Make sure you start the right guys, and that starts by checking out my sit and start recommendations. If you are one of the owners dealing with under performers, bye weeks, or injuries and you need help figuring out who to start, I am here to help. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter at @mikekelleydlp with any additional sit/start questions you might have. Or you can join my Facebook Group, Dynasty League Problems and be a part of the conversation.
NoHalftime START of the Week:
QB Eli Manning (NYG)
Outside of Giant fans I am not sure many people realize the Giants are on a five game win streak and have gotten their record to 7-3. Not that Manning is the reason why they are winning, he is certainly not hurting them at all. He is averaging over 260 passing yards and has thrown 12 touchdowns during the streak. He also thrown six interceptions in that span. So like I said playing well, but not great. However this week he face the win-less Browns, who are playing some of the worst all around defense a team can play. Manning should easily clear is recent average of 260 yards and I could see him throwing at least three touchdowns this week. With no teams on bye you probably don’t need a QB to stream, but if your low end QB1 quarterback has a tough match up Manning just may be the guy you need to fill in the week to get that all important win.
NoHalftime SITÂ of the Week:
QB Alex Smith (K.C.)
As a low end QB2 Smith has been pretty much everything we expected him to be. This week he faces the Broncos who have been excellent at limiting quarterbacks this season. I am not sure the Broncos will do a whole lot to limit Smith, I think he is savvy enough to navigate the Broncos defense, but I certainly don’t see him over performing. If you are expecting Smith to throw for right around 200 yards and maybe throw one touchdown, you might be right, but if you are hoping for more I think you should look else where. The best you can hope for is the previously mentioned numbers with no turnovers, but either way it likely won’t be enough to take you to a win this week.
Quarterback
STARTÂ Russell Wilson (SEA)
Wilson hurt his knee and ankle early in the season, and I think that really threw him off his game. While say he is back I will certainly agree he is better, but not 100 percent yet. Until he starts running more options and adds another 40 yards on the ground I will not say he is back. Despite the lack of running plays Wilson is playing great as a pocket passer with over 900 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last three games. I completely expect this trend to continue this week against a Bucs defense that has not really stopped anyone this season. I see Wilson throwing for over 250 yards and at least two touchdowns. If not for Rawls being back I might of had him at close to 300 yards this week, which could still easily happen.
Other STARTS:
- Derek Carr (OAK)
- Drew Brees (N.O.)
SITÂ Carson Wentz (PHI)
Wentz has been looking like a rookie his last few starts, which lucky for him, he is one. As teams get more and more film things get tougher for him. I think Wentz could have a bright future in Philly, but I think people need to temper expectations considering he is a rookie. This week he has a prime time game at home against a struggling Packers team. At times the Packer defense has look great and other times has looked not so great. The Packers like to bring it on just about every down and if Wentz hesitates he will be forced into mistakes and the game could get away from him. If he comes out firing quickly and reading the D correctly he could have a decent game, but not good enough for me to want to rely on him this week. I can see him right around 200 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
Other SITS:
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- Jameis Winston (T.B.)
- Philip Rivers (S.D.)
Running Back
STARTÂ Rashad Jennings (NYG)
Normally I am not a fan of Jennings but in the last couple of weeks he seems to be have been hitting his stride. I think the emergence of Paul Perkins has helped open things up for him a little bit too. Whatever the reason Jennings is running well and this week he faces one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, which should allow him to continue his value as a starting running back on most fantasy teams. Jennings should find plenty of running room on his way to an 80 plus yard day with at least one touchdown. Throw in a four receptions and another 30 plus yards and he is looking at a 20 point plus performance in PPR formats. So unless you are loaded at running back Jennings could be a huge spot start for you.
Other STARTS:
- Jay Ajayi (MIA)
- Spencer Ware (K.C.)
SITÂ Isaiah Crowell (CLE)
The Browns have struggle more and more each week, and as a result it has been more and more difficult to get the running game going. Over the last four weeks Crowell has rushed 34 times for 66 yards. That is less than two yards a carry and that is not going to cut it. This week the Browns face a red hot Giants team that has won five in a row. While the defense has not been shut down, it has stepped up when it needed too. All of that spells a no start for Crowell. While he might pick up some points in the passing game, it only makes him startable in really deep leagues and if you have him in standard leagues I would avoid him at all costs.
Other SITS:
- Doug Martin (T.B.)
- Jordan Howard (CHI)
Wide Receiver
STARTÂ Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
Despite lower than average quarterback play in Denver Thomas has managed to maintain high WR2 value. In fact he is on pace for 88 receptions, over 1,000 yards, and eight touchdowns, not bad for a guy many people were writing off this year. In the last five games he has averaged a little over 10 targets per game. While his reception total in that span is lower than I would like, it is clear he is the top target in Denver. With Denver is in a heated playoff race out in the AFC West this Sunday’s game against the Chiefs has major ramifications for both teams. As a result I expect the Broncos to lean on their stars and can see Thomas with eight receptions, over 100 yards and at least one touchdown.
Other STARTS:
- Rishard Matthews (TEN)
- Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)
- DeVante Parker (MIA)
SITÂ Allen Hurns (JAC)
I am not sure if Hurns did anything wrong or Marqise Lee is just finally playing to his potential, but Hurns does not appear to have the starting job opposite Allen Robinson anymore. I don’t have snap counts to really tell, but I do have targets and clearly Blake Bortles has favored Lee lately. In the last three games Lee has seen 22 targets compared to Hurns 13, that is three targets per game. To make matters worse Hurns has turned those 13 targets into three receptions for 21 yards and zero touchdowns. Thats an average of one reception for seven yards per game. I would be shocked at this point of Hurns puts up more than three receptions for 25 yards this week. Avoid him at all costs.
Other SITS:
- Tyreek Hill (K.C.)
- Michael Thomas (N.O.)
- Corey Coleman (CLE)
Tight End
START Zach Ertz (PHI)
In the last three weeks Ertz has been on a little hot streak. With 20 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown, we are starting to see the tight end that many of use thought we would be seeing this season. The Packers have been pretty generous this season to tight ends and I suspect Ertz have no problem continuing his hot play. He could easily haul in seven reception for 60 yards and even possibly find the end zone. I see Ertz as a high end TE1 play this week and should be treated as so.
Other STARTS:
- Will Tye (NYG)
- C.J. Fiedorowicz (CLE)
SITÂ Austin Hooper (ATL)
Hooper should continue to benefit from Jacob Tamme‘s absence on most weeks. Unfortunately this is not one of those weeks. The Cardinals defense is top’s in the NFL in all major categories against fantasy tight ends. So despite being one of the league’s top up and coming tight ends I would look else where for my tight end this week. I do not see more than 3 receptions for 25 yards.
Other SITS:
- Cameron Brate (T.B.)
- Gary Barnidge (CLE)
Defense
STARTÂ Tennessee Titans
If Matt Barkley is starting for the Bears the Titans should be able to get some sacks and create some turnovers. They should also have no problem limiting points and total yardage in this one.
Other STARTS:
- New York Giants
SIT New York Jets
Simply put the Jets are a mess. Do you think the Patriots will take it easy on them? Neither do I. This could get ugly early.
Other SITS:
- Los Angeles Rams
Michael Kelley is a member of the Going For 2 team. You can check out his website Dynasty League Problems for more writings or find him on Twitter @mikekelleydlp spreading fantasy knowledge for the masses.
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