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The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 6

Player Notes
Malik Nabers Oct 9 12:30pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) is "doing better," according to head coach Brian Daboll. Nabers will be working on the side with trainers at practice on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day. The impressive 21-year-old pass-catcher from LSU suffered a concussion in the Thursday night loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night in Week 4 and sat out of the Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks. It sounds like he's making progress with his head injury, but he still has boxes to check in the league's concussion protocol and isn't a lock to play yet in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Nabers is questionable to play, it will make for some tough decisions in fantasy with New York's game being on Sunday night this week. Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton will have higher fantasy ceilings as flex options again this weekend if Nabers misses his second straight game.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Oct 9 12:20pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) would practice on Wednesday. Richardson injured his oblique in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers but then was inactive for last week's loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the 22-year-old second-year signal-caller was limited all of last week in practice, so if he takes a step forward this week, he'll have a legitimate chance to return to action in Week 6 versus the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Steichen said earlier this week that Richardson will reclaim his gig as the team's starting QB once he gets past his oblique injury, sending veteran Joe Flacco back to the bench. If Richardson gets more done in practice this week and returns on Sunday against the Titans, he'll be on the QB1/2 borderline for fantasy managers after a rough start in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 9 12:10pm CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday after he missed the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars with a minor high-ankle sprain. Although Taylor's ankle sprain isn't considered too serious, he's no lock to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans this Sunday, and a DNP to begin the week isn't a great sign. If the 25-year-old doesn't make much progress in practice this week and is unable to play this weekend, Trey Sermon will once again serve as Indy's lead back, with Tyler Goodson backing him up. In the loss to Jacksonville on Sunday, Sermon played 59% of the offensive snaps and had 10 carries for 38 yards and his second touchdown of the year, adding six catches on six targets for an additional 25 yards. At worst, Sermon will be a plug-and-play RB3/flex option again for fantasy managers if Taylor misses another game.

From RotoBaller

Jabrill Peppers Oct 9 11:53am CT
Jabrill Peppers

New England Patriots S Jabrill Peppers was placed on the commissioner's exempt list on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

From TheHuddle

Trevor Siemian Oct 9 11:53am CT
Trevor Siemian

Free-agent QB Trevor Siemian (Jets) was signed to the Tennessee Titans' practice squad on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Also, OT Leroy Watson was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

From TheHuddle

Foyesade Oluokun Oct 9 11:43am CT
Foyesade Oluokun

Jacksonville Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun (foot) is expected back in Week 7 or 8, head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

From TheHuddle

Deshaun Watson Oct 9 11:23am CT
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson being benched isn't under consideration right now, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Fantasy Spin: Watson has been the definition of a dumpster fire and the Browns insist on continuing to try and justify his contract when everyone can clearly see it's a disaster. That's apparently more important to Cleveland than actually having a chance to win. Watson remains an afterthought for fantasy purposes and his existence destroys any value Browns pass-catchers could've had.

From TheHuddle

Chris Moore Oct 9 11:13am CT
Chris Moore

Arizona Cardinals WR Chris Moore is being released, per source on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

From TheHuddle

Nico Collins Oct 9 10:30am CT
Nico Collins

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is being placed on the Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games. The star wideout suffered a hamstring injury after catching a 67-yard touchdown pass in the Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. Collins was No. 2 in total PPR fantasy points heading into Week 5, so this is obviously a crushing blow for his fantasy managers. He will be ineligible to return until Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. With Collins sidelined, Stefon Diggs could be a top-five fantasy wideout during his absence, and Tank Dell, who has struggled so far, will likely have a WR2/WR3 outlook in most matchups. Deep-league fantasy managers might want to kick tires on veteran Robert Woods, but youngsters Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III could become fantasy factors. Tight end Dalton Schultz could also benefit in this situation.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 9 9:10am CT
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is unlikely to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The hamstring issue may be more of an excuse at this point to keep Adams off the field while the Raiders search for a trade partner. A report earlier this week stated that Adams is nearing full health. The Jets, Saints, and Steelers seem to be the teams pursuing Adams the hardest. However, the Saints just lost Derek Carr (oblique) for a few weeks. The Jets fired their head coach. Other teams don't seem as eager to match the Raiders' asking price. This will be the third straight game Adams has missed. He likely won't see the field again until he's on a different roster.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 9 9:03am CT
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (hamstring) is expected to be out for Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fantasy Spin: Jakobi Meyers has turned 19 targets into 11 grabs for 121 yards the last two weeks. He and TE Brock Bowers are really the only Raiders pass-catchers worth using. Meyers is a flex option, and Bowers is a solid TE1.

From TheHuddle

Jahmyr Gibbs Oct 9 8:50am CT
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has failed to catch a pass in the last two games (although he did get 20 yards and a receiving touchdown on a lateral in Week 3). It's the first time in his young career that he's failed to log a reception in back-to-back games. Thankfully for fantasy football, he's averaging 13.5 carries and 71 rushing yards per game and has failed to score a touchdown just once. The Dallas Cowboys have allowed 17 receptions to running backs this season, the fifth-lowest mark in the league. However, the 222 yards they've given up to the position is the sixth-most. Even if Gibbs can't break off a long reception, the Cowboys' defense is banged up and has been susceptible against the run. Gibbs and his counterpart David Montgomery should be viewed as top-12 running backs this week.

From RotoBaller

David Montgomery Oct 9 8:40am CT
David Montgomery

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery looks to continue his scoring ways against the Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 6. The veteran runner has scored a touchdown in all four of Detroit's games this season, despite splitting duties with Jahmyr Gibbs. He's averaging 15.75 carries per game. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs and surrendered six touchdowns on the ground through five games. The defensive front-seven is banged up and the Lions' elite offensive line should have little issue opening holes for Monty and Gibbs. Both backs are ranked as RB1s this week in what should be a high-scoring affair in Texas.

From RotoBaller

Shaq Lawson Oct 9 8:20am CT
Shaq Lawson

Free agent pass rusher Shaq Lawson has signed with the Carolina Panthers. The veteran visited the team on Tuesday and left with a new contract. It's Lawson's first time out of the AFC East. He began his career with Buffalo in 2016, played one season each in New York and Miami, and spent the last two seasons in Buffalo again. The Panthers are desperate for defensive playmakers. Due to injuries and bad play, Carolina is one of the worst defenses in football. They have recorded six sacks in five games in 2024. Lawson logged one sack in 16 games last season.

From RotoBaller

Fred Warner Oct 9 8:00am CT
Fred Warner

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) was designated a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice. The 49ers travel to Seattle for Thursday Night Football and haven't held a full practice this week. Warner practiced just once last week, and he dealt with this same ankle injury and still played. The expectation is that Warner will be active for the divisional tilt. The 49ers' defense is banged up, the most notable of which is Talanoa Hufanga (wrist), who will miss a few weeks. Warner is the linebacker with the best odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

From RotoBaller

Dante Pettis Oct 9 8:00am CT
Dante Pettis

Free agent wide receiver Dante Pettis visited the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday with the hopes of landing a new contract. Former Jet Denzel Mims also tried out for Dallas. The Cowboys are looking to bolster their wide receiver depth with Brandin Cooks (knee) on injured reserve and set to miss at least three more games. Pettis camped with the Chicago Bears this summer but failed to make the final roster. He last appeared in a regular season game in 2022, catching 19 passes for 245 yards with the Bears. Even if Dallas signs one of these receivers, they won't be on the fantasy football radar in any format.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Oct 9 12:33am CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (knee) played only 26 of 62 snaps before leaving the game early in Week 5 versus the Washington Commanders.

Fantasy Spin: Njoku, who was making his return from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1, did not return to the game. No announcement regarding how much time he is expected to miss has been made yet, but it is not a great sign that the team worked out several tight ends on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should expect to be without his services for at least Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From TheHuddle

Rodney McLeod Oct 9 12:33am CT
Rodney McLeod

Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (hamstring), S Grant Delpit (head), C Ethan Pocic (knee), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (illness) and LS Charley Hughlett (rib) left the game early and did not return in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. S Rodney McLeod (face) also made an early exit but returned to the contest.

From TheHuddle

Davante Adams Oct 8 9:00pm CT
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has been the hottest name in the trade market over the last week or two. The veteran wideout has been sidelined since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury, but it doesn't appear to be serious. That being said, Adams figures to be dealt relatively soon. The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints were the favorites to land the superstar wideout. However, those trade talks may have slowed down, according to Adam Schefter. The Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh and their season is headed in the wrong direction quickly. While the Saints just lost quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) for likely multiple weeks, which could put their season in jeopardy. Both the Jets and Saints aren't likely to give up assets to acquire Adams if they aren't going to be competitive this season. The assumption is both teams probably still have interest, but it sounds like trade discussions have slowed down a bit.

From RotoBaller

Byron Murphy II Oct 8 8:50pm CT
Byron Murphy II

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) missed practice for the second straight day on Tuesday. It's worth noting that the organization held a walkthrough during both days. That means that practice report is an estimation, so Murphy's lack of participation shouldn't be taken too seriously. The rookie defensive tackle has been sidelined since Week 3. When healthy, Murphy figures to continue serving as a rotational player at defensive end and defensive tackle. He has six combined tackles, one tackle for loss, and 0.5 sacks across three games this season. The Seahawks used the 16th overall pick on Murphy during this year's draft, so they have high hopes for the young tackle. It remains to be seen if Murphy will be healthy enough to suit up for the Thursday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

From RotoBaller