Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Folks, hopefully we are all still alive fighting for that elusive playoff spot in our leagues. I have outlined some critical
matchups which you might want to exploit and some others that you might want to avoid. With the last week of
the regular season in most leagues upon us, and with the Waiver Wire becoming more and more barren, now is the time to
fine tune our lineups. Keep in mind that there is a Thursday game once again this week: Philadelphia @ Seattle.
High Upside Players- “All-In”:
• RB Matt Forte vs. KC. This may appear to be a no-brainer but Forte’s numbers have actually decreased over the past 3 games.
I am looking for a very strong bounce back game for Forte here at home against a Chiefs’ team which has lost convincingly to
Miami and New England before giving a valiant effort against the Steelers on Sunday Night.
• QB Philip Rivers & WR Vincent Jackson @ JAX (MNF)- once again, the ultimate roller coaster ride with these two players. Last week they
were way down but I expect a huge turnaround by the Chargers against the rudderless Jaguars, who just fired their HC Jack Del Rio.
With Champ Bailey now out of the equation on covering Vincent Jackson for the rest of the season, I am looking for this tandem to go on a
Tear down the stretch run.
• QB Eli Manning & WR Victor Cruz- it goes without saying to start all of your Green Bay skill players however, don’t overlook the superb play of
both Eli and Victor Cruz. Cruz has developed into an elite option since WR1 Hakeem Nicks seems to be struggling with a multitude of injuries
related to his legs. I would feel comfortable to say that Victor has supplanted Mario Manningham as the NYG 2nd passing option only after Hakeem.
• RB Roy Helu vs. NYJ. The Jets run defense isn’t what is was cracked up to be. If Helu continues to get the bulk of the carries, as this Post has
Opined all season for, look out. Helu has exceptional talent and should become a fixture in this offense.
• WR Mike Wallace vs. CIN. Wallace is another player whose average has actually waned over the past couple of games as Antonio Brown has
flourished instead. This week I expect the old “Mr. 60 Minutes” to re-emerge as the Bengals lost their best cover corner- Leon Hall.
Low Upside Players- “Buyer Beware”:
• WR Percy Harvin vs. Denver. Harvin has had two consecutive strong games and you might not have a lot of other options. However, you have all
just seen what shut down CB Champ Bailey did to Vincent Jackson and what he has done to a majority of standout receivers this season. If you have to
start Harvin remember to keep expectations in line has a high upside WR3 in lieu of a WR1.
• RB Steven Jackson @ SF. By all accounts, S Jax has had an outstanding season so far but this week it will not continue. The Forty Niners defense is coming
off of an extended rest after the Thanksgiving game and have not allowed an opposing rushing TD all season. Rams’ WR Brandon Lloyd is the only Ram
that I would feel comfortable starting.
• RB Cedric Benson @ PIT. Benson is coming off an outstanding game vs. the Browns. This week he is playing at Pittsburgh and even though these aren’t
the vaunted “Steel Curtain” Steelers from yesteryear, they are still tough to run against.
• WR Roddy White @ HOU. Roddy finally had a strong game this past week breaking the 100 yard barrier with a TD. Unfortunately, I do not think that it will
continue against the Texans shutdown corner, Jonathan Joseph. Look for the Falcons to establish the run and try to keep this a low scoring game.
• Eagles Defense @ Seattle. The Eagles are currently reeling right now. Initially, I had this game circled on the calendar as an “easy mark” vs. Seattle.
However, the Seahawks can actually move the ball now as RB Marshawn Lynch has had a long successive streak of scoring games. The Eagles secondary has been
decimated by injuries, coupled with the fact that this is short week with a cross country flight for the Birds, and I do not see the Eagles being up for the
challenge.
Thanks for all of your viewer feedback. We will try to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.
Take care for now
JS
Folks, hopefully we are all still alive fighting for that elusive playoff spot in our leagues. I have outlined some critical
matchups which you might want to exploit and some others that you might want to avoid. With the last week of
the regular season in most leagues upon us, and with the Waiver Wire becoming more and more barren, now is the time to
fine tune our lineups. Keep in mind that there is a Thursday game once again this week: Philadelphia @ Seattle.
High Upside Players- “All-In”:
• RB Matt Forte vs. KC. This may appear to be a no-brainer but Forte’s numbers have actually decreased over the past 3 games.
I am looking for a very strong bounce back game for Forte here at home against a Chiefs’ team which has lost convincingly to
Miami and New England before giving a valiant effort against the Steelers on Sunday Night.
• QB Philip Rivers & WR Vincent Jackson @ JAX (MNF)- once again, the ultimate roller coaster ride with these two players. Last week they
were way down but I expect a huge turnaround by the Chargers against the rudderless Jaguars, who just fired their HC Jack Del Rio.
With Champ Bailey now out of the equation on covering Vincent Jackson for the rest of the season, I am looking for this tandem to go on a
Tear down the stretch run.
• QB Eli Manning & WR Victor Cruz- it goes without saying to start all of your Green Bay skill players however, don’t overlook the superb play of
both Eli and Victor Cruz. Cruz has developed into an elite option since WR1 Hakeem Nicks seems to be struggling with a multitude of injuries
related to his legs. I would feel comfortable to say that Victor has supplanted Mario Manningham as the NYG 2nd passing option only after Hakeem.
• RB Roy Helu vs. NYJ. The Jets run defense isn’t what is was cracked up to be. If Helu continues to get the bulk of the carries, as this Post has
Opined all season for, look out. Helu has exceptional talent and should become a fixture in this offense.
• WR Mike Wallace vs. CIN. Wallace is another player whose average has actually waned over the past couple of games as Antonio Brown has
flourished instead. This week I expect the old “Mr. 60 Minutes” to re-emerge as the Bengals lost their best cover corner- Leon Hall.
Low Upside Players- “Buyer Beware”:
• WR Percy Harvin vs. Denver. Harvin has had two consecutive strong games and you might not have a lot of other options. However, you have all
just seen what shut down CB Champ Bailey did to Vincent Jackson and what he has done to a majority of standout receivers this season. If you have to
start Harvin remember to keep expectations in line has a high upside WR3 in lieu of a WR1.
• RB Steven Jackson @ SF. By all accounts, S Jax has had an outstanding season so far but this week it will not continue. The Forty Niners defense is coming
off of an extended rest after the Thanksgiving game and have not allowed an opposing rushing TD all season. Rams’ WR Brandon Lloyd is the only Ram
that I would feel comfortable starting.
• RB Cedric Benson @ PIT. Benson is coming off an outstanding game vs. the Browns. This week he is playing at Pittsburgh and even though these aren’t
the vaunted “Steel Curtain” Steelers from yesteryear, they are still tough to run against.
• WR Roddy White @ HOU. Roddy finally had a strong game this past week breaking the 100 yard barrier with a TD. Unfortunately, I do not think that it will
continue against the Texans shutdown corner, Jonathan Joseph. Look for the Falcons to establish the run and try to keep this a low scoring game.
• Eagles Defense @ Seattle. The Eagles are currently reeling right now. Initially, I had this game circled on the calendar as an “easy mark” vs. Seattle.
However, the Seahawks can actually move the ball now as RB Marshawn Lynch has had a long successive streak of scoring games. The Eagles secondary has been
decimated by injuries, coupled with the fact that this is short week with a cross country flight for the Birds, and I do not see the Eagles being up for the
challenge.
Thanks for all of your viewer feedback. We will try to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.
Take care for now
JS
