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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!

 

 

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NFL 2014: Week #2- The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on September 12, 2014
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 7 Comments

The Furnace (3-2) was just 1/2 point away from going 4-1 in Week #1, a week that saw it’s share of upsets. We’re going with two home underdogs in Week #2 and look to improve on last week’s mark.

*Home team in CAPS

BILLS +1 over Dolphins- The Dolphins are coming off of their stunning upset of the Pariots at home last week while the Bills collected their first win of the season at Soldier Field. So while both teams will be looking to remain undefeated at 2-0, we’re giving the edge to the home town team in Orchard Park and think that RB Fred Jackson will have a big day..

Patriots -3 over VIKINGS- Two stats on the Patriots are very telling; they have won their last 11 road games as the favorite and are 32-4 straight up after a loss since 2003. We simply cannot see them dropping to 0-2. The Vikes, winners in Week #1, beat the lowly Rams but now go up in class.

#12 Tom Brady & the Pats, after winning their last 11 road games straight up, will garner their 1st win in Week #2, says the Furnace. Photo: Charles Krupa

#12 Tom Brady & the Pats, after winning their last 11 road games straight up, will garner their 1st win in Week #2, says the Furnace. Photo: Charles Krupa

BUCS -5 1/2 over Rams- The disappointing Bucs, one of the few teams we think will be one of the most improved this season, and one of our selections in Week #1, have their home opener against a Rams team that was overwhelmed 34-6 in their home opener. The Bucs, clearly a more talented group, should have a similar day going up against Austin Davis, the Rams likely starting QB.

CHARGERS +6 over Seahawks- San Diego, our second home ‘dog, will be facing the NFL’s best pass defense as well as the best overall defense. So why are we touting the Bolts? Since 2001, only 10% of the teams who began the season 0-2 made it to the postseason. How’s that for incentive for S.D.? It won’t be an easy task for Philip Rivers and company, but if he can keep the turnovers to a minimum, and the Chargers can sustain some sort of a ground attack, then it should be interesting.

49ERS -7 over Bears- As this week’s picks went to post, WR’s Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffrey (hamstring) did not practice & were questionable for Sunday night’s game. Given that the 49ers secondary is all banged up, they didn’t seem too upset when they learned that the bulk of Chicago’s receiving corps could be on the sidelines this week. S.F.’s pass rush should bother Jay Cutler enough for him to throw a pick or two & Frisco should win their home opener handily.

Bears WR's Brandon Marshall & Alshon Jeffery remain Questionable for Sundays game vs the 49ers. Photo: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune

Bears WR’s Brandon Marshall & Alshon Jeffery remain Questionable for Sundays game vs the 49ers. Photo: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune

Fantasy Football: Week #11 Waiver Wire Pickups

Posted by fantasyfurnace on November 14, 2012
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

Between bye weeks and injuries there has to be some players that will help to fill a void (or two) on your roster this week. The amount of concussed players rises every week and one can only wish that there will be ways to help minimize these serious health concerns. Just last week we saw Alex Smith, Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger, and Fred Jackson, just to name a few, succumb to either concussion or other bodily injury. Several of these and other players will be out for Sunday’s games so here are some pickups that hopefully you can still grab in your leagues…

Carson Palmer-QB-Raiders- The Raiders will be going up against the defensively challenged Saints this week and we’re touting Palmer because New Orleans has given up the most fantasy points to QBs in the league. They also yield close to 500 yards of offense to opposing teams which should benefit the Raiders who were blown away by the Ravens last week. Palmer was 29-45 for 368 yards and two touchdowns in that game although admittedly a lot of the throws came when the game was clearly out of hand. He has however , thrown 45 or more passes in 3 of his last 4 games and has just become the first Raider QB since Ken Stabler to throw eight 300-yard passing games. He’s still available in around 40% of most leagues.

#3 Raiders QB & veteran Carson Palmer becomes even more fantasy relevant this week as he faces a very generous Saints defense. Photo: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Donnie Avery-WR-Colts- When Rookie QB Andrew Luck isn’t rushing for touchdowns, he’s got some fairly reliable receivers at his disposal. Avery is slowly becoming one of his favorites as witnessed last week when he was targeted six times. Only Reggie Wayne was targeted more. New England, the Colts’ opponents this week, has given up the 7th most fantasy points to WR’s this season which makes Avery even more of a threat. In his last three weeks, he has 13 receptions for 215 yards. He’ll make a decent WR3 this week and you should have no problem finding him as he is only owned in under 25% of leagues.

Daniel Thomas-RB-Dolphins- Forget Miami’s mammoth collapse last week in their stunning 31-13 defeat at home. They will now face the Buffalo Bills who have given up the most fantasy points to RBs this season. Yes, Thomas shares the carries with Reggie Bush, who had a costly fumble in last week’s contest, but Thomas gained more total yards than Bush in that game. He had 5 rushes for 21 yards and 5 catches for 34. Those of you in deeper leagues desperate for a flex play, you can can ill-afford to pass Thomas by. The 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft has three rushing TD’s on the season, one more than Stephen Jackson of the Rams… He is only owned in about a third of leagues.

#33 Dolphin RB Daniel Thomas makes a serviceable flex play in deeper ppr leagues this week. Photo: zimbio.com

Connor Barth-K-Buccaneers- Not exactly a household name yet, Barth can easily fill in for those of you who lose Giants K Lawrence Tynes or Vikings K Blair Walsh to byes this week. He has 9 field goals over 40 yards and three over 50 so far this season. He has attempted seven F.G.s and has booted 13 extra points over the past three games He has 28 fantasy points over his last three games, averaging around 9 fantasy points per week. I know I’d sign up for 9 points if my top kicker was off this week. He is available in 65% of leagues and is considered a Must Add for those short a kicker.

Bengals-Team Defense/Special Teams- The Bengals are a perfect fill-in should you own the Giants or Vikings this week, and would not be a bad pick if your team was not on a bye. Why? Well, in a word, Kansas City! Alright, two words.. In their last five games the anemic Chiefs have scored 6, 10, 16, 13, and 13 points, and two of those games were against non-defensive minded teams; Oakland and Tampa Bay. As for the Bengals, they just happen to have the leagues 4th most sacks (27) and are fifth in fumble recoveries with (8). Another Must Add for those in need of a team def. /sp. teams or those who want to upgrade who they already have on their roster this week. The Bengals are owned in 45% of leagues so check ’em out before that number rises too much higher.

The Bengals defense, shown tackling RB David Wilson here, wreaked havoc vs the Giants last week causing them to turn the ball over several times while holding them to just 13 points. They’ll have an easier time of it this week. Photo: Al Behrman/ap