INDIANAPOLIS — I did it. I finally did it.
My FanDuel lineup broke through in a big way last week, thanks in large part to the offenses of the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins, and I claimed my first head-to-head victory of the season over the great Kevin Bowen.
Where did Kevin go wrong? Well, usually he's big on the "tandem" picking, in which you match a quarterback with their top receiver. But last week, he picked the Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones as his top receiver, but selected the San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers as his quarterback.
Well, I picked Jones, too, but I went with his quarterback, Matt Ryan, and the two torched the Carolina Panthers to the tune of more than 78 combined points. Yeah, I'll take that.
It also didn't help Kevin that his No. 2 and 3 receivers, Amari Cooper and Travis Benjamin, were pretty much duds last week.
Don't worry, Kev. Been there, done that.
Anywho, here's my Week 5 FanDuel lineup, sleepers and passes, as well as the full results from last week's action. To paraphrase the great Lou Brown in one of my favorite movies, Major League: "OK, I won a game last week. If I win Sunday, it's called, 'Two in a row.' And if I win again next week, it's called a, 'Winning streak.' It has happened before!"
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. tomorrow (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 5 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Joe Flacco ($7,600; vs. Washington): Last week, Flacco really benefitted from the resurgence of Steve Smith Sr., and although Josh Norman will likely be covering Smith a lot on Sunday, I think Flacco and his offense will keep up the positive momentum.
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($8,600; vs. New York Jets): He returned last week and showed he's still one of the best playmakers in the NFL. He actually lined up as a wide receiver on six straight plays, which is great for all his fantasy prospects, and while the Jets are always tough on defense, it's hard to pick against Bell.
RB: DeAndre Washington ($4,700; vs. San Diego): This is one of those "injury picks" Kevin loves so much. Washington, I believe, should get a majority of the action at running back with Latavius Murrary dealing with turf toe. Washington has broken three of his 23 carries for 20-plus yards already, so we'll see if he can keep being explosive.
WR: Jordy Nelson ($8,400; vs. New York Giants): Nelson seems to be getting better every week, and coming off the bye, I think he'll be fresh and ready to go — as will Aaron Rodgers.
**
WR: T.Y. Hilton ($7,700; vs. Chicago):** The Colts NEEDED a win against the San Diego Chargers, so Hilton took it upon his shoulders to put forth a massive game. Indy NEEDS a win again on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, and I think, again, Hilton will answer the call.
WR: Jarvis Landry ($7,500; vs. Tennessee): Now Ryan Tannehill didn't look all that good last time out against the Bengals, but I expect him to get back on track by going to Landry — and going his way often. I like this spot and this value for Landry here against the Titans.
TE: Zach Ertz ($5,600; at Detroit): Last week, I went with the expensive Jordan Reed here and it paid off, so I'm a little nervous going with Ertz, who is returning this week after missing two games with a rib injury. But he's a great safety blanket — and more — for Carson Wentz, and we all saw what good tight end play can do against the Lions.
K: Stephen Gostkowski ($5,100; at Cleveland): Tom Brady's back — I see lots of scoring opportunities for the kicker here. Even if Brady is a little rusty, that still usually means being within field goal range, which is why I like this pick.
DEF: Minnesota Vikings ($4,800; vs. Houston): The cliché pick on defense, I know, but they're GOOD. They didn't exactly light up the stat sheet last week, and still allowed just 10 points to a good Giants offense. So I think they get a few sacks, pick off a couple Brock Osweiler passes and rack up some points here.
Andrew's Guys To Pass On:
QB: Cam Newton ($9,300; vs. Tampa Bay): I'm legit worried about this guy, and think he needs to take it easy for a week or two. That being said, coming off the concussion protocol, I wouldn't pay him the second-most money in the league this week.
RB: DeMarco Murray ($8,400; at Miami): Murray is certainly showing his value from two seasons ago, but his value jumped by $1,100 this week. I still think he's a $7000s running back for now, and let's see if he can sustain it.
WR: Alshon Jeffery ($8,000; at Indianapolis): Total homer pick here. But I think with this potentially being the first week you could see the Colts' secondary at near full strength, I think they jeep Jeffery in check.
WR: Marvin Jones ($7,800; vs. Philadelphia): Philly's defense seems legit, and Jones just hasn't been spectacular outside of his awesome Week 3 performance. I'd pass on him this week.
Andrew's Sleepers ($6,000 or less)
RB: DeAndre Washington ($4,700; vs. San Diego): This is one of those "injury picks" Kevin loves so much. Washington, I believe, should get a majority of the action at running back with Latavius Murrary dealing with turf toe. Washington has broken three of his 23 carries for 20-plus yards already, so we'll see if he can keep being explosive.
**
WR: Chester Rogers ($4,500; vs. Chicago):** We saw Rogers actually thrown to a lot more last week against the Jaguars in London, and until Donte Moncrief gets back, I think Andrew Luck will learn to trust Rogers more and more.
RB: Darren Sproles ($5,400; at Detroit): I'm just kind of going with my gut here, which probably isn't a good thing. But Sproles had a great game two weeks ago against the Steelers, so maybe he just likes playing these north teams. Anyway, good value here for the speedster who can do it running or catching the ball, obviously. Also, Ryan Mathews might not be able to suit up anyway with an ankle injury.
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Week 4 Results
Andrew's Week 4 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Matt Ryan ($7,900; vs. Carolina): 36.52 points (19.75 minimum value; 16.8 in total value)
RB: Matt Jones ($6,600; vs. Cleveland): 20.8 points (16.5 minimum value; 4.3 in total value)
RB: Frank Gore ($6,100; at Jacksonville): 18 points (15.25 minimum value; 2.8 in total value)
WR: Julio Jones ($8,500; vs. Carolina): 42 points (21.25 minimum value; 20.75 in total value)
WR: Phillip Dorsett ($6,400; at Jacksonville): 13.2 points (16 minimum value; -2.8 in total value)
WR: Aldrick Robinson ($4,500; vs. Carolina): 11.8 points (11.25 minimum value; 0.6 in total value)
TE: Jordan Reed ($7,500; vs. Cleveland): 23.8 points (18.75 minimum value; 5.1 in total value)
K: Adam Vinatieri ($4,800; at Jacksonville): 12 points (12 minimum value; /- 0 in total value)
DEF: Steelers ($4,800; vs. Kansas City): 9 points (12 minimum value; -3 in total value)
= 187.12 total points ( 44.6 in total FanDuel value; 4.95 per player)
Kevin's Week 4 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Philip Rivers ($8,500; vs. New Orelans): 19.84 points (21.25 minimum value; -1.4 in total value)
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($8,300; vs. Kansas City): 20.3 points (20.75 minimum value; -0.5 in total value)
RB: Theo Riddick ($6,500; at Chicago): 7.8 points (16.25 minimum value; -8.5 in total value)
WR: Julio Jones ($8,500; vs. Carolina): 42 points (21.25 minimum value; 20.75 in total value)
WR: Amari Cooper ($7,600; at Baltimore): 7.3 points (19 minimum value; -11.7 in total value)
WR: Travis Benjamin ($6,600; vs. New Orleans): 4.8 points (16.5 minimum value; -11.7 in total value)
TE: Zach Miller ($5,000; vs. Detroit): 10.6 points (12.5 minimum value; -1.9 in total value)
K: Greg Zuerlein ($4,500; at Arizona): 5 points (11.25 minimum value; -6.5 in total value)
DEF: Buccaneers ($4,200; vs. Denver): 4 points (10.5 minimum value; -6.5 in total value)
= 121.64 total points (-27.95 in total FanDuel value; -3.11 per player)
WEEK 4 WINNER: Andrew (1-3)
WEEK 4 PICK OF THE WEEK: WR Julio Jones, Andrew/Kevin (42 points; 20.75 in total value)
WEEK 4 JOKE(s) OF THE WEEK: WRs Amari Cooper (7.3 points) and Travis Benjamin (4.8 points), Kevin (each -11.7 in total value)
REVIEW: Week 4 Guys To Pass On
Andrew:
QB: Cam Newton ($9,300; at Atlanta): 15.6 points (23.25 minimum value; -7.7 in total value)
RB: David Johnson ($8,700; vs. Los Angeles): 12.40 points (21.75 minimum value; -9.4 in total value)
WR: Odell Beckham Jr. ($8,700; at Minnesota): 3.8 points (21.75 minimum value; -18 in total value)
WR Mike Evans ($8,000; vs. Denver): 8.4 points (20 minimum value; -11.6 in total value)
ANDREW SAVED YOU: 46.7 in total value
Kevin:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger ($8,400; vs. Kansas City): 33.9 points (21 minimum value; 12.9 in total value)
RB: David Johnson ($8,700; vs. Los Angeles): 12.40 points (21.75 minimum value; -9.4 in total value)
WR: Antonio Brown ($9,400; at Kansas City): 20.4 points (23.5 minimum value; -3.1 in total value)
WR Mike Evans ($8,000; vs. Denver): 8.4 points (20 minimum value; -11.6 in total value)
KEVIN SAVED YOU: 11.2 in total value
REVIEW: Week 4 Sleepers
Andrew:
RB: Bobby Rainey ($4,900; at Minnesota): 10 points (12.25 minimum value; (-2.3 in total value)
WR: Aldrick Robinson ($4,500; vs. Carolina): 11.8 points (11.25 minimum value; 0.6 in total value)
WR: Kevin White ($5,700; vs. Detroit): 8.5 points (14.25 in minimum value; -5.75 in total value)
ANDREW COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -7.45 in total value
Kevin:
RB: Jordan Howard ($5,600; vs. Detroit): 14.7 points (14 in minimum value; 0.7 in total value)
WR: Ted Ginn Jr. ($5,900; at Atlanta): 2.4 points (14.75 in minimum value; -12.4 in total value)
WR: Cole Beasley ($5,200; at San Francisco): 8.8 points (13 in minimum value; -4.2 in total value)
KEVIN COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -15.9 in total value
