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 6
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 6
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 6
- Ravens vs. Commanders: Betting Trends, Prop Picks, Prediction
- Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers downgraded to doubtful
- Chargers put CB Asante Samuel Jr., RB Gus Edwards on IR
- Lions sign RB David Montgomery to extension through 2027
- Jets rule out CB Michael Carter II, LB C.J. Mosley could return
- Roger Goodell talks kickoff rules, Super Bowl outside U.S.
- Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) out vs. Ravens
- Steelers RB Jaylen Warren in vs. Raiders; DE DeMarvin Leal on IR
- Jaguars owner on Doug Pederson, GM: 'I still believe in them'
- Bills coach: RB James Cook (toe) to be questionable vs. Jets
- Giants to sign P Matt Haack as injury sub
- 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall returning to practice after shooting
- NFL, NFLPA back Josh Allen's concussion check
- Robert Kraft: Jabril Peppers "gone" if domestic violence allegations are true
- Packers WR Romeo Doubs addresses suspension
- Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) out vs. Texans
- Falcons rule out LB Troy Andersen (knee) vs. Panthers
- Browns RB Nick Chubb ruled out vs. Eagles
- Eagles WR DeVonta Smith clears protocol, available Sunday
- Steelers QB Russell Wilson expected to be active vs. Raiders
- Fantasy Six Pack: Dynasty Football Early Rookie Check-Up | Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers Excelling
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Players to Stash Week 6 | Shake Rattler and Roll
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Week 6 Preview
- Fantasy Life: Best Bets for Sunday Night Football: Giants vs. Bengals
- Fantasy Life: Injuries Force More Week 6 Start/Sit Decisions
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Basketball Centers for 2024: Targets and Fades
- Fantasy Life: Sunday Blitz 2.0: Notes For The Week 6 4 PM Slate
- Fantasy Life: Week 6 NFL DFS Plays: Top Stack, Values, and More
- Fantasy Life: The Week 6 Injury Impact
The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey was fined $16,883 by the National Football League for roughing the passer in Week 5's game against the New England Patriots. He smacked QB Jacoby Brissett on the facemask after Brissett had thrown the ball.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson has seen a minimal role in the backfield through the first five games. However, lead back James Cook (toe) is uncertain to suit up for Monday's game against the New York Jets. If he sits, Johnson and Ray Davis would likely split up the duties in the backfield. Johnson hasn't done much this season with only 42 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards heading into Monday's contest. However, Johnson could be a possible dart throw for fantasy managers if Cook is unable to play. He shouldn't be inserted into lineups unless Cook is ruled out, but Johnson is worth stashing in case that happens.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal will be active for the Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The rookie back will get his first taste of NFL action on Sunday. Vidal figures to serve as depth behind J.K. Dobbins with Gus Edwards (ankle) heading to the injured reserve. The Chargers also have Hassan Haskins on the roster, so he could be mixed in as well. Given Dobbins' injury history, Vidal is certainly someone to keep an eye on right now. He should be rostered in most dynasty leagues and is someone worth keeping on the radar if he gets involved this weekend.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins will be elevated from the practice squad for the second straight week. The Giants are going to once again be shorthanded at wideout with Malik Nabers (concussion) being sidelined for another week. Last week, Hodgins came up but only played 24 offensive snaps. It seems a bit odd that they didn't involve Hodgins more considering he was a part-time starter last season. He finished with 21 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 with the Giants. Hodgins could see more snaps this week, but remains off the fantasy radar for Week 6.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the injured reserve ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miller appears to be set to make his season debut on Sunday. He figures to be mixed in as depth behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. So far, Kamara has seen a heavy workload with nearly 20 carries per game. Possibly, the Saints gameplan changes with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) being sidelined for a few weeks. Miller might find his way into a weekly role if New Orleans goes to a heavy run set. For now, Miller won't be worth stashing with Kamara and Williams healthy.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot, toe) logged a full practice on Saturday and has been removed from the injury report. As a result, he will play against the New York Jets on Monday night. The veteran pass-catcher got off to a quiet start this season but has been more involved lately, logging a season-high 56 percent snap share in Week 5. Still, he's averaging just 1.8 catches and 9.6 receiving yards per game this season, so he remains off the fantasy radar even with teammate Khalil Shakir (ankle) potentially sidelined once again. Even if Shakir is out, James Cook (toe), Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, and Dalton Kincaid all have more appeal than Samuel in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead (groin) is expected to play in Week 6's game against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging two limited practice sessions and one full session during the week.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has emerged as a potential fantasy football option for Week 6 in the event that teammate James Cook (toe) isn't able to play on Monday night against the New York Jets. Cook missed practice on Thursday and Friday, returned in a limited capacity on Saturday, and is officially listed as questionable to play in the upcoming divisional game on national television. While recent reports suggest that Cook is expected to play on Monday, this remains a situation worth monitoring given that he missed two practices and was still limited in the third. In the event that Cook can't play, we'd see a much larger workload for rookie Ray Davis, who has been off to a relatively quiet start this season. In that scenario, Davis would rank as a high-end fantasy RB3 against a Jets defense that has played solid against running backs this year.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick, who continues to hold out amidst demands for a new contract, reportedly had an offer on the table for a lucrative one-year deal "that would have given him the opportunity to make up for the fines and make more money than he was originally scheduled to earn," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal, proposed early during the regular season, was "all but worked out" between the Jets and Reddick's agents at CAA, but the veteran defender declined to sign the contract. This appeared to be the final straw for both the team and the agency. The Jets have since been very public about their stance, essentially saying that the ball is in Reddick's court and he can come back whenever he's ready. Meanwhile, CAA parted with Reddick as a client this past week, seemingly frustrated by his resistance to a new deal and his willingness to rack up fines from missing games. At this point, there is real doubt about the likelihood that Reddick, who wants a multi-year deal that would make him one of the higher-paid pass rushers in the NFL, returns to the football field this season. As Rapoport notes, if he holds out beyond Week 13, he would not accrue a season, his 2024 contract terms would roll over to 2025, and we could see this entire saga repeat itself next year.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (ankle) is expected to play in Week 6's game against the Washington Commanders, according to a source. He 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.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals PK Matt Prater (knee) is not expected to play in Week 6's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions during the week.
Fantasy Spin: The Cardinals elevated PK Chad Ryland from the practice squad Saturday, Oct. 12, but fantasy owners should be able to find more reliable options for their lineups on the waiver wire.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) is expected to be inactive for Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If confirmed, it will be the veteran kicker's second consecutive absence. He had been perfect through four games, converting all 10 of his extra point attempts and all six of his field goal tries. The Cardinals have once again elevated Chad Ryland to kick in Prater's place. In his season debut last week, Ryland went 3-for-4 on field goals and also made his lone extra point attempt.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) is active for Week 6's game against the Chicago Bears.
Fantasy Spin: This will be Engram's first game action since the first week of the regular season. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited practice participant throughout the week. He can be viewed as a starting option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday morning's game against the Chicago Bears in London. The veteran tight end, who had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices, returns to game action for the first time since Week 1. In the season opener, he was held to just one catch on four targets. However, Jacksonville has done a better job of incorporating its tight ends lately, relying on Brenton Strange for nine catches, 55 yards, and two touchdowns over the last three weeks. Engram is an effective playmaker who ranks among the top 12 tight ends for this week in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) is officially active for Week 6 against the Chicago Bears in London. Davis had been listed as questionable after logging three consecutive limited practices, but in the end, he'll avoid his first absence of the 2024 season. Through five games this year, Davis has caught 12 of 25 targets for just 159 yards through the air. Despite handling a heavy snap share, he has seen reduced opportunities in Jacksonville's offense, including over the last three weeks. He can be kept out of lineups fantasy lineups once again in Week 6, especially now that Evan Engram (hamstring) is back and set to command significant volume.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared OG Cole Van Lanen, OT Javon Foster, DE Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE Tyler Lacy and LB Myles Cole inactive for Week 6.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson will have to hope for his team to get drives into his field-goal range when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, though that could be wishful thinking. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-least fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season, mainly due to their strong defense. The Las Vegas offense does not match up well with any good defense, so we could see another game in which Carlson has too few kick opportunities to be fantasy-relevant. He's made 8/10 of his field goals and is a perfect eight-for-eight on extra points, but that's not been enough volume to make him worth starting in fantasy leagues. He should remain on waivers as he is the 27th-ranked kicker in RotoBaller's Week 6 fantasy football rankings.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) is likely to suit up for Sunday's overseas matchup with the Chicago Bears. The wideout has battled various ailments over the last few weeks. However, a knee injury forced him to practice in a limited capacity throughout the week. With that in mind, Davis hasn't had more than three catches in a game this season. He also hasn't scored a touchdown. With Evan Engram (hamstring) also expected to play in London, Davis' chances of staying involved consistently during the contest aren't favorable. Fantasy managers should keep him out of the starting lineup, assuming he officially gets the green light to get on the field.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) continues to trend toward returning for Sunday's meeting with the Tennessee Titans. He's currently listed as questionable. However, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the signal-caller should play if he has a "solid pre-game workout." Despite entering the 2024-25 campaign with plenty of hype, Richardson hasn't delivered, throwing for 654 yards, three touchdowns, and six picks while completing just 50.6% of his throws. As a result, he's a risky fantasy option no matter the opponent, although his outlook will improve slightly if Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) suit up in Week 6. Fortunately, both players are expected to get on the field.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) is "considered a long-shot to play" in Sunday's game against the Steelers. The 25-year-old missed a few practices during the week, although he was on the field in a limited capacity on Friday. However, it appears he'll miss his second straight game, so his next chance to suit up will be for the Week 7 meeting with the Los Angeles Rams. Without White in the equation, Alexander Mattison should handle most of the carries out of the backfield, with Ameer Abdullah picking up some of the slack as his backup. But no matter who is atop the depth chart at the position, they are expected to have a challenging day against one of the most efficient run-stop units in the National Football League, something for fantasy managers to consider before setting their lineups.
From RotoBaller
