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!
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is having arguably his best season to date. The wideout has been on a roll and is coming off a potent Week 10 showing against the Ravens, when he caught 11 of his 17 targets for 254 yards and three touchdowns. While Tee Higgins (quadriceps) is cleared to return for Sunday's meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers, Chase's ceiling is higher than ever, despite a difficult game on the horizon. Keep him starting, obviously.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has had an MVP-caliber season. While the Bengals are sitting at a disappointing 4-6, the signal-caller has shined, leading the league in completions (246), yards (2,672), and touchdowns (24). Cincinnati can still make waves in the AFC, but the team will need a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Fortunately for Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase has also thrived during the 2024-25 campaign. The same can be said for Chase Brown. Even better, Tee Higgins (quadriceps) will be back on the field in Week 11. With nine touchdown throws in the last two games, Burrow remains a must-start, despite a challenging matchup on tap.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey has a tough matchup in a Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. McConkey is in the middle of a very solid rookie season, as he is currently the overall fantasy WR31 in points per game despite playing on an offense that only recently decided to start throwing the ball. McConkey is tied for the team lead in end zone targets and leads the team overall with a 21.8% target share. This week could be tough on McConkey, though. The Bengals defense has been top-10 against slot receivers this season in both receiving yards per game and total fantasy points per game. McConkey is shaping up to be more of a floor FLEX option than a true WR2 this time.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston is set for a strong performance in a Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnston has been the overall WR37 in fantasy this season, but he has scored a touchdown in two straight games and matches up well with the Bengals defense. "QJ" ranks first on the Chargers yards per route run against defenses similar to Cincinnati's. They've allowed the third-most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to outside wide receivers since Week 5. While the running game might struggle against a solid Bengals front, the pass game could thrive, making Johnston a WR3 with clear WR2 upside this week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is not worth using in a starting spot in most fantasy formats in Week 11 when the Chargers take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer has been playing well in his "real life" role on the Chargers offense, but it absolutely has not translated to much fantasy value. He's been targeted just 28 times since the season began, making 18 catches. He's had a few deep balls thrown his way and that could always become a huge play that can win a fantasy week, but he's a boom-or-bust option with a lot less boom than others in similar roles. He can be left on the bench in deeper fantasy leagues and on the waiver wire in standard ones.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly has an outstanding matchup in a Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dissly has seen at least five targets in four of the past five games, and has totaled 32 targets and 24 catches in that span. He's become a key part of the short passing game, and against defenses like Cincinnati's, Dissly leads the team in first-read share and is second in yards per route run. The Bengals defense has allowed opposing tight ends to thrive, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. It should be a high floor game for Dissly at worst, with one of his higher possible ceilings of the season.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is a solid option as usual for Week 11 fantasy lineups. The Chargers will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football in what could be a high-scoring game, giving Dicker multiple chances to put up points. He's been a top-15 fantasy kicker six times this season and has remained consistent and reliable while adding a little distance to his arsenal. He's a safe top-10 option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers defense will face their first real challenge in a few weeks in a Week 11 Sunday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chargers had a stretch of opponents with limited offenses, and they put up strong games against them. They were the overall DST3 in Week 8 against New Orleans, the DST2 in Week 9 against Cleveland, and the DST12 in Week 10 against Tennessee. The Bengals pose a much bigger threat than any of those three teams, but this Chargers defense has certainly shown the ability to slow down almost any opponent. Khalil Mack (groin) is questionable after not practicing all week, making the Bolts defense a bit riskier as a fantasy starter this week, but they are still likely to end up as a top-12 option at the position.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki combined for 12 catches for 173 yards and two scores in Weeks 8 and 9. As a result, he was a hot commodity in league's where he was still unclaimed heading into the Week 10 one-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old caught only four of his nine targets. With Tee Higgins (quadriceps) returning in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Gesicki may have a tough time staying involved. However, with Sam LaPorta (shoulder) and Dalton Kincaid (knee) sidelined, fantasy managers in need should consider Gesicki a viable option, even with a tough matchup on the horizon.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has emerged as one of the best fantasy options at the position. He got off to a slow start this season. However, since the Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers, the 24-year-old has totaled seven touchdowns. He's also coming off a potent Week 10 performance versus the Ravens, finishing the night by amassing a career-high nine receptions. With Tee Higgins (quadriceps) cleared to return on Sunday night versus the Chargers, Brown will likely see fewer looks from Joe Burrow. Still, Brown's potential can't be ignored, especially with Zack Moss (neck) done for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will look to get into a better rhythm when the team hosts the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11. McCaffrey's season debut last week against the Bucs was disappointing, ending with 39 yards on 13 carries but adding six receptions on seven targets for 68 yards to save his day in PPR formats. On the bright side, McCaffrey emerged healthy from his first game back since Super Bowl LVIII. The two limited practices he logged on Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full on Friday can likely be chalked up to load management. It was also positive that McCaffrey only ceded two touches to his backups versus Tampa Bay. CMC is likely to increase his efficiency on the ground while maintaining his involvement in the passing game on Sunday. He's also more likely than not to break the seal on this year's touchdown total. Seattle is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Sounds like enough good reasons to put McCaffrey into the overall RB1 spot in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will look to rebound in a Week 11 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dobbins saw a few of his snaps taken by the return of Gus Edwards (ankle), but it was likely much more due to the game script than to any actual change in the backfield. Dobbins is the overall fantasy RB25 this season, and he's been a top-15 fantasy finisher five times this year. He offers at worst a solid and consistently high floor, but is a weekly threat for a touchdown and has pass catching upside as well. This week, he'll face a Bengals defense that has been mostly solid but not unbeatable against the run. He missed a practice this week, but it was not injury related so there's no reason for concern. Trust Dobbins as a reliable RB2 in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
After his one-carry Week 10 versus the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams just can't be trusted in starting fantasy lineups for a Week 11 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Williams had been Denver's primary backfield option through the first nine weeks, but rookie Audric Estime took on a bigger role last week with a team-high 14 carries on 26 offensive snaps. Estime is expected to continue to see more reps in the offense, which made the 24-year-old Williams drop-worthy in a lot of fantasy leagues this past week. Williams should be able to top just one carry against the Falcons on Sunday and should remain involved in the passing attack, but if Estime continues to lead the backfield moving forward, Williams' days of fantasy relevance could be at an end. He was a low-upside RB3/flex in fantasy before Estime took the lead last weekend.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has gradually become one of quarterback Drake Maye's most trusted weapons. He has commanded six targets in each of his last three games, and last week, he finished with an impressive four catches for 47 yards. The second-year LSU product still isn't a top recommendation for fantasy lineups, but he should at least continue to generate some buzz and is worth monitoring going forward. His next chance to turn heads is this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Boutte currently ranks as a low-end WR4.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye has low-end streaming appeal heading into Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams. For the most part, the veteran kicker has been inconsistent this season, posting double-digit fantasy points in three of his 10 contests so far. Last week featured one of his best outings of the year as he went 4-for-4 on field goals and also converted an extra point. It's hard to tell whether that trend will continue this week against the Rams, but as the Patriots look to stay competitive against Los Angeles, Slye is at least worth considering as a streamer. Fantasy managers should note that the Rams have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers in 2024. Jason Sanders made all five of his kicks against the Rams last week, including a pair of field goals from beyond 50 yards.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye should be viewed as a low-end fantasy QB1 heading into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. Through five games as the Patriots' starter, Maye has impressed, especially in terms of fantasy football performance. The No. 3 overall pick has scored at least one touchdown in each of his four complete games, including one game with two scores and another with three. Turnovers have been a concern for the rookie, but he makes up for them with impressive rushing production. Maye is averaging 44 rushing yards per start, headlined by an impressive 95 yards on the ground back in Week 9. The Rams have been modest against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this season, leaving Maye in a decent position to fulfill his top-12 quarterback projection.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson faces a consistent struggle for fantasy success -- limited opportunities to kick field goals and extra points. Luckily for him, the opposing Miami Dolphins team, who the Raiders face in Week 11, allow plenty of points to opposing kickers. It could be because they allow teams to drive down the field, but stiffen in the red zone. This would be a perfect situation for Carlson. Still, starting him in fantasy leagues comes with plenty of risk -- he's the 17th ranked kicker on the season, so outside of very deep leagues, there are likely better options to put in your starting lineups. But he's a decent player to start nonetheless.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ranks as a low-end fantasy RB2 heading into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. While Stevenson has struggled with efficiency lately and has seen his fantasy value become largely dependent on touchdowns, the Patriots' lead back has firm control on his role and continues to be a high-volume option on offense. Just last week, he touched the ball 21 times, salvaging a fantasy-relevant performance despite failing to find the end zone. This week, he'll be in a decent position to contribute significant yardage, catch passes, and perhaps score a touchdown against a Rams defense allowing mediocre results to opposing running backs in 2024. Stevenson is a fringe top-24 fantasy running back at the moment.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) practiced in full on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the Los Angeles Rams. Henry began the week by practicing in a limited capacity because of a foot issue. But the Pats will have the veteran on the field for Week 11. He has had flashes of efficiency, compiling seven or more catches three times this season. However, outside of that, Henry has been relatively quiet. But with notable tight ends like Dalton Kincaid (knee) and Sam LaPorta (shoulder) sidelined, Henry could find a place in fantasy lineups in Week 11, even more so if George Kittle (hamstring) doesn't suit up.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker will do his best to get things into gear against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11. He hasn't scored double-digit PPR fantasy points since Weeks 3-4, where he had a nice duo of fantasy-relevant games. Since then, he's managed just nine receptions and 85 receiving yards despite being targeted 22 times. He's rushed twice for 18 yards in that stretch. After initially seemingly breaking out, he's fallen back to Earth. The departure of former lead WR Davante Adams likely means Tucker has to face better coverage from opposing teams. That could be making it harder for him to succeed. He's not worth rostering in the vast majority of leagues.
From RotoBaller