The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Dr. Roto's Fantasy Football Feature Week 16

Episode Date: December 19, 2019

Dr Roto joins Matt with his Fantasy Football advice as the NFL Season rolls on into week 16

photo give me the news are really championship weekend matt thomas with you on sports talk 790 you got a question for the good doctor getting him ready we're going to get him in the final segment of the show all right so let's do this honestly rhodo first of all happy holidays to you and yours secondly how many leagues are you in and how many are you playing for a championship tell truth i have six leagues where i can win a championship and i think i was in somewhere around 15 16 lakes. Okay, that's not a bad percentage. I think your head is spinning, but that's fine. Six championships. So let's get right to it. We'll go in no particular order, but I do want to give the Texans game of the Buccaneers in our second segment. How nervous are you about

Dak Prescott and his availability to be successful Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, and how does that affect his wide receivers and his running backs? Not worried in the least. Doc is it will be there. This is the game of the year. this is it. Whoever wins is going in. So, I mean, Jerry Jones has been banking on this game all year. I think he did this as where they're going to be. And I like that this game. I'm playing

in middle league. I need them to win for me. I'm going in with full confidence. I like Michael Gallup in this game. I like Cooper, but I like him a little less on the road than I do at home. I like Zeke. On the other side of the football, this kid, Greg Ward, you guys know him very well from the area. He was a quarterback.

Yeah, and now it turned out to be a good receiver. So somebody to look at, Miles Sanders is starting to play at a very high level. So I think this could be a very exciting fantasy game. Okay. Let me get to, and again, this is, you know what, we're playing for championships here. So every game is fair game. Are there some nuggets in the Giants Washington game? Is there a nugget or two in the Cincinnati Miami game?

Because as many interesting matchups there are this weekend, there are also multiple games, Roto, with two dog opponents playing each other. Right, but that's not what you look at. What you look at is the over-unders. That's the key. So, for example, Pittsburgh and the Jets, that's under 40. Buffalo and New England, that's more of a dog fantasy game than Cincinnati, Miami. See, Cincinnati, Miami, Joe Mixon, good play.

Tyler Boyd, good play. Devonte Parker, good play. So you can find that. The key to finding the good games and the bad games is looking at the over-unders. And when you see a game under 40, run. All right, let me ask you this. Did the snow affect the fantasy performances from Kansas City Chief Players? And how much are you watching weather over the next 72 hours?

Yeah, I love that question. It's a great question. So, listen, how many people out there probably benched Mahomes last week because they were worried about the snowstorm? It was a monumental mistake. Bad weather always favors the offense. They know where they're going. the defense can't react as quickly. So unless you throw a ball like Billy Kilmer,

you know, ducks in the air, and unless it's like 30-mile-an-hour wins, I don't worry about weather. And I think that is one of the big mistakes that new fantasy owners make. And anybody who bench Mahomes, I get it, I understand it, don't ever do it again. All right.

Dalvin Cook sounds like he's not going to play from Minnesota this week. How does that affect that side of things for Minnesota? and I'm just curious about these two teams playing for an NFC North championship in an indoor facility where weather will not be a factor. Yeah, so this one is a very precarious situation. So you've got three guys in Minnesota who are all very good. Dalvin Cook, we know, is tremendous. He's going to prepare like he's going to play, but you're hearing different reports.

Adam Schefter saying he's not going to play. Other people saying he is going to play, they don't want to tip their hand. Guy number two, Alexander Madison, big fan of this. guy, but he didn't play last week due to an ankle injury. Is he going to be 100% this week? Then door number three is Mike Boone, who's a really good runner that nobody knew about last week except for crazy people like me. And, you know, would they be better off as Boone started? Probably because at least he's the one healthy guy and it's not really going to make a dent in the playoff decision. But who knows what's going to happen? And the worst part is it's a Monday night

game. So look, here's what I would do. I would go out right now if I own Dalvin Cook and I get Mike Boone put him on my team because even if Madison plays, he will split carries with Boone and you've covered yourself. All right, let's get to the Saturday games because they're all intriguing for different reasons. We'll skip the Texans one of the very last one. Buffalo at New England, this is Buffalo's greatest chance to dethrone the Patriots as the AFC East Championship. Do they have enough firepower against Stefan Gilmore, who is going to be probably the defensive player of the year in the NFL? Well, take a look at the numbers. The statistics are when the bills go to Foxborough, it doesn't end well.

I mean, it's really bad over the years. It's ethically bad. So the problem is I think they're getting closer, but they're not there yet. The Patriots defense is so good that they're going to keep Josh Allen in the pocket. Keeping Josh Allen in the pocket is not where he wants to be because he's not the most accurate guy. So I think they really struggled last game. I mean, he really couldn't do anything. So you've got Gilmore covering John Brown.

That's a problem. You've got Cole Beasley, who I do like for the bills. I don't like Josh Allen. I like Devin Singletary. But, I mean, I think he's the key to the game. If Singletary can play well enough out of the backfield, maybe the bills have a shot. If he doesn't, it's going to be tough. Now, here's the interesting thing.

Julian Edelman's hurt, right? He's hurt too. So I think the Patriots absolutely need this by week. They want the win. I just don't even know if they have the offensive horses to do it. This game is under a 40-cord in to Vegas. I think it's to be very low-scoring. All right, let's get to the Rams and the Niners.

The Rams are on life support for the playoffs. The Niners are in a dogfight to win the West, maybe even try to secure home field throughout. Maybe they may be a wild card. So, I mean, plenty to play for in this matchup on both sides. Right. Plenty to play for, and the 49ers are going to run the ball all day long. Mostert is turned into a star, and I think he needs to be started.

After that, Bride and Coleman, you just don't really know. The Rams defense has been good at times, and then at other times it looked terrible. I mean, the Cowboys really had a great game against them. So you play Emmanuel Sanders. You play Debo Samuel. You play George Kittle. On the other side of the ball, Jared Goff has really been bad on the road. He has been terrible.

The only lucky thing here is that the 49ers have so many injuries on defense that I can't imagine that Goff has a bad week. But there are a lot of people out there. I've been getting it on Twitter. Dr. Roto, should I start Cooper Cup or Breshaud Paraman? I think right now I'd start Breshaud Paraman. Wow. Okay.

Now, we're going to take a short time out, come back. He's going to give us his thoughts on the Buccaneers because we need to know a lot about Tampa, but for watching the game, but for fantasy implications because of what James Winston's in the last couple of weeks, we'll take a couple of phone calls too. If you have a question for Dr. Roto, 713212-5-790. 7-190.790.

Cougars coach Kelvin's. Sapson here. You're listening to the Matt Thomas show on Sports Talk 790. All right, here we go, 1247. Another segment here with Dr. Roto. Everybody else stand by? Roto, our buddy Ross, is having a birthday today, and he's also on our fantasy championship. So I thought we'd give him an opportunity here to get a free Dr. Roto gift with some fantasy vice where he can win his championship. Oh, wow. What a birthday present. Sorry, Matt. Matt didn't make the playoffs, by the way. Rodo. I'm sorry for him on that.

Gift basket is coming, Ross. This is just the first of your gifts. Thank you. All right, so I do have Winston, and I did have Godwin. So I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I did pick up Perryman, but I also have at wide receiver. I just need to know who to sit, because I do have Paramon. I also have Lockett, Alan Robinson, DJ Moore.

Which of those would you sit? All right. So DJ Moore has got Indianapolis. I'm playing him. me showing Michael Michael Thomas did. Alan Robinson, it's a Chiefs. I kind of like that matchup. And then Lockett, just Arizona.

Ooh, I like that matchup, too. I know, but how do I sit Paramount? I have Winston, too, for the stack, so it's kind of tough. Yeah, you're not sitting Paramount. Maybe I know this is going to sound crazy. I'm not sitting Robinson at all against Kansas City. I guess it could be, you can't sit Lockett. Maybe it's DJ Moore, and the only reason it would be is because Will Greer.

We don't know who will. Greer is. Is he good? Is he not? And I know that Indianapolis is going to run the ball there. So that's, I mean, he's been tremendous, but that probably, as of the second, that's the guy. Yeah, that goes into my flex as well. Would you play Mike Boone over any of them, half PPR? If I knew he was starting, yes. Okay. We won't know that until the very last minute. But if I know, if Mike Boone is starting, you start him. All right, there you go. So there's Ross's gift. I hope you all are taking notes. Let me get a couple of people, and we're going to mix in emails and phone calls in his final six minutes here.

AJ Brown, Diggs, McLaren, Slayton, Chubb. Two of those five people play. Who goes? This is from everybody old school Mick. I'm going to go Chub because Chub's a real great player. I never said him. I don't play McClure. I really like him.

He's against a giant defense. I can't imagine that he's not going to have a big week. All right. For those of you on hold, do not ask us how we're doing. Let's just get right to it. Everybody's doing fine. Rota, you doing fine? I'm doing fine.

Ross, you doing fine? I'm great. A little stuffy, but I'm okay. Okay, I'm great, too. Jason and Magnolia for the good doctor. Fire your question away, please. I got one point BPR. Andrews or Ernst?

Or Moster? Fine, I heard Chubber Moster. What was the first one? Repeat the first one, Jason. Andrews or Oertz? Andrews or Ertz? Oh, Ingram or Ertz? I won't play Zach Ertz.

I mean, right now he's the key to that. And Dallas is terrible, terrible against tight ends. I play Dallas Goddard and Zachers. The other one, Chubba Mostert. Man, Chub is such a good player. Baltimore's a tough defense, but do you want to be a half? I'll go Chub, but that's a close call. All right.

Let's go to Manuel out here in SoCal on 790. Go ahead, Manuel. All right. Hi, Doctor. How about I have Rogers and I have Tanna Hill. Yeah, that's a much closer call. I think we're going to actually go Aaron Rogers this week. Here's why.

Ryan Tandahill has been sensational. I have nothing bad to say about him. The Titans should sign him long term. Really, they should. But the Vikings past defense is weak, and the way to exploit them is through the air. And Aaron Rogers is the one guy who knows how to do that. And he's confident, and I think this is a big week for him. All right.

Thanks, M.O. For the phone call. Let's go next to Mission Ben and say how to Brian on 790 for Dr. Roto. Go ahead, Brian. Hey guys, I was wondering, should I start Melvin Gordon, Kenyon, Drake, or Carry On Johnson this week? Well, you know, it's funny about Carry On Johnson. He has made arguably the best matchup. I mean, it really does.

He's gone up against the Denver Broncos, who some weeks are good on stopping the run, and some weeks are terrible. You know, if you're feeling lucky, I have no problem with that. I think Drake is a good start, not a great start. but if they say that Johnson really looks good this week and looks fit, I think you can risk it on him. I got an email from Cliff, Roto, about any free agent wire pickups that would be, especially if your team that's lost chalk and Godwin and Evans and all the folks that are earned, anybody that worthy of picking up on the waiver wire.

Yeah, I mean, let's start with Tampa Bay. I think you're looking at Justin Watson and Breschard Paramount. James Winston is doing a great job right now. So, I mean, why would you not want to have a part of those guys on offense? If you're looking for more running backs, I'd look at Mike Boone, and I'd look at DeAndre Washington. Josh Jacobs has been ruled out, so I think that Washington is a great start this week. Let's go next to and say hello to Corey in the Med Center on 790. Hi, Corey.

Hello. I got a standard league. This is a flex position between Singletary and Marathon. Marcus Brown. Yeah, I don't think. Singletary is a very good player, and I'm a big fan. I really am. But he's not a goal line back.

And, you know, when they get in the, by there, they bring in Frank Gore, which is a mistake. So I think Hollywood Brown has a week, and I think Cleveland is going to get killed this week. So I'm going to use him. We talked about the Tampa side of things. On the Texans front, Kenny Stills' worthy play this week. What do you think? I mean, we all don't know the regular guys at play, but would he be a guy? guy that caught two second quarter touchdown passes, could he be a sneaky of pickup this week

or add-on for a playoff roster? Well, look, you can't run on the Buccaneers. The Bucks run game is really good. This is not a Carlos Hide week. So when it's not a Carlos Hide week, you've got to look at those other players. And we all know about Hawkins, right? But this becomes a Duke Johnson week. This becomes a Kenny Stills week.

You've got to get those guys in play because this is not a Carlos Hide week. That said, I think this could be a wide-open game. Vegas is this game like at a 50. and a half. I think it could be even higher. I think it's made a lot of points for it. What about Duke Johnson if we're not using Carlos Hyde? Yeah, yeah. Like I said, Duke Johnson and Kenny Stills come into play. When Hyde is out, those guys come in. And I think that if the way the Texans win this game is if Watson is distributing to a bunch of guys, Duke, Fuller, Hopkins, Stills. If he goes just to

Hopkins, they win. Tide ends? If he goes all over, they win. Yeah, tight ends as well, I'm assuming? Not as much. Not as much Tampa Bay's decent against the tight heads. I mean, I like the play. I don't love it. All right. Let's go to Kyle quickly in the woodlands.

Go ahead, Kyle. Yeah, I got one PPR league with two running back, two receivers, and a flex. I got Derek Henry, Aaron Jones, Boone, and Moster. All right, so we want to know who to play. Look, I mean, Aaron Jones has 17 touchdowns, and Derek Henry is pretty much unstoppable.

I know that Boone and Most are playing very well. I get that, but I don't know how you sit, Henry or Jones at this point. Now, if I was to sit one, I would sit one of them for Boone, only if I know for sure that Cook and Madison are out. If Cook or Madison, if there's even a thought of them playing, you cannot play Boone. But if those guys are ruled out, you can bring Boone into the picture. All right. Last one of the year, we asked for Dr. Roto to give us the one fantasy player

that's going to help us, in this particular case, win it all. It's Dr. Roto's lock of the week. MT may not like this one, but James Winston, man. He is on fire. And Burst-Aryans is all about the record. And I think that James Winston is on target for at least 52 to 50,300 yards. He needs 425 of the yards this week to get 5,000. He might just do it.

And I didn't say they're going to win the game. I didn't say that. I'm just saying that he's going to throw the ball. And if you are starting him in week 16, you might be a fantasy. champion next week. Ross, are you hearing this right now? I am. You've already counted your money, haven't you? No, I haven't, man. I'm a little nervous, but that's okay. That, my friends, was the final. Dr. Roto, lock of the week. All right, Roto, working people find you. You could always find me at Twitter, DRROTO. You'd find me at Sports Illustrated, s.I.com

backslash fantasy, and at full-time fantasy.com. M.T. and Ross, Merry Christmas. Happy New Year to you and yours. Dr. Roto, same to you. And expected great health, my friend, from you in 2020. I'm hoping, okay, my friend. We're thinking about you. I'm hoping for it, too. Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.

Dr. Roto with us here on a sports talk, 7.90. Always a great visitor to the show. We look forward to having him with us in the fall.