Who’s In…Who’s Out
With the Lions, Texans, Colts, and Jets all on bye weeks there are a lot of superstars of the Fantasy world who need to be replaced for a week. You need someone who is good enough to play, but expendable enough to replace or drop. If your looking for that diamond in the rough who will take you to the playoffs…sorry, Peyton Hillis and Arian Foster are probably already taken. But there’s no reason you can’t find a solid one-week-wonder to get you a win the week you thought you would loose because Foster or LT are out. Check the sleepers for your answers, and don’t forget about your bench either. You picked ‘em, have a little faith.
Who’s In:
Quarterback:
-Matt Ryan (v. Bengals): I know he hasn’t been very consistent lately and last week was really rough but Ryan has the potential to be great. He has great weapons in Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez and the return of Michael Jenkins will really stretch the field, but the key is getting Michael Turner going early. The Bengals are struggling and Ryan will put up adequate numbers in place of your regular starter if Schaub or Manning are stuck on the bench this week.
-Sam Bradford (@ Bucs): Again, Bradford’s greatest asset is his running game. If Steven Jackson gets off to a good start, which he will, Bradford will have a solid day against a Tampa Bay defense that is slumping. Loosing #1 receiver Mark Clayton certainly makes life a little harder but the return of Laurent Robinson and the consistent play of Danny Amendola will shine through in Tampa. The Rams’ signal-caller is good for at least 180 yards and 1-2 touchdowns. An adequate bye-week replacement.
-Kyle Orton (v. Raiders): The leader of the best passing offense in the NFL needs no introduction. Orton is averaging a little over 323 yards and 3 touchdowns per game, easily one of the best in the league. Not to mention his top receiver, Brandon Lloyd leads the NFL in receiving. The Broncos’ lack of a good run game leaves them no choice but to air it out. They have so many weapons and Orton is up against a Raiders defense that is improving but isn’t good enough to slow him down.
-Sleeper- Matt Hasselback (v. Cardinals): There are three reasons why I believe in Matt Hasselback this week. One: he’s healthy for the first time in 3 years; two: The addition of Marshawn Lynch makes the Seahawks backfield a major threat to opposing defenses; and third: He’s up against the lowly Cardinals defense in a huge division matchup. Not only to I believe in Hasselback this week but through the rest of the year I believe he will have fewer mistakes and more touchdowns.
Running Back:
-Steven Jackson (@ Bucs): Jackson needs only 32 yards to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. He has looked very strong in his last 3 outings and is much healthier than he was the last two seasons. The Buccaneers’ defense is weak against the run this year and Jackson will go for at least 110 yards. He may not get in the end zone but he will give you a solid day.
-Marshawn Lynch (v. Cardinals): Marshawn Lynch had a decent outing in his first game with his new team getting 17 carries and a touchdown. This week he gets the porous defense of the Arizona Cardinals and he will see plenty of carries as Pete Carroll serves up a heavy dose of Lynch and Justin Forsett to get the game going. He may not get huge yardage, but he is the teams workhorse and will get the red zone opportunities to score.
-Jamal Charles (v. Jaguars): I know this one isn’t a big shock or anything so I’m upping the ante a little bit. Remember how in week one Arian Foster went for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns? How about the next week when Jahvid Best went off for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns? I do…I had them both on my team and it was a very good two weeks. My prediction is Jamal Charles will have similar good fortune against a one of the worst teams in the NFL (just barely ahead of the Bills and the Panthers). While it won’t be as huge because Todd Haley insists on using Thomas Jones just as much, but I expect 185 yards and 2 touchdowns out of Charles this week.
-Sleeper Alert- Chris Ivory (v. Browns): I don’t know if you saw this kid run last week but let me tell you, 175 yards from scrimmage doesn’t do justice to the performance he put on last week. Ivory is a very tough extremely elusive runner who has jumped right into his role head first and ready to attack. Last week it was Tampa Bay and now, with an even better matchup against the Browns he should continue to shine in the absence of Pierre Thomas and the sorely missed Reggie Bush. Look for Ivory to get in the end zone to go along with another 100 yard game.
Wide Receiver:
-Michael Crabtree (@ Panthers): You all know of my love for the Carolina Panthers but love hurts sometime. This week…love will continue to suck as Crabtree continues his assent to fantasy relevance. Crabtree has put up at least 50 yards in the last three weeks (including a 100 yard outing against Philly in week 5), and has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two games. The 49ers are actively trying to get him more involved in the offense which is great news for his owners. A solid matchup and love from the coaches equal one thing…big game for Crabtree.
-Robert Meachem (v. Browns): If it feels like I’m picking on the same teams it’s because I am. Like I said at the beginning, we’re playing the matchups this week. Meachem has looked great the last two weeks outshining Marques Colston and Lance Moore each game. He seems to be completely recovered from his knee issues and has caught a touchdown each of the last two games. A great matchup against the Browns makes him a solid starter and he’s probably available on most waiver wires.
-Mike Williams (v. Cardinals): Williams broke out last week with 123 yards, almost equaling his production for the year. While Deon Butler caught the touchdown pass Williams was the one who saw the uptick in attention from his quarterback. Williams will continue to get thrown to and create big yardage opportunities in space. Look for another solid week for Mike Williams, the Seattle one.
-Sleeper Alert- Patrick Crayton (v. Patriots): The former disgruntled Cowboys receiver has had a rough go of it the last few years. From whinning on the second season of “Hard Knocks” with the Cowboys to riding the bench with San Diego it has been tough to be Patrick Crayton. But now is his time to shine with injuries building up for the Chargers. Malcolm Floyd is likely out for Sunday’s game and Antonio Gates is not 100%. Crayton will be in line for a big game coming off of a 117 yard performance last week.
Tight End:
-Brent Celek (@ Titans): The only reason Celek is on this list is due to injuries. The Titans have a great defense and they will probably shut him down. But Desean Jackson is out with a concussion and Leasean McCoy is battling broken ribs so it is possible that with the Titans rushing Kevin Kolb Celek could see a lot of looks in the short game.
-Heath Miller (@ Dolphins): Heath Miller was expected to have a great year but struggled in the absence of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Now that Big Ben is back Miller had his most productive game with 50 yards and a touchdown. He will continue to get enough passes to be productive and will always get looks in the red zone making him a good bet to score.
-Kellen Winslow (v. Rams): Winslow hasn’t been that great this year battling injuries and decent defenses. I expect Winslow to come out this week and create opportunities in the middle of the field. The Rams will focus their attention on stopping the deep threat of Mike Williams leaving space for Winslow to get to work. When Winslow plays well he usually scores. He’s a decent bye week replacement for Dustin Keller or Dallas Clark.
-Sleeper Alert- Ben Watson (v. Saints): Last week against a stingy Steelers defense Watson went for 88 yards and a touchdown. This week, his chances of success are even better as he goes up against a floundering Saints defense with a depleted receiving corp. Watson has quickly become the most reliable receiver on the Browns and if rookie Colt McCoy has to start again he will lean on his new found security blanket to help him limit mistakes.
-Kicker of the Week: Matt Prater (v. Raiders): Good offensive team means plenty of opportunities to put it through the uprights.
-Defense of the Week: Seattle Seahawks: They will rush Max Hall into poor judgment…not to mention that guy they have returning kicks.
Who’s Out
Quarterback:
-Tony Romo (v. Giants): It’s simple; the Cowboys are struggling to limit mistakes and penalties and the Giants are playing the best football they’ve played since winning the Super Bowl. The Giants pass rush is too strong to not make him uncomfortable. I’m not saying he won’t play well, I’m just saying he will make more mistakes than normal.
-Josh Freeman (v. Rams): Josh Freeman has played pretty well considering the caliber of team he’s on but the lack of a run game and few offensive threats make it difficult to be successful. I’m not sure about this one because I think he could have a great game but the Rams sacked Phillip Rivers 7 times last week and held him to 249 yards with only 1 touchdown and forced an interception for his worst fantasy performance of the year. Freeman will be forced into mistakes that will cost his team a win.
-Chad Henne (v. Steelers): No real twist to this one, the poor guy is going up against the best defense in the game. The Steelers are allowing a league low 12 points per game and have at least a sack, a fumble recovery, and an interception in each of their first 5 games. Henne has some decent weapons but this will easily be his toughest test yet. Steelers hold the Fins to 13 points and Henne to 150 yards.
-Watch Out- Kevin Kolb (@ Titans): Kevin Kolb has looked deceptively good the last two weeks, averaging 260 yards and a touchdown over the last 3 games. However it seems as though the buck stops on Sunday as he takes on the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been solid against the pass this year and have a knack for making quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket. And it really doesn’t help when your top receiver is out with a head injury. Temper your expectations of Kolb this week as he won’t meet your regular standards.
Running Back:
-Ronnie Brown (v. Steelers): Brown hasn’t been bad this year but he definitely hasn’t been a good pick either. His best game out of the last three topped out at 75 yards and he’s only crossed the goal line once this year. Now he has to go up against the Steelers and his inability to get things going on the ground will snowball into all sorts of problems for the Miami offense. Maybe he should ask Lebron for some help.
-Ryan Torain (@ Bears): Chances are you probably already picked him up off waivers and you’re excited about putting him in to replace Arian Foster this week. Again, temper your expectations as he goes up against a very good Chicago defensive front. McNabb is coming to his hometown and I expect him to air it out a little more than normal. Also I would be concerned about Torain’s durability for the remainder of the season as he is already having knee issues. If you have to start him it go ahead, it won’t be horrible; I just don’t see him going off again this week. I’m just saying, lower your expectations and maybe try to trade him while his value is high.
-Fred Jackson (@ Ravens): I know you’re all excited that you got him off the waiver wire and you’re jacked up after the Marshawn Lynch trade, but you would have to be an idiot of elephantine proportions to start him this week…against the Ravens…in Baltimore. I really think that’s all I need to say.
-Watch Out-Felix Jones (v. Giants): Yes it is a good thing the Cowboys are finally using him as more than a third down back and yes it’s good that he has played pretty well the last two weeks. But no, it is not a good idea to start him, unless you absolutely have to. Jones is up against a resurgent Giants defense that has a chance to put the final nail in the Cowboys (and possibly Wade Phillips) coffin. If you’re hesitant to start him it’s for good reason. Keep him reserved if you have another option.
Wide Receiver:
-Brandon Marshall (v. Steelers): I might have said this before, but I don’t think Marshall will have a bad game I just think he won’t produce what you expect out of a receiver like him. For Marshall to have a good game his quarterback must first have a good game and I don’t believe that will happen. I expect a 70-80 yards day at best.
-Santana Moss (@ Bears): Moss only has one touchdown through the first six games of the 2010 season, and as one of the most targeted wideouts in the league that’s not saying a whole lot. Moss and the Redskins will now face a strong Chicago Bears defense that has been solid in their efforts to shut down opposing receivers. Look out for a 50 yard stat line Sunday.
-Mike Sims-Walker (@ Chiefs): Sorry Mike, but I am officially benching Sims-Walker until further notice. Not only is he going up against a very good Chiefs defense this Sunday but both viable starting quarterbacks are injured and the Jags have even resorted to bringing in Todd Bouman and Patrick Ramsay for “insurance” at the position. It is sad days in Jacksonville when Todd Bouman is your best option come Sunday and it’s even worse for Mike Sims-Walker who is already taking a back seat to Mike Thomas.
-Watch Out-Jeremy Maclin (@ Titans): At first glance he looks like a great start; Desean Jackson is out for the game and last week he finished with 159 yards and 2 touchdown catches. But this week he is taking on a vicious Tennessee Titans defense as the only consistent threat through the air for them to stop. Brent Celek will probably have a lot of room because the Titans will do two things come Sunday: rush the pass and blanket Maclin.
Tight End:
-Zach Miller (@ Broncos): Miller has been a pretty solid play this year and his matchup is good enough to warrant a start. But there is one big problem…ya know, that glaring issue right behind the center? The Raiders quarterback situation is worse than the Panthers right now and this will directly affect Miller’s performance come Sunday. Jason Campbell made some of the worst decisions at the end of a game that I’ve ever seen last week. In a game they could have easily won he gives the game away on two interceptions on back to back drives. Knowing they could very easily be sitting at 3-3 instead of a sub-par 2-4, I expect Tom Cable to stick to what the Raiders could do best if he lets them…RUN THE BALL! Two great backs equals time of possession and less turnovers.
-Greg Olsen (v. Raiders): This is another one I can’t quite put a finger on. But it’s simple; Olsen has been held without a catch two games in a row. By now you probably have a second option so use him until Olsen gives you a reason to play him again. And don’t take the Raider hard-hitting defense for granted, they’re better than you think.
-Todd Heap (v. Bills): After the only hit of the weekend that did look malicious and intentional, I’m not even sure Heap will play. If he does, he certainly won’t be 100%. Keep him on your bench and see how he recovers from the head shot.
-Watch Out- Antonio Gates (v. Patriots): Same reason…you don’t want to start him have him catch two passes for 20 yards just to get tackled and roll his ankle right out of the rest of the game. Gates did not practice on Wednesday but is still listed as day-to-day. My prediction is he will be in the line-up, but more to open things up for the rest of the offense. He will probably be replaced on downs when he’s expected to hold blocking responsibility.
-Kicker Sit of the Week: John Kasay (v. 49ers): The Panthers are dead last in points per game so it makes it very hard for Kasay to be a viable kicker option even as a bye week replacement.
-Defensive Sit of the Week: Chargers (v. Patriots): If I had to choose one word to describe the Chargers it would be inconsistent, especially on defense. In week 4 they scored 28 fantasy points recording 9 sacks, 3 turnovers, and a touchdown. Over the last two weeks they are giving up an average of 24.5 points to opposing offenses and have only 3 fantasy points per game. With the Patriots on the bill for this week they look like they’re headed for another bad week.
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