Sunday, October 30, 2016

Lounge on YouTube: 2016 Fantasy Football Week 8 preview


By Rick Morris

THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER is Mini-Episode #774 of THE FDH LOUNGE, providing the 2016 Week 8 Fantasy Football preview.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: Mini-Episode #773 – 2016 NFL Week 8 preview


By Rick Morris                                          

As we referenced previously, our pals at Sportsology are hooking us up for live segments that we’re doing with guests and remote FDH Lounge Dignitaries these days.  We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to produce many segments on our own, but we’re thrilled for the help on some of these with guests and the thanks all go to our great friend Russ Cohen.

Mini-Episode #773 features our 2016 NFL Week 8 preview with FDH Lounge Dignitary and Vegas handicapping veteran Kyle Ross.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: 2016 World Series preview


By Rick Morris                                          

As we referenced previously, our pals at Sportsology are hooking us up for live segments that we’re doing with guests and remote FDH Lounge Dignitaries these days.  We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to produce many segments on our own, but we’re thrilled for the help on some of these with guests and the thanks all go to our great friend Russ Cohen.

Mini-Episode #772 features our 2016 World Series preview with FDH Lounge Dignitary Steve Kallas.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: 2016 Fantasy Football Week 7 preview


By Rick Morris

THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER is Mini-Episode #771 of THE FDH LOUNGE, providing the 2016 Week 7 Fantasy Football preview.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: Mini-Episode #770 – 2016 NFL Week 7 preview


By Rick Morris                                          

As we referenced previously, our pals at Sportsology are hooking us up for live segments that we’re doing with guests and remote FDH Lounge Dignitaries these days.  We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to produce many segments on our own, but we’re thrilled for the help on some of these with guests and the thanks all go to our great friend Russ Cohen.

Mini-Episode #770 features our 2016 NFL Week 7 preview with FDH Lounge Dignitary and Vegas handicapping veteran Kyle Ross.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: Eric LeGrand


By Rick Morris                                          

As we referenced previously, our pals at Sportsology are hooking us up for live segments that we’re doing with guests and remote FDH Lounge Dignitaries these days.  We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to produce many segments on our own, but we’re thrilled for the help on some of these with guests and the thanks all go to our great friend Russ Cohen.

Mini-Episode #769 features a conversation with Rugers football player-turned-paralysis-cure-activist Eric LeGrand.


       


       


       


       

Thursday, October 27, 2016

2016 NFL Week 8 power rankings


By Rick Morris


NOTE: Rankings from start of season are in parentheses.


TOP TIER

1 New England (1-2-1-4-3-1)

2 Seattle (4-10-7-7-7-3)

3 Denver (8-5-2-1-4-7)

4 Dallas (23-19-15-12-9-5)

5 Minnesota (12-6-3-3-2-2)

6 Green Bay (2-7-4-5-6-9)

7 Pittsburgh (3-1-6-2-1-4)

8 Kansas City (9-12-12-16-16-8)

9 Philadelphia (29-17-5-6-10-18)

10 Oakland (11-15-14-10-8-10)

11 Atlanta (25-20-16-9-5-6)

SECOND TIER

12 Washington (18-25-19-20-12-12)

13 Houston (10-9-17-13-15-13)

14 Arizona (7-3-10-17-17-14)

15 Cincinnati (6-8-9-8-14-16)

16 Buffalo (22-29-22-19-13-11)

17 New York Giants (16-13-13-18-18-17)

18 Baltimore (13-11-11-11-11-15)

19 Detroit (19-22-26-28-24-19)

THIRD TIER

20 San Diego (24-14-23-26-29-24)

21 Tampa Bay (15-18-24-27-25-25)

22 Carolina (5-4-8-14-20-22)

23 Indianapolis (21-27-21-23-22-26)

24 Los Angeles (31-30-20-15-19-21)

25 Miami (26-24-30-30-30-29)

26 New York Jets (20-16-18-21-23-28)

27 Tennessee (28-23-25-29-27-27)

28 Jacksonville (14-21-27-22-21-20)

29 New Orleans (27-26-28-25-26-23)

FOURTH TIER

30 Chicago (17-28-29-24-28-30)

31 San Francisco (30-31-31-31-31-31)

32 Cleveland (32-32-32-32-32-32)


BIGGEST RISERS: Philadelphia (9 spots), Denver, Miami, San Diego and Tampa Bay (4 spots), Green Bay and Indianapolis (3 spots)


BIGGEST FALLERS: Jacksonville (8 spots), Atlanta and Buffalo (5 spots), Baltimore, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Pittsburgh (3 spots)


RANKINGS BY DIVISION – 1 POINT PER RANKING SPOT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TEAM, LOWEST SCORE IS BEST

1 AFC West 41

2 NFC East 42

3 NFC North 60

4 AFC East 68

5 NFC West 71

6 AFC North 72

7 NFC South 83

8 AFC South 91


RANKINGS BY CONFERENCE

1 NFC 256

2 AFC 272

NCAA Week 9 Top 4 teams for College Football Playoff


By Rick Morris


1 Alabama

2 Michigan

3 Clemson

4 Washington


Next 4 in:

5 Louisville

6 Ohio State

7 Nebraska

8 West Virginia

NCAA football picks Week 9


By Rick Morris


NOTE: 4-1 last week, 19-15-1 for the season


Northwestern +27 over Ohio State

Clemson -4 ½ over Florida State

Notre Dame +2 ½ over Miami

Nebraska +7 ½ over Wisconsin

Michigan -24 ½ over Michigan State

Thursday, October 20, 2016

2016 NFL Week 7 power rankings


By Rick Morris


NOTE: Rankings from start of season are in parentheses.


TOP TIER

1 New England (1-2-1-4-3)

2 Minnesota (12-6-3-3-2)

3 Seattle (4-10-7-7-7)

4 Pittsburgh (3-1-6-2-1)

5 Dallas (23-19-15-12-9)

6 Atlanta (25-20-16-9-5)

7 Denver (8-5-2-1-4)

8 Kansas City (9-12-12-16-16)

9 Green Bay (2-7-4-5-6)

10 Oakland (11-15-14-10-8)

SECOND TIER

11 Buffalo (22-29-22-19-13)

12 Washington (18-25-19-20-12)

13 Houston (10-9-17-13-15)

14 Arizona (7-3-10-17-17)

15 Baltimore (13-11-11-11-11)

16 Cincinnati (6-8-9-8-14)

17 New York Giants (16-13-13-18-18)

18 Philadelphia (29-17-5-6-10)

THIRD TIER

19 Detroit (19-22-26-28-24)

20 Jacksonville (14-21-27-22-21)

21 Los Angeles (31-30-20-15-19)

22 Carolina (5-4-8-14-20)

23 New Orleans (27-26-28-25-26)

24 San Diego (24-14-23-26-29)

25 Tampa Bay (15-18-24-27-25)

26 Indianapolis (21-27-21-23-22)

27 Tennessee (28-23-25-29-27)

FOURTH TIER

28 New York Jets (20-16-18-21-23)

29 Miami (26-24-30-30-30)

30 Chicago (17-28-29-24-28)

31 San Francisco (30-31-31-31-31)

32 Cleveland (32-32-32-32-32)


BIGGEST RISERS: Kansas City (8 spots), Detroit and San Diego (5 spots), Dallas and Seattle (4 spots), Arizona (3 spots)


BIGGEST FALLERS: Philadelphia (8 spots), New York Jets (5 spots), Baltimore and Indianapolis (4 spots), Denver, Green Bay, New Orleans and Pittsburgh (3 spots)


RANKINGS BY DIVISION – 1 POINT PER RANKING SPOT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TEAM, LOWEST SCORE IS BEST

1 AFC West 49

2 NFC East 52

3 NFC North 60

4 AFC North 67

5T AFC East 69

5T NFC West 69

7 NFC South 76

8 AFC South 86


RANKINGS BY CONFERENCE

1 NFC 257

2 AFC 271

NCAA Week 8 Top 4 teams for College Football Playoff


By Rick Morris


1 Alabama

2 Ohio State

3 Michigan

4 Clemson


Next 4 in:

5 Washington

6 Texas A&M

7 Nebraska

8 Louisville

NCAA football picks Week 8


By Rick Morris


NOTE: 1-4 last week, 15-14-1 for the season


Ohio -3 over Kent State

Ohio State -19 ½ over Penn State

Alabama -18 ½ over Texas A&M

Auburn -9 ½ over Arkansas

LSU -6 over Mississippi

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Lounge on YouTube: 2016 Fantasy Football Week 6 preview


By Rick Morris

THE FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER is Mini-Episode #768 of THE FDH LOUNGE, providing the 2016 Week 6 Fantasy Football preview.


       


       


       


       

Lounge on YouTube: Mini-Episode #767 – 2016 NFL Week 6 preview


By Rick Morris                                          

As we referenced previously, our pals at Sportsology are hooking us up for live segments that we’re doing with guests and remote FDH Lounge Dignitaries these days.  We’re happy to report that we’ve been able to produce many segments on our own, but we’re thrilled for the help on some of these with guests and the thanks all go to our great friend Russ Cohen.

Mini-Episode #767 features our 2016 NFL Week 6 preview with FDH Lounge Dignitary and Vegas handicapping veteran Kyle Ross.


       


       


       


       

Friday, October 14, 2016

2016 NLCS preview


By Rick Morris


When you look at how the Dodgers are overmatched on paper against the Cubs – by a decent amount in defense and also starting pitching, notwithstanding the best pitcher of this generation in Clayton Kershaw, by a slim amount in hitting and by a good amount in the bullpen – before even considering that Kershaw may not yet be back at full strength for a probable Game 2 start (and Kenley Jansen has got to be questionable at best for those first two games after NLDS Game 5), this series looks like a foregone conclusion.  That’s kind of a sad commentary considering that LA is playing the best team in baseball on paper, yes, but they themselves have the game’s most expensive roster.


Before you regard this series as a foregone conclusion, though, remember the circumstances of the last Dodger World Series title in 1988.  Both the NLDS win over the Mets and the World Series win over the As were monumental upsets, so the team would only be going full circle by replicating the feat in this series – although, again, it’s absurd for any team as expensive and talented (in key places, at least) to be this big of an underdog to anyone.


Frankly, both the Dodgers and Nationals entered the NLDS as teams with a great amount to prove given that each has underachieved in the playoffs in recent years and Game 5 even had moments when each team seemed to be trying to give away the game.  So realistically, it’s going to take a pennant to shed the weight of failed expectations over the last decade.


Unfortunately for the West Coasters, the Cubs have already been through their own crucible, having survived a near-choke against the dreaded even-year Giants.  Additionally, Joe Maddon continues to make a strong case as the game’s best manager and at the very least he has a tremendous advantage over Dave Roberts in experience.


It’s rare to get through an entire LCS preview without even one instance of hedging, but there will be none of that here.  Yes, if you want to nitpick, the North Siders are a bit top-heavy in power with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo – more than was expected – but their ability to manufacture runs is extraordinary as well.  Just as their neighbors to the South Side did in 2005, the Cubs will get past a team from Los Angeles and they will claim their first pennant in 71 years.  Chicago Cubs in 5.


ALCS

Cleveland over Toronto in 6


WORLD SERIES

Chicago Cubs over Cleveland in 6

2016 NFL Week 6 power rankings


By Rick Morris


NOTE: Rankings from start of season are in parentheses.


TOP TIER

1 Pittsburgh (3-1-6-2)

2 Minnesota (12-6-3-3)

3 New England (1-2-1-4)

4 Denver (8-5-2-1)

5 Atlanta (25-20-16-9)

6 Green Bay (2-7-4-5)

7 Seattle (4-10-7-7)

SECOND TIER

8 Oakland (11-15-14-10)

9 Dallas (23-19-15-12)

10 Philadelphia (29-17-5-6)

THIRD TIER

11 Baltimore (13-11-11-11)

12 Washington (18-25-19-20)

13 Buffalo (22-29-22-19)

14 Cincinnati (6-8-9-8)

15 Houston (10-9-17-13)

16 Kansas City (9-12-12-16)

17 Arizona (7-3-10-17)

18 New York Giants (16-13-13-18)

19 Los Angeles (31-30-20-15)

20 Carolina (5-4-8-14)

FOURTH TIER

21 Jacksonville (14-21-27-22)

22 Indianapolis (21-27-21-23)

23 New York Jets (20-16-18-21)

24 Detroit (19-22-26-28)

25 Tampa Bay (15-18-24-27)

26 New Orleans (27-26-28-25)

27 Tennessee (28-23-25-29)

28 Chicago (17-28-29-24)

29 San Diego (24-14-23-26)

FIFTH TIER

30 Miami (26-24-30-30)

31 San Francisco (30-31-31-31)

32 Cleveland (32-32-32-32)


BIGGEST RISERS: Washington (8 spots), Buffalo (6 spots), Atlanta and Detroit (4 spots), Dallas (3 spots)


BIGGEST FALLERS: Carolina and Cincinnati (6 spots), Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia (4 spots), Denver and San Diego (3 spots)


RANKINGS BY DIVISION – 1 POINT PER RANKING SPOT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TEAM, LOWEST SCORE IS BEST

1 NFC East 47

2 AFC West 57

3 AFC North 58

4 NFC North 60

5 AFC East 69

6 NFC West 74

7 NFC South 76

8 AFC South 85


RANKINGS BY CONFERENCE

1 NFC 257

2 AFC 269

NCAA Week 7 Top 4 teams for College Football Playoff


By Rick Morris


1 Alabama

2 Ohio State

3 Clemson

4 Michigan


Next 4 in:

5 Washington

6 Texas A&M

7 Nebraska

8 Louisville