KEE to the Championship

First of all, I want to apologize about last week.

I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you that Jamaal Charles was going to get 3 points. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you that Zac Stacy, the apparent focal point of the Rams’ attack, wasn’t even going to get double digit points. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you that Michael Crabtree was only going to get only two reception for 25 yards against the DALLAS COWBOYS defense.

But fear not, from now on, I will be here every week to advise you on which of your studs you should bench. So let’s move on, shall we?

Football, or any sport, is extremely unpredictable. Look at this comparison of two players:

Player A is many people’s first overall pick, LeSean McCoy, who finished with 11 points in Week 1. Player B is one of the most feared RB in the league, the mighty Rashad Jennings, who finished with 15.

Now, were you going to bench your first round pick for Rashad Jennings? The answer is no. It doesn’t matter if Shady is questionable and playing against Arizona, last year’s best rush defense. If he plays, he stays in your lineup. If he gets less than your number three back, say Steven Jackson, so be it. You do not bench your studs.

So, before you start screaming at me on the comment section, understand that I am not Nostradamus. Now let’s have some fun shall we? After all, it is why we play this game. Besides winning, of course.

Players I LOVE

QB Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans: Insert quarterback facing the Cowboys defense here. Even though Dallas did not look as bad as we thought they would be, it could be attributed to dismally low expectations we had on them. Heck, every drive they didn’t allow a touchdown was hailed as an achievement. The Cowboys’ secondary is not even close to being capable of the weapons Locker possesses, such as Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, and Nate Washington. With poise he showed at one of the hardest places to play, his rushing ability, and support from the home crowd, look for Jake Locker to put up some major numbers this week.

WR Markus Wheaton, Pittsburgh Steelers: As a Steelers fan, I may be little biased here. However, you can’t deny the talent here. While he is not a physically dominating – 5-11, 182 lb – speedy former third-round pick is a fantastic partner for stronger, bigger Antonio Brown. He is a very smart, clean route runner who is disciplined. Although it is unlikely for him to be targeted more than Antonio Brown and Heath Miller again, he is not going to miss the chance of solidifying himself as a genuine No. 2 not only in Steelers, but also in most fantasy formats.

WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers: 6 receptions, 92 yards, a touchdown, with Derek Anderson. There is no reason for his targets to drop with Cam Newton, who is a much better quarterback. It’s not often you can pick up the best receiver in Cam’s team. He’s also going against the Lions secondary with some question marks. Yes, they shut down Eli but who can’t? The Knights would look like the Seahawks against Eli. This one’s a no-brainer folks. Must add option in all formats.

RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers: Simply put, the Bears cannot stop the run. Even though he is still getting fewer carries than Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde was far more efficient, and is clearly going to take over the starting gig soon. So why not get a head start? He already took the goal line carry from Gore. Chances are that the Niners are going to take a big lead against the shaky Bears team, and they are going to opt to ground game. Expect Hyde to get big minutes and lots of touches.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts: Trent Richardson has lost it. It won’t be long until we start hearing T-Rich jokes instead of Mark Ingram jokes, who, by the way, broke out with 18 points (!??!). But for all seriousness, it won’t be surprising to see Ahmad Bradshaw in front of the Alabama product in the depth chart before the second game of the season. Colts can wait and wait and wait and keep giving chances to Trent, desperately hoping for him to become the elite running back he was supposed to be. However, the Colts are in the win-now mode, and there is no time for development of a big question mark. While the Eagles looked good on the ground game, you just cannot let Chad Henne, I repeat, Chad Henne, to throw not one, but two touchdowns against your team. Whether it’s on the ground or in the air, as he tallied 70 yards on five receptions, Bradshaw is going to tear Philly apart.

TE Larry Donnell, New York Giants: Woah, woah, woah. Are you serious? An offensive piece from the Giants not named Victor Cruz? You mean the team with Eli Manning, the walking turnover, playing quarterback? Against the Arizona Cardinals team that was top five in interceptions and top 6 in sacks last year? Yes, I am serious. For a team known for its stingy defense, the Cardinals allowed the most points against tight ends last year by a country mile. Larry Donnell had a good game against the Lions, with 56 yards plus a touchdown. Most likely the Giants are going to be down, and going to be throwing a lot. Who knows, maybe Eli will start throwing to his teammates.

D/ST Texans: They made RGIII and the co. look silly, and they are ready to beast and feast on the offense led by …… Derek Carr and Maurice Jones-Drew. Anyone going against the Raiders is a good pick. If that anyone is led by JJ Watt, who truly did everything in the game against the Redskins, you can put this one in the books. One of the best defensive matchups of the week.

Players I HATE

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: This might have been a lazy pick, but doesn’t mean it’s not a good one. Did you see what they did to Aaron Rodgers? If you think Philip Rivers and the weapons he has can break down the defense that Rodgers with Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb couldn’t, you should get that checked out. Might be a sign of help-I’m-still-living-in-2009-itis. It’s like an old man with a mustache in a creaky creeper van around the kindergarten offering free candy. Stay far, far away from him at all costs.

RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets: Forget the yards Chris Ivory put up last week. If you take away the 71 yard run, his final stat would’ve been 9 carries for 31 yards, which isn’t too impressive. As seen by the carries he got, it is difficult to see him getting more as there is two other legitimate running threat in Geno Smith and Chris Johnson. Factor in Michael Vick who can get few wildcat looks, it might even be difficult for him to regularly maintain double-digit carries per night consistently. The Jets are going to be down, and they are going to throw, throw, throw.

RB Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams: I am DEFINITELY NOT saying that you should bench him. However, do not expect him to put up big numbers. The Buccaneers are a good defensive team, as they finished top-10 in running back points against them last season and allowed just 11 points to Adrian Peterson-led Vikings. Without Sam Bradford, the Bucs are going to load up the box comfortably, putting the pressure on the O-Line. Also, the Rams recently announced that they are going with the “hot hand” on the running back position. Approach with caution.

WR Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars: Probably one of the most popular waiver wire additions right now, but I’m not buying it. First of all, it was against the Eagles, the team that allowed the most receiving yards last year. Second, both of his touchdowns were right after the Nick Foles fumbles, which means they had excellent starting position for both drives. Third, Chad Henne is not a reliable quarterback by any mean. After the first quarter, the whole offense disappeared, and the major contributor was the former Dolphins QB. Finally, with Cecil Shorts coming back and Marqise Lee holding down the number two spot, Hurns will be the third option. While he could be a somewhat productive, do not expect this to be a breakout show.

WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: See Rivers, Philip. Also, two words: Richard Sherman.

TE Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles: First of all, Julius Thomas is not a TE. Much like Jimmy Graham, he is a wide receiver playing tight end. He is an automatic mismatch and should not be an exemplary guideline to team’s defense against his “position.” Last year, the Colts were top-five in points against tight ends. Another hindrance is the presence of Zach Ertz, who had a breakout game against the Jaguars, tallying 77 yards and a touchdown. Celek is not a reliable option.

D/ST Kansas City Chiefs: To those who drafted defenses early on: do you drop it, pick up another defense, or just roll with it? All defenses are bound to have an unfavorable matchup. Do you drop your prized Seahawks defense against Peyton and co.? What about during their bye week? This is why I do not recommend drafting defenses early. Drop it. You can pick up better matchups every week. It’s not a big deal at all.