Fantasy Football Start/ Sit: Jonathan Baldwin to the Rescue?
By Editorial Staff
My Fantasy Preparations Record 6-2
Opponent
FNG
Record 2-6
Transactions:
Wow big win versus my father last week. Now that the pack leadership has shifted I can move on. This week I actively used the waiver wire. With Matthew Stafford on a bye week and Joe Flacco playing the Steelers I dropped Steven Ridley, who for some reason Belichick refuses to play, and picked up Andy Dalton. Dalton is a solid play who scores moderately consistent points. I tried to pick up Jonathon Baldwin but a lower team had priority over me. I think he is a player to pick up for fantasy owners. You can expect 50-70 yards a week and a solid amount of touchdowns. I also dropped Roy Helu and picked up Michael Bush to protect myself if McFadden is hurt for a long period of time. Plus Shanahan is a turd in the punchbowl when it comes to fantasy and RB playing time.
Starters
Andy Dalton is my starter this week with Stafford on the bye. Dalton has posted better numbers for some reason on the road. He plays at Tennessee this week who is giving up the 18th most fantasy points to QB’s. I think Dalton will throw for around 200 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Decent numbers for a backup.
At RB I am starting Ray Rice at Pittsburgh. I hate to do this and if you are in a non-PPR league you might want to sit him but I am not. I know the Steelers are giving up the 15th most points to RB’s and Rice exploded on them in Week 1but I do not sense a good game from him. Luckily, I expect 5-6 receptions in this game from Rice.
It is unknown yet if McFadden is playing at home versus the Broncos. I picked up Michael Bush so I will start one or the other in this matchup. Denver is not giving up many fantasy points to RB’s but the Raiders are an elite running team. Either one will post huge numbers I think this week.
Wes Welker is playing the Giants at home. The Giants are giving up the 12th most points to WR’s this season. With last week still in Brady’s head I think Welker explodes this week.
Steve Johnson is not a good play this week. He is playing the Jets at home and will likely get Darrelle Revis on him. Jets are giving up the least amount of fantasy points to WR’s. My other option is Reggie Wayne who plays the Falcons at home. Falcons are giving up the 7th most points to WR’s. So do I go matchup or talent? I have stated that Reggie Wayne will stay on my bench…..hmmm I think I have to reconsider. Only play a WR on Revis Island if there are no other options.
Deion Branch will have to start this week. I don’t like playing two players at the same position on the same team. It is doubtful they both go off…but if you have to do it, the Patriots and Packers are one of the few teams to do it with. I am hoping for 5-6 receptions for 50-70 yards, and a touchdown would be a godsend.
At TE Jimmy Graham had a mediocre game last week. It was his first one of the season and it happens to everyone. Saints play the Buccaneers at home this week. Buccaneers are giving up the 13th most points to TE’s so Graham is a must start this week and should go back to elite numbers.
For my utility it goes to Jordy Nelson. Packers are playing the Chargers who are very dominating against the pass. They are giving up the 28th most points to WR’s. However, they have been prone to spread pass attacks. I think Nelson will score a moderate amount of points.
Dan Bailey had 1 point last week. No one should be married to their kicker, that being said the Cowboys are a good offense and this low points total should not happen very often. Seattleis giving up the 4th most points to kickers so this should be a good contest.
Cowboys’ defense plays the Seahawks at home. The Seahawks are giving up the most fantasy points to defenses. I think the Cowboys will be a huge point machine this week after being angry about how they played versus the Eagles.
Foe:
Sun Tzu states, “Know thy enemy.” My enemy is my best friend’s cousin. He has had a bad year to date but has a solid team. Sometimes this happens in fantasy. I am not taking him lightly and a win would go a long way since I am barely in first.
FNG is 2-6 and is in tenth place in our league. His team is comprised of the following players and matchups.
At QB he has Matt Cassel who plays the Dolphins at home. That should be a solid play for him. At WR Mike Wallace versus the Ravens, Brandon Marshall versus the Chiefs, and Sidney Rice versus the Cowboys. The trio gives him a group of players who could go off for huge numbers any given week. At RB he has Chris Johnson and Montario Hardesty…that is not good but one has to think CJ2K is bound to go off one week. TE is JerMichael Finley and utility is Frank Gore. That is a scary duo. Kicker/Def is Nick Folk and the Oakland Raiders. The talent on his team is much higher than his record indicates.
Prediction:
Yahoo predicts an easy win for me. I am not as confident. I have bad matchups and my point scoring machine of a QB is on a bye week. His team has a host of underachievers but is a group that could go off any week. I predict a hard matchup and I have a bad feeling about the outcome. Luckily his matchups are no better than mine. Stay tuned true believers.
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