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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 2014: Week #16-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on December 19, 2014
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 10 Comments

 

*Home team in CAPS

Chargers +1 over the 49ERS- The Niners have completely given up on head coach Jim Harbaugh and it has shown over the last three weeks, all losses, one of them to the lowly Raiders. Colin Kaepernick has been less than stellar in the last three contests garnering just 121, 174, and 141 passing yards. The Chargers are still fighting for a playoff spot and need this game too much to let S.F. have their way with them. Player to watch: Antonio Gates

Giants +5 1/2 over the RAMS- The Giants have been coming together as a team on the both sides of the ball. Odell Beckham Jr. leads all rookies in receiving yards (972) and touchdown catches (9). Eli Manning, thanks in part to Beckham, has shown signs of the Manning of old. Jason Pierre-Paul has six sacks in the past three games while Johnathan Hankings has collected 3.5. Rams are a huge step up in class from who the N.Y. football Giants have been facing of late, but they seem to be rallying around their beleaguered but much beloved coach, Tom Coughlin, second among active head coaches in career wins with 163.

#90 Jason Pierre-Paul and #95 Johnathan Hankings will bring their 16.5 sacks to St. Louis this week looking to add to their totals. Photo: Getty Images

#90 Jason Pierre-Paul and #95 Johnathan Hankings will bring their 16.5 sacks to St. Louis this week looking to add to their 2014 team leading totals. Photo: Getty Images

STEELERS -3 over the Chiefs- A little inconsistent at times this season, (remember their stunning loss to the Jets), the Steelers will need to stack the box this Sunday and contain Jamaal Charles and Kansas City’s prolific running game which, without scoring by their wide receivers this season is the Chiefs only real offensive threat. Blitzes and stunts thrown at QB Alex Smith on passing downs will help in that effort as well. We like the black & gold at home even giving up the three points.

Ravens -5 over the TEXANS- With the loss of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston is down to Case Keenum or Thad Lewis as his backups. Neither, however will frighten the staunch Raven’s defense. The Texans have won, and handily, against some of the worst teams in the NFL this season. Teams such as the Raiders, Jaguars, Redskins and the Titans (twice). Baltimore, among the better teams they’ll face in the league, needs this game desperately and should win this one going away. Ravens DST should amass some nice fantasy points for those still in the fantasy playoffs this week.

The Furnace writes that #5 Joe Flacco and the Ravens defense will have no problem containing either of the Texans backup QBs this week. Photo: AP

The Furnace writes that #5  Joe Flacco and the Ravens defense will have little problem containing either of the Texans backup QBs this week. Photo: AP

Broncos -3 over the BENGALS- Denver, losers of only three games all season, are still playing for possible homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs should New England falter during their last two games. New Broncos weapon- running back C.J. Anderson along with the absence of Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict, make this a little easier for Peyton to pick up his 12th win of the season.

NFL 2014: Week #7-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on October 18, 2014
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

Our record this season, although over .500 could be on life support without an outstanding week in this Week #7. We’ll need some Luck from Andrew, and some help from two Marshall’s, a WR in Chicago & a RB on Seattle, and hope that this is the year of the Buffalo, just to get more on the winning side. Let’s get right to this week’s picks…

*Home team in CAPS 

COLTS -3 over Bengals- If the usually defensive-minded Bengals can give up 37 points to the Panthers then try to imagine what the team (Indianapolis) with the most yards per game (444) could do. Andrew Luck has had a quarterback’s ‘dream year’ to date thanks in part to the “Hotel being open”, in the person of T.Y. Hilton… The Bengals will play this one without the services of A.J. Green once again, and while we know that WR Mohammed Sanu with get the bulk of the targets in his place, so do the Colts…

With A.J. Green's return still up in th air, Mohammed Sanu should wee lots of action says the AP Photo/Al Behrman. Photo:

With no timetable set, A.J. Green’s return is still up in the air which means that Mohammed Sanu should see lots of action on Sunday says the Furnace. AP Photo/Al Behrman.

BEARS -3 1/2 over Dolphins- The last time we touted the Dolphins was for their game across the pond in London, a game that saw them outplayed by the Raiders. Our thinking is twofold: first, the Bears have more talent on their team than the Raiders, and second the Bears have yet to win at Soldier Field (0-2) and that should change this week. Sack specialist DE Willie Young will take his NFL leading 7 sacks and put some pressure on Chad Henne all afternoon.

Seahawks -7 over RAMS- Although our reasoning here might not sound very scientific, this is our take. Although the Rams looked good and stayed with the San Francisco 49ers for the entire first half in Week 6, they faded into obscurity in the following two quarters. Seattle, losers of just 2 of their last 19 games played at CenturyLink, lost at home to the upstart 5-1 Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and will be eager to get back to their thie winning ways against the Rams, a less talented team than the Cowboys.

BILLS -5 1/2 over Vikings- When two mediocre teams play each other, we would prefer to pick the team with a more balance attack, (the Bills), and a team that is playing at home, (the Bills). We would not pick the team that has trouble scoring, (the Vikings). How much trouble have they had putting up points? How about this stat; Minnesota has scored just 29 points in their four losses (3-7-9-and 10) and so since we feel that Buffalo will beat the Bills, we are willing to give up the 5 1/2.

Look for #22 RB Fred Jackson to continue his strong season vs the under-achieving Vikings. Photo: AP

Look for #22 RB Fred Jackson to continue his strong season vs the under-achieving Vikings. Photo: AP

STEELERS -3 1/2 over Texans- Just cannot see the Steelers losing two in a row especially after their thorough butt-kicking they took at the hands of the Cleveland Browns last week. It’s a Monday Night game which means a big stage for the home town Steelers, a raucous crowd, and what we think will be a big night for Big Ben!