Quick history: I've been involved in fantasy football for probably a decade now. Luck has a lot to do with wins and losses, but there is a lot of stats and knowledge that can definitely help lead your team to victory.
I've used ESPN as my main FF format and thus have followed the likes of Matthew Berry, Field Yates, Stefania Bell, etc... they really do know what they're talking about for the most part, but at the end of the day you have to go with your gut.
I was saddened to see last week, that The Talented Mr. Roto, aka Matthew Berry's Love/Hate list was only available if your subscribed to ESPN+, which cost's money obviously.
I never really relied on it to set my line-up so much as I appreciated the validation of my choices. Also gave me a good heads up on if my opponent's team had anyone that was looking up for that week, or was in for a tough grind.
Regardless, I really like FF and all it has to offer, so I figured now that they're withholding their precious Love/Hate list, I will make my own. Hopefully other FF players will follow along and be able to use it to help them win games or make their line-up decisions easier...
Before we get into it, I feel like a copycat and maybe possibly even infrining on a copyright if I just used Love/Hate. So instead I'm going to use something that I currently love and now hate. Players on the love list, will be on the HIVE list. Players I Hate, will be on the Steem list, lol. I hope you enjoy that little twist as much as I do.....so lets get after it!
QB'S on the HIVE
Justin Herbert
Herbert has been off to a stellar rookie season. He's currently 7th on total points for QB's, which is more points than Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady, & Big Ben. Not bad for a rookie QB. This week he gets Buffalo on the road who gave up 20+ points in the past 2 weeks vs Arizona and Seattle. The Herbert to Allen combo is legit. Austin Ekeler coming back this week possibly just gives Herbert another outlet option to pass to. Start him if ya got him.
Carson Wentz
Probably the only time I would put Wentz on here all year. The Legion of Boom is no more. More like Legion of ZOOM for the opposing WR's to race into the end zone. Seattle's pass D has been a sieve all year. I haven't been too high, personally, on any of Philly's RB's, so I would expect Wentz to air it out early and often against Seattle's porous defense.
QB'S on the Steem
Lamar Jackson
For where you drafted Jackson, you're probably feeling like you got bit in the ass. A major downturn from what he did last year. On the road against a stellar Pittsburgh defense, I don't see him hitting his projection. I'm taking the under and would assume it to be a ground and pound offensive day for the Ravens.
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill has really surprised me this year, what a resurgence which started late last year. After his stint in Miami, I thought he was the next Jake Locker, but no. Unfortunately for him this week, he gets the Indianapolis Colts, who if you haven't been paying attention, have one of, if not the best defense in the league. AJ Brown and Corey Davis, along w/ Jonnu Smith have helped RT tremendously this year, but the Colts D is no joke. Hopefully you have another QB you can start this week.
RB's on the Hive
Kalen Ballage
Double check the Chargers roster this week to see if Austin Ekeler will be playing as he would obviously eat into Ballage's work load. Speaking of work load, Ballage has toted 16.3 carries in the last 3 weeks to go along with 4.6 receptions and one TD. You already know I Hive Herbert. Going against Buffalos 18th rated run D in fantasy, I'm starting Ballage....(if Ekeler doesn't start, remember)
Gio Bernard
Not a super popular name, but with Joe Mixon out for the next few weeks, and Joe Burrow done for the year, who else is going to get the ball? He's had a rocky last two weeks, one was against Pitt, but the 3 weeks prior he had steady carries, a few receptions, and 2 TD's. Going up against the Giants 25th ranked run D, I expect Gio to over perform his current projection of 13.8 points.
RB's on the Steem
Derrick Henry
Did I talk about the Colts D above? Yes, yes I did. They are good. Obviously if you have him, you're starting him. But I would temper my expectations. Save for Aaron Jones 1 yard TD plunge against them, they held him to less than 12 points. Henry himself only had 11.9 points against them 2 weeks ago, and that was at home. I'd temper my expectations this week.
James Conner
Conner hasn't put up more than 13 FP's in has last 3 games. Going up against the Ravens 12th ranked run D, I see Big Ben hucking it more than I see Conner tearing it up on the ground. Look for better options if you can.
WR's on the Hive
Terry Mclaurin
Who is he playing? Oh ya, Dallas. Start him and watch the points rack up. He put up 22 points when they met in week 7 garnering 7 receptions on 11 targets to go with a TD. Dallas is fortunate to have Andy Dalton back, but that won't help them stop Mclaurin. I have him scoring more than his 17.2 PPR projection this week.
Devante Parker
Speaking of bad teams, are the Jets in the NFL this year? Or in a collegiate league? I can't tell, they have been so awful. Even when they put up a fight, they shoot themselves in the foot somehow. Parker is the clear #1 in Miami and should get his Thanksgiving share of targets whether they come from Tua or Fitz-magic, it shouldn't make a difference. 15.8 points should be a lock against NY's 27th ranked pass defense.
WR's on the Steem
AJ Brown
Now don't get me wrong, I am high on Brown. I think he can be a legit #1...but remember talking about the Colts D earlier, well Brown goes up against them again this week. Two weeks ago he had his worst outing of the year, putting up a measly 3.1 FP's. I'll say it again, Colts D is for real. Don't hold your breath for a breakout game this week. Although Brown's schedule is quite tasty going forward.
TB WR's
Obviously someone has to catch the ball from Tom Brady, but who will it be. It's a total crapshoot if you ask me. But going against KC's 4th rated pass D, I wouldn't bet too heavily that anyone is going gangbusters. Evans, Godwin, Gronk, AB, someone will have a decent day, but you might as well pick a name out of a hat. If you have other options, I would implore them.
What about TE's?
Well, if you have Kelce, you're starting him without even thinking. Everyone else at this point is fairly suspect, you just don't know what you're going to get. Hell, Hayden Hurst just went catch-less last week for the first time in 3 years. Who saw that coming? Granted, Waller, Hockenson, Kittle (before injury), and Andrews could do well for you and you're starting them if you have them, but it's been really up in the air this year regarding TE's. Play your studs if you have em' and hope for the best if you don't.
I would love to do this weekly, if there is a market for it. So I'll leave it up to y'all's votes and comments to decide if I keep doing it or not. Hopefully some of you got some decent info out of it.
Thanks for reading & Hive on.