This past week, two different quotes came out from two different NFL players. Both are hilarious, so you have to read them.
The first comes from ex-Viking/Redskin Fred Smoot. Talking about Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and his current struggles, Smoot offers up this analogy: “I didn’t say he shopped for bad groceries. He shopped for good players…Like we said, he just cannot cook. You know, sometimes grandma gets too old. She know what to go in the grocery store and get, but she just cannot whip it up like she used to.”
And the next “quote of the week” comes from Brandon Marshall, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. Brandon is being asked about the pesky Detroit Lions when he offers this piece of word-play: “It’s the little brother that, big brother wants to go out and play with his friends and the little brother is annoying, [saying], ‘Hey, can I go?’ No, you can’t go, Detroit Lions. Sit back. Sit in your little city. Fix your financial problems and all of that, you know. You can’t come with us right now.”
Pretend these guys are actually talking about your fantasy team. How do you feel about that? Do something about it. This is the stretch run to the fantasy playoffs and you need to get the right groceries and know how to cook them, too. You also can’t let your rivals tell you your team isn’t good enough; have confidence. Don’t be “grandma” or the “pesky little brother” – be the juggernaut.
And with that, my weekly starts and sits:
Big Ben Roethlisberger is going to be a good play this week. After giving up multiple passing touchdowns every week since Week 5, the days of the Cleveland defense shutting opposing quarterbacks down are far in the rear-view mirror. Ben will keep his momentum going.
Matthew Stafford is an obvious start, but I just wanted to offer up this info: Matt and the Detroit Lions have the easiest schedule for passing defenses compared to every other team. Trade for him…like, right now.
Eddie Lacy is everything the Packers could have hoped for, and then some. With Aaron Rodgers out for yet another game, Lacy will get a huge workload against the Vikings suspect defense.
Pop-quiz: which running back has 635 yards over the past six weeks to go along with four touchdowns? Surprisingly, the answer is Zac Stacy. Stacy is now the centerpiece of the Rams offense. Not only that, but he also is the reason for my new team name: “Stacy’s Mom Has Got it Goin’ On.” Clever, I know.
Vincent Jackson is once again start worthy because of his rookie QB’s maturation. “V-Jax” is heading to Detroit, which just got torched by the Steelers – he’s in line for yet another big day.
Indianapolis’ garbage secondary heals all wounds – it’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Larry Fitzgerald, who should have a big game Sunday.
Long story short, there’s a guy in all of my fantasy leagues who loves to brag about any amount of success he has (even though he had four wins to five losses coming into this week). Turns out, he found Delanie Walker, who’s a good play now. I hope you’re reading this Garris, because you got lucky and your team is still awful.
The Ravens defense only has had one real bump in the road –against Peyton Manning – and otherwise has been solid. Geno Smith comes to town on Sunday, which means this matchup has multi-turnover potential.
Matt Ryan has been not-so-stellar as of late, and the Saints have been, well, the opposite. “Matty Ice” has nine interceptions the past four weeks behind an offensive line that looks more like a tissue than a brick wall. Ryan will do his best Happy Feet impression against the blitz-heavy Saints.
I’d have Ryan Tannehill so far away from my starting lineup this week that I’d forget he’s there –unless, of course, you’re as lucky as I am; I have no other options on my team. Why me?
I recommended Reggie Bush as a start last week, and boy did that go south in a hurry. Sloppy conditions didn’t do him any good and facing a top-ranked Tampa D on Sunday won’t do him any more favors.
Let him take a seat.
I have a feeling that Dallas is going to throw, a lot. And since the Cowboys will be facing a decent run defense, I’d say Demarco Murray has a not-so-great day.
Josh Gordon’s fantasy season is like a rollercoaster and something tells me we’re on our way back down. Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times, everybody.
I’m pretty sure Fort Minor wrote a song about Mike Wallace –something along the lines of: “Where’d you go? I miss you so…”
If Antonio Gates doesn’t get a touchdown, his stats are mediocre at best. Taking a trip to Kansas City to face the top-ranked defense has the odds stacked against him.
Any amount of common sense will tell you not to start the Patriots defense against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. This will be a shootout between two great QBs at the expense of two defenses.
ANTHONY WATSON
