Lockhart's Fantasy Football Outlook: Josh Gordon Is Back
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Mike Lockhart sits down with CBSBostonSports.com's Andrew Celani for a comprehensive fantasy football chat heading into Week 12 of the season.
Week 12 gets underway Thursday night as the Chiefs are in Oakland to take on the Raiders in prime time.
At 0-10, the once-proud Oakland Raiders franchise doesn't have much going for it at the moment. But if you buy into the More Desperate Team Theory, you shouldn't completely overlook the Raiders.
Still, Mike Lockhart is predicting a big Kansas City road win and because it's Thursday night don't be surprised if it gets ugly.
"I expect it to be another crapper. But this is one of those weird, dangerous games for me. It's in Oakland, the team is 0-10 and desperate and you never know what could happen," said Lockhart. "But all things are telling me it's going to be another Thursday night laugher."
In this game in particular, Lockhart likes Jamaal Charles and Travis Kelce -- also Knile Davis in a one-day league. Don't sleep on the Chiefs defense either.
"Kansas City defense is a good start every week, especially tonight against Derek Carr," said Lockhart.
Also this week the 7-3 NFC North-leading Lions travel to New England to face the 8-2 AFC-leading Patriots.
You can hear the game right here on 98.5 The Sports Hub and our affiliate stations throughout the region on the Patriots Radio Network, with pregame coverage starting at 10am.
"I'm playing everybody on the Patriots offense. Calvin Johnson? Honestly if you have a better option I'd use it. I could see them shutting him down. But he's good enough where he could still get in the end zone this week. I would start Golden Tate but I don't expect a monster game from him either. Of the two receivers I think he'll have the better game.
"I'm not loving the Lions running game this week. They haven't been running the ball well at all. Joique Bell has been catching some passes for them, but he's more of a flex play or a desperate RB2 for me this week. I'm not expecting a lot from the Lions offense this week. I would start the Patriots defense at home. They always seem to force turnovers at home and Matthew Stafford likes to force the ball into coverage."
Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount fell out of favor in Pittsburgh for complaining about his role in the backfield, so he was released earlier this week and then was signed by the Patriots Thursday morning.
This makes Blount's fifth stop around the league in five seasons.
"This is a unique situation because Blount is not hurt. He did play here last year, so he knows most of the plays and all the set-ups. He could step right in and start running. I don't expect him to get a ton of carries this week, but going forward I expect the Patriots to mix and match," said Lockhart.
Another disgruntled running back was Cleveland's Ben Tate, who complained he wasn't getting enough carries in a Browns backfield occupied by Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell.
Tate was released by Cleveland, then claimed off waivers by Minnesota. It doesn't look like the Vikings will get Adrian Peterson back this season, and with Matt Asiata taking a backseat in recent weeks to Jerick McKinnon (now battling injuries), Tate is an interesting option.
"That situation is the exact opposite of the one we just talked about in LeGarrette Blount. Tate doesn't know the Minnesota playbook. He doesn't know the plays. The guys in front of him haven't been doing much. If he can figure out the essentials and know what hole to run through I would imagine he'd get some opportunities," said Lockhart. "It's kind of a wait-and-see thing. I would sit him out this week, but heading forward he could be a decent option for you."
After talking about the injuries to Julius Thomas (ankle) and Emmanuel Sanders (concussion), the conversation shifted once again to Cleveland and the end of Josh Gordon's suspension.
Gordon's 10-game suspension is over, and it coincides perfectly with fantasy owners hoping his addition can help propel them into the playoffs.
"I love it. LOVE IT," said an enthusiastic Lockhart. "I was a huge Josh Gordon guy last year I had him on all my teams and he brought me as far as I could go. I love him this week in Atlanta -- they give up a lot of points to wide receivers. I'm expecting a ton of points in that game. I also like Roddy White this week I think he's going to get in the action. Brian Hoyer is also a solid start in the dome and I like both Browns running backs too. Get those guys in your lineup."
For Lockhart's full breakdown and positional rankings, visit fantasybuzz.net and listen below for the full discussion!
Tune in every Sunday for the Sports Hub Fantasy Football Show from 8am - 10am with Mike Lockhart and Rich Keefe, and don't forget to tweet all your questions to @LockhartFFB and @Keefe21!
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