The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home
Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer
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!
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 10
- Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) out vs. Colts
- Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence to sit out vs. Vikings
- Chargers activate Gus Edwards (ankle) off IR; RB questionable vs. Titans
- Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (ankle) to return
- Texans activate WR Nico Collins (hamstring) off IR
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott likely to have season-ending surgery
- 49ers' Christian McCaffrey off IR, slated to make season debut vs. Bucs
- Roger Goodell: NFL working on adding Berlin game
- Former first-rounder Terrell Edmunds released as Steelers shuffle roster
- Panthers DL D.J. Wonnum expected make season debut vs. Giants
- Colts promote WR Laquon Treadwell to roster for game vs. Bills
- Dolphins coach on Tyreek Hill: 'If his body lets him, he'll play'
- Saints WR Chris Olave (concussion) to land on IR
- Top 10 Player Props for NFL Week 10
- 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey questionable, will come off IR
- Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) out vs. Steelers
- Falcons WR Drake London (hip) questionable vs. Saints
- Titans tab QB Will Levis to start vs. Chargers
- Eagles coach: QB Jalen Hurts limited by ankle, or just resting
- Colts rule out WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back, finger)
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 10 | Is Russell Wilson Still Cooking?
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Players to Stash Week 10 | Gonzo For Jonnu
- Fantasy Life: Important Week 10 News Updates
- Fantasy Life: Betting Edges For The Week 10 Late Slate
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Streamers For Week 10: Can Daniel Jones Get It Done?
- Fantasy Life: Underdog and PrizePicks Week 10 NFL DFS Pick'em: Play Dalton Kincaid
- Fantasy Life: Jayden Daniels' Steely Test Tops Week 10 Early Betting Slate
The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- Injury Status: Week 10
- The Weekly Bender: NFL Trade Deadline Fantasy Fallout
- Lineup Prep: Week 10
- Waivering: Week 10
- Studs and Duds: Week 9
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 9
- Week 10 Player Rankings
- Week 10 Inactives
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (ankle) is officially active for Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. He had been listed as questionable despite practicing in full all week long. Conklin has appeared in all nine games this season, catching a modest 27 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He is 19th in tight-end fantasy points this season and will continue to rank in the TE2 tier on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut (foot) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. Chestnut saw additional opportunities over the last few weeks with Tyjae Spears (hamstring) inactive. However, now that Spears is healthy, Chestnut will return to the No. 3 running back role in Tennessee, keeping him off the fantasy radar in all leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (coach's decision) and tight end Stone Smartt (ankle) are both inactive for Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans. Vidal had not appeared on the injury report but is evidently the odd man out now that Gus Edwards has rejoined the backfield following an injured reserve stint. Vidal totaled 93 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in his four-game run as J.K. Dobbins' backup. Smartt, meanwhile, had been listed as questionable after logging three consecutive limited practices. He has just two catches this season, remaining a non-factor in fantasy football. In his absence, Tucker Fisk will step up as the Chargers' No. 3 tight end behind Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. Edwards spent the minimum four games on injured reserve and is now back for his first contest since Week 4. Through the first four weeks of the season, he had mustered just 38 carries for 113 yards (2.97 YPC) in the No. 2 running back role behind J.K. Dobbins. Edwards is an uninspiring handcuff option and will not have any fantasy appeal as long as Dobbins is healthy.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the San Francisco 49ers. The fifth-year All-Pro has been one the most consistently healthy linemen on the team and an important piece to the pass protection. With Wirfs out against one of the better defensive units, it could mean even more trouble for Baker Mayfield with a thin receiver corps. Justin Skule is the next man up on the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (calf, illness) and linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) are officially active for Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both players had been listed as questionable. Diggs had missed practice on Friday but was widely expected to play this weekend. He has 31 tackles and one interception this season. The 26-year-old will be tasked with slowing down the connection between quarterback Jalen Hurts and his top receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Parsons, meanwhile, is returning to play in his first game since Week 4 against the New York Giants. The star 25-year-old had amassed 14 tackles and one sack through his first four games. His return provides a major boost to Dallas' defense ahead of this week's divisional contest.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (coach's decision) is inactive for Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had not appeared on the injury report. However, given that Mingo was acquired from the Carolina Panthers just five days ago, we can assume that he simply needs more time to learn Dallas' system. CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert will continue to be the top wide receivers in the Cowboys' Cooper Rush-led offense.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (ankle) is considered questionable to return to their game against the New England Patriots. The fourth-year guard appeared on the injury report leading up to this contest with a knee injury but was cleared to participate until he suffered the ankle injury in the first half. The next left guard on the depth chart is on IR, so they'll have to shuffle around the line who is already struggling to protect Caleb Williams.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) left Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half due to a knee injury. At the time, he accounted for two receptions for 24 yards on four targets. The team has officially deemed him questionable to return to the game, so they'll likely perform some tests through halftime to see if he can take the field in the second half. Dawson Knox should see an uptick in snaps and targets while Kincaid is sidelined.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson led the team in receiving yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, hauling in five catches for 51 yards on eight targets. Robinson averaged a solid 10.2 yards per reception, including a 23-yard catch that showcased he can catch deeper passes. He made a few key first-down catches to keep drives alive, showing his value as a reliable option in the Giants' passing game. While he didn't reach the end zone and finished with 7.6 fantasy points, Robinson's consistent reception totals make him a potential fantasy asset in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Wanya Morris (knee) has been listed as questionable to return against the Denver Broncos with a knee injury on Sunday. The next left tackle on the depth chart is rookie Kingsley Suamataia, but the offensive line has been pretty suspect so far this week. Morris is an important piece to Patrick Mahomes' protection, so it could be tough sledding against a solid Broncos defense if he can't return.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson continued to build on his momentum in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, catching four passes for 37 yards on six targets. Averaging 9.3 yards per reception with a 13-yard long catch, Johnson showcased his reliable presence in the Giants' offense. Coming off a breakout Week 9 performance that saw him score his first career touchdown, Johnson has emerged as the team's most dependable tight end option. While he didn't reach the end zone this week and finished with only 5.7 fantasy points, his consistent target share and solid yardage suggest a growing role that fantasy managers should keep an eye on as he becomes a go-to option for quarterback Daniel Jones.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. turned in an impressive ground performance in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, rushing for 103 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown. Tracy's dynamic 5.7 yards per carry, including a 32-yard burst, provided a spark for the Giants' offense and kept them competitive throughout. However, his strong outing was marred by a costly fumble on the Giants' opening drive in overtime, which the Panthers recovered and quickly converted into a game-winning field goal. With 14.9 fantasy points, Tracy showed his potential as a lead back, though his late-game miscue underscores the need for ball security.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had a challenging day in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, completing 22 of 37 passes for 190 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, missing multiple open targets and throwing for just 54 yards, including a costly red-zone interception. Despite his rough outing through the air, Jones salvaged some fantasy value with a rushing touchdown and 26 yards on the ground, finishing with 14.2 fantasy points. He took two sacks and averaged only 5.1 yards per attempt, underscoring his difficulties moving the offense. Jones' inconsistency remains a concern for fantasy managers, as turnovers and missed opportunities continue to limit his upside.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bills. The Colts offense has struggled, with Joe Flacco already throwing two picks in the first half, one which resulted in the Bills defense taking it back for six. In the meantime, Matt Goncalves will presumably take over.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers led the team in receptions during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany, recording six catches for 50 yards on 10 targets. Nabers averaged 8.3 yards per catch, with his longest reception stretching for 19 yards, though he was kept out of the end zone. Quarterback Daniel Jones missed Nabers on a couple of open looks that could have bolstered his fantasy output, leaving him with 7.8 fantasy points on the day. Early in the fourth quarter, Nabers briefly exited the game for a concussion evaluation after a hard fall, but he returned to the field later in the drive. His heavy involvement and target share suggest a continued role as a top option in the Giants' offense moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers LB Jadeveon Clowney (leg) exited Week 10's game against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter after sustaining an apparent left leg injury.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) is scheduled to meet with a specialist Monday, Nov. 11, before making a decision on whether to undergo season-ending surgery on his torn hamstring, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Fantasy Spin: Prescott has been hoping to avoid surgery, which would cause him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season but allow him to make a full recovery in time for the 2025 campaign. However, it appears more likely than not that he will have to go under the knife. QB Cooper Rush will serve as the team's starting quarterback while Prescott is sidelined but he is not a recommended fantasy option.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | Carolina running back Miles Sanders was carted off the field in the Panthers early morning game in Germany. Dynasty Analysis: Sanders appears to have a left leg or ankle injury that was significant enough to keep him down on the field for some time before leaving on the cart. This has the looks of a significant injury. It would be the end of another terribly disappointing season for Sanders, who has played sparingly behind Chuba Hubbard despite Jonathon Brooks still not taking a snap this season. Sanders is on a lot of waiver wires already and this would be multiplied should this be a serious ailment.
New Orleans Saints RB Jamaal Williams (groin) is not active for Week 10's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Fantasy Spin: Williams had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in two of the team's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis. He has had more than 20 all-purpose yards just twice this season and would not have been a recommended fantasy lineup option even if healthy.
From TheHuddle
