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

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6

Player Notes
Nick Herbig Oct 13 9:10pm ET
Nick Herbig

The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded one sack, one interception, two forced and recovered fumbles, and a blocked punt while surrendering 13 points to the Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 6 win. Once again, it was DPOY candidate T.J. Watt leading the charge, forcing both fumbles by Las Vegas ballcarriers. Defensive back Donte Jackson logged his third interception of the campaign on an overthrow by quarterback Aidan O'Connell in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh was still missing linebackers Alex Highsmith (groin) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) but is expected to have the former back in time for a Week 7 clash with the New York Jets. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with the Steelers DST in most weeks this season.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Oct 13 9:10pm ET
Dak Prescott

Detroit Lions star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson (tibia) will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing emergency surgery Sunday to repair a compound fracture, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Hutchinson suffered the injury while sacking quarterback Dak Prescott in the Lions' 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The third-year defensive standout completed the sack but immediately grabbed his leg upon hitting the ground and was carted off the field in an air cast. He'll now spend the night in a local Dallas hospital. It's a massive blow to Detroit's defense, as the 24-year-old led the league in sacks (6.5) entering Week 6 and is a formidable game-breaker off the edge. Defensive end Isaac Ukwu figures to pick up snaps with the injury to Hutchinson, and Detroit may seek help elsewhere with no other healthy defensive ends on the roster. The Lions will get a road matchup in Week 7 against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Oct 13 9:10pm ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made all five of his kicks in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos. Dicker tried three field goals, making them all while also adding two extra points. His field goals came from 20, 33, and 46 yards out. He remains one of the most consistent kickers inside 50 yards and with the way the Chargers offense is going, he could continue to get several chances to score per game. He'll be a top-12 option more weeks than he won't be, and should be rostered in most formats that still have a K spot in the lineup.

From RotoBaller

Kimani Vidal Oct 13 9:00pm ET
Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos. Vidal ran the ball four times, gaining 11 yards. He was targeted twice in the passing game and made the most of it, scoring a 38-yard touchdown and gaining 40 yards total through the air. Vidal only got six touches total, but his workload should be going up after this solid performance and with Gus Edwards (ankle) now on IR. J.K. Dobbins will clearly be the RB1 on the Chargers offense, but Vidal should work his way into the main backup role before long. He should be picked up off waivers wherever he's available.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Oct 13 9:00pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey was in and out of Week 6's win over the Denver Broncos, but appears to have escaped the game without a serious lasting injury. Several times, McConkey was forced to the sideline only to return to the game later on. In total, he was targeted eight times, making four catches for 43 yards. He led the team in targets and catches, falling one yard behind the team lead in receiving yards. McConkey has proven to be the WR1 on this offense, but it will continue to be a run-first unit that severely limits the upside of any pass catcher on the roster.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Oct 13 8:50pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled four field goal attempts and converted on both of his extra-point tries in a 32-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Boswell followed up a quiet showing in Week 5 with his best fantasy performance since Pittsburgh's season opener. He nailed his longest field goal of the day, a 52-yarder, on the Steelers' first possession of the contest and proceeded to hit from 49, 37, and 36 yards out. The 33-year-old is in the midst of a stellar campaign with 16 field goals on 17 attempts and 10 extra points on as many tries. Although he is producing like an every-week fantasy starter, there will likely be more games in which Boswell is limited by Pittsburgh's offense. One such outing could be in Week 7 against a tough New York Jets defense.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Oct 13 8:40pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth caught two of his three targets for 16 yards in a 32-13 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Freiermuth was on a two-game touchdown streak heading into the contest but failed to extend it. He came up short of making a significant impact in the passing game with his lowest reception and yardage totals of the campaign. The fourth-year pro is maintaining a role in the offense, but it is difficult to project him for weekly fantasy success with Pittsburgh's passing attack struggling to find its footing. That's unlikely to change in a difficult matchup against the New York Jets in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Jake Elliott Oct 13 8:40pm ET
Jake Elliott

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott converted two of his three field goal attempts and nailed both extra-point tries during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. After three straight down weeks for the 29-year-old, he was able to give fantasy managers a solid performance even with a blocked field goal attempt that turned into a touchdown. The Eagles offense is still going for it at a high rate on fourth down, leading to frustrating results for fantasy managers. With that said, the Eagles' next three matchups are against the New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals, and Jacksonville Jaguars. None of those defenses are scary by any means, and the Eagles offense should be able to get into scoring range often. Elliott will be on the streaming radar again next week.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Oct 13 8:40pm ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins scored a touchdown in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos. Dobbins has been operating as the team's lead back, and that will be even more true now with Gus Edwards (ankle) being placed on IR. Dobbins ran the ball 25 times, gaining 96 yards and scoring a touchdown on a four-yard run in the second quarter. He was also targeted twice in the passing game, making two catches for a total of six yards. While his per carry average wasn't excellent, Dobbins got RB1 volume and did well enough against a strong defense. He'll continue as a solid starting option in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Oct 13 8:30pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught three of four targets for 64 yards and a touchdown during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns. The former Heisman winner recorded his lowest target share of the season but salvaged his fantasy performance with a 45-yard touchdown catch in the 4th quarter that gave the Eagles the lead and ultimately the win. Smith still tied for second on the team in targets and had a solid fantasy outing. Philadelphia was on the field defensively more than they would have liked, leading to just 25 pass attempts for the offense. Starting tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) left early in the first quarter and did not return. The No. 2 spot in the target pecking order is firmly in possession of Smith, and he will be a locked and loaded WR2 next week when the Eagles travel to New York to take on the rival Giants.

From RotoBaller

Grant Calcaterra Oct 13 8:30pm ET
Grant Calcaterra

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra caught all four of his targets for 67 yards during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. The 25-year-old showed off some impressive ball skills and some explosiveness in relief of starting tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) who left early in the first quarter of the ball game and never returned. Calcaterra took a short pass early in the second quarter for 34 yards and made a few impressive snags on his way to a solid fantasy performance. The 25-year-old is entering year three with the Eagles offense and has shown flashes in the past. With no timetable on Goedert's potential return, fantasy managers may want to look Calcaterra's way after he proved to fill in admirably for the veteran starter. He will be on the streaming radar against the rival New York Giants next week if Goedert is ruled out.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Oct 13 8:30pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in three of eight targets for 53 yards in a Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Pickens was the subject of much discussion heading into the contest after seeing limited playing time in Week 5. He once again was the favorite target of quarterback Justin Fields and managed to lead the Steelers in receiving on Sunday. Still, he dropped a few passes and underwhelmed relative to expectations as the team's clear WR1. The 23-year-old came down with a deep ball from Fields late in the fourth quarter for a 31-yard gain, but this was with the game well in hand. He'll hope to turn things around next week at home against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Oct 13 8:30pm ET
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert led his team to a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Herbert finally shed his injury designation for an injured ankle and looked healthy in this one, attempting 34 passes and completing 21 of them for 237 yards and a touchdown. He did not throw an interception, but took three sacks, losing 15 yards. He also fumbled, but it was recovered by the Chargers. His touchdown came on a 38-yard pass to Kimani Vidal in the first quarter. Herbert and the Bolts will play on Monday Night Football in Week 7 against the Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Oct 13 8:20pm ET
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown caught six of nine targets for 116 yards and a touchdown during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. The star receiver made his first start since Week 1 of the regular season and did not disappoint, fighting for the ball in tight coverage and breaking multiple tackles on his way to a solid fantasy performance. His highlight catch came in the second quarter when he caught a 22-yard touchdown in a scrap to maintain procession from the defender. It was a typical A.J. Brown performance against a solid Browns pass defense. The 27-year-old will look ahead to next week when the team goes on the road to take on the division-rival New York Giants. Brown will be a top-tier play again in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 13 8:20pm ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled six carries for seven yards and caught all three of his targets for 11 receiving yards in a 32-13 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Warren, who had missed the past two weeks with a knee injury, failed to deliver much in the way of production as backfield mate Najee Harris enjoyed his best game of the season. Harris appears to still have a strong hold on RB1 duties in Pittsburgh, but Warren should see an uptick in utilization in the coming weeks. While the 25-year-old is worth rostering in most fantasy formats, he cannot be trusted in starting lineups until he is given a notable role in the offense. A home bout with the New York Jets is on tap for Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Oct 13 8:10pm ET
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, adding 14 carries for 33 yards during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns. With both of his top weapons back at full strength, the 26-year-old had a much better outing than his previous three showings. The offense was still a bit slow to start, but Hurts was able to lead the Eagles on a scoring drive in the first quarter for the first time all season. Perhaps even more important than the solid passing total was his zero in the turnover department. Hurts has struggled with turning the ball over in 2024, but held onto the ball this week and completed some tough throws through tight coverage, especially to star receiver A.J. Brown. The Eagles signal caller did lose starting tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) on the first drive of this game and could be without him for a few weeks. With that said, Grant Calcaterra stepped in and showed off his explosiveness a few times against Cleveland, so there are capable hands ready to fill in for the veteran. Hurts will go on the road to face the division-rival New York Giants in Week 7 and should be considered a high-end QB1 in that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Oct 13 8:10pm ET
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris turned 14 carries into 106 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 16 yards on two targets in the team's Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Harris broke free for a 36-yard scamper in the third quarter that resulted in his first trip to the end zone this season. After struggling with efficiency through the first five weeks, Harris gained 7.57 yards per carry on Sunday for a new career-high. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren ran clearly behind Harris and failed to make much of an impact in his first game back from a knee injury. Fantasy managers who have been relying on Harris' workload should be thrilled to see it translate to actual production this week. While it may be difficult for him to find similar success against the New York Jets in Week 7, Harris should remain a volume-based RB2 moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Oct 13 8:10pm ET
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley took 18 carries for 47 yards and caught both of his targets for a gain of seven yards during the team's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. This was by far the worst outing for the star back as a part of the Eagles, as he was stymied at just about every turn when handed the ball Sunday. The biggest run of the day for Philadelphia was by Kenneth Gainwell, who gained 19 yards on a carry in his very limited role. While the stat line is disappointing, especially considering the matchup, there is no reason to worry about the 27-year-old moving forward. Next week will loom large on Barkley's mind as he is set to visit his former team, the New York Giants. The revenge game narrative will headline the matchup and fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to keep him in the starting lineup.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Oct 13 8:06pm ET
Caleb Williams

Dynasty | Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 23-of-29 passes for 226 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in a win against Jacksonville. Dynasty Analysis: He added 56 rushing yards on the day. Feel free to put a * on this game based on the fact it was played against the Jaguars, but you may be doing so at your own risk. Williams looks like a player who is developing very quickly and today could have easily been his coming out party. While not quite on the QB1 line as of yet, Williams looks like a solid hold in dynasty leagues and the talk of the Bears (and dynasty managers) missing out on Jayden Daniels will subside for at least a week.

Rome Odunze Oct 13 8:06pm ET
Rome Odunze

ynasty | Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had two catches for 40 yards in the Bears win over Jacksonville in London. Dynasty Analysis: This is a little concerning given the fact Caleb Williams threw for four touchdowns (nearly five) and only targeted Odunze twice on his 29 throws. Fact is, Odunze is clearly behind DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet in the pecking order and dynasty managers are going to need to exhibit some real patience with him this season. Odunze is starting to represent a possible "buy low" in dynasty leagues for savvy owners ready to pounce on impatient ones.