Tag Archives: Start Em Sit Em

FantasySavvy 2015: Week 8, 7UP 7Down

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By: Kevin Lewis

7 UP

QB Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (FD $6,900, DK $5,100) Bridgewater picked it up last week with a 300 yard, two TD performance at Detroit last week. He gets another good matchup this week against Chicago who is 29th in sacks and is allowing a 108 QB rating to opposing QB’s.

RB Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams (FD $8,100, DK $6,300) San Francisco is giving up 4.4 YPC on the road this year and we all know about Gurley’s exploits the last three weeks. Don’t try to be cute and fade him.

RB Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens (FD $6,900, DK $6,100) Opposing running backs have scored 10 touchdowns against the Chargers this year and the Chargers have allowed more fantasy points to running backs than every other team in the NFL. Forsett is still relatively cheap so he’s one of my very favorite plays this week.

RB Orleans Darkwa, New York Giants (FD $5,100, DK  $3,600) Darwka hits holes quickly, follows his blocks and finishes his runs with power. Steve DeAngelo discussed this on the radio show last night. The Saints are allowing 6 YPC, Darkwa is set for a bigger workload this week, this could be a sleeper play that pays dividends.

WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings (FD $6,700, DK $4,800) He’s emerged of late and the Bears can’t stop the pass. While he will be very popular it will be hard to fade him against a poor Bears secondary.

WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts (FD $6,400, DK $5,500) Moncrief should see less of Josh Norman than Hilton, one would think. He’s scored a touchdown in four of the five games Andrew Luck has played this year and he’s still really cheap on both sites.

TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (FD $6,400, DK $6,500) Greg Olsen is Cam Newton’s go to guy and the Colts have allowed the ninth most points to the position in 2015. With the Colts run defense actually being pretty solid for a change, it’s fair to expect Cam Newton to have to put it up a bit. With that said, play Olsen.

7 Down

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Panthers (FD $9,000, DK $7,500) It feels suggesting to fade Aaron Rodgers altogether but there are so many guys with better matchups and it’s not like Green Bay’s offense has been clicking on all cylinders recently either. I realize how dangerous it is to fade him altogether but that is exactly what I plan on doing.

WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (FD $7,600, DK $7,000) Denver has a boatload of elite CBs. I would just avoid the entire Packers passing game altogether. It feels weird as hell to type that but here we are.

RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets (FD $7,700, DK $6,000) The most yardage the Raiders have allowed to an RB this year is 91. Add in the uncertainty with Ivory’s wide array of lower body injuries and he’s an easy fade for me this week

RB Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys (FD $6,400, DK $3,800) Just think better of it. I beg you. Or if you’re going to start Darren McFadden make sure you have a bottle of Pepto Bismol nearby.

RB Charcandrick West, Kansas City Chiefs (FD $6,600, DK $4,700) The Lions are actually a pretty good run defense and there isn’t a lot to like about the Chiefs offense these days.

QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (FD $7,800, DK $6,300) The Seahawks offense is barely above functional these days. Their OL is an absolute mess and the Cowboys front four is probably the strongest unit on the team. I’m going to avoid Wilson until he gives me a reason not to do so.

QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (FD $6,900, DK $5,300) The Titans pass defense isn’t bad and I just feel like Hoyer is due for a dud. I’d look elsewhere in that price range if you absolutely must.

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2015 FantasySavvy: 7 UP, 7 Down

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By Kevin Lewis:

7 UP

WR Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals (FD $4,900, DK $3,200)

He caught a touchdown last week, and was close on a couple of others. He might be the best punt play this week as he goes up against Baltimore’s god awful pass defense.

WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts (FD $6,500, DK $5,200)

Moncrief is the most targeted receiver on the Colts and has scored a touchdown in every single game Andrew Luck has played this year. How TY Hilton is STILL more expensive than him is something I can’t figure out but will still exploit. Moncrief will also get a lot of Brandon Browner who has been bad by whatever metric or eye test you want to use.

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (FD $6,000, DK $4,900)

I really don’t like recommending Kansas city receiving options anymore as they are essentially being imprisoned by their terrible QB. That said, Kelce is still relatively cheap and Pittsburgh has given up the second most fantasy points to tight ends.

QB Ryan Tannehiill, Miami Dolphins (FD $7,700, DK $5,700) Tannehill has been relatively productive of late as he’s thrown seven TDS in his last three games. Houston and Miami both run a ton of plays and Houston gives up the sixth most fantasy points to QBs. Tannehill could be in for a nice day in Miami

WR Eric Decker, New York Jets (FD $6,200, DK $5,300)

I think Belichick is going to load up on stopping Marshall and Ivory. Decker has scored a TD in each of the last six games he’s played for the Jets. I think his ceiling is high for this week especially if the Jwets end up passing more than they want.

TE Ladarius Green,  San Diego Chargers (FD $5,100, DK $2,900)

Oakland is the worst team in the NFL at defending TEs. San Diego passes the ball very well and often and doesn’t run it very well. Antonio Gates will either not suit up or be limited if he does. Do with this information whatever you will. Green is extremely appealing on DK

WR Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens (FD $6,900, DK $6,200)

Tavon Austin and Martavis Bryant both scored twice against the Ravens. I’m assuming Baltimore’s defense will give up a lot of points which will make a lot of passing necessary. I like his upside this week.

7 Down

HB Jonathan Stewart, Baltimore Ravens (FD $6,700, DK $4,000)

Not only has Stewart been an epic disappointment this year but the Eagles haven’t given up a single touchdown to running backs all year. Look elsewhere.

QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (FD $8,100, DK $7,200)

For a guy who hasn’t put up big numbers and is currently handing the ball off to the most prolific back in the league, Ryan is just too damn expensive. Avoid.

WR Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders (FD $7,300, DK $6,500)

Cooper will likely see a lot of Jason Verett who’s been one of the best CBs in football thus far this year. If I’m going to target a Raiders WR it would be Michael Crabtree who Derek Carr has targeted more than Cooper anyway.

RB Christine Michael, Dallas Cowboys (FD $5,600, DK $3,000)

Just don’t do it to yourself. Please. Don’t.

RB Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (FD $6,300, DK $4,000).

The Dallas run defense is getting a little better and Jennings workload is far too unreliable to rely on. You can find better options in his price range.

QB Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles (FD $7,700, DK $6,100)

Bradford looks bad and the Panthers are giving up the sixth least amount of fantasy points.

WR Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (FD $6,600, DK $6,400)

Jordan Matthews has had a rough beginning to the season as he has been inconsistent with his hands and has had a rough time getting open. Bradford is struggling too and I expect this game to be a slugfest. There are better options in his price range that are way less stressful.

2014 FantasySavvy Football: Week 15 Player Rankings (Playoff Edition)

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QB’s

  1. Tony Romo @ PHI
  2. Drew Brees @ CHI
  3. Ben Roethlisberger @ ATL
  4. Andrew Luck vs HOU
  5. Peyton Manning @ SD
  6. Aaron Rodgers @ BUF
  7. Tom Brady vs MIA
  8. Matthew Stafford vs MIN
  9. Matt Ryan vs PIT  *with or w/o Julio
  10. Russell Wilson vs SF
  11. Phillip Rivers vs DEN
  12. Mark Sanchez vs DAL
  13. Jay Cutler vs NO
  14. Joe Flacco vs JAC
  15. Eli Manning vs WAS
  16. Johnny Manziel vs CIN
  17. Ryan Fitzpatrick @ IND
  18. Kyle Orton vs GB
  19. Ryan Tannehill @ NE
  20. Alex Smith vs OAK
  21. Andy Dalton @ CLE
  22. Colt McCoy @ NYG
  23. Colin Kaepernick @ SEA
  24. Jake Locker vs NYJ
  25. Josh McNown @ CAR
  26. Derek Anderson vs TB
  27. Teddy Bridgewater @ DET
  28. Blake Bortles @ BAL
  29. Derek Carr @ KC
  30. Gino Smith @ TEN

RB’s

  1. Le’Veon Bell @ ATL
  2. Jamaal Charles vs OAK
  3. Justin Forsett vs JAC
  4. DeMarco Murray @ PHI
  5. LeSean McCoy vs DAL
  6. Arian Foster @ IND
  7. Matt Forte vs NO
  8. Marshawn Lynch vs SF
  9. C.J. Anderson @ SD
  10. Joique Bell vs MIN
  11. Eddie Lacy @ BUF
  12. Jeremy Hill @ CLE
  13. Mark Ingram @ CHI
  14. Alfred Morris @ NYG
  15. Isaiah Crowell vs CIN
  16. Rashad Jennings vs WAS
  17. Latavius Murray @ KC
  18. Steven Jackson vs PIT
  19. Fred Jackson vs GB
  20. Lamar Miller @ NE
  21. LeGarrette Blount vs MIA
  22. Chris Ivory @ TEN
  23. Jonathan Stewart vs TB
  24. Dan Herron vs HOU
  25. Terrance West vs CIN
  26. Andre Williams vs WAS
  27. Chris Johnson @ TEN
  28. Giovani Bernard @ CLE
  29. James Starks @ BUF
  30. Shane Vereen vs MIA
  31. Donald Brown vs DEN
  32. Reggie Bush vs MIN
  33. Matt Asiata @ DET
  34. Doug Martin @ CAR
  35. Darren Sproles vs DAL
  36. Knile Davis vs OAK
  37. Bishop Sankey vs NYJ
  38. Pierre Thomas @ CHI
  39. Ronnie Hillman @ SD *questionable
  40. Trent Richardson vs HOU
  41. Brandon Oliver vs DEN
  42. Toby Gerhart @ BAL
  43. Juwan Thompson @ SD
  44. Charles Sims @ CAR
  45. Bernard Pierce vs JAC
  46. Jonas Gray vs MIA * Pats may go back to Gray this week.

WR’s

  1. Calvin Johnson vs MIN
  2. Antonio Brown @ ATL
  3. Dez Bryant @ PHI
  4. O’Dell Beckham vs WAS
  5. Demaryious Thomas @ SD
  6. T.Y. Hilton vs HOU
  7. Emmanuel Sanders @ SD
  8. Jeremy Maclin vs DAL
  9. Randall Cobb @ BUF
  10. Josh Gordon vs CIN
  11. Jordy Nelson @ BUF
  12. A.J. Green @ CLE * Bad History vs Haden.
  13. Julio Jones vs PIT *highly questionable, GT Decision, Likely OUT.
  14. Alshon Jeffrey vs NO
  15. DeAndre Hopkins @ IND
  16. Mike Evans @ CAR
  17. Roddy White vs PIT
  18. Kelvin Benjamin vs TB
  19. Keenan Allen vs DEN
  20. Brandon LaFell vs MIA
  21. Julian Edelman vs MIA
  22. Sammy Watkins vs GB
  23. DeSean Jackson @ NYG *50/50 to play
  24. Kenny Stills @ CHI
  25. Jordan Matthews vs DAL
  26. Andre Johnson @ IND *questionable w/ Concussion GD Decision
  27. Mike Wallace @ NE
  28. Martavis Bryant @ ATL
  29. Vincent Jackson @ CAR
  30. Golden Tate vs MIN
  31. Steve Smith Sr. vs JAC
  32. Torrey Smith vs JAC *questionable
  33. Charles Johnson @ DET
  34. Harry Douglas vs PIT *questionable, (Only at this Ranking if Julio is OUT, if Julio plays not in Rankings)
  35. Marquess Wilson vs NO
  36. Marques Colston @ CHI
  37. Malcolm Floyd vs DEN
  38. Eric Decker @ TEN
  39. Donte Moncrief vs HOU
  40. Percy Harvin @ TEN *highly questionable
  41. Anquan Boldin @ SEA
  42. Marquise Lee @ BAL
  43. Kendall Wright vs NYJ * Questionable
  44. Nate Washington vs NYJ
  45. Doug Baldwin vs SF
  46. Michael Crabtree @ SEA
  47. Cole Beasley @ PHI
  48. Jarvis Landry @ NE *Looks like he will be on Revis Island.
  49. Pierre Garcon @ NYG
  50. Robert Woods vs GB
  51. Ruben Randle vs WAS
  52. Mohammed Sanu @ CLE
  53. Cecil Shorts @ BAL
  54. Dwayne Bowe vs OAK
  55. Kamar Aiken vs JAC *Bumps up 10 spots if Torrey Smith is OUT. Sneaky Daily league play.

TE’s

  1. Jimmy Graham @ CHI
  2. Rob Gronkowski vs MIA
  3. Antonio Gates vs DEN
  4. Jordan Reed @ NYG
  5. Jordan Cameron vs CIN
  6. Travis Kelce vs OAK
  7. Jason Witten @ PHI
  8. Larry Donnell vs WAS * Tore them up last time for 3 TD’s, take it for what it’s worth? What is it worth tho? That’s why that Statement makes no sense
  9. Heath Miller @ ATL
  10. Greg Olsen vs TB
  11. Delanie Walker vs NYJ
  12. Coby Fleener vs HOU
  13. Dwayne Allen vs HOU
  14. Jermaine Gresham @ CLE
  15. Vernon Davis @ SEA
  16. Mychal Rivera @ KC
  17. Zach Ertz vs DAL
  18. Charles Clay @ NE
  19. Scott Chandler vs GB
  20. Tim Wright vs MIA
  21. Kyle Rudolph vs DET
  22. Owen Daniels vs JAc
  23. Eric Ebron vs MIN
  24. Marcedes Lewis @ BAL
  25. Richard Rodgers @ BUF

2014 FantasySavvy Football: Week 15 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

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By Kevin Lewis

*For Seasonal and Daily Leagues

START

WR Charles Johnson @DET($6600): Johnson has clearly established himself as the Vikings number one WR. Not that it says much with Cordarrelle “yes I am still in the NFL” Patterson and Greg “I was hot a long time ago” Jennings, but that’s not relevant here. Over his last four games, Johnson has turned 30 targets into 15 catches for 283 yards and two scores. There is a strong chance Minnesota will be playing catch up all game and there is really nobody to threaten Johnson’s opportunities. It’s scary relying on him because of a relatively erratic QB but I actually believe  his floor is pretty high this week all things considered.

TE Jimmy Graham @CHI($6900) I know, I know. If you had any exposure to Graham in the last two weeks, you’re sick to your stomach. The simple fact that I have to write him here underscores that. He has just four fantasy points in his last two games. Two games ago he had zero targets, but last week he had 11 and still did nothing so who really knows? If he can’t do it against the Bears, all hope might be lost. I’m being a little dramatic but not really.

QB Mark Sanchez vsDAL($7500): Don’t let last week get you down about Sanchez. I know that he had 96 yards passing and all but over the last three years a healthy Seattle defense has throttled a lot of people. The Dallas Cowboys aren’t the Seattle Seahawks. On Thanksgiving, the Eagles put up 33 points on 464 yards. I think his floor is reasonable in a game that should feature a lot of points.

RB Chris Johnson @TEN: Titans have the worst run defense in football. Chris Johnson has had this game circled on the calendar the minute he signed with the Jets. Hopefully for me and the rest who choose to play him, 1+1=2.

Marquess Wilson $4,500 vs NO:  Minimum priced starting WR with immense talents playing in a game featuring one of the highest over unders of the week. He should be an overqualified WR3 this week.

WR Donte Moncrief vs HOU($5700) If Reggie Wayne sits, Moncrief instantly becomes a potential WR2 against the most generous fantasy defense when it comes to WRs in the NFL.

TE Jordan Cameron vs CIN($5100): I feel Johnny Manziel boosts everyone’s value upon his insertion into the starting lineup. That includes Cameron who is barely above minimum price on Fanduel.

WR Kenny Stills @CHI($6100): I know he came off a disappointing week but the opportunity and matchup is still ideal for Stills. His price point on Fanduel hasn’t moved so that is also fair. Stills makes for a good play everywhere against Chicago’s piss poor secondary.

SIT

QB Colin Kaepernick @SEA($6800)- I have no idea why he’s still on your roster but now is not the time to get fancy. He’s going up against arguably the best defense in football and one that has had his number at that. He scored a whopping ONE point against the Seahawks on Thanksgiving.

QB Ryan Tannehill @NE($8000)- New England in December. He’s throwing the ball against a secondary that just finished shutting down Philip Rivers. He averages 213 yards and 0.5 passing touchdowns in his trips to NE over the last two years. I’d avoid.

RB Ryan Mathews vs DEN($7600)- He hasn’t touched the ball more than 15 times in any of the last three games and the Broncos are one of the better run defenses in football. If you’re going to start him, you’re heavily reliant on the possibility of him scoring more than one touchdown.

RB Lamar Miller @NE($6700)- The Dolphins use him scarcely for whatever reason and the Patriots defense hasn’t allowed a rushing TD since the beginning of November. I’m not sure I’m listing him here to tell you to sit him more than I’m listing him here to tell folks to temper their expectations.

RB Frank Gore @SEA($5300)- This one is pretty simple. San Fran is playing the Seahawks in Seattle, and Gore looks like he’s finished. Add in a struggling San Francisco offensive line and you have a perfect recipe for a guy to avoid.

WR DeAndre Hopkins @IND($7300)- The Colts struggle stopping the run. Vontae Davis is going to play in this game, and he is one of the premiere CBs in the league. Add in that Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t particularly good and Hopkins is a guy you sit if you have a choice or one you start quite nervously.

TE Coby Fleener vs HOU($6300)- Dwayne Allen is back. That means the Fleener party is over. Avoid him.

TE Mychal Rivera @KC($5600)- The Chiefs give up the least yards and receptions per game to tight ends in the league. Rivera is nothing but a Hail Mary play at best.

FantasySavvy Football: Week 13 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

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By: Kevin Lewis

*Good for both daily and seasonal leagues. Fanduel price listed here. Happy Thanksgiving!

Start

TE Eric Ebron, vs Chicago, $4900- The Bears give up the most points in the league to tight ends. The Bears give up the most points in the league to quarterbacks. Ebron hasn’t done much but he has been targeted 15 times in the last three weeks.

RB Joique bell, vs Chicago, $6300- The Bears have been decent against backs allowing the 10th least amount of points on the season (seventh fewest in the last weeks) but with the breakout I feel is going to happen for the Detroit Lions offense, I feel there are going to be plenty of opportunities for Bell to shine.

RB Darren Sproles, at Dallas, $6300- Thanksgiving, a big stage and a pretty generous Cowboys defense make me feel like Sproles is a viable start. I realize this is mostly hunch and that Sproles is reliant on big plays but I feel like he breaks one this week.

RB LeGarrette Blount, at Green Bay, $7000- The Packers allow 371.1 yards per game and they are ranked 30th in rushing defense. I know the Patriots backfield is incredibly hard to figure out but Blount should be a serviceable RB2 this week.

RB Tre Mason, vs Oakland, $6000- Mason has averaged 94 total yards per game over the past three weeks. The Raiders are 22nd in points allowed to running backs and given the heavy volume Mason makes for a decent RB2 this week.

WR Charles Johnson, vs Carolina, $6300- Despite all the WRs being healthy, Johnson played 97% of the snaps last week and had 52 yards and a touchdown. He would’ve had another if Teddy Bridgewater didn’t overthrow him. Given Bridgewater’s erratic nature it’s hard to suggest starting him with confidence. That said, only four teams have allowed more passing touchdowns than the Carolina Panthers and the opportunity afforded him makes him a decent start especially in PPR formats.

Tony Romo, vs Philadelphia, $8700-The Eagles are 31st in passing defense and have given up multiple touchdown passes in all but one game this season. While Romo’s yardage upside is capped by the Cowboys dominant running game, there is some upside here against a struggling Eagles pass defense.

Jarvis Landry, at New York Jets, $6900- He has 32 targets over the last four weeks and has carved out a nice role for himself within the Dolphins offense. The Jets have a tough run defense and a really bad pass defense including one of the worst slot corners in the sport in Kyle Wilson. He should produce on Monday night.

Sit

QB Jay Cutler, at Detroit, $8400- Cutler has been up and down this season albeit with more ups than downs. The Detroit Lions boast a top 5 pass defense in the league and are also top 5 in the league in turnovers forced. I can see ‘Bad Jay’ making an appearance on Thanksgiving afternoon and I would stay away from him if I had a comparable option of which to turn.

QB Colin Kaepernick, vs Seattle, $7400- If Kaepernick can’t do it against the Redskins, who can he do it against? I can’t credibly suggest starting him for the rest of the season.

RB Chris Ivory, vs Miami, $5800- The Jets are a mess, and the Dolphins and their excellent defense is in town after allowing 39 for the Denver Broncos. Good playerbut sporadic usage and a great defense coming into town make it a poor start.

RB Jerick McKinnon, vs Carolina, $5500- The Vikings usage of this talented kid is too frustrating. He has a lot of ability but the Vikings don’t seem to know how to capitalize on said talent. He’s a boom or bust RB2 who I would strongly suggest sitting until he proves something

TE Vernon Davis, vs Seattle, $4900- I’m going to keep putting him in this until he’s no longer owned or comes up as a topic. This season just isn’t the season for him.

WR Eric Decker, vs Miami, $6100- Brent Grimes has been one of the best DBs in football all year. Decker will have to deal with him and a bad QB on Monday Night. Avoid.

WR Sammy Watkins, vs Cleveland, $7500- Kyle Orton seems to have a rapport with Robert Woods and Watkins will likely see a ton of Joe Haden on Sunday. If you have a better option now would be the time to utilize it.

WR Terrance Williams, vs Philadelphia, $5100- The touchdown well has dried up and so has his value. He’s the fourth option in that offense. The value just isn’t there.

2014 FantasySavvy Football: Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

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By Kevin Lewis

*Article geared more to Daily Leagues this week. But can be used for both.

Start ‘Em

WR Julio Jones, @Tampa Bay, $8,000- Jones has had a quiet recent stretch over the last four games which apparently has left an impression given his extremely reasonable price tag. Tampa is dead last in the NFL at defending WRs and Jones had a monster line the last time these two teams played. Depending on your RBs, Jones could actually be reasonably slotted as a WR2. Take advantage of that as it may legitimately never happen again.

WR Kelvin Benjamin, @Philadelphia, $6,700- Benjamin is a big, fast target who is heavily targeted in the redzone, priced very reasonably and going against a team who struggles defending the pass. Every game the Eagles participate in has shootout potential and if it happens that way on Monday it’s likely Benjamin will play a part in that. He’s a good bet to pay back his value in production.

TE Larry Donnell, @Seattle, $5,300- Actually advising starting a pass catcher in Seattle? Yes, I am. While Donnell can be frustrating and I’m not fully confident in this play, the Seahawks have given up the fourth most points to tight ends this season. They don’t give up much to wide receivers either and are great against the run. If the Giants are going to move the ball and score at all on Sunday I would think Donnell would have to play a part in it. And his dirt cheap price tag makes it worth taking the chance.

WR Davante Adams, vs Chicago, $5,200- This works best if you’re going to pair him with Aaron Rodgers. Adams is getting the majority of snaps as the third wide receiver in Green Bay’s prodigious passing attack and the already poor Bears defense are depleted in the secondary. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see a 5 catch/70 yard/1 touchdown effort out of Adams this week and the sheer possibility of that makes the $5,200 worth the shot.

QB Matt Ryan, @Tampa Bay, $7,800- I know how stressful Matt Ryan has been to own, whether in daily leagues or seasonal leagues. That said, the Buccaneers give up the second most passing yards in all of football and Ryan has had a week off that will hopefully help him. A Ryan/Jones stack for $15,800 combined actually isn’t bad at all. Hopefully the Falcons offensive line remembers to report to work as well.

RB Denard Robinson, vs DAL (London), $6,800- I’m not really keen on suggesting Jacksonville players with $$$ on the line but I’ll make an exception here. Dallas’ defense has still struggled this season despite the narratives that they are so much better. They still allow 4.6 YPC and one would think Jacksonville would try and keep the ball on the ground to make life a little easier for Blake Bortles. I think he’s a quality tournament play as he gives you a little wiggle room to go after big name WRs and is likely to make the modest investment worth it.

RB Justin Forsett, vs TEN, $6,500- Forsett averages 5.4 yards per carry on the season and the Titans give up 120 yards per game on the ground. A potential Ravens breakout makes Forsett that much more intriguing. He has a lot of yardage potential but the TD potential is somewhat capped by the presence of Lorenzo Taliaferro. That said, the $6,500 price tag is a reasonable one.

RB Bobby Rainey, vs ATL, $6,700- Rainey put up 87 rushing yards and 34 receiving yards last week. The Falcons let up the most fantasy points to RBs this year so Rainey is a good matchup assuming he gets the majority of the touches. This comes with a disclaimer though as I would closely monitor the injury situations of Charles Sims and Doug Martin.

Sit ‘Em

RB Frank Gore, @New Orleans, $6,800- 39 carries 107 yards, 2.74 YPC average. That’s Frank Gore’s numbers the last three games. I can’t think of a matchup enticing enough to make me want to start Frank Gore anywhere at this current juncture.

QB Josh McCown, vs Atlanta, $5,700- I know, I know. He’s really cheap, and he would be quite the contrarian play in tournament formats. Don’t take the bait though. He’s a journeyman QB who got embarrassed by this same Falcons defense and hasn’t played in a game since. This is part of the reason I am endorsing Rainey in the same piece.

WR Dez Bryant, @ Jacksonville, $8,400- I know how good Dez Bryant is and that he’s liable to explode every week. That said, I’m skeptical to drop coin on him this week because I believe Dallas will do whatever it takes to lessen Tony Romo’s load. Three step drops, and lots (and I mean LOTS) of DeMarco Murray could be in order. While Jacksonville’s secondary isn’t very good, I’m not sure Bryant is going to get enough opportunities to make the $8,400 worth it. Jordy Nelson is $8,500, Julio Jones is $8,000 and Randall Cobb is $8,600 and I’d rather pay for any of them.

WR Martavis Bryant, @New York Jets, $6,100- While I think Roethlisberger has another nice game in MetLife, I think he comes back down to Earth a little bit. Bryant is a pretty touchdown dependent player, so if Roethlisberger has a more mortal performance on Sunday, where does that leave Bryant? I recognize the ceiling with this kid against a hapless Jets secondary but he also has potential to leave your scoreboard with nothing next to his name. He’s really risky.

RB Lamar Miller, @Detroit Lions, $7,200- Miller has had a solid year but this is more about the Lions defense than it is about him as they are arguably the best defense in the league at this current juncture.

QB Ryan Tannehill, @Detroit Lions, $8,000- See: Miller, Lamar. And Cutler is also $8,000 in a game with the highest over/under of the weekend. Ryan is $7,600, Sanchez is $6,600. Why even consider Tannehill? Avoid.

QB Matthew Stafford, vs Miami Dolphins, $8,500- Stafford has been inconsistent the entire year and this is the same Dolphins defense that just shut down a very good Chargers offense. He does get Calvin Johnson back this week and that may help but that’s a really high price tag for someone who hasn’t been a top 10 fantasy QB the majority of the season.

QB Tony Romo, @Jacksonville Jaguars, $8,100- Fresh off an injury, I think there are wiser uses of money here. On that note, if you like to spend at RB, DeMarco Murray for $9,300 is a sure bet.

2014 FantasySavvy Football: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 7

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By: Kevin Lewis

If you saw me suggest to sit DeMarco Murray and actually listened, I sincerely apologize. If you didn’t listen to that idiotic suggestion, we can all forget it happened. Yes?  Yes? Cool.

Start

Andre Holmes, vs OAK– Arizona is currently 32nd in WR fantasy points against. On top of that, they currently have given up the 4th most 20+ yard passing plays in the NFL. Andre Holmes has been targeted 28 times, and nine of those are on passes 20 yards or longer. Holmes has a good matchup this week. Exploit it.

Odell Beckham Jr, @DAL– With Victor Cruz down for the season, one would expect Beckham’s workload and statistical production to rise. I know he only had 2-28 last week, but the entire Giants offensive line forgot they had a game that night. While the Cowboys have allowed the fifth fewest points to wide receivers, I say you start Beckham anyway. And I think he offers WR2 potential for the rest of the season

Roddy White, @BAL– White has been a monumental disappointment all season. He expressed disappointment in his play recently and I think he’s due for a big game. The Ravens have given up the sixth most fantasy points to wide receivers this year and in a game that should feature a lot of pass attempts, one would think White is DUE. I think he has a big game.

Brandin Cooks, @DET– This is all a hunch. Graham might be slowed a bit by injury, and Colston has generally been bad this year. Despite how good the Lions defense is, I think Cooks is going to have a lot of opportunities. He’s caught at least 5 passes in 4 of his 5 games. I think he’s a sneaky good PPR play this week.

Jordan Cameron, @JAX- Cameron finally let his presence in the 2014 NFL season be known last week with a 3-102-1 line against the Steelers. Cameron is locked and loaded as the #1 target in Cleveland and is going against the fourth most generous defense to opposing TEs in the NFL. Start him, sit back and laugh.

Keenan Allen, vs KC– Allen has had a slow start to the season and I get the frustration with him. That said, he still leads the Chargers in targets, catches, and yards. Eventually that production will step up and it will start this week against a Chiefs defense he tormented to the tune of 14 catches for 213 yards in two meetings last season. Be patient with Allen.

Jordan Reed, vs TEN– Jordan Reed rewarded those who started him last week with an 8-92 line in his return. The oft injured, but extremely talented tight end only saw 50% of the snaps last week but was targeted 11 times. Against a defense that’s let up the sixth most points to opposing TEs, Reed is a cinch start here. And for the rest of the year, he’s a mid TE1 when healthy.

Lamar Miller, @CHI– I expect that this I the last time I will put his name here as he will be a borderline RB1 the rest of the way. Knowshon Moreno’s injury means Miller is the man in that backfield now and he has produced well when given the opportunities this year (5.2 YPC on 63 carries, and 15 catches for 95 yards). The Bears yield 4.3 YPC. Miller is a high end RB2 for this game.

Sit

The entire Jaguars backfield, vs CLE– I don’t have mind blowing analysis here. The Jaguars aren’t very good, their run game is even worse

Zac Stacy, vs SEA– It’s tough sledding for Stacy. He is on a poor team and now is firmly entrenched in a time share with Benny Cunningham and Tre Mason. The Seahawks have given up 3.1 YPC on the season. In my opinion, Stacy is bench fodder for the time being.

Jerick McKinnon, @BUF– I like McKinnon a lot going forward but given his pass blocking issues, the coach saying he wanted to dial back on his touches, and the Buffalo defense (2nd least points allowed to RBs), it would be a wise idea to wait a week to start him

Brian Quick, vs SEA– While the Seahawks pass defense  has taken a step back, they’ve done a pretty good job dealing with primary WRs as they’ve held Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson and DeMaryius Thomas in check. I expect a lot of the same for Quick.

Ronnie Hillman, vs SF– I know Hillman had a good game against a really good Jets run defense but the Jets essentially dared the Broncos to run the ball. The Niners have allowed the fourth least points to opposing RBs. I think he’s at best a shaky flex option this week.

Bishop Sankey, @WAS– We keep waiting for the breakout with this guy. Ken Whisenhunt talks him up every week, only for him to put up pedestrian numbers. Washington has allowed the sixth least points to fantasy running backs this season. Sit him down

Mark Ingram, @DET– While Detroit’s defense is really good, this isn’t about them. Ingram is fresh off an injury and we know how Payton is with his RB distribution. I’d hold off on starting him until his role becomes clearer.

Mohammed Sanu, @IND– The Colts give up the fourth least points to WRs this season. While the targets will be there for Sanu, I’m not sure the success will be.