As anyone within earshot of me this week knows, I'm one of the final 141 people alive in the FFOC. Essentially the competition starts over every week at this point until the top-15 are decided; top 57 from Week 14 advance, then the top-15 to the finals. The top 15 are guaranteed a minimum $3,500 and the winner gets a cool million bucks. I know my odds are still long, but I'll take a 1/10 chance for serious cash.
My toughest decision this week come at my flex spot. In their scoring system, you can play a QB at the flex. On most teams, it's a no-brainer to play two quarterbacks every week. I still do it almost every week. But my team's biggest weakness by far is not having a great QB2. (Thanks Carson Palmer). I have four running backs that I often rank in the top ten overall, with only two spots to use, so a few are usually on the bench.
This week my decision comes down to one of these three playing in the flex spot:
Steven Jackson vs. Arizona
Brandon Jacobs vs. Philadelphia
Shaun Hill vs. Jets
Continue reading "Mediocre QB vs. Great RB" »
December 03, 2008
Because they are ready, here are my top ten easiest fantasy playoff schedules for passing games and what it all means. I'll be expanding on this later in the week.
1. Rams: @ Cardinals, vs. Seahawks, vs. 49ers
Impact: At this stage, it’s hard to trust anyone associated with the St. Louis passing game, no matter the schedule. Donnie Avery has faded badly
2. Vikings: @ Lions, @ Cardinals, vs. Falcons
Impact: Bernard Berrian has been hit or miss all season, but he’s set up well this month in warm weather games. Roll the dice because he’ll see a lot of single coverage.
3. Chiefs: @ Denver, vs. San Diego, vs. Dolphins
Impact: Tony Gonzalez should finish the season as the top-ranked fantasy tight end. Tyler Thigpen could fool the Chiefs into handing their future over to him with a strong finish. He can perform like a borderline QB1, but the league has started to figure him out.
4. Colts: vs. Bengals, vs. Lions, @ Jaguars
Impact: They aren’t quite the same old Colts, but they are still pretty good, stink bomb in Cleveland notwithstanding. Marvin Harrison becomes a WR3 option because of the schedules. Peyton Manning should rebound with two dome games.
5. Bills: vs. Dolphins, @ Jets, @ Broncos
Impact: Buffalo quarterbacks are hands off, regardless of opponents. Lee Evans should stay in lineups because of the strong schedule.
Continue reading "10 Easiest Playoff Schedules: QBs, WRs, TEs " »
Preview of the Raiders-Chargers below, complete with my devotion to Zach Miller, at least for this week. Amd after a strong season, has Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson become untrustworthy? Rankings are also up, with some fantasy schedule rankings and more notes slated for Thursday.
If Steven Jackson isn't back to 100%, he's close enough for me. A quick tour through his return against Miami shows the same explosion we expect to see from Jackson. He broke tackles and he got to the outside. Perhaps most surprisingly, he saw big holes to run through.
I don't care about the He Said, Haz said comments from earlier in the week about why Jackson didn't play much during the fourth quarter. He saw 22 touches after a long layoff; Haslett was smart not to go overboard.
Arizona is probably an easier matchup, on balance, than Miami. They just revived Brian Westbrook's season and have given up the most receiving scores to running backs of any team. Jackson is fresh at a time of year when most running backs are wearing down. I'd feel comfortable playing him over banged-up players like Clinton Portis, Brandon Jacobs, and Marion Barber that have excelled all year, but face tough matchups this week.
December 02, 2008
That large man above is Kevin Williams, one half of the famed Minnesota Williams wall. The shoe finally dropped on him Tuesday, when the NFL announced four game suspensions for him, teammate Pat Williams, along with Saints Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant, Will Smith, and a very remorseful long snapper in Houston.
Pat Williams' agent said he would file a motion in federal court Wednesday . If successful, that could delay a suspension. We should know the result of that Wednesday, but it seems like a long shot. We expected Deuce's absence and his role was waning anyhow. The big impact will be the gaping void in the middle of the Minnesota defense. The Vikings schedule the next three weeks:
Week 14: Detroit (Kevin Smith)
Week 15: Atlanta (Michael Turner)
Week 16: Arizona (Tim Hightower)
Smith and Hightower become more palatable flex options in those weeks. Turner owners fretting the matchup can breathe a sigh of relief, assuming the case doesn't get stopped in court.
Tiffany and I already start looking ahead to Week 14, along with some waiver pickups. How low should Tony Romo go in the rankings?
Our 100K picks after the jump
Continue reading "Priming for the playoffs " »
By the time the fantasy playoffs hit, the waiver wire is usually not that useful. This week is an exception to that rule. With injuries to significant running backs, most playoff teams can still upgrade their rosters this week. Kellen Winslow's injury Both Tashard Choice and Brandon Jackson have a legitimate chance to start this week. Marion Barber's status looks shakier than Ryan Grant's, but Jackson would still be my pick. I like what I've seen from Choice and Jackson recently, but Jackson's matchups (Houston, Jacksonville) are far better than Choice's (Pittsburgh, NYG). It's hard to imagine any playoff team actually starting Choice, no matter what happens with MBIII.
Jackson is not the same guy that was a fantasy bust last season. He's improved in the pass game. He's more decisive with his cuts. The big-play ability is there. IF Grant is out, which I still don't expect, Jackson will be a top-20 play this week. Some other waiver options this week ...
Continue reading "Jackson over Choice" »
December 01, 2008
I almost forgot Eli Manning could have difference-making games. After six straight weeks under 200 passing yards, Eli has combined for 545 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick over the last two weeks. Going over 300 yards against the Washington secondary was especially impressive.
Opposing defenses may finally be selling out to stop New York's historic running game, putting Manning in favorable situations. That could make him a sneaky option in Week 15 against a Dallas secondary that can be exploited. I'm not worried about Manning's missing receiver, as the passing game doesn't lose much with the transition from Plaxico Burress to Domenick Hixon.
Before the year, a lot of people wondered if Eli Manning could consolidate the gains he made during the playoffs last season over a 16-game schedule. While his fantasy value hasn't changed much, it's safe to say Eli's improved play has carried over. Manning is averaging 7.1 YPA; he was under 6.4 the last two years. His completion percentage, 62%, is six points over his career average. He has eight interceptions after averaging 18 the last three years. It may not be all that exciting, like his press conferences, but Elisha is all grows up.
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