Daily Fantasy Plays

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Buy High/Buy Low: Quarterbacks and Running Backs for NFL Week 8

Megatron, Bush and Bell. Oh, My.

I thought Week 6 in the NFL was an injury fest, but it had nothing on Week 7. I won't rehash all the season ending and franchise killing injuries here, but my What The Hell Was That column dives into the horrid depths of murky despair that many an NFL fan and daily fantasy player were left cringing after Week 7.

But that's the past. Now it is time for Week 8 Buy High/Buy Low: Quarterbacks and Running Backs

Buy High are players that will cost you, but that are so sure to perform up to, or even exceed, their cost that they are worth the price. Find a few of these and build your team's core.

Buy Low are players who have a low cost, but who are highly likely to outperform their low cost. These are the sleepers of the week. These are the players that can win you the week.

Think You Can Beat Me? Try Your Hand at These Daily Fantasy Websites.

Play on Fanduel.com Now : Play on DraftKings.com Now :
Play on DraftStreet.com Now : Play on StarStreet.com

Quarterbacks: Buy High

Matthew Stafford: Fanduel - $9,200 : DraftKings - $8,800 : DraftStreet - $14,977
Dallas and their third worst pass defense comes to Detroit and Matthew Stafford will throw, throw, throw against them. I like this matchup a lot this week. Calving is back. Bush and Bell can catch out of the backfield. Expect a lot of scoring in this game.
Projections: 355 passing yards and 4 TDs.

Drew Brees: Fanduel - $9,600 : DraftKings - $10,200 : DraftStreet - $16,851
Brees had a bye last week and while Jimmy Graham is likely to be questionable at best, Brees is facing the lowly Buffalo defense who have allowed 15 TD passes and nearly 2,000 passing yards. He will once again prove why he is one of the best money QBs in the league.
Projections: 320 passing yards and 4 TDs.

Other Solid Options: RG III, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Peyton Manning (Duh).

Quarterbacks: Buy Low

NOTE: I do not like most of the Buy Low QB candidates this week. Buy at your own risk.

Eli Manning: Fanduel - $6,800 : DraftKings - $6,800 : DraftStreet - $12,124
Eli is the only Buy Low I'd actually buy this week. He;ll throw an INT or four, but he will also have some good yardage and a good possibility for three TDs against a Philly D that likes to give up both. Maybe Eli's confidence gets a boost from last weeks win.
Projections: 273 passing yards and 3 TDs.

Ryan Tannehill: Fanduel - $7,000 : DraftKings - $6,700 : DraftStreet - $11,210
The Patriots are in trouble. Teams can throw against them and Tannehill will get that chance. However, The Patriots do not lose two games in a row. If Aqib Talib returns then I would definitely not use Tannehill, but if he doesn't he is an OK play.
Projections: 235 passing yards and 2 TDs.

Other Decent Options: Thad Lewis, maybe.

Buy High: Running Backs

Reggie Bush: Fanduel - $8,100 : DraftKings - $7,300 : DraftStreet - $12,320
I love Bush this week. The bye will get him healed up and he goes against Dallas who give up the third most receiving yards and over 100 rush yards a game. Bush is the DUAL threat in the NFL and he should see lots of work even with Joique Bell vulturing some touches.
Projections: 105 rushing yards and 1 TD and 75 receiving yards and 1 TD.

Frank Gore: Fanduel - $7,400 : DraftKings - $7,200 : DraftStreet - $11,878
Frank Gore has quietly put up some impressive numbers this season. Now he gets worst in the league against the run Jacksonville Jaguars who allow 150+ rush yards per game. Expect a lot of Gore in both aspects of the offensive game plan.
Projections: 130 rushing yards and 2 TDs and 55 receiving yards.

Other Solid Options: Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy.

Buy Low: Running Backs

NOTE: I love the Buy Low running backs this week. Spend low here and Buy High at QB.

Roy Helu: Fanduel - $5,700 : DraftKings - $3,300 : DraftStreet - $5,751
Alfred Morris was supposed to be the bell cow in this offense, but it seems that it may now be the dreaded RBBC (running back by committee). This means that Helu, who had a stunning 3 TDs last week, could see some nice work, especially against the Broncos who are good against the run, but bad against the pass. Helu catches the ball better than Morris and is more than worth the piddling $3,300 he'll cost you on Draftkings.com.
Projections: 45 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards and 1 TD.

Darren Sproles: Fanduel - $6,600 : DraftKings - $6,300 : DraftStreet - $9,971
The Saints will miss Jimmy Graham if he cannot go and Sproles will be the main fill in for Drew Brees when the Bills come to the Big Easy. The Bills allow the second most rushing yards and have given up 278 passing yards per game and 15 receiving TDs.
Projections: 55 rushing yards and 105 receiving yards and 2 TDs.

Other Solid Options: Jaquizz Rodgers, Joique Bell and Eddie Lacy.

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Photos Courtesy of ESPN.com.

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

______________________________________________________________________________ Legal Disclaimer: Daily Fantasy Plays makes predictions based on available information. Use these projections at your own risk. Read up, research and play wisely. Daily Fantasy Plays is not responsible for your Daily Fantasy League losses.

NFL Week 7 Top Performers

Lucky, Luck, Luck, YEAH!

Like real life Weekly Fantasy Football leagues can be chaos incarnate. We do out best to prognosticate future events and predict player performance in our Buy High/Buy Low and Optimized Lineup columns.

Now it is time to see how we did with Top Performers of the Week. This post is specifically about weekly leagues that give .5 points per reception like Fanduel.com and Draftstreet.com.

For sites that give 1 point per reception like DraftKings.com and StarStreet.com those totals will be located in the parentheses next to the .5 ppr scores.

Note: Some website give bonus points for 300+ passing yards and 100+ rushing and receiving yards. These bonuses have not necessarily been calculated into weekly scores.

Top Performers of Week 7: Quarterbacks

1     Andrew Luck           30.02
2     Andy Dalton        27.48
3     Robert Griffin III    27.32
4     Peyton Manning       26.34
5     Matthew Stafford    26.28
6     Aaron Rodgers       23.60
7     Jake Locker              22.94
8     Matt Ryan                 21.72
9     Geno Smith              21.52
10    Colin Kaepernick    20.76

I had Andrew Luck in my Buy High/Buy Low column last week and he helped me Beat Condia.

Top Performers of Week 7: Running Backs

1     Matt Forte               29.90 (30.90)
2     Frank Gore              23.40 (24.40)
3     Roy Helu                 23.10 (23.60)
4     Jacquizz Rodgers    22.20 (26.20)
5     Eddie Lacy              19.30 (21.80)

I also had Matt Forte and he came through big.

Top Performers of Week 7: Wide Receivers

1     Calvin Johnson       32.00 (36.50)
2     Vincent Jackson      30.80 (35.80)
3     Eric Decker             25.00   (29.00)
4     A.J. Green               24.50   (26.00)
5     Harry Douglas      24.40   (27.90)

Harry Douglas came in fifth and saved my projections.

Top Performers of Week 7: Tight Ends

1     Jordan Reed             23.90 (28.40)
2     Jermichael Finley    15.70   (18.20)
3     Rob Gronkowski     15.40   (19.40)
4     Jordan Cameron   15.00   (18.50)
5     Delanie Walker        12.70    (14.30)

Jordan Reed Baby.

Think You Can Beat Me? Try Your Hand at These Daily Fantasy Websites.

Play on Fanduel.com Now : Play on DraftKings.com Now :
Play on DraftStreet.com Now : Play on StarStreet.com

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Photos Courtesy of NFL.com
Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

I Beat Condia on StarStreet.com

I Beat Condia. Whooop!

Since I first started playing daily fantasy sports I have know the name Condia. A mystery man (or woman?), a daily fantasy wizard, a legend who plays and wins a ridiculous amount of games and money each week.

So when I discovered that one of my StarStreet.com games ( a three person winner takes all match) had me facing the living legend I felt gut churning excitement and panic. Could I beat him. If I did would I win more than the $3 I would add to my wallet. The answers as it turned out were yes.

I Want One.

The game was close and it took my best lineup of the week to beat him. And it wasn't by much. Just under 7 points separated Condia and I. My Tony Gonzalez call hurt me, while my Andrew Luck call won me the day. Condia hit double digits across the board, which gives us all a hint at his strategy. Consistency with upside. He ignore names, doesn't listen to the hype and goes with facts and precognition. Or maybe he has that Sports Almanac from Back to the Future.

In the big picture it means nothing, especially I am sure to Condia. Yet, for a small moment I got to feel like I could hang with the big boys of daily fantasy. Now if I just had Condia's bankroll.

Think You Can Beat Me? Or Condia? Try Your Hand at These Daily Fantasy Websites.

Play on Fanduel.com Now : Play on DraftKings.com Now :
Play on DraftStreet.com Now : Play on StarStreet.com

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Photos Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

Monday, October 21, 2013

What the Hell Was That? NFL Week 7

A Class Act and a Sad Day.

Each week in the National Football League odd, crazy, horrible and amazing things happen. In this column I will talk about the weekend that just was in the NFL. I'll detail the absurd, attack the stupid and rejoice in the great.

The Fifth Horseman Strikes Again
So last week I railed against the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse who is named Injury. Who could have known that Week 6 was just an appetizer for this abominable rider. While last week featured a bevy of injuries, few outside of the season ending one to Jerod Mayo figure to alter the fate of a franchise.

Then came Week 7 and these season ending injuries.

Reggie Wayne - WR: Indianapolis Colts - Torn ACL - Out for Season
Sam Bradford - QB: St. Louis Rams - Torn ACL - Out for Season
Doug Martin - RB: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Torn Labrum - Out for Season

Other Key Injuries.

Jay Cutler - QB: Chicago Bears - Groin Injury - Timetable Unkown
Jermichael Finley - TE: Green Bay Packer - Neck Injury - Taken to ICU - Timetable Unknown
Nick Foles - QB: Philadelphia Eagles - Head Injury - Timetable Unknown
Arian Foster - RB:Houston Texans - Hamstring - Timetable Unknown

More than any other factor, injuries can make or break a teams season. Unlike some Houston Texans fans, most NFL fans do not cheer injuries even when you just traded Doug Martin for Giovani Bernard and Justin Blackmon. Ouch, sorry Brandon.

The All New Tuck Rule: The Bum Rush Rule?
The New England Patriots were the victim of a little known and confusing rule that altered the fate of

Tuck This Rule.

the game. I'll call it the Bum Rush rule. If you watched the game you were probably confused or enraged. You weren't alone.

So was Chris Jones, the rookie DT who committed the offense. So was Coach Billichick, the entire viewing crowd, the officials of the New Orleans/New England game who didn't call a penalty on a similar play the previous week and even NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino who explained the new rule in a video. Explained it differently than the later revised rule posted on NFL.com.

So, a new rule. No big deal right? Well it wouldn't be if those who made it understood it. Within two hours of the end of the Jets/Patriots game the above video was removed and the rule online was reworded. Some may argue that both wordings suggest that Jones actions deserved to be penalized, but the confusion it generates is fully on the NFL. They should man up and apologize.

As for Pats fans. Move on. I have. Any Given Sunday, anything can happen. This week we got bit by a poorly worded rule. We can cry conspiracy, but it will just make us the 2013 version of the forever bitter Raiders fans. Instead we should cry stupidity and make the rest of the season our statement. The NFL messed up, knew it and has yet to admit it. Let it be their shame, not ours.

Chris Long Vs. Zima
Carolina receiver Steve Smith is often closely associated with controversy. This week his TD celebration earned him a punch to the helmet courtesy of Chris Long. Long was ejected, exchanged middle finger extensions with Panther's fans and got bonked on the head by a can of Zima.

"Thanks Carolina fans 4 the flipped birds+few bottles to the head. Sticks n stones may break my bones but aluminum zimas will never hurt me." - Chris Long via Twitter.

So what are we to take from this? Fans in Carolina like to flip people off? Chris Long hasn't figured out punching a helmet hurts him more than Steve Smith? They still make Zima AND people still drink it???? I thought Carolinians were supposed to be tough Southerners? Good news Zima cans to the head don't penetrate helmets anymore than beefy lineman's fists.

No Name Studs of the Week: Jordan Reed,Harry Douglas and Jarret Boykin
These guys all stepped into a primary role for their teams due to injuries and slayed it. If you used these guys as low cost options this week and spent your savings on Calvin Johnson, AJ Green and the like you may just have won some money. Just remember I told ya so.

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Photos Courtesy of ESPN.com

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

______________________________________________________________________________

Legal Disclaimer: Daily Fantasy Plays makes predictions based on available information. Use these projections at your own risk. Read up, research and play wisely. Daily Fantasy Plays is not responsible for your Daily Fantasy League losses.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Things You Oughta Know: Tips and Hints for NFL Week 7

Fantasy football is a game of stats. Balls are caught, yards are run, TD passes are made and points are accrued. Whomever has the most points wins. Whomever wins gets the money. In some cases a lot of money.

It is my job to give you the information so that you can best predict who will have better stats. It is a difficult job. It is nothing less than attempting to predict the future. To make these predictions I do not commune with a soothsayer, cast lots or flip tarot cards, though perhaps I should.

Instead I study trends, investigate match-ups and explore history. These tidbits help inform my Buy High/Buy Low Column as well as my Optimized Lineups, but sometimes they don't make it into those articles.

Things You Oughta Know is my opportunity to share this information.

Things You Oughta Know NFL Week 7

Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers is third in overall fantasy points and is averaging 21.1 points per contest. That's a higher average than anyone above him not named Peyton. Now he gets the Jags, who have looked better in recent weeks and with Justin Blackmon lighting it up, the Chargers will need to throw to keep their lead.
Tony Romo is going up against the Philly D that has allowed over 300 yards passing per game and 13 TDs this year. Romo to Dez should be a fun thing to watch.
Nick Foles against Romo's third worst in the league Dallas D. See above and repeat, excpet make it 14 TDs allowed for Dallas.
Peyton comes back to Indy. Start Andrew Luck. Nuff said.
Cam Newton finally showed up with 30+ points. St. Louis can't stop the run or the pass. Play him again.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson has 344 yards and 4 TDs and 21 catches for 144 yards WITH consensus pre-season stud CJ Spiller sharing time. Miami's D isn't as good against the run as people imagine. Jackson should shine.
Brandon Jacobs is back. Not sure I buy it either, but if he is going to repeat his 100+ performance from last week anytime soon it will be this week against the Vikings who allow 110 yards a contest. New York needs to win at least once, don't they?
Giovani Bernard looks to be the dual threat back. His 20 catches, 201 yards and 2 TDs mixed with 237 rush yards and 2 TDs make him a nice solid play against Detroit's suspect run D

Wide Receivers

In the two games since Justin Blackmon has returned from his suspension he has 19 catches for 326 yards and 1 TD. In TWO games for the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week Blackmon goes against the San Diego Chargers who are 28th in the league in yards allowed to pass catchers. They've also allowed 10 TD catches. AND Cecil Shorts may sit.
Keenan Allen has gone over 100 yards with a TD in each of the past two games. He is the rejuvenated Philip Rivers most trusted target. He goes against the Jags who have given up 14 TD passes.
Philly and Dallas are two of the worst three teams against the pass. They play each other in Week 7. Dez Bryant and DeSean Jackson play on those teams. Both are in the Top 6 for receiving TDs.
Washington's D is bad. Brandon Marshall has 40 catches for 486 yards and 5 TDs.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

NFL Week 7 Fanduel Optimized Lineup (Expert)

Yeah I Don't Even Know Who I Am.

Fanduel Expert leagues are hard. They are impossible when you get killed by injuries and general sucking. My advice, unless you are a true, bonified expert then I'd stick with my Standard Optimized Lineup or Beginner Optimized Lineup. You've been warned, buying Thaddeus Lewis is not for the faint of heart.

Fanduel Standard $60,000 Optimized Lineup

QB: Thaddeus Lewis $5,500 BUF@MIA
RB: Knowshon Moreno $7,700 DEN@IND
RB: LeSean McCoy $9,500 DAL@PHI
WR: Harry Douglas $4,800 TB@ATL
WR: Golden Tate $4,700 SEA@ARI
WR: Keenan Allen $4,500 SD@JAC
TE: Tony Gonzalez $6,800 TB@ATL
K: Robbie Gould $5,200 CHI@WAS
D: Kansas City Chiefs $6,000 HOU@KC

QB Analysis
Who foresaw Thaddeus Lewis' amazing day against the Bengals last week? Put your hands down you big fibber. Expert leagues are tough, so you need to take a flyer somewhere, usually several somewheres. Watch the news on his foot. If he sits use Weeden instead.

RB Analysis
Knowshon Moreno has been a stud and Peyton will lean heavily on him this week against his old team. I chose McCoy over Charles for one reason, Charles cost more and in an Expert league and I couldn't afford him.

WR Analysis
This week I am buying low at wide receiver. But that doesn't mean I am tossing my $ away. These cheap options should score nearly as much as the big boys, but cost you a lot less.

Atlanta has been destroyed at the wide receiver position and now it is the Harry Douglas show. He isn't a speedster, but if you see my Buy Low WR column this week you'll see he has a great chance to explode this week.

Golden Tate was a preseason sleeper and this is the week against the Cardinals I think he delivers on that. Lets hope Petersen covers somebody else.

Keenan Allen has looked like Calvin Johnson the last two weeks. This week he gets the Jags who could make me look like Calvin Johnson (well maybe). Expect some great yards and a Td from this low cost buy.

TE Analysis
Jimmy Graham is on a bye and injured and coming of a big fat zero. Enter the ageless one Tony Gonzalez and his increased role in the Atlanta offense now that Julio Jones is out and Roddy White suspect. Big numbers for Gonzo.

K Analysis
Robbie Gould was money last week. This week he'll be money again.

D Analysis
Last week the Kansas City defense outscored Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Peyton Manning and just about everybody. They go to Houston whose QBs have thrown a pick 6 FIVE weeks in a row. Is it too much to ask for two this week? Oh yeah, lotsa sacks too.

More Fanduel Optimized Lineups

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Photo Courtesy of NFL.com

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Legal Disclaimer: Daily Fantasy Plays makes predictions based on available information. Use these projections at your own risk. Read up, research and play wisely. Daily Fantasy Plays is not responsible for your Daily Fantasy League losses.

Week 7 NFL Fanduel Optimized Lineup (Standard)

Top 3? I am? Sweet.

Injuries killed my Week 6 NFL Standard Fanduel Optimized Lineup. This week I've made my pleas, dig a good mojo dance and engaged a seer to peer into the future. Okay I made up the last part, but I am a mighty snazzy dancer.

I love my Week 7 Optimized Lineups and I expect to bad my bank account come Tuesday morning. Follow my advice and you can join me.

Fanduel Standard $60,000 Optimized Lineup

QB: Philip Rivers $7,600 SD@JAC
RB: Jamaal Charles $9,800 HOU@KC
RB: LeSean McCoy $9,500 DAL@PHI
WR: Harry Douglas $4,800 TB@ATL
WR: Julian Edelman $5,700 NE@NYJ
WR: Keenan Allen $4,500 SD@JAC
TE: Tony Gonzalez $6,800 TB@ATL
K: Robbie Gould $5,200 CHI@WAS
D: Kansas City Chiefs $6,000 HOU@KC

QB Analysis
If I told you seven weeks ago that Philip Rivers would be a Top 3 player regardless of position you would have laughed, made shot drinking motions behind my back and ignored anything I said thereafter. To date he has thrown for 1,847 yards and 14 TDs. Expect those numbers to increase significantly against the Jags.

RB Analysis
Lets face it LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles are amazing badasses. I loved being able to afford both this week. Top backs against suspect run defenses. Sign me up. "That's all I have to say about that."

WR Analysis
This week I am buying low at wide receiver. But that doesn't mean I am tossing my $ away. These cheap options should score nearly as much as the big boys, but cost you a lot less.

Atlanta has been destroyed at the wide receiver position and now it is the Harry Douglas show. He isn't a speedster, but if you see my Buy Low WR column this week you'll see he has a great chance to explode this week.

Ah, every time we write Julian Edelman off he comes up big. Amendola is banged up, Gronk may not play AGAIN. Tom Brady trusts Edelman. I trust Edelman. You should to.

Keenan Allen has looked like Calvin Johnson the last two weeks. This week he gets the Jags who could make me look like Calvin Johnson (well maybe). Expect some great yards and a Td from this low cost buy.

TE Analysis
Jimmy Graham is on a bye and injured and coming of a big fat zero. Enter the ageless one Tony Gonzalez and his increased role in the Atlanta offense now that Julio Jones is out and Roddy White suspect. Big numbers for Gonzo.

K Analysis
Robbie Gould was money last week. This week he'll be money again.

D Analysis
Last week the Kansas City defense outscored Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Peyton Manning and just about everybody. They go to Houston whose QBs have thrown a pick 6 FIVE weeks in a row. Is it too much to ask for two this week? Oh yeah, lotsa sacks too.

More Fanduel Optimized Lineups

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Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

He is here to share his adventures, give advice and tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites.

______________________________________________________________________________

Legal Disclaimer: Daily Fantasy Plays makes predictions based on available information. Use these projections at your own risk. Read up, research and play wisely. Daily Fantasy Plays is not responsible for your Daily Fantasy League losses.

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