This is it. The weekend you’ve been waiting for. Grab some salty snacks, find a comfy couch and a giant TV. Make sure to mute your phone, your kids and your dog. The Super Bowl is here.
Fake Super Bowl, that is.
Yes, this is the biggest weekend of your year. And friends and family should share in your excitement and stand ready with expensive champagne as you approach Super Bowl weekend.
Fake Super Bowl, that is.
Real or not, cheers to you. You’ve earned this. Your work is unparalleled. Your addiction to stat tracker and Twitter is paramount. Your quirky tendency to ignore and abandon all family responsibilities on Sundays (and some Mondays too) is extraordinary. And your ability to repeatedly watch Jacksonville on prime-time TV is unimaginable.
Unfortunately, my friend, there’s a big difference between your pretend game and the real thing.
No one cares.
Really. Seriously. No one. No matter how big the obstacle you overcame, or how badly you embarrassed your opponent, no one cares. Not even me. I’m not kidding. So break out the champagne for one. And enjoy it. Quietly.
Here are this week’s pickups. And yes, I’m jealous.
Kahlil Bell – I guess fumbling and poor time management can cost you a starting job. Bell took advantage of Marion Barber’s late game goofs that cost the Bears in week 14’s contest against the Broncos. Bell answered with 108 yards and a touchdown against a tough Seattle defense. Look for Bell to keep ringing this week against the Packers, who yield the 13th most fantasy points to running backs. Available in 91 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Donald Brown – Just when it looked like the Colts were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, Donald Brown comes through with 161 yards and an 80-yard TD score. Yeah, I know he plays the Texans, who are the second best against the run. Still, he’s a worthy flex play. Available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Darius Heyward-Bey – With two (and nearly three) consecutive 10+ point performances, DHB finds himself on this list. While silenced in mid-season, the Oakland wideout has come alive with injuries to Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford. Available in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Rex Grossman – What can I say? He has good matchups. First the Patriots, then the Giants, now the Vikings. Good deep league or 2QB start. Available in 83 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Erin Skelley joins Sports Radio 610 every Friday and Sunday morning. Follow her on Twitter.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Week 15 Fantasy Picks: Yates An Option?
The unthinkable can happen. T.J. Yates showed us on Sunday. With a playoff bid on the line, the rookie showed grit. Trailing 19-13 to the Cincinnati Bengals, Yates capped a 2-minute, 80-yard drive, finding Kevin Walter in the end zone in the final seconds for a Houston Texans win. Rookies don’t do that. But the unthinkable happened.
Rewind 24 hours when fantasy owners were frantically setting their playoff lineups. Anyone who asked me, “Yates or this guy” got an answer you can probably guess. The reason is simple. I use stats and trends to drive my decisions. Not gut feelings. And certainly not team loyalties. I think Yates has potential, and I’ve heard a dozen national analysts rave about his pocket awareness and intangibles. But I don’t take wild chances on the unknown. He had seven quarters of NFL experience prior to Sunday. Seven quarters. But the unthinkable happened.
And it happened elsewhere. Who predicted DeMarco Murray or Greg Jennings would become early casualties Sunday? Or that Ahmad Bradshaw would break team rules and sit half the game? And how about Jake Locker’s nearly heroic effort? Or Rex Grossman’s 252 yards and two TDs? I mean, wow! OK, I did predict that one. Pretty good, huh?
Even with the best stats and predictor models, the unthinkable happens. It’s sports. And the unpredictability is its charm, right? But I’ll still rely on my nerdy numbers and research. And I won’t always be right. But if you think the advice stinks, do what feels right to you. It’s your team.
Congratulations and good luck to those still alive in the playoffs.
Here are this week’s wire picks:
Rex Grossman – Here’s a pick worth repeating. Grossman came through on Sunday with 252 yards and two scores. Yeah, he faced the Patriots, the worst pass defense in the league. Well guess what. This week he faces the Giants, the second worst in the league. Rexy’s worth another start. Still available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Felix Jones – The most obvious pick of them all, meet Felix Jones, who ran for 106 yards after replacing the injured DeMarco Murray. Jones is not only a must-grab, but a must-start, as he faces the run-friendly Tampa defense, which yields the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Available in 36 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Cincinnati defense – Matchups matter. Cincy faces the woeful Rams, who make any defense look good. The Bengals are decent, and that’s good enough to take advantage of St. Louis. Available in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Ryan Grant – With James Starks nursing an injured ankle, Grant dazzled with 85 yards and two touchdowns. Starks remains a question mark this Sunday, but if the Packers choose to rest him, Grant will enjoy the yummy KC defense (sixth worst in the league against fantasy RBs). Check the injury report before game time. Available in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues.
T.J. Yates – As I said above, let the stats tell the story. And while his stats (558 yards, three TDs in 2+ games) only provide a small sample size, Carolina’s stats tell the full story. The Panthers give up the 10th most points to opposing quarterbacks. If you need to reach, the rookie QB is a decent start. Especially if Andre Johnson returns. Available in 94 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Erin Skelley joins Sports Radio 610 every Friday and Sunday morning. Follow her on Twitter.
Rewind 24 hours when fantasy owners were frantically setting their playoff lineups. Anyone who asked me, “Yates or this guy” got an answer you can probably guess. The reason is simple. I use stats and trends to drive my decisions. Not gut feelings. And certainly not team loyalties. I think Yates has potential, and I’ve heard a dozen national analysts rave about his pocket awareness and intangibles. But I don’t take wild chances on the unknown. He had seven quarters of NFL experience prior to Sunday. Seven quarters. But the unthinkable happened.
And it happened elsewhere. Who predicted DeMarco Murray or Greg Jennings would become early casualties Sunday? Or that Ahmad Bradshaw would break team rules and sit half the game? And how about Jake Locker’s nearly heroic effort? Or Rex Grossman’s 252 yards and two TDs? I mean, wow! OK, I did predict that one. Pretty good, huh?
Even with the best stats and predictor models, the unthinkable happens. It’s sports. And the unpredictability is its charm, right? But I’ll still rely on my nerdy numbers and research. And I won’t always be right. But if you think the advice stinks, do what feels right to you. It’s your team.
Congratulations and good luck to those still alive in the playoffs.
Here are this week’s wire picks:
Rex Grossman – Here’s a pick worth repeating. Grossman came through on Sunday with 252 yards and two scores. Yeah, he faced the Patriots, the worst pass defense in the league. Well guess what. This week he faces the Giants, the second worst in the league. Rexy’s worth another start. Still available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Felix Jones – The most obvious pick of them all, meet Felix Jones, who ran for 106 yards after replacing the injured DeMarco Murray. Jones is not only a must-grab, but a must-start, as he faces the run-friendly Tampa defense, which yields the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Available in 36 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Cincinnati defense – Matchups matter. Cincy faces the woeful Rams, who make any defense look good. The Bengals are decent, and that’s good enough to take advantage of St. Louis. Available in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Ryan Grant – With James Starks nursing an injured ankle, Grant dazzled with 85 yards and two touchdowns. Starks remains a question mark this Sunday, but if the Packers choose to rest him, Grant will enjoy the yummy KC defense (sixth worst in the league against fantasy RBs). Check the injury report before game time. Available in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues.
T.J. Yates – As I said above, let the stats tell the story. And while his stats (558 yards, three TDs in 2+ games) only provide a small sample size, Carolina’s stats tell the full story. The Panthers give up the 10th most points to opposing quarterbacks. If you need to reach, the rookie QB is a decent start. Especially if Andre Johnson returns. Available in 94 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Erin Skelley joins Sports Radio 610 every Friday and Sunday morning. Follow her on Twitter.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Week 14 Fantasy Picks: Playoff Planning
Every Sunday, I join John Lopez, Brad Davies and ND Kalu on the Houston Texans pre-game show for a quick fantasy football segment. And every week, the trio asks me about the Texans, their opponent, and other interesting finds and sneaky pickups. They inquire about specific matchups, injuries and other key factors. And every week, they ask about Rex Grossman. Every week. Even when he’s not starting. Even when he has no relevance. And we chuckle every single time. Maybe it’s good luck or just silly. Or maybe he’s the Slippery Rock of fantasy football.
Well, listen up guys. This week, it’s not a joke. Rex Grossman is actually a decent play. For real. He’s had some weeks (repeat, some) with respectable numbers, but not strong enough to actually recommend moving forward. The reward has never justified the risk. But with gimpy quarterbacks, you have to look beyond the obvious, especially if your wire is stingy. This week, Rexy faces the pitiful Patriots pass defense. Add to that, the Skins receivers Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are a bigger part of the offense now (when they aren’t facing the Jets).
So, why take chances now and not week 6, or 7 or 8? Where is this moxy coming from? It’s the playoffs. You are playing week to week. There is no long-term relevance. And handcuffs don’t matter. If you’ve ever wanted a one-game stand, this is your chance to do it. Guilt-free.
Congratulations to the fortunate few, and good luck the rest of the season.
Here are a few pickups to finish out that playoff roster:
Marion Barber – Caleb Hanie’s arm + Matt Forte’s knee = Marion Barber waiver pick. The Bears will try to pass as little as possible with a shaky Hanie at the helm. Barber, coming off a 44-yard performance in relief of Forte, will see an extended workload, getting the start – and getting the entire game plan on his shoulders. While the Broncos have allowed only one rushing touchdown, they’re still just average against fantasy RBs. Barber is a good No. 2 start in all formats. Available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Toby Gerhart – Adrian Peterson’s backup contributed big on Sunday with 91 yards on the ground and 42 in the air. Detroit’s stout defense presents a challenge for the young Gerhart, but he’s good for 10-12 fantasy points. Available in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Dexter McCluster – Not exactly the model for consistency, but if you’re looking to fill a running back hole, look to McCluster who totaled over 100 YFS on Sunday. With this week’s matchup against the run-stopping New York Jets, you can expect a modest 50-60 yards. Desperate and deep formats only. Available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Malcom Floyd – Nice comeback for Floyd, who reeled in four receptions for 108 yards in San Diego’s win over Jacksonville. A good matchup this weekend vs. the Bills means Floyd’s good fortune should continue. Expect 80+ yards. Available in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Rex Grossman – I was serious.
Erin Skelley joins Sports Radio 610 every Friday and Sunday morning. Follow her on Twitter.
Well, listen up guys. This week, it’s not a joke. Rex Grossman is actually a decent play. For real. He’s had some weeks (repeat, some) with respectable numbers, but not strong enough to actually recommend moving forward. The reward has never justified the risk. But with gimpy quarterbacks, you have to look beyond the obvious, especially if your wire is stingy. This week, Rexy faces the pitiful Patriots pass defense. Add to that, the Skins receivers Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are a bigger part of the offense now (when they aren’t facing the Jets).
So, why take chances now and not week 6, or 7 or 8? Where is this moxy coming from? It’s the playoffs. You are playing week to week. There is no long-term relevance. And handcuffs don’t matter. If you’ve ever wanted a one-game stand, this is your chance to do it. Guilt-free.
Congratulations to the fortunate few, and good luck the rest of the season.
Here are a few pickups to finish out that playoff roster:
Marion Barber – Caleb Hanie’s arm + Matt Forte’s knee = Marion Barber waiver pick. The Bears will try to pass as little as possible with a shaky Hanie at the helm. Barber, coming off a 44-yard performance in relief of Forte, will see an extended workload, getting the start – and getting the entire game plan on his shoulders. While the Broncos have allowed only one rushing touchdown, they’re still just average against fantasy RBs. Barber is a good No. 2 start in all formats. Available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Toby Gerhart – Adrian Peterson’s backup contributed big on Sunday with 91 yards on the ground and 42 in the air. Detroit’s stout defense presents a challenge for the young Gerhart, but he’s good for 10-12 fantasy points. Available in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Dexter McCluster – Not exactly the model for consistency, but if you’re looking to fill a running back hole, look to McCluster who totaled over 100 YFS on Sunday. With this week’s matchup against the run-stopping New York Jets, you can expect a modest 50-60 yards. Desperate and deep formats only. Available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Malcom Floyd – Nice comeback for Floyd, who reeled in four receptions for 108 yards in San Diego’s win over Jacksonville. A good matchup this weekend vs. the Bills means Floyd’s good fortune should continue. Expect 80+ yards. Available in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Rex Grossman – I was serious.
Erin Skelley joins Sports Radio 610 every Friday and Sunday morning. Follow her on Twitter.
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