Throw out the names guys. If people named Jaquizz Rodgers & Rashard Jennings were putting up the numbers that Ray Rice, & CJ Spiller were giving you, they’d be cut. Now you can’t cut those two. You just can’t. You most likely invested a first or second round pick on them and are still holding out hope. You can’t start them though, unless you’re out of options, especially Rice, who has now gone four games without finding the end zone and has yet to break the 75-yard mark on the ground this season. Spiller has been no better, but at least has shown signs of improvement, rushing for 116-yards two weeks ago against the vaunted Kansas City defense. So throw out the names, and just do what the late great Al Davis said to do: “Just win, baby, win!” With that, here we go!
1.) Nick Foles – QB Philadelphia
It isn’t a fluke anymore. Foles has thrown 16 touchdowns this season and zero interceptions. If it wasn’t for Peyton Manning starting off with 20 touchdowns before his first pick, this would be a historic statistic. Although his three touchdowns borderline fell into his lap (DeSean Jackson caught a ball that should have been intercepted, Riley Cooper made a phenomenal play on one, and was wide open on another) he still has produced ten touchdowns over the past two weeks and is now going up against a terrible Washington pass defense. Also on the line for the Eagles, is the possibility of taking an outright division lead over the NFC East. Foles is a starter this weekend. Period.
2.) Michael Crabtree – WR San Fransisco
Collin Kaepernick isn’t as good as we thought he was. He just isn’t. He doesn’t have the confidence to “throw open” an Anquan Boldin, nor does he run enough to be the fantasy stud we hoped. However, he’s about to get his favorite target back towards the end of November in Michael Crabtree. When Kaepernick took over full time duties for the 49er last year, Crabtree caught 66 balls for 950-yards and nine touchdowns. That was over the span of 11-games, three of which were in the playoffs. Be savvy: Claim ‘n Stash him.
3.) Jericho Cotchery – WR Pittsburgh
He has four touchdowns in the past two weeks. He’s playing against a good Cleveland pass defense that features all-pro cornerback Joe Haden. Haden is known for running with the opposing team’s number one receiver. If Antonio Brown is being shut down, who do you think steps up this week? Emmanuel Sanders & Cotchery. Cotchery has replaced Heath Miller as Ben Roethlisberger’s red-zone target, and has done well in the role. There are better options, but if you’re not in the playoffs yet, you probably aren’t the most stacked guy out there.
4.) New Orleans Saints Defense
They just shut down the #3 overall quarterback in all of fantasy football and completely removed Dez Bryant from the game. In comes a reeling San Fransisco team that couldn’t score one touchdown at home off of their bye last week against Carolina. The Panthers have a great defense, but the Saints pass defense has excelled this year under new Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan. The Saints are at home, where they always play well, and are worth a play if your defense is on a bye.
5.) Geno Smith – QB New York Jets
Another gut call here, but in week 3 against the Bills Smith put up some pretty solid numbers (331-yards passing with two TDs & one rushing TD). The Bills since then, have collapsed. Their playoff chances are looking more and more like a fantasy rather than reality. The Bills run defense isn’t terrible, so the Jets will have to throw at least to keep the ball moving. Again, there are better options, but if you’re in bye week H-E-double hockey stick, he’s a sneaky play.
Good luck guys!
-Carl Leander
