How was your week 8? Now that the Phillies are out of the playoffs, you can focus completely on your fantasy team.
Byes: Oakland, St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland, New York Jets, Buffalo
Start of the Week:
RB Ryan Grant (GB) vs. TB: He has only had one game that he has had amazing numbers. And Sunday, he faces the Bucs, who rank 30th in the league in rush D allowing 162 yards a game. He should have a monster game, unless he pukes looking at the Bucs orange jerseys from the last time the Bucs were this bad.
Who to Start:
QB Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) vs. DET: He faces the Lions, who have allowed 18 pass TD’s this season and is 27th against the pass. Hasselbeck and the Seahawks are due for a win, and a good game for that matter.
RB Brandon Jacobs (NYG) vs. SD: He seems to go from the sit to start line every week. He should have a good game against a Chargers team that gives up 132.5 yards a game on the ground.
WR Dwayne Bowe (KC) vs. JAX: Fresh off a bye, along with the rest of the Chiefs, he should be prepared to have a big week against the Jags, who are still 26th in the league in pass D. He hasn’t had a big game all year, but Sunday, he just may.
WR Wes Welker (NE) vs. MIA: He will face a Miami pass D that is 24th in the league and is missing their best corner, Will Allen. He’s another wide out coming off a bye, and should be fresh for a big AFC East game.
TE Vernon Davis (SF) vs. TEN: He has the most receiving TD’s in the entire league with 7, 4 of them coming with Alex Smith under center. He has a great matchup against a still weak Titans pass D, and also, you have the safety blanket factor.
DEF Green Bay vs. TB: Again, they’re playing the anemic Bucs, who may look more anemic in orange. Then again, the good folk of Tampa may not see Josh Freeman in orange, get smashed by a very good Pack D, because the game could be blacked out (as a Jags fan, I have no right to talk about blackouts).
Who to Sit:
QB Kyle Orton (DEN) vs. PIT MON: We’ve yet to see how the Broncos rebound from a loss, and against a Pittsburgh team that has had 15 days to prepare for this game. It also doesn’t help that the Steelers pass D has been much better since Troy Polomalu is healthy.
RB Laurence Maroney (NE) vs. MIA: Miami is 6th against the run, and has only allowed an average of 88 yards on the road. And who knows how many touches he will have anyway?
WR Kevin Walter (HOU) vs. IND: Despite being completely injury riddled and losing Marlin Jackson for the year, the Colts have still gotten the 7th best pass D in the league and only allowed 3 pass TD’s all year.
WR Ted Ginn Jr. (MIA) vs. NE: He is slowly losing catches to Brian Hartline, and the Pats are 5th in the league in pass D. He does get plenty of special teams TD’s though, and maybe he focusing on those.
TE Kellen Winslow (TB) vs. GB: Outside of 1 good game against Philly, he has struggled mightily in every other game. He does have the safety blanket factor, but that won’t matter on Sunday.
DEF Baltimore vs. CIN: Sit the Ravens D? When they play on the road, sure sit ‘em. They have allowed 28.7 points per game and 407 yards a game on the road this year. Cincinnati had a good game against them in Baltimore, so logic dictates the Ravens D will struggle in the Queen City.
Sleepers:
QB David Garrard (JAX) vs. KC: After two poor games, he should have a good one eventually. Facing the 28th ranked pass D in the league, he may just get it.
RB Julius Jones (SEA) vs. DET: The Lions allow about 138 rushing yards a game on the road, and Jones will see increased touches due to the release of Edgerrin James.
WR Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. TEN: He has quietly had 2 good games, and with the ‘49ers hosting the Titans, he may have another one.
WR Malcolm Floyd (SD) vs. NYG: The Giants pass D has been struggling in the 3 game losing streak they are in. Floyd will see increased touches with Chris Chambers released.
TE Fred Davis (WSH) vs. ATL: With Chris Cooley out of the picture and Davis facing a team that allows 10 fantasy points a game to tight ends, he should perform well in relief.
DEF Philadelphia vs. DAL: The Eagles stopped the Cowboys in their tracks last year in Philly, and they should do that again.
Waiver Wire Pick-Up(s) of the week:
RB Ryan Moats (HOU): If you were busy watching the Phillies, you missed that Steve Slaton literally fumbled away his job in Buffalo. Moats in response, had 126 yards and 3 TD’s. He is unproven but worth the risk if you have running back trouble.
RB Jamaal Charles (KC): With Larry Johnson talking his butt out of Kansas City, Charles is the next back in line. He has played well in the past, and with Matt Cassel loving to throw screens, he may also get some catches as well.
Good luck in week 9, have a great 4 day weekend, and a big thank you to our troops for keeping us safe in honor of Veterans Day!