“People work for money but go the extra mile for recognition, praise, and rewards.” – Dale Carnegie.
The final week of the regular season is here. Every week I tried to write some bonus information about selecting players, games, external factors, etc. My final bonus to you will be about bonuses. Week 18 is a challenge for bettors because some teams will be resting starters, and the afternoon games’ outcome could impact the late games’ coaching decisions. Why play your best players if there is no incentive to do so? Nobody wants their all-star to tear an ACL or Achilles in the final game of the year that has no meaning on the outcome. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts returns this weekend, and he will be facing the backups of the NY Giants. Ownership will be high on him as the Eagles need to win this game to secure the #1 seed in the NFC. The outcome changes nothing for the Giants, who will travel on the road next week for Wild Card weekend. Make sure to look at all the matchups before selecting your players this weekend. Nothing will hurt more than watching a team rest their starters in the 2nd half and collect 0 points.
So what did I mean about bonuses? If the Bills win this weekend, they will be ranked the #2 seed going into the playoffs with the Chiefs’ win over the Raiders. WR Isaiah McKenzie can make an extra $100,000 with 46 yards receiving on Sunday. If he can snag 10 more receptions, that’s an additional $100,000. What we want to do is identify players scrambling for their incentives. So for my final ‘Pick-Six,’ I want to do something a little different. I will select six players playing to grab the bag and bring it to the bank.
If you have followed me this season, I greatly appreciate it. Football brings us all together, and if I can help us win some extra cash while doing so, that’s a win-win.
Week 18 ‘Pick-Six’ Picks:
1) Geno Smith QB, SEA $6,000 – What an incredible story this journeyman has had this season. Geno has proven that he will give his best no matter the circumstance. This weekend feels like the Seahawks will share the wheel with Geno and let him ride this season out however he sees fit. At this point, he is the clear winner for comeback player of the year, and that’s backed by the extras he has added to his resume. Pro bowler, playing time, and passing yards have already accumulated a whopping $2.25 million in bonuses. If he can toss the rock for 114 more yards, the Brinks truck backs up another $250,000 into his account. Oh, and if he gets the W and the Seahawks head to the playoffs, that’s another cool $2 million for the veteran.
2) Kenneth Walker III Jr. RB, SEA $6,400 – In a game that is a win and hope for the Packers’ downfall for a playoff birth, Walker is only 64 yards away from breaking 1,000. Aaron Donald is not playing, which should open some room in the frontline. LB Bobby Wagner will return home against his former team, and he will want to be a disrupter. The matchup is too strong to avoid in a must-win scenario.
3) Justin Jefferson WR, MIN $9,100 – Justin Jefferson needs 194 yards to break Calvin “Megatron” Johnson’s record of 1,964 receiving yards. He is facing a depleted Bears team that has nothing to play for. There is an expression, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale. There is no reason not to try and break the record, which gives a massive upside for JJ to explode today. Many reports indicate there is a chance JJ will not play all game, but if he gets some chunk plays early, that’s a recipe for success I am willing to gamble on, as his ownership will be abysmally low.
4) Tyler Higbee TE, LAR $4,400 – Higbee can earn an extra half a million dollars by getting 13 receiving yards. He has $500,000 in the bank and is facing the worst team against TEs in the NFL. Seattle needs to win for a chance at a playoff birth, and the Rams have nothing better to do today than play spoiler.
*Bonus* Gerald Everett LAC $4,100 – Everett can earn $250,000 with five more catches. Whichever you like more here is fine. I predict they will finish around the same fantasy points today, but if you prefer the idea of catches vs. yards, I got this one picked out just for you.
5) Isaiah McKenzie WR, BUF $3,500 – I discussed this a little earlier. 46 yards is worth $100,000, and 10 catches are worth another $100,000. The cost is perfect for this opportunity, and I like the matchup. The Bills are facing a divisional opponent they will want to put away and try to protect their starters. With everything that happened with the Bills and Damar Hamlin, they will want to win this one for him.
6) Vikings DST, MIN $2,900 – They are facing a Bears team that is limited with starters. CB Patrick Peterson touches the field today and instantly gets $333,000 by playing more than a 75% snap rate and making the playoffs. This game feels like an imminent beating of impending doom, and I like the DST play here. The Vikings can get right and head into playoffs with a win.
