Giving Up On Fantasy Football; Week 5 Picks
2016 will be my final season of fantasy football. I've had enough.
Fantasy football is played by millions and I've enjoyed playing, but it's time for me to move on.
I love the NFL and I feel like playing fantasy football takes away some of my love for the game. Playing against family and friends is fun and some of the bets where the owner of the worst team in the league has to get a Justin Bieber tattoo are humorous, but it isn't enough for me to keep playing.
I find myself yelling and screaming at players and coaches during the game because their actions are costing me points in fantasy football. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Drew Brees is a Hall of Fame QB, yet why could he not have done more in San Diego last week?
Why can't the Texans figure out a way to get their best player, WR DeAndre Hopkins, the football?
How do the Chiefs D/ST force eight turnovers the week before and get -3.50 fantasy points the following week?
Why can't Carson Palmer throw a TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald instead of Michael Floyd?
And why oh why didn't I start Frank Gore and Allen Hurns last week?
AHHHH!!!
It's beyond frustrating, but what drives me crazy most of all are fantasy predictions.
Fantasy football predictions are garbage. Complete and utter garbage. I don't care how many computer simulations you've run or what the historical stats say, no one can predict how many fantasy points a player will score on a given week.
For example, this past week on NFL.com fantasy football predictions, they predicted that Drew Brees would score 21.84 points, he scored 11.88. DeAndre Hopkins was expected to have a good game at 18.90, but he scored a whopping 1.40. Jamaal Charles should've scored 11.00 points via NFL.com predictions, instead he scored 0.70. Not even a full point. Awful.
I'll continue to soldier on in 2016, my two teams are 2-2 and 0-4, so I guess there's still hope.
As for this week, I'll be yelling at Aaron Rodgers, the Texans to get the ball to DeAndre Hopkins and hoping that jumping on the Eagles D/ST bandwagon will result in lots of points as they take on the Lions.
The prediction is for the Eagles D/ST to get six points this week. Ha! Like that'll be right.
More predictions bound to be wrong are next with my picks for Week 5.
Week 5 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Arizona over SAN FRANCISCO (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS/NFLN/Twitter): I'm really hesitant taking the Cardinals here because they've struggled this season and it won't be any easier on Thursday with QB Carson Palmer out with a concussion. On paper, the Cardinals have a better team and if they play like they're capable of, they should win. Also, the 49ers lost All-Pro LB NaVorro Bowman for the season with an Achilles injury last week. He is the heart and soul of that defense and you just don't replace a guy like that. Plus, with Chip Kelly's high pace offense, the 49ers defense is on the field what feels like the entire game. QB Drew Stanton will make enough plays in Palmer's absence against a tired 49ers defense to get the Cardinals a much needed win.
New England over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Tom Brady coming off a four-game suspension against the 0-4 Cleveland Browns. Yeah, I think I'll go with the Patriots in this one. Things continue to get worse for the Browns. At least the Indians are in the postseason and taking on the Red Sox in fact. It's a Boston vs. Cleveland weekend. I like the Boston area teams in both.
Philadelphia over DETROIT (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Lions lost to who I thought was the worst team in the NFL last week, the Chicago Bears. Even worse was the Bears didn't have Jay Cutler at quarterback, Brian Hoyer started and threw for 302-yards and two touchdowns. That just baffles me. Maybe the Bears aren't as bad as I thought, or maybe the Lions aren't any good. Anyway, the Eagles are 3-0 and fresh off a bye. I'm going with Carson Wentz and an Eagles defense that is surprisingly number three in total defense. Better make some plays on defense, Philadelphia, I'm just saying, for fantasy football sake.
INDIANAPOLIS over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): This is a must win game for both teams. At 1-3, both the Colts and Bears need a win on Sunday to have any chance of making a run in 2016. At the end of the day, I don't think either of these teams will end up 8-8, yet along make the playoffs. Colts have the advantage being at home, but they are coming off a long flight from London last week. Interesting that they chose not to have their bye week following their London trip. It's been the norm for teams to have a bye following a game in London. Either way, I like the Colts on Sunday.
Tennessee over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): A lot of people are taking the Dolphins here and my question is why? I went to the Dolphins/Bengals game last week and was not impressed with one thing the Dolphins did. They never tried to establish the run and they didn't WR Jarvis Landry involved in the offense early on in the game. Miami is decimated with injuries and I think RB DeMarco Murray will have a big game for the Titans as they get the win on the road.
BALTIMORE over Washington (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Not sold on either one of these teams, but with the Ravens being at home and the Redskins struggling with the Browns last week, I like Baltimore at home in the Battle for Maryland.
MINNESOTA over Houston (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I said it last week and I'll continue to say it, what a job Mike Zimmer is doing in Minnesota. The Vikings defense stifled Eli Manning and the Giants on Monday night and if that defense continues to play that well, Minnesota is going to find themselves in the Super Bowl. We could be in the midst of watching two of the great defenses of all-time in Denver and Minnesota, so enjoy it. Vikings get another win behind their defense to remain undefeated. Probably not a good week to start DeAndre Hopkins in fantasy. Mental note.
PITTSBURGH over NY Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): After watching the Steelers demolished the Chiefs last Sunday night, one has to wonder how in the world the Eagles held them to just three points a week prior? With RB Le'Veon Bell back, I expect the Steelers to continue to put up a ton of yards and points on every opponent they face. Good luck, Jets. Also, I'll put the over/under on Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions at three this week and take the under. I think he'll throw two.
DENVER over Atlanta (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Wow. What a performance from those two last week. Ryan threw for 503-yards and four touchdowns and Jones had 13-receptions for 300-yards and a touchdown. They're the reason why the Falcons lead the NFL in total offense at 478.8 YPG and points/game with 38. The only bad thing for the Falcons though is their defense. Atlanta has given up the fourth most points in the league (124) and are giving up the third most yards/game at 419.2. With the hot Atlanta offense going up against the best defense in football, the Denver Broncos, the Falcons defense needs to get some stops. Whether Trevor Siemian (shoulder) is able to play or not, I like the Broncos defense to hold the Falcons at bay and stay undefeated.
Cincinnati over DALLAS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Great matchup in Dallas on Sunday. I'm really excited for this game and not just because I'm a Bengals fan. The Cowboys have a good team and their rookie backfield of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, who have been fun to watch this season. Elliott leads the league in rushing with 412-yards and Prescott has yet to turn the ball over. The Bengals defense will have its hands full with the Cowboys. I thought the Bengals would have TE Tyler Eifert back this week, but he continues to get bitten by the injury bug and will miss yet another week. The Bengals will continue to struggle to score points in the red zone without Eifert and they've had trouble running the ball. Only bright spot is Andy Dalton connecting with A.J. Green. No one can cover him, including no one on the Cowboys roster. Green will be the difference as the Cowboys struggle to stop him and Dalton.
LOS ANGELES over Buffalo (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): What has gotten into the Rams? Los Angeles has beaten both Seattle and Arizona and is currently in first place in the NFC West. They've come a long way from their Monday night opener, a 28-0 debacle against the 49ers, and the leader of the team has been QB Case Keenum and the defense. Keenum has thrown four touchdowns and only one interception the last three games, while the defense has forced eight turnovers, and held the Seahawks to three points, and the Cardinals to 13 points. I don't know if they can keep it up for the entire season, but so far it's been a good first season back in LA. The Rams will beat the Bills on Sunday in front of 90,000+ at the Coliseum.
OAKLAND over San Diego (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Three roads in New Orleans, Nashville and Baltimore already for the Raiders and its only Week 5. Six of the Raiders next eight games are at home including a stretch where the Raiders will not have a road game for over a month -- four home games and a bye week. With winnable games the next four weeks, Oakland could be 6-2 or 7-1 heading into a Sunday night home game against the Denver Broncos. That could be an intriguing game. As for Sunday, I like the Raiders to keep winning and beat the Chargers at home.
GREEN BAY over NY Giants (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Aaron Rodgers and Co. coming off a bye week, at home, in primetime. Yeah, I think I'll take the Packers in this one.
CAROLINA over Tampa Bay (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): After last week's debacle in Atlanta, you know the Panthers want to rebound on Monday Night Football. Their defense got shredded for 571-yards and gave up 48 points to the rival Falcons. To make matters worse, QB Cam Newton suffered a concussion and is questionable for Monday's game. Even if Newton doesn't play, I'd be surprised if the Panthers did not play much better, especially on defense, to force some turnovers from Jameis Winston, who has eight interceptions and three fumbles already this season. Panthers rebound with a win.
Byes: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle
Last Week: 10-5
Overall: 35-28 (.556)
Fantasy football is played by millions and I've enjoyed playing, but it's time for me to move on.
I love the NFL and I feel like playing fantasy football takes away some of my love for the game. Playing against family and friends is fun and some of the bets where the owner of the worst team in the league has to get a Justin Bieber tattoo are humorous, but it isn't enough for me to keep playing.
I find myself yelling and screaming at players and coaches during the game because their actions are costing me points in fantasy football. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Drew Brees is a Hall of Fame QB, yet why could he not have done more in San Diego last week?
Why can't the Texans figure out a way to get their best player, WR DeAndre Hopkins, the football?
How do the Chiefs D/ST force eight turnovers the week before and get -3.50 fantasy points the following week?
Why can't Carson Palmer throw a TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald instead of Michael Floyd?
And why oh why didn't I start Frank Gore and Allen Hurns last week?
AHHHH!!!
It's beyond frustrating, but what drives me crazy most of all are fantasy predictions.
 |
| Whose going to score you the most points anyway? (Reddit) |
For example, this past week on NFL.com fantasy football predictions, they predicted that Drew Brees would score 21.84 points, he scored 11.88. DeAndre Hopkins was expected to have a good game at 18.90, but he scored a whopping 1.40. Jamaal Charles should've scored 11.00 points via NFL.com predictions, instead he scored 0.70. Not even a full point. Awful.
I'll continue to soldier on in 2016, my two teams are 2-2 and 0-4, so I guess there's still hope.
As for this week, I'll be yelling at Aaron Rodgers, the Texans to get the ball to DeAndre Hopkins and hoping that jumping on the Eagles D/ST bandwagon will result in lots of points as they take on the Lions.
The prediction is for the Eagles D/ST to get six points this week. Ha! Like that'll be right.
More predictions bound to be wrong are next with my picks for Week 5.
Week 5 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Arizona over SAN FRANCISCO (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS/NFLN/Twitter): I'm really hesitant taking the Cardinals here because they've struggled this season and it won't be any easier on Thursday with QB Carson Palmer out with a concussion. On paper, the Cardinals have a better team and if they play like they're capable of, they should win. Also, the 49ers lost All-Pro LB NaVorro Bowman for the season with an Achilles injury last week. He is the heart and soul of that defense and you just don't replace a guy like that. Plus, with Chip Kelly's high pace offense, the 49ers defense is on the field what feels like the entire game. QB Drew Stanton will make enough plays in Palmer's absence against a tired 49ers defense to get the Cardinals a much needed win.
New England over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Tom Brady coming off a four-game suspension against the 0-4 Cleveland Browns. Yeah, I think I'll go with the Patriots in this one. Things continue to get worse for the Browns. At least the Indians are in the postseason and taking on the Red Sox in fact. It's a Boston vs. Cleveland weekend. I like the Boston area teams in both.
Philadelphia over DETROIT (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Lions lost to who I thought was the worst team in the NFL last week, the Chicago Bears. Even worse was the Bears didn't have Jay Cutler at quarterback, Brian Hoyer started and threw for 302-yards and two touchdowns. That just baffles me. Maybe the Bears aren't as bad as I thought, or maybe the Lions aren't any good. Anyway, the Eagles are 3-0 and fresh off a bye. I'm going with Carson Wentz and an Eagles defense that is surprisingly number three in total defense. Better make some plays on defense, Philadelphia, I'm just saying, for fantasy football sake.
INDIANAPOLIS over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): This is a must win game for both teams. At 1-3, both the Colts and Bears need a win on Sunday to have any chance of making a run in 2016. At the end of the day, I don't think either of these teams will end up 8-8, yet along make the playoffs. Colts have the advantage being at home, but they are coming off a long flight from London last week. Interesting that they chose not to have their bye week following their London trip. It's been the norm for teams to have a bye following a game in London. Either way, I like the Colts on Sunday.
Tennessee over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): A lot of people are taking the Dolphins here and my question is why? I went to the Dolphins/Bengals game last week and was not impressed with one thing the Dolphins did. They never tried to establish the run and they didn't WR Jarvis Landry involved in the offense early on in the game. Miami is decimated with injuries and I think RB DeMarco Murray will have a big game for the Titans as they get the win on the road.
BALTIMORE over Washington (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Not sold on either one of these teams, but with the Ravens being at home and the Redskins struggling with the Browns last week, I like Baltimore at home in the Battle for Maryland.
MINNESOTA over Houston (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I said it last week and I'll continue to say it, what a job Mike Zimmer is doing in Minnesota. The Vikings defense stifled Eli Manning and the Giants on Monday night and if that defense continues to play that well, Minnesota is going to find themselves in the Super Bowl. We could be in the midst of watching two of the great defenses of all-time in Denver and Minnesota, so enjoy it. Vikings get another win behind their defense to remain undefeated. Probably not a good week to start DeAndre Hopkins in fantasy. Mental note.
PITTSBURGH over NY Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): After watching the Steelers demolished the Chiefs last Sunday night, one has to wonder how in the world the Eagles held them to just three points a week prior? With RB Le'Veon Bell back, I expect the Steelers to continue to put up a ton of yards and points on every opponent they face. Good luck, Jets. Also, I'll put the over/under on Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions at three this week and take the under. I think he'll throw two.
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| If you had Julio Jones on your fantasy team last week, you probably ended up winning your game. (Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports) |
Cincinnati over DALLAS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Great matchup in Dallas on Sunday. I'm really excited for this game and not just because I'm a Bengals fan. The Cowboys have a good team and their rookie backfield of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, who have been fun to watch this season. Elliott leads the league in rushing with 412-yards and Prescott has yet to turn the ball over. The Bengals defense will have its hands full with the Cowboys. I thought the Bengals would have TE Tyler Eifert back this week, but he continues to get bitten by the injury bug and will miss yet another week. The Bengals will continue to struggle to score points in the red zone without Eifert and they've had trouble running the ball. Only bright spot is Andy Dalton connecting with A.J. Green. No one can cover him, including no one on the Cowboys roster. Green will be the difference as the Cowboys struggle to stop him and Dalton.
LOS ANGELES over Buffalo (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): What has gotten into the Rams? Los Angeles has beaten both Seattle and Arizona and is currently in first place in the NFC West. They've come a long way from their Monday night opener, a 28-0 debacle against the 49ers, and the leader of the team has been QB Case Keenum and the defense. Keenum has thrown four touchdowns and only one interception the last three games, while the defense has forced eight turnovers, and held the Seahawks to three points, and the Cardinals to 13 points. I don't know if they can keep it up for the entire season, but so far it's been a good first season back in LA. The Rams will beat the Bills on Sunday in front of 90,000+ at the Coliseum.
OAKLAND over San Diego (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Three roads in New Orleans, Nashville and Baltimore already for the Raiders and its only Week 5. Six of the Raiders next eight games are at home including a stretch where the Raiders will not have a road game for over a month -- four home games and a bye week. With winnable games the next four weeks, Oakland could be 6-2 or 7-1 heading into a Sunday night home game against the Denver Broncos. That could be an intriguing game. As for Sunday, I like the Raiders to keep winning and beat the Chargers at home.
GREEN BAY over NY Giants (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Aaron Rodgers and Co. coming off a bye week, at home, in primetime. Yeah, I think I'll take the Packers in this one.
CAROLINA over Tampa Bay (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): After last week's debacle in Atlanta, you know the Panthers want to rebound on Monday Night Football. Their defense got shredded for 571-yards and gave up 48 points to the rival Falcons. To make matters worse, QB Cam Newton suffered a concussion and is questionable for Monday's game. Even if Newton doesn't play, I'd be surprised if the Panthers did not play much better, especially on defense, to force some turnovers from Jameis Winston, who has eight interceptions and three fumbles already this season. Panthers rebound with a win.
Byes: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle
Last Week: 10-5
Overall: 35-28 (.556)
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