Fantasy Preperations for Week 5: Facing MJD and Roddy White. Who do I start and Who do I sit???
By Editorial Staff
My Fantasy Preparations Record 4-0
Opponent
Green Hornet
Record 0-4
Transactions:
This week the Dallas Cowboys have a bye week so I was stuck without a defense. Normally I wouldn’t care since my opponent is 0-4 and I seem to be doing okay…but Jacoby Ford has done nothing and does not seem to be getting over his groin injury so I cut him and added the Houston Texans defense. Funny enough the Texans defense is scoring about 5 more points a week than the Cowboys so when this week is over I might have a tough decision on my hands. I will be looking to add running back depth soon as well. I love Ray Rice and Darren McFadden as my starters. However, Steven Ridley and Ben Tate are good but do not get enough opportunities and Marshawn Lynch has done nothing.
Starters
Matthew Stafford is the reason for my success. He has a tough matchup versus the Bears this week. I do think the Bears are susceptible versus the pass but they do have a good pass rush andStafford will remember Julius Peppers. Joe Flacco has a bye week and, nonetheless,Stafford is elite and you do not bench elite players.
Ray Rice and Darren McFadden are the backbone of my team. Rice and McFadden will give me a chance to win every week. Rice has a bye week…..I hate bye weeks so I have a couple choices. Marshawn Lynch plays on the road versus the New York Giants so that option is out. Ben Tate plays Oakland at home but Tate suffered a groin injury last week and it appears Foster is fully healthy now so I will go with Steven Ridley. Ridley plays home versus the Jets. In the past I would avoid this but the Jets are not the same team versus the run this year. Also Ridley’s stats and carries are starting to increase every week. I am hoping to get 70-80 yards and a touchdown from him.
McFadden plays the Texans on the road. Tough matchup but McFadden has been a monster this year no matter who the Raiders play. I think I can count on around 120 total yards, 3-4 receptions, and a touch down.
Steve Johnson plays the Eagles. While the Eagles on paper look amazing, they are 26th versus the pass. Still I do not think Johnson will do too much. I am hoping for 4-5 receptions for 60 yards and if he gets a touch down it will be all worth it.
Wes Welker in a PPR league is dynamite. I was harassed for drafting him in round 4, but I thought I was getting a steal. Fantasy drafting 101…do not have one big board for all formats…know your scoring format. Welker plays the Jets and while Reevis Island is a long place; the Patriots implement a spread offense and Welker will not always be matched with Revis. I think Welker comes down to Earth and gets 7-8 receptions for 70 yards.
Reggie Wayne has struggled this season. There is some hope though. Curtis Painter appears to be a much better option than Kerry Collins. The Colts play at home versus the Chiefs. While Brandon Flowers is a solid CB I think Wayne has a good game. I think 6-7 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown is legit.
At TE Jimmy Graham is what we thought he would be…. A monster. This week he plays at Carolina and I think he has a chance to be my leading scorer this week. I think 7-9 receptions for 100-110 yards, and 1-2 touch downs are coming. I knew he would be great.
For my utility it goes to the up and down Jordy Nelson. It is always hard to predict what he will do, due to the number of weapons the Packers have. He plays at Atlanta. The Falcons secondary is weak and I think Nelson will post solid numbers. I think 5-6 receptions, for 70-80 yards, and a touchdown is a realistic expectation.
Rob Bironas has been steady, but unspectacular. The Titans play at Pittsburgh which is never a great place for a kicker. I expect a handful of points and nothing more.
Texans defense has been a surprise that can not be over looked by Fantasy Owners needing a defense. They are on pace for 48 sacks, 16 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, 8 block kicks, and 4 defensive touchdowns. Awesome production and I think playing the Raiders they can score me 10-12 points.
Foe:
Sun Tzu states, “Know thy enemy.” My enemy is an old friend that is having a horrible year. I know he will make excuses but 0-4 come’on man? Only thing worse than being 0-4 is the person who loses to you first.
His starting lineup doesn’t look horrible at first glance. He has Matt Schuab at QB. At RB he is starting Maurice Jones Drew and Shonn Greene. His WR trio of Roddy White, MikeWilliams (TB), and Hines Ward. TE is Owen Daniels and utility player is Jonathon Stewart. K/Def is Janikowski and the Packers. Problem is all of these players are under achieving at this point in time. This is a prime example of not using the waiver wire to improve and holding onto last season and not observing this year. Green Hornet go back into non-relevance.
Prediction:
While Yahoo predicts that I will win a close game….Yahoo is not to be trusted. They do not keep up on how players do year in and year out and are late to change their player evaluations. Yahoo probably thinks Carson Palmer will score points this week. I expect an easier victory this week, some crying from my opponent, and another week convincing any readers that I know what I am doing….I think.
What tough decisions do you have to make about who to start and sit this week?
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