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On the Books: ‘The Imperfectionists’ sheds light on struggling newspapers

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Biden, other mourners choke up in tribute to John Glenn

To the few of us that remain, hello.It was a rough one last week, eh?I&#8217;ll admit it, I was playing a guy in one league who forgot to start a wide receiver and his kicker was Blair Walsh, who&#8217;s currently a free agent. I still lost.Why?Melvin Gordon, Matt Forte, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyrell Williams and Dez Bryant totalling a whopping eight points. Gordon and Forte got hurt and left their games early, but my trio of wide receivers killed me. Oh well. Fantasy is a fickle, fickle game.But before we get rolling, I just have to give some massive props to Adrian Peterson. You can say what you want about the Minnesota Vikings running back off the field, but he&#8217;s a beast on Sundays.Peterson had surgery in late September for a torn meniscus, which normally takes four to six months to heal according to ESPN&#8217;s Stephania Bell, and the veteran running back is at 12 weeks right now. Oh, and he&#8217;s expected to play Sunday.What a warrior.While you might not be playing him this week, he could be a fantasy stud in your fantasy championship, or semifinal, Week 16 against Green Bay.QuarterbackMust have: Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo BillsWith a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, I&#8217;m going heavy with Buffalo Bills if I can.Even with a few bad games mixed in, Taylor has racked up less than 15 points twice since Week 6. The Browns have allowed at least two passing touchdowns in four of their last five games.Could do without: Aaron Rodgers, Green BayYou&#8217;re most likely playing Rodgers this week, but if you have other options it&#8217;s worth a look.Rodgers is playing with a hamstring injury on one leg and a calf injury on the other, and Green Bay added a quarterback to its 53-man roster just in case something were to happen to the veteran QB. Oh, and the Bears rank 10th against quarterbacks this year.Worth a shot: Phillip Rivers, San Diego ChargersRivers has struggled a little lately. But with a matchup against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, he&#8217;ll have a chance to get back on track. Defense is not the Raiders&#8217; strength.Running backMust have: Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ersHyde has flown under the radar this season, but is playing well. The Atlanta Falcons have allowed four rushing touchdowns in their last four games.Could do without: Mark Ingram, New Orleans SaintsIt&#8217;s so hard to gauge the New Orleans Saints&#8217; running back situation. Tim Hightower. Mark Ingram. I don&#8217;t know.I&#8217;m not using Ingram as anything more than a flex this week against the Vikings.Worth a shot: Kenneth Farrow, San Diego ChargersWith Melvin Gordon out this week, Farrow is someone to keep an eye. He&#8217;s worth flex consideration against the Raiders.Wide receiverMust have: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo BillsThe Browns have given up 11 touchdowns to wide receivers in their last eight games. I have a hunch Watkins is going to find the end zone once again.Could do without: Emmanuel Sanders, Denver BroncosThings are different in this matchup against the New England Patriots. Peyton Manning is no longer under center for the Broncos, and things could get ugly quick.Sanders is a low-end No. 2 wide receiver this week.Worth a shot: DeSean Jackson, Washington RedskinsAfter a quiet start to the season, DJax has been red-hot last four weeks. Both Jackson and Jamison Crowder should have big days against the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.Tight endMust have: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia EaglesEven though the Baltimore Ravens rank as the seventh-best defense against tight ends this season, they&#8217;ve allowed opposing tight ends to do damage the last few weeks. Ertz has too big of a role in Philadelphia&#8217;s offense to ignore right now.Could do without: Coby Fleener, New Orleans SaintsFleener&#8217;s just not that good. And now he faces the top defense against tight ends: The Arizona Cardinals.Worth a shot: Vernon Davis, Washington RedskinsEven though Jordan Reed is going to play Monday night, Davis will still have some value. Carolina ranks dead last against tight ends.<style>
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<div class="neCaption">Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rashaan Melvin defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_DeAndre-Hopkins.jpg</photo1><caption1>Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rashaan Melvin defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)</caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By DJ Eberledjeberle@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 and djeberle@www.timesleader.com or on Twitter @ByDJEberle</shirttailMeta></div>

DJ Eberle’s Flavor of the Week: The struggle is real