Tag Archives: Eli Manning

2013 Fantasy Football: Week 5 Fantasy Savvy Player Rankings

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It’s been a long time coming- Sam Cooke, but we are back and ready to rock from here on in. We kicked off our first radio show of the year on Wednesday night and this is our first Rankings of the season. We apologize for the delay but reality got heavily in the way of fantasy. However, every week our radio show will be active at Blogtalkradio.com/FantasySavvy full with player discussion, game previews and of course our NFL picks. Every Saturday night the Rankings will be released in time for Sunday morning. Also stay tuned for film review breakdown of the previous week and more! Now for some rankings you need to follow.

QB’s

  1. Peyton Manning @ DAL
  2. Drew Brees @ CHI
  3. Aaron Rodgers vs DET
  4. Cam Newton @ AZ
  5. Matt Ryan vs NYJ
  6. Tom Brady @ CIN
  7. Tony Romo vs DEN
  8. Phillip Rivers @ OAK
  9. Eli Manning vs PHI
  10. Russell Wilson @ IND
  11. Michael Vick @ NYG
  12. Colin Kaepernick vs HOU
  13. Matt Stafford @ GB
  14. Andrew Luck vs Seattle
  15. Terrelle Pryor vs SD
  16. Jay Cutler vs NO
  17. Joe Flacco @ MIA
  18. Alex Smiith @ TEN
  19. Andy Dalton vs NE
  20. Matt Schaub @ SF
  21. Ryan Tannehill vs BAL
  22. Sam Bradford vs JAC
  23. Carson Palmer vs CAR

RB’s

  1. LeSean McCoy @ NYG
  2. Jamaal Charles @ TEN
  3. Marshawn Lynch @ IND
  4. Reggie Bush @ GB
  5. Frank Gore vs HOU
  6. Arian Foster @ SF
  7. David Wilson vs PHI- Breakout game, no guts no glory
  8. Ray Rice @ MIA
  9. Matt Forte vs NO
  10. DeMarco Murray vs DEN
  11. Trent Richardson vs SEA
  12. Darren Sproles @ CHI
  13. Eddie Lacy vs DET
  14. Maurice Jones-Drew vs STL
  15. Giovani Benard vs NE
  16. Knowshon Moreno @ DAL
  17. LeGarrette Blount @ CIN
  18. Danny Woodhead @ OAK
  19. DeAngelo Williiams @ AZ
  20. Lamar Miller vs BAL
  21. Chris Johnson vs KC
  22. Rashad Jennings vs SD
  23. Chris Johnson vs KC
  24. Bilal Powell @ ATL
  25. Jaquizz Rodgers vs NY
  26. Benard Pierce @ MIA
  27. Pierre Thomas @ CHI
  28. Jonathan Franklin vs DET
  29. Zac Stacy @ JAC
  30. Kendall Hunter vs HOU
  31. Joique Bell @ GB
  32. Ben Tate @ SF
  33. Jason Snelling vs NYJ
  34. Rashard Mendenhall vs CAR
  35. Bryce Brown @ NYG
  36. Ronnie Hillman @ DAL
  37. Montee Ball @ DAL
  38. Daryl Richardson @ JAC
  39. Isiah Pead @ JAC
  40. Andre Ellington vs CAR

WR’s

  1. Calvin Johnson @ GB
  2. Julio Jones vs NYJ
  3. Brandon Marshall vs NO
  4. Demaryius Thomas @ DAL
  5. Victor Cruz vs PHI
  6. Dez Bryant vs DEN
  7. Randall Cobb vs DET
  8. Wes Welker @ DAL
  9. Reggie Wayne vs SEA
  10. Torrey Smith @ MIA
  11. A.J. Green vs NE
  12. Andre Johnson @ SF
  13. Jordy Nelson vs DET
  14. Larry Fitzgerald vs CAR
  15. Marques Colston @ CHI
  16. Anquan Boldin vs HOU
  17. Eric Decker @ DAL
  18. Steve Smith @ AZ
  19. DeSean Jackson @ NYG
  20. James Jones vs DET
  21. Hakeem Nicks vs PHI
  22. Roddy White vs NYJ *questionable
  23. Danny Amendola vs CIN *questionable
  24. Julian Edelman @ CIN
  25. Mike Wallace vs BAL
  26. T.Y Hilton vs SEA
  27. DeAndre Hopkins @ SF
  28. Dwayne Bowe @ TEN
  29. Tavon Austin vs JAC
  30. Keenan Allen @ OAK
  31. Alshon Jeffrey vs NO
  32. Brian Hartline vs BAL
  33. Cecil Shorts vs STL
  34. Justin Blackmon vs STL
  35. Kendrell Thompkins @ CIN
  36. Terrance Williams vs DEN
  37. Denarius Moore vs SD
  38. Sidney Rice @ IND
  39. Ruben Randle vs PHI
  40. Nate Washington vs KC

TE’S

  1. Jimmy Graham @ CHI
  2. Tony Gonzalez vs NYJ
  3. Jason Witten vs DEN
  4. Vernon Davis vs HOU
  5. Antonio Gates @ OAK
  6. Owen Daniels @ SF
  7. Julius Thomas @ DAL
  8. Greg Olsen @ AZ
  9. Mychal Rivera vs SD
  10. Martellus Bennett vs NO
  11. Jermichael Finley vs DET
  12. Jermaine Gresham vs NE
  13. Charles Clay vs BAL
  14. Dallas Clark @ MIA
  15. Jared Cook vs JAC
  16. Coby Fleener vs SEA
  17. Brandon Myers vs PHI
  18. Brandon Pettigrew @ GB
  19. Tyler Eifert vs NE
  20. Garrett Graham @ SF
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FantasySavvy 2012: Week 10, Fantasy Five

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By: Kevin Lewis 

New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks

-If you’re desperate for a bye week QB, I’d give Russell Wilson a look. The Jets defense hasn’t been particularly good this year and Wilson’s mobility will give the Jets trouble because their linebackers are painfully slow. If you are in NEED of a QB this week, Wilson may not be a bad play.

–Jeremy Kerley will be a decent WR2/Flex play this week. While I do think Kerley is a solid player, it’s less about him and more about the disarray of the Jets offense. Someone has to move the ball. The Jets won’t be able to run the ball and Stephen Hill and Chaz Schillens scare exactly nobody. Start Kerley with confidence, even against Seattle’s secondary.

-Start Dustin Keller. (see: Why you should start Kerley). And also, he has a rapport with Sanchez.

-Keep an eye on Golden Tate. He seems to be coming around with Wilson. I’m not necessarily putting this here for this week, but generally.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

-Sit Michael Vick. If you have any inkling on starting him this week, don’t do it. Dallas has a lot of problems but their pass defense is their biggest strength. And Philly’s offensive line is a trainwreck.

-Sit Jeremy Maclin. Any potential return isn’t worth the risk at this point.

-Don’t even bother starting any of Dallas’ running backs unless you are desperate.

-Philadelphia’s pass defense isn’t good. Tony Romo has had two decent weeks in a row fantasy wise. I think he follows it with a third. Start him comfortably.

New York Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals

– Hakeem Nicks will play Sunday but bench him. If you have a better alternative go with it. Although the Cincinnati Bengals pass defense isn’t anything to write home about, Eli is in a funk and Nicks hasn’t done much all year anyway. If you have a decent alternative go with it.

-If you haven’t already dropped Andrew Hawkins, go ahead and do it.

–Andy Dalton is a pretty safe start against a spotty Giants secondary. I’d start him confidently this week.

New Orleans @ Atlanta

-There will be a lot of points in this game. We know about the QBs most definitely. As far as the WRs, I’d start Lance Moore in PPR formats. He’ll get a few looks as New Orleans will likely be putting it in the air a lot.

– Darren Sproles is OUT again so I’d go ahead and give the nod to Chris Ivory. Ingram leaves a lot to be desired and Ivory is always productive when he’s on the field and getting carries. A 13 carry for 62 yard and a TD performance isn’t out of the question. Pierre Thomas is worth a look as well.

Miami @ Tennessee

-Miami’s pass defense just yielded 430 yards to Indianapolis last week. While the Titans do not have a young promising QB like Andrew Luck, I’d start Kenny Britt anyway. He was pretty productive against a much better defense last week and I think he’s due for a monster week. This is more “hunch” than anything but start Britt.

-If you need a bye week QB, Ryan Tannehill might be a good choice. Tennessee’s pass defense isn’t good, and Tannehill is having a solid rookie campaign.

-If you’re in need of a bye week flex/WR, start Davone Bess in PPR formats. Tennessee’s secondary isn’t very good and Bess could get you 6-7 grabs. Also have to throw Brian Hartline in your starting lineups.

Fantasy Savvy Start em Sit em- Week 3 Edition

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Check out my article at FantasyPros911.com

 

http://www.fantasypros911.com/wk3/item/503-2011-top-fantasy-football-week-3-start-em-sit-em

Week 6 Start Em Sit Em Report

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By Mike Cannici

 

STARTS

QB

Ben Roethlisberger vs. CLE – Big Ben makes his season debut Sunday at home against the Browns. He’ll want to remind the league of what the Steelers do best—make big plays. His return will open up the run even more for RB Rashard Mendenhall and make WRs Hines Ward and especially Mike Wallace more valuable. If you’re in need of a receiver try and make a deal for Wallace ASAP because his value will skyrocket with Roethlisberger’s return. TE Heath Miller also stands to gain a lot of value. Cleveland ranks 18th against the pass so Big Ben should be in for a big day.

Eli Manning vs. DET – Eli has committed his fair share of turnovers this season, with an 8:8 TD:INT ratio, but that should start to slow down this week. The Lions currently rank 24th against the pass, meaning Manning is in for a big day, along with WRs Steve Smith and his new favorite target Hakeem Nicks.

Vince Young @ JAC – Young has not put up huge fantasy numbers this year, or even hit the 200 yard passing mark. However, if there’s a game for him to do it, it’s this Monday night against the Jags. The Jags rank 29th against the pass and WR Kenny Britt seems to be slowly developing as Young’s favorite target, specifically in the red zone. Look for Young to throw for 220 yards, 2TD and chip in with about 30 yards on the ground and maybe even a rushing score. He’s a fine matchup play this week and a must start in 2QB leagues.

Matt Cassel @ HOU – Matt Cassel has been less than spectacular this season, but draws his most favorable matchup of the 2010 season as the Chiefs travel to Houston to face the league’s worst pass defense. Cassel should finally put up some big numbers and is a decent matchup play if your guy is on a bye or injured.

RB

Ryan Mathews/Mike Tolbert @ STL – The Rams are coming off a terrible defeat at the hands of the Lions last Sunday and haven’t been too solid against the run. The Chargers just lost for the first time in the last 14 meetings to the Raiders and are going to want to ram it down St. Louis’ throats this week. Mathews is slowly being worked back into the starting role, but is at least one week away from fully regaining the job. Mike Tolbert has been solid as well and I expect the two to share carries once again. They both make for fine flex starters this week.

Marshawn Lynch @ CHI – Lynch was finally traded away from Buffalo to Seattle and Coach Pete Carroll stated that Lynch will take on a significant role Sunday. The Bears currently rank 3rd against the run, but I have a feeling Lynch will show flashes of what many thought he would be a few years back. He’s a very good flex play this week with RB2 upside.

Ryan Torain vs. IND – Torain is now the guy in Washington after the Clinton Portis injury, and if he can stay healthy, he’s in for a very productive season. He has a great matchup Sunday night against the 29th ranked run defense and is a must start in all leagues. The Colts are giving up an average of 142 yards per game on the ground and Torain could very easily top 100 yards with a TD or two.

WR

Johnny Knox vs. SEA – Knox has been nonexistent the last two weeks, albeit in tough matchups. Two weeks ago the Giants were instantly on top of Jay Cutler and last week he had journeyman Todd Collins throwing him the ball. The Seahawks rank second to last in the NFL against the pass and Jay Cutler is going to want to make a statement this week. Knox is in for a big day.

Kenny Britt @ JAC – As I mentioned in the Vince Young blurb, Britt is becoming Young’s go to guy in the red zone and that should continue as the season goes on. The Jags are terrible against the pass and Britt is a superior athlete who finally seems to have his head on straight. Britt will only get better as the season goes on and is a solid WR3 this week, with tremendous upside going forward.

Dwayne Bowe @ HOU – Bowe has been held in check so far this season for two reasons:  one, he’s had Matt Cassel as his QB and two, he has dropped his fair share of balls including what would have been a TD pass last week in Indianapolis. He has been targeted 23 times through four weeks though so the balls are coming his way. He gets the worst pass defense in the NFL this week and could be in for his biggest day of the year. He’s a great flex play with WR3 upside this week.

Pierre Garcon @ WAS – Garcon finally returned last week after missing the previous three with a hamstring injury. In Week 5, he had 6 catches for 57 yards on 14 targets, meaning Manning was looking for him right away in his first game back. This week he draws the Redskins 30th ranked pass defense and should see the same amount of targets. Add in a TD reception and maybe a few more catches with another week of practice for him and Peyton to get back on the same page. Garcon is a good flex play going forward with huge upside.

SITS

QB

Shaun Hill @ NYG –Yes Hill has been great recently against subpar defenses, but this Sunday he gets the Giant’s number one ranked pass defense at the New Meadowlands Stadium. I’m not saying Hill will have a total stinker, but there are better options out there in a tough road matchup for him and the Lions.  Calvin Johnson may not be able to go with a shoulder injury, making Hill a starter in 2QB leagues at best this week.

David Garrard vs. TEN – Those of you who bought into the hype after the last two weeks, are going to see Garrard come crashing back down to earth at home against the Titans. He’s another QB, like Hill, who won’t have a total meltdown but you should have better options this week. If for some reason he is your best option then take the plunge, but I don’t see him surpassing more than 10-12 fantasy points.

RB

Peyton Hillis @ PIT –Hillis has arguably been the fantasy MVP thus far in 2010 but he draws the leagues number one rush defense this week, allowing a miniscule 62 yards per game rushing. With rookie Colt McCoy making his first career start, Hillis is safe only in PPR leagues because of the probability of check-down catches. It doesn’t help that he still seems to be suffering from a thigh injury that may be slowing him down. Hillis does have a very easy run schedule going forward. He only faces two more defenses ranked in the top 10 against the run:  the Jets in week 9 and the Steelers again in week 17, when your fantasy playoffs will most likely be decided.

Knowshon Moreno/Laurence Maroney/Correll Buckhalter vs. NYJ– Moreno is still nursing that hamstring injury and his status for Sunday against the Jets is still unknown. Maroney and Buckhalter have basically been non-factors as QB Kyle Orton has been airing it out play after play. These two might get some more chances to run if they could ever get positive yards on their carries.  Combined the last two weeks against Tennessee and Baltimore they have 28 carries for 48 yards, or less than 2 yards per carry.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. BAL – B-G, as I like to call him, has been solid in his last two games, but has a tough matchup at home vs. the 10th ranked run defense in the Baltimore Ravens. The last two weeks the Ravens seem to have tightened up their run defense, allowing only 123 yards on the ground combined. B-G is no stud back, so if you have another option this week, keep him on your bench.

WR

Mario Manningham vs. DET – By no means does this have anything to do with the Lions defense, but more about the inability of Eli Manning to target Manningham lately. After being targeted 19 times with 14 receptions the first three weeks, he’s only been targeted 3 times and held without a catch in the previous two. He was a guy I liked a lot coming into the season, but until he shows a little more consistency he can’t be trusted on a week to week basis. I wouldn’t drop him just yet but he needs to be on benches until further notice.

Mike Sims-Walker vs. TEN – The Titans early in the season were ranked number one against the pass and are now ranked in the bottom third in the league. However, if you look closely at the stats, Sims-Walker has been completely nonexistent at home. In three homes games this year against fairly mediocre pass defenses, he has been shut out twice and the other game had 2 catches for 34 yards. He is one of the most talented receivers in the league, but is also one of the least consistent and his QB certainly doesn’t help. In good road matchups, he’s a solid start, but until he shows more consistency, leave him on your bench if your receiver depth allows for it.

Nate Burleson @NYG- Burleson is a guy I mentioned in this week’s waiver wire adds, but he’s not a good play this week unless Calvin Johnson sits. The Giants rank first in the league against the pass and if Megatron plays there’s only going to be room for one guy. Burleson is a good receiver but without Johnson, the Giants will just double team Burleson all day and he’s not the type of player to beat double coverage. If Johnson sits, then Nate becomes an average flex play this week.

Week 5 Fantasy Matchups (Breakdown of 1 O’clock Games)

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By Mike Cannici

Jaguars @ Bills

The Jags are coming off a big home win against the Colts, a team that they have played well against in recent history. The Bills are coming off a blowout loss to the Jets. QB David Garrard has a really good matchup this week against the Bills and their 12th ranked pass defense. The Bills can’t get any pressure on the QB and Garrard can also make plays with his legs. Maurice Jones-Drew will match if not exceed last week’s performance this week against the league’s worst run defense. Mike Thomas is a solid flex play especially in PPR leagues this week as he is Garrard’s favorite target. Mike Sims-Walker needs to be left on benches until he can string together some consistency but is a good buy low candidate. TE Mercedes Lewis is also a good option this week as the Bills have allowed 3 TD and over 250 yards receiving to TE’s through the first four weeks.

The Bills were just embarrassed last week against the Jets at home after putting up a hell of a fight the previous week in New England. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a solid matchup play this week. The Jaguars rank 30th against the pass and 12th against the run. The Bills backfield has now changed with the trade of Marshawn Lynch; Fred Jackson will get the start, with C.J. Spiller rotating in. I like both these backs as flex plays especially in PPR leagues. Lee Evans, oh Lee Evans where have you gone. He is a flex play at absolute best but hopefully you have some better option. Stevie Johnson has caught a TD pass in each of the last two games and is good play in 12 team leagues at your flex spot. Rookie David Nelson had a great game last week with 75 yards receiving but we need to see a little more consistency from him before picking him up.

Giants @ Texans

Can Big Blue experience Déjà vu and play anywhere near the way they did last Sunday night against the Bears? That remains to be seen, but Texans QB Matt Schaub has been sacked 11 times this season and could be put on his butt quite a few times Sunday. Matt Schaub is still a solid start this week even with Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones questionable. It appears Johnson will play though and is a must start. Jacoby Jones is highly unlikely to play so keep him on your bench. Kevin Walter is a solid WR3 or flex play especially in PPR leagues this week as Schaub will look for him a lot on underneath passes.

Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen – Owen will also see an increase in targets with Jones out and a big boost if AJ were to not play or re-aggravate his injury. Daniels is a decent start this week while Dreessen shouldn’t be anywhere but on your bench or the waiver wire. Arian Foster could have a big day and is a solid RB1 right now the way he has been running.

On the Giants side, Eli Manning and this offense have been struggling to get into the end zone since Week 1. They’re putting up plenty of yards but are just not able to finish drives; they turned the ball over 4 times last week against the Bears. Eli makes for a great start this week as the Texans rank dead last in the league against the pass giving up an average of 337 yards per game. Ahmad Bradshaw was limited in practice all week with an ankle injury but is expected to start against the Texans 2nd ranked run defense. Bradshaw is a low-end RB2 this week. The Giants receivers, Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks are must starts, while Mario Manningham is a pretty decent flex play. Kevin Boss is not an option this week to be in your lineup. The key for the Giants is to put a lot of pressure on Matt Schaub and attempt to slow down Arian Foster. If they do those two things they should leave Houston with a 3-2 record.

Chiefs @ Colts

Who would have thought coming into the season that in Week 5 the Kansas City Chiefs would be 3-0 while the Colts would be 2-2 and 0-2 in the division. This is a big game for both teams; the Chiefs want to show us that they are for real, while the Colts are trying to get some type of momentum going. I believe both these teams are much better when playing at home and that’s what the Colts get to do this week. Peyton Manning is an obvious every week must start, and when at home puts up huge numbers almost every time. Joseph Addai will carry the load once again with backup Donald Brown on the shelf still with a hamstring injury. Addai has a tough matchup though as the Chiefs are currently the 6th ranked run defense in the league. WR Pierre Garcon is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring issue. He’s a decent WR3 and flex play especially if Austin Collie (foot) were to sit out. Collie is currently listed as questionable but is a very solid WR2 if he can go. Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are obvious top options at their respective positions and should always be in lineups.

The Chiefs are coming off a bye this week and are the only undefeated team left in the league. I think this team has vastly improved under GM Scott Pioli and Coach Todd Haley, and I do think they’ll keep it close with their surprisingly good defense. Matt Cassel hasn’t been great but has played just well enough to help this team win. He is not a good start this week so leave him on benches or on the waiver wire. The Chiefs will try to exploit the Colts Achilles heel, their 29th ranked run defense, so look for Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones to have big days. Jones is a decent flex play as he could break a big run or two and punch one into the end zone. Dwayne Bowe and Dexter McCluster are super talented and both could have decent days, they’ll try and run some trick plays with Dexter and hopefully Bowe will be able to get open against the average Colts pass defense. Rookie TE Tony Moeaki is great start this week as the Colts haven’t played a TE talent like him yet. Moeaki is the best play of all the Chief receivers.

Buccaneers @ Bengals

The Bucs are coming off their bye week while the Bengals return home to try to recover from a loss against the other Ohio team, the Cleveland Browns. Bucs QB Josh Freeman is going to be a fine QB in this league but is no more than a QB2 this week as he is my 24th ranked QB. Cadillac Williams is a very poor play as he will now be splitting carries with rookie’s LaGarette Blount and Kareem Huggins. Unless all your RB’s are on a bye this week, keep Caddy out of your lineups. Rookie WR Mike Williams will have to deal with possibly the best CB tandem in the NFL in Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall so you hopefully have other options at receiver as well. TE Kellen Winslow is a mid level start this week as he could find space down the middle of the field and on check downs.

Terrell Owens is coming off one of the best games of his career last week where he tallied 10 catches for 222 yards and a TD. Owens seems to be QB Carson Palmer’s go to guy right now and is a very good WR2 this week while his counterpart Chad OchoCinco still makes for a solid WR3. Cedric Benson is a great start against the Bucs 28th ranked rush defense so make sure he is in your lineup. Rookie TE Jermaine Gresham is a very good start this week as well after having 12 catches over his last three games and Carson Palmer seems to be developing a good relationship with him.

Packers @ Redskins

The Packers head out on the road to face the Redskins who just defeated the Eagles minus Michael Vick. Packer QB Aaron Rodgers was just average last week in Detroit but I expect a bounce back against the Redskins pass defense that is ranked 31st in the league and giving up 305 yards per game. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and TE Jermichael Finley are all must starts this week. The Packers lack of a run game may eventually catch up to them but so far they’ve been able to make do. Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn should definitely be rostered at the moment but left on your bench until they show us something legit.

Donavan McNabb is coming off an emotional victory last week in his return to Philadelphia where he didn’t play great (8-19 125 yards, 1TD, 1INT) but did have a great pass down the middle of the field to TE Chris Cooley for a 31 yd TD. McNabb is a good play this week at home especially with Safety Morgan Burnett out for the year as well a LB Nick Barnett. Chris Cooley also is a must start this week with those guys out , as well as that the Packers allowed 154 yards receiving to Lions TE last week. Santana Moss will bounce back from his zero catch performance last week and will have a solid day. He’s a high-end WR3 this week. Joey Galloway and Anthony Armstrong need to show some more consistency before you get anywhere near grabbing them in your leagues.

Rams @ Lions

This is a very interesting matchup, it would be even more interesting if the Lions had QB Matthew Stafford back as it would be a battle of the last two #1 picks. Nevertheless that won’t happen but we do get to watch Shaun Hill go against rookie Sam Bradford. The Lions almost made a great comeback against Green Bay last week but fell just short as they were unable to score TD late in the game and had to settle for field goals.  Shaun Hill is a great matchup or bye week filler start this week against the Rams 21st ranked pass defense. Hill is averaging 301 yards a game since replacing Stafford in 3 games. Jahvid Best is averaging 7.73 yards per touch on turf thus far and 3.3 yards per touch on grass. Best has a decent matchup at home on turf this week and could have a big day like he had back in week two against the Eagles when he totaled 232 total yards and 3 TD’s. He’s a low-end RB2 this week. Calvin Johnson had a solid game last week as well and look for him to have another big game this week. TE’s Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew are below average starts this week as the Rams have yet to allow a TE more than 53 yards or a TD this season.

QB Sam Bradford I like a lot this week as long as the o-line can hold up as the Lions will blitz the rookie early and often. If he can avoid getting hit and knocked down he’ll have a big day throwing to his favorite target Mark Clayton. Clayton is a solid WR3 as is Danny Amendola as a flex in PPR leagues. Steven Jackson is fully recovered from that groin injury and I have a feeling he will find the end zone at least once. The Lions rank 25th against the run so look for Jackson to have a big day. So to recap, your starting Sam Bradford if needed, Steven Jackson and Mark Clayton are must starts and Amendola is solid flex play in ppr leagues.

Bears @ Panthers

The Bears were just embarrassed last week in the New Meadowlands, especially in the first half and yet because of the ineptitude of the Giants to be able to score a TD trailed only 3-0 at the half. Jay Cutler suffered a concussion and is out for this weeks game. Todd Collins will get the start and shouldn’t even be on your radar and if he is, either you’re a terrible fantasy owner or are in a 2QB 14 team league. Matt Forte is a pretty good play especially in PPR leagues as Collins will check down to him a lot this week. WR’s Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester should be benched this week. TE Greg Olsen is a solid start this week so get him into your lineups. Backup QB’s historically like to throw passes to the TE and RB’s which they consider their safety valves.

The Panthers almost notched a huge upset last week in New Orleans if not for 46-year-old John Carney kicking a field goal late in the game. Jimmy Claussen wasn’t great, but didn’t turn the ball over and managed the game fairly well. The biggest problem to come from that game for Carolina was the loss of Steve Smith to an ankle injury that’ll cost him a few weeks. The Panthers will rely heavily on their run game and DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are both good starts this week. WR’s Brandon LaFell and David Gettis will see the majority of the snaps but neither should be started this week until we see something. TE Dante Rosario could be the biggest winner here with Steve Smith being out but has not shown enough yet either to put in lineups.

Falcons @ Browns

The Falcons come off a late field goal to beat the 49ers last week 16-14. The Browns play much better at home and could stay in this game longer than expected. Matt Ryan is a great matchup play once again this week and Michael Turner and Roddy White are obvious must starts. White leads the league in targets per game with 12.5 which is pretty incredible. Harry Douglas is a decent play in PPR leagues even with Michael Jenkins expected back. TE Tony Gonzalez is the best TE that the Browns have faced yet to date. The Browns are giving up an average of 4.5 receptions and 43 yards per game to TE’s. Gonzalez is a must start week in and week out.

The Browns are expected to get Jake Delhomme back this week and that spells trouble. He is a turnover machine and that could be the lone reason why there out of this game early. Peyton Hillis who was limited in practice this week with a thigh injury is expected to play and is a solid RB2 this week and a good bet to get into the end zone at least once. Mohammed Massaquoi cannot be inserted back into lineups just yet, but his value should start to go up with Delhomme coming back. Massaquoi had 2 catches and a TD in week 1 before the Delhomme injury and has just 2 catches over the last three games. Ben Watson is a pretty good option at TE especially in PPR leagues. Jerome Harrison has little to no value unless Hillis were to sit or get injured so leave him on your benches for now.