With the bye week gods looking
favorably upon us (sorry Dallas skill player owners), it’s
time to make the lineup decisions that will propel us into the
playoffs, or sink us into the mire of mediocrity. Let’s
try Week 11 on for size!
Note: Fantasy points
based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.
Bye Weeks: Dallas, Jacksonville,
Baltimore, New York Jets
Robert Griffin III posted 26.5 fantasy
points in his only matchup with Buccaneers, back in 2012.
Grab a Helmet
Robert
Griffin III v. TB: The darling of D.C. just a few seasons
ago, RGIII is attempting to rise from the ashes of injury yet again
and breathe life into the fading playoff hopes of the Redskins.
Can he do the same for your fantasy squad? He certainly didn’t embarrass
himself in his return start against a surging Minnesota defense
two weeks ago with 250 yards and a score. With health, confidence,
weapons out wide and the ghost of Blackbeard cursing the Tampa Bay
defense (28th in the league in fantasy points allowed to QBs), Griffin
makes for a low end QB1 with upside this week.
Philip
Rivers v. OAK: When searching for recommended starts
for the SCR, I try to target home teams playing up against dismal
defenses. In the role of dismal road team this week is none other
than the Oakland Raiders. Playing host to the Silver and Black;
none other than the bye week rested San Diego Chargers. After starting
the year with historic numbers, Rivers has drifted back to earth
with a horrid three-game stretch that culminated in a 37-0 whitewashing
vs. the Dolphins. The patchwork offensive line has sprung some ship
sinking leaks, leaving Rivers to navigate a murky pocket, and zero
run game support. With the expected return of fragile, but talented
Ryan Matthews, and a bye week to Band-Aid the O-line, look for Rivers
to connect on some deep shots against a shoddy Oakland secondary.
Unless you have one of the elites, Rivers make a fine starting option
on Sunday.
Eli
Manning vs. SF: For 30 minutes last week at Seattle,
Manning looked as good as he ever has. The wheels came off in the
second half, but I get a distinct feeling that this week could be
shaping up to be a very solid game for Manning. With a 6-1 touchdown
to interception ratio and nearly 300 ypg over the last three weeks,
Manning has fully begun to utilize his new toy in rookie receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. Manning has a growing confidence in the rookie,
and faces a 49er secondary that let’s receivers get loose over the
middle far too often. Look for Giants to go pass-heavy in the Meadowlands,
and for Manning to push for 300 yards and 2 scores.
Grab a Headset
Kyle
Orton v. MIA (THUR): The quarterback no one wants,
but keeps chugging right along, travels to South Beach Thursday
night to tussle with the Dolphins in primetime. Except for a four-touchdown
game against the Jets, Orton has done nothing to earn a place
in your starting fantasy lineup. The Fins have been downright
dirty against opposing quarterbacks, surrendering a meager 6.2
yards per completion, while picking off 10 passes. This top 5
unit can also rush the passer (28 sacks), and Orton simply lacks
the escapability necessary to extend plays for big gains. Look
for Brent Grimes to lock down Orton’s only threat in the air (Sammy
Watkins) and be forced to dink and dunk down the field. This stinks
of a fantasy disaster, so keep the air clear, and Orton on your
bench.
Russell
Wilson @ KC: If his legs didn’t give him one of the
highest QB floors in fantasy football, Wilson’s passing prowess
would have him consistently on most fantasy benches. Regressing
as a passer after a hot start, Wilson has failed to top 200 yards,
and has only 1 passing touchdown during the last three games.
Between the crowd and defensive skillset, Kansas City is generally
not the place you want to go to throw the ball around. Bolstered
by a defense that plays stingy pass defense, and who has the edge
rushers to contain Wilson on the ground, this could be one of
the week’s lowest scoring games. This all leads to Wilson as no
more than desperation QB2, especially on week that has so few
starters on byes.
Brian
Hoyer v. HOU: Listen, Hoyer is a scrappy football player
who has done a solid job of leading his team, and making some
decent tasting lemonade from the lemons he’s been given.
But he has also been blessed by one of the league’s softest
schedules (he’s only played 3 teams with a current winning
record) and still hasn’t been able to provide much fantasy
juice. The owner of only one 300-yard game, and two multi-touchdown
games, Hoyer just isn’t worthy of a start, even in 2 QB
leagues. While he may be a sneaky play at some point after the
return of Josh Gordon, keep Hoyer in the dog pound.
Running Backs 
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