Fantasy Football 416: Week 7 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em

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Welcome to Week 7! So what have you learned by now? If you’ve been paying attention, fantasy football is unpredictable! HOWEVER, there’s a lot you can do to set yourself up in the best position possible for a run at the title by playing to the  favorable game, injuries, 1-week wonders, the odds for or against a player and the opposing team, etc. There are all kinds of tips, tricks, and favorables  game plays that everyone has for their “team.”  Maybe you would prefer to just do yourself a favor and live in your own world where ignorance is bliss and keep your continuous thought that your team is perfect? Why not? Manage as you see fit.

My point is simply this: there is always more to learn about the game of fantasy football. This game should be played with your head and not your heart, but then all of us will always have a “feeling” about a player 1 week compared to another and it could completely pay off or burn you!

My best advice is this:  make sure that you do your homework early and often and keep up to date with each of your player’s information as possible to set your lineup for success. This game is only about 1 thing in the end: winning! However, wouldn’t you rather know that you lost/won your match up each week based on your own picks rather than someone else’s? I think so, but then again I understand where some of us just need a small piece of advice to make their ultimate decisions before Sunday!

Ok.. Lets get to it…

WIDE RECEIVERS

START Miles Austin (WR, DAL) - Let’s see, there’s a lot to like here. Coming off a bye week, coming off a huge game before the bye week, only real deep threat in Dallas, Romo likes to look for him (maybe more so now), and etc. While I’m not built up on the hype of a repeat of his previous numbers, which were a rare scenario for any receiver, I do see him putting up some consistent numbers now to help his cause for a starter’s spot as WR2/flex spot in all formats.  Please feel free to make a case for Roy Williams, but he’s just not everything Dallas bought into hoping he would be; aka he’s no T.O. for this offense. That said, Austin should expect a lot of looks from Romo. Now, the Falcon’s DEF looked real impressive their last outing, but keep in mind that they are still a middle-of-the-pack defense from a receiving defensive standpoint – ranked 17th overall. This means they can still be thrown on. Count on it Austin!

START Austin Collie (WR, IND) – Ok, one more guy to own the name Austin somewhere in his name. This Austin plays on what I could refer to as the second best offense in the league (Saints are #1 to me). Lets recap:  Anthony Gonzalez went down, Pierre Garcon took over his spot, and then Collie took over the slot position as their possession receiver. He’s done quite a job with it having gained 172 yards and 3 TDs in his past 2 games; gaining more and more trust from Manning. Ok, he’s playing the Rams this week. Enough said. Do the right thing!

SIT Bernard Berrian (WR, MIN) – Berrian has honestly only had one good week in anyone’s starting lineup this season. A lot of which has to do with the fact that they have All Day Peterson in their backfield. That, along with the fact that Favre has found additional trust in other receiver’s, Harvin and Rice, it does not look good for Berrian. While the Steelers do not have the best pass rush, not even top 10, they are great at eliminating/limiting the deep threat (aka Bernard Berrian)! If that doesn’t scare you off, maybe you’re impressed with his combined 57 yards in the past 2 games? Just saying.

SIT Anquan Boldin (WR, ARI) - Didn’t notice that he suffered a high ankle sprain last week? No? Well in case you didn’t, now you know. Regardless if he plays or not, Steve Breaston is back in the picture and I expect that they will heavily lean on him opposite Fitzgerald. Even if Boldin starts, I do not expect for Warner to look to throw his way often, or at all, regarding his injury and most likely a lack of burst after the catch. He’s one tough receiver, no question, but you’re talking about the very tool (his ankle) that helps him make cuts and run. To top it all off, they play the Giants this week. I’m sure they’re upset enough with their play from last week’s game against the Saints, but lets just add in that they’re ranked 2nd in receiving/pass rush defense too. I wouldn’t try your luck.

Other Notable WR’s to START: Hakeem Nicks/Steve Smith v. ARI, DeSean Jackson v. WAS, Roddy White v. DAL, Donald Driver v. CLE

Other Notable WR’s to SIT: Roy Williams/Patrick Crayton v. ATL, Ted Ginn Jr. v. NO, Oakland WR’s v. NYJ, Lee Evans v. CAR

RUNNING BACKS

START Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) – Stewart has come on strong since he became healthy again. He’s found the end zone in the past couple of games and even rushed once over the century mark thus far. I would even go so far as to say that he will continue to split carries 50/50 and own the goal line work for the most part. He looks good and has a tantalizing match up this weekend versus Buffalo. Buffalo is ranked dead last in rushing defense – the worst team against the run in the NFL. If you own any RBs  playing against Buffalo any week, they should be starting. Enjoy the ride this week.

START Laurence Maroney (RB, NE) – Yes, as most of us are familiar, this has the look of “I’ll screw you over because I play in the backfield for NE” written all over it. Basically, NE rotates and uses their backfield in ways that just don’t make any sense to the fantasy community. Regardless, they play the 2nd worst rushing defense in the league this week versus Tampa Bay. Take advantage of knowing that Fred Taylor (out), Sammy Morris (didn’t make the trip, out), and Benjarvis-who’s-got-a-lot-of-names-in-one (backup) more than likely will platoon Maroney to the front of the line for his just dessert piece of the pie. And after last week’s showing, I expect he’ll see a lionshare of the load in England! Cheers!

SIT Reggie Bush (RB, NO) – I’ve never been particularly impressed with Mr. Bush as a premier RB in the NFL. Now, as a return man, yes! Go for it! As a running back, not so much. I guess he’s realized that people in the NFL are just as fast as he is. You look at all of that, plus the fact that Pierre Thomas is deservedly their #1 RB, and the fact that Mike Bell is their goal line vulture, that leaves Bush, where? I have no idea either, that’s why I am asking you. Out of the picture is the best answer I have for you. Let’s add in that they play Miami this week whom are the #2 rushing defense in the league. Reggie should get some use out of the backfield as a receiving threat, but I feel like Miami’s DEF, along with every other defense, has seen this song and dance from Reggie. Don’t hurt yourself.

Other notable RB’s to START: Carnell Williams v. NE, Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams v. NO, Brandon Jacobs v. ARI, and Ryan Grant v. CLE

Other Notable RB’s to SIT: Larry Johnson v. SD, LeSean McCoy v. WAS, Tim Hightower v. NYG, Fred Jackson v. CAR

Per usual… please feel free to share your START ‘Em/SIT ‘Em match ups… good luck in Week 7…udothedishes…

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