I was fairly accurate in the GameDay Edge week 8 article. I am working on a tool that captures all the fantasy football data I like to reference, creating an algorithm that will help spot boom potential candidates. Think Tyreek Hill’s Week 13 game from last season.
Here is a sneak peek at one of the data charts comparing offensive explosive rush and pass, versus defensive explosive rush and pass defense. Data is used from Sharp Football Stats. For a play to be an explosive rush play, it needs to gain more than 10 yards. For a pass play to be deemed explosive, it needs to gain more than 15 yards.
The delta values below are the defensive explosive rank minus opponent’s offensive explosive rank. So if Team A ranked 5 in offensive explosive pass play and Team B ranked 25 in defensive explosive pass play, Team A has a score of 20 which is really good.
Week 9 Explosive Matchup Chart
Los Angeles Rams vs Tennessee Titans
- Tennessee Titans’ secondary against the Los Angelos Rams passing offensive will be intriguing. LA Rams have the fourth-best explosive matchup; however, the Titans’ DL is generating pressure much more lately. If the Rams OL can hold up, look for Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Darrell Henderson to gain some serious YAC.
- On the flip side, Tennessee Titans rush offense has a seventh-best rush matchup.
- LA Rams rush offense and Ten pass defense should struggle to generate explosive plays.
Summary
This game is set up to be two funnel defenses. LA Rams will attack the young Tennessee secondary. If the Rams OL holds up, look for a big day from Stafford, Woods, Kupp, and Henderson. If Van Jefferson plays, he could be a cheap option for fantasy football DFS and/or Lineup Showdown leagues.
Tenessee, unfortunately, lost Derrick Henry for the rest of the season. However, Tenessee is better off running the ball against the Rams as their defense sells out against the pass. With the Rams acquiring Von MIller (and if he plays), Tennesee Titans OL needs to generate the push up-front. Letting Aaron Donald and Von MIler disrupt run blocking is the only way Titans cannot run on the Rams defense. Running effectively will keep the explosive Rams’ offense off the field.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns
- Cincinnati offense has the best chance to make explosive plays this week against the Browns.
- Cleveland Browns should be able to run against the Bengals with the fourth-best explosive rush matchup.
Summary
Another game with opposing funnel defenses. Cleveland’s OL strength is in run blocking and should dominate the Bengals DL; which plays admirably against mediocre to bad OLs but not against good OLs. Look for the Browns to keep pounding the ball and be successful.
The downfall for the Browns has been yielding several explosive plays in pass defense negating their success rushing the ball. All season long, teams have been wildly successful on deep passes against the Browns.
Ja’Marr Chase could have a massive day so use him in DFS and/or Lineup Showdown leagues.
Other tidbits for fantasy football DFS and Lineup Showdown Leagues:
- Elijah Mitchell has the highest boom potential this week.
- Boston Scott should benefit against porous LA Chargers rush defense and he is a viable flex option in all formats.
- Patrick Mahomes could again struggle against the GB defense but he is Patrick Mahomes. Just lower your expectations. KC should run the ball more in this game to keep Rodgers off the field.
- Josh Allen and the Bils’ WRs have boom potential against the pass funnel Jags defense.
- Baltimore can have success throwing the ball if its OL holds up against the Vikings’ DL. Hollywood Brown can get loose for a couple of long TDs.
