Thursday, December 6, 2007

Fantasy 5x5x5 Week 14


Each week I list 5 players I would start, 5 I would bench and 5 I might take a chance on.

Also, by now you should know to start your studs like Manning, Brady and LT, if not, you need more then my help. Now that bye weeks have ended most teams should have their core lineup set up, but some people are in leagues that start 2 QBs or 3-4 WRs, and we all must deal with the ill timed injury, so some owners may still need to adjust or tweak their lineups from week to week.
Also, Remember going forward there will be a Thursday night game every week.

Here are 5 guys to start this week:

1. QB Drew Brees NO-The Saints get an awful Falcons team this week. Brees has thrown atleast one TD in 8 straight games and has averaged 2.4 TDs per game in that span.

2. RB Ryan Grant GB-Too bad the Packers didn't know what they had in Grant earlier in the season. The Packers play Oakland who continues to make lesser backs fantasy stars each week. Grant has averaged 94 yds per game in the last 6. And with Favre dealing with multiple injuries the Packers may look to lean more on the running game.

3. RB Clinton Portis Wash-The Skins play the Bears who's defense has been M.I.A. as of late. Portis should be able to exploit the weak run D.

4. RB Kolby Smith KC-As predicted Smith is the first player to be listed on each part of this list in 3 consecutive weeks. Denver has the 31st run D, Smith should be a no-brainer.

5. WR Deion Branch Sea-The Seahawks play the Cardinals this week, whom Branch beat up earlier in the year for 122 yds on 7 grabs. DJ Hackett will still be out and the Seahawks continue to rely on the pass.

5 players to sit this week;

1. QB Kurt Warner AZ-"Captain Flattop" has been putting up some big numbers as of late, but this week he could be without Fitzgerald (groin) and/or Boldin (toe, hip) and even if they play could be hampered by their injuries. Despite having to throw 40+ times, I don't like his chances for more then 1 TD probably to BIG Leonard Pope.

2. QB Jon Kitna Det-Kitna lost Roy Williams last week, he continues to get sacked like the o-line is a subway turnstile. He also called out teammates for quitting. Combine that with the fact that the Lions play the Cowboys and I don't like Kitna to do much more then spend the afternoon on his back staring up at the cieling of Ford Field.

3. RB Frank Gore SF-Gore had a small resurgence 2 weeks ago and had over 100 total yards last week but gets the Vikings this week, who are the #1 Run D. With the 49ers passing game in shambles look for the Vikes to shut down Gore.

4. QB Jason Campbell Wash-Campbell has had a turnover problem recently with 7 in the past 3 games. The Bears D hasn't been the "Monsters of the Midway" this year but Washington should be looking to establish the run this week and play it safe with Campbell.

5. TE Tony Gonzalez KC-Although Gonzo had 1o catches for 140 yds last week he tends to struggle on the road and has no TDs away from Arrowhead this season. Plus, when KC plays Denver Gonzo is usually covered by Champ Bailiey.

5 guys to take a chance on this week;

1. RB Fred Jackson Buf-Who? Exactly, but with Lynch still limited in practice and the "A-Train" on IR. Jackson could get another start (151 total yards last week) against the lowly Dolphins and their pathetic run D, now without Zach Thomas for the rest of the year. Check Lynch's status, but good chance to atleast split carries.

2. WR Bryant Johnson AZ-For the same reason's Warner is a sit this week, Johnson may be worth a shot, because Warner has to throw to someone when he airs it out 40+ times. Johnson is a former 1st round pick from Penn State. He has averaged 68 yds and .5 TDs in the last 2 games.

3. RB Adrian Peterson Chi-"The Other" AP should be the focus of the Bears attack against the Skins, the Bears will run him and use him in the pass game, I can see him topping 100 total yards.

4. RB Ron Dayne Hou-A player I usually bash "Fat" Ron, but for the 2nd year in a row he is finishing strong. Dayne is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to play. The Bucs run D is middle of the road allowing 104 ypg and Dayne could be good for a score.

5. WR Sidney Rice Min-This week's big chance (Last week Frerotte had 3 TDs); I have been mocking the Vikes passing game all year, but lately they have been looking better and Rice seems to be T-Jax favorite target, Rice averaged 55yds in his last 4 games and has 3 TDs in those 4 games. The Vikes will probably give the Niners a steady dose of Peterson, but Rice might be able to grab a TD.