Fantasy Football 2017: Packers Notes and Predictions, Likes/Dislikes, and Week 9 Rankings

Packers Notes

  • First, a quick recap of the Packers trade deadline activity: 
  • Don’t panic….yet – Mike McCarthy accepted the blame for the passing game’s struggles against the Saints, and rightfully so. After watching the film numerous times, I can best describe the offensive game plan as unimaginative, predictable and counterproductive. Little effort was made to get Hundley into a rhythm. The Packers often kept seven or eight guys in to block, while having their receivers run long-developing isolation routes against double or triple coverage – and to make matters worse, it seemed like the Saints defensive backs were regularly running the routes for the receivers. There should be better times ahead for Hundley and the passing game, but that’s predicated on McCarthy formulating a functional game plan.
  • Davante Adams is the #1 receiver:
  • Aaron Jones is the focal point of the offense – For the second time in three weeks, the rookie ran for 125+ yards on less than 20 carries. Controlling the time of possession will be important now more than ever for the Packers, and feeding Jones is the way to do just that.

Predictions

  • For the third time in four games, Aaron Jones puts up 100+ yards from scrimmage – The Packers are going to have to lean on the rookie if they are to have a shot at winning this game. Jones has some similarities to Mark Ingram and Devonta Freeman, both of whom posted over 130 scrimmage yards against the Lions.
  • Brett Hundley completes more than 60 percent of his passes – Hundley has completed just 47.8% of his 69 (nice) career passes. I believe the Packers will employ a dink-and-dunk offense (similar to week 7 of last season) in order to get Hundley into a rhythm.
  • Davante Adams will be the Packers leading receiver – Adams is (arguably) the Packers best receiver after the catch. Getting the ball in his hands should be one of their top priorities on Monday night.

Likes/Dislikes

Week 8 Recap

Hits - likes: Tyrod Taylor (QB8), Andy Dalton (QB3), Joe Mixon (RB19), Jordan Howard (RB11/RB14), Marvin Jones (WR11/WR8), Kyle Rudolph (TE7/TE5).

Hits - dislikes: Ben Roethlesberger (QB11), Alex Smith (QB12), Kareem Hunt (RB26/RB23), Carlos Hyde (RB33/RB27), Latavius Murray (RB34/RB41), Tyreek Hill (WR47/WR48), T.Y. Hilton (WR49/WR50), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE18/TE14).

Misses - likes: Philip Rivers (QB17), Cam Newton (QB13), Devonta Freeman (RB29/RB36), Wendell Smallwood (RB45/RB47), Keenan Allen (WR27/WR28), Devin Funchess (WR52/WR53), Josh Doctson (WR27/WR34), Hunter Henry (TE31/TE27).

Misses - dislikes: Matthew Stafford (QB5), Josh McCown (QB4), Lamar Miller (RB5/RB4), Adam Thielen (WR6), Kenny Stills (WR26/WR22), Jack Doyle (TE1/TE2).

Week 8 score: 14/28 (50%). Season: 116/211 (55%)

Likes

Drew Brees – The Buccaneers have allowed 20+ points to every road quarterback this season, and Brees is due for some positive touchdown regression.

Dak Prescott – The Cowboys will have to lean more on the pass with Elliot re-re-re-re-re-resuspended, and the Chiefs have allowed back-to-back 30+ point games to road quarterbacks.

Adrian Peterson – The 49ers are always in a giving mood when it comes to opposing running backs, as they have allowed the most points to the position.

Doug Martin – The Saints have allowed a 100-yard rusher in consecutive games. Martin should get at least 18-20 touches with Jameis Winston playing through an injury.

Tyreek Hill – The week on/week off pattern continued in week 8 for Hill - his PPR game log is: 26.8, 8.9, 20, 8.5, 16.8, 7.5, 25.2, and 3.8. He should have a big game against a Cowboys secondary allowing the sixth most points to receivers.

DeVante Parker – Both Parker and Jay Cutler should be fully healthy Sunday night against the Raiders. Parker scored above 12 PPR points in all 3 healthy games with Cutler this season.

Jimmy Graham – Graham has scored in 3 consecutive games and the Redskins have allowed the fourth most points to tight ends.

Evan Engram – Engram has scored at least 8 PPR points in every game he’s played in this season and the Rams are not as tough on tight ends as the numbers would suggest.

Other likes: Alex Smith @ DAL, Drew Stanton @ SF, Aaron Jones vs. DET, Orleans Darkwa vs. LAR, Amari Cooper @ MIA, Tyler Lockett vs. WAS.

Dislikes

Tyrod Taylor – The Jets have not allowed more than 16.2 points to any quarterback at home, and Taylor has yet to score more than 12.5 on the road this year.

Andy Dalton – Five of the seven quarterbacks to face the Jaguars this year have score single-digit points. Dalton is not a streaming option this week.

Jay Ajayi – The Broncos have allowed the fewest points to running backs in 2017, so there’s a good chance Ajayi will struggle in his first game in an Eagles uniform.

Frank Gore – Gore relies on touchdowns to provide fantasy value, and the Texans haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown since week 1.

A.J. Green – You probably won’t bench Green in season-long leagues, but temper expectations against the vaunted Jaguars secondary. Avoid him in DFS.

Alshon Jeffrey – Jeffrey has yet to score double-digit PPR points in consecutive games this year, and it’s unlikely that he’ll break the pattern against Denver’s defense.

Jason Witten – You can do worse than Witten as a streamer – though the Chiefs have allowed just one touchdown to tight ends this year.

Martellus Bennett – Bennett has been very disappointing as a receiver for Green Bay, and the Lions have limited five of the seven tight ends they have faced to under 50 receiving yards.

Other dislikes: Marcus Mariota vs. BAL, Kirk Cousins @ SEA, Tevin Coleman @ CAR, C.J. Anderson @ PHI, Nelson Agholor @ DEN, Kenny Stills vs. OAK.

Week 9 Rankings

Please note: The rankings will be updated at 7PM (ET) on Thursday and 12PM (ET) on Sunday.

 

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Comments (1)

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Handsback's picture

November 02, 2017 at 08:00 am

Well I think that Monty is going to have a big game. Between the two RBs...he'll get a few TDs and Jones will be running for over 100 yards.
It's how the Packers will win.....

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