Teams on a bye: Browns, Packers, Cardinals, Redskins
As Week 10 came to a close on Monday night, we were forced to suffer through another Eagles loss, this one was to the 3-5 Saints — the Eagles made them look like they were undefeated. The certainty of Andy Reid’s job has been up in the air since the Birds’ embarrassing debacle against the Cardinals back in Week 3 and Eagles fans have been calling for the coach’s head for much longer than that — what else is knew? Let’s be realistic. It’s been 14 years. Fourteen long, championship-less years — again, what else is new? As hard as it is to imagine someone else patrolling the sidelines, I think Reid has run his course. It’s time for a change.
This happens all the time, especially in fantasy football. It’s a revolving door. One year this player is great. The next year, he’s someone we want so badly to do well and keep thinking he will, strictly because of his name. Instead of being stubborn and costing your team a win, open your eyes and realize that his time has come and gone.
Players I Love for Week 10
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions: Stafford has looked sharp the past two weeks, throwing for 637 yards and three touchdowns and posting a 68.3 completion percentage. In his career against the Vikings (five games), Stafford is averaging 260.0 yards per game and has thrown six touchdowns. Minnesota’s pass defense is a bit lackluster this season, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (18.9). Hopefully Stafford can continue his solid play.
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: This week’s matchup against the Buccaneers is undeniably the most generous matchup Rivers will see all year. Tampa Bay has allowed the most passing yards per game, not to mention 13 touchdowns. Just last week, this Bucs defense allowed Carson Palmer to throw for 414 yards and four touchdowns. In Rivers’ only career game against Tampa Bay, he threw four touchdowns.
Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers: I don’t care how good San Diego’s run defense is. Have you seen these kid’s last few games? In the rookie’s last three games, he’s collected 471 yards (6.73 yards per carry) and six rushing touchdowns — not to mention he’s caught ten passes for 137 yards and a score.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks: Lynch is seeking his fourth-straight 100-yard performance, and what defense better to do so against than a New York Jets defense that is allowing over 140 yards per game on the ground. This is a no-brainer.
Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots: Have you seen the Bills play defense this year? Well, they haven’t. This highly-touted Bills defense has allowed 169.5 rushing yards per game and a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns. The last time Ridley and the Patriots squared off with the Bills, he and his accomplice Brandon Bolden torched this defense for 243 yards (Ridley had 106) and three touchdowns (Ridley had two).
Eric Decker, WR, Broncos: Last year, he was good. This year, he’s great. That’s the difference between having Tim Tebow throwing you the ball and having Peyton Manning throwing you the ball. Manning just makes you that much better. Decker has had two consecutive two-touchdown games, and has scored at least once in each of the past five weeks.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: Over the past four games, Jackson is averaging 101.5 yards per game and has made his way into the end zone four times. Other than that, I really have no stats to back up this prediction. I’m strictly basing this off of that fact that I believe Jackson will come through with a big performance in his first game against his former team.
Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers: Antonio Brown is listed as doubtful for Monday night’s game, which calls for more targets for Mr. Wallace. He’s not putting up the yards that we’d like to see, but that should change this week. Another positive thing: the Chiefs have surrendered 17 passing touchdowns this year. All signs point to a huge game for Wallace.
Marques Colston, WR, Saints: Colston has had a monster last five games, reeling in 34 passes for 466 yards (13.7 yards per catch), and six touchdowns. In his last two games against the Falcons, he’s gathered 194 yards and a score on 15 receptions.
Players I Hate for Week 10
Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: The Bears’ defense has allowed seven passing touchdowns this year. The Bears’ defense has scored seven touchdowns this year — let’s not forget about the 17 interceptions. If all that wasn’t enough: The Bears allow the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks — a mere 9.8. You decide.
Jay Cutler, QB, Bears: Cutler’s matchup with this Texans defense is no walk in the park. Houston has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (203.8) and the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (13.2). Again, you decide.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick versus the Patriots? Awful. Ryan Fitzpatrick versus any other team? Great. In Fitzpatrick’s six career games against the Patriots, he’s thrown for 11 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. If you would like a more recent sample size, in his last three games against New England, he’s thrown for eight touchdowns and an eye-opening ten interceptions.
Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: A running back on the decline facing the 49ers? No thanks.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Charles has been a major disappointment this season and the Steelers aren’t about to make things any easier for him. Pittsburgh is allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game. Charles’ last three games have been mind-boggling: 85 yards and not a single touchdown.
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: I know, I know. It’s Andre Johnson. But the Bears have a guy on this historic defense who goes by the name of Charles Tillman. There is not a single receiver whom he cannot shut down. He’s already done so to Calvin Johnson.
Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs: The Steelers are allowing just 174 passing yards per game this season, and, no matter which one of his below-average quarterbacks is throwing him the ball, it won’t make a difference.
When it comes to deciding on your lineup, one minor slip-up could be that utterly frustrating difference between a win and a loss; choose wisely.