Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Very slimmed down version this week. I am not going to waste time with spreads and whatnot. Basically list the game and whatever opinion I have. I encourage you to post what your choices are and tell us which way you are leaning. I have gotten a slew of PMs asking for help so odds are others are having the same predicaments.
Atlanta at Carolina
Michael Turner – Not as big a fan this week and here’s why. Atlanta has been winning big game after big game each week. Now they have to get up for the 1-11 Panthers and I see a letdown this week. Turner on the road and on natural grass is not usually a strong play. I’m not saying he cannot have a decent day but I would not expect 100 yds and 2 TD like his upside can be most weeks. Looks like DD has him outside the top10-12 this week too.
Carolina – Who knows? What is the health status of Stewart and Goodson, someone chime in.
Cinci at Pitt
Benson – Probably not a great week. The Steelers are fighting to maintain control of the North and also to try and catch NE which has a 1.5 game lead on them with 4 weeks left to go. I wouldn’t expect a big day from Benson even though he has fared well against strong defenses in the past.
Mendenhall – Should be one of the stronger plays on the board this week. 100 yds and a TD with some upside.
Cleveland at Buffalo
Gonna be cold. This week Cleveland will try to be the #1 team in the state of New York.
Hillis – Didn’t have a great week last week but Buffalo should not pose much of a threat. I expect him and Jackson to have strong weeks.
Fred Jackson – I like him and we can discuss below but many owners have had him stashed or using him the last couple weeks. If you own him and say you already got spotted a 30+ from Chris Johnson as your RB1…we’re talking playoffs for many owners so it’s likely you have a stacked team somewhere on your roster. I would be hard pressed to bench him this week if you had to choose between him and say Michael Turner. Again, we can discuss below.
Green Bay at Detroit
Packers – 3 headed right now but Starks got most of his touches late although he also got a lot of 1st down handoffs on the 1st play of several drives so they do establish the run with him. Brandon Jackson continues to be a flex option but his value is fading. Kuhn is strictly short yardage and TD plunges.
Detroit – Seems like Morris is getting the touches now. Best was held out of practice and the Bears last week is no way to gauge upside here. I probably would steer clear if you can.
NY Giants at Minnesota
Bradhsaw/Jacobs – Lot of PMs about Bradshaw. Folks he is top10 on the season, had 2 TDs last week alongside Jacobs, is a dual threat, injuries galore at the WR spots, Giants in the thick of the playoff hunt and division crown…what am I missing here? You start Bradshaw IMO and again we can debate this if you like. I would love to hear why you would steer away from him.
Adrian Peterson – Child please.
Oakland at Jacksonville
Darren McFadden – Any game he has been active other than 1 in PPR formats the minimum he puts up is 13 points. 5 games with 18+ points. I know the Jags are pumped up and possibly on a collision course next week with Indy…you gotta find a way to get him on the field. Jags rush D 4 of the last 5 weeks has been pretty darn good, I will admit it.
MJD – Automatic start.
Tampa Bay at Washington
Blount – Another PM special where folks want to get this guy out there. He is avg 20/80/.5 TD the last 5-6 weeks. He is no threat to catch the ball, very limited upside IMHO. Decent RB2, better RB3 but I like a guy who can catch a few balls.
Washington – Bucs are not great at stopping the run but the Skins are a mess right now. I’ll refer to the SP on this.
Seattle at San Fran
Lynch – 3 TDs last week, probably a farce. He has not been consistent most of the year, patchwork OL of sorts. Seattle also is not a very good road team. Lynch is barely gaining 3.5 ypc, maybe not even that.
San Fran – Seems like a mess again. Westbrook and Dixon split last week and apparently SF has not seen any game footage of Westbrook in his Philly days where he caught a few balls.
St Louis at New Orleans
Steven Jackson – How come with a solid passing game can’t SJax get loose a little more often? Frustrating for owners I’m sure.
Chris Ivory – Betts on IR, Thomas still out, Reggie Bush probably not 100%...Ivory has been 11th overall the last 3 weeks. You do the math. This is a big game and NO must win to try and keep pace with Atlanta.
Denver at Arizona
Knowshon Moreno – Maybe the new coach(Rooney Rule-cough) will be able to get a little more out of him. Moreno has had some moments for owners the past many weeks but it remains to be seen what happens to the offense now.
Editorial Note: My Rooney Rule remark is simple. By firing McDaniels which Pat was going to do anyways, he now can legitimately interview Studs and not fly in Leslie Frasier for a fake interview or some other coach. I’m sure you’ll think I’m nuts but what better way for owners to skirt a rule than fire the HC and promote a guy that they would never give the HC job to and allow him to coach a few games, interview him, then go and select whoever they really want. Again, I know I’m conspiracy guy here but I really can see owners doing this when things are going bad and they know they are going to make a coaching move anyways. The next guy on my radar was the Asst HC/RB coach for the Titans who I think has the last name Johnson. Don’t be surprised if Fisher is relieved of his duties and that guy is suddenly the HC for the last couple weeks. Now if this happened a few times then perhaps the league and coaches would complain but I think it is perfectly legal and gives owners a way to skirt the rule so they are not questioned about their interview process.
The editorial piece was sponsored by the Cleveland Tourism Society reminding you that it’s always sunny in Cleveland. And remember MOP said we are the #1 team in Florida which now makes us a tourist destination.
Arizona – Does it matter? If you are running these backs out there you likely are a fringe team. Hightower appears to have more upside right now.
Kansas City at San Diego
Jamaal Charles – Start him with confidence
Mike Tolbert – Love the way this guy runs the football. I expect a lot of points scored this week for both teams.
New England at Chicago
BJGE/Woodhead – The Bears are pretty good at locking down opposing RBs but these two right now are not playing by the rules. I like Woody in the flex(that sounds terrible) and BJGE benefitted from an end zone PI call and then the Jets just giving up.
Matt Forte – Buyer beware. The Pats are on a big roll right now.
Miami at NY Jets
Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams – Your guess is as good as mine here. Neither of them has been real consistent. Actually looking forward to seeing Brown on another team and in another system next year.
LT/Greene – Miami has been tough against the run and it’s been awhile since either of these guys has scored.
Philly at Dallas
I liked the Cowboys last week and I think they play them pretty close this week.
LeSean McCoy – 20-25-20-33…what a terror this guy has become with Vick running the show. I still question his ability to other backs in the league but we can debate that in the off season, right now he is one of the hottest in FF.
Choice/Felix – Meh
Baltimore at Houston
Ray Rice – Whipping boy of the SP but he before last week in PPR he posted 25-13-25-20 the previous 4 weeks, let’s have a little optimism here folks. Houston is a good match up for him.
Arian Foster –Won’t be a terrific game but he’s the #1 RB in FF so you can’t bench him although I will listen to opinions or options you might have.
Folks, I’m sorry to abandon you last week but most know in here that I am wrapping up school. I wrote a term paper on obesity in the NFL which has a strong chance of publication. At some point I may post it up. It started with a thread you can search and look thru. I appreciate the many PMs and emails you all send along. Best of luck to you all in your FF playoff match ups this weekend. I hope you all kick butt and please frame your questions in a way where we can all benefit.
Thanks,
Sean aka MOP
Atlanta at Carolina
Michael Turner – Not as big a fan this week and here’s why. Atlanta has been winning big game after big game each week. Now they have to get up for the 1-11 Panthers and I see a letdown this week. Turner on the road and on natural grass is not usually a strong play. I’m not saying he cannot have a decent day but I would not expect 100 yds and 2 TD like his upside can be most weeks. Looks like DD has him outside the top10-12 this week too.
Carolina – Who knows? What is the health status of Stewart and Goodson, someone chime in.
Cinci at Pitt
Benson – Probably not a great week. The Steelers are fighting to maintain control of the North and also to try and catch NE which has a 1.5 game lead on them with 4 weeks left to go. I wouldn’t expect a big day from Benson even though he has fared well against strong defenses in the past.
Mendenhall – Should be one of the stronger plays on the board this week. 100 yds and a TD with some upside.
Cleveland at Buffalo
Gonna be cold. This week Cleveland will try to be the #1 team in the state of New York.
Hillis – Didn’t have a great week last week but Buffalo should not pose much of a threat. I expect him and Jackson to have strong weeks.
Fred Jackson – I like him and we can discuss below but many owners have had him stashed or using him the last couple weeks. If you own him and say you already got spotted a 30+ from Chris Johnson as your RB1…we’re talking playoffs for many owners so it’s likely you have a stacked team somewhere on your roster. I would be hard pressed to bench him this week if you had to choose between him and say Michael Turner. Again, we can discuss below.
Green Bay at Detroit
Packers – 3 headed right now but Starks got most of his touches late although he also got a lot of 1st down handoffs on the 1st play of several drives so they do establish the run with him. Brandon Jackson continues to be a flex option but his value is fading. Kuhn is strictly short yardage and TD plunges.
Detroit – Seems like Morris is getting the touches now. Best was held out of practice and the Bears last week is no way to gauge upside here. I probably would steer clear if you can.
NY Giants at Minnesota
Bradhsaw/Jacobs – Lot of PMs about Bradshaw. Folks he is top10 on the season, had 2 TDs last week alongside Jacobs, is a dual threat, injuries galore at the WR spots, Giants in the thick of the playoff hunt and division crown…what am I missing here? You start Bradshaw IMO and again we can debate this if you like. I would love to hear why you would steer away from him.
Adrian Peterson – Child please.
Oakland at Jacksonville
Darren McFadden – Any game he has been active other than 1 in PPR formats the minimum he puts up is 13 points. 5 games with 18+ points. I know the Jags are pumped up and possibly on a collision course next week with Indy…you gotta find a way to get him on the field. Jags rush D 4 of the last 5 weeks has been pretty darn good, I will admit it.
MJD – Automatic start.
Tampa Bay at Washington
Blount – Another PM special where folks want to get this guy out there. He is avg 20/80/.5 TD the last 5-6 weeks. He is no threat to catch the ball, very limited upside IMHO. Decent RB2, better RB3 but I like a guy who can catch a few balls.
Washington – Bucs are not great at stopping the run but the Skins are a mess right now. I’ll refer to the SP on this.
Seattle at San Fran
Lynch – 3 TDs last week, probably a farce. He has not been consistent most of the year, patchwork OL of sorts. Seattle also is not a very good road team. Lynch is barely gaining 3.5 ypc, maybe not even that.
San Fran – Seems like a mess again. Westbrook and Dixon split last week and apparently SF has not seen any game footage of Westbrook in his Philly days where he caught a few balls.
St Louis at New Orleans
Steven Jackson – How come with a solid passing game can’t SJax get loose a little more often? Frustrating for owners I’m sure.
Chris Ivory – Betts on IR, Thomas still out, Reggie Bush probably not 100%...Ivory has been 11th overall the last 3 weeks. You do the math. This is a big game and NO must win to try and keep pace with Atlanta.
Denver at Arizona
Knowshon Moreno – Maybe the new coach(Rooney Rule-cough) will be able to get a little more out of him. Moreno has had some moments for owners the past many weeks but it remains to be seen what happens to the offense now.
Editorial Note: My Rooney Rule remark is simple. By firing McDaniels which Pat was going to do anyways, he now can legitimately interview Studs and not fly in Leslie Frasier for a fake interview or some other coach. I’m sure you’ll think I’m nuts but what better way for owners to skirt a rule than fire the HC and promote a guy that they would never give the HC job to and allow him to coach a few games, interview him, then go and select whoever they really want. Again, I know I’m conspiracy guy here but I really can see owners doing this when things are going bad and they know they are going to make a coaching move anyways. The next guy on my radar was the Asst HC/RB coach for the Titans who I think has the last name Johnson. Don’t be surprised if Fisher is relieved of his duties and that guy is suddenly the HC for the last couple weeks. Now if this happened a few times then perhaps the league and coaches would complain but I think it is perfectly legal and gives owners a way to skirt the rule so they are not questioned about their interview process.
The editorial piece was sponsored by the Cleveland Tourism Society reminding you that it’s always sunny in Cleveland. And remember MOP said we are the #1 team in Florida which now makes us a tourist destination.
Arizona – Does it matter? If you are running these backs out there you likely are a fringe team. Hightower appears to have more upside right now.
Kansas City at San Diego
Jamaal Charles – Start him with confidence
Mike Tolbert – Love the way this guy runs the football. I expect a lot of points scored this week for both teams.
New England at Chicago
BJGE/Woodhead – The Bears are pretty good at locking down opposing RBs but these two right now are not playing by the rules. I like Woody in the flex(that sounds terrible) and BJGE benefitted from an end zone PI call and then the Jets just giving up.
Matt Forte – Buyer beware. The Pats are on a big roll right now.
Miami at NY Jets
Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams – Your guess is as good as mine here. Neither of them has been real consistent. Actually looking forward to seeing Brown on another team and in another system next year.
LT/Greene – Miami has been tough against the run and it’s been awhile since either of these guys has scored.
Philly at Dallas
I liked the Cowboys last week and I think they play them pretty close this week.
LeSean McCoy – 20-25-20-33…what a terror this guy has become with Vick running the show. I still question his ability to other backs in the league but we can debate that in the off season, right now he is one of the hottest in FF.
Choice/Felix – Meh
Baltimore at Houston
Ray Rice – Whipping boy of the SP but he before last week in PPR he posted 25-13-25-20 the previous 4 weeks, let’s have a little optimism here folks. Houston is a good match up for him.
Arian Foster –Won’t be a terrific game but he’s the #1 RB in FF so you can’t bench him although I will listen to opinions or options you might have.
Folks, I’m sorry to abandon you last week but most know in here that I am wrapping up school. I wrote a term paper on obesity in the NFL which has a strong chance of publication. At some point I may post it up. It started with a thread you can search and look thru. I appreciate the many PMs and emails you all send along. Best of luck to you all in your FF playoff match ups this weekend. I hope you all kick butt and please frame your questions in a way where we can all benefit.
Thanks,
Sean aka MOP
