Alright, I answered lots of fantasy football questions last week, but most of them were big roster questions, or things that I’ve answered recently. So I didn’t have much to share, and I just left last week’s column out. Sorry if you were looking for it. Remember, you can always feel free to write in. Send your questions to papaweimer50@hotmail.com – I’ll be here to answer and give you prompt advice. I made the fantasy playoffs in 3 of my 5 leagues, and was the highest scoring and best record in the two I missed. I hate that. Not as much as I hate ingrown toe nails, banana pudding, or accidentally trying to crack one of those rock-salt things in packs of sunflower seeds, but I still hate it. OH nuts, I’ll get on with it, here’s this week’s questions and answers…
David writes in asking, “Who should I start Chris Brown,Lynch or Sammy Morris? My other back is Rice. I need you to peek into your crystal ball and help me out.”
Into the playoffs you go!!! I am starting Lynch with my running back question marks. If Quentin Ganther, the new starting RB for the Redskins, is available, you might want to give him a look – he has a good match-up and has looked good with the chances he’s gotten. I just think Lynch ran hard and played solid football last week, and he could get plenty of looks to be useful against a bad Chiefs defense. Chris Brown is the other guy I would consider, but the Hawks aren’t as bad against the run as they seem – but he is a goal line back – so there’s always that TD possibly in the cards, and he should get plenty of carries with Slaton out. Tough call, but I’m going for the best match-up, and I think Lynch draws that.
Papa Bear says, “This is Papa Bear seeking Papa Weimer’s sage advice, below I’ve listed my roster, so anything you can predict, tell me, insist upon, etc, would be a great help. Thanks, as always!”
QB – P Manning and A Smith: RB – Forte, Forsett, T Jones, and Cartwright Available on waivers: – Lynch, J Jones, F Jones, and McAghee: WR – Marshall, Jennings, Bess, Hester, J Morgan Waivers: Avant, M Jenkins, Thomas, Massaquoi: TE – V Davis: K- Longwell: DEF- Bengals Waivers: Chargers, 49 ers, Cardinals, Skins, Bills.
I don’t like Julius Jones all that much anymore, but I think he’s a better option than Cartwright – I guess in a PPR league Cartwright holds a little more value than a non-ppr league. But Seattle plays Houston and Tampa Bay over the next two weeks, not great run defenses by any means, and he might be3 an option for you in a pinch. Cartwright, unless you’re going to start him this week, plays the Giants and Cowboys in week’s 15 and 16, and those d’s pose tough match-ups. JJ would be the best RB to pick up, not because he’s great, but because stupid Jim Mora thinks he’s still the starter… Clown, but he’s got a job.
I think Marshall and Jennings are sure thing starters, and actually like Josh Morgan as your next best guy. Bess and Hester have both been decent, but I think the Dolphins run a lot versus the Jags, and I’m not sure Bess is a safe guy to play. I think Morgan will get his looks, especially in the Niners pass happy offense on Monday Night Football. Yeah, gross, I know, the Niners are passing 3 of every 4 downs, but it is what it is, 6-7 catches and 80 yards wouldn’t stun me.
Thomas Jones is a great start this week, then there are question marks. Matt Forte seems like a tough guy to start considering his bad numbers and that aggressive and physical Packers D – and I really like Justin Forsett, and it looks like he’ll still get some looks, maybe even more next week based on his play last week despite his injury. Cartwright has a decent match-up with the Raiders hosting the Skins, but I don’t know, it’s tough to feel comfortable with Roc in the line-up. Tough call, for sure, I think I’d go with Forsett. I’m tired of waiting for Forte to be good again.
Defensively I’d either go with the Redskins at Raiders – just seems like that defensive secondary could give the Raiders fits, or I’d stick with the Bengals – Cincinnati has been good all year, even against good teams, and I think they’re a better option than the other defenses you listed, besides maybe the Redskins.
Peyton doesn’t have a great match-up, and while Alex Smith has a decent go against the Cardinals, I think I’d have to stick with Manning. It’s tough to sit the guy that got you where you are, right, I did the same thing with Tom Brady a couple years ago and lost because of it, but I would have felt terrible had I sat Tom to play a different guy, and lost because of it. Tough call, but Manning should be your choice in possibly the last week he plays.
Good luck, fantasy playoffs are all about it!