After a quarter way through the season, forget everything you thought you knew about fantasy. CJ Spiller, Alfred Morris and Doug Martin? All outside the top 10 Running Backs. Taking their places are commodities like Joique Bell, Knowshon Moreno, and Bilal Powell. Because of course. So, before you think you pick a player because of their past accomplishments (hey, Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew, what’s up?), know that name recognition does not do anything for your league record. In the words of the now-deceased Walter White(R.I.P.), tread lightly fantasy players.
Players I Love:
Phillip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers:
You know what I just said about name recognition? Well, here’s an exception to the rule. Phillip Rivers has had a big time return to form this season, having the third highest point total out of every QB, with only Peyton Manning and Drew Brees beating him out. That’s elite company, and Rivers is showing it without a true big time receiver, making good targets out of spare parts such as Eddie Royal and veteran Tight End Antonio Gates. The Chargers go into the Black Hole in Oakland next, facing a Raiders team that has an average at-best secondary. Rivers has been excellent so far, and the Chargers are going to need him to continue this trend.
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers:
You may think to yourself why so little has been made of Cam Newton lately. The Auburn product was on everyone’s watch list after a phenomenal 2011 rookie season. He’s improved in many ways since then, cutting down on interceptions and becoming a more efficient runner, but yet nobody seems to talk about him anymore. If nobody else will, I’ll do it after seeing Cam light up the Giants for 3 passing and 1 rushing touchdown in Week 3 en route to the first Panthers victory of the season. A below average Cardinals pass defense waits in Week 5, and after a long bye week, Newton and the Panthers should be ready to turn their season around.
Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions:
The former college phenom has come on strong this season, overcoming early injuries for a huge Week 4 performance, rocking the Bears for 173 total yards and a rushing touchdown. Facing a Packers defense that gives up the 12th most fantasy points to running backs sure helps his case this week.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons:
Who said Julio Jones is only about big plays? This season, Jones is not only the league leader in receiving yards with 481, but is also third in receptions and targets as well, with 33 receptions and 49 targets from QB Matt Ryan. This consistency translates to fantasy points, with the Falcons’ dazzler not having one game under 10 points yet on the year, even with only two touchdowns to his name. Expect this consistent production to continue on Sunday, with an on the ropes Jets defense coming to the Georgia Dome.
St. Louis Rams D/ST:
Usually I don’t recommend any Defense, as only the truly stout ones (Seattle, San Fran and Chicago come to mind) are worth big time recognition. However, the Rams’ opponent this week is the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, which is a great flyer for taking a chance on the St. Louis unit.
Players I hate:
Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals:
Great game managers are hard to come by in today’s age of dual-threat and gunslinging QBs. This makes players like Andy Dalton a commodity for a Bengals team with playoff expectations. This does not translate into fantasy success, with Dalton only averaging just over 200 yards a game despite his gaudy pass attempt numbers. Coming off his worst performance of the season against Cleveland and having the undefeated Patriots come to town doesn’t help things.
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills:
As a fan of players who come up with solid performances every week, I should like Fred Jackson this week. His backfield counterpart C.J. Spiller is hobbled with an ankle injury, and the Bills are featured in the Thursday night game, where rushers have usually been in the starring role. The concerns outweigh the positives however, as Jackson himself has been ailing with recovery from a sprained MCL, using a brace this season to cover it. Injuries combined with Buffalo facing one of the best rushing defenses in the league in Cleveland spells troubles for Jackson.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals:
Last week in Tampa Bay, Larry Fitzgerald wasn’t targeted at all in the first half. He made up for it with 60 yards and a touchdown in the second half, but come on Cardinals, this is Larry Fitzgerald we’re talking about here. Wide Receivers of his caliber should not be treated this way. Until the Cardinals finally get the top caliber QB they’ve desired since Kurt Warner left, continue thinking of Fitzgerald as an afterthought in fantasy leagues.
James Jones, WR, Green Bay Packers:
On almost any other team, James Jones would be the number 1 or 2 receiver. Too bad he landed on a Packers team with receiver standouts all over the field, including Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and Jermichael Finley. Facing a Lions team that has only allowed 2 receiving scores all year doesn’t support the third receiver in the Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay attack.