Two weeks of bye’s left, and this week we are left without players from the Chief, Ravens, Raiders, and the high soaring Eagles. There are some good players on those team so make sure you fix your lineups. If you have questions about how to start in their place, be sure to check out my sit and starts to help make those crucial decisions before game time. Remember if you have any other sit start questions you can hit me up in my Facebook group Dynasty League Problems or on twitter @MikeKelleyDLPÂ Good luck this week.
The LootCrate START of the Week:
QB Josh McCown (NYJ)
Other than a week against a very good Jacksonville defense McCown has been a pretty solid quarterback all year. Can the 38 year old quarterback ruin the Jets chances of a franchise quarterback? He sure can with a few more wins. This week he has an opportunity to get one of those wins. The Jameis Winston and Mike Evens less Bucs are hosting the Jets who have been playing well since getting blown out in week two. McCown won’t likely light up the scoreboard, but 275 yards with a couple of touchdowns is all with in the realm of possibility this week.
The LootCrate SIT of the Week:
RB Melvin Gordon (LAC)
I rarely sit my studs or stars, and Gordon is somewhere in between, but the Jaguars defense is legit. Gordon may still manage a touchdown, but it is risky this week. He may even have a good day in the passing game, but again I think it could be stretch to think you can count on Gordon this week. If you have no option, but to roll with him you are going to be hoping for another big run like he had two weeks ago against the Patriots. Outside of that I think we are looking at less than 50 yards on the ground with three receptions for less than 20 yards.
Quarterback
STARTÂ Eli Manning (NYG)
Eli has not had the year that many including myself thought he would have. Though it is not completely his fault. Between an awful offensive line and your top three receivers going out, though one is back now, it has had been difficult for Eli to get anything going. The Giants are not any better this week, but they are facing an opponent that has been struggling more than they have. The San Francisco 49ers who have given up the 29th most points to quarterbacks this year. So if you have been riding Carson Wentz or Alex Smith all year and you are in need of a bye week filler, Eli could be just what you need. Look for him throw for over 270 yards and a couple of touchdowns this week.
Other STARTS:
- Matthew Stafford (DET)
- Jay Cutler (MIA)
SITÂ Kirk Cousins (WAS)
Going up against the Vikings is never an easy task. They have been one of the top defenses in the NFL this year and have done good work shutting down some of the better offensive teams this year. Enter Cousins and the Redskins with a make shift offensive line and things don’t look promising at all. I know Cousins was in the this spot last week too and they won, but Cousins was far from usable with only 247 passing yards with no touchdowns. I think we can expect similar output this week as well. Maybe he finds a way to get one touchdown, but it won’t be enough to make him startable.
Other SITS:
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- Jacoby Brissett (IND)
- Philip Rivers (LAC)
Running Back
STARTÂ Matt Forte (NYJ)
This recommendation comes with two conditions. One Forte logs a full practice by Friday and two you are starting him in a PPR league. Since coming back from injury in week six Forte has had 23 receptions for 164 yards. His rushing has been hit or miss of the same time frame, but the end result has been double digit points every week since coming back. This week he faces off against a Tampa Bay team that has been disappointing in all phases of the game. While I am not sure Forte runs all over them, he should put up in the 40 – 60 yards range with an addition of five receptions for 40 more yards. With a strong shot at a touchdown this week. He will be a great bye week fill or even flex option for managers this week.
Other STARTS:
- Orleans Darkwa (NYG)
- CJ Anderson (DEN)
SITÂ Adrian Peterson (ARI)
With Carson Palmer on the shelf the Cardinals leaned on Peterson heavily to the tune of 37 carries for 159 yards. He added a couple of receptions for eight more yards but did not manage to find the end zone last week. All of that of course was at the expense of a struggling 49ers defense. This week he sees the Seahawks who are much better than the 49ers. While I expect the Cardinals to again lean on Peterson I am just not sure he will have similar success. He could easily see mid 20’s in carries but going over 100 might be out of his reach this week. Also another week of not seeing the end zone is pretty likely
Other SITS:
- Mark Ingram (NO)
- DeMarco Murray (TEN)
Wide Receiver
STARTÂ Marvin Jones (DET)
Over the last three weeks Jones has seen 36 targets. I know he has only brought in 19 of them for only a little more than 50 percent catch rate, but he also has 331 yards and three touchdowns from those 19 receptions. He is clearly gaining Matthew Stafford’s trust and is playing a big role in the offense right now. A home game against the Browns should not do anything to slow those numbers down. I would continue to ride the hot hand and expect another double digit target day, with another 100 yard game on the radar as well. He might not find the end zone, but I will take six or seven for 100 yards any week out of a WR2 at best.
Other STARTS:
- Robbie Anderson (NYJ)
- JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT)
- DeSean Jackson (TB)
SITÂ Michael Thomas (NO)
I know it is hard to believe that a guy on pace for 100 receptions is considered a disappointment, but in my book Thomas has been a disappointment. I know a lot of people will think I am crazy but look at the numbers. Last year his slash was 92/1137/9 and if he stays on his current pace he is looking at 100/1090/4. If not for the 100 receptions he would be much further down the list. He was drafted with expectations of some great numbers and while he may end up a low WR1 at the end, his point total will be disappointing compared to last year and this year expectations. Plus this year he has had some stinkers in the stat book and this week is shaping up to be one of those stinkers against a tough Bills secondary. I am think he gets about five receptions for 70 yards and kept out of the end zone for the seventh time this year.
Other SITS:
- Brandin Cooks (NE)
- Keenan Allen (LAC)
Tight End
STARTÂ Kyle Rudolph (MIN)
Over the last four weeks Rudolph has seen 32 targets and turned them into 22 receptions for 162 yards and a couple of touchdowns. I know the yards leave a little to be desired, but any tight end that can give you five plus receptions for around 40 yards as his floor is a pretty good option. He is also facing a Redskins defense that has been very generous to tight ends this season. I can see another five plus reception day with 60 yards and a solid opportunity for a touchdown this week.
Other STARTS:
- Hunter Henry (LAC)
- Julius Thomas (MIA)
SITÂ Jason Witten (DAL)
The Cowboys are on a three game win streak and during that streak Witten has seen only 10 targets. Witten has managed to catch eight of those passes for 90 yards and a touchdown, but over three games that is not enough. It almost seems like when things are going well Witten is an after though, but when the team struggles they resort to leaning on Witten. This week against the Falcons can go either way, but I am betting on the Cowboys not needing him. Of course a lot could depend on Ezekiel Elliott‘s suspension and Dez Bryant‘s health. If those two both miss, Witten I think comes off this list. If either plays Witten stays. A three or four reception day with 30 yards might be the best we can hope for this week.
Other SITS:
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ)
- Tyler Kroft (CIN)
Defense
STARTÂ Detroit Lions
The Lions have surprisingly been a pretty good defense this year and this week the get the turnover friendly Browns. Just about every team that has played the Browns this year has been worth a start. The Lions who have been good anyway are not different.
Other STARTS:
- Pittsburgh Steelers
SITÂ Washington Redskins
I am not expecting a blowout by the Vikings, but rather the Vikings are one of the best in the league in not turning the ball over or getting sacked. Without turnovers and sacks it is hard for a defense to score points. The Redskins might do well in limiting the Vikings offense, but without those turnovers it might not amount to much.
Other SITS:
- Denver Broncos
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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