Since I’m releasing weekly positional rankings this season, it occurred to me that the Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em picks were a little repetitive and lack context without discussing the player-by-player rankings as well. So going forward, I’m going to use a similar format, but I’ll often be referring to my positional rankings so that readers can get a sense of how I feel that player will perform against his peers.
It’s probably easier to dive right in than try to explain what’s bouncing around in my head. As always, I will still focus on those players that you’ll only start under certain circumstances (i.e. good matchups), so if you have a stud, just go ahead and plug them in.
Three lower-end fantasy QB1s — Matt Ryan (#7), Eli Manning (#6) and Joe Flacco (#8) — all have very nice matchups this week. I have Eli the highest because the Texans have the worst pass defense in the league and that’s the game that has the best chance at turning into a shootout. I could see the ATL/CLE and BAL/DEN games devolving into lower-scoring affairs…The Jaguars have given up 304 yards and 2.3 pass TDs per game this season, which is why I have Ryan Fitzpatrick ranked at #9. Fitzy is available in a lot of leagues, so if you need a readily available sleeper at QB, look no further…I think I’m probably higher on Kyle Orton (#11) this week than most fantasy ‘experts.’ It’s true that he has a very tough matchup, but with Knowshon Moreno still sidelined, the Broncos are going to have to spread the Ravens out and throw the ball a lot. Orton faced two pretty tough pass defenses in the last two weeks (IND and TEN) and he shredded both of them. The guy is just in a groove right now…Shaun Hill (#12) has averaged 301 yards and 1.7 TDs over the past three weeks, but the Rams are playing pretty good defense at the moment. Still, Hill has done it against three solid defenses (PHI, MIN, GB), so he should have a nice week.
Maurice Jones-Drew (#3) played well against Indy last week, and I think he’ll continue that against the 32nd-ranked Bills rush defense. MJD has struggled when Jacksonville is forced to abandon the run, and I doubt that happens in Buffalo…It would be awfully tough to bench Steven Jackson (#6) against Detroit this week even given the sore groin. He gained a lot of yardage last week and seems to be feeling better this week since he’s been practicing…Ryan Mathews (#14) played second fiddle to Mike Tolbert (#25) last week, but I think the roles will be reversed this week as Norv Turner gets his rookie more involved against the Raiders’ 31st-ranked rush defense…I like Jamaal Charles (#12) a lot against a Colts defense that has given up 150 rushing yards and 1.3 rush TD through the first four games. Even if Indy gets up big, Charles figures to get a lot of work in the passing game as KC tries to catch up…Need a sleeper? Fred Jackson (#20) was named the starter in Buffalo and he figures to get about 60% of the touches going forward. He has been productive in that role in the past and a matchup with the Jaguars (1.5 rush TDs allowed per game) doesn’t hurt.
Some fantasy owners might shy away from Randy Moss (#6) given his goose egg in Week 4 and the fact that he’s joining a new team/offense, but I think Brett Favre will make him feel at home early and often on Monday night and the Jets’ 22nd-ranked pass defense is vulnerable with a dinged up Darrelle Revis. Likewise, Percy Harvin (#23) has a chance for some nice numbers in the Vikings’ revitalized passing attack…Terrell Owens (#11) was a monster last week, and while I’m not expecting that kind of performance, he does have a good chance of catching a long ball against a Bucs’ defense that has struggled to cover deep in the last two seasons…Derrick Mason (#20) might be the Ravens’ top receiver this week if Champ Bailey shadows Anquan Boldin.
There are a number of QB2s that have bad matchups this week, namely Mark Sanchez (#19), Bruce Gradkowski (#17), Alex Smith (#23) and Josh Freeman (#24). Of this group, I’m most optimistic about Sanchez and Gradkowski, since they’ve been playing the best ball of late. Just don’t expect more than 225 yards and a TD from either guy…While it’s true that David Garrard (#18) has a nice matchup against the Bills, I just don’t trust him right now. Buffalo is last in the league against the run, so I think the Jags will feature a run-heavy attack…Kevin Kolb (#22) actually has a good matchup with the 49ers, but San Francisco’s defense looked better last week against Matt Ryan and I’d like to see Kolb produce for a week or two before starting him.
DeAngelo Williams (#21) finally had a nice game in Week 4, but he has missed practice with an illness this week and has bad matchup with Chicago’s #6-rated rush defense that knows it has to win the game with Jay Cutler sidelined…Not only is the matchup (TEN) pretty bad, but the news out of Dallas this week indicates that the Cowboys are going to get Felix Jones (#26) more involved in the offense, and that’s bad news for Marion Barber (#36).
DeSean Jackson (#16) is still startable, but with Kevin Kolb under center, I’m not optimistic about his having a big day. Likewise, I recommend benching Jeremy Maclin (#36), who has a far better rapport with Michael Vick…Johnny Knox (#37) needs to be downgraded due to the news that Jay Cutler is going to miss the start against Carolina. Todd Collins just doesn’t have the arm to take advantage of Knox’s downfield speed.
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