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Hard to say. 3-4 DE are tough to predict -- as I know you know. Some of his last months play has been matchup related (CLE, NE, HOU, GB) so he's a little risky. Should continue this week against BUF. The next two weeks vs MIN and MIA may be a little tougher. Worth the risk though probably.
I'd play Lewis over Phillips.MBH_14 said:
I agree with your defensive line starters. Ekuban's been good in pursuit and may get a chance at a few tackles chasing LT. Thomas Davis should be fine -- his matchup will be a little better this week. But I think Urlacher, Hayes, Sims, and Derrick Johnson will be the way to go. I don't think I'd trust Landon Johnson this week either. Hopefully Johnson's back and healthy -- the matchup's a good one. Jones and Lewis are clear starters. Madieu Williams has a very tough matchup -- safeties have been ugly starts against the Raiders and Williams isn't being used as a blitzer as often with Dexter Jackson back. I don't disagree with Considine over Earl and Bethea, but I think I'd strongly consider Darrent Williams this week. He's a little risky but, like Ekuban, will probably still see plenty of tackling opportunities against LT.Looking for some more help this week...(and thanks for all the great advice leading up to now! )1pt for TKL, AST 5pts for FF, FR, INT 10pts for TD. We play a 3-4-4DE - Going with Peppers, Allen, and Ekuban. Had been playing James Hall, till he went down...then Adeyanju, till he dropped. Ekuban isn't flashy, but gets some tackles. (or so I hope)Victor Adeyanju (Questionable) vs. Chicago Bears (Mon 8:30p) **Jared Allen vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sun 1:00p) Ray Edwards @ Detroit Lions (Sun 1:00p) **Ebenezer Ekuban @ San Diego Chargers (Sun 4:15p) **Julius Peppers vs. New York Giants (Sun 1:00p) LB - This one gets harder. Urlacher and Hayes are easy. After then Ernie has been playing well so I readded him to my starters. Landon has seemingly been playing less and less, but has done well enough to maybe deserve a start, but he worries. me. After him Booley is inconsistent, Derrick's injuries worry me (wish I could count on him) and Brandon was moved out of the middle. Thomas Davis would be tempting, but he put up a 0 last week. Who's the best of the worst?
Thanks for the advice! One question though. Didnt Jermaine have his best game of the year earlier this year when they played ATL? Do you think he could have a good chance to do well, or am i guessing you think that might have been a fluke that week? Would you recommend i start Lewis, Phillips, and Sanders and maybe just bench Bruschi, or leave Bruschi starting? They do play Miami, so not sure how well Bruschi will do since Miami will likely pass a lot.
Yeah, it's a closer call than I made it appear. The ATL run offense isn't as stable as it was in Week 2 but the TB defense has struggled the longer it's been on the field. Still, a safety hasn't had more than five solo tackles against ATL since Week 7. This may be Phillips' week but I'd stick with the hot hand in Lewis and the LB (Bruschi) unless you're convinced that Phillips can buck the trend.
I think the extra point for sacks still tips the scales toward Thomas and Phillips. And both have good matchups. June is certainly the safer play, though. It'll be a tough decision either way unless Thomas makes it easy for you by declaring himself unfit ahead of time.Between Thomas and June for me. Depends on what you're looking for this week -- a safe play in what you think will be a close game or likely win for you (June) or a big upside play in what you think will be a tough game to win for you (Thomas).Markus P Dub said:
Unless I'm a big dog, I want the surest points I can find in the playoffs. That, for me, eliminates Greenwood, Mitchell (with DJ back), Fox, Ayodele, and probably Short and Moore (Ulbrich looks to be the MLB).So...the list boils down to:Julian PetersonAdalius ThomasThomas DavisTedy BruschiShelton QuarlesIf you'll excuse me, I'm just going to talk amongst myselves for a minute. (I agree with you, Peterson seems to be the weakest option on the list today. The Seahawk defense isn't on the field much right now. And, if healthy enough to play, I think Quarles is the best option (worst defense, best matchups). Thomas and Davis are much the same player -- I'd rather have Thomas for his big play capability and he's off the injury list this week after looking pretty gimpy at the end of last Thursday's game. Bruschi's value has always been a little more inconsistent next to a solid ILB (Seau, Vrabel) except last week of course. Quarles and Thomas have the best Week 14 matchups and good Week 15 matchups. Davis' matchup looks good in Week 15.)All right, I think I'd bring Quarles in for Peterson and hope he plays down the stretch. Davis would be my second choice and I'd flip him in for Thomas next week if AT struggles again this week.
I'd start Hayes and Scott (both with solid matchups and some big play potential) and Trotter very narrowly over Hope. Safeties have been really hit and miss against the Texans and the Redskins should be able to run the ball at home against the Eagles.I'll take Houston against the much worse front seven of the Bills, who will also be without Donte Whitner. If you're lucky he'll get a good deal more than just goal line work. He may have a little marginally added value in PPR leagues. McAllister is the better player but the Dallas run defense is a tough matchup.Hi Coach,I'm back again for the third straight week. We put up 22 pts. last week and that's with Crowell breaking his leg (0 pts.). Last week of the regular season and I must win.I need to start three.Gerald HayesBart ScottJeremiah TrotterLandon JohnsonChris HopeScoring: 1pt/Tackle, 1pt/Asst, 3pts/Sack, 5pts/INT, 6pts/TD.On a side note Deuce McCallister or Cedric Houston?I appreciate your time.TeamBryan
I'd check the early inactives to be certain, but I think I'd start Mitchell over Bethea unless Derrick Johnson plays and Bob Sanders does not play. Neither are a big play threat so I'd go with the MLB in the slightly better matchup.And you need to add "Elected to amputate part of his pinky finger rather than missing a down."
I've given up trying to predict this situation. It appears that Miller is the starter in the base defense, Simmons plays a fair amount in nickel packages (some for Johnson, some for Miller while the other stays), and Brooks is again a special teams/goal line player. Simmons wasn't on the injury report and practiced fully this week for the first time in two months but I'd guess the Bengals don't mess with a defense that's allowed seven points over two games.I'll update if I hear differently before the game.
I've got an unnatural hatred for Artrell Hawkins as a Bengal fan so it's hard for me to recommend him. I think you've got it pegged though. 4th DB -- Hawkins is the safe play albeit with a mediocre matchup; Robinson has the bigger upside.
It appears that Johnson is playing today. I should have mentioned Jermaine Phillips in TB...I don't like him vs the Falcons but the guy did post 10-12 tackles the last time he faced Atlanta. Perhaps I bench Phillips and keep Mitchel & Bethea in? Especially with Bob Sanders out now. Not sure what to do though.
Yeah, this is the only scenario in which I'd play Bethea over Mitchell today. I'm not a huge Phillips fan either but the matchup is solid. I think I'd play Mitchell and Bethea. I like Bethea now over Phillips and I still think the MLB with a good matchup is better than the SS with a good matchup. Go with your gut, though, otherwise you'll be triple fussy if you make the wrong decision.Best of luck.
Thanks. It's amazing what playoff time does to us all in fantasy land. If this were regular season I wouldn't be going nuts over these little details.
Just noticed I missed this one this AM. Sorry yortstop. Wasn't intentional.Don't know that it would've made a huge difference and I've got the benefit of hindsight now but it appears that Osi is going to struggle with his explosiveness the rest of the IDP season. If Strahan doesn't boot Kiwanuka out of a regular job next week, I might make that move in a redraft league for next week.
I like Edwards. He's a safe bet to produce no matter what happens in the game -- could rack up tackles against LJ or contribute against Tony Gonzalez in the passing game. Bulluck is still a very good play, but the Jags play terribly on the road and the Titans offense is on a roll making Bulluck's tackle potential a little riskier. Since both have about the same big play potential, I'd go with the safer bet in Edwards.
A reasonably good option as corners go. I can't find an easily determinable reason for his past four week production. He's a good bet to continue to be targeted frequently opposite a guy that gets no love from anyone but opposing offensive coordinators and receivers -- Leigh Bodden. Doesn't explain his Week 12 explosion with Bodden out although the Bengals did complete a bunch of passes to WR that week.Ravens have been an up and down matchup for corners, though, and you have to expect that the Ravens will get ahead at home and throw even less than they normally would anyway.
C'mon folks. Throw us a bone here. Edwards or Bulluck? Allen or Schobel?
Wish I had your problems.Both of these guys have tough matchups against solid LTs. Neither line has been giving up many sacks as a unit. Schobel's been hot -- 5.5 sacks in four weeks -- but Allen has been consistent despite not getting to the quarterback. I think the paper would say to go with Schobel -- slightly better matchup, more likely to get ahead at home, hot hand -- but I can't shake the feeling that Allen is a good play this week despite the matchup.Probably overthinking it. I'd take Schobel.
Well, we'll stick with the Oakland is a terrible matchup for a safety theme and expect Williams to get back to form against Indy. Indy hasn't been the best matchup either, however, unless they get ahead and run the ball. Still, I think Williams is the better play.I'm not a fan of either LB matchup either. Peterson has been struggling to make tackles lately and only managed two in their last meeting despite a busy Frank Gore afternoon. Dansby always seems to do better when the Cards can get themselves a lead and play a bunch of snaps in the nickel. I don't see that happening against Denver this week. I still think he's a better option in the tackle column than Peterson, though, and I'd take him this week.Hopefully we keep our streak going and both play better than they look on paper to me.
Bullocks isn't starting so he's out and I don't trust Reed in the 46 defense. Bethea is an ongoing injury risk and his value would be blunted some anyway if Sanders gets back for MNF.Considine and Marshall have the best matchups on paper, although Marshall may lose value if Gamble is out again this week. Collins is an interesting play, but the Lions haven't been a very good matchup for safeties with Kevin Jones out of the lineup in two of the past three weeks. Williams might be attractive, but the Falcons haven't been a very good matchup despite the best running stats and Dunn and Norwood are both dinged. Whitner is an injury question and faces some of the same concerns Collins does.I'd plan to start Considine and Marshall I think and then make your best guess/gut feeling with Collins/Whitner/Joseph/Reed based on what you think your lineup needs this week to win. Big underdog? Joseph and Reed are big upside (but big downside) guys. Collins is probably the safest bet with some upside. And Whitner should be a solid, vanilla play if healthy and you need to assure yourself of points in a close matchup.
I'd stick with Hayes. Looks like Simmons is the man in the middle again, but the Colts don't give up sacks or picks very often which blunts some of Simmons' big play value. Big play league so the corners make more sense. I think Marshall is a better play than Joseph from a big play perspective this week and both should get their share of tackles so I'd likely make that move. Williams is a tough call this week, but Harris has just as poor a matchup in TB. Again, the big play value of Harris (vs Gradkowski) over Williams (vs Manning) probably makes Harris the better play. So I'd run Wilson, Lewis, Marshall, and Harris out there and hope for a couple picks and some reasonable tackle numbers.cascaa said:
Three big things in Sims' favor.1/ Still a pile of meh at DT and MLB in Detroit, leaving all kinds of opportunity for Sims.2/ GB running game >>>> DET running game at this stage.3/ GB could well get a lead at home and pound the ball a bit.On the other hand, Jon Kitna plays for Detroit and could send Hawk a couple of Christmas presents.If you're in a tackle heavy league, I think Sims is the clear play. If you're in a big play oriented league and need a big upside guy as a big underdog this week, Hawk is the better play.Lemar Marshall isn't in the discussion this week.Killerclown said:
Best of luck getting Wilson for Reed. That'd take a nice headache off your roster.None of these matchups are particularly good on paper.Reed is a mess. Theoretically, a poor QB on the road with a athletic TE would suggest Reed might be a good play but I've given up trying to predict which matchups Reed will do well. He either does or he doesn't.The other three matchups sound good, but safety production has been inconsistent against the teams in question all season and all three players have been inconsistent enough to make things muddy. I'll usually lean toward talent here, which would make it MWilliams, SWilliams, Schweigert.I don't think there's a clear answer here. Here's how I'd approach the decision. You may answer these questions differently than I.Ed Reed: Are you going against a better team on paper where you'll need a big week and they'll need a meh week? Reed's a good play only if you need big upside potential to run down a stud opponent.Madieu Williams: Do you think Indy can blowout the Bengals at home and rely on the run significantly. The Colts have been a decent safety matchup only when they've run the ball bunches and Bryan Fletcher is no Dallas Clark. There's little big play potential against Manning so Williams is a tough play if you think this game is a shootout. And Williams' numbers have dropped with Kaesviharn and Jackson both healthy and stealing Williams' run and pass blitz responsibility.Shaun Williams: Do you think the Panthers backup corners can keep this game close enough to prevent the Steelers from jumping out to a big enough lead to get Willie Parker big carries? Otherwise, it's hard to see the Pittsburgh OL dominating the Carolina front four enough to allow Williams big tackles in the run game.Stuart Schweigert: Do you trust that he'll do well enough to beat Morrison, Howard, and Huff to the ball?I think I'd play the Williams boys and hope for the best with the caveat that Reed is the big upside option in the right situation.Best of luck.ETA:
The LBs are a little easier. Ryans is a clear number one to me with the NE matchup. I like Sims to do well with no DTs and MLBs to stop Ahman Green. And I think Pierce is a better play than Trotter, although not by much.RyansSims>Pierce>Trotter with Sims>>Trotter
It would really help if those asking for advice would help us out by providing the matchups for the players in question. Personally, I don't mind looking up a couple, but a long list like this takes too much time.Dawkins, behind the terrible run defense in Philly with a solid TE running deeper routes, is probably the best option of this list. He's also a consistent big play threat (sacks and picks) on a week to week basis. If you're leery of Tatupu's recent production, Dawkins would be my pick. But Tatupu is a threat for a big week against a RB of Frank Gore's talent.rupricht said:
Lewis is safe. A fair number of tackles have come behind the junk the Niners have been playing at MLB the past couple of weeks. And it could get worse if they go to Jay Foreman tonight. I agree that Dwight Smith isn't an option. Reed is the boom-bust guy; I'd use him if a big week helps you much more than a poor week hurts you. Otherwise, I think Lewis and Taylor are the plays.Bizkiteer said:
I'm big on evaluating your chances of winning this time of year when you set your matchups. If your lineup is a clear favorite, take the surer points unless you're pretty certain your sleeper play is a safe one. If your lineup is a clear underdog, shoot for the huge upside. The value of a huge week to an underdog lineup is easily worth the risk of taking a donut. The extra points you might pick up could be the difference between a win and a loss.With that in mind...I have the following DE's this week.
We start three------
Jared Allen vs SD (23 sacks given up)
Julius Peppers vs PIT (40 sacks given up)
Will Smith vs WAS (17 sacks given up)
Mark Anderson vs TB (27 sacks given up)
We get 12 points for a sack.
I'm so tempted to start Anderson this week.
Can you give me anymore insight that would help me out this week.
Thanks in advance.
THANKS!