NFL 2021 OPENING NIGHT IS FINALLY HERE!

Hello and welcome back NFL & sports fans, we have a new NFL season underway.  I hope everyone is ready and as happy as I am for the season to start.   We are looking at two solid teams kicking off tonight in the Cowboys and Buccaneers. The Cowboys are a big question mark to start this season, can’t wait to see Dak pans out coming back from that terrible injury.  I believe this will be a great game, but this could go south really quick.  The Cowboys are missing maybe the best guard in the league with Zack Martin being out due to COVID-19, and that pushes the Cowboys COVID-19/Reserved list to 9 total players.

I believe Tom Brady and the Buccaneers pull the win out here tonight.  The Dallas defense has added some fire power to the unit and had a few players change jersey numbers.  It has been noted has much Brady hates the new rule, so we will see how Brady handles the new Cowboys DE and if the number changes affects him at all.

Prediction: Cowboys 20 vs Buccaneers 34

If you are looking for sports picks, please review the NFL PICKS page above.

NFL 2017 OPENING NIGHT IS FINALLY HERE!

Hello and welcome back NFL & sports fans, we have a new NFL season underway.  I hope everyone is ready and as happy as I am for the season to start.   We are looking at two solid teams from last season kicking off tonight in the Cheifs and Patriots.  I believe this will be a great game and maybe the best Thursday night game we have had in awhile.

I believe Tom Brady and the Patriots pull the win out here tonight. As of today Brady is 13-1 in openers and has only lost 1 out of the last 11 openers.  The Cheifs defense in my eyes is the strong point for them, so we will see they handle Brady and Patriots with some new faces on that Offense.   The Cheifs will not have enough fire power to get the job done tonight.

Prediction: NE 32 & KC 20

If you are looking for sports picks, please review the NFL PICKS page above.

SPORTS PICKS

Hello sports world!

We are back at it again, this coming NFL session we will be providing write ups and daily fantasy picks for DFS setups.  Along with doing NFL, we will be providing MLB capper picks for the rest of the season.  Yes, we will also be posting other capper picks for other sports besides MLB, such as NBA and SOCCER.  You can refer to the pages to across the top of the blog page to find these categories.  Best of luck to all cappers trailing our selected picks.  You can follow via Twitter and turn on notifications, or refer back to our page before game times.

NFL Playoff Picture 2017

AFC WILD CARD ROUND JAN 7 – 8

RAIDERS 5th Seed (12-4) vs TEXANS 4th Seed (9-7)

This game all of the sudden looks to be a flip of the coin.  The Raiders were looking like a solid team and ready to fight to make that AFC Championship round, but without Derek Carr they have a long way to go. I know people are down and out now because Connor Cook is starting, but to me he played well last week vs maybe the best defense still in the NFL. We also have to remember that Cook is a rookie along with that, this was the first time he suited up all year for a game.  Connor Cook brings a lot to the table and if the rest of Oakland shows up they can pull out a win vs Texans. For fantasy value, I believe Oakland will have to lean more on the rushing game. The Texans are ranked 11th in allowing points to the opponent running back, so I believe Oakland will lean on that 3 headed RB core they have. The Texans are ranked 3rd best in allowing opponent QB’s points, which means Cook will have his hands full.

I believe for the Texans to get the win, we will need to see the best game of the year for Brock Osweiler.  I want to the best out of him not just for the win, but to save himself on bad season he gave the Texans and those fans.  Brock has a very talented roster to use and no team can just overlook DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and the rest of the WR group. Each of them WR’s have great speed and are are 6 foot+ in size.  The Raiders are not so good on defense, and fantasy wise they are ranked 26th in allowing opponent overall points.  The Raiders are also ranked 23rd in allowing points to the opponent running backs, which means Lamar Miller could have a field day.

Vegas Current Spread: -3.5 HOU (my pick, take HOU)

Fun Fact: Connor Cook has become the 1st NFL rookie QB to make his season debut start in the postseason.

DOLPHINS 6th Seed (10-6) vs STEELERS 3rd Seed (11-5)

I am personally excited to watch this game, I have always been a Matt Moore fan and it will be good to see him in the playoffs. Moore does not have a favorable match-up at all, so he has a large task at hand.  The Steelers are ranked 7th in allowing opponent QB’s points, and I don’t believe that will change at all in this game.  I assume they will keep rushing Moore and trying to put that pressure on him for an easy turnover. The Steelers also have been locking down the opponent WR’s and once again are ranked 7th in allowing points to the opponent WR position.  I think the focal point for the Dolphins will be in the run game with Jay Ajayi.  As of right now Ajayi is listed as questionable, but if he does play he has a favorable match-up with the Steelers be ranked the 27th worst team in allowing points to the opponent RB’s.

Now for the Steelers, what is there to say really.  This team will not slow down, nor will playoffs as long as Big Ben is helm.  The last time the Steelers missed playoffs was back in 2009 and the time before that was 2006 and then all the back to 1999 and 1998. If you want to go back even more, you have to go back to 1991 and 1990. So this franchise knows about the playoffs all to well. Also holding the current record for most Super Bowl wins (6 total) helps that knowledge as well.  The Steelers are one of the top teams favored to make it and win the Super Bowl (2017) again. My personal opinion is the Steelers beat the Dolphins and make it to the AFC Championship game. I don’t see the Dolphins having an answer to stop Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.  Both of these players have very very favorable match-ups. The Dolphins are ranked 22nd in allowing points to the opponent RB’s and again 22nd to opponent WR’s.  Also this game is in Pittsburgh and the forecast is calling for cloudy and cold weather on Sunday.  If you are playing fantasy, don’t be scared to ever start Bell and Brown.  If you are looking at which QB to roll this weekend, Big Ben has a great match-up with the Dolphins being ranked 28th in allowing points to the opponent QB. To me, Big Ben might be the best QB play this weekend.

Vegas Current Spread: -10 PIT (my pick, take PIT and buy down .5 or full 1)

NFC WILD CARD ROUND JAN 7 – 8

LIONS 6th Seed (9-7) vs SEAHAWKS 3rd Seed (10-5-1)

I love Matthew Stafford and have since those Georgia days. It was great to seem him drafted 1st overall in 2009. I remember watching that draft and was glad he went ahead of Mark Sanchez. But once they started off the career, Sanchez did well with going to the playoffs and everyone started to jump on that wagon thinking he was QB to take from that 2009 draft. I never bought into that hype and my peronsal opinion was that the Jets defense and Thomas Jones (RB)/Shonn Greene (RB) took that Jets team to those playoffs. Anyway, back to this wild card game match-up. I think Stafford is going to have his hands full with that Seahawks defense. The Seahawks are ranked 4th in allowing points to the opponent QB, which does not help Stafford at all. The Seahawks have been so up/down this season vs opponent WR’s and the Lions have two very fast outside weapons in Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. I think that the Lions need to try and keep passing it and trying to work in deep shots with these two explosive WR’s. The Seahawks tend to keep the opponent TE’s in check so I don’t see Ebron being much of a factor outside of the redzone, but he might soak up DE players in the middle of the field to help that outside down the field shot.

The Lions I don’t believe will have much of a run game, they are missing Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah hasn’t played since week 2 of the season. The Lions will look mostly at Zach Zenner who had 20 carrier last week. I think the Linos will need to try and work Dwayne Washington in to help Zenner carry that load vs a stingy Seahawks defense. For fantasy value I will be avoiding Lions players in general.

The Seahawks get maybe the easiest matchup in the NFC. The Detorit Lions had to fight back in every game this season, which does not help them vs a team like the Seahawks. Russell Wislon will be facing a Lions DE that is ranked 31st worst in allowing points to opponent QB’s which makes Wilson a lock for fantasy. Russell will be passing to one of the best TE’s in the NFL today in Jimmy Graham. The Lions are ranked 29th worst in allowing points to opponent TE’s which is great for a player like Graham. I believe Graham will be open alot and maybe have the best game of the season for himself. Wilson will also two good WR’s in Doug Baldwin (who I love in general) and Jermaine Kearse. I think Pual Richardson is also a sneaky play and someone that the Seahawks will try and work in. I don’t think you should be scared in taking a WR from the Seahawks roster when the Lions ranked 25th worst in allowing points to opponent WR’s. My picks would be Baldin/Graham and maybe if I wanted to use a flyer, lock in Richardson for the sleeper play of the whole Wild Card Round.

For the Seahawks run game, I think Rawls is a lock and not much to say. I think he will have a solid game and you can go wrong. I think people will sleep on him because he has been down as of late, but I think he will fine vs this Lions defense. But I also think that Alex Collins will get some work and could have a nice day as well.

Vegas Current Spread: -8 SEA (my pick, take SEA and maybe buy down to -7)

Fun Fact: Lions are the best comeback team in NFL history for a single season, with 8 come from behind wins in the fourth quarter.
GIANTS 5th Seed (11-5) vs PACKERS 4th Seed (10-6)

This in my opinion will be the best game of the Wild Card Round. Eli Manning will be facing a Packers defense that is ranked 26th worst in allowing points to opponent QB’s. Eli could have a field day and it helps having a WR core like the Giants have. The Packers are also ranked 22nd in allowing points to opponent WR’s which is great for players like Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz. Each of these WR’s have great speed, which spells trouble for that Packers DE who ranks 31st in total defense vs the pass and has allowed 32 passing TD’s. I don’t see the Giants being that great in the run game, the Packers have been pretty solid in stopping the run. If you want some fantasy value out of a Giants RB, I would look at Paul Perkins for that sneaky play. Myself, I will be avoiding them if I can help it.

All in all, I think the Gaints have a solid squad going into this playoff round and are getting overlooked way to much.

The Packers to me are getting to much love going into this game. They have been playing well as of late, but the Giants are just not getting any love. The 4 of the last 6 games for the Packers were against teams NOT in the playoffs. The other 2 games games were against two current playoffs team in SEA and DET. Well to me the Seahawks have been up/down all year and the Lions are missing a starting RB along with not having a good defense at all. They also got embarrassed by the Redskins 42-24 and before that they got embarrased by the Titans 47-25. The Packers also barely pulled out a win vs the Bears 30-27. I think they will have a hard day vs Eli and that WR’s core the Giants have. The Giants are ranked 5th vs opponent RB’s and 5th vs opponent WR’s. These numbers don’t help out the Packers at all, and think Montgomery and Adams will be the players to target for Rdogers. Also don’t forget the Giants are ranked 2nd in points allowed to opponent QB’s. I am staying away from the Packers roster myself.

Vegas Current Spread: -4.5 GB (my pick, take NYG).

Fun Fact: Lambeau Field Playoff Record for Aaron Rodgers 2-2 and Eli Mannings record is 2-0.

My Week 3 DF Team

If you are a DFS player, here is my NFL Week 3 lineup, it did pretty well for me.

Welcome Back Fantasy Football Fans!

Yes I know I have been away for awhile now, but I AM BACK NOW! Well so far over the first 3 weeks of the season we have seen a number of injuries, scores, new teams making strong pushes, some previously strong teams fading into weakness.  I am sure some of are already hurting with injuries to players like Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger. I will be posting a start’em / sit’em by Thursday, so stay tuned.

Welcome back fantasy football fans!

Well what can I say about this offseason so far.  It has been one of the craziest offseasons  and we still have a lot more to come.  We have seen a few big names move on to new teams like we thought they would, but then you get sneakers like Welker landed with the Broncos who just blow up the free agency market when a move like that happens.  Then you turn around and see moves like Miami paying Hartline $30 million over 5 years which is more then Broncos paying Welker $12 million for 2 years.  If you haven’t seen any free agency news, here are the top 3 big winners to to me.

1. Miami Dolphins – To me they just landed two big players to help them on each side of the ball.  Mike Wallace will help them stretch the field, he is one of the best in the game to stretch the field with that remarkable speed of his.  Tannehill has a big arm so he should have no issue getting Wallace the ball deep.  Also as of right now, Wallace is the only FA getting an avg of $10 million a year, everyone else has been way below that.  I think this would be a good WR core with Hartline and Bess, each have speed and hands, if Tannehill can get protecting this group has great upside and might end up being a top WR core in the NFL.

Miami also landed LB Dannell Ellerbe from the Ravens, he should help fill the middle of the field and will be great help in stopping the run.  To me Miami’s DE just jumped up another notch, they already have a very good DB core, so now the sky is the limit for this growing Miami team.

2. Denver Broncos – Well what can we say, they just landed one of the best slot WR’s of all time in Wes Welker.  This WR core for Denver is going to be a force to reckon with, team will have issues covering both big WR’s on the outside and then the great Welker in the middle.  Also you cannot forget they still have Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen to come over the middle as well.  This is going to be a fun one to watch this season.

Broncos also snagged away OG Louis Vasquez from the Chargers.  Now this seemed like a great deal for them and just a bad mistake by the Chargers for not resigning him.  Well then I took a stepped back and realized Phillip Rivers was the 2nd most sacked QB in the league last season.  Denver already has a good O line, this Vasquez pick will be a great hit or a bad miss. Broncos also was able to land Terrance Kinghton, but that is really nothing special unless Terrance can show up unlike he did last year for Jacksonville.

Now the big name player to top off the free agency hunt for the Broncos so far was adding Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.  This might be the best add for them because it just makes that DB core and DE in general that much better on paper.  I am ready to see what they can do with him along side Champ Bailey and Chris Harris.

3. Cleveland Browns – The big news for the Browns so far was the signing of LB Paul Kruger.  This is big for them because they need the help over the middle and a run stopped in the 2nd level.

The other big signing for the Browns was Desmond Bryant.  This is also going to be a big part of the run stop DE which is going to help the Browns huge.  Reports has said Browns will try to sign a top CB, well with already having a top CB in Joe Haden this run stop DE will be huge for those CB’s.  The Browns we will something to see this season, even more so if they can log a top FA TE like Fred Davis or Dustin Keller.  I know I am ready to see how this all plays out for the Browns.

Start’em and Sit’em for QB’s and RB’s in Week 1

QUARTERBACKS

QB of the week: Jay Cutler vs Colts: Cutler’s fantasy value jumped sky high once the Chicago Bears traded for Brandon Marshall. The Colts only landed 29 total team sacks and a turnover ratio of -12. Also the Colts gave up a total of 25 passing TD’s and 19 rushing TD’s to the opponents. I believe this this works in favor for Cutler and getting the ball to Brandon Marshall and the rookie (maybe break out stud) Alshon Jeffery.

Start’em:

Matt Schaub vs Dolpins: If you drafted Schaub how can you not start him unless you landed another top tier QB ahead of him. Schaub has a favorable match up vs the Miami Dolphins 24 passing TD’s in 2011 and also just traded away Vontae Davis to the Colts for apples and oranges. Also don’t forget, Schaub gets back the monster Andre Johnson. I believe Schaub could be a top 3-5 QB in week 1 for fantasy land.

Michael Vick at Browns: What type of concerns do you have with starting Vick against the Browns? The Browns gave up 12 rushing TD’s and 16 passing TD’s, and both of those numbers help Vick because he gets both values. If you drafted him as your starter, well you better let him start week 1 vs the Browns.

Sleeper QB – Russell Wilson at Arizona: Wilson looked very impressive this preseason and well we all know Arizona did nothing but look like a candidate for maybe the worst team in the NFL this coming 2012 season. If you are maybe in a league that provides only 4 points for TD’s and you waited until later rounds to land add a like QB like Alex Smith for your starter, I’d roll with Wilson over someone like Alex Smith, RG3, Bradford etc in week 1.

Sit’em:

Mark Sanchez vs Bills: I just don’t see Mark doing much vs the Bills, granted they did give up 30 passing TD’s last season. The Bills added Mario Williams in the mix which should be an improved DE. So I believe they the Bills will be able to put more pressure on Sanchez and plus with Tim Tebow taking snaps, I don’t believe Mark Sanchez is someone you want to start let alone even draft him.

RUNNING BACKS

RB of the week: Kevin Smith vs Rams: I love Kevin Smith in this game vs the Rams and how could you not? When was the last time the Rams where able to stop the run game?…….I am waiting…….point taken. If you follow the NFL, Detorit Lions, Running Backs, Fantasy Football, etc. I am sure you already know Jahvid Best is on the PUP list since he cannot stay healthy and Mikel Leshoure is going to miss the first two weeks of regular season. So really the Lions have no one else besides Keiland Williams which I do not see him taking away much time from Smith besides to rest. Also Smith looked great last year on his come back season after having a ruff first 3 seasons with the Lions who declined the tender offer on Smith, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2011, but then resigned in November of 2011. Look, if you have him I say you start him in your flex or as a number 2 RB in week one, the Rams gave up an avg of 151.7 rushing yards per game!!

Start’em:

Matt Forte vs Colts: Did you read what wrote under Jay Cutler? If not here is a few stats that that should help you not to worry about Forte in week 1 vs the Colts, besides that his a STUD RB. The Colts in the 2011 season gave up 19 rushing TD’s and also 25 passing TD’s. Well both of those help Jay Cutler and Forte because Cutler will be touching the ball each play and we all know Forte can run for TD’s and is a great hands for catching the ball. In 2011 Forte had 5 catches go for 20+ yards. He also hauled in 52 catches for 490 yards, that big for PPR league. I won’t even go over his rushing yards since (997 yards in 12 games). So don’t be a bad fantasy owner and try to get cute with NOT starting Forte.

DeAngelo Williams at Buccaneers: Now I know DeAngelo fell off a little last season, but that was because Cam Newton was taking a lot of those rushing TD’s. I believe Cam still try and not run as much this season and also I like DeAngelo really if Johnathan Stewart misses week 1, so you will need to watch this status. If Stewart does play, I don’t think I’d want either one of them really in my starting line ups just because to many mouths to feed including Mike Tolbert. But lets say Stewart is out, well that is great for DeAngelo because the Buccaneers gave up a 26 rushing TD’s and that is great for DeAngelo.

Sleeper RB – Cedric Benson vs 49ers: I know a number of you will think I am crazy because how well the 49ers did last season, so well they only allowed 3 rushing TD’s. For season reason I just think the Packers will try and get Benson the ball to see what they really have him during game activity and not this pre-season business. Also I could see a pair of TD’s with around maybe 60 yards, and the reason for the TD’s is because near the goal line, I could see the Packers trying to punch it in instead of the normal shotgun and hope for the best attempt. Also don’t forget this is the sleeper category fantasy fans.

Sit’em:

Shonn Greene vs Bills: The Bills are another team that cannot stop the run (well in past years), they gave up 19 rushing TD’s last season but they have been upgraded with Mario Williams. Also, don’t forget the Jets added Tim Tebow who will take away from Greene’s rushing attempts and TD’s while in the red zone for sure this season. I would stay away really from anyone on that Jets teams until we see more of the offense (which you didn’t score a TD in preseason).

Reggie Bush at HOU: Yes Bush has great speed and hands, but that only gets you so far. The Texans where the second ranked best defense last season for yards allowed per game (285.7) and only allowed 8 rushing TD’s which only 18 passing TD’s. The Dolphins and Reggie Bush both know that is a problem makers for any defense they face, the only issues is so does the opposing team. So really they just need to stop Bush and take the risk that Ryan Tannehill is going to beat them, which well all know including Tannehill that he will not beat the Texans.

Trent Richardson vs Eagles: Well besides the fact that the Eagles only allowed 11 rushing TD’s in 2011 doesn’t help the Browns since they only had a total of 4 rushing TD’s all of the 2011 season. Also, I just don’t know how much work he’s going to get and they still have Montario Hardesty who looked good in limited time last season.

Dallas Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree

Well I am guessing if your a football fan you see the game last night and know the Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree stole the show.  The unknown WR Ogletree had a breakout night with 8 catches, 114 yards and hauled in 2 TD’s.  Those are pretty good number for an unknown WR and someone that just landed his first every TD’s in the NFL.  His fantasy value just went up a few spot and might turn out to be a nice sleeper, but I would not jump the gun yet unless you have room on your roster to store him away.  Keep your eye’s open on him, he might be the next Laurent Robinson for the Cowboys last year which means 800+ REC yards and 11+ TD which is what Robinson pulled off.

Follow @FFBLegend

Matt Prater signs a new contract.

The Denver Broncos signed Matt Prater today to a new 4 year contact. This is great news for the Broncos and their fans. Also anyone his fantasy value as a kicker because Manning should be able to get him into position for more attempts then he has had in the last few season. When drafting a kicker a lot of people believe, ah its just a kicker they don’t matter, when in fact they can turn your whole match up around. I don’t jump the gun on taking a kicker, but I make sure I also land a kicker that is a little above average like Robbie Gould. I think I have drafted Gould in almost all leagues over the last few season for fantasy football. Anyway, watch out for Prater he is going to be a great option for your fantasy team at the kicker position.

Follow @FFBLegend