Another weekend another Sunday dominated by NFL Football. Fantasy lineups close soon and we are all doing our last minute tinkering and research to make sure we are starting and benching the right players. Stressing out and asking “is Sammy Coates playing today?” or “who is gonna be in Green Bay’s backfield since Eddie Lacy is the only active running back?” Questions like these and so many more flood our minds over all week and start to hit even harder an hour before kickoff. So this week I will be giving predictions for those needing last second advice.
The quarterback position, the most important position on the field and a very vital position on everyone’s fantasy team. Cam Newton and Carson Palmer return this week from concussions, the 49ers finally freed Colin Kaepernick and Tom Brady makes his return back to Foxboro for the first time on his “revenge tour”. But what quarterbacks am I looking forward to and expecting big things from?
Qb of the Week: Drew Brees from the Saints. This one is really a brainier, the future hall of famer has thrown 27 touchdowns in his last seven home games and is playing a questionable defense in the Carolina Panthers. In two home games this year Brees has thrown for 799 yards, 7 touchdowns and 1 interception, while averaging 28.68 fantasy points per game in standard nfl.com leagues. On the other side the Panthers defense has not been anything like it was last season and are struggling to stop the pass. That includes the 500 yard game to Matt Ryan and a two touchdown performance to Blaine Gabbert. To add the cherry on top the Saints are coming off a bye week, you give a great coach like Sean Payton and an all time great QB like Drew Brees an extra week to prepare you’re in for some fireworks.
QB of the Weak: on the flip side the quarterback I would stay away from is Blake Bortles of Jacksonville. The Jags head into Chicago this week (yeah I know Chicago) but the Bears defense hasn’t been as terrible as you may think. They have given up 6 touchdown passes in 5 games while playing some real competition in rookie sensations Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott, and against two former #1 overall picked QBs Matt Stafford and Andrew Luck. For Bortles, he has not been fulfilling the high expectations he had coming into this year after finishing the 2015 season on a high note. Bortles has just one performance this year scoring over 19 fantasy points, and he has throw six touchdowns to five interceptions. Going into a cold unfamiliar environment, I would look for a replacement for the Florida native.
Running Back of the Week: How do you not love Demarco Murray? He has ran his way to the second ranked running back in fantasy and he comes out today and gets the Cleveland Browns. Thats all I need to say really, I don’t think I need to elaborate much more. Murray leads the Titans in rushing and receiving, and has score at least 21 points (standard PPR) each week with the exception of last week when he only put up 18.70. The Titans love to feed Murray the ball and I expect that to continue this week.
Running back of the Weak: Eddie Lacy of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers host Dallas this week and normally I’d be all for starting anyone against the Dallas D because I personally do not believe it is as good as advertised. But this problem is deeper. Lacy is the only active running back for the packers today. Randall Cobb will serve as the backup. Randall Cobb… The Receiver. I do not expect the packers to run the ball much anyway as Lacy has been banged up with an ankle injury. The Packers won’t want to risk his health much more than they have to because they will need him down the stretch.
Wide Receiver of the Week: I’m gonna stay in the Cheese state on this one and start Randall Cobb. The Cowboys secondary is going to have their hands full in this one. Last week Cobb got a lot of targets against the Giants and some carries out of the back field. Cobb has that ability to break any play off and make some magic happen. With Green Bay not being able to run much expect Cobb and co. to receive a lot of quick bubble screens and other short passes to substitute for the run.
Wide Receiver of the Weak: This week at wideout I am staying away from Brandon Marshall. Marshall has a tough matchup as he is sure to be shadowed by Patrick Peterson. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t helping his cause either since every week it seems Fitzy forgets what color jersey his team is wearing. Marshall has looked good in his last two contest but with that matchup and lack of trust I have in Fitzpatrick I would look else where.
Tight End of the Week: This week at Tight End I like Jimmy Graham. It has been such a
rollercoaster with him last season and start of this one. But Graham looks like he is settling in with Russel Wilson and is 100% back from that patella injury. Graham had back to back 100 yard games heading into last weeks bye and you have to hope that didn’t cool his hot hand. The Falcons defense is nothing special and Graham has some familiarity playing the falcons spending all those years in new orleans. I expect the Seahawks to get him involved often and have a big day in Seattle.
Tight End of the Weak: Indianapolis Colts Tight End, Dwayne Allen. Allen was supposed to take the next step with Fleener’s departure and hasn’t yet. he has 153 yards and two scores so far but just hasn’t been a consistent yard getter. He gets a couple catches a game to help a little for PPR leagues but Allen has not impressed me at all yet. Playing the stingy Texans defense, in a primetime Sunday night game, could put some pressure on Luck, hurting Allen’s play.
Credit feature image to Big on Sports Betting News and Odds. http://www.bigonsports.com/expert-nfl-picks-and-predictions-week-6/
Credit Drew Brees image to Chris Graythen/Getty images Inquisitr world worth sharing http://www.inquisitr.com/2535328/drew-brees-ties-nfl-record-with-7-touchdowns-in-one-game/
Credit image Jimmy Graham to SportingNews.com http://www.sportingnews.com/fantasy/football/news/jimmy-graham-julius-thomas-russell-wilson-bad-matchup-fantasy-football-busts-week-6-start-sit-lineup-advice/17suy2o480xqs1l31oi87h06cf
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