NFL

Playoff Lenny is here to stay

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2021

darragh

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Leonard Fournette’s fantasy football journey has been a wild ride over the last few years. He was a top-10 RB as a rookie in 2017, but he’s seen his ADP drop year over year. Heading into the 2021 season, his ADP was 79 overall (RB33). But that was six weeks ago. Nowadays, Fournette looks more like an every-week starter. Should you trust him on Thursday night, though?

Start or sit Leonard Fournette in Week 6?

It’s always tough trying to predict what will happen on a week-to-week basis. It’s especially hard to do so for Thursday night, where the teams have less rest and prep time than usual. Nevertheless, I find that the best way to try to predict the future is to study the past, and Fournette’s past is interesting.

Leonard Fournette’s 2020 playoffs

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Fournette was just mediocre last year. He wasn’t winning anyone’s fantasy championships as the season finished up, and a lot of people were calling him washed. All that changed when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got into the playoffs. Then, “Playoff Lenny” came to life and dominated the postseason.

Fournette scored a meager 132 PPR points during the regular season, good enough for RB35 on the year. He played in 13 games, scored 6 touchdowns, and racked up 367 yards on 97 carries (3.8 yards per carry). He also caught 36 of 47 targets for another 233 yards — nothing too tremendous, especially for fantasy where stats are king. But once the games mattered for his team, Lenny turned it on.

Through four playoff games, Fournette scored 4 touchdowns and racked up 300 yards on 64 carries (4.7 yards per carry). He added 148 yards on 18 catches and another touchdown through the air. He was on fire as the Bucs ran through everyone in their path to take home the Lombardi Trophy. Fournette definitely shined, but was this an indication of his true running back self, or was it all a mirage?

The start of the 2021 season

The first three weeks of the 2021 season definitely left some questions unanswered. Through three weeks, Fournette only had 24 carries for 92 yards (3.8 yards per carry). Lucky for him, teammate Ronald Jones only had 52 yards on 15 carries (3.5 ypc), so neither player was really getting the job done on the ground.

However, Fournette was much more involved in the passing game. In those same three games, he saw 14 targets, catching 12 of them for 77 yards. In those three weeks, Fournette scored 10.9, 11.6, and 6.4 PPR points, respectively. Not too bad for a flex play but not really worthy of an RB2 spot yet.

In addition to his receiving work being so high, Fournette was doing better on the ground than his teammates. If you looked outside the box score and watched him play, your eyes showed that he was the better runner. The writing was on the wall: Fournette should be the true bell-cow back in Tampa, and in Week 4, he proved everyone right.

Fournette finally breaks out

In Week 4 against New England, Fournette went off for 92 yards on 20 carries. He added 3 catches on 5 targets for another 43 yards. While he didn’t find the end zone, he still scored 16.9 PPR fantasy points that week. This put him at RB14 for the week and made fantasy managers happy.

Fournette followed that up with another great performance in Week 5 against the Dolphins. He ran 12 times for 67 yards and caught 4 of 5 targets for another 43 yards. He also scored his first touchdown of the year. Fournette scored 21 PPR points in Week 5, good enough for RB14 once again.

By comparison, Jones has been quiet. He scored a touchdown in Week 4 that helped him score 8.5 PPR points that week, but he finished with just 3.6 points in Week 5. Based on the stats alone, it’s finally clear — this backfield belongs to Fournette.

Fournette faces the Eagles in Week 6

Let’s take what we’ve seen and apply it to this week’s matchup between the Bucs and the Eagles. Through five games, no defense has had more rushing attempts against them than the Eagles. They’ve had 167 total runs to defend, 33.4 per game. This bodes well for the Bucs’ overall potential rushing production tonight and for Fournette’s volume as the team’s leading rusher.

In terms of yards, the Eagles’ defense is third in the league, allowing 710 total rushing yards. This comes out to 142 yards per game, which is more than the 82 per game the Bucs have averaged as a team this year.

In Week 5, Bucs QB Tom Brady injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the first half. He wrapped it up and went back in the game to throw for a total of 411 yards and 5 touchdowns in their win against the Dolphins. While he played well, Brady and the Bucs might decide to lean more on the rushing game this week to let his thumb heal. This bodes well for Fournette’s potential opportunity as the leading ball carrier.

I think you see where I’m going. Fournette is the clear leading rusher on a team that should run the ball more than average against a team that allows the most runs in the NFL. All signs point to Fournette being a worthy fantasy starter tonight. Just make sure he’s in your RB2 slot and not your flex. Not only is that a smart fantasy play, but he’s also earned the title as the true RB2 on your team.

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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.