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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!

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The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Khalil Shakir Oct 11 1:30pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) didn't suit up for Friday's practice, which is now the third straight day that he has sat out. Shakir is in danger of missing his second straight game, but still has a chance to practice on Saturday. Head coach Sean McDermott recently said that Shakir is day-to-day, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about it. If Shakir sits, Keon Coleman would move into the No. 1 wideout role. The rookie wideout finished with one reception on five targets for 49 yards and a touchdown last week without Shakir. He figures to once again have a bigger role if Shakir is unable to play.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Oct 11 1:20pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (foot, toe) was unable to suit up for Friday's practice session. Cook hasn't been able to practice all week, which puts him on the wrong side of questionable ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets. It's worth noting that the Bills do play on Monday, so Cook will get another chance to practice on Saturday. If he sits, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis would likely split up the workload in the backfield. Neither of them have done much of anything on the field this season. Davis has rushed 26 times for 75 yards, which is 2.9 yards per carry. Fantasy managers should consider Davis a shaky RB3 if Cook sits out.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Jordan Mason

Dynasty | 49ers running back Jordan Mason had 73 rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards before leaving Thursday night's game with a shoulder injury. Dynasty Analysis: Mason was on his way to a big night before leaving with the ailment. It's said to be a sprained AC joint but further tests will diagnose the severity. Mason has been phenomenal in place of Christian McCaffrey, but this injury could keep him out for a bit. With McCaffrey "ramping up" his football activities and Isaac Guerendo looking sharp, the run for Mason as a temporary RB1 may be coming to its end. He's a great hold in dynasty leagues but the "sell to a contender" window may have shut.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jordan Mason Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Jordan Mason

Dynasty | 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo had 99 rushing yards in a win against Seattle Thursday night. Dynasty Analysis: Much of Guerendo's damage came on a 76-yard gain that put the game away, but dynasty owners won't complain too much. The Shanahan system is historically the best for running backs and Guerendo's one cut and go style looks to fit in nicely. With Jordan Mason dealing with a shoulder injury and Christian McCaffrey still out, Guerendo could be next in line to start in nine days. He needs to be on rosters everywhere and likely should have been already.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brandon Aiyuk Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had two catches for 37 yards in San Francisco's win against Seattle Thursday night. Dynasty Analysis: Aiyuk has had one strange season. After a long and frustrating holdout that culminated in a big contract, Aiyuk has one game with eight catches and 147 yards and the other four combining for just 15 catches and 204 total receiving yards. He's also failed to score a single touchdown all season. Aiyuk has been historically streaky, but this run has been a surprise considering the team's financial commitment to him and steady quarterback play. If you believe in him, this could be a time to buy in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brandon Aiyuk Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings had just three catches for 27 yards in a win against Seattle Thursday night. Dynasty Analysis: Much like his teammate Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings has had one blow-up game (11/175/3) and four clunkers that have resulted in just 14 catches for 229 scoreless yards. Jennings is looking like a boom or bust player each week and dynasty managers are going to need to feel pretty desperate to trust him on a weekly basis at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Zach Charbonnet Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Zach Charbonnet

Dynasty | Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker had 32 rushing yards, eight catches and 37 receiving yards with one touchdown in a loss against the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: The yardage totals for Walker weren't good but eight catches and a touchdown made his night a good one, at least in PPR leagues. Even better, Walker continued to dominate backfield touches as he had 22 compared to the six from Zach Charbonnet. Walker is a prime trade target for a contending dynasty team as he's become one of the more consistent running backs in the game.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Geno Smith Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Geno Smith

Dynasty | Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had three catches for 48 yards in a loss against the 49ers on Thursday night. Dynasty Analysis: Metcalf had 11 targets, but he and Geno Smith are just not on the same page. After three straight 100-yard games, Metcalf now has just seven catches for 103 scoreless yards over his last two games. He did have a long touchdown called back because of a penalty, but things seem to be going sour for Seattle in a hurry as they've lost three straight and seem to be losing their way a bit. Metcalf will likely bounce back but this is notable in future weeks as lineup decisions are being made.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Geno Smith Oct 11 1:13pm CT
Geno Smith

Dynasty | Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 30-of-52 passes for 312 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a loss against the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: The game line looks fine, but Smith did most of his damage with the game already out of reach. Smith, now 34, has 1,778 passing yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions on the season. Considering the fact he's posted a 50/20 touchdown-to-interception ratio over the past two seasons, this is concerning. Seattle is likely not looking to Sam Howell any time soon, but a few more losses could put Geno's job on the hot seat. He looks like a fading hold in dynasty leagues at the moment and nothing more than a QB2 or bye-week fill-in at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Nick Chubb Oct 11 1:00pm CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) have both been ruled out for the Week 6 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Chubb and Hines opened their 21-day practice windows last week but remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will not make their 2024 debuts this weekend. There next chance to return will be in Week 7 versus the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old Chubb should be stashed in the majority of fantasy formats, but it's still unclear when exactly he'll return, and when he does, the Browns figure to ease him back in after he suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 2 of 2023. At least for another week, Jerome Ford will lead the Browns' backfield and will be a low-upside RB2/3 against Philly given how bad Cleveland's offense has looked in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Tank Dell Oct 11 1:00pm CT
Tank Dell

Fantasy managers who selected Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell haven't seen much production yet, but there's some hope that could change in Week 6 with Houston at New England. The second-year pass-catcher could be in line to improve on a disappointing 71st ranking among fantasy receivers, as team-leading wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is set to miss at least the next month on injured reserve. Dell has at least four targets in every game in which he has appeared and also has carried the ball six times, however, so Houston at least seems committed to keeping him involved. He should be considered a boom-or-bust flex option with the Texans playing a decent New England pass defense.

From RotoBaller

Stefon Diggs Oct 11 1:00pm CT
Stefon Diggs

Now that Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is on injured reserve, fellow receiver Stefon Diggs figures to be Houston's top pass-catching option ahead of a Week 6 game at New England. The 30-year-old plays a different role than Collins within the Houston offense, but an already good volume play (82% of snaps, 8.2 targets per game) could become even better in the coming weeks. Through five weeks, the Texans rank second in the NFL in passing yards per game. Even though Houston is playing a decent Patriots pass defense, Diggs deserves a starting lineup spot as a regular first read on a top passing offense.

From RotoBaller

C.J. Stroud Oct 11 1:00pm CT
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud faces one of the NFL's worst teams on Sunday when the Texans visit New England. There hasn't been anything resembling a sophomore slump for the second-year quarterback, who has been good if not overwhelming for fantasy managers who drafted him as an every-week starter. The Patriots, meanwhile, have been a mess. The New England offense's inability to score has put immense pressure on their defense, which is paying the price. The Patriots rank near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed (27th), net yards per attempt (29th), pressure percentage (28th), and passer rating allowed (25th). Given the talent advantage Houston enjoys in this matchup, Stroud can be started confidently.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Schultz Oct 11 12:50pm CT
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a playable option with a decent matchup in Week 6 against the New England Patriots. The 28-year-old has had a disappointing fantasy season so far, but the silver lining is that his target percentage has gone up three weeks in a row and he's still an every-down player, averaging nearly 87% of Houston snaps. Further, Houston's targets leader, receiver Nico Collins, is now on injured reserve. At this stage, fantasy managers have to be realistic with their expectations for the former Dallas Cowboy: he'll play most of the game and earn a handful of targets on a good offense, but he's dependent on touchdowns for game-changing weeks.

From RotoBaller

Zay Jones Oct 11 12:40pm CT
Zay Jones

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that wide receiver Zay Jones (hamstring) will not suit up in Week 6 at Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Jones was reinstated earlier this week after being suspended for the first five games of the season. However, the 29-year-old is nursing a hamstring injury and won't make his 2024 debut until at least Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. For now, he belongs on the waiver wire in the majority of fantasy leagues. When healthy, Jones will serve as receiver depth for the Cardinals behind rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch. He'll be battling for playing time with the likes of Zach Pascal and rookie Xavier Weaver. In just nine games with the Jaguars in 2023, Jones had 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdown grabs.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Oct 11 12:30pm CT
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Justin Fields will make another start in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, with Russell Wilson (calf) being active on Sunday to back him up. Wilson is recovering from a calf strain that has kept him out all year to this point. He was able to finally return to full practice this week and will serve as Fields' backup on the road in Vegas this weekend. Fields hasn't been amazing as the starter under center, but he's done enough to lead the team to a winning record and has limited the turnovers. The 25-year-old has completed 67.6% of his pass attempts with five touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for 172 yards and three scores on the ground. However, he's going to need to keep playing well to hold off Wilson now that he's past his calf issues. Against the struggling Raiders this weekend, Field has QB1 upside.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 11 12:30pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) logged a full practice on Friday and is on the "upswing" with his trajectory. Warren will be listed as questionable to play in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but the Steelers are optimistic about his status. Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Tomlin considered Warren doubtful to face the Raiders, but apparently he's made good progress with his knee since then. The 25-year-old was unable to play in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. If he's able to return on Sunday on the road at Allegiant Stadium, he'll continue to mix in sparingly behind lead back Najee Harris in what is an excellent matchup. Still, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed to be excited to use Warren as a flex play given what he's done so far in 2024. He's averaging a career-low 3.9 yards per carry on just 14 rushing attempts through three games.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 11 12:20pm CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not play in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. It will be Taylor's second straight missed game after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Taylor's ankle sprain is considered to be minor, the 25-year-old was unable to practice all week, and his status will also be in question for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. Trey Sermon (collarbone) was also on the injury report this week, but he practiced in full on Thursday and is in line to serve as the team's lead back for the second straight week. Sermon had 10 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown and also caught six passes in last week's loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. This Sunday's matchup against Tennessee isn't as strong, but with Taylor out, Sermon will once again be in play as at least an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Oct 11 12:20pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) will be questionable to play on Sunday against the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Richardson suffered an oblique injury in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and was questionable last week before sitting out in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. He's questionable again this weekend, but the fact that Richardson returned to a full practice on Thursday bodes well for his chances of returning. Steichen said earlier this week that the struggling Richardson will be the team's starting QB when healthy. If the 22-year-old is active, he'll be a shaky QB1/2 given his struggles so far in his second season and the fact that the Colts are without running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and could be without receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe).

From RotoBaller

Tommy Tremble Oct 11 12:10pm CT
Tommy Tremble

The Carolina Panthers have ruled out tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion) from their Week 6 game on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Tremble was unable to practice all week after getting knocked out in the Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's concussion protocol next week in order to gain clearance to play in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. Ian Thomas (calf) is questionable to come off the Injured Reserve this weekend, but if he does, he'll likely play second fiddle to rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders for the team's primary tight end pass-catching role. Sanders now has some deep-league TE2 streaming appeal with Tremble out. The 21-year-old rookie has caught eight of his 11 targets for 41 yards and no touchdowns in the first five games of his NFL career.

From RotoBaller