Another week means another opportunity to sit in judgment of Jeff Mans!  I have poured over Jeff’s rankings and opinions and, well, let us see how he did.  Oh, and as usual, I will pepper this piece with a few of my own masterpieces and pieces of [use a word for dung] from the past week.

Here is the 2015 Week 13 edition of Right, Wrong or Indifferent:

RIGHT

Delanie Walker:  Maestro Mans was dead on when he penned:  “Walker torched these Jaguars just two weeks ago to the tune of 8-109 in a game that the Titans only scored one TD. Mariota has targeted Walker on an incredible 36.7 percent of his drop backs over his past five starts.”  Well, Jeff correctly prognosticated that Walker would have a repeat performance.  Indeed, it was almost identical to his first game against the Jags.  Walker rewarded fantasy owners with 8 for 92 and a TD.  The Titans TE has a sweet 22 catches over the last three weeks and will be a TE1 throughout the fantasy football playoffs.  Play with confidence.

Drew Brees:  Mr. Mans was spot on regarding Drew Brees.  Jeff wrote: “Brees is an entirely different player at home than he is on the road. His completion percentage is 15 points higher (60 percent-75 percent), his QB rating is almost 40 points higher (79/115.2), he's averaging almost 100 yards more passing per game (276.4/363.6) and has a much better TD:INT ratio (14:4 at home, 6:6 on road). The Saints are going to give the Panthers a challenge here this week and as a result the scoreboard could ignite in giant flames of fantasy production.”  Many were afraid to start Brees against the vaunted Panther D.  Not Jeff or those (like team CTW) that listened to Jeff.  Brees rewarded the faith by throwing for 282 and three TD.  With home games against DET and JAX in weeks 15 and 16, Brees will lead a lot of teams to fantasy titles. 

DeAngelo Williams:  Jeff is looking good here as he wrote about DWill:  “For DeAngelo it really doesn't matter whether Ben Roethlisberger plays or not, he is going to produce fantasy numbers this week. The Colts are a bottom third defense across the board against the run and the Steelers are eighth in rushing yards per game and second in rushing yards per attempt this season. Oh and DeAngelo is exceeding Le'Veon Bell in both of those categories this season.”  Yeah, I know Antonio Brown scored so much that DWill did not get into the end zone.  No matter, his 165 total yards with five receptions means a gorgeous 22 points in common PPR formats.  I will take that any day.  So should you.

Ryan Fitzpatrick:  Ok, one for me.  I told all who would listen that Ryan Fitzpatrick would have a big day against the Giants.  Yeah me!  Fitz-Magic pasted the Giants, going 36-50 for 390 and two TD.  Fitzy does not have the strongest arm in the world but he is totally in synch with both Marshall and Decker.  For those who owned Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, etc., Fitzy makes a nice streaming option for your playoff run.

WRONG

Jay Cutler:   Well, now for the other side of the coin.  This Mans’ prediction hardly came to pass: “Cutler's FD price is ridiculously low considering his recent production and this matchup. I am really considering using him in cash games and just paying up for a premium RB and WR this week but still on the fence considering Cam and Brady are still solid options too. The 49ers defense is the second worst DVOA according to Football Outsiders and are in the bottom five in total yards per game, passing yards per game, passing yards per attempt and pass coverage.”  I have to admit, I agreed with Jeff and thought Cutler would have a strong game against a Niners team traveling east and playing away from home.  Buzzer!  That just did not happen.  Cutler ruined many a DFS player’s day by throwing for only 202 yards, no TD and adding a pick for bad measure.  Ugly!  The lesson here is that starting Cutler in DFS or fantasy playoffs is only for those who like to live on the edge.  Personally, that is too much risk for me. 

Eddie Lacy:  I think Jeff got twisted around a bit when he wrote: “Lacy's snaps have been steadily rising as has his production over the last three weeks. Again if you are the type that has to have some action going in the Thursday game then Lacy is the best RB available.”  Lacy compiled one total yard Thursday?  Yes, only one! Jay Cutler says thanks for making me look good Eddie.  I have no idea what is going on with this situation but how can you possibly risk your season on Lacy or Starks at this point?  Move along.

LeGarrette Blount:  Jeff booted this grounder when he said:  “As the week has gone on I like Blount more and more. We all know that the Patriots are going to destroy the Eagles this week and thus Blount could see a significant amount of scoring opportunities. But what's more is that the Eagles play at such a rapid pace that if they are not picking up first downs they will turn the ball back over to the Patriots with a ton of time left. The Pats could seriously hold the ball for 40-plus minutes here and the score could exceed that total as well. Blount could carry the ball 30-plus times himself and for a defense that ranks 28th in the league and rushing yards per game allowed and 25th in rushing yards per attempt, this spells trouble.” 13 for 54 and no TD is not getting it done.  Blount will have a two-TD game during the fantasy playoffs but trying to figure out which one it will be is like playing Russian Roulette with your four months of hard work.  Thank you, but no.

Alshon Jeffery:  In all fairness, I have to look in the mirror and scold myself at least once.  I really thought Alshon would go off against the Niners.  Survey says: WRONG!  Four catches for 85 yards is not what you need from your No. 1 wideout and certainly not the kind of numbers that returned value in DFS.  As Cutler goes, Jeffrey goes.  If you own Jeffrey in season long, you are already committed and likely have no choice.  In DFS, it is like Scotty says on "Star Trek": "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."

INDIFFERENT

Tom Brady:  Jeff noted: “Brady is a sure thing to throw for 300 yards and at least two TDs this week against the Eagles. But at this price I prefer the slight discount as well as the rushing ability of Newton in cash game. Still, coming off of a loss we know the Patriots will mean business this week and could bury the Eagles to the tune of 350 yards and four-plus TDs passing. Bottom line is that you can never really go wrong with Brady especially at home in Foxboro.”   At first blush, 312 yards and three TD should be a win no?  Well, the two INT hurt the value for sure – so much so that given what you had to pay to play Brady, this is a wash.  Analysis: go back and watch the film.  Brady was hardly at his best, but you will see receivers dropping balls and running the wrong routes.  No QB could be effective that way.  I am not paying his salary in DFS next week.  Maybe in Week 15 when Gronk returns.

Julio Jones:   Jeff was high on Julio Jones: “Julio destroyed the Bucs four weeks ago to the tune of 12-162-1. The recent struggles and negative press about Matt Ryan present a narrative that will have him wanting to prove the critics wrong. The issue with Ryan has been a lack of trust in his receivers and I'm willing to go all in that Jones' targets exceed a dozen this week. The CB matchup against PFF's No. 72-ranked CB Jude Adjei-Barimah sweetness the pot even more.” Eight catches for 93 yards is hardly something to sneeze at.  However, given the price (RD 1 or top WR in DFS), this is at best a wash.  Jones is an amazing talent but there is discord in Atlanta and he has not seen pay dirt since Week 8.  Proceed with caution in DFS.  

Arizona Cardinals DST:  About the Arizona DST, Jeff penned as follows:  “If the Cardinals can stop the run early on, they will have a field day against this QB-less Rams offense. The Rams are no threat to score a high point total and are a turnover machine in the passing game as well.” Well, they did give up just three points, so that was a good call.  However, NO sacks and only one turnover against the hapless Rams offense can hardly be called a win.  Indifference defined.  Cards have a very strong defense in real football but they have hardly been lighting it up in fantasy.    

Ok, let’s use what we learned and win in Week 14.  Good luck!