🏆 Waiver Pickups for the Stretch Run

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It's The Touchdown Press Newsletter. Your #1 source for all things fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting, along with 15,000+ fellow degenerates.

With just one more week left in season-long leagues, it’s time to push for the playoffs! Let’s find the right players together.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• Week 13’s Studs and Duds 📈 

• Waiver Wire pickups for the stretch run 🤑 

• The BEST fantasy and prop links 🏈 

• The latest on NFL player news and notes ✅ 

The Prop Drop newsletter hit on another set of Sunday Night Picks to turn in a winning performance. Subscribe now to get in on the fun and catch CASH giveaways on Twitter when we win!

STUD QB: Geno Smith (SEA)

Recently it started to look like Geno’s 2022 season was a fluke. That may still be true, but he had an incredible fantasy game on Thursday night in the loss against Dallas. He accounted for 4 of his team’s TDs by passing for 3 and rushing for an extra one.

The Seahawks have now lost 3 straight games to fall to 6-6, but for one week, Geno provided Seattle fans and fantasy owners some solace.

DUD QB: Justin Herbert (LAC)

Bad New England weather? Surprisingly strong defensive opponent?

I don’t think there’s a valid excuse for just how low Herbert’s fantasy output was against a 2-win Patriots team. He eked over 200 yards and didn’t throw a TD. For fantasy purposes we expect a whole lot more from Herbert.

STUD RB: Alvin Kamara (NO)

If you drafted Kamara this summer, you’re probably feeling pretty smug at the moment. Despite missing the first 3 games, he’s sitting pretty as the PPR RB4, and games like Sunday’s 28.9-point output are a major reason why.

With a combined 109 rushing + receiving yards and 2 scores, Kamara kept the Saints in it against the Lions, despite the team being down early. A quick look at Fantasy Life’s air yards tool shows he leads all NFL RBs in their RACR metric by a long shot. It means he’s excellent at converting his air yards into actual production. He’ll be an asset down the stretch.

DUD RB: Devin Singletary (HOU)

In Week 12, Singletary enjoyed 82% of the backfield snaps despite the return of Dameon Pierce from injury. His production was boosted by a season-high 6 receptions on 7 targets. That work dried up in Week 13.

Singletary only got 8 carries compared to Pierce’s 15 on Sunday and was targeted just once in the passing game. It looks like the Texan coaching staff prefers Pierce after all, and Week 12’s splits were more about health management than a changing of the guard.

STUD WR: DK Metcalf (SEA)

Thursday night must have been cathartic for Metcalf’s fantasy owners. He’d been slightly disappointing this year as a borderline WR2/3, but he finally came through with 134 yards and 3 big TDs in the loss to the Cowboys.

Time will tell if Metcalf can keep it going deep into the final stretch of the season, but he’s on top of the world this week.

DUD WR: Adam Thielen (CAR)

We all know we can’t count on Thielen to be dominant every week, but it was fair to expect a little more than 3 receptions for 25 yards against a Tampa Bay defense that’s been MORE than generous to opposing WRs this year. In fact, the Bucs ranked 28th against the position according to Fantasy Life.

In a rebuilding organization like Carolina, ups and downs are expected, but Thielen should be the veteran presence who can produce for this team.

STUD TE: Sam LaPorta (DET)

We’re going to be talking about LaPorta in the fantasy community for years to come. The kid is legit.

He hauled in all 9 of his targets for a season and career-high 140 yards, and found the end zone as well. If Detroit remains standing deep into this year’s playoffs, LaPorta will be a large part of why.

DUD TE: David Njoku (CLE)

Quarterback issues and game flow aside, fantasy owners need more out of the PPR TE11 on the year. Despite 6 targets, Njoku only had 2 catches for 17 yards in Cleveland’s matchup with the Rams.

With Joe Flacco back in the league and taking the snaps for the Browns, it’s hard to say if Njoku will get his stock back up as the fantasy season comes to a close.

#5: RB Tyjae Spears (TEN)

For as good as Derrick Henry was on Sunday (102 yards and 2 TDs), he left the game late with a head injury. It’s unclear if he’ll miss time, but it’s a good idea to pounce on Spears this week just in case.

Spears turned his 16 carries into a respectable 75 yards and hauled in 4 of 6 targets for another 13 through the air. He is a talented young player, and if given the opportunity could end up being a fantasy boon.

#4: QB Jameis Winston (NO)

At the risk of taking heat for this one, Winston has been a successful fantasy QB in the past and could actually make some noise heading into the fantasy playoffs.

Derek Carr did nothing to help his own case with the way he was playing against the Lions, and now is back in concussion protocol. Does that guarantee Winston will play any better? Obviously not, but the skill players in New Orleans could be enough to get something going if your team is needy at QB.

#3: RB Ezekiel Elliott (NE)

The Patriots offense is bad…. like, historically bad. But when they do move the ball it’s on the back of a decent running game, typically led by Rhamondre Stevenson.

Rhamondre left Sunday’s game in the first half with what looked like a gnarly ankle injury, and that left Zeke to take over. He wasn’t efficient, taking 17 carries for just 52 yards, but he caught 4 passes. He scored 13.2 PPR points in a game where the Pats were shut out completely.

At the very least, he’ll have some RB2/Flex appeal as the only viable runner in the New England backfield. As a bonus, he faces the Broncos and Bills during the last two weeks of the fantasy playoffs. Both teams are vulnerable to RBs according to the Fantasy Life’s Defense vs. Position tool:

#2: WR Jalin Hyatt (NYG)

The Giants are back from their bye in Week 14 and the word on the street is that they have a lot of faith in the young guy to be a playmaker for them going forward. Last we saw Hyatt he caught 5 balls for 109 yards and showed some serious athleticism.

If you’re in a dynasty or keeper league, Hyatt is a terrific stash candidate, but he’s also going to be useful immediately.

🎽 Texans WR Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

🦅 Eagles Bolster LB Corps With Veteran Signing

🚗 Familiar Script as QB Reenters Concussion Protocol

😭 Chiefs Players Unhappy with Late SNF Calls

✈️ Zach Wilson’s Head Scratcher: Does he WANT to Play?

💡 Pats’ Brightest Offensive Player Listed as DNP

🦵 Pittsburgh’s Pickett Has Procedure for Ankle Injury

🔥 Titans’ Kicking Woes Lead to Firing

💸 ESPN High on 49ers’ Chances in Postseason

🪟 Practice Window Opens for Veteran QB in NY

Keep sweating those wagers and I’ll see you later this week.

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