Guest of the League
USFFL Est. 2015
FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 1

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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The Paur Report

Starts/Sits: Week 1

Player Notes
Keenan Allen Sep 9 3:30pm ET
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) had a subdued performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, finishing with just 29 yards on four receptions despite being targeted a team-high 11 times. Allen missed a couple of key opportunities that could have turned his game around. In the first quarter, he was open down the sideline after a well-executed move, but quarterback Caleb Williams overthrew himan opportunity that could have resulted in a significant gain or even a touchdown. Later, Allen was targeted in the end zone for a potential touchdown, but he dropped a pass he typically would have caught. While the new offense may need some time to develop fully, seeing how frequently Williams looked to Allen is encouraging. Additionally, Allen entered the game with a heel injury and appeared to limp late in the match. Hopefully, he will recover for next Sunday night's game against the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Sep 9 3:20pm ET
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that there is no issue with quarterback Anthony Richardson's right hand after he hit it on an opponent's helmet late in Sunday's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. It wasn't the best performance for Richardson to open the season, as he continued to display a concerning lack of accuracy on open receivers, but fantasy managers aren't complaining after he produced three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in the 29-27 loss. The 22-year-old went just 9-for-19 passing for 212 yards, two touchdowns and a pick while adding 56 rushing yards on six carries and a third TD. You'll have to continue to take the good with the bad with Richardson after he played in just four games in his rookie season in 2023 due to a shoulder injury, but his upside is through the roof and it gives him high-end QB1 upside each week.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Sep 9 3:00pm ET
Jordan Addison

The Minnesota Vikings are being cautious with wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) after he left the team's 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in the third quarter. Before his departure, Addison hauled in 3-of-4 targets for 35 yards on a day where the Vikings did what they wanted against a hapless Giants squad. When asked about his young wideout, head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "He's got pretty significant soreness We'll just see. Still hopeful he'll have a chance this week, but we'll be smart with him." It's not exactly an encouraging endorsement for the 22-year-old, though it is good news that it is not the same ankle he injured previously. Minnesota will square up for an early-slate tilt in their home opener against the San Francisco 49ers in a tough matchup this coming Sunday. It would benefit Sam Darnold to have all of his weapons, but Addison is unknown for now.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Sep 9 2:50pm ET
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had a busy but ultimately unremarkable game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He led the team with 36 receiving yards on five catches and added a 14-yard rush. Moore's day seemed at risk after he made two receptions for 12 yards and then took a hard fall out of bounds, prompting him to remove his helmet and struggle to get up. Fortunately, the injury was not severe; Moore walked off on his own and returned to the game shortly after that. Given the challenging matchup against cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, it was anticipated that Moore might have a subpar performance. However, he is expected to bounce back and perform better in the upcoming game against the high-scoring Houston Texans next week.

From RotoBaller

Jack Jones Sep 9 2:50pm ET
Jack Jones

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones are not expected to be suspended, as per Tom Pelissero. Palmer and Jones began brawling after a failed LA 2-point conversion with under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Both players were ejected and could still potentially be fined by the league, but they seem to have avoided missing time. The Raiders' DB was unavailable to the media after the game, but Palmer was and had a few interesting things to say. "They came and started throwing punches, but we're not going to be punching bags," said the fourth-year wideout. "So we had to defend ourselves." The 24-year-old racked up just four targets in the Chargers' 22-10 win as Jim Harbaugh deployed a run-centric scheme, culminating in LA rushing one more time (27) than they threw it (26). They'll take on the Panthers in Carolina this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 9 2:30pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (undisclosed) was not seen at Monday's practice, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Well, this is mildly alarming. Jackson most recently produced a staggering 395 total yards with one touchdown and one interception in Baltimore's Thursday night 27-20 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also lost one fumble. There is no reason for Jackson's absence at practice, as the Ravens' first injury report of the week is released on Wednesday. However, we'll be able to learn more about this matter over the next few hours, with head coach John Harbaugh scheduled to speak with the media after practice. Baltimore will square off against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener this Sunday. Josh Johnson is the only other QB on the Ravens' roster at this time.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Sep 9 2:30pm ET
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift had a lackluster performance against the Tennessee Titans as the offense struggled to gain any momentum. Trailing 17-0 early, the Bears' offense could not find its rhythm. Swift managed a standout 20-yard carry, the longest play for the Bears all game, but only accumulated 10 yards on his remaining nine carries. He did catch a pass for a two-point conversion, but surprisingly, he did not record any other receptions. On a positive note, Swift was the lead back, with no other running back on the roster getting more than two carries. Swift will look to rebound next week against the formidable Houston Texans defense, which limited Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to under 50 rushing yards in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Sep 9 2:20pm ET
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had a mediocre night against the Los Angeles Rams. LaPorta caught four passes for 45 yards, with the longest reception being 18 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per reception. The Lions went with a very run-heavy offense on Sunday night, running the ball 31 times in their win. Jared Goff's favorite target through the air was his third-year receiver, Jameson Williams. LaPorta is still one of the most elite tight ends in the league, and fantasy managers should continue to start him without question going into Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Sep 9 2:20pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 18 of 28 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Goff went against one of the weaker defenses in the league, but that can be excused some, considering it was only Week 1. However, things will only get more brutal as they face a much better Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in Week 2. Goff should still be considered a mid-level fantasy quarterback, making him a mid-range QB2 heading into Week 2 against the Bucs.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Sep 9 2:13pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Dynasty | Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp had 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Rams loss to Detroit on Sunday night. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that should answer any questions about Kupp being healthy. Now 31, Kupp is certainly on the "back 40" of his career but this night showed yet again he has the ability to win a fantasy game for a managers almost single-handedly. If Puka Nacua is out for an extended period of time, Kupp is going to be an elite-level option in the short-term. If you're a rebuilding team with Kupp on your roster, now is the time to cash out. Conversely, if you're searching for a title and need a veteran receiver, few are better.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Tyler Johnson Sep 9 2:13pm ET
Tyler Johnson

Dynasty | Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson had five catches for 79 yards in a SNF loss to Detroit. Dynasty Analysis: Johnson hasn't done much over his first four years in the league with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles but this was a notable performance after he received some glowing reports this off-season. With Puka Nacua possibly out for a while, Johnson could have a significant role moving forward. He looks like a solid waiver add this week in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jameson Williams Sep 9 2:13pm ET
Jameson Williams

Dynasty | Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had three catches for 13 yards in the Lions win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: It's just one week but it's also clear Jameson Williams is going to get more targets than last season. Still, this is likely going to be St. Brown's worst game and anyone who is getting anxious probably doesn't have the stomach for fantasy football. Stay the course. Things will get better. St. Brown is still a top-five option each week.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Puka Nacua Sep 9 2:13pm ET
Puka Nacua

Dynasty | Rams receiver Puka Nacua re-aggravated his knee injury and was carted to the locker room during the Rams loss against Detroit. Dynasty Analysis: Nacua tried playing through what has been a bothersome knee ailment but was unable to do so on Sunday night. This is a significant concern as the Rams are going to be doing some testing to find out exactly what's going on. Nacua looks to be out in the short-term at the very least, so dynasty managers are likely going to need to look elsewhere for production. Stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Luke Schoonmaker Sep 9 2:13pm ET
Luke Schoonmaker

Dynasty | Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is week-to-week with an MCL sprain. Dynasty Analysis: This is significant as Ferguson was poised to become a low-end TE1 in an explosive Cowboys offense this season. Luke Schoonmaker is going to have a significant role should Ferguson miss time. This is a developing story but Ferguson's status should be closely monitored and dynasty managers may need to make some waiver wire plans this week to find a short-term option.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Amon-Ra St. Brown Sep 9 2:10pm ET
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a disappointing outing in Week 1's 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. St. Brown was targeted six times, catching only three passes for 13 yards. Second-year receiver Jameson Williams was the star of the Lions offense last night, catching five passes on nine targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. St. Brown is still the most proven player on the Detroit offense, and fantasy managers have nothing to worry about as he will look to rebound in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Sep 9 2:10pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had an amazing game in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The third-year player had five catches on nine targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Alabama product also added one rush for 13 yards on the ground. Williams has been plagued with injuries since being drafted in 2022, but was still a 12th overall pick and can be very elite when healthy. Williams should become Jared Goff's favorite deep-threat receiver, boasting 4.4 speed and elite route running. Williams is still a risky start considering the amount of talent on this Lions team, but it is a good flex option for fantasy managers going into Week 2 against the Buccaneers.

From RotoBaller

Jahmyr Gibbs Sep 9 2:00pm ET
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a solid fantasy performance against the Los Angeles Rams, carrying the ball 11 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs added four catches for 34 yards through the air. Although Gibbs is still splitting time with David Montgomery, he is a must-start, considering his high ceiling and elite pass-catching ability. He was tied for the second-most targets against the Rams and performed much better in the second half of the game. The Lions play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, who gave up 101 receiving yards to running backs in Week 1. Gibbs is a must-start and should be in all fantasy lineups versus Tampa Bay.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Sep 9 2:00pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday that the distribution of touches between running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday wasn't where the team wanted it to be. Callahan said that Pollard ran the ball well, and in the second half, the Titans had trouble sustaining drives, which hindered opportunities to get Spears involved. In the end, Pollard out-touched Spears 19 to eight, and Spears played only 44 percent of the offensive snaps. Pollard finished with 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 12 yards in his Titans debut. Spears had only four carries for 21 yards and caught all four targets for 11 yards. It will be interesting to see how the touches are split in a tough Week 2 matchup at home against the New York Jets. In that one, both Pollard and Spears should be considered RB3/flex options.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Sep 9 1:50pm ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol. Meanwhile, receiver/kick returner Gunner Olszewski (groin) will be out for weeks. Slayton is officially questionable now for the team's Week 2 contest on the road in Washington against the division-rival Commanders after he caught three of his four targets for only 27 yards in a 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 on Sunday while playing 72 percent of the offensive snaps. The 27-year-old is a starter alongside rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson, but Slayton's fantasy ceiling and floor remain extremely low in a Giants offense that continued to look terrible in the season opener. If Slayton cannot clear the concussion protocol by this weekend, Jalin Hyatt is the best bet to take his spot as the G-Men's WR3 against Houston.

From RotoBaller

Marquise Brown Sep 9 1:40pm ET
Marquise Brown

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will go through tests this week and could possibly play in Week 2 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. "We'll just see where he's at," Reid said. Hollywood suffered a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason opener and was forced to sit out last Thursday's season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens. We'll have a better idea of whether Brown can make his Chiefs debut this Sunday when the team starts practicing again on Wednesday. Without Brown last Thursday against the Ravens, Rashee Rice and rookie Xavier Worthy were both busy, with Rice catching seven of nine targets for 103 yards and Worthy finding the end zone twice. Brown could be eased into KC's offense if he plays in Week 2, but eventually he will command plenty of attention from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and at least be in play as a WR4/flex.

From RotoBaller