INDIANAPOLIS —Ugh. Talk about a letdown.
After my FanDuel lineup scored 187.12 points in a Week 4 blowout victory over the great Kevin Bowen, I came back down to earth in Week 5 to the tune of a 38 percent drop, as I scored just 115.96 points in yet another loss, moving me to 1-4 on the season head-to-head against Kevin.
To be fair, Kevin had a very solid lineup last week, highlighted by running back Ezekiel Elliot, who ran wild to the tune of 30.6 points, which was more than 10 points greater than his projected value for the week. Amari Cooper's 24.8 points ( 6.8 points in total value) didn't hurt him, either.
This week, I feel I have a winner; here's why: I'm going with the quarterback and top receiver playing the winless Cleveland Browns. This week, that's the Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota — who is coming off a career day last week against the Miami Dolphins — and Rishard Mathews. I am officially picking on the Browns, and I have no shame in admitting it.
Here's the rest of my Week 6 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. 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 6 FanDuel Lineup:QB: Marcus Mariota ($7,600; vs. Cleveland): Mariota is coming off a tremendous performance against the Dolphins, and now he gets to pick on the woeful Browns. I'm thinking he passes for 250 and runs for 75 .RB: Theo Riddick ($6,600; vs. Los Angeles): Kevin's guy, but I like his value this week against the Los Angeles Rams. He's coming off a two-touchdown performance, and is a huge part of the passing game for the Lions. Now, he didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday with an ankle injury, so hopefully I don't get burned here…RB: LaGarrette Blount ($7,000; vs. Cincinnati): Now, James White got more snaps at running back last week, but he still got a touchdown vs. the Browns. I think with Brady back, Blount will continue to be the Patriots' power option and will get a score or two, as well as some looks in the passing game.WR: DeSean Jackson ($6,400; vs. Philadelphia): I never bet against DeSean Jackson against his former team. He plays very inspired against the team that unceremoniously cut him, although the guy that cut him — Chip Kelly — is now gone. Good value out of this spot.WR: Kelvin Benjamin ($7,800; at New Orleans): Benjamin hasn't had the greatest of performances of late, but the New Orleans secondary, as we've said here before, isn't good at all, and I think Benjamin will be a major beneficiary in a high-scoring game vs. the Panthers.WR: Rishard Mathews ($5,400; vs. Cleveland): I like pairing Mathews with Mariota this week against the Browns. He's coming off his first touchdown last week with the Titans, and I think he'll be targeted much more this week, which has been a trend the last few weeks.TE: Greg Olsen ($8,100; at New Orleans): Again — the New Orleans secondary. If Cam Newton is good to go coming back from the concussion — or even if he's not — Olsen is obviously the security blanket here, and he should break open for some nice plays in the Superdome.**
K: Adam Vinatieri ($5,200; at Houston):I can't believe I went away from this guy in the first place. He's the best kicker in the league — at 43 years old.DEF: Buffalo Bills ($4,800; vs. San Francisco):This one is a bit of a wildcard. You just have no idea how Colin Kaepernick will perform in his first game back at quarterback for the 49ers, but if he plays the way he had been before he got benched — and if San Fran keeps struggling otherwise on offense — the Bills' defense should come out pretty well in this one.Andrew's Guys To Pass On:
*QB: Tom Brady ($9,000; vs. Cincinnati):Stupid, I know, to bet against Tom Brady. He had a great opening game — against the Browns, of course. But the Bengals aren't the Browns (they haven't exactly been much better, though), and I think Brady has a couple more hiccups this week.WR: Allen Robinson ($8,600; at Chicago):Yes, the Bears allowed an awful lot of yards to the Colts and T.Y. Hilton. I just don't think Robinson is going to earn the 21.5 points to allow you to, at the minimum, break even here.QB: Carson Palmer ($7,700; vs. New York Jets):Palmer is coming back from a concussion and playing behind a suspect offensive line against a decent defense. Those don't mix well for me at the price.RB: Jordan Howard ($7,700; vs. Jacksonville):He enjoyed a really nice day against the Indianapolis Colts, and his price went up $500 this week because of it. I don't see a repeat performance in which he earns more than 19 points this week.Andrew's Sleepers ($6,000 or less):
RB: James White ($5,700; vs. Cincinnati):White caught four passes for 63 yards last week for the Patriots against the Browns, and stands to get even more snaps this week against the Bengals. He's a great option catching the ball out of the backfield.RB: Tevin Coleman ($5,900; at Seattle):Coleman is sure to get a ton of touches each week, whether it's running the ball or catching the ball. Against the Broncos last week, he had a nice performance lined up as a receiver, and I think Kyle Shanahan will do that again this week against, of course, a good Seattle secondary.WR: Michael Thomas ($5,400; vs. Carolina):Thomas has been much more of a threat inside the red zone the past two weeks for the Saints, scoring a touchdown in the past two games. Plus, New Orleans is at home, where they always pass the ball well. Great value here.———————————Week 5 ResultsAndrew's Week 5 FanDuel Lineup:
QB: Joe Flacco ($7,600; vs. Washington): 15.76 points (19 minimum value; -3.24 in total value)
RB: Le'Veon Bell ($8,600; vs. New York Jets): 19.9 points (21.5 minimum value; -1.6 in total value)
RB: DeAndre Washington ($4,700; vs. San Diego): 7.7 points (11.75 minimum value; -4.05 in total value)
WR: Jordy Nelson ($8,400; vs. New York Giants): 11.8 points (21 minimum value; -9.2 in total value)
WR: T.Y. Hilton ($7,700; vs. Chicago): 28.1 points (19.25 minimum value; 8.85 in total value)
WR: Jarvis Landry ($7,500; vs. Tennessee): 4.5 points (18.75 minimum value; -14.25 in total value)
TE: Zach Ertz ($5,600; at Detroit): 5.2 points (14 minimum value; -8.8 in total value)
K: Stephen Gostkowski ($5,100; at Cleveland): 7 points (12.75 minimum value; -5.75 in total value)
DEF: Minnesota Vikings ($4,800; vs. Houston): 16 points (12 minimum value; 4 in total value)
*= 115.96 total points (-15.95 in total FanDuel value; -1.77 per player)
Kevin's Week 5 FanDuel Lineup:**
QB: Derek Carr ($8,100; vs. San Diego): 22.98 points (20.25 minimum value; 2.73 in total value)
RB: Ezekiel Elliott ($7,900; vs. Cincinnati): 30.6 points (19.75 minimum value; 10.85 in total value)
RB: Jerick McKinnon ($6,200; vs. Houston): 5.1 points (15.5 minimum value; -10.4 in total value)
WR: A.J. Green ($8,700; vs. Dallas): 7 points (21.75 minimum value; -14.75 in total value)
WR: Brandon Marshall ($7,600; vs. Pittsburgh): 21.4 points (19 minimum value; 2.75 in total value)
WR: Amari Cooper ($7,200; vs. San Diego): 24.8 points (18 total value; 6.8 in total value)
TE: Will Tye ($4,800; vs. Green Bay): 4.7 points (11.75 minimum value; -7.05 in total value)
K: Ryan Succop ($4,800; vs. Miami): 7 points (12 minimum value; -5 in total value)
DEF: New England Patriots ($4,800; vs. Cleveland): 10 points (12 minimum value; -2 in total value)
= 133.58 total points (-2.07 in total FanDuel value; -0.23 per player)WEEK 5 WINNER: Kevin (4-1)
WEEK 5 PICK OF THE WEEK: RB Ezekiel Elliot, Kevin (30.6 points; 10.85 in total value)
WEEK 5 JOKE OF THE WEEK: WR A.J. Green, Kevin (7 points; -14.75 in total value)REVIEW: Week 5 Guys To Pass OnAndrew:
QB: Cam Newton ($9,300; vs. Tampa Bay): DNP; 0 points (23.25 minimum value; -23.25 in total value)
RB: DeMarco Murray ($8,400; at Miami): 16.2 points (21 minimum value; -4.8 in total value)
WR: Alshon Jeffery ($8,000; at Indianapolis): 10.2 points (20 minimum value; -9.8 in total value)
WR: Marvin Jones ($7,800; vs. Philadelphia): 11.7 points (19.5 minimum value; -7.8 in total value)
ANDREW SAVED YOU: 45.65 in total valueKevin:
QB: Philip Rivers ($8,300; vs. Oakland): 28.36 points (20.75 minimum value; 7.61 in total value)
RB: DeMarco Murray ($8,400; vs. Miami): 16.2 points (21 minimum value; -4.8 in total value)
WR: Lamar Miller ($7,800; vs. Minnesota): 2.9 points (19.5 minimum value; -16.6 in total value)
WR: Julio Jones ($8,900; vs. Denver): 3.9 points (22.25 minimum value; -18.35 in total value)
KEVIN SAVED YOU: 32.4 in total valueREVIEW: Week 5 SleepersAndrew:
RB: DeAndre Washington ($4,700; vs. San Diego): 7.7 points (11.75 minimum value; -4.05 in total value)
WR: Chester Rogers ($4,500; vs. Chicago): 3.9 points (11.25 minimum value; -7.35 in total value)
RB: Darren Sproles ($5,400; at Detroit): 8.8 points (13.5 minimum value; -4.7 in total value)
ANDREW COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -16.1 in total valueKevin:
RB: Orleans Darkwa ($6,000; vs. Green Bay): 1.1 points (15 minimum value; -14 in total value)
RB: Duke Johnson ($5,300; vs. New England): 3.2 points (13.25 minimum value; -10.05 in total value)
WR: Eddie Royal ($5,700; vs. Indianapolis): 7.8 points (14.25 minimum value; -6.45 in total value)
KEVIN COULD'VE GIVEN YOU: -30.5 in total value
