Tue Jul 9 9:59pm ET
Field Level Media
Brett Favre's legal team was back in court on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports, trying to convince the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans to reinstate the former quarterback's defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe.
The case was dismissed by a federal judge in Jackson, Miss., in October.
The dispute involves comments Sharpe made on the Fox Sports show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" in September 2022. At the time, Favre was at the center of an alleged corruption scandal involving the state of Mississippi's welfare system.
Among his broadcast comments, Sharpe said Favre was "taking from the underserved," that he "stole money from people that really needed that money," and, "The problem that I have with this situation, you've got to be a sorry mofo to steal from the lowest of the low."
The lower court ruled that Sharpe's remarks were "rhetorical hyperbole" and "loose, figurative language." Favre's lawyers are arguing that the comments represent "actionable defamation."
Favre was never charged with a crime, but the state of Mississippi still has a lawsuit pending against him and others involved in the welfare scandal. State representatives maintain that he received more than $1 million for planned speaking engagements to which he was a no-show. He paid back that money but is being pursued for interest.
Sharpe has since left Fox Sports and now works for ESPN.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson should be viewed as a low-floor, high-ceiling option heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Robinson had strung together an impressive two-game stretch with eight catches, 129 yards, and four touchdowns, but he came crashing back down to earth with just one reception for 23 yards last week. Still, he was targeted by Matthew Stafford five times, reaffirming the veteran's interest in getting the ball into Robinson's hands. Given that Robinson is a big-play deep threat, there are going to be some times when he just can't seem to get a spark offensively. Other times, he'll repeatedly catch deep passes and add a score or two. The Patriots aren't dominant against receivers, so Robinson could certainly be capable of breaking off a huge play (or even a touchdown) this week. The alternative, though, is a one-catch game with just a couple fantasy points. Managers should evaluate Robinson against other bench players on their roster, keeping in mind that Robinson ranks as a fantasy WR4.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson appears to have been demoted to the No. 2 role on offense amidst the recent emergence of fellow tight end Davis Allen. In his last two games, Allen has averaged 55 percent and 80 percent of the offensive snaps, respectively. Parkinson, on the other hand, played just 42 percent and 16 percent, respectively. This is a major fall from grace for Parkinson, who had been a respectable streaming option earlier in the year, catching at least three passes in four of his first five games. As long as Allen and the rest of the Rams' pass-catchers stay healthy, Parkinson lacks fantasy appeal.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen has snuck onto the lower end of the fantasy radar after two impressive games. The 23-year-old has seemingly taken over as the Rams' top tight end, replacing 25-year-old Colby Parkinson. Allen has simply looked more talented and promising than Parkinson, catching five of his six targets for 34 yards as recently as last week versus Miami. It's a little too early to scramble and add Allen off the waiver wire, but his increased role and productivity are certainly intriguing. He's worth monitoring going forward as a potential midseason waiver claim.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will look to maintain his steady volume and production during Sunday's Week 11 contest against the New England Patriots. Nacua has been impressive so far this season, averaging eight catches and 102 yards in the two games for which he's been healthy. He remains off the injury report against the Patriots and figures to have a full workload. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a merely modest matchup on tap, Nacua has shown that he can handle all challenges and should be treated as a low-end WR1 on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams saw his nine-game rushing touchdown streak come to an end in Week 9, and he hasn't been able to find the end zone in either of his last two contests. He'll look to pick back up and restart his streak this week against the New England Patriots. New England presents a favorable matchup for Williams given that the Rams are favorites to win (and therefore could run the ball more often) and the Patriots' defense has struggled to contain the rushing attack. In fact, the Patriots have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing touchdowns, and sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Fantasy managers should fire up Williams as a strong, mid-range RB1 option.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks to continue his impressive stretch of games this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Kupp has totaled 23 catches, 235 yards, and one touchdown through three games since returning from injury, giving him 15+ fantasy points (PPR) in all three of those contests. This week, Kupp faces a Patriots defense that has been susceptible to the pass when tested. Of course, the Patriots have trailed for most of this season, so it's common for their opponents to run the ball more than they pass, especially as the clock winds down later in the game. With that said, the Patriots have still been thrown against. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a modest matchup on tap, Kupp has proven that he is matchup-proof and should be deployed in all leagues. Fantasy managers can trust him as a low-end fantasy WR1 this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty faces the New England Patriots in Week 11, and he'll look to build on last week's impressive outing in which he drilled five of six field goals, including one from beyond 50 yards. Although New England has merely ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers, Karty figures to benefit from the Rams being favored to win. The lines put Los Angeles in a position to score plenty of points, which means several field-goal opportunities for Karty. He's a fine streamer this week, ranking as a fringe top-12 fantasy kicker.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford can continue to be benched in most single-QB leagues as he faces the New England Patriots in Week 11. While the Rams enter Sunday's game as favorites and the Patriots' defense hasn't been a major turnover machine this year, it should be emphasized that New England has allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. They've also allowed the 11th-fewest touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks, which could be a result of both their solid goal-line defense and other teams' tendencies to run the ball at a greater rate of frequency. All in all, the stars don't appear to be aligning for Stafford in fantasy football this week. He's outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks, making him startable only in deeper or 2-QB leagues.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets are expected to deploy Anders Carlson as their kicker heading into Week 11's home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets went with rookie Spencer Shrader as their kicker in Week 10 but the Kansas City Chiefs signed him from New York's practice squad on Thursday after losing Harrison Butker to injured reserve with a knee injury. That means the Jets will have their fourth kicker in as many weeks when they face off against a Colts defense that is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season. Carlson is not a recommended fantasy option this weekend.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson turned in his slowest game since Week 4 with a five-catch, 41-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. He will look to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 11. The Colts have struggled to contain opposing receivers this season, allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Wilson has seen at least eight targets in all but two of his games this season and is safe to deploy as a solid WR1 in fantasy this weekend.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin has been quiet of late, having caught just two passes for five yards over his past two games. The veteran tight end will look to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 11. The Colts represent an excellent matchup for Conklin as they are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. That being said, Conklin is not a major piece of the passing attack for the Jets and he may struggle to get the targets needed to take advantage of this cake matchup. Treat Conklin as a low-end TE2 who is worth a look as a streaming option if desperate in fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall has been held out of the end zone for three straight games and ran for just 52 yards on 10 carries last week. He will look to break that streak in Week 11's home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been an average matchup for running backs this season as they are allowing the 17th-fewest fantasy points per game this season. Despite his recent struggles, Hall remains an explosive player with the potential to do damage in the passing game, which keeps him in the conversation as a mid-range RB1 heading into Week 11.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (hamstring, knee) is coming off one of his slowest games of the year as he threw for just 151 scoreless yards in a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. He has a chance to bounce back at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The Colts have struggled to slow opposing passing attacks this season as they are allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks thus far. Despite the plus matchup, Rodgers has not been fantasy-relevant very often this season, leaving him as a low-end QB2 for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints D/ST had a bit of a rebound against the Falcons in Week 10. For the first time since Week 3, they held their opponent to 17 points or fewer and they also racked up three sacks and an interception. The team has at least one pick in all but two games this season. In Week 11, they have a favorable matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland's offense is averaging 16.4 points per game, fourth lowest in the league, and is allowing a league-worst 4.8 sacks per game. New Orleans' pressure rate ranks in the middle of the pack but they should have an easier time getting to quarterback Jameis Winston as the Browns' O-line concedes pressure at the fourth-fastest rate in the league. New Orleans is a quality candidate for streamers looking for a D/ST unit in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams will look to bounce back in Week 11 as they face off against the Green Bay Packers in a divisional rivalry game. After a relatively strong performance in Week 10, where the Bear's defense kept things competitive despite a tough loss to the New England Patriots, they now turn their focus to Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Love has talented pass-catchers at his disposal, including Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and tight end Tucker Kraft, all of whom will test the Bears' pass defense. The Bears' secondary will need to step up in a big way to prevent big plays and keep Love from finding rhythm with his weapons. On the ground, Packers running back Aaron Jones (assuming he plays) has been a steady force, and the Bears' run defense, which has been below average all season, will face a tough challenge containing him. While the Bear's defense can make plays, their inconsistenciesespecially against the runmake them a risky fantasy option this week. If you're in a pinch and don't have many better options, they won't necessarily destroy your team, but there are likely better-streaming defenses available for Week 11. It's best to temper expectations, as Green Bay's offense can potentially exploit the Bears' defensive weaknesses.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen will be looking to bounce back in Week 11 as he faces off against a challenging Green Bay Packers secondary. After a frustrating performance in Week 10 against the New England Patriotswhere Allen saw six targets but only hauled in five catches for 44 yardshe's eager to get back on track, especially now that he's adjusting to his new team. This week, a significant shift for the Bears is the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was just nine games into his tenure. The Bears promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to take over as offensive coordinator, hoping this change will spark a more dynamic and productive offense, which should benefit Allen in the long run. However, Chicago's offensive line is still dealing with key injuries and is unlikely to be at full strength on Sunday, which could limit the overall effectiveness of the offense. While you may be stuck starting Allen due to a lack of better options, managing expectations is essential. This week could be a pivotal moment to see how the coaching change affects the Bears' offense and how Allen fits into the new scheme.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze could be in for a solid performance in Week 11 as he faces the Green Bay Packers' defense. After a quiet outing last week, where he recorded just 23 receiving yards in a lackluster offensive showing against the New England Patriots, Odunze will be looking to rebound and make an impact. The Bears' offense is undergoing significant changes, beginning with the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was dismissed after just nine games. The team has promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to take over as the new offensive coordinator, hoping his fresh approach will lead to a more productive offense and open up opportunities for Odunze to break out. However, the Bears' offensive line is still dealing with key injuries and likely won't be at full strength this Sunday, which could affect the offense's overall efficiency. While you might find yourself in a position where starting Odunze is necessary, it's important to manage expectations this week. Ideally, you'll have other options, but this game could offer insight into how the coaching change impacts Odunze's role and the offense moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is a risky fantasy start in Week 11, given his limited involvement in recent games and a tough matchup against the Green Bay Packers' defense. Kmet has been a secondary option in the Bears' offense, which has struggled to find consistency, making him a volatile play this week. However, there has been a significant change in Chicago's offensive structure: the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just nine games into his tenure. In his place, the team promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, hoping that his new approach would spark a more efficient offense and, in turn, lead to a more significant role for Kmet. While the potential for improvement is there, it's important to note that the Bears' offensive line still deals with critical injuries, which could limit the offense's overall effectiveness. If you're in a pinch and need to start Kmet, be cautious with your expectations. Ideally, it would be best to explore other options, but this week will provide insight into how the coaching change might impact Kmet's involvement moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is a solid, if somewhat unexciting, fantasy option for Week 11 as he prepares to face the Green Bay Packers. Santos had a reasonably typical performance in his most recent outing, converting his only field goal attempt from 33 yards out. While Santos didn't have a game-changing performance, he remains reliable in accuracy and consistency. This week, there is a significant shake-up in Chicago's offense, as the team fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just nine games into his tenure. The hope is that the change in leadership will spark a more productive offense, which could result in more scoring opportunities for Santos. Santos should see more chances for field goals and extra points if the Bears' offense improves. While he's still a somewhat average fantasy kicker, the potential for increased usage could make him a slightly more appealing option in Week 11, especially if the coaching change leads to an uptick in overall offensive efficiency.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson is a speculative play in Week 11 as he faces the Green Bay Packers. With the Bears continuing their limited backfield rotation, Johnson is more of a dart throw for fantasy managers in deeper leagues or those looking for a potential sleeper. This week, the Bears made a significant change by firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday, just nine games into his tenure. The team promoted passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to take over as offensive coordinator, hoping this coaching change will help improve the offense's overall efficiency. Ideally, a more productive offense would increase goal-line opportunities for Johnson, who has flashed potential when given chances. However, the Bears' offensive line is still dealing with significant injuries and is unlikely to be at full strength this Sunday, which hurts the offense as a whole. Given these concerns, Johnson should be viewed as a deep-league desperation play, with his best hope being a touchdown or two to salvage his fantasy value.
From RotoBaller