Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer
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!
The Invitational Live Stream
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh had more good things to say about rookie running back Braelon Allen after Saturday's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. "We picked him for a lot of reasons, because he's actually really good out of the backfield and route-running, he's really good in protection, too. We think he's an all-around good back and he's a very powerful runner, too, and he's displaying that, down in and down out," Saleh said. The 20-year-old saw eight carries on Saturday and gained 27 yards while also catching two of his four targets for 12 yards. With just one preseason game remaining, it seems pretty clear that Allen is the team's preferred RB2 behind workhorse Breece Hall heading into his first year in the NFL. He's probably going to go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues, but in deeper formats, Allen is worth taking as a handcuff to Hall.
From RotoBaller
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, according to a source. The former Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots defensive back will reunite with defensive coordinator Brian Flores in Minnesota. The Vikings had long been in the market for a big-name cornerback, and Gilmore was being patient and biding his time. Gilmore is fully healthy and demonstrated it during his visit with the Vikes before signing. The 33-year-old veteran had offseason surgery on his shoulder after starting in all 17 regular-season games for Dallas in 2023, registering a career-high 68 tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble. Gilmore will be a starter for the Vikings and will be a big-time upgrade to their secondary as long as he's healthy.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin) suffered a groin injury in Saturday's preseason contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Beathard played the entire third quarter after following Mac Jones in the exhibition contest and finished 5-for-7 for 40 yards with 10 rushing yards on two carries. The 30-year-old veteran could lose out on the competition for the backup job behind Trevor Lawrence if his groin injury is serious enough to sideline him for the preseason finale next week against the Atlanta Falcons. In Saturday's game, Jones, the former New England Patriots signal-caller, went 16-for-23 for 210 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 14 yards on six carries. Given Beathard's injury, Jones appears to be in a good spot to win the backup job in his first year in Jacksonville.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson caught all four targets for 57 yards in the preseason win over Seattle. While the rookie didn't find the end zone like teammate Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, he still led all receivers in yards on the night. Jackson, the No. 182 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, has reportedly looked good in training camp. However, Tennessee has plenty of depth at the wide receiver spot, so he'll have an uphill climb to get targets during his inaugural campaign. The Titans will end the preseason with a trip to New Orleans to meet the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught two of his four targets for 20 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Seattle. While Nick Westbrook-Ikhine didn't get as many looks as some of the other wideouts on the roster, he made the most of his limited targets, pulling in a 15-yard pass from Mason Rudolph near the end of the second quarter. The 27-year-old has had flashes of production in his four seasons with the Titans, totaling 94 receptions for 1,276 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, the Titans have depth at the wide receiver position, meaning Nick Westbrook-Ikhine won't be consistently involved. With that said, he could still have a few decent outings during the 2024-25 campaign. Tennessee will end the preseason with a trip to New Orleans to meet the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis got some work in Saturday's narrow preseason win over the Seahawks. The 2022 No. 86 overall pick went 12-for-16 passing for 116 yards. He added four carries for 30 yards. Willis was more accurate than Mason Rudolph, who went 10-for-17 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. However, unlike Rudolph, Willis threw an interception. At any rate, Willis will likely remain behind Rudolph on the depth chart heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, unless Will Levis isn't starting, neither backup quarterback will be relevant for fantasy purposes. The Titans will end their preseason with a meeting with the New Orleans Saints.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph had a solid showing in Saturday's preseason victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Rudolph, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Titans this offseason after spending the start of his career in Pittsburgh, threw for 125 yards and a touchdown off 10-for-17 passing. He added four carries for 15 yards. Rudolph appears to have a lock on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart ahead of Malik Willis. However, the signal-caller won't be relevant for fantasy managers during the 2024-25 campaign unless Will Levis loses his job as the starter. The Titans will close out the preseason with a trip to New Orleans versus the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Dante Pettis played just 12 snaps in the team's 27-3 preseason win over the Bengals but made them count, catching all three of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard touchdown grab from Tyson Bagent. Behind receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, Pettis is vying to be the primary backup. The offseason acquisitions and the switch to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron suggest more three-receiver sets this year, which could elevate the role of the fourth receiver. Pettis has one final opportunity Thursday at Kansas City to secure his spot before the team's season opener on September 8 against the Titans.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze saw an increase in snaps to 20 during the 27-3 preseason win over the Bengals, catching one of two targets for a 45-yard gain from quarterback Caleb Williams. Odunze also rushed for the first time in his professional career, gaining 16 yards. The Bears' offense showed some exciting flashes but generally struggled throughout most of the first half before their first touchdown drive late in the half. Odunze had more opportunities to work downfield with DJ Moore limited to nine snaps and Keenan Allen playing just eight snaps. His final chance to improve in the preseason comes on Thursday at Kansas City before he makes his regular-season debut on September 8 against the Titans.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams appeared in 22 plays during Saturday's 27-3 preseason victory over the Bengals, completing six of 13 passes for 75 yards. Following a stellar debut in a limited appearance, Williams' efficiency took a step back in his second professional outing. His escapability and rushing upside were evident, with a seven-yard touchdown on his only rush of the game. However, he took his first sack against Cincinnati and ended the game with a completion percentage below 50. Williams' final tune-up game is scheduled for Thursday in Kansas City before he hosts the Titans in Week 1 for his regular-season debut.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker completed 12 of 15 passes for 150 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. The 26-year-old also rushed five times for 11 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown. Hooker did lose a costly fumble late in the game but otherwise looked calm throughout his time on the field. As of now, Hooker's performance and higher ceiling give him the edge for the backup quarterback position over Nate Sudfeld, though both players had poor performances in their first preseason games last week. Hooker remains a dynasty stash for now and will look to improve on Saturday's performance in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington once again led all Rams receivers in targets during Week 2 of the preseason in Saturday's game against the Chargers. The rookie out of Texas continues to turn heads this preseason as he recorded five catches for 52 yards on eight targets against the Chargers. Rams coach Sean McVay has spoken about the fact that he believes Whittington will have a role in the offense during his rookie season this year. Alongside Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Whittington is an interesting name to monitor ahead of draft season.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Boston Scott got just 10 carries in the team's preseason game against the Chargers but he gained 55 yards. He did not record a catch out of the backfield. Scott was outpaced by Zach Evans, who registered 16 carries for 62 yards, but was more efficient on his touches. Scott is battling Evans for the third spot on the depth chart behind returning starter Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. Scott's versatility and his pass-catching ability may give him the upper hand as he competes for that role.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett earned the start and played the team's entire preseason game in a 13-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Bennett completed 17-of-31 passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The first thing that stands out is that he did a better job of taking care of the ball after throwing four interceptions in the opening preseason game. He found JJ Laap on a long, 47-yard TD strike in the fourth quarter. For the most part, Bennett was effective in this game as he competes to win the backup job behind Matthew Stafford after taking last year off to deal with mental health issues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans led the team's backfield in touches during the second week of the preseason against the Chargers on Saturday. Evans carried 16 times for 62 yards. The 3.88 yards per carry wasn't super efficient but he got some good work in. Boston Scott had 10 carries for 55 yards as the two battle for the third running back spot behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Evans will need to show a little more efficiency on his carries if he wants to impress the Rams' coaching staff. He also did not catch a pass out of the backfield in Saturday's game.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for 114 yards and rushed twice for zero yards in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Saturday. It was an uneventful preseason game for the 31-year-old veteran, with no touchdown passes on 8-for-16 passing. Heinicke seems locked in as the QB3 on Atlanta's roster, but with the Falcons holding out Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the offseason, he should get plenty of snaps to see how he fares during the rest of the preseason. Heinicke will look to turn things around in the preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. ran nine times in Saturday's game for 39 yards while receiving no work in the passing game in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. After averaging less than 2.0 yards per carry last week on 16 attempts, Washington was much more efficient on the ground this week, averaging over 9.0 per carry. The 25-year-old seemed to have the edge over Jase McClellan for the RB3 job according to the Falcons' official depth chart, but now it seems to be a tight-knit race for that job with McLellan running the ball extremely well so far in the first two preseason games. Look for this race for the RB3 spot to continue on Friday when the Falcons take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson put together a nearly perfect half of football in the team's 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday afternoon. The veteran completed all 11 of his pass attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball twice for eight yards on the ground. The lone miscues were a sack for 12 yards and a miscommunication with the center that led to a fumble, but it didn't officially count in Johnson's box score. In the first quarter, a lot of Johnson's throws were short passing plays, but he ended up completing big play after big play in the second quarter. In the touchdown drive, he completed passes of 12, 13, and 31 yards respectively, capped off by a six-yard score to Owen Wright.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Jase McClellan rushed 11 times for 55 yards and scored a touchdown in a 13-12 preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. After leading the team in rushing in preseason Week 1 with 35 yards, McClellan followed suit and led the team in rushing again this week. The lone touchdown for McClellan and the Falcons came with only 39 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter and was followed by a failed two-point conversion, which led to the eventual one-point loss. The young 22-year-old out of Alabama has carried the ball 20 times for a solid 85 yards, 4.25 YPC, and one touchdown in two preseason games thus far. The battle for the RB3 in Atlanta looks like a close one this preseason between McClellan and Carlos Washington Jr. The Falcons RB3 battle will continue next week when the Falcons take on the Jaguars on Friday Night at home.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons Kicker Younghoe Koo had a rough time on the field Saturday morning, going 2-for-5 in field goal attempts in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in preseason Week 2. Koo nailed the hard one through the uprights from 54 yards away but missed on a 40-yarder, 45-yarder, and 49-yarder before converting on his last field goal attempt of the night at 24 yards out. It was an uncharacteristic night for one of the league's top kickers, but he has plenty of time to get right before the season begins in September.
From RotoBaller