Time To Make A Move

We are now into double digit week numbers for the NFL season, which means that fantasy football playoffs are approaching quickly. Those teams hovering at .500, or just under, better make some last ditch effort to make the playoffs. Don’t hesitate to trade a stud, especially at QB, to solidify multiple positions. Trading Peyton, Luck or Brady for a top RB and WR could be just the move that gets you into the post-season mix. QBs are the easiest position to replace, especially now that you are seeing a lot of turnover. Two words that everyone expected to be uttered this season when it came to who will be your Fantasy savior; “Mark Sanchez”!!!!

Week 10 saw a lot of easy fantasy wins turn into losses with the last two games of the week. I personally saw a 50+ point lead evaporate to my Packers fan fantasy opponent who had Aaron Rodgers (and only needed him for a 6-TD 315 yd half), Mason Crosby (who got two FGs when they were already up a gazillion points) and the Green Bay D. Other wins were snatched away by a late long TD to Kelvin Benjamin at the end of MNF and a steady diet of sacks on Cam. Garbage time points for QBs, WRs and Defenses can really turn a fantasy matchup. Of course, they are spotlighted when they come on SNF and MNF.

Other notes from Week 10:

• Jordy Nelson has 259 receiving yards and 2 TDs in 6 quarters against the Bears this season.
• Chicago has given up 106 points in its past two games, including being outscored 80-7 in the first half of those games. Hard to believe that the fan base was upset at the quality of their play in the second half of games early in the season.
• The Jets seem to play their best games against the best teams. Too bad they play a lot of bad teams each year. With the up-and-down NFL, it seems fitting that the hottest QB in the league would completely cool off against the league’s worst pass defense, right?
• How could no team have given Justin Forsett a longer-term look in the past? Enough teams have had him on their roster.
• Welcome back, Megatron, we missed you!
• Seattle had 350 yards rushing….THREE HUNDRED FIFTY! I guess Pete Carroll went back to college and channeled his inner Tom Osborne.
• What happens to the Saints’ DBs at the end of the game where their only concern should be to NOT let a WR get behind them (See Tampa game and San Fran game)? Has one division ever been so talented and so bad? Remember how bad the NFC West was a few years ago when no one was above .500? Somehow, Atlanta could be in first place in the NFC South after not winning a game prior to last week since 9/18.
• Many Fantasy team owners, bettors and Survivor Pool participants were treated generously by Arizona’s D last Sunday in the 4th quarter with back-to-back Pick-6s to beat St. Louis going away. That was a huge pick-me-up for a team that knew it just lost its starting QB for the season, though the Stanton-to-Brown scoring bomb may have been more important.

If you can’t pull off a big trade, you can always look at the waiver wire for some help. Don’t be afraid to cut some high-priced dead weight on your team hen dropping a player to make room.

QB: Drew Stanton (AZ) – Stanton can seamlessly step into action under center for the rest of the year for the Cardinals since he has 3+ games already under his belt with Palmer on the sidelines. With loads of talent at the offensive skill positions, Stanton can make a nice starter in the proper matchups if you currently own Palmer or Cam as your starter.

QB: Josh McCown (TB) – McCown is back under center in Tampa and returns at a time when the team is better suited offensively with WR Mike Evans now a threat. Their running game is still suspect, but I expect good numbers out of McCown going forward. Once again, a solid play with proper matchups. I prefer him this week to Stanton with a game against the Redskins versus Stanton matching up against the Lions.

RB: Terrance West (CLE) – it is hard to trust the RBBC approach of the Browns, but West is still the best RB out of that trio and it shows in the pct of plays he is involved in over Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell. Finding any quality RBs now on the waiver wire in 10+ team leagues is rare so grab him if you can.

RB: C.J. Anderson (DEN) – Much like many other teams, Denver’s backfield is a crapshoot. A few weeks ago, it appeared that Juwan Thompson would be next in line for carries after Ronnie Hillman but that all changed last week when Ronnie Hillman’s ankle knocked him out of action. After a game with 163 total yards and a TD on 17 touches, I would expect him to see the majority of action this weekend, but don’t be shocked if it goes to Thompson or even Ball. It is worth the risk if you need an RB though.

WR: Jordan Matthews (PHL) – Matthews was just an underutilized rookie receiver until last week. The Riley Cooper fad officially died and Matthews is VERY happy with Mark Sanchez under center. With a stat line of 7/138/2, he needs to be owned!

WR: Cecil Shorts (JAX) – Though he is off this week, pick up Shorts if you have roster space and need WR depth. He is finally healthy and the other Jags’ receivers are dinged up, including Allen Robinson out for the year.

TE: Mychal Rivera (OAK) – Rivera is an official Must Add now. He has gone for 21/185/3 over his past 3 games, even if a bunch of it was in garbage time. With this team, 60 minutes is garbage time. The Charges are tough on tight ends so temper your expectations for this week, but get him if you need help.

TE: Kyle Rudolph (MINN) – Rudolph is finally going to be activated. He has spent almost the whole season on the waiver wire and is coming off at a good time. The Bears’ D is a wreck, especially across the middle of the field. There is a good chance that he makes an immediate impact.