Guest of the League
The Big League 3 (est. 2011) Est. 2010
FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

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

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Justin Fields Oct 11 1:30pm ET
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Justin Fields will make another start in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, with Russell Wilson (calf) being active on Sunday to back him up. Wilson is recovering from a calf strain that has kept him out all year to this point. He was able to finally return to full practice this week and will serve as Fields' backup on the road in Vegas this weekend. Fields hasn't been amazing as the starter under center, but he's done enough to lead the team to a winning record and has limited the turnovers. The 25-year-old has completed 67.6% of his pass attempts with five touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for 172 yards and three scores on the ground. However, he's going to need to keep playing well to hold off Wilson now that he's past his calf issues. Against the struggling Raiders this weekend, Field has QB1 upside.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 11 1:30pm ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) logged a full practice on Friday and is on the "upswing" with his trajectory. Warren will be listed as questionable to play in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but the Steelers are optimistic about his status. Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Tomlin considered Warren doubtful to face the Raiders, but apparently he's made good progress with his knee since then. The 25-year-old was unable to play in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. If he's able to return on Sunday on the road at Allegiant Stadium, he'll continue to mix in sparingly behind lead back Najee Harris in what is an excellent matchup. Still, fantasy managers will be hard-pressed to be excited to use Warren as a flex play given what he's done so far in 2024. He's averaging a career-low 3.9 yards per carry on just 14 rushing attempts through three games.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 11 1:20pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not play in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. It will be Taylor's second straight missed game after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Taylor's ankle sprain is considered to be minor, the 25-year-old was unable to practice all week, and his status will also be in question for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. Trey Sermon (collarbone) was also on the injury report this week, but he practiced in full on Thursday and is in line to serve as the team's lead back for the second straight week. Sermon had 10 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown and also caught six passes in last week's loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. This Sunday's matchup against Tennessee isn't as strong, but with Taylor out, Sermon will once again be in play as at least an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Oct 11 1:20pm ET
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) will be questionable to play on Sunday against the division-rival Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Richardson suffered an oblique injury in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and was questionable last week before sitting out in the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. He's questionable again this weekend, but the fact that Richardson returned to a full practice on Thursday bodes well for his chances of returning. Steichen said earlier this week that the struggling Richardson will be the team's starting QB when healthy. If the 22-year-old is active, he'll be a shaky QB1/2 given his struggles so far in his second season and the fact that the Colts are without running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and could be without receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe).

From RotoBaller

Tommy Tremble Oct 11 1:10pm ET
Tommy Tremble

The Carolina Panthers have ruled out tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion) from their Week 6 game on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Tremble was unable to practice all week after getting knocked out in the Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's concussion protocol next week in order to gain clearance to play in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. Ian Thomas (calf) is questionable to come off the Injured Reserve this weekend, but if he does, he'll likely play second fiddle to rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders for the team's primary tight end pass-catching role. Sanders now has some deep-league TE2 streaming appeal with Tremble out. The 21-year-old rookie has caught eight of his 11 targets for 41 yards and no touchdowns in the first five games of his NFL career.

From RotoBaller

Jonathon Brooks Oct 11 1:10pm ET
Jonathon Brooks

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) said he thinks there's a chance he could open his 21-day practice window next week. Brooks acknowledged there's really no reason to rush back as much as he wants to play. The running game is currently in good hands with Chuba Hubbard. At the very least, Brooks should push Miles Sanders down the RB depth chart in Carolina, and he could force a timeshare with Hubbard in the backfield later on this season once he's up to speed. The 21-year-old is now 11 months removed from a torn ACL, so the Panthers will surely ease him back in, and he won't be a lock to make his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders, even if he resumes practicing next week. For now, Brooks is worth stashing in the majority of fantasy formats after being the first RB taken in this year's draft in April.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 11 1:00pm ET
Drake Maye

The struggling New England Patriots present a terrific opportunity for the Houston Texans' defense in Week 6. Only the Tua Tagovailoa-less Miami Dolphins have scored fewer points per game than New England, which is officially making a quarterback change this week. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will make his first start for the Patriots, who are on the short list for worst offensive line in the league. So far, New England ranks 31st in sacks allowed, 30th in completion percentage, 31st in passing first downs, 32nd in net yards per passing attempt, and tied for 31st in fumbles. Fantasy managers holding the Texans or within reach of them should be all over this matchup.

From RotoBaller

Diontae Johnson Oct 11 1:00pm ET
Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Johnson logged three limited practice sessions this week due to an ankle injury. Johnson was dealing with this same injury last weekend and was able to suit up which is a good sign for his status. Fantasy managers should monitor any updates regarding his status over the weekend. After eclipsing 20.0 PPR points during Weeks 3 and 4, Johnson took a step back last weekend as he caught only three passes for 23 yards. If Johnson is able to suit up he should be viewed as a WR3/flex option facing the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Oct 11 1:00pm ET
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation and is expected to play this weekend. Legette was battling a minor shoulder injury throughout the week but was able to log three consecutive full practice sessions suggesting the injury was not serious. The 23-year-old is coming off one of his worst games of the season as he caught only one pass for eight yards. However, in Weeks 3 and 4, the former first-round pick averaged four catches in each game with a season-high 66 yards in Week 5. Legette remains a low-end flex option on Sunday when he faces the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Oct 11 12:40pm ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running backs Zack Moss (foot) and Chase Brown (quadriceps) are both expected to play on Sunday against the New York Giants, according to Kelsey Conway of USA Today. Moss left last weekend's game early with an injury and was unable to practice on Wednesday but did return on Thursday in a limited capacity. Brown was added to the injury report on Thursday. However, both injuries appear minor, and they are expected to play this weekend. Fantasy managers should expect Moss to see the slight majority of carries out of the backfield, but both should be viewed as flex options facing the Giants, who have allowed the 11th-fewest points to opposing running backs.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Oct 11 12:40pm ET
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) is still dealing with his groin injury, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Raanan further reported that head coach Brian Daboll said "we'll see" regarding his running back's status heading into the weekend. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's injury report, as it should provide clarity on Singletary's status heading into the weekend. Last week in his absence, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for an impressive 129 yards on 18 carries. If Singletary were to remain sidelined, Tracy becomes a solid RB2 with upside against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the 19th-most points to opposing running backs this season.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Oct 11 12:30pm ET
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott could see more opportunities later in the season according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Meirov reported that Dallas owner Jerry Jones expressed that the team is "saving him" on 1053 The Fan when asked about his lack of opportunities. After seeing double-digit rushing attempts in the opening week of the season, Elliott has yet to that mark since and has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in this span. Rico Dowdle has begun to emerge as the lead option in the backfield as he has scored in each of the past two games and seen double-digit carries in each of them. Fantasy managers in deeper formats could consider stashing Elliott, but for now, Dowdle has the highest upside on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Oct 11 12:20pm ET
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) is not expected to miss a long period of time, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Stevenson did not practice earlier in the week and was also not seen at Friday's practice. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's injury report, as it will likely provide clarity on his status heading into the weekend. However, the fact that Stevenson has not logged a practice session this week does not bode well for his availability on Sunday. After not finding the end zone during Weeks 3 and 4, Stevenson broke out of his slump last weekend and ran for 89 yards and a score. If Stevenson were to sit out this weekend, Antonio Gibson becomes a viable flex option and should see a majority of the opportunities in the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Oct 11 12:10pm ET
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) will likely be a game-time decision on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Robinson battled a knee injury heading into last week's game but was able to suit up. This week, he did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a similar knee injury and was also not seen during Friday's practice, which is not a promising sign for his status. Fantasy managers should monitor the injury report later on Friday, as the Alabama product will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, scoring five touchdowns with 325 rushing yards. If Robinson can suit up, he should be locked into all lineups as an upside RB2. If he cannot play, Austin Ekeler should see the majority of opportunities out of the backfield and would become a must-start option.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Oct 11 12:00pm ET
Jordan Mason

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) is believed to have suffered a sprained AC joint during Thursday's night game, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter further noted that the 25-year-old will undergo further testing later on Friday. Mason left Thursday's game in the first half and was only able to see one rushing attempt during the entire second half due to the injury. This opened the door for fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo to see a season-high 10 carries for 99 yards. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Mason's status ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Mason were to miss an extended period of time, Guerendo becomes a priority waiver-wire target and a must-start option.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Oct 11 11:50am ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) will not play on Sunday according to Pat Leonard of NYDN Sports. The LSU standout suffered a concussion in their Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has not returned to the field since. Nabers did not return to practice this week and also did not show any significant progress through the concussion protocol. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status heading into next week as he could return to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last weekend, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton led the Giant passing attack and should be expected to do so again on Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both are high-upside flex options this weekend as the Bengals have allowed the 18th-most points to opposing wideouts this season.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Oct 11 11:30am ET
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had a poor game on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf finished the game with three receptions for 48 yards. Metcalf had been cruising this season and entered the game as the WR11 in fantasy. However, the 49ers more or less dominated the Seahawks and limited Metcalf's upside. Metcalf also had a couple of near-miss touchdowns in this game. Unfortunately, Metcalf's performance will set fantasy managers back heading into the weekend. However, there should be no panic or concern over his performance. Quarterback Geno Smith still threw for over 300 yards and Metcalf earned eleven targets. His catch rate was abysmal, but that kind of volume is sure to continue to translate to fantasy points. Metcalf will look to get back on track in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Oct 11 11:20am ET
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey remains the top kicker heading into Week 6's matchup with the Detroit Lions. Aubrey missed a kick last week, going 2-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. He will look to bounce back this week in a dome environment in Dallas in what projects to be a high-flying offensive battle. The 29-year-old is the top kicker option this week and offers week-winning potential. Start him in all leagues that utilize kickers.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Oct 11 11:20am ET
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant matched his season-high catch total of six on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers. He also set a new season-high in receiving yards with 63. Fant has been a useless fantasy asset all season but if you happened to stream him this week then you were likely pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The Seahawks wound up throwing the ball 52 times, so it is no surprise that so many pass catchers were able to receive solid volume in this game. Even with a nice game from Fant, he is still too inconsistent to trust in fantasy football. However, if this trend continues then he would be worth an add off waivers.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Oct 11 11:20am ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III was inefficient on the ground in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, Walker earned eight targets for the second straight game. Walker is not known as a pass catcher. That is a role that typically falls to backup running back Zach Charbonnet. Even so, the new Seahawks regime seems to be changing that narrative. Walker has earned 24 targets in 2024 which is 13 off of a career high. The Seahawks have also found themselves trailing quite a bit over the last three weeks which could contribute to Walker's volume in the passing game. Still, the passing game work is giving Walker a nice floor in fantasy and propelling him into the high-end RB1 conversation. If this trend continues in Week 7, then it may be safe to say that Walker will see solid passing game volume all season.

From RotoBaller