Tate ($5,900; vs. New Orleans): 24.5 points (14.75 minimum value; 9.75 total value)
WR Tyreek Hill ($5,800; vs. Atlanta): 9.7 points (14.5 minimum value; -4.8 total value)
KEVIN'S RECORD: 1-2
KEVIN COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -6.9 in total value
