QBS:
1. Aaron Rodgers - - Unless you're a Packers fan, Green Bay's struggles should actually be reassuring you as a fantasy owner. And you should be even more pumped that the Pack lost their starting runningback last weekend for most of the year. Both things mean that last year's MVP will have to throw all over the place. One thing that isn't reassuring is that Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley might miss this contest. Still, Aaron has proved he can succeed with anyone out there
2. Tom Brady - - Tom has a tough contest going cross country to play in one of the most hostile environments in Seattle, even with good weather. The Seahawk secondary is special and all 4 starters could make the probowl. Now that being said, Aaron Hernandez returns to the starting lineup and Wes Welker has returned to being reliable as all get out. Tom Brady must be started if you own him.
3. Eli Manning - - Eli Manning has worked wonders without Hakeem Nicks. Can people finally give the guy the credit he deserves? He's got a brutal matchup against one of the best defenses in San Francisco but he proved in last years NFC Championship game that he can attack this team. I think that game experience and gameplan can help him here and with the 49ers shutting down the run, he will be the New York offense plain and simple.
4. Matthew Stafford - - Matthew Stafford has not looked like himself this year at all. It troubles me and anyone else that figured he was a no brainer top 5 QB draft pick. But if you sacrificed that high of selection on him you must roll with him and hope he eventually gets out of his funk. Playing Philly you know you will get good field position with Vick turnovers. We'll see if Calvin Johnson can at least score in this one
5. Tony Romo - - Last week against the Ravens Matt Cassell was clearly gameplanned to protect and hide. The team did not let him attack Baltimore through the air. Tony will take his shots. As strange as it sounds, I don't think I've ever seen as efficient of a 5 interception game as the one he had against the Bears on Monday night. Most of his balls were caught by someone. This week has tough options but Tony won't be a terrible start I don't think, the Ravens defense isn't as amazing as their traditional squads, or even last year's for that matter
6. Matt Ryan - - Matt Ryan at home? Against a team with nobody's starting at the corner?? In terms of matchups he has the best one here of the bunch but the reason I don't have him higher is that he simple may not need to pass. The Raiders as an opponent got near blanked by Denver two weeks ago, and you may see a ton of Micahel Turner instead in this one
7. Phillip Rivers 13. Andrew Luck
8. Peyton Manning 14. Joe Flacco
9. Michael Vick 15. Christian Ponder
10. Robert Griffin 16. Andy Dalton
11. Matt Schaub 17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
12. Ben Roethlisberger 18. Alex Smith
RBS:
1. LeSean McCoy - - LeSean's amazing cutback was on full display Sunday night and he made some impressive long runs out of nothing against a strong Steelers front. His fantasy reign will continue this week against a Lions squad that was supposed to be a better stop unit. Chris Johnson had his only good game of the season against Detroit and San Francisco carved them up. I expect a big day outta LeSean.
2. Arian Foster - - Arian really bailed his team out on Monday. An inspired New York team was surprisingly competing on all sides of the ball, but no one had an answer for Arian. With Ben Tate being out and backup Justin Forsett largely ineffective he carried the load well. His health and maturity concerns appear past him so he's as close to a no brainer lock start as you can get at any position across the board. Green Bay yields a respectable defense but no way you sit him here.
3. Ray Rice - - Through three weeks Ray Rice has clearly been the most impressive fantasy back, catching the ball and breaking long runs. IF you drafted him this year you have to be feeling pretty good about that.
4. Darren McFadden - - For as good as the undefeated Falcons are, stopping the run does not appear to be one of their strong suits. When the Raiders lose, McFadden's fantasy owners lose too, and yet when they win it's largely mirrors his statistical output. If that's the case the Raiders game may be closer than many think. If you own him a points per reception league he can help you out this week!
5. Adrian Peterson - Adrian Peterson has not been practising much this week leading up to his matchup against the 'Skins. Still he is the focal point of a surprisingly resurgent Minnesota offense that is remarkenly efficient. He's the best goalline runner in fantasy too so I'd roll the dice with A.P., he's said 'no doubt' he plays but don't all injured players?
6. Marshawn Lynch - - Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo will want to take away Skittles to help the Patriots chance of winning in Seattle this Sunday. If Seattle is to stay competitive it will need Beast mode to take over and he's in the top 5 running backs with yards rushing for a reason. Don't think of sitting this guy this week despite the potential for a blowout.
7. DeMarco Murray - - Everyone wanted to crucify Tony Romo for his Monday night meltdown against the Bears but another compeling storyline was how invisible DemArco was. This Cowboy offense was one dimensional in that game and Murray will look to rebound against Baltimore. The Ravens were gashed for more than 200 yards by a bad Kansas City team so the rebound potential is certainly here for the Cowboys star back
8. Frank Gore - Frank's last name is starting to resemble was San Francisco is doing to their poor opponents. Buffalo looked like the worst team in the league last week and they really aren'ts that bad - San Fran is just that good. Kendall Hunter had almost a 100 yards in garbage time - WOW! The Giants will keep the score competitve if not a victory and therefore Gore will get more touches and more chances to score.
9. Jamaal Charles - - Jamaal Charles is the AFC West version of Chris Johnson. A speed threat under 200 pounds who will either have a terrible stat line in a blowout loss (See Week 2) or explode with long runs and fantasy glory (See the almost 300 yard performance against New Orleans). The pulse on Jamaal is high riding into this game as he is leading the league in rushing
10. Doug Martin - The game before their bye had Doug Martin owners concerned as LaGerrette Blount appeared to be in a 50 50 timeshare with Doug. Blount is practising better and getting in favor on Schiano. Monitor this going forward but it's necessary to roll with Martin seeing as how Kansas City will be blown out in near every contest.
11. Reggie Bush - Reggie Bush appears to be back to full health and good thing. The Rams defense is exceptional against the pass but can be run on, that's the key for Miami to avoid that pass rush. Daniel Thomas looks to be out with a concussion as well so Lamar Miller and his poor pass blocking may not relieve Reggie nearly as much keeping him on the field
12. Trent Richardson - - Much Like Steven Jackson, Trent is a dreadlocked terror mean and nasty who will carry his below average team. He's a one man show and had a ton of carries against the Giants. It's good to see that even when things go wrong they aren't avoiding him from the gameplan. He's such a good receiver that his fantasy value is strong.
13. Michael Turner - As I mentioned in Matt Ryan's rating - Turner the Burner is who you want in this week's fantasy matchup. I doubt that the Raiders will be able to keep pace with high flying Atlanta so Turner will be the closer in this one. They still have yet to prove their JacQuizz Rodgers will be sharing the ball theory. It's all Michael in Atlanta.
14. Ryan Mathews 27. Kendall Hunter
15. Reshard Mendenhall 28. Vick Ballard - new starter with Donald Brown out
16. Alfred Morris 29. Brandon Bolden
17. Mikell Leshoure 30. Danny Woodhead
18. Stevan Ridley 31. Alex Green
19. Steven Jackson 32. James Starks
20. Ahmad Bradshaw 33. Wiliam Powell - a guess as to ARI starter
21. Fred Jackson 34. JacQuizz Rodgers
22. Willis McGahee 35. Ronnie Hillman - about time he showed up!
23. Chris Johnson 36. Shaun Draughan
24. Ben Tate 37. David Wilson
25. Shonne Greene
26. CJ Spiller
WRS:
1. Calvin Johnson - Megatron has underperformed to his own superstandards that he set last year. But you have to continue to roll with him, trust me, the week you consider benching him is the week he'll catch 3 touchdowns and 200 yards recieving. He gets Nmandi this week, who's been slightly above average this year
2. Larry Fitzgerald - - With no viable starting runningback for the Cardinals, Kevin Kolb will have to pass a ton. Supposing he survives all the hits his anemic offensive line will give, figure that Fitz is bound to see 12-15 targets a game and with his great hands he can make fantasy numbers out of that even if he is doubled every play.
3. Andre Johnson - -Give Antonio Cromartie all the credit in the world. He flat out shut down Houston's bigman limiting him to a measly one catch 16 yard performance. With Darrelle Revis going down he's answered the charge on offense too. Look for Andre Johnson to rebound this week against the Packers who've had breakdowns at the safety position. He's due for a 50 yard score.
4. A.J. Green - - A.J. showed us that deep ball craving from 2011 last week and this figures to be a good matchup for Dalton and crew. Look for at least one 40+ yard touchdown as long as he's not hobbled by a new knee injury that crept up recently
5. Julio Jones - - Julio Jones has a hand injury, never good for a wide receiver. it seems to be keeping his yardage low. He had a healty resurrgence against Washington and made a pretty touchdown two toe tapper. He may be on the downhill slide of his hand injury. The Raiders can't cover him with 3 guys with their talent level.
6. Victor Cruz - - Victor Cruz answered the call as the unquestioned No.1 last Sunday on a national stage. Plus he seems to have moved on from the dropsies that plagued him in week one. He salsa danced up and down against the Browns and despite the tough matchup against Carlos Rogers and San Fran should be a good short to intermediate 3rd down target
7. Roddy White - - Roddy White is 30 years old. Usually wide receivers last a year or two longer in the elite status from runningbacks but that 30 number is doom for tailbacks. White is proving that age ain't nuthin' but a number
8. Percy Harvin - Percy Harvin this summer requested a trade for not getting resigned. Minnesota has got to pay da man for helping Ponder look so great and scoring touchdowns as a goal line rushing tailback. He's at the top of his game this year.
9. DeMaryius Thomas - - Peyton's completion percentage was impressive against the Patriots. DeMaryius also appears to be over a minor lingering injury that had been nagging him. Manning will need to put the ball in the air to compete with San Diego, good news for Bay-Bay.
10. Jordy Nelson - - Much like Hakeem Nicks, Greg Jennings has been a No.1 receiver that is having problems even taking the field. It cashed in big points wise for Cruz and Jordy Nelson finally woke up last week after some pretty quiet performances. With Greg Jennings and JerMichael Finley in doubt to play Jordy will have plenty of opportunities.
11. Dwayne Bowe - - This is very high for a stud receiver playing with a new signal caller. Matt Cassell warms the bench because of an injury in Tampa Bay, but before a change gets you excited you must remember Brady Quinn's girly arm strength. He'll use tight ends and runningbacks a little bit more but Bowe is the big possession type receiver to still be effective in the red zone as well as converting first downs.
12. Wes Welker - Wes Welker has returned to prominence with Aaron Hernandez missing time. Unfortunately for Wes owners the Patriots get back their top target so it's possible his 15 catch days may be scaled back a bit. Brandon Lloyd keeps dropping touchdown passes so Welker is the wideout to own in Boston.
13. Brandon Lloyd - That being said Brandon Lloyd will be relied on in the Patriots matchup with Seattle. The Seahawks in the last year or two have been amazing shutting down the run. Brady has relied on his young running game to a large degree this month so it'll be interesting to see how he performs in a game where he needs to throw 40+ times. Brandon Lloyd is getting the redzone opportunities, he just seems to be dropping them all the time.
14. Miles Austin 28. Brian Hartline
15. Mike Wallace 29. James Jones
16. Antonio Brown 30. Michael Crabtree
17. Dez Bryant 31. Kenny Britt
18. Stevie Johnson 32. Anquan Boldin
19. Reggie Wayne 33. Sidney Rice
20. DeSean Jackson 34. Hakeem Nicks
21. Denarius Moore 35. Andre Roberts
22. Jeremy Maclin 36. Jerome Simpson
23. Torrey Smith 37. Donnie Avery
24. Eric Decker 38. Randall Cobb
25. Malcom Floyd 39. Kendall Wright
26. Vincent Jackson 40. Darryius Heyward Bey
27. Pierre Garcon
TES
1. Rob Gronkowski - - The Patriots have their best group of receivers since Randy Moss rode off into the sunset. Should open things in the middle quite nicely
2. Antonio Gates - Antonio Gates has not had a signature game so far this year. He's had too great of a career to give up on him just yet but my patience is getting thin.
3. Vernon Davis - I'm excited for the NFC Championship game rematch and frankly shocked it's not on primetime televsion. Vernon Davis may be needed in this one more than usual.
4. Tony Gonzalez 8. Martellus Bennett
5. Brandon Pettigrew 9. Kyle Rudolph
6. Jason Witten 10. Owen Daniels
7. Brent Celek
DEF
1. Houston Texans - - Houston has what many people deem as the best defense in the AFC. That was until Brian Cushing was lost for the year. This will be an excellent barometer against the Packers, but the reason they remain my No.1 Defense is because Rodgers is sacked at least 4 times a game. He can be pressured into a mistake
2. San Francisco 49ers - - San Francisco had in my mind their most dominant game on all sides of the ball since the Bill Walsh days last week. They have a challange against a strong offense but if you own the 49ers you aren't wasting your time looking at waiver wire pickups
3. Baltimore Ravens - The Cowboys have been generous in the turnover department and the Ravens have limited their last handful of opponents under 20 pts. They should get after Romo and make him run in this one for sure!
4. Arizona Cardinals 8. New York Giants
5. Miami Dolphins 9. Minnesota Vikings
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 10. Tennessee Titans
7. Cincinnati Bengals
