Big Ben out. Eddie Lacy out. Doug Martin has a setback. Carlos Hyde out. Ezekiel Eliot on a bye. It’s not going to be pretty this week, folks.
Don’t worry, we got you covered.
Expert of the Week: SAUCY T. He knocked it out of the park, calling a huge game from Julio Jones in Seattle (7 for 139, 1 TD), Marcus Mariota against Cleveland (284, 3 TD, 64 rushing) and Lamar Miller’s coming out party (149, 1 TD, 3 for 29, 1 TD). On the flip side Demaryius Thomas didn’t even register double-digit points, nor did Melvin Gordon. He was off on Dak Prescott who wound up surprising many and having a fine performance on the frozen tundra.
On to this week:
Dunton:
Starts:
Before I write this let me tell you that I am done with Fantasy Football (not really but we have all been there). Ughh this game is so cruel sometimes. Okay got that out. Here we go let’s try this again:
QB-Andy Dalton-The Red Rifle is playing the Browns this weekend. I don’t think I have to say much more. He should be good for at least 200 yards and 3 TD’s. You will take that if you are a Big Ben owner or have a QB on a bye.
Marcus Mariota is playing the Colts Defense. If you have him as a bye week replacement this is the week to play him.
RB-The Jets proved to us all on Monday night, they are pretty bad, and even that defense has been exposed. Get Terrance West in your lineup this week.
WR–Mike Evans-The Bucs have not been the potent offense that many expected them to be early on in the season. I think the bye week came at the right time and the big W against rival Carolina made it even better. Vincent Jackson is now on the IR and Evans will benefit from being the go to guy.
Sits:
QB-It’s not common for Russell Wilson to show up in the sits list, especially when there are some big name QBs on byes and others down with injuries but the Cardinals Defense is a tough task, and even tougher at home. I don’t see Russell Wilson out performing some other options like previously mentioned Dalton and possibly even Mariota.
RB-It’s hard to sit Lamar Miller after the performance he had last week, and I am not recommending you do but be cautious of him this week. He is on the road in Denver and that is a tall task at hand. If you have a better option you may want to consider it this week. It’s hard to consider this I know but matchups matter.
WR-If I am telling you to sit Wilson, you need to sit Baldwin, too. Too tough a matchup.
Brandon Marshall has a new QB throwing him the ball. I don’t think this week is a good week to start him. Wait and see how Geno Smith pans out.
Teddy Ballgame:
Starts:
QB-Marcus Mariota has had two great games in a row. He set season highs in rushing and passing yards last week, I am expecting more of the same at home against the Colts.
RB-Giovanni Bernard and the Bengals are going to make it home this week after a rough road trip. Seems to me even if Jeremy Hill is healthy Giovanni has taken over the lead back role. I think Bernard will see a bunch of touches in this in-state rivalry game.
WR-Ty Montgomery should get a lot more chances in the passing game with Adams out. The Packers are also out of running backs so he will probably split time there as well, he could be in for a great night against a bad Bears defense.
TE-Cameron Brate has definitely emerged as one of Winstons favorite red zone targets. He will probably see more touches with Vincent Jackson on the IR.
Sits:
QB- Eli Manning and the Giants will be traveling across the pond to face the Rams early Sunday morning. Jet lag and a pretty tough Rams D line will make things hard on Eli.
RB- Ryan Mathews will be facing the extremely stingy Vikings defense. I think this game will be a low scoring defensive battle.
WR-Willie Snead and the Saints are never the same high-powered offense on the road as they are at home. Arrowhead is always tough for the road team I don’t expect much from the Saints this weekend
Saucy T:
Starts:
QB: Marcus Mariota – Ride the hot hand. Mariota is coming off of back to back games with over 27 fantasy points and gets to face a Colts defense that made Brock Osweiler look good(he’s not). I expect Mariota to finish top 5 at the position this week and would play him over Rodgers on Thursday night or Brees on the road.
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers – This season has been brutal on running backs. I can’t remember a year with more injuries to big names, and the hits keep coming. Just as Doug Martin owners were getting excited to finally get him back, he suffers a setback and is out a while longer. Fill in Jacquizz Rodgers now gets to feast on a 49ers defense giving up the 6th most points to opposing running backs. The Bucs weren’t afraid to feed Rodgers the ball against Carolina two weeks ago, and I expect a similar workload this week coming off a bye. Rodgers is a top 15 play this week and should be in your fantasy lineup.
WR: Mike Wallace – Fact 1: The Jets defense gives up more big plays than anyone in the league. Fact 2: Mike Wallace has made a living in the NFL on big plays. This seems like a great recipe for Wallace and definitely makes him flex worthy this week. It’s a risky play, but will pay off big if you are desperate.
Sits:
QB: Drew Brees– Drew Brees just isn’t the same QB when he plays outdoors on the road. The Chiefs defense hasn’t been as dominant as they were last year, but they are still loaded with talent, especially in the secondary. I expect Drew Brees to struggle in this one with at least one interception, and would stay away if I could.
RB: Knile Davis – Knile Davis was the hot waiver wire add this week after he was traded to Green Bay, and word leaked that Lacy might miss some time. Although he’s not a bad guy to stash, he’s not someone I would feel comfortable starting right away. Fantasy owners and the Packers themselves have no idea how the Packers backfield will shake out with Davis, Ty Montgomery, and newly promoted Don Jackson, and it’s not like the run game was clicking on all cylinders before Lacy was hurt. Until we know who will be the lead back in Green Bay, I’m avoiding the situation entirely.
WR: Deandre Hopkins – I know a couple weeks ago I said you never sit your studs, but I think it’s fair to say that Hopkins isn’t the fantasy stud he was last year(Thanks Brock Osweiler). The Broncos’ “No Fly Zone” defense shut down Julio Jones and I expect similar results for Nuk. No revenge game here for Oz, stay away.
The Wayniac:
Starts:
QB: Andy Dalton is getting a lot of love this week, and rightfully so facing the second worst fantasy defense against the quarterback this year. You know who is the worst? The Detroit Lions. That’s why this may be your one week to start Kirk Cousins with any sort of confidence.
RB: You could probably score against the Saints Defense right now. They are allowing an average of two rushing TDs a game, that means one is for Jamaal Charles and the other is for Spencer Ware. If you handcuffed yourself and have both, I think Ware may be the better play.
WR: Cameron Meredith. The Packers have given up a lot of yards and touchdowns through the air. I think Meredith is the real deal.
TE: Not sure why I went against him last week, but now we know he is the real deal. The Falcons defense made Coby Fleener look like a stud. Start Hunter Henry with confidence.
DEF: Want a reach? I like the Titans. They are opportunistic and can score, and Andrew Luck can be turnover prone. The Bills seem like a safe play against a Dolphins team ready to return to earth.
Sits:
QB: If your team is bad enough that you have to start Ryan Tannehill you even in more trouble than usual as he faces off against the best fantasy defense against QBs this season. This week is all about sitting the Carsons. Wentz should be sat against that Vikings D and Palmer should be sat against any stout defense until he gets his struggles under control.
RB: The Ravens have only allowed two rushing touchdowns this year. Geno Smith stinks. They are going to stack the box and take Matt Forte out of this game. It’s actually surprising with how poor their pass defense is that they aren’t giving Fitzpatrick one last chance, but this switch greatly effects Forte’s value.
WR: I hate to say this, but have you seen what the Broncos have done to stud receivers this year? Mike Evans, 5-for-59. TY Hilton, 4-for-41. A.J. Green, 8-for-77. Julio Jones, 2-for-29. Notice what’s missing? To beat the Broncos, someone else has to step up. If your happy with 12 PPR points from your top receiver, then stick with Nuk, but you may have better options than DeAndre Hopkins this week.
TE: Coby Fleener followed up his first breakout performance of the year with a 3-for-19 dud. This week, after a big week last week, expect the same digression against a Chiefs defense that has allowed one passing TD to TEs this season and not even 200 yards through the air.
Def: Eagles. I like what the Vikings are doing , and while Bradford won’t win MVP, he also doesn’t turn the ball over.
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