Shimmering T: Week 8 Start/Sit
| 4
|
Last week was bad. Ronnie Brown, my favorite player in the universe, gets knocked out for the season. I suffer the worst nightmare of a fantasy owner, what I call “The Fantasy Nightmare,” or having one player left on two separate team, where his fantasy points will win you one game and lose another but leaves you no chance to win both. This happened with Reggie Wayne last week, which made following the game very not fun. In fact, I didn’t bother watching it. Third, I followed up my best week of the season with a .500 effort, far below my standards (at least I was consistent, going 2-2 in every category). But fantasy life goes on, and so does the Shimmering T’s start and sit column.
Here are the details that decide wins or losses: 17 points for a QB, 10 points for a RB or WR, 6 points for a TE, 8 for kickers, and 8 for defenses, all based on the following standard fantasy scoring (QB 20y = 1, TD = 4, INT = -2, FUM = -1; QB, RB, WR, TE 10y = 1, TD = 6, FUM = -1; K 0-39 = 3, 40-49 = 4, 50+ = 5, XP = 1; DEF Sack = 1, INT = 2, FUMRec = 2, TD = 6, Safety = 4).
Last Week: 13-13 Season Record: 114-89-3 or 56% QB: 17-16-1 RB: 25-14-1 WR: 20-17-1 TE: 13-18 K: 20-10 DEF: 20-12
Starts (Jeff Garcias):
The following matchups are of players who are questionable starts for many fantasy owners, who should start this week based on their matchup (named each week for the player who most took advantage of his matchup the previous week):
QB:
Brian Griese, CHI @ DET
Griese should have a huge day against the terrible Lions defense. The best thing about Griese is that his running back can’t run against ANYONE.
Marc Bulger, CLE @ SEA
When at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. He’s due this week.
Trent Edwards, BUF @ NYJ
Edwards played well against the Jets last time out and now he has a few more drop backs under his belt. He will be excited to see a team he’s familiar with for the first time.
RB:
Marshawn Lynch, BUF @ NYJ
This is a dream matchup for Mr. Lynch; he should go off.
LenDale White, OAK @ TEN
LenDale has been a consistent performer this year and should have a nice day against the Raiders porous defense.
Kevin Jones, CHI @ DET
Last week I killed the Fleafounder’s fantasy hopes by recommending the Edge over Kevin Jones. That’s the tough thing about fantasy football: One matchup can have everything going for it but when they step on the field, anything is possible. I like Jones to help take some pressure off of Kitna and run well against a very weak Bears run D.
WR:
Reggie Brown, PHI @ MIN
Brown has been getting more involved in the offense and should have a nice day against the Vikings secondary that suffers at the hands of their incredible run D.
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI @ DET
Muhammad is the most reliable receiver on a Bears team that will put up huge points this week.
Lee Evans, BUF @ NYJ
This will be Evans’ breakout game, mark my words.
TE:
Heath Miller, PIT @ CIN
He has been tremendous this year and gets a soft-as-soft-can-be secondary.
Greg Olsen, CHI @ DET
He’s been in this spot for the past few week, but I really like what the kid brings to the offense.
Donald Lee, GB @ DEN
Lee is lacking TDs this year, but Favre has been getting him the ball. He’s pretty fast for a huge dude.
K:
Phil Dawson, CLE @ STL
This should be a high scoring affair, which is always good for kickers.
Lawrence Tynes, NYG @ MIA @ London
Miami’s D is a kicker’s dream.
Rian Lindell, BUF @ NYJ
The Bills will put up points this week, through the air, on the ground, and between the uprights.
DEF:
Colts @ CAR
Vinny T vs. Colts speedy pass rush = Thanksgiving feast a month early.
Tampa Bay vs. JAX
Quincy Gray is terrible.
New Orleans @ SF
I could register at least three sacks against the 49ers…and I’m the size of Dustin Pedroia. Which reminds me, aren’t you tired of hearing about how small he is? Isn’t Tim McCarver the worst announcer ever? I digress…
Sit (Patrick Craytons):
The following matchups are of players who would be likely starts, who are in for a rough time because of their matchups (named each week for the player who took advantage of his matchup the least last week):
QB:
Jon Kitna, DET @ CHI
Kitna will face a lot of pressure this week from the Bears’ front four, which should lead to plenty of sacks and mistakes.
Drew Brees, NO @ SF
Brees has been teetering on the edge of a breakout, but can’t seem to get it together all at once. 49ers have a surprisingly solid pass D.
RB:
LaMont Jordan, TEN @ OAK
The Titans are great at stopping the run and Jordan’s roll has come to a screeching halt.
Clinton Portis, WASH @ NE
The Patriots take away opposing running games by going up 28 in the first quarter.
WR:
Roy Williams, DET @ CHI
Williams has been a disappointment this year and it should continue on Sunday.
TE:
Chris Cooley, WASH @ NE
There aren’t many TEs to choose from because of byes, so I am going with Cooley by default. He concerns me because of his reliance on TDs.
K:
Jason Hanson, DET @ CHI
Chicago is a tough place to kick and Hanson hasn’t been consistent this year. I also don’t think the Lions will move the ball very well.
DEF:
Redskins @ NE
This one is pretty obvious.
Good luck this weekend,
--Shimmering T.
