With the Ravens on a bye after their 27-13 victory over the Saints, we have the opportunity to really focus on our fantasy teams this week! It will also be beneficial to our cardiovascular health, since we don’t have to sweat the Ravens game! But we need to take a quick look at how the Ravens performed last week. There are many talking points to take away from the game. The most noteworthy, is the Ravens finally holding onto a lead! The Ravens took a lead in the 1st quarter and held it throughout the entire game. A lot of the credit is due to the defense, bolstered by the league’s leading tackler, Roquan Smith. The trade was one of the headliners of the trade deadline and we saw why, last week. Smith tied fellow LB Patrick Queen and rookie safety Kyle Hamilton for 2nd most tackles (5) and trailed only Marlon Humphrey (7 tackles). Smith also had three assisted tackles, leading the team. Justin Houston is among the league leaders in sacks as well. This defense is primed for an excellent 2nd half of the season and playoffs if they can stay healthy. Holding the Saints to under 200 yards passing and under 50 rushing yards is a great testament to that.
The offense had a more concerning performance. While the run game looked as good as ever, compiling nearly 200 yards (maybe Kenyan Drake isn’t washed, after all!), the Ravens struggled through the air and left an ominous feeling in Charm City. Sure, they were missing Mark Andrews and have lost Rashod Bateman for the season. However, that is no reason to ease concerns. Even with the looming return of Andrews, the Ravens will continue to struggle a bit through the air without a true #1 receiver. There aren’t too many great options in free agency and after a game where Isaiah Likely lead the team with just 24 receiving yards, it is justified be feel disconcerted.
But it is nothing that our beloved Ravens can’t fix. Luckily, they have the bye week to figure out a solution.
Streamin’ around the league
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is a solid streaming option this week if you’re in a pinch. The Browns have a juicy matchup at home against the Dolphins. It is no secret that the Dolphins offense is among the most lethal in the league, but also have a defense with more holes than Swiss cheese. The Dolphins rank 29th in pass defense and allow the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing QB’s. Some of that is due in part to allowing an average of 5 more adjusted fantasy points to QB’s than other defenses. The game script for Brissett will be perfect and there are few better matchups than this one.
After putting up his 2nd worst performance of the season, Herbert is a low-floor, high-upside streaming option against the Lions. David Montgomery has re-secured his role as the lead back in Chicago, but Herbert should see an increased role against the league’s worst defense. It seems like the Bears are finally starting to figure out how to not be a terrible offense, now that they are unleashing Justin Fields‘ potential as a running QB. I expect the Bears offense to be a real problem for the Lions this week. With a game script that could very well be run heavy on the Bears side of the ball, Herbert could see more work and the Bears will most likely find themselves in the red zone fairly often. Herbert has very solid upside this week and can definitely be streamed if you need a RB.
You would never guess it, but Hardman has scored 10+ fantasy points in each of the past four games. With MVS underperforming and rookie Skyy Moore looking like a disappointing draft pick, the Chiefs may finally be realizing Hardman’s potential as a route runner and one of the fastest players in the league. In fact, Hardman has scored a TD in three straight weeks. The Chiefs are heavy favorites against the Jags and while they wont necessarily need to throw the ball, they should continue to put the ball in the hands of their generational QB, Patrick Mahomes. Between the Jags highly questionable defense and the Chiefs massive 30.5 projected point total, I am betting on the hot hand and the player that can score a TD on any given play.
Higbee playing against the Cardinals should be enough reason to throw him in your lineup as a 2nd option TE. The Cardinals remain the 2nd worst team in the league against TE’s and the Rams are a favorable matchup for opposing offenses. The Cardinals have a strong roster but have struggled most of the season. But if the offense clicks this week, it will be a blood bath. Cooper Kupp will obviously see the large majority of targets, but there is no chance that the Rams don’t look to Higbee against the Cardinals. If the Rams do fall behind (very likely), Higbee may have a phenomenal day while the Rams play catch up. Still, Higbee is a 2nd tier option given his recent performances.
Fire & Ice
Fire
Justin Fields
Ice
