More major injuries creating more confusion for owners this past week. Not losing a step after losing a top player means making sure you start the best line up possible. Throw in bye weeks and things get even more complicated. So before you set your lineup make sure you 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 @MikeKelleyDLP Good luck this week.
The LootCrate START of the Week:
WR DeSean Jackson (TB)
Jackson had his highest reception and yardage total last week against the Patriots. This week he faces off against a Cardinals defense that has been eaten up by the deep ball most of the season, which just happens to be Jackson’s specialty. As the chemistry continues to build between Jameis Winston and Jackson we should see some pretty solid numbers out of Jackson. Jackson should be able to turn another eight to ten targets into six receptions for 90 plus yards and a high probability for at least one touchdown. Until Jackson has his annual hamstring strain I would use him in that high powered Bucs offense.
The LootCrate SIT of the Week:
QB Joe Flacco (BAL)
Last week Flacco looked the best he has all year by a mile. He finally took some shots downfield and his passes looked good. Maybe the he is finally trusting his back again. All that aside I think the Ravens game plan will continue to be hard nosed defense and a pounding running attack. All that makes Flacco a boom or bust quarterback for the time being. I expect the Ravens to try to limit his passing attempts, which in turn will limit is scoring potential. If you have to start him you will need to hope for a long touchdown on one of his deep shots that he likes to take with Mike Wallace. Outside of that I think we are looking at 225 yards with maybe one touchdown, which might help the Ravens win their game, but won’t do much to help you win yours.
Quarterback
STARTÂ Kirk Cousins (WAS)
For fantasy standards Cousins has been under producing based on expectations. Currently averaging 250 yards and just under two touchdowns a game. He has not had a terrible game this year, but only has one really strong game to date. Coming off their bye, I think Cousins is in line for his second big game this week against the 49ers. The 49ers have been pretty nice to opposing quarterbacks this year and I think that trend will continue. Cousins could easily throw for over 300 yards and at least two touchdowns this week. He is a must start in all formats.
Other STARTS:
- Jameis Winston (TB) – 310/2
- Matthew Stafford (DET) – 290/2
SITÂ Josh McCown (NYJ)
The Jets are on a three game winning streak! Most people thought they would struggle to win three total games. While the Jets have are facing off against the leagues worst defense, that is not enough to start McCown this week. Consider this despite leading the Jets to three wins this year McCown is averaging 204 yards and one touchdown. The Jets are not a high powered offense and their only hope this week against the Patriots is to keep the ball away from Tom Brady. Which will require a strong running game and short ball control passes. I think if McCown goes over 225 yards it means the Jets got blown out. A multiple touchdown game might be asking a lot from him as well. No one should be starting him in a 1QB league and people in 2QB leagues hopefully have better options this week than to use McCown as their QB2.
Other SITS:
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- Carson Wentz (PHI) – 250/1
- Philip Rivers (LAC) – 240/1
Running Back
STARTÂ Chris Thompson (WAS)
I know Thompson had a pretty big dud going into his bye week last week and his coach has already said he does not expect him to get more use in the running game. All that a side Rob Kelley is along shot and Samaje Perine has disappointed as a lead runner leaving Thompson primed for a nice bounce back game. Plus he gets to face off against a bottom of the league 49ers defense. This is really a PPR call here because Thompson will make up for his lack of rushing attempts in the receiving game. In fact six to eight rushes for 35 yards is about all you can expect on the ground, but five receptions for 55 yards and a solid shot at a touchdown is what I am expecting out of the passing game.
Other STARTS:
- CJ Anderson (DEN) 18/80/1 rushing 3/15 receiving
- Javorius Allen (BAL) 16/65 rushing 5/40/1 receiving
SITÂ Doug Martin (TB)
Martin made his long awaited season debut last Thursday night and he did not let his believers down. But lets take a step back and consider that his 13/74/1 slash was against a severely struggling Patriots defense. This week he faces off against one the leagues best run stopping defenses in the Cardinals. What worries me the most is including his receptions he only had 14 touches and that is going to be his use most weeks I am not sure that is enough to give him constant value from week to week. Before I write him off I am willing to see what his role is this week, but if he is held below 15 touches again I would not expect more than 60 total yards. His best bet for a touchdown will come from a big play from the wide receiver getting downed inside the three and he gets to run it in. Either way its to risky for my liking so I am passing on Martin until I get a bigger sample size.
Other SITS:
- Adrian Peterson (ARI) – 15/45/0 rushing 1/6/0 receiving
- Christian McCaffrey (CAR) – 5/18/0 rushing 6/35/0 receiving
Wide Receiver
STARTÂ Adam Thielen (MIN)
While Stefon Diggs is expected to play he is clearly struggling with an injury. While Thielen has certainly cooled off from his hot start he has still managed to remain a well targeted receiver in the offense, and with Diggs looking like he might be slowed this could be Thielen’s week to shine. Not sure it will be as good as the last time he face the Packers when he went off for 12/202/2, but seven receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown could be within reach this week. Regardless of the news on Diggs this game should have plenty of offense and Thielen will get his share of work this week.
Other STARTS:
- Danny Amendola (NE) – 9/88/1
- Ricardo Louis (CLE) – 6/75/1
- Jamison Crowder (WAS) – 8/100/1
SITÂ Any Giant (NYG)
I know what you are thinking, Eli Manning has to throw to someone right? Of course he does, but that does not mean whoever is on the receiving end will be able to do anything with the pass if somehow they manage to catch the ball. Someone will eventually emerge as a solid receiver for the Giants, but I just don’t see this being the week we find out who. This game has all the signs of being a very ugly game for the Giants and I would not be looking start any Giants player unless you happen to play in a league that starts punters. Just stay away this week if can.
Other SITS:
- Allen Hurns (JAC) – 2/25/0
- Terelle Pryor (WAS) – 4/50/0
Tight End
STARTÂ David Njoku (CLE)
Njoku has had a quiet start to his career posting 12 receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns. What needs to be noted here is that the majority of the production, two of his three touchdowns and over half his yards, has come when Kevin Hogan was playing quarterback. As you may have already heard, Hogan is going to be the starting quarterback this week. So what better time to give the rookie tight end a shot in your lineup. While I am not expecting huge numbers, hauling in five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown would be a great week for him and if your starting tight end has a tough match up or on bye this might be the perfect time to run with Njoku.
Other STARTS:
- Austin Hooper (ATL) – 4/60/1
- AJ Derby (DEN) – 5/45/1
SITÂ Kyle Rudolph (MIN)
If Stefon Diggs ends up not going this week Rudolph would get a bump off this list, but it looks like Diggs will be playing and the more he plays the more it hurts Rudolph I think. Rudolph had his best game of the year last week which should be taken with a grain of salt because it was also the least amount of time Diggs played. So between the match up and his limited use to start the season Rudolph is looking more like a match up based play each week. Maybe if Bradford comes back soon he will get a bump, but as long Bardford has been out his numbers have not been great. At best I think we are looking at four receptions for less than 40 yards and slim shot at a touchdown.
Other SITS:
- Cameron Brate (TB) – 2/25
- Jared Cook (OAK) – 3/22
Defense
STARTÂ Denver Broncos
Even before all their injuries the Giants have look pretty bad this year. Now they might be without their top four wide receivers this week. Down a running back again and facing off against a very tough defense. Things are not looking good.
Other STARTS:
- Baltimore Ravens
SITÂ New York Jets
While the Patriots defense has been down right sad this year, the offense has been the opposite. The three game win streak should come to an end this week and it won’t be because the offense does not score enough, but rather their defense will not have any luck stopping the Patriots offense.
Other SITS:
- Miami Dolphins
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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