Together with GameBlazers: The Next Generation of Fantasy Sports

The Deep Dive Fantasy Newsletter comes to your inbox seven days a week throughout the NFL season, and I bring you the Monday recap each and every week. For those of you who don’t know me, I helped create DynastyLeagueFootball back in 2006 and have been writing about fantasy football for nearly 20 years.

I truly love this time of year, so let’s get to it as we wish a “Happy Holidays” to all of you. Hopefully, you got a fantasy victory under your tree!

As always, some serious storylines developed and this week it happened on Christmas Eve! Let’s take a look at some of the headlines you could easily see today as the fantasy world reacts.

Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper

Amari Cooper is notorious for posting crazy and inconsistent stat lines. Just when you think you can count on him, we typically see duds. Just when you think he’s over the hill, he explodes. This week reminded all of us of the talent he really has and reinforced the simple truth - you never know what you’re going to get with him. Cooper set a Browns receiving yardage franchise record with 11 catches for a whopping 265 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, recording one of the biggest fantasy days in history. If you were hangin’ with Mr. Cooper in your lineup, welcome to the fantasy finals.

Don’t Deck the Hall

If you lost this week, don’t blame Breece Hall. After a dismal week 15, Hall responded with the best week of his fantasy career as he posted 95 rushing yards, 12 catches, 96 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns. It’s been truly amazing to see the progress he’s made this year in an offense that’s really been void of a quarterback. Fantasy managers should honestly salivate thinking about what Hall could do with Aaron Rodgers next season.

Not so Slim Pickens

We really didn’t know what to expect from George Pickens this week with Mason Rudolph at the helm. What we got was a career-best performance as Pickens posted four catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns in a monster win against Cincinnati. While we still need to see more to truly move him up the board going into next year, this was a huge step forward for Pickens.

Whacko for Flacco

Old people unite! Joe Flacco has returned from his couch and suddenly has the Browns in contention. Flacco had another monster game with 368 passing yards and three touchdowns in a huge win against the Texans. While Flacco may be tough to trust in a fantasy playoff matchup, he’s breathing life into the values of Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Kareem Hunt and the rest of the Cleveland offense. The Jets will pose a great test next week but Flacco has resurrected some player value this year for the Browns and it’s been a huge story in fantasy leagues.

Puka Shells out Another One

We’ve seen some rookies come out of nowhere in the past but Puka Nacua is on another level. This week, he posted nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in a win against the Saints. While CJ Stroud is likely going to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Nacua has been the steal of the draft and it’s really not close.

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As always, there were injuries destined to affect fantasy leagues. This week was certainly no different and especially cruel to wide receivers.

DJ Moore left the Bears game with an ankle injury and couldn’t return to action. This was a major buzzkill and will require monitoring.

Jaylen Waddle had an eye injury, returned to the game, then left with an ankle injury. Waddle has been dealing with lots of lingering ailments this year and this just looks like more minor bumps in the road.

Jordan Addison suffered what looks like a significant ankle injury of his own. If it turns out to be a high ankle sprain, this is going to be a big-time development. Stay tuned.

TJ Hockenson was forced out of his game against his former team this week with a knee injury and initial reports don’t look good. Fantasy managers may need to look elsewhere for options during championship weeks.

A rare week gives us three games on Christmas this week as we get the Chiefs and Raiders, Giants and Eagles, and Ravens and 49ers. As always, we have questions that need to be answered!

1.) Where is Travis Kelce?

He’s going to go down as perhaps the greatest tight end in fantasy football history but he hasn’t posted a game with more than 20 fantasy points since week seven. Are we seeing the end of an incredible run?

2.) Can Davante Adams rise up again?

He’s been a good solider through a tough season but it took the Raiders scoring 63 points for him to reach what many think is his fantasy ceiling. What’s next for Adams this week?

3.) Can Saquon Barkley survive this?

Speaking of being a good soldier, Barkley has been good despite an offense being putrid most of the season. Last week was a down one with Barkley scoring under six fantasy points. Can he rise up again in one of the most important weeks of the year?

4.) What can we expect from Deebo Samuel?

Every year brings us players who decide fantasy championships and it looks like Samuel may be THE player to do it this season. He’s on a truly historic and dominant run. Can he keep it going against a stout Ravens defense?

Here are some of the latest articles to post on 4for4.com. There’s always something new so be sure to keep dropping by.

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Week 16 Recap: 16 Things You Need To Know

Week 16 Fantasy Football Sneaky Starts & Sleepers

Week 17 NFL Odds: Lookahead Lines Report