Matchup #2 was a DOOZY! We got Top 10 lists from AFI, NBR, and AAFCA. We also saw early round draft picks earn their first points of the season. But that’s all in the past. Instead, let’s look to the future and see if there is value on the waiver wire ahead of Matchup #3. Reminder that waivers are due at 6:00 pm EST and will be processed short thereafter. The International Documentary Awards announce their winners tonight, so we may have to wait until that is over before Matchup #2 is in the books and standings are updated. And as always, there could be more valuable waivers on your specific league’s waiver wire, so check that first. Let’s get to it!
- RRR (INT) – RRR is having a moment! It cracked the Top 10 at National Board of Review and has found itself with 13 total points, 10 of which were earned in Matchup #2. Want more evidence? It’s the highest INT performer with Decision to Leave one point behind it. Yes, it has somewhat limited upside because the only points it can get on Oscar nomination Tuesday (i.e. the first round of the playoffs) is for Best Picture, which is somewhat unlikely, but you might as well ride it until then.
- Nope (PIC) – ANY film that is on the waiver wire and also on the AFI Top 10 list should be a priority add. Nope is a long shot for Best Picture, but it’s a non-zero probability for it. If you don’t have a strong picture, say yes to Nope.
- Ryan Coogler (DIR-SCRN-SONG Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) – Ryan Coogler won’t get many directing or screenplay points, but he is a credited co-writer of “Lift Me Up” with Rihanna, Tems, and Ludwig Goransson for a song that has become somewhat of a favorite for Best Original Song. Given that he has cross eligibility, he may get some bonus directing and writing points, but his value now lies with the SONG.
- Rihanna or Tems (SONG Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) – See above, without the cross position eligibility.
- Simon Franglen (SCORE-SONG Avatar: The Way of Water) – This week, The Weeknd teased an end credits song from Avatar: The Way of Water. Although The Weeknd isn’t on this list (yet), Simon Franglen is on this list for a few reasons. First, he already got points for a different song at HMMA, meaning he has TWO songs that could earn him points. Second, Avatar: The Way of Water early reactions are solid, meaning everything else attached to that movie now has a boost in value.
- Diane Warren (SCORE-SONG Tell It Like a Woman) – It’s almost a running gag that Diane Warren gets an Oscar nomination every year she writes a song for a film. The difference here is that she already has some points. The Original Song race is pretty crowded this year, but it was last year too, and she got a nomination without hardly any precursors nominations, let alone wins. Pick her up. Stash her. And put her in your starting lineup if you find yourself in the playoffs.
- Lady Gaga (SCORE-SONG Top Gun: Maverick) – Lady Gaga is a sneaky double threat, getting points for both the score and original song from Top Gun: Maverick.
- Any Editor from the seven films that were on both AFI and NBR – A Best Editing Oscar nomination is usually good news for the movie’s chances at Best Picture glory, ergot good fantasy point value until then. As a reminder, here are the editors of films that overlapped:
- Avatar: The Way of Water – James Cameron, David Brenner, John Refoua, and Stephen E. Rivkin
- The Banshees of Inisherin – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
- Everything Everywhere All at Once – Paul Rogers
- The Fabelmans – Sarah Broshar and Michael Kahn
- Top Gun: Maverick – Eddie Hamilton
- The Woman King – Terilyn Shropshire
- Women Talking – Christopher Donaldson and Roslyn Kalloo
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