Fantasy Football: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: A Tribute to Jamie Cullen #PrayForJamie

In an unfortunate event (*cough* *cough* somebody else in another publication with the initials J.S. falling on his hand during the football game last Friday *cough* *cough*) one of our very own Gurus, Jamie Cullen has suffered a broken hand that will require surgery tomorrow morning. Cullen will be out from all sporting activities for six to eight weeks, but as of right now it is undetermined whether or not this injury will affect his role as a Guru. Here at The Viking we hope you all can take a moment to #PrayForJamie and wish him good luck in both his recovery as well as fantasy football playoffs that start next week.

Also, shout out to the brother of a Guru and a potential future Guru, Sam Cleasby, who broke his humerus this past week snowboarding in Lake Tahoe. Remember to #PrayForJamie and #PrayForSam this week.

Matchups from Week

Jordan Schilling beats Steven Marinkovich 124-76

Ben Cleasby beats Peter Snodgrass 91-89

Dillon Scheel beats Eric Maser 103-82

Jamie Cullen beats Ethan Stern 90-74

Love/Hate List

Steven Marinkovich

Love: DeAngelo Williams – DeAngelo has been very steady this season since taking over for Leveon Bell. A primetime match against Indianapolis is a prime opportunity for him to have a big week. The Colts’ run defense is absolutely awful and DeAngelo can easily put up at least 20 points this week.

Hate: Travis Kelce – Low key Kelce has been a beast this year, but the Gurus love the Raiders and the Oakland D will absolutely shut him down this week. Especially having to play in the Black Hole, Kelce will struggle to put up even five points.

Ben Cleasby

Love: David Johnson – This rookie running back has been stuck behind fellow backs Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington all year, despite showing great upside with the small amount of opportunities thrown his way. With both Johnson and Ellington getting hurt in last week’s contest, Johnson looks to lead the Cardinals backfield against a mediocre Rams’ run defense. Johnson, doing well with what we’ve seen, will look to own his opportunity and put up big numbers this week.

Hate: Gary Barnidge – Barnidge has been having a great season averaging 10 points a game, a very high average for tight ends. This week, however, he faces a tough Bengals’ defense, and with Cleveland having quarterback issues with Starter Josh McCown being hurt, Barnidge is going to struggle getting the ball from whoever is tossing the rock.

Ethan Stern

Love: Lamar Miller – Lamar Miller is a MUST play this week. Going against a very below average Baltimore D, Miller is finna shred. I expect at least one 30+ yard catch and run for the grizzly bear that is Lamar Miller. I forecast a 17+ this week for my boy.

Hate: Outrageous Fun (Jordan Schilling’s Team) – Jordan Schilling put one of our beloved gurus on the Injury Reserve (IR). breaking his hand in Paly football’s last game. The fantasy football gods came together, discussed, and came to the conclusion that Schilling deserves to be smitten. Karma most definitely will come back his way as I forecast that the focal points of his team, which includes Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson, will all obtain season ending injuries right in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Peter Snodgrass

Love: Robert Gronkowski – Even though he is week to week, I love Gronk. A man who is comfortable in his own skin, Gronk has been one of the top overall fantasy players. Get well soon Gronk!

Hate: Brandin Cooks – Even though Cooks has been a surprise for many in his breakout sophomore year, Cooks will not produce similar numbers against the Panthers’ D. Josh Norman has been the best defensive back this year, and it is assumed he will be covering Cooks for most the game.

Jamie Cullen ON I.R. FOR THE WEEK. CAN’T TYPE. S/O JORDAN SCHILLING.

Deep Sleeper of the Week

Johnny Manziel – Our boy Johnny Football may have been demoted to third string quarterback last week, but with Josh McCown placed on season-ending injured reserve, Manziel is back up to second string. And let’s face it, new starter Austin Davis is awful. When Manziel gets his chance after the Browns are down 28-0 at the half on Sunday, we already know that he’ll take advantage and be slinging the pigskin around the park at will. He’ll lead the Browns to a comeback victory and cement his place as the poster boy of not only his team, not only the NFL, but all of world sports.

Bold Prediction of the Week – Niners to trade for Johnny Manziel

We call this before things kick off on Sunday morning: the Niners will fleece the Browns and trade for the best quarterback in the league, Johnny Manziel. Johnny Football will come in, finish the season on a winning streak and then lead the Niners to a similar run they went on in the 80s when they had Joe Montana.

This Week’s Matchups

Steven Marinkovich V. Eric Maser

Ben Cleasby V. Jamie Cullen

Dillon Scheel V. Peter Snodgrass

Ethan Stern V. Jordan Schilling

Tweet the gurus any questions you have about your team @VikingFantasyFB