RADIO
Good news for the New England Patriots, bad news for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Danny Amendola practiced on Wednesday and could be set to take the field Sunday, adding himself to a long list of players that could hurt the Eagles and put up big numbers for fantasy owners. If Amendola is able to play, he will be a WR1 and Tom Brady's number one target, facing a highly picked on defense. Amendola could be one of the best starts of the week.
The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed ten receiving touchdowns in their past two games. According to ESPN.com, they have also given up the second most in the league (25), surrender 269 receiving yards per game, and now head into Foxborough without starting cornerback, Nolan Carroll II. Carroll has a broken ankle and is done for the season, and will now likely be replaced by rookie Eric Rowe who was burned for two touchdowns by Calvin Johnson on Thanksgiving. The Eagles also recently signed cornerback Jaylen Watkins, but he probably won't have a similar effect on the field that his brother, and star receiver, Sammy Watkins has been having.
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This is a mouthwatering matchup for fantasy owners of Brady, but other Patriots can now emerge as well, and put up some efficient fantasy numbers, especially in the wake of recent costly injuries in New England.
Scott Chandler will attempt to fill the incomparable shoes of Rob Gronkowski. Chandler will likely see a heavy increase in targets, as he has become one of the top waiver wire pickups this week. Chandler was targeted 11 times last week against the Denver Broncos; a significant rise since his season high of five Week 2. However, the Eagles give up the third fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, according to Yahoo! Sports. This stat could very well be overlooked, especially with the way Philadelphia has been playing of late. He is a borderline TE1, especially in deeper 12+ team leagues.
The Eagles look all but done, having cocked their arms back, towel in hand, ready to throw it in. It doesn't appear that anyone is too crazy about playing for Chip Kelly; a team with promise, still in a division race, that are playing like they've given up. Enter more offensive weapons for Tom Brady.
If Danny Amendola has any setbacks and can't put on the pads, Brandon LaFell will be Brady's go-to. LaFell has been relatively quiet all season, but will be bumped up to at least a WR3 this week. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Eagles relinquish the most fantasy points to wide receivers. LaFell's fantasy value is handcuffed to the status of Amendola, but still holds plenty of value in deeper leagues, especially those of PPR format.
It's not like the Patriots ever really stop throwing the ball, but the Eagles also allow 126.6 rushing yards a game, according to ESPN.com. LeGarette Blount is at least an RB2, and could see plenty of work, especially late in the game if the Patriots are cruising. Blount is certainly a safer pick than Brandon Bolden and James White, both of whom are big play and touchdown-dependent.
After losing for the first time this season at the hands of the Peyton Manning-less Denver Broncos last week, look for the Patriots to come out hungry and ready to exploit all the weaknesses of the Eagles. The Patriots visit the red zone 5.1 times a game and they will likely find a consistent home inside the 20 on Sunday as well.
