Consistency. Any educated fantasy owner knows that you need your Fantasy Football players to be not only good, but also consistently good! It’s a proven fact that the more consistent your Fantasy players are throughout the season, the better chance that you’ll have to win. More wins equals playoffs and playoffs can turn into championships! That’s why I’ll be here each week to help you identify the most consistent Fantasy football players in your quest towards a Fantasy championship.
A quick recap for those unfamiliar with the Quality Game Scores System. The Head-to-Head (H2H) format in Fantasy Football leads to the need for consistency. Many teams have been near the top of their league in scoring, but miss the playoffs by one or two games. Many will call it “bad luck” and that’s partially true. Injuries to key players, bad weather, etc. are situations that affect our Fantasy teams, but are uncontrollable. However, there is one aspect of Fantasy football that you can control. The consistency of your team!
A Quality Game is awarded to a player each week when they exceed the average points scored in your league for that position. The more Quality Games a player is awarded each year, the more consistent that player is and the more beneficial they are to your Fantasy team.
The scoring method used will be 1 point per 20 yards passing and 4 points for passing touchdowns; 1 point per 10 yards rushing and receiving; 1 point per reception; and 6 points for any rushing/receiving touchdown.
So, let’s begin the review…
Quarterbacks – (Quality Game Factor – 18.27)
Quality Game Earners – Week 2
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THE EXPECTED
Eli Manning had a huge day and led the Giants and most of his Fantasy teams to a victory this week. Michael Vick (just like his team) continues to struggle and yet pull out a victory/Quality Game each week so far. Cam Newton came back strong this week after missing out on a Quality Game last week. Tom Brady sneaked onto the good list and has two straight Quality Games but is ranked 15th in total points for quarterbacks. Concerned? Yeah, a little. It is certainly worth keeping an eye.
THE UNEXPECTED
Robert Griffin III earned the second spot for the second straight week and leads quarterbacks in total Fantasy points. The next Cam Newton? Possibly, but remember Newton started off red hot and fizzled later in the season. Sam Bradford earned the fifth spot this week and had an absolute “love affair” with Danny Amendola on the field. Brandon Weeden earned his first Quality Game as a rookie. So now, Russell Wilson remains the only rookie quarterback who has not earned a Quality Game yet. Come on, give him a break, Blaine Gabbert only earned ONE all last season.
Here is a group of those “bad” surprises, quarterbacks who didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Yep, that’s Aaron Rodgers on the bad list and ranked 27ththis week. This is his first non-Quality Game (in a game that he started) since Week 17 in 2010 and he played in the same game scenario (Chicago at home).
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Running Backs – (Quality Game Factor – 10.35)
Quality Game Earners – Week 2
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THE EXPECTED
Darren Sproles is quietly again this season earning Quality Games week after week. He’s ranked fifth in total points and is a perfect two for two. The running back right behind him in total points is Frank Gore. As always, everyone leaves Gore for “dead” and yet there he is, producing with consistency again this year. Another back who received no love this preseason due to off-field issues and injuries is Marshawn Lynch and yet, he has a 100 percent Quality Success Rate (QSR) through the first two weeks as well.
THE UNEXPECTED
C.J. Spiller is the leader after two weeks in total Fantasy points while Reggie Bush led the running backs in Week 2 and is second in total points. Unexpected? Absolutely! Trent Richardson earned his first Quality Game and looked like a beast in his touchdown run. Ben Tate may be worth a pickup in leagues even if you don’t have Arian Foster on your team. Tate earned 25.70 points and ranked seventh for the week. He and Foster earned a combined 52.40 Fantasy points in one game!
Below is a list of some of the top running back picks in most fantasy drafts this past month that did not earn a Quality Game this week. Two straight weeks without a Quality Game from Jamaal Charles and the future isn’t looking brighter. And I’m sure the name, Chris Johnson, sends every Fantasy owner to the ledge at this moment.
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Wide Receiver – (Quality Game Factor – 10.85)
Quality Game Earners – Week 2
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THE EXPECTED
The number of Quality Game earners at wide receiver dropped back to normal range with 34, after last week’s 48. If the Texans’ running back duo wasn’t good enough with 52.70 combined Fantasy points, how about the Giants’ receivers, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks combining for 70.80 points? Roddy White stayed consistent this week while Julio Jones did not. Demaryius Thomas was supposed to be the occasional big-play inconsistent receiver and Eric Decker would be Mr. Consistency with Peyton Manning. So far, it’s been Thomas who has been consistent while Decker is zero for two in Quality Games.
THE UNEXPECTED
Let me be the first to highlight that DeSean Jackson is a perfect two for two in Quality Games so far this season. He’s still only ranked 24th, but his consistency is worth noting. Is he turning the corner? We’ll keep an eye on it. Danny Amendola? Did I draft him in a number of leagues as solid backup PPR receiver? Yep, but this is ridiculous! He set a record for 12 first-half catches and finished with 15! Now, he did earn a Quality Game in Week 1, so he’s certainly not a flash-in-the-pan. In 2010, he earned 10 Quality Games in a PPR format. If he’s available on the waiver wire, grab him! A couple of additional receivers who have 100 percent QSR’s that may be available on the waiver wire: Malcom Floyd, Donnie Avery, Brandon LaFell, Andrew Hawkins and Brandon Gibson.
Here is the list of top wide receivers that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. That’s now two straight weeks with Larry Fitzgeraldon the bad list. That’s not good, folks. I warned everyone of his inconsistency with the poor quarterbacks in Arizona and it looks worse than I expected.
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Tight Ends – (Quality Game Factor – 9.40)
Quality Game Earners – Week 2
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THE EXPECTED
After last week’s extremely high number of Quality Games earned with 22, this week it only drops to 19! Wow! An injury to Aaron Hernandez paves the way for possible big numbers from Rob Gronkowski OR defenses will double team him and see what Brady can do with Welker and Lloyd. Only time will tell. Last year’s studs, Jimmy Graham and Gronkowski are ranked first and third after two weeks. Vernon Davis is wedged between them and looks like he may be shaking that inconsistency rap sheet off his back. Just in case, you’re wondering, Tony Gonzalez is still consistent and is ranked fourth overall with a perfect 100 percent QSR.
THE UNEXPECTED
So, tight ends have earned 22 and 19 Quality Games respectively over the first two weeks, however, there are only 13 tight ends with perfect 100 QSR’s. Some surprises include Dennis Pitta, Martellus Bennett, Scott Chandler, Brandon Myers and Kyle Rudolph. These guys may come in handy when the bye weeks begin. Oh yeah, the No. 1 tight end this week, Dante Rosario from San Diego. He replaced Antonio Gates and caught three touchdowns! Really? Why didn’t Rivers throw to Gates in the first game that much? Signed, Gates owner.
Here are the top tight ends that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Preseason sleeper favorite, Fred Davisis zero for two in Quality Games. I would find an alternative for your starting tight end real quick if you haven’t already.
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There’s your Week Two list of Quality Games earned. Start watching these Quality rankings to find your next gem on the waiver wire and then let me know how they work out in your drive towards the championship!
Week Three – Quality Matchups
My Quality Game research has also shown that most Quality Games are earned during a Quality Matchup. This is a game where the player is either playing at home OR away versus a bottom ten defense. If you want more analysis to help with setting your lineup each week, check out the Xclusive Edge Package and you will see the Historical Consistency rankings each week.
So, let’s take a look at the schedule.
This week’s home teams are:
Carolina, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Miami, New Orleans, Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, Tennessee, San Diego, Arizona, Oakland, Denver, Baltimore and Seattle
Teams that are playing away versus a bottom ten defense include:
Pittsburgh@Oakland
Kansas City@New Orleans
Buffalo@Cleveland
New YorkGiants @Carolina
As I mentioned above, the fantasy players on these teams in these Quality Matchups have a much higher rate of performing above average in comparison to the other players at that position.
If you have any questions about the Quality Game Scores, you can email me at blung@rotoexperts.com. You can also follow me on Twitter.
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