Question 1: Asked by @Steel_Thoughts
for 3rd place. Pick 2 to start (position doesn’t matter) S.Moss(@NYG), D.Thomas(NE), Mendenhall(@SF) or Spiller(MIA)?
Answer
I am starting Demaryius Thomas and Mendenhall in this situation. I could see benching Mendenhall for Spiller but the Bills offense scares me at the moment and the only guy I trust is Stevie Johnson. Mendenhall has a tough match-up in front of him and he probably won’t make too much happen but all it takes is one big play on an outside run or a screen play and he’ll be fine for you. Its a gut call on my part but Mendenhall is worth the risk here in my opinion.
Question 2: Asked by Connor
I need a TE for this week, preferably one that has a chance to get me more than three points. I currently own Heath Miller and have 2 options on free agency that stick out, Gresham and Celek. Who has the best shot at a nice game this week?
Answer
I would go with Gresham here. I think that regardless of match up he is the most ownable of the three and with St. Louis as an opponent this week he is likely to do just fine. There is a concern that the receivers and backs will all be doing so well that they don’t need the TE but Gresham is Cinci’s best possession receiver at the moment and I don’t think they can afford to not use him.
Patriots at Broncos
Don’t worry, I am not going to go on an on about how awesome Tebow is. This is however the ultimate test of his abilities as a passer as well as the ultimate test for the Denver defense. I watched my Bills win a string of close, come from behind games and I can assure you that the bubble has to burst some time. The Patriots have proven to be a beatable team this season because their secondary is the worst in the league and people have been able to keep pace with their offense. It is really going to take a hell of a performance from the Bronco defense to contain both Welker and Gronkowski throughout the game and I think we would be foolish to expect the Broncos to be able to put up over 30 points. Either way I think Tebow is in for one of his best statistical performances of the season and he is a great start for fantasy owners this week. As for your Patriot players, production on the overall might be a little below the normal but you shouldn’t be too scared to play your guys anyways where you normally would. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are both viable flex plays this week, as for the first time there should be enough targets to go around. I’m not about to predict a Tebow victory here but I do think it will be a relatively close game. I would guess in the area of 35 to 28.
Steelers at 49ers
The 49ers are on a bit of a slump at the moment after a rough loss to the Cardinals last week. They have a tough test this week to try and put this behind them with Pittsburgh coming to town. In all honesty, I don’t see San Fran pulling this one off because they will need to get the job done in the running game and Pittsburgh has been much improved on defense in the second half of the season. San Francisco should continue to shut down the running game but Pittsburgh is no longer a run-first team and Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are going to be able to make a few big plays throughout the course of this game. Do everything in your power to leave Rashard Mendenhall on your bench and lower expectations from Frank Gore too although you likely have to play him regardless this week. Ben Roethlisberger is also worth a start but he is not at all likely to have a really big game against such a solid defense. I think Pittsburgh will likely win this by 2 scores unless Gore can break through the Steel Curtain and the 49ers defense holds the Steelers offense to under 20 points.
Love
Beanie Wells, RB, ARI – Wells has had a very solid season in spite of some injuries. When he has been in there, his production can not be denied. He did have a bad week in week 14 but everyone has against San Francisco this season and I am ready to look past it. Joe Haden will be locked up on Larry Fitzgerald, limiting his impact on the game significantly. Arizona is likely going to get another win this week on the back of Wells.
Jordy Nelson, WR, GB – With Greg Jennings on the sidelines for this coming game, Rodgers will be sure to look towards Jordy Nelson and all the rest of his receivers a bit more often. The match-up is pretty good against the Chiefs and while we may see the starters on the bench by the 4th quarter again but I think all your Packers are good for a start this week regardless.
Tim Tebow, QB, DEN – There is no softer secondary in the NFL than New England’s. Tebow is very unlikely to get a win this week but I do think he is very likely to have his highest fantasy point total of the season anyways. Denver’s grind-it-out offense almost definitely can’t outscore the Pats and Brady but they will limit their production and keep it competitive. This could be a 350+ yard passing day for the promising second year QB.
Cedric Benson, RB, CIN – The Bengals are on a two game losing streak and are looking to cling to their playoff hopes, which are fading fast, against the league’s worst rush defense. They should have little trouble righting the ship against the Rams, who have been inept all season and especially on defense. Benson is sure to play a big role in this game and is a must-start this week for your playoff match up.
Brandon Marshall, WR, MIA – I expect Miami to focus on the ground game early on and it should be effective against the Bills’ soft defense that has really missed Kyle Williams since he went on IR. This is going to open up the passing game and Marshall should have little trouble racking up stats, especially since Buffalo stopped forcing all the turnovers they were able to cause early in the year.
Felix Jones, RB, DAL – With DeMarco Murray on IR, the running game is now in the hands of Felix. He handled himself well with a good match up last week and has another this week against the Buccaneers, who have allowed an average of 23.5 yards per game to opposing RBs. You shouldn’t expect him to top 20 but it is possible and he will do just fine for a play as an RB2 this week.
Hate
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT – He has had a disappointing season and plays the 9ers this week, who are by and far the best rush defense in the league. He fell outside my top 20 so don’t hesitate to put him on your bench if you have better options.
Plaxico Burress, WR, NYJ – I am down on both of the Jets’ receivers this week due to the depth of the Eagles’ secondary. With Vick back the Eagles offense is able to stay on the field more and limit opportunities against their defense too.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR – Houston may be without some of their most important offensive weapons but their defense is still in-tact and playing great. The Panthers’ running backs have been thoroughly un-impressive this season and that is not likely to change with such a tough match up in front of them. Lower expectations on all Panthers this week.
DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI – He rebounded slightly last week but it wasn’t a huge performance and he is on Revis Island this week. He might draw some added coverage from Antonio Cromartie because Cromartie is slightly better defending vertical routes, which Jackson runs more often than not.
| 1. | Aaron Rodgers | @ KC |
| 2. | Drew Brees | @ MIN |
| 3. | Tom Brady | @ DEN |
| 4. | Tony Romo | @ TB |
| 5. | Eli Manning | Vs. WAS |
| 6. | Cam Newton | @ HOU |
| 7. | Matthew Stafford | @ OAK |
| 8. | Tim Tebow | Vs. NE |
| 9. | Matt Ryan | Vs. JAC |
| 10. | Michael Vick | Vs. NYJ |
| 11. | Philip Rivers | Vs. BAL |
| 12. | Ben Roethlisberger | @ SF |
| 13. | Andy Dalton | @ STL |
| 14. | Joe Flacco | @ SD |
| 15. | Jake Locker | @ IND |
| 16. | T.J. Yates | Vs. CAR |
| 17. | Ryan Fitzpatrick | Vs. MIA |
| 18. | Matt Moore | @ BUF |
| 19. | Josh Freeman | Vs. DAL |
| 20. | Carson Palmer | Vs. DET |
| 21. | Mark Sanchez | @ PHI |
| 22. | Rex Grossman | @ NYG |
| 23. | Colt McCoy | @ ARI |
| 24. | Christian Ponder | Vs. NO |
| 25. | Tarvaris Jackson | @ CHI |
| 1. | Arian Foster | Vs. CAR |
| 2. | Adrian Peterson | Vs. NO |
| 3. | LeSean McCoy | Vs. NYJ |
| 4. | Ray Rice | @ SD |
| 5. | Chris Johnson | @ IND |
| 6. | Beanie Wells | Vs. CLE |
| 7. | Michael Bush | Vs. DET |
| 8. | Maurice Jones-Drew | @ ATL |
| 9. | Reggie Bush | @ BUF |
| 10. | Shonn Greene | @ PHI |
| 11. | Michael Turner | Vs. JAC |
| 12. | Felix Jones | @ TB |
| 13. | Marshawn Lynch | @ CHI |
| 14. | Cedric Benson | @ STL |
| 15. | Roy Helu | @ NYG |
| 16. | Ryan Mathews | Vs. BAL |
| 17. | Frank Gore | Vs. PIT |
| 18. | Steven Jackson | Vs. CIN |
| 19. | LeGarrette Blount | Vs. DAL |
| 20. | Ahmad Bradshaw | Vs. WAS |
| 21. | Rashard Mendenhall | @ SF |
| 22. | Willis McGahee | Vs. NE |
| 23. | Darren Sproles | @ MIN |
| 24. | C.J. Spiller | Vs. MIA |
| 25. | Brandon Jacobs | Vs. WAS |
| 26. | Ryan Grant | @ KC |
| 27. | Ben Tate | Vs. CAR |
| 28. | Kevin Smith | @ OAK |
| 29. | Jonathan Stewart | @ HOU |
| 30. | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | @ DEN |
| 31. | Peyton Hillis | @ ARI |
| 32. | Maurice Morris | @ OAK |
| 33. | Mike Tolbert | Vs. BAL |
| 34. | Mark Ingram | @ MIN |
| 35. | Kahlil Bell | Vs. SEA |
| 36. | Daniel Thomas | @ BUF |
| 37. | Donald Brown | Vs. TEN |
| 38. | Marion Barber | Vs. SEA |
| 39. | DeAngelo Williams | @ HOU |
| 40. | Pierre Thomas | @ MIN |
| 41. | Jackie Battle | Vs. GB |
| 42. | Toby Gerhart | Vs. NO |
| 43. | LaDainian Tomlinson | @ PHI |
| 44. | Kendall Hunter | Vs. PIT |
| 45. | Montario Hardesty | @ ARI |
| 46. | Dexter McCluster | Vs. GB |
| 47. | James Starks | @ KC |
| 48. | Thomas Jones | Vs. GB |
| 49. | Chris Ivory | @ MIN |
| 50. | Lance Ball | Vs. NE |
| 1. | Calvin Johnson | @ OAK |
| 2. | Wes Welker | @ DEN |
| 3. | Roddy White | Vs. JAC |
| 4. | Hakeem Nicks | Vs. WAS |
| 5. | A.J. Green | @ STL |
| 6. | Steve Smith | @ HOU |
| 7. | Jordy Nelson | @ KC |
| 8. | Victor Cruz | Vs. WAS |
| 9. | Brandon Marshall | @ BUF |
| 10. | Marques Colston | @ MIN |
| 11. | Larry Fitzgerald | Vs. CLE |
| 12. | Mike Wallace | @ SF |
| 13. | Vincent Jackson | Vs. BAL |
| 14. | Andre Johnson | Vs. CAR |
| 15. | Miles Austin | @ TB |
| 16. | Percy Harvin | Vs. NO |
| 17. | Dwayne Bowe | Vs. GB |
| 18. | Steve Johnson | Vs. MIA |
| 19. | Dez Bryant | @ TB |
| 20. | Brandon Lloyd | Vs. CIN |
| 21. | Antonio Brown | @ SF |
| 22. | Santana Moss | @ NYG |
| 23. | Julio Jones | Vs. JAC |
| 24. | Laurent Robinson | @ TB |
| 25. | Anquan Boldin | @ SD |
| 26. | DeSean Jackson | Vs. NYJ |
| 27. | Demaryius Thomas | Vs. NE |
| 28. | Santonio Holmes | @ PHI |
| 29. | Nate Washington | @ IND |
| 30. | Michael Crabtree | Vs. PIT |
| 31. | Mario Manningham | Vs. WAS |
| 32. | Mike Williams | Vs. DAL |
| 33. | James Jones | @ KC |
| 34. | Eric Decker | Vs. NE |
| 35. | Plaxico Burress | @ PHI |
| 36. | Pierre Garcon | Vs. TEN |
| 37. | Jeremy Maclin | Vs. NYJ |
| 38. | Lance Moore | @ MIN |
| 39. | Damian Williams | @ IND |
| 40. | Torrey Smith | @ SD |
| 41. | Malcom Floyd | Vs. BAL |
| 42. | Jabar Gaffney | @ NYG |
| 43. | Donald Driver | @ KC |
| 44. | Doug Baldwin | @ CHI |
| 45. | Nate Burleson | @ OAK |
| 46. | Johnny Knox | Vs. SEA |
| 47. | Reggie Wayne | Vs. TEN |
| 48. | Early Doucet | Vs. CLE |
| 49. | Titus Young | @ OAK |
| 50. | Darrius Heyward-Bey | Vs. DET |
| 1. | Rob Gronkowski | @ DEN |
| 2. | Antonio Gates | Vs. BAL |
| 3. | Jimmy Graham | @ MIN |
| 4. | Jason Witten | @ TB |
| 5. | Tony Gonzalez | Vs. JAC |
| 6. | Owen Daniels | Vs. CAR |
| 7. | Jermichael Finley | @ KC |
| 8. | Aaron Hernandez | @ DEN |
| 9. | Brandon Pettigrew | @ OAK |
| 10. | Kellen Winslow | Vs. DAL |
| 11. | Jake Ballard | Vs. WAS |
| 12. | Vernon Davis | Vs. PIT |
| 13. | Dustin Keller | @ PHI |
| 14. | Jermaine Gresham | @ STL |
| 15. | Anthony Fasano | @ BUF |
| 16. | Dallas Clark | Vs. TEN |
| 17. | Greg Olsen | @ HOU |
| 18. | Marcedes Lewis | @ ATL |
| 19. | Brent Celek | Vs. NYJ |
| 20. | Visanthe Shiancoe | Vs. NO |
| 21. | Ed Dickson | @ SD |
| 22. | Todd Heap | Vs. CLE |
| 23. | Jared Cook | @ IND |
| 24. | Heath Miller | @ SF |
| 25. | Evan Moore | @ ARI |
| 1. | David Akers | Vs. PIT |
| 2. | Mason Crosby | @ KC |
| 3. | Billy Cundiff | @ SD |
| 4. | Dan Bailey | @ TB |
| 5. | John Kasay | @ MIN |
| 6. | Stephen Gostkowski | @ DEN |
| 7. | Sebastian Janikowski | Vs. DET |
| 8. | Jason Hanson | @ OAK |
| 9. | Matt Prater | Vs. NE |
| 10. | Rob Bironas | @ IND |
| 11. | Neil Rackers | Vs. CAR |
| 12. | Matt Bryant | Vs. JAC |
| 13. | Robbie Gould | Vs. SEA |
| 14. | Nick Novak | Vs. BAL |
| 15. | Mike Nugent | @ STL |
| 16. | Matt Prater | Vs. NE |
| 17. | Alex Henery | Vs. NYJ |
| 18. | Lawrence Tynes | Vs. WAS |
| 19. | Olindo Mare | @ HOU |
| 20. | Ryan Longwell | Vs. NO |
| 1. | Packers | @ KC |
| 2. | Bengals | @ STL |
| 3. | Ravers | @ SD |
| 4. | Steelers | @ SF |
| 5. | 49ers | Vs. PIT |
| 6. | Bears | Vs. SEA |
| 7. | Falcons | Vs. JAC |
| 8. | Titans | @ IND |
| 9. | Lions | @ OAK |
| 10. | Seahawks | @ CHI |
| 11. | Texans | Vs. CAR |
| 12. | Cowboys | @ TB |
| 13. | Jets | @ PHI |
| 14. | Cardinals | Vs. CLE |
| 15. | Giants | Vs. WAS |
| 16. | Eagles | Vs. NYJ |
| 17. | Saints | @ MIN |
| 18. | Dolphins | @ BUF |
| 19. | Jaguars | @ ATL |
| 20. | Patriots | @ DEN |
| 21. | Browns | @ ARI |
| 22. | Broncos | Vs. NE |
| 23. | Chargers | Vs. BAL |
| 24. | Rams | Vs. CIN |
| 25. | Bills | Vs. MIA |