Category: Fantasy

Hoop Tales: Opening Night in the Association Edition

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Breaking news animation: Jimmy Lips aka Big Game James knows hoops as well!

Normally, I’d wait to a few games in order to be able to draw from a sample size bigger than two preseason games, but these two picks seem too good to pass up.

First Pick: Joe Harris O11.5 points (-121) vs GSW

Fact #1: In the bubble, which seems like ages ago, Joe Harris averaged 19.1 points per game?.

“But James, that was without Kyrie, KD and Dinwiddie!”

I know, it’s called making a point that he can get buckets.

Fact #2: In the limited two-game sample size, the second of which the Nets treated like a real game, Harris went for 4 and 14 respectively. The 14 matters because the Nets treated the Celtics game like a regular-season tuneup.

Fact #3: There’s no Draymond and no Klay, which rids Joe Harris of potentially be guarded by two of the league’s best on the perimeter.

Fact #4: Harris averaged career bests in FGs Made (5.5) and attempted (11.4). With Kyrie and KD on the floor, he should rarely face a contested jumper/3-pointer.


Second pick: Kawhi Leonard O26.5 points (+112) vs LAK

Fact #1: There’s no convincing me that Kawhi and PG13 aren’t pissed off that A) Their arena mates won the title and B) All those questionable leadership and behavioral traits leaked to the public.

Fact #2: In 4 games against the Lakers last season, Leonard notched totals of 30 (opening night), 35, 27 and 28 — an average of 30 flat per contest.

Fact #3: There’s no way Bron guards Kawhi all game and when that duty is left to the combination of Matthews and KCP, the Board Man will have an easier time reaching his over points total.

Gridiron Tales Week 15 Continued: Late Slate WR Edition

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Saturday: 1-2

Season: 21-13

Recap: Missing the Lock prop by 2 completions is infuriating when you realize that they ran the clock out with 3 straight runs to end the game. Tonyan had 2 catches in the first quarter and just one over the final three, but the TD prop did cash.

Today’s Pick: DeAndre Hopkins O87.5 receiving yards (-112) and O7.5 catches (+106) vs PHI

Fact #1: Eagles top corner Darius Slay is out today… not like that has appeared to matter the past couple of weeks

Fact #2: The Eagles have allowed the 3rd-most receiving yards to WRs over the last five weeks (943)

Fact #3: Hopkins has 24 targets (8 and 9 catches, respectively) over the last two games

Fact #4: The Eagles have surrendered 8+ catches to DK Metcalf (10), Davante Adams (10) and Michael Thomas (8) over their last three games


2nd Pick: Rashard Higgins O51.5 receiving yards (+100) vs NYG

Fact #1: I hate picking props against my team

Fact #2: Higgins has 95 and 68 yards, respectively over his last two games while also seeing his snap % increase over each of the past five games

Fact #3: The Giants will be without top cornerback James Bradberry, who is on the Covid list

Gridiron Tales Week 15: It’s Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!) Football Edition

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Last Week: 2-2

Season: 20-11

Highlight the Highs: David Montgomery is in a groove right now and no one plays catch-up football like Kirk Cousins

Loathe the Lows: The Chargers continue to play funk 4th quarter football as last week’s game vs ATL and now Thursday’s tilt against the Raiders showed. Also, Mike Glennon was well on his way to reaching his completion total until he was benched due to his defense not tackling Derrick Henry.

But today is a special day. Why? Because we get NFL games + it’s Saturday!

And now that you’ve been all in your feelings about how awesome 2001 music was, I bring you today’s first pick:


Drew Lock O21.5 completions (-118) vs BUF

Fact #1: Lock is coming off his best game of the season last week against the Panthers (280 and 4 scores)

Fact #2: Buffalo is allowing an average of 24 completions per game on the road compared to 22.9 at home

Fact #3: Buffalo has allowed four of its last five opponents to complete at least 22 completions, including Russell Wilson (28), Kyler Murray (22), Justin Herbert (31) and Nick Mullens (26).



Robert Tonyan O3.5 receptions (-124) vs CAR

Fact #1: The Panthers have allowed 27 catches to TE over the past 5 weeks — T-5th-most in the NFL over that span — despite only playing 4 games (Avg: 6.75)

Fact #2: Tonyan has 4+ catches in four straight games, including a TD in each of those contests

Fact #3: Since Week 8, Hayden Hurst (5), Travis Kelce (10), T.J. Hockenson (4), Kyle Rudolph (7) and both Nick Vannett (4) and Troy Fumagalli (4) have all caught at least four passes against Carolina.

TLDR: Every TE except Gronk (Bucs) has reached at least 4 receptions against the Panthers since Week 8.

Bonus: Panthers have allowed 3 TE TDs over their last four games, which when combined with Tonyan’s current TD streak, makes it worth a sprinkle at the very least (+160 anytime TD)

Gridiron Tales Week 14: You Like That Edition

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Last week: 4-0

Season: 18-9

Highlight the Highs: Everything went well last week, including a Tuesday night special that saw Andy Dalton go over with his completions.

Nothing to loathe when you go 4-0!


The pick: Mike Glennon O23.5 completions (-106) vs Titans

Fact #1: The Titans defense is allowing an average of 26.2 completions per game — the most in the NFL over the past 5 weeks

Fact #2: Glennon turned 31 on Saturday, so this would be a great present to himself and over suitors

Fact #3: They’ll be playing catch-up when their defense lets Mr. Henry run all over them

The pick: Kirk Cousins O22.5 completions (-118) vs the Buccaneers

Fact 1: The Bucs have allowed an average of 31.3 completions per game over the past five weeks — the most in the NFL over this span (4 games played)

Fact #2: Tompa Bay has allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs over this same 5-week span (233; 58.3 rush yds/game). So as great as Mr. Cook is, Tompa Bay is built to slow him down.

Fact #3: Since Week 7, Teddy “2 Gloves” (18) is the only QB not to complete at least 23 passes against Tompa Bay.

James Koh on Twitter: "PODCAST! Broncos insider @TroyRenck gives us the latest news regarding Kirk Cousins and how keeping or cutting Emmanuel Sanders/Demaryius/CJ Anderson will play a role in signing him. https://t.co/gtQRqGUdD2…

The Pick: Justin Herbert O274.5 passing yards (-129) vs ATL

Fact #1: Everyone and their mother expects Herbert to bounce back after last week’s 45-0 drubbing at the hands of new England

Fact #2: Herbert has attempted 154 passes over the past 3 games, resulting in totals of 366 (vs NYJ), 316 (@ BUF) and 209 against New England last week

Fact #3: The Falcons have allowed the 9th-fewest passing yards over the past 5 weeks for two reasons:

Reason No. 1: They’ve faced Taysom Hill twice

Reason No. 2: They’ve played four games when most have played five (bye week)

Fact #4: Herbert averages 314.8 pass yards per game at home compared to 267 on the road

The Pick: David Montgomery O67.5 rushing yards (-112) vs HOU

Fact #1: Montgomery has eclipsed 70 rushing yards in three of his last four games

Fact #2: The Texans have allowed a league-high 620 rushing yards over the last five weeks

Gridiron Tales Week 13: Red Rifle Edition

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This weekend: 3-0

Season: 17-9

I’ll spare you the recap of telling you how awesome I was with Mayfield’s over completions and David Montgomery’s over rushing total hitting before the third quarter; You don’t want to hear that stuff! Derek Carr did give us a bit of a scare though,

The Pick: Andy Dalton O20.5 completions vs BAL (+100)

Disclosure: When I looked at this 2 hours ago, it was +100, DraftKings now shows -124, which is still good.

Fact #1: Ravens are allowing 23.6 completions per game over their last 5 — 7th most in NFL over that span.

Fact #2: Cam Newton (13) and Joe Burrow (19) are the only QBs to not hit 21+ vs DAL this season.

Fact #3: Since returning from a concussion, Dalton’s 2 games are 21 (@ MIN) and 25 (vs WFT) completions.

Gridiron Tales Week 13

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Last week: 3-2

Season: 14-9

Highlight the Highs: I was proud of myself for nailing Wentz’s over completion total given that he and the Eagles had an abysmal start on MNF against the Seahawks.

Loathe the Lows: I expected Jalen Reagor to catch one deep ball on that suspect Seahawks secondary and it just never came to fruition.


The Pick: David Montgomery O61.5 rushing yards vs DET (-148)

Let me preface this with the fact that when I looked at this prop on Saturday night, it was around the -110/-120 area. Even with the heavier juice, I still like it and here’s why:

Fact #1: The Lions have allowed the second-most rushing yards over the last five weeks (594)

Fact #2: Back in Week 1, Montgomery finished with 13 carries for 64 yards

Fact #3: Montgomery has had rushing totals of 89, 30 and 103, respectively, over his last three games



The Pick: Derek Carr O23.5 completions vs NYJ (+101)

Fact #1: This prop is more about the opposing defense than it is the QB

Fact #2: The Jets have allowed the 5th-most completions (122) to QBs over the last five weeks, despite only playing 4 games in that span (avg of 30.5)

Fact #3: Since Week 5, only one QB (Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 6) has failed to complete fewer than 24 passes against New York.



The Pick: Baker Mayfield O227.5 passing yards vs TEN (-112)

Fact #1: The Titans have allowed the 3rd-most completions (132) and fifth-most passing yards (1,373) to QBs over the last five weeks (avg of 274.6)

Fact #2: Over the last four weeks, only Lamar Jackson (186) failed to pass for fewer than 295 yards against TEN, which includes QBs Nick Foles and Philip Rivers x2

Gridiron Tales Week 12: MNF Birds Edition

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Carson Wentz Finally Has What He's Needed All Along – Dynamic Young Wideouts – NBC10 Philadelphia

Sunday: 2-1

Season: 11-7

Highlight the Highs: Gallman took advantage of Cincy’s porous run defense, while Kirk Cousins dug himself out of a hole for a big passing day

Loathe the Lows: Daniel Jones had success passing on Cincy, but was unable to convert anything into a passing TD, which includes Evan Engram being caught inside the 5 and Darius Slayton not running full speed to track down a deep pass attempt… Oh and the hamstring injury in the second half didn’t help either.

Tonight, we have birds against birds. One team has faired well against the pass the season, while the other team is the league’s get-right pass defense for opponents.

The Pick: Carson Wentz O21.5 completions vs Seahawks (+105)

Fact #1: The Seahawks have allowed an average of 30 completions over their last 5 games

Fact #2: Piggybacking on that, Seattle has allowed the most in each of these categories over the past 5 weeks: completions (30), passing yards (1,668) and QB rushes (35).

Fact #3: Wentz has only reached 22+ completions once in his last 7 games, but the Hawks have allowed every starting QB they’ve faced not named Nick Mullens to complete at least 27 passes.

Sidebar: I know it “Hurts” to watch Wentz play this season and that his backup reportedly has a package this week, but that shouldn’t deter anyone from loving this as a get-right game for the Eagles offense.


The pick: Jalen Reagor O47.5 receiving yards vs SEA

Fact #1: Over the last 5 weeks, Seattle has allowed 105 receptions to WRs — the most in the NFL over that span — and 15 more than the next closest team (TEN)

Fact #2: Over the last 5 weeks, Seattle has allowed a league-worst 1,125 receiving yards to WRs.

Fact #3: Reagor’s snap % has increased each week since returning from injury: 73%, 88% and 93%. Couple this with 18 targets in those 3 games + Philly potentially chasing points and you have a recipe for potential Reagorbombs.

Gridiron Tales: Week 12 Edition

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Last Week: 3-2

Season: 9-6


Recap the Hits: Metcalf went way under vs the Cards, Herbert went well over vs the Jets and the Chiefs needed all 60 minutes to score 4 TDs, but we got there.

Recap the Misses: Julio Jones’s nagging hamstring resurfaced and despite having 30ish rushing yards and a TD in the first quarter, Damien Harris did not draw many more touches after that against Houston.


The Pick: Kirk Cousins O227.5 passing yards vs CAR (-112)

Fact #1: Cousins has passed for 290+ yards in two straight games

Fact #2: The Panthers have allowed the 4th-most passing yards over the last 5 weeks (1,459) — an average of 291.8 per game

Fact #3: Yes, there is no Adam Thielen today, which conventional wisdom suggests leads to the Vikings selling out to stop Dalvin Cook. Justin Jefferson would appreciate the focus not being on him.

Wayne Gallman O56.5 rushing yards vs CIN (-130)

Fact #1: The Bengals defense is allowing 122.5 rushing yards per game to RBs over its last four games

Fact #2: Gallman’s rushing attempts have gone up each of the past 4 games: 10, 12, 14 and 18.

Fact #3: Down Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon on offense, this is a game the Giants should be able to dictate from the beginning, meaning there should be lots of running

Fun Fact: Gallman has a rushing TD in 4 straight (5 in span). I don’t hate his +105 anytime TD prop as a bonus play.


Daniel Jones O1.5 passing TDs vs CIN (-112)

Fact #1: The Bengals have allowed 12 TD passes to QBs over their last 4 games

Fact #2: 6 of the last 7 QBs the Bengals have faced have thrown for at least 2 scores

Fact: #3: Jones has thrown for 2 scores in 2 of his last 4 games

The 300s is Looking For Bloggers

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With everyone either remote or part-time, we know you’ve got some time on your hands so The 300s is looking for interns and part-timers to blog about Boston sports, national sports, golf, TV, movies, video games etc. We’ll give writers a platform, promotion on social media, and the opportunity to write about what you like.

If you’re interested send an email to Red@The300s.com and let us know what you want to write about and any samples you might have.

Final Tally for The 300s NFL Bracket

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The season is over, the Chiefs are champs, and Andy Reid is eating the biggest cheeseburger you have ever seen. It might even be a double! With the 2019 season behind us, it’s now time to see who took home top honors in The 300s staff NFL Pick ‘Em Bracket. We’ll also take a look at who did the worst and a few other curious notes.

Winner: Big Z, 520 points

The only one to pick against the Pats takes home the cake.

What a weird year for football. It’s crazy that a guy who picked the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, the Steelers in the AFC Championship game, and the Colts in the playoffs not only won, but blew everyone out of the water. Well, congrats to Big Z!

I’m not going to repost everyone else’s brackets because, let’s be honest, that’s not something anyone needs to see again. However, here’s a quick overview of how everyone fared:

2nd- Dom- 225 points
3rd- Red- 210 points
4th- Mattes- 190 points
5th- Joey Ballgame- 180 points

I found it odd that I was the only person other than Red to have the Chiefs in the AFC title game. That’s what turned out to be the difference in my second place finish. One thing I do want to highlight, though:

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!

Can we all just take a minute and marvel at how atrociously bad Joey’s bracket turned out to be? First, he picked the BENGALS to make the playoffs. You know, the team picking first in the draft next year? Then he had the Browns beating both the Texans AND the Chiefs. On top of that, he had the Jaguars winning a game. I have to give him a pass on the Patriots, Eagles, and Saints, since all teams underachieved this postseason. But man, that AFC is just terrible.

Lastly, here are a few things I found interesting in all of this:

-Dom was the only person to have the Ravens making the playoffs
-Big Z was the only one to have the 49ers in the playoffs
-Red was the only one with the Seahawks in the playoffs
-Nobody had the Rams winning a playoff game
-The Vikings continue to disappoint just about everyone

That’s it for this year of football picks. Baseball is up next, maybe we can do a little better at that…