Advice for seasonal and daily leagues here. Look for our Rankings early Sunday Morning and some more film breakdown upcoming.
Start
WR Brandon Marshall- This is more for daily leagues because if you have Marshall in your garden variety fantasy league, you aren’t going to sit him in all likelihood. Trestman made it a point to point out how the Bears need to get Marshall the ball. He wasn’t listed on the injury report, and we all know Cutler loves him. Throw him out there in all your leagues.
WR Golden Tate– The going rate for Tate in fanduel right now is $6,400. That is incredibly reasonable for the #1 target on the Detroit Lions. Tate has 15 catches for 250 yards and a TD in the last two games with Johnson being as gimpy as he is. Johnson is listed as doubtful for Sunday and Tate should once again carry the load Play the man with confidence this Sunday.
TE Luke Willson – This isn’t about analytics and I don’t have much to back up my suggestion, except that Dallas is 32nd in TE fantasy points against. This is all a hunch and namely for those of you who have bye week (read: Graham, Jimmy and Kelce, Travis in particular), so go at your own risk.
WR Eric Decker– I know the perils of Decker at this point. His hamstring issues won’t go away, and Geno Smith is his QB. When he has played he has been pretty good, and if he plays Sunday there is a good opportunity for him. I know the Broncos are currently 5th in opposing points let up to fantasy WRs but someone has to move the ball for the Jets, right?
RB Andre Williams– With Rashad Jennings out for the near future, Andre Williams has no competition in the Giants backfield. He touched the ball 22 times (82 yards, 1 TD) last week as Jennings exited early in the third quarter. Philly’s run defense has allowed the 14th most fantasy points in the league. Williams is also $6,700 on fanduel.
RB Jeremy Hill– Times have been pretty slow for Hill as he hasn’t seen a lot of usage. I suspect that with AJ Green sidelined, that he will be a bigger part of the Bengals gameplan both in the run and pass games. The Panthers are also 29th in RB points against. I think it will pay off to start Hill this week.
Editor’s Pick * Storm Johnson- Coach Gus Bradley talked up Johnson before Week 5 saying he was impressive in practice. No doubt he realizes that Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson are just not getting the job done. Gerhart is slow and is not fit to be an every down starter. Robinson is not an every down back and more of just a player to utilize on certain plays and in the passing game. In steps Johnson, now with Gerhart OUT this week, it looks like Storm may get full duty. Of course, Jordan Todman does remain in the mix and you never know what an NFL coach might do, but I think the upside is there and Gus Bradley against praised Johnson this week. Johnson also ran decent last week. This is a good matchup against the Titans who will not blow anybody out with Charlie Whitehurst, so look for Johnson to recieve around 10-15 carries with all the Goal Line opportunities. Blake Bortles can move the ball, Marquise Lee returns this week, things are looking up for the Jags in this game. This is a good spot play in my mind and Johnson has a very good shot to run away with the job after this game.
Sit
Matthew Stafford– I know this is a tough one for those of us who religiously carry one QB but Stafford has been a relative disappointment this season and I think it’s worth sitting him if you have a backup or there is someone on waivers worth picking up. He’s only 14th in fantasy points; the Vikings run defense isn’t particularly good and he’s without Calvin. If you can afford to sit him, do so.
DeMarco Murray- I know, I know. He’s been the best back in the sport this season. I know he’s really hard to replace but the Seahawks are the best fantasy defense against RBs in the NFL. 38 yards is the most the Seahawks have allowed to an RB this season. If you have enough depth to do so, find a replacement. I think it will be a long Sunday for Murray.
Tom Brady– I know there is excitement over Brady’s performance on Sunday night as the team looked a lot better than it did previously. I expect him to revert back to the mean on Sunday against the Bills who have allowed the sixth least fantasy points to opposing QBs this year and currently have 17 sacks. I expect this to be a tough game for Brady on the road.
Zac Stacy- Stacy currently ranks 35th amongst RBs in points, is currently nursing injuries, and the Niners have stymied RBs all year to the tune of the 7th best fantasy defense against RBs. Sit Stacy and live to tell about it.
Cordarrelle Patterson– If you’re still holding onto hope that Patterson gets back to week 1 form, this is probably not the week to try your luck and start him. The Lions have given up the 4th least fantasy points to WRs, are an excellent real life and fantasy defense and Patterson should essentially be on probation until he proves it.
Cam Newton- I fully expect Newton to improve over the course of the season as he perhaps gets healthier. That said, even after his performance I think you should bench him this week. He currently ranks 25th amongst QBs in points, and goes up against a unit that gives up the 7th least amount of points. Sit him
Editors Pick- Doug Martin- Martin is not the back he was in his rookie season. He goes down easy, and is not making defenders miss or breaking tackles as much. There have been some injuries to Martin in the past couple years and maybe it just slowed him down. Whatever the case he has not been impressive. Bobby Rainey has been better in my mind and I think Rainey will get a bigger role this week. Regardless, this is not a good matchup against a reinvigorated Ravens Defense. Leave Martin on your bench in all formats.
Fantasy Savvy 