Fantasy Sports Blogger

All those guys over there at ESPN can tell you it’s a no brainer to start Peterson, Brees, Megatron or Gates each week.  I really don’t see any of them showing you when to start a second/third tier guy from your bench over a normal starter.  That’s what this weekly post looks to accomplish.  I want to give you the best possible matchups to consider versus the guys you auto-start each week.  Last week I seemed to inspire Schaub by telling you to bench him.  My starts were fairly week as well.

QB - Eli Manning (Trent Edwards is close 2nd)
RB - Forte (Ok, this is a shot of confidence pick)
WR - Braylon Edwards (CLE will be throwing)
TE - B. Watson (Only NE target that’s healthy)
K - Tynes (He’s getting many opportunities)
DST - Chargers (MIA Offense may be MIA)

QB - McNabb, Hasselbeck are injured
RB - Westbrook (hurting)
WR - NE receivers (just not healthy)
TE - Winslow (Giants too good)
K - Bironas (swirling winds of Meadowlands)
DST - Bills (Saints Offense is rolling)

Picking games against the spread is very humbling.  Last week I went from 2-5 early on to finishing at 8-8 and I think I was extremely lucky to finish there.  I was really surprised by underdogs playing so well.  For the year, I’m 18-14 in all games and 5-4 in my locks.  Let’s take a look at week 3.  I think there are more scary games out there.  In particular, early injuries are making some of these games befuddling.  NE may have to sign a receiver or two tomorrow if Welker and Moss can’t go.  Barber may be out but so is half of the Carolina defense.  Philadelphia may have to play Vick at RB, WR and QB with McNabb, Westbrook and Desean Jackson hurting.  I feel like this could be a 12-4 or 4-12 week easily.  I like a lot of dogs to cover but lose this week.

KC +9.5 @ PHI - Too many ifs for Eagles to win big
CLE +13.5 @ BAL - Divisional game red flag alert
STL +6.5 vs. GB - Packers O line in shambles
TB +7 vs. NYG - This could easily be a push
NYJ -2.5 vs. TEN - Everybody else is picking Titans
DET +6.5 vs. WAS - Call it a sympathy pick
HOU -4 vs. JAX - Jags & Texans confuse me
ATL +4 @ NE - Pats Offense is hurting
SF +7 @ MIN - I’ve flip-flopped 5 times on this one
NO -5.5 @ BUF - Saints on too much of a roll
CHI -2 @ SEA - Cutler/Forte over Wallace/Forsett
CIN +4.5 vs. PIT - Bengal D better than PIT D?
OAK -1.5 vs. DEN - Such a toss up game
SD -6.5 vs. MIA - Monday night hangover for Fins
IND +2 @ ARI - Last team with the ball wins
CAR +9.5 @ DAL - DAL wins easy but CAR will score

Very brief update this week as I have been struggling to catch up with other things.  

1. Tashard Choice RB DAL - Barber down, Choice gets 30-40% of DAL running workload.  Oh by the way, DAL Run Offense is #1 in NFL right now.

2. Kevin Kolb QB PHI - Sneaky pick versus KC D but very weary of PHI injuries to Westbrook and Jackson.  I’m also weary of Vick and Wildcat sniping his attempts.

3. Byron Leftwich WR TB - Byron will be throwing a lot at Tampa this year.  There D is soft and they will behind more than I originally thought.

4. Brent Celek TE PHI - He was a pre-draft sleeper for me and he looks to have done nothing but improve his stock in the first 2 weeks.  He’s in my league’s top 5 at TE.

5. Laurent Robinson WR STL - I swear he must be Donnie Avery in disguise.  However, he seems to be the one bright spot for a troubled Ram offense.