Last week, I changed the format of Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em to stay within the context of my weekly positional rankings. I’ll typically discuss fringe starters that should only be in lineups under certain conditions as well as players that I have ranked higher (or lower) than the rest of the fantasy community.
My rankings often change throughout the week, so when in doubt, go with the rankings.
Joe Flacco (#8) has had his ups and downs this season, but he’s coming off three pretty solid performances and has the Pats’ 28th-ranked pass defense this week. I’m a little worried about Beligenius having a bye week to prepare, but the Pats have struggled in the secondary all season and Flacco should be able to hook up with Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap with regularity…Sure, he’s coming off of suspension, but Ben Roethlisberger (#9) is definitely starter quality this week against a Browns pass defense that has yielded an average of 214 yards and 1.6 pass TDs on the season…Kyle Orton (#6) seemingly has a bad matchup with the Jets, but they’ve actually been pretty bad against the pass (235 yards, 1.8 pass TDs) this season and Darrelle Revis may miss the game with hamstring injury. Besides, good defense or bad defense, it doesn’t matter to Orton, who has thrown for at least 295 yards and one TD in every game this season…Vince Young (#12) has a date with the Jags’ 28th-ranked pass defense that gives up 2.4 pass TDs per game. Young is a good bet to throw for at least 200 yards and two scores…Desperate? Everything is lined up for likely-on-your-waiver-wire Matt Cassel (#22) this week. The Texans are last in the league against the pass and while Cassel wasn’t great against the Colts, his numbers would have looked a lot better had Dwayne Bowe held onto that long TD pass.
The Lions have given up an average of 133 rushing yards and 1.0 rush TD per game thus far, so Ahmad Bradshaw (#7) should have a very nice game…I have Michael Bush at #15, and I might move him up if Darren McFadden looks like he’ll be out (or limited) on Sunday against the 49ers…The Eagles are 24th against the run this season, so look for the Falcons to run early and often, which will make Michael Turner (#9) a good play. I suspect he’ll go over 100 yards and find the endzone this week…The Redskins know they’ll have to run to beat the Colts, so Ryan Torain (#17) is poised to have a big game against Indy’s 29th-ranked rush defense…Need a sleeper? Ladell Betts (#26) is currently the RB1 in New Orleans and the Bucs’ 30th-ranked rush defense should make him look good.
I seem to have Anquan Boldin (#5) ranked five or so spots higher than the pundit consensus. The Pats are a great matchup from a passing standpoint and the Ravens will probably have to throw the ball more than usual due New England’s ability to score…All right, Brandon Lloyd (#9), after four 100+ yard games in your last five outings, I believe in you. This is usually the point where you disappoint me. But with matchup against a sketchy Jets’ pass defense, I think you’re going to have a good week…Santana Moss (#12) had a goose egg in Week 4, but bounced back with 7-118 against the Packers. The Colts’ pass defense is only average this year, and they’re worse away from home. Moss should have a nice day…I like both Mike Wallace (#13) and Hines Ward (#16) with the return of Ben Roethlisberger. Throw in a nice matchup with the Browns’ 18th-ranked pass defense and the Steelers should be able to move the ball through the air.
Shaun Hill (#21) has had a nice run, but this week he faces the Giants’ top-ranked pass defense. New York is only allowing 146 yards and 1.0 TD per game, and they sack the QB almost four times per game. Throw in a banged-up Calvin Johnson and you have a recipe for disaster…Some pundits have Tom Brady (#10) in the Top 5, which seems high to me considering the opponent (the Ravens are #2 against the pass) and the fact that he’s going to adjust to life without Randy Moss. He’s still startable, but there are several better options out there…I still have Tony Romo (#7) ranked pretty high, but the Vikings have only given up 185 yards and 0.8 pass TDs per game this year against pretty good competition. Romo posted just 198 yards and was picked off once against the Vikings in the playoffs last year. I think he’ll fare better than that (225 yards, 1-2 TD?), but don’t expect him to go off.
Knowshon Moreno (#33) is just coming back from injury and has a terrible matchup against the Jets, who have only given up one rushing touchdown all season. Bench him if you can…Peyton Hillis (#19) has been great, and while it’s encouraging to hear that he’s practicing and that the Browns are going to make him the centerpiece of the offense this week, the matchup is absolutely terrible. Throw in a sore quad and the fact that Colt McCoy will be making his first NFL start, and it’s hard to see how the Cleveland running game finds much success against the Steelers this week.
It may be tempting to start Brandon Tate (#45) with Randy Moss gone, but I’d hold off for at least a week to see how the Patriots use him along with the other New England wideouts, especially recently acquired Deion Branch…I just don’t trust the Jacksonville passing game right now, especially Mike Sims-Walker (#35), who seems to be all boom or bust this season. The Titans are likely to control the clock and if MSW and his QB are on different pages again, another goose egg isn’t out of the question. (Neither is a 100-yard game, unfortunately.)
