Quarterbacks to Start
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1) Eli Manning vs. @PHI
In his last 6 matches against the Eagles, Manning has thrown for 14 touchdown passes. The Giants offense have actually developed a few different options for Eli in the passing game with Reuben Randle and Larry Donnell being red zone targets. Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. are also big play candidates who can find their way into the end zone. I like Eli’s chances of scoring, and the Eagles offense is no slouch either, so the game should be close till the end.
2) Kirk Cousins vs. @ARI
After his game against the Seahawks, you can thrown that Thursday night game against the Giants away. In 3 of his 4 starts, he has scored over 18 fantasy points and Arizona has given up 20 or more points to 3 of the 4 quarterbacks they have faced this season.
3) Carson Palmer vs. WSH
With Drew Brees on a bye, Palmer is another veteran option that you may have been able to pick up. Reports have been good after his treatment and the match up is great as Washington has allowed 26 points or more to the last three quarterbacks they have faced (Nick Foles, Eli Manning, Russell Wilson).
Quarterbacks to Sit
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1) Cam Newton vs. @CIN
If Cam Newton can’t run, then he isn’t the same Cam Newton that has been fantasy relevant for the first three years of his career. The Bengals have also held quarterbacks Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, and Jake Locker to under 20 fantasy points until Tom Brady had a great game against them last week. That was in Tom Brady’s backyard and this game is in Cincinnati. The Bengals will look to redeem themselves as many people were talking about them being one of the best teams before facing the Pats.
2) Tony Romo vs. @SEA
Going on the road to Seattle is the hardest place for an NFL team to to win these days. In fantasy, it is not about if Romo can win, but if he will get enough points for your team. Other quarterbacks who have gone into Seattle have been Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. Manning fared well, but most of that came late in the game. In the first half, he looked like the Manning that lost the Superbowl. Then he realized he was Peyton Manning and got back to doing what he does best. Aaron Rodgers was not so lucky in week 1 and was held to 1 touchdown and under 200 passing yards while throwing 1 interception.
3) Austin Davis vs. SF
Had a good game last week against the Eagles, but it was the Eagles. Davis is being thrown into the heat of a division rival match up that I don’t believe he is prepared for with this San Francisco defense. A defense that was able to dominate Tony Romo and Nick Foles, two quarterbacks on far better established offenses than Austin Davis.
Running Backs to Start
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1) Andre Williams vs. @PHI
Williams will jump into the starting role with the injury to Rashad Jennings. He has scored a touchdown in each of the past two games and Philadelphia is not particularly strong against the run. The Giants know they will have to get the run game going for Eli to be at his best, so he should have over 20 carries and I don’t see Peyton Hillis interfering with the goal line work unless Williams were to come off the field to get rest on a long drive.
2) Branden Oliver vs. @OAK
After doing what he did to the number 1 ranked run defense last week, he is likely already picked up in your league. If you are the owner, you should be starting him against the winless Raiders. The Chargers are always looking to run the ball early and often, and if they continue to score at the pace they have been scoring, they will also look to run the clock down in the 4th quarter.
3) Bishop Sankey vs. JAC
If you want a risky start pick, this is it. The Jaguars have been bad against the run and running backs who can catch out of the backfield. If Ken Whisenhunt actually wants to involve Sankey as much as he says he does, then what better week than this one.
Running Backs to Sit
Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Brian Blanco
1) Doug Martin vs. BAL
He has been terrible all year and if you hope for that to change against one of the toughest run defenses in the game, then you are pushing your luck. If there are no other options on your team then you will have to start him. Who knows, maybe Tampa Bay gets to the 1 yard line and he rushes in for a score. That is the best outcome I could see happening for Doug Martin owners, and if that’s what you are hoping for from your starting running back, then you should start scheming up some trades.
2) Chris Ivory vs. DEN
The Jets wont be able to stop this offensive juggernaut. When your starting quarterback is Geno Smith, there is always the possibility of drives being cut short because of turnovers. Denver will dictate every aspect of this game and Chris Johnson will also cut into a portion of his carries. Andre Ellington was able to make a play against Denver in the passing game last week, but Ivory isn’t the same type of play maker as Ellington. Maybe Ivory has a decent game for ppr leagues, but it will be hard to trust him regardless, especially in standard leagues. In his best receiving game this season, he was 4 for 52 without a touchdown. If you take out what Ellington did in the pass game last week for Arizona, he was 16 for 32 with a touchdown. The touchdown saves him, but Ivory might not be so lucky.
3) Zac Stacy vs. SF
He has not been himself all year and now he has a calf injury. Benny Cunningham looked impressive on the touchdown run last week, so there is the possibility that if he aggravates the injury, he sits the rest of the game and Cunningham takes over. San Francisco has also been tough against the run as they have been in recent years. They had a rough start in their first game against DeMarco Murray but since, have turned it around to be a top 5 fantasy defense against the run and have faced names such as Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles, and Andre Ellington in the process.
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