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All IN The Sequel Est. 2014
FFL: Week 10 | NFL: Week 10

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10

Player Notes
Hassan Haskins Nov 11 1:10am ET
Hassan Haskins

Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Haskins only carried the ball twice and gained four yards total, but one of those runs was a goal-line plunge in the fourth quarter. He remains third at best on the depth chart, with both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards well ahead of him. Haskins is a solid depth piece on an NFL team, but isn't worth consideration in any fantasy formats at this point.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Nov 11 1:10am ET
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr went 16-for-25 for 269 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons. He also picked up 17 yards on the ground. Overall, it was his best performance (fantasy or otherwise) since the season's opening weeks when the Saints looked like an offensive powerhouse in the making. Carr also avoided being sacked for the first time this season and also did not throw an interception. Ironically, he set a new season-high in passing yards even with the Saints' wide receiver room thinned out by a spate of injuries. Journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the big winner, catching both of Carr's touchdown passes and running back Alvin Kamara remained his favorite target, seeing six balls thrown his way. In Week 11, Carr will face the Cleveland Browns who will be coming off their bye but gave up 282 yards and two touchdowns to Justin Herbert in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Nov 11 1:10am ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made all five of his kicks in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dicker made all three extra points along with two field goals in another solid performance. His first field goal was a 21-yard kick in the first quarter and his second was a 37-yarder in the second quarter. Dicker has been exceptionally accurate and has added some distance to his kicks this season, making him a solid and reliable fantasy kicker despite it being fantasy football's least projectable positions.

From RotoBaller

Will Dissly Nov 11 1:00am ET
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly led the team in catches and targets in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dissly made five catches on six targets for a total of 30 yards. Quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them. Dissly returned to a heavily involved role in the passing game after a down game last week. He may continue with similar involvement going forward, but he's very much just a floor play without much of a ceiling. The Bolts will take on the Bengals in Week 11 for a Sunday Night Football contest.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Nov 11 1:00am ET
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston scored the only receiving touchdown for the Bolts in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Johnston was targeted twice, making both catches for a total of 24 yards. His touchdown was on a 16-yard pass near the end of the third quarter. The Chargers went extremely run-heavy in this game, recording just 18 pass attempts compared to 39 rushes. Next week against the Bengals on Sunday Night Football should require a few more passes, making Johnston a possible WR3 in that contest.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Nov 11 12:50am ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey made just two catches in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards though, gaining 52 yards on the day. McConkey only saw two targets on a day where quarterback Justin Herbert attempted only 18 passes. McConkey had a long 37-yard gain and combined that with a 15-yard play to compile his yardage. McConkey is likely to see more than just two targets on Sunday Night Football in Week 11, when the Chargers will face the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Queen Nov 11 12:50am ET
Patrick Queen

The Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered 27 points to the Washington Commanders while recording three sacks and a fumble recovery in a Week 10 victory. It was far from a dominant showing for Pittsburgh's defense, especially from a fantasy perspective, but its pass rush continued to make an impact. Newly-acquired linebacker Preston Smith logged a sack in his Steelers debut while Patrick Queen made numerous plays to limit Washington's potent offensive attack. Unfortunately, standout linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was injured late in the contest and could be forced to miss some time. Fantasy managers may want to hang on to the Steelers DST for a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns, but it won't be a recommended option next week against the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Nov 11 12:50am ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer made just one catch in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Palmer was targeted twice, making his one catch for a 36-yard gain. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes in this extremely run-heavy game, leaving Palmer tied for third on the team in targets with his pair and second on the team in receiving yards with the 36. Palmer has seemingly worked his way into a boom-or-bust type role but has yet to have a significant boom week. He's not a reliable fantasy starter and should remain on most fantasy benches in Week 11 when the Chargers take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Nov 11 12:50am ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings bolstered his fantasy value in a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound wideout led the game with 11 targets, which he turned into seven receptions for 93 yards. Today's contest could be treated as something of a bellwether concerning San Francisco's post-Brandon Aiyuk passing attack, as Jennings himself was also absent due to injury for the Week 8 victory over Dallas. With Jennings nearly doubling the target total of rookie Ricky Pearsall and Deebo Samuel Sr. -- each with six -- it appears that Jennings is here to stay as a weekly starting option in fantasy. Jennings and the 49ers will take on the rival Seattle Seahawks at home in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Nov 11 12:40am ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins didn't do all that much in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dobbins carried the ball 15 times, gaining 50 yards. He was targeted in the passing game three times, making all three catches but gaining a total of just five yards through the air. Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from IR and took 10 carries of his own, eating into the workload of Dobbins. The Chargers were nursing a lead for most of the second half though, presumably in a closer game Dobbins will still be the top option in the backfield. That closer game could happen on Sunday Night Football in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Nov 11 12:40am ET
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from Injured Reserve and played well in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Edwards spent the minimum four games on IR and returned to take 10 carries, gaining 55 yards. He ended up leading the team in rushing yards and finishing second in rushing attempts. Edwards will remain in a backup role behind J.K. Dobbins, but after a slow start to the season before landing on IR, it was good to see a slightly more efficient Edwards move the ball well.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Nov 11 12:30am ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had his third straight strong game for the team in the 16-14 loss on Sunday to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Sutton snapped his two-game streak with 100-plus receiving yards, but he still put forth an impressive game for his fantasy managers with a team-high six receptions on a team-high nine targets for a team-leading 70 receiving yards and his third touchdown of the year. The 29-year-old's touchdown grab came on a 32-yard pass that put the Broncos up 14-3 at the time in the second quarter. The Broncos have been involving Sutton much more ever since his zero-catch game in the Week 7 win over the Saints. That should continue next Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons, where fantasy managers should consider Sutton a high-volume WR3/flex option.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Nov 11 12:30am ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell connected on all four of his extra-point attempts in a 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders. For the first time this season, Boswell did not register a field goal attempt as the Steelers' offense was able to punch the ball into the end zone on three of its four red zone visits. Pittsburgh is scoring at a much higher rate with Russell Wilson under center, but fantasy managers should not expect Boswell to be this quiet most weeks. He should bounce back in Week 11 in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Nov 11 12:30am ET
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an efficient and effective game in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans. Herbert attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them for 164 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Herbert did not take a sack, adding 32 yards on nine carries, including a four-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Herbert's other score was a passing touchdown on a 16-yard play to Quentin Johnston. It was an extremely run-heavy script for the Chargers offense, who saw 18 pass attempts and 39 runs. Herbert and the Bolts will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Nov 11 12:30am ET
Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele found paydirt for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road, finishing the contest with four receptions for 39 yards and the touchdown. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah caught everything thrown his way on the day, and his four targets were tied for second on the team with Marvin Mims Jr. behind WR1 Courtland Sutton. It was nice to see Vele pick up his first NFL touchdown on the first touchdown of the day in this game, but he has gone over four receptions just once and exceeded 50 receiving yards once in his six games played. Expect quarterback Bo Nix to keep spreading the ball around through the air outside of Sutton, which makes it hard to recommend Vele as a flex option in fantasy, even in much deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Nov 11 12:30am ET
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, head coach Dan Campbell said after Sunday night's win over the Houston Texans. LaPorta exited in the third quarter and did not return. He finished Week 10 with six targets, three catches, 66 yards, and one touchdown. It doesn't sound like LaPorta will be sidelined for too long, but Campbell did note that the tight end could miss Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If so, Brock Wright would step up as the Lions' primary tight end, ranking as a low-end fantasy TE2.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Nov 11 12:30am ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a solid game in the win over the New York Jets, connecting with quarterback Kyler Murray on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Harrison Jr.'s official stat line was five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Despite the Cardinals taking a commanding lead and shifting to a run-first approach, Harrison Jr. was still productive. The Cardinals made it clear that a point of emphasis was to get Harrison Jr. the ball often, singling him out in man-to-man situations and targeting him near the red zone. This was a sign of good things to come, but the Cardinals will have to wait a week to build on it, as they have a bye week in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Nov 11 12:20am ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren logged 14 carries for 66 yards and hauled in both of his targets for 29 yards in the team's Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders. After a slow start to the campaign, Warren looked much more like his explosive self on Sunday and ran far more efficiently than Najee Harris. He did, however, cough up the football in the red zone with the game on the line. The Commanders failed to capitalize on the turnover and Pittsburgh ultimately came out on top, but Warren did not receive a touch after fumbling. Warren should nonetheless maintain his role going forward and is worth a look on fantasy waiver wires. He'll face a tough challenge against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Audric Estime Nov 11 12:20am ET
Audric Estime

The Denver Broncos said recently that they were looking to get rookie running back Audric Estime more involved, and they weren't kidding, as he finished with team-highs in carries (14) and rushing yards (53) in the 16-14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Week 10. Estime was not targeted in the passing game, but out-touched both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin 14 to five and out-gained them 53 to 19. It was the 21-year-old's biggest workload, by far, of his rookie season, and although he shouldn't be expected to lead Denver's backfield every week the rest of the way, his workload on Sunday shouldn't be ignored. At the very least, Estime is worth a deep-league waiver-wire pickup heading into a Week 11 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Estime's heavy volume is obviously bad news for Williams' fantasy value moving forward.

From RotoBaller

C.J. Stroud Nov 11 12:20am ET
C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud looked poised for a big victory on Sunday, but they failed to generate any points in the second half as Detroit stormed back from a 16-point deficit to win, 26-23. The former Buckeye finished 19-for-33 for 232 yards with a touchdown and two second-half picks that aided Detroit's comeback. He also carried the ball once for five yards. Pass protection continues to be a major issue for Houston, which allowed four sacks Sunday and has now allowed 12 in its past eight quarters. Stroud and company will look for a better finish next week with a road trip to Dallas.

From RotoBaller