New England Patriots - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Danny Amendola or Nelson Agholor?

by Mike Rose

1/26/18

NFL

New England Patriots

Danny Amendola

This season’s Super Bowl matchup is set and ready to take place on February 4 inside of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN, as the AFC champion New England Patriots will battle against the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams were the top-seeded squads in their respective conferences, so it’s only fitting they face off for the right to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

While both teams will have certain spotlight players for this contest, one of the matchups to look forward to is Danny Amendola squaring off against Nelson Agholor. The former has had the better postseason thus far, but the latter will look to step up in the biggest game of his career.

Fantasy Matchup: Danny Amendola (12.5 PFP) vs. Nelson Agholor (10.5 PFP)

Amendola has been on fire and one of the most reliable go-to guys for Tom Brady and the New England offense during this postseason, averaging nine receptions per game against the Jaguars and Titans. Against Tennessee, he had 11 receptions for 112 yards but didn’t score. Then, with Rob Gronkowski sidelined in the AFC Championship Game, he stepped up huge by hauling in seven catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He was a monster against the Jaguars defense, collecting 25 Dober Fantasy Points.

On the season, he averaged 12.5 DFP, so he virtually doubled his season average in that game alone. Though he’s averaged fewer points per contest than Agholor to date, he enters this matchup as a two-point favorite.

Amendola caught 61 passes for 659 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. He managed to reach the century mark only once, however. With that in mind, it was nice to see him reach the 100-yard plateau in his first playoff game. Amendola played in 15 games for the No. 1 offense in both passing yards (276.1) and total yards (394.2) and No. 2 unit in points scored per game (28.6) this season.

This is a good matchup for him as he’ll be going up against an Eagles defense that ranked No. 21 against wideouts, giving up 33.1 fantasy points per game to opposing pass catchers. That same Philly defense also ranked No. 17 with 227.3 passing yards allowed per game. So for those of you looking into this matchup of wide receivers, Amendola is a good bet for your Dober Play Cards.

Meanwhile, Agholor had a decent season for Philadelphia as he made 62 catches for 768 yards and eight touchdowns for the No. 13 ranked passing attack (233.6 yards per game). So far in the postseason, he’s averaging three receptions per game against both Atlanta and Minnesota and collected 103 all-purpose yards. While the matchup for Amendola looks yummy, Agholor gets to face an atrocious Patriots defense that ranks No. 29 in fantasy points allowed to receivers (36.1) and No. 30 in passing yards allowed per game (251.2).

Both of these players could have favorable matchups based on statistics, but that’s why they play the game. I like both wideouts, but since I have to choose one I’m going to go with Amendola. If Gronk is forced to sit out the Super Bowl for a second straight season, Amendola could once again turn into that go-to guy for Brady.

Super Bowl Fantasy Matchup: Danny Amendola (-2) vs. Nelson Agholor