Archive for September 2013

Sunday is here, and that means a lot of football. With a lot of football there comes a lot of fantasy football. This is the first week where we are having to deal with players on bye. With Carolina and Green Bay on bye there's a lot of fantasy owners who are in need of a plug-and-play QB. Here's a look at some players who might serve that role, and some who might already be on your bench.

Start Pierre Garcon vs OAK. Despite RGIII's early struggles, the Raiders are giving up 18 catches per game to opposing receivers and Garcon will likely be the benefactor of this stat. The Raiders are also allowing opposing QBs to complete an outstanding 80% of their passes.

Start Demaryius Thomas vs PHI. The Eagles can't defense No. 1 receivers and Bay Bay is the best of the best in this category. Peyton is going to take full advantage. I'm expecting Thomas to have at least two scores from 30+ yards out.

Start Daryl Richardson vs SF. The 49ers have allowed 6 touchdowns to opposing RBs in the last 3 games. I know Richardson is coming off of a minor injury, but SF hasn't beaten the Rams since 2011; which was also the last time the Rams lost a division game at home. The Rams are going to play smart football and Jeff Fisher is going to lean heavily on his running specialist. He does come with some risk, but I think his up-side is too good to pass up this week as a RB2 or strong Flex.

Start Matt Forte vs DET. The Lions are going to give up points, but they seem to keep teams out of the end zone within the 10 yard line. What's this mean? Good things for Forte, not so good for Michael Bush. My bold prediction of the week; Forte scores the Bears' every point (except for the XPs obviously). In 10 career games against the Lions, Forte has broken double-digit fantasy points in every game.

Start Tony Romo vs SD. The Chargers are giving up the most fantasy points to opposing QBs this year. This game should be close and the Cowboys are going to keep feeding to ball to their 100-million-dollar-man.

Start Terrelle Pryor vs WAS. The Redskins have given up the second most fantasy points to opposing QBs this year. Nothing about this secondary is good, and Pryor seems to get better with every snap.

When is a concussion not really a concussion, when the Pittsburgh Steelers say it is not.  Mike Florio of NBCSports reports that Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Isaac Redman, by his admission had a concussion suffered in Week 2.  The Pittsburgh Steelers say no way.

Baltimore Ravens running back, Ray Rice (hip flexor) and defensive lineman, Chris Canty (strained groin) are close to returning to action, reports Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Le’Veon Bell, is set to make his regular season debut in London, England on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.  As Josh Alper of NBCSports tells us, the most important man on the field for the Steelers, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, has zero faith in his RB.

Looking forward at week 4 there are several names of note who are going to give their fantasy owners some stress leading into the weekend. Most of these guys should end up taking the field on Sunday, but there will always be that last-minute heart-breaker that cant play. Make sure you're prepared for the worst-case-scenario and have a good plan B ready if needed.

The Buffalo Bills lost Sunday to a much-undisciplined New York Jets squad.  Adding to the Bills’ misery is the season-ending injury suffered by defensive lineman, Alex Carrington.

I took a brown bag beating by taking the Vikings -7 on Sunday.  With running back Trent Richardson gone and reports, rumors, gossip and lies that the Cleveland Browns wanted to trade wide receiver Josh Gordon swirling in the fall breeze, I thought the Vikings would take the Browns to the ice shed, done deal.  I was wrong and after the Browns’ defeat of Minnesota, Gordon made it clear he wants to stay in the Dawg Pound.