Just thought with games starting tomorrow morning, I'd throw out my top 40 running backs. Good luck in your games, and win or lose be sure to talk some trash! (Note: Chris Johnson and all Indy RB's are not listed, since the game was played Thursday.)
1. Peyton Hillis @Buf
2. Michael Turner @Car
3. Adrian Peterson NYG (Game has been moved to Monday Night due to snow delay!)
4. Maurice Jones-Drew Oak
5. Knowshon Moreno @Ari
6. Arian Foster Bal
7. Ray Rice @Hou
8. Rashard Mendenhall Cin
9. LeSean McCoy @Dal
10. Steven Jackson @NO
11. Darren McFadden @Jac
12. Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis @Chi
13. Jamaal Charles @SD
14. Matt Forte NE
15. Ahmad Bradshaw @Min (Game has been moved to Monday Night due to snow delay!)
16. LeGarrette Blount @Was
17. Chris Ivory STL
18. Mike Tolbert KC
19. Brandon Jacobs @Min (Game has been moved to Monday Night due to snow delay!)
20. Cedric Benson @Pit
21. Ladainian Tomlinson Mia
22. Thomas Jones @SD
23. Jonathan Stewart ATL
24. James Starks @Det
25. Felix Jones Phi
26. Marshawn Lynch @SF
27. Ronnie Brown @NYJ
28. Jahvid Best GB
29. Tim Hightower Den
30. Brian Westbrook Sea
31. Shonne Green Mia
32. Tashard Choice Phi
33. Danny Woodhead (Ranks higher in Yahoo! leagues since he can be played at WR, especially in any league that requires three WR. In leagues with a flex, he's often a good choice) @Chi
34. Reggie Bush Stl
35. Anthony Dixon Sea
36. Bryan Westbrook Sea
37. Beanie Wells Den
38. Ricky Williams @NYJ
39. Michael Bush @Jac
40. Maurice Morris GB
I have Moreno ranked slightly higher than most because I believe after the poor passing performance last week, along with Knowshon's breakout game the new interim coach Studesville will pound the ball against the 30th ranked rush defense.
I have Turner over Adrian Peterson simply because I think Atlanta will likely be leading by 14+ most of the game and will be able to get him 25 touches.
Good luck tomorrow, let me know what you think in my comment section!
Mike
Fantasy Football news, updates, tips, and more!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Defenses to Own
Since many of us are playing defenses from the Waiver Wire each week, I thought it would be good to take a look at which defenses will be the best to plug-and-play over the course of the next three weeks. I'm going to avoid defenses like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and GB because honestly if these are available they are definitely worth a roster spot.
Week 14 Desirable Matchups (The one you want to own is bolded):
Mia @ NYJ - although many have given up on the Jets defense as a fantasy powerhouse this year, you have to figure they will be awfully mad and ready to play against an anemic Miami offense. With Miami knowing they must win, they'll put the ball in the air and this could lead to turnovers and a big day for the Jets D.
Atlanta @ Carolina - Playing Atlanta is basically counting on one thing. Atlanta will be up early, up often, and force the Panthers to become more and more one-dimensional as the game wears on, leading Jimmy Clausen into multiple turnovers. Playing mediocre defenses against Carolina can burn you if you're a little unlucky, but any team playing Carolina has the potential for a big day.
Tampa Bay @ Washington - This one I recommend with caution, since the injury to Aqib Talib leaves them shorthanded in the secondary. Still, the Redskins offense has been abominable this year and it's not an altogether bad idea to try to take advantage of that fact! Play with caution, but if you need a big day to win, they could be a nice sleeper.
Denver @ Arizona - This is probably a desperation play only, but starting a defense who's coach has just been fired against a rookie quarterback in John Skelton can't be that bad, can it? Denver will have no problem scoring against Arizona, who has the 24th ranked pass defense and 30th ranked rush defense this year. This will open Skelton up to a lot of pressure trying to throw behind a battered offensive line and should lead to good production for the Denver D. Play with extreme caution, but has the potential to be huge.
Mike
Week 14 Desirable Matchups (The one you want to own is bolded):
Mia @ NYJ - although many have given up on the Jets defense as a fantasy powerhouse this year, you have to figure they will be awfully mad and ready to play against an anemic Miami offense. With Miami knowing they must win, they'll put the ball in the air and this could lead to turnovers and a big day for the Jets D.
Atlanta @ Carolina - Playing Atlanta is basically counting on one thing. Atlanta will be up early, up often, and force the Panthers to become more and more one-dimensional as the game wears on, leading Jimmy Clausen into multiple turnovers. Playing mediocre defenses against Carolina can burn you if you're a little unlucky, but any team playing Carolina has the potential for a big day.
Tampa Bay @ Washington - This one I recommend with caution, since the injury to Aqib Talib leaves them shorthanded in the secondary. Still, the Redskins offense has been abominable this year and it's not an altogether bad idea to try to take advantage of that fact! Play with caution, but if you need a big day to win, they could be a nice sleeper.
Denver @ Arizona - This is probably a desperation play only, but starting a defense who's coach has just been fired against a rookie quarterback in John Skelton can't be that bad, can it? Denver will have no problem scoring against Arizona, who has the 24th ranked pass defense and 30th ranked rush defense this year. This will open Skelton up to a lot of pressure trying to throw behind a battered offensive line and should lead to good production for the Denver D. Play with extreme caution, but has the potential to be huge.
Mike
Approaching the Fantasy Playoffs!
Ah, it's that time of year again, time to prepare for single-elimination battle in the manliest of sports. What am I talking about? Fantasy Football of course! As we either begin or approach playoff time in nearly all leagues, everyone is asking the same questions. Who can I pick up at this point? Which defenses make the best plays down the stretch? Should I try to ride trendy picks to victory or stick with consistency? Here are my thoughts on the above, and three playoff sleepers
Playoff Sleepers:
1. Sid Rice - Although some may call his performance last week fluky, he has clearly once again established himself as the number one target of the Vikings offense. Last week he looked like the Sidney we all remember from last year, and with the Vikings on the playoff bubble if they win out, in addition to the fact that Frazier is auditioning for the Vikings head coaching position, Rice is sure to plenty of looks in the coming weeks. Play him without worry.
2. Roy Williams - Much more of a deep sleeper than Rice, the injury of Dez Bryant once again opens things up for Roy E. Prior to Bryant's emergence in the second half of the season, Roy had quietly put together great numbers. As teams look to shut down Miles Austin, Williams will likely have a good chance at scoring a touchdown, and with week fifteen and sixteen matchups against Washington and Arizona, respectively, you have to like his chances to bounce back in a big way. He's a riskier play than Sid, but is also available in 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
3. Tashard Choice - Looking at another deep sleeper, Choice has become very fantasy-relevant with the injury to Marion Barber. With the Cowboys suddenly looking to a much more balanced offensive attack, expect Choice to get the majority of the goal line carries over the smaller Felix Jones. With their newly found efficiency on offense, Choice makes a great pickup. He's likely to get a good number of touches around the goal line, is totally fresh heading into the later part of the season, and Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has reason to show a balanced offensive attack.
One final thought as we head into the playoffs. Stick with what got you here, don't over think things, and remember, there is no more manly pursuit than that of dominating your league mates!
Mike
Playoff Sleepers:
1. Sid Rice - Although some may call his performance last week fluky, he has clearly once again established himself as the number one target of the Vikings offense. Last week he looked like the Sidney we all remember from last year, and with the Vikings on the playoff bubble if they win out, in addition to the fact that Frazier is auditioning for the Vikings head coaching position, Rice is sure to plenty of looks in the coming weeks. Play him without worry.
2. Roy Williams - Much more of a deep sleeper than Rice, the injury of Dez Bryant once again opens things up for Roy E. Prior to Bryant's emergence in the second half of the season, Roy had quietly put together great numbers. As teams look to shut down Miles Austin, Williams will likely have a good chance at scoring a touchdown, and with week fifteen and sixteen matchups against Washington and Arizona, respectively, you have to like his chances to bounce back in a big way. He's a riskier play than Sid, but is also available in 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
3. Tashard Choice - Looking at another deep sleeper, Choice has become very fantasy-relevant with the injury to Marion Barber. With the Cowboys suddenly looking to a much more balanced offensive attack, expect Choice to get the majority of the goal line carries over the smaller Felix Jones. With their newly found efficiency on offense, Choice makes a great pickup. He's likely to get a good number of touches around the goal line, is totally fresh heading into the later part of the season, and Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has reason to show a balanced offensive attack.
One final thought as we head into the playoffs. Stick with what got you here, don't over think things, and remember, there is no more manly pursuit than that of dominating your league mates!
Mike
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