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FANTASY FOOTBALL 2015-’16: FIVE SLEEPERS TO CONSIDER-

Posted by fantasyfurnace on August 3, 2015
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

“SLEEPERZZzz”

How important are they? Well, let’s put it this way. Sleepers can give fantasy owners that “edge” that could make the difference between them having a winning season or a mediocre one. If you can pick up several potentially successful sleepers during your draft, that’s just less talent for your opponents to snatch off of waivers once the season is under way. We have listed, in no particular order, some of our favorite sleepers that we are targeting for the upcoming season. Plus we’ll tell you why they made our list and what you might expect from them.

RB CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE-Carolina Panthers

We have two reasons why we have selected Artis-Payne as one of our sleepers this season. First, starter Jonathan Stewart just doesn’t stay on the grid iron long enough; he’s played only 28 games in the past three seasons. And second, there isn’t any real competition for the backup role in Carolina. Still not convinced? Artis-Payne carried the rock 303 times for Auburn last season.

The Furnace says that Artis-Payne is more than capable of carrying a heavy load if Jonathan Stewart rides the pine. Photo: Getty Images

The Furnace says that Cameron Artis-Payne is more than capable of carrying a heavy load if Jonathan Stewart should end up riding the pine Photo: USA Today

RB DAVID COBB-Tennessee Titans

Starter Bishop Sankey was underwhelming at best in his rookie season last year so it is possible that David Cobb could split time with Sankey and, should Sankey’s woes continue, actually take over the starting job completely. The Titans have a rookie quarterback so they will rely heavily on the running game. Cobb was a three-down back with Minnesota and averaged 22.5 touches in his last two seasons there. Cobb’s biggest asset is that he gains over half of all his yards (54%) after contact.

WR DE’ANTHONY THOMAS-Kansas City Chiefs

A converted running back, Thomas has blazing speed out of the backfield and can break one at any time. With his speed, he can create mismatches and can line up anywhere on the field, however he will be the most dangerous lining up in the slot. QB Alex Smith will now have two good options for short passes in TE Travis Kelce -led the team in receptions (67) & receiving  yds. (862)  and Thomas.

RB turned WR in his second year in the NFL, De'Anthonh Thomas brings the threat of blowing past DB's & could make him a draft & stash candidate. Photo: KansasCity.com

RB turned WR in his second year in the NFL, De’Anthony Thomas brings the threat of blowing past DB’s & could be a serviceable draft & stash candidate. Photo: KansasCity.com

WR-JOHN BROWN-Arizona Cardinals

As a rookie, Brown had just under 700 receiving yards and was second on the team in receptions (48). He has bulked up in the off-season to insure he doesn’t fade in the latter part of the year. Brown’s got incredible speed, good hands, and runs routes well. Veteran QB Carson Palmer said he expects great things from Brown and we agree. You will be able to grab him late in your drafts as he has a high ADP, at least for now. We do not think he’ll disappoint.

TE-VIRGIL GREEN-Denver Broncos

Green is in the perfect spot for a sleeper role, as starter Owen Daniels isn’t getting any younger (33) and has had multiple knee injuries over the past few seasons which has impacted his speed greatly. At 6′ 5″, 255 pounds, Green has the height and athleticism to become one of Peyton’s favorite targets and as everyone knows, Manning loves to throw to his TEs. Now with Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme gone, this becomes Green’s golden opportunity to prove his worth. We would even consider drafting him over Daniels, that’s how high we are on him.

Here #85, TE Virgil Green scores his first touchdown in the NFL. The Furnace is very high on this up and coming talented TE who should be a constant target of Peyton Manning this season. Photo: Getty Images

#85 TE Virgil Green scores his first touchdown in the NFL. The Furnace is very high on this up and coming talented TE who should be a constant target of Peyton Manning this season. Photo: Getty Images

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NFL 2013: Week #13-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 30, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 15 Comments

Coming off a 3-2 Week #12, there is still time to right the ship. The most exciting contest this week appears to be the Broncos vs the Chiefs (the Game of the Week) while the Jaguars vs the Browns could very well be in the classification of ‘Most Boring’ unless, of course, you’re a Jags or Browns fan…

*Home team in CAPS

JETS over the Dolphins- For the Dolphins they will be without RB Daniel Thomas while going up against the league’s number 1 rushing defense. Conversely, Miami is 26th in the league in stopping the run, a bonus for the Jets who are due for a well played game and cannot afford another loss if they have any intentions of playing in the post-season. Allowing the Jets to run will take some pressure off the much beleaguered rookie Geno Smith who needs to keep his turnovers from taking over the game. Jets by a field goal.

PANTHERS over the Buccaneers- The Bucs lost to the Panthers in week #8 by 18 points and could be without Darrelle Revis on Sunday. Even though Tampa Bay has gone 3-1 since that loss, there haven’t been teams quite as hot as Carolina over the last several weeks. The ‘Cats  just escaped defeat in Miami last week but will have an easier time of it vs the Bucs. Could be a long day for rookie QB Mike Glennon if his O-line cannot protect him.

Cardinals over the EAGLES- We like Nick Foles and the offense looks like it’s beginning to come together under his leadership, but the fact remains that the Eagles have won just one game in their last 11 at home. The Cardinals are coming off a four-game winning streak and Carson Palmer looks like the quarterback of a decade ago. This should be a high-scoring affair given these two offenses but we think that the underdog Cardinals will make it five straight.

#3 Veteran QB Carson Palmer has his offense working on all cylinders while on their 4-game David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports streak. Photo:

#3 Veteran QB Carson Palmer has his offense working on all cylinders while on their 4-game winning streak.
Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

49ERS over the Rams- The Rams have been coming on of late and look better now than they have all season. However, they lost to these same 49ers by 24 points back in Week 5 in their building. San Francisco has won their last six games by double-digits and have too much offense with just the right the right amount of defense to lock this one up early.

Broncos over the CHIEFS- Toughest Game of the Week to call. Here’s our take…The Chiefs lost to the Broncos in week 11 by 10 points. Relying much on their usual staunch defense, the Chiefs not only have given up 55 points over their last two games, but have posted only one sack in that span. Denver, coming off their embarrassing debacle in New England last week, clearly are looking to avenge that awful defeat and collapse. If Tamba Hali and/or Justin Houston are out or even not at full strength on Sunday, then the Chief’s defense will be even more compromised. Edge here to the Broncos.

#18 Peyton Manning and the Broncos are looking to put last week's loss to the Patriots behind them with their 2nd win in 3 Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images over the Chiefs.

#18 Peyton Manning and the Broncos are looking to put last week’s loss to the Patriots behind them with their 2nd win in 3 weeks over the Chiefs. Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Fantasy Football 2013: A 6-Pack of Waiver Wire Pickups for Week #11

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 12, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

This season will long be remembered for the “year of the back up” especially at the quarterback position. Because of the nature of the physicality at running back, every year is a year for back ups! Here are this week’s Waiver Wire Pickups; none of which are owned in more than  28% of leagues as of Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. We’re getting close to playoff time in fantasy, so tweak now before the season is over.

1. Rishard Matthews-WR-Dolphins- 5% Owned- Miami faces a Chargers team this week that gives up the 7th most fantasy points to wide receivers. Matthews had 11 receptions last Sunday, good for 120 yards and two touchdowns and has become QB Ryan Tannehill’s favorite receiver.

#86 WR Rishard Matthews scores against Tampa Bay on a 19 yard touchdown throw from Ryan Tannehill. Photo:AP Photo/Brian Blanco)v

#86 WR Rishard Matthews scores against Tampa Bay on a 19 yard touchdown throw from Ryan Tannehill on MNF. Photo:AP Photo/Brian Blanco

2. Carson Palmer-QB-Cardinals- 28% Owned- Over the last two weeks, Palmer  has thrown for 413 yards, with 4 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His quarterback rating over those games is 104.1. The Cardinals will go up against the lowly Jaguars this week, who have given up the 4th most fantasy points to QBs this season.

3. Brian Leonard-RB-Bucs- 7% Owned- After Mike James went down early in the first quarter on Monday Night, Leonard came in and had 22 touches. His O-line didn’t open up too many holes for the veteran ex-Ram back, but he’ll get the bulk of the carries again this Sunday. Use him as a Flex play and as a RB3 until he shows a jump in his productivity.

4. Ryan Fitzpatrick-QB-Titans- 2% Owned- With Jake Locker (foot) getting injured in last week’s game (and out for the remainder of the season), Fitzpatrick came off the bench and orchestrated two touchdown drives including one rushing touchdown of his own. His problem is, and has always been, turnovers. Use him in two QB leagues or very deep leagues only.

5. Bills-DST- 23% Owned- Very quietly, the Bills have put together some serviceable numbers on defense. They are tied for the most interceptions (13) in the league and have the 2nd most sacks (33) just three behind the first-place K.C. Chiefs. They are home this week against the Jets who have a quarterback (Geno Smith) who has been sacked 30 times this season and has thrown 13 picks (2 against the Bills back on Sept. 22).

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half of a game in New Orleans, Sunday. The Bills are 2nd in the league in sacks (Bill Haber/AP)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) during the last month’s game in New Orleans. The Bills are currently 2nd in the league in sacks (Bill Haber/AP)

6. John Carlson-TE-Vikings- 2% Owned- With the Vikings number one starting TE Kyle Rudolph out for 4-6 weeks, Carlson had a team high seven receptions last week for 98 yards and two touchdowns. We don’t think he will do that every Sunday going forward, but if you are in need of a TE2, we do recommend Carlson.