Little Giant

In the image above, New York Giants (5-9) receiver Odell Beckham drops a touchdown pass. He later redeemed himself, pulling down 12 receptions for 143 yards and scoring three touchdowns by the game's end, defeating the Washington Redskins (3-11) 24-13. The 5' 11" LSU product has recorded at least six catches each of the last seven games.

Beckham has 972 receiving yards and nine scores despite missing the first month of his rookie campaign, due to injury. 'ODB' and the Giants will go on the road to test the tough St. Louis Rams (6-8) defense on Sunday.

As many Fantasy leagues are in their championship week, most experts would advise owners to start the players who got them to the promised land, regardless of defensive match up. We know better. Proceed with caution in week sixteen, going forward.


Byes: none

QB

Aaron Rodgers (GB @ TB)

Matthew Stafford (Det @ Chi)

Tom Brady (NE @ NYJ)

RB

Le'Veon Bell (Pit vs KC)

Eddie Lacy (GB @ TB)

C.J. Anderson (Den @ Cin)

WR

Odell Beckham (NYG @ StL)

Calvin Johnson (Det @ Chi)

Anquan Boldin (SF vs SD)

Roddy White (Atl @ NO)

TE

Rob Gronkowski (NE @ NYJ)

Heath Miller (Pit vs KC)

Martellus Bennett (Chi vs Det)

DEF

Buffalo @ Oak

New England @ NYJ

Miami vs Min

QB

Philip Rivers (SD @ SF)

Russell Wilson (Sea @ Ari)

RB

Arian Foster (Hou vs Bal)

Marshawn Lynch (Sea @ Ari)

WR

T.Y. Hilton (Ind @ Dal)

Julio Jones (Atl @ NO)

TE

Coby Fleener (Ind @ Dal)

Jason Witten (Dal vs Ind)

DEF

San Francisco vs SD

Houston vs Bal

Nuk Goes Off

DeAndre Hopkins' career game stood as the 191 yard two touchdown, 25-24 victory over LSU in the 2012 Chick fil-A Bowl. Then he played against the Tennessee Titans (2-10) Sunday afternoon.

The Clemson product owned week thirteen, grabbing nine catches for 238 yards with two touchdowns, as the Texans (6-6) throttle the playoff-trifled Titans 45-21. Hopkins will test the Jaguars secondary as they travel to Jacksonville (2-10) in their second of three consecutive division match ups. Go "Nuk", go.


Byes: none

QB

Kyle Orton (Buf @ Den)

Mark Sanchez (Phi  vs Sea)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Hou @ Jac)

RB

C. J. Anderson (Den vs Buf) Anderson was the number one-ranked running back in total Fantasy points in November. The second-year California alumnus has rushed for 454 yards and has pulled down 18 receptions during this period. RB1.

Joique Bell (Det vs TB)

Jonathan Stewart (Car @ NO)

WR

Robert Woods (Buf @ Den)

Kendall Wright (Ten vs NYG)

Malcom Floyd (SD vs NE)

TE

Heath Miller (Pit @ Cin)

Delanie Walker (Ten vs NYG)

Travis Kelce (KC @ Ari)

DEF

Detroit vs TB

Arizona vs KC

Houston @ Jac

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs Pit)
Matt Ryan (Atl @ GB)
RB
Frank Gore (SF @ Oak)
Steven Jackson (StL @ GB)
WR
Vincent Jackson (TB @ Det)
Wes Welker (Den vs Buf)
TE
Coby Fleener (Ind vs NYG)
Zach Ertz (Phi vs Sea)
DEF
Seattle @ Phi
St. Louis @ Was

Put Me In, Coach!!

Being in a class with running backs like Trent Richardson, Doug Martin and Ronnie Hillman, Jonas Gray went undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2012. The Dolphins put Gray on their practice squad only to cut him. The Ravens followed, inviting Gray to their practice squad in 2013 then cutting him.

Now in his third season out of college, Jonas Gray made the New England Patriots (8-2) roster and is making the most of his opportunity with 37 carries, 201 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 42-20 mud-hole stomping against the Indianapolis Colts (6-4) on Sunday night.

However, one should only celebrate a victory for twenty-four hours before moving on to the next opponent. So enough about Jonas Gray's performance in week eleven. What lies ahead when the Detroit Lions (7-3) come to town in week twelve....

Byes: Carolina, Pittsburgh

QB

Brian Hoyer (Cle @ Atl) The Michigan State Spartan is facing the NFL's worst pass defense, allowing 281.2 yards through the air.

Jay Cutler (Chi vs TB) The Bucs struggle against the pass plain and simple. Opposing quarterbacks of Tampa Bay average 68.3 in completion percentage and a staggering 100.9 QB rating.

Alex Smith (KC @ Oak)

RB

Matt Asiata (Min vs GB) Asiata will get goal line looks against the fourth-worst defensive unit against the run (139.2 ypg).

Trent Richardson (Ind vs Jac)

Ryan Mathews (SD vs StL)

WR

Josh Gordon (Cle @ Atl)

Malcom Floyd (SD @ StL)

Chris Hogan (Buf vs NYJ in Detroit)

TE

Jordan Reed (Was @ SF)

Zach Ertz (Phi vs Ten)

Jacob Tamme (Den vs Mia)

DEF

Buffalo vs NYJ (in Detroit)

San Diego vs StL

Indianapolis vs Jac

QB

Michael Vick (NYJ @ Buf in Detroit)

Andy Dalton (Cin @ Hou)

RB

Mark Ingram (NO vs Bal)

Marshawn Lynch (Sea vs Ari)

WR

Mike Wallace (Mia @ Den)

Doug Baldwin (Sea vs Ari)

TE

Delanie Walker (Ten @ Phi)

Antonio Gates (SD vs StL)

DEF

Detroit @ NE

Cleveland @ Atl

BossMode

With a stat line consisting of rushing for 140 yards with four touchdown scores on the way to a 38-17 victory against the New York Giants (3-6 ), Seahawks (6-3) running back Marshawn Lynch gave every owner a boost toward victory.

Lynch has recorded exactly 21 carries in each of the last two games. This is good news going forward for owners of the eight-year veteran. Lynch has also crossed the goal line nine times through ten games. Will Arrowhead stadium and the Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) welcome the man who is 'about that action' on Sunday afternoon?

Week eleven....

Byes: Baltimore, Dallas, Jacksonville, NY Jets

QB
Cam Newton (Car vs Atl) Although Newton has struggled lately, he should do well, facing a Falcons defense that yields 280.8 passing yards per game, which is the worst in the NFL.
Andy Dalton (Cin @ NO)
Teddy Bridgewater (Min @ Chi) The Bears have given up 35 plays of 20-plus yards through the air. For this reason alone, Bridgewater is worth a look for week eleven.
RB
Frank Gore (SF @ NYG) The Giants have the worst run defense in the league (144.7 ypg), so there's no need to over think putting Gore in your starting lineup.
DeAngelo Williams (Car vs Atl)
Lamar Miller (Mia vs Buf)
WR
Pierre Garcon (Was vas TB)
Anquan Boldin (SF @ NYG)
Malcom Floyd (SD vs Oak)
TE
Larry Donnell (NYG vs SF)
Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ NO)
Mychal Rivera (Oak @ SD)
DEF

San Diego vs Oak
Washington vs TB
Pittsburgh @ Ten

QB

Matthew Stafford (Det @ Ari)

Derek Carr (Oak @ SD)

RB

Reggie Bush (Det @ Ari)

Ben Tate (Cle vs Hou)

WR

Marques Colston (NO vs Cin)

Dwayne Bowe (KC vs Sea)

TE

Vernon Davis (SF @ NYG)

Heath Miller (Pit @ Ten)

DEF

New England @ Ind
Houston @ Cleveland

Gentle Ben

It happened again.

Ben Roethlisberger is altering history again. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-3, coming off another historic performance by Big Ben.

Roethlisberger play host to the Baltimore Ravens (5-4) in week nine, but didn't display much hospitality as they mangled their division rival by the score of 43-23. No one expected very many points since the first meeting resulted in 29 total on the scoreboard. Roethlisberger followed up his six touchdown performance with another six touchdown performance on 340 yards passing and ninety-four points over the two week span.
Not only did he help win games for Fantasy owners, but Roethlisberger also set franchise and NFL history records as well. Will Gentle Ben put on a third consecutive six-score show in the Meadowlands against the Jets (1-8)? Don't chase the points.

Never chase the points. Week ten follows....

Byes: Houston, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, San Diego, Washington

QB
Josh McCown (TB vs Atl)
Alex Smith (KC @ Buf)
Austin Davis (StL@ Ari)
RB
Justin Forsett (Bal vs Ten) Tennessee allows the 5th most yards to running backs (134.8 rushing ypg). With so many RB 1-caliber players on bye, Forsett should fit perfectly.
Bobby Rainey (TB vs Atl)
Fred Jackson (Buf vs KC) 
WR
 Martavis Bryant (Pit @ NYJ)
James Jones (Oak vs Den)
Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG @ Sea) As the 'Hawks struggle, Odell has hauled in 12 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games. The LSU product has stepped up in Victor Cruz's absence.
TE
Martellus Bennett (Chi @ GB)
Heath Miller (Pit @ NYJ)
Jason Witten (Dal vs Jac in London)
DEF
Dallas vs Jac in London
Den @ Oak
Philadelphia vs Car

QB
Michael Vick (NYJ vs Pit)
Eli Manning (NYG @ Sea)
RB
Lamar Miller (Mia @ Det)
Mark Ingram (NO vs SF)
WR
Percy Harvin (NYJ vs Pit)
Brandon Marshall )Chi @ GB)
TE
Delanie Walker (Ten @ Bal)
Vernon Davis (SF @ NO)
DEF
San Francisco @ NO
Miami @ Det

Ben There

Imagine Ben Roethlisberger as the third-string quarterback behind Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch.
Now imagine the Miami (OH) graduate posting a perfect 13-0 record as a rookie starter, setting a new all-time best in NFL history.

No need to imagine any longer because Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) quarterback 'Big Ben' has accomplished all of the above plus three trips to the Super Bowl by which two championships were captured.
He achieved another historic milestone Sunday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts (5-3), tossing six touchdown passes with 522 yards and fifty-one total points on a defensive unit that had just shut out Cincinnati (4-2-1) in the previous week by the score of 27-0.

Owners of Roethlisberger rejoiced with a performance dressed in uniform that almost resembled a bumble bee. The sleeper buzz for such a bye week-laden week nine are as follows....

Byes: Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Tennessee

QB

Andy Dalton (Cin vs Jac)

Carson Palmer (Ari @ Dal)

Brian Hoyer (Cle vs TB)

RB

Frank Gore (SF vs StL) The Rams allow 144.7 rushing yards as the 'Niners host their division rival opponents on Sunday. Gore should at least post double-figures if bye weeks ail.

Jeremy Hill (Cin vs Jac)

Jonas Gray (NE vs Den)

WR

Terrance Williams (Dal vs Ari)

Ruben Randle (NYG vs Ind)

Michael Floyd (Ari @ Dal)

TE

Dwayne Allen (Ind @ NYG)

Jordan Reed (Was @ Min)

Jace Amaro (NYJ @ KC)

DEF

Kansas City vs NYJ

Cincinnati vs Jac

Pittsburgh vs Bal

QB

Joe Flacco (Bal @ Pit)

Tony Romo (Dal vs Ari)

RB

Andre Williams (NYG vs Ind)

Justin Forsett (Bal @ Pit)

WR

Mike Wallace (Mia vs SD)

Vincent Jackson (TB @ Cle)

TE

Vernon Davis (SF @ StL)

Owen Daniels (Bal @ Pit)

DEF

Indianapolis@ NYG

Miami vs SD

Not Black Enough

Byes: New York Giants, San Francisco

QB
Brian Hoyer (Cle vs. Oak)
Carson Palmer (Ari vs Phi)
Charlie Whitehurst (Ten vs Hou)
RB
Shane Vereen (NE vs Chi)
Lamar Miller (Mia @ Jac)
Pierre Thomas (NO vs GB)
WR
Jeremy Kerley (NYJ vs Buf)
Terrence Williams (Dal vs Was)
Brandon LaFell (NE vs Chi)
TE
Owen Daniels (Bal @ Cin)
Jeff Cumberland (NYJ vs Buf)
Brandon Pettigrew (Det @ Atl)
DEF 

Cleveland vs Chicago
Minnesota vs @ TB
NY Jets vs. Buf

QB
Matthew Stafford (Det @ Atl)
Jay Cutler (Chi @ NE)
RB
Steven Jackson (Atl vs Det)
Zac Stacy (StL @ KC)
WR
Calvin Johnson (Det @ Atl)
Brandon Marshall (Chi @ NE)
TE
Jimmy Graham (NO vs GB)
Zach Ertz (Phi @ Ari)
DEF
Seattle @ Car
Arizona vs Phi

Wacko?

Some things just weren't meant to happen. In week six, the Baltimore Ravens (4-2 quarterback Joe Flacco stole the spotlight from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and his 107 rushing yards with a 306 yard, five touchdown performance, defeating Tampa Bay (1-5) 48-17 on Sunday.

The 6' 6" Delaware graduate had actually thrown four touchdowns by halftime. The Ravens were flying high Sunday afternoon, but now it's time to move on to face the Falcons.

With that said, let's move on to sleepers for week 7, shall we?

Byes: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay

QB
Derek Carr (Oak vs Ari) Arizona's defense yields 309 passing yards per game, which is last in the NFL.
Brian Hoyer (Cle @ Jac) It's Jacksonville.
Teddy Bridgewater (Min @ Buf) The Bills pass defense ranks 26th (269.2 pass ypg) going against the dynamic rookie signal-caller. Bridgewater should fill in nicely for a QB on bye.
RB
Ahmad Bradshaw (Ind vs Cin) Bradshaw is squaring off against a defensive unit that is giving up over 140 rushing yards per game. Plus Bradshaw has more receptions than AJ Green, Larry Fitzgerald and Roddy White.
Ben Tate (Cle @ Jac)
Joique Bell (Det vs NO)
WR
James Jones (Oak vs Ari)
Andrew Hawkins (Cle @ Jac) Hawkins is clearly the Browns' best receiver playing against a horrible Jaguars defense.
Markus Wheaton (Pit vs Hou)
TE
Levine Toilolo (Atl @ Bal) The 6' 8" second-year Stanford product should get red zone targets on size alone in week seven.
Larry Donnell (NYG @ Dal)
Jordan Reed (Was vs Ten) The Titans secondary is vunerable, allowing 19 passing plays over twenty yards through six games.
DEF
New England vs NYJ
Pittsburgh vs Hou
Buffalo vs Min

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin @ Ind)
Alex Smith (KC @ SD)
RB
Chris Johnson (NYJ @ NE)
Steven Jackson (Atl @ Bal)
WR
Wes Welker (Den vs SF)
Keenan Allen (SD vs KC)
TE
Jordan Cameron (Cle @ Jac)
Coby Fleener (Ind vs Cin)
DEF
San Francisco @ Den
Detroit vs NO

Survival Mode

Only the elite of quarterbacks can read a defensive play pre-snap. It's similar to being able to tell the very near future based on personnel and body language.

Guess what's about to happen next....? Sleepers for week 5.

Before we employ bye week dilemmas, it's only fair that the top Fantasy player from week 4 be recognized.
Eli Manning and the 1-2 Giants went into Landover last Thursday night with apparent intentions of beating the Washington Redskins (1-3) by the score of 45-14 because that's exactly what they did. By the game's end Manning had thrown for 300 yards 4 touchdowns in victorious fashion. Eli looks forward to Atlanta in the Meadowlands on Sunday.

Byes: Miami, Oakland

QB
Mike Glennon (TB vs NO) 
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Hou @ Bal)
Shaun Hill (Det @ Phi)

RB
Matt Asiata (Min @ GB)
Bishop Sankey (Ten Vs Cle) The Browns possess a defensive unit that yields 153.7 yards per game. Plus the rookie is beginning to see an increased workload in total touches going forward.
Khiry Robinson (NO vs TB)


WR
Markus Wheaton (Pit @ Jac)
Golden Tate (Det vs Buf) Buffalo's defense ranks 25th (278.5 rec ypg) in the NFL against air attacks through four games. Tate should be a solid sleeper if your player is on bye.
Brandin Cooks (NO vs TB)

TE
Larry Donnell (NYG vs Atl) Donnell has been targeted thirty-one times which is 5th among tight ends in 2014.
Travis Kelce (KC @ SF)
Jordan Cameron (Cle @ Ten)

DEF

Philadelphia @ Jac
Indianapolis vs Bal
Tennessee vs Cle

QB
Kirk Cousins (Was vs Sea)
Tom Brady (NE vs Cin)

RB
Alfred Morris (Was vs Sea)
C.J. Spiller (Buf @  Det)

WR
A.J Green (Cin @ NE)
Calvin Johnson vs Buf)

TE
Jason Witten (Dal vs Hou)
Antonio Gates (SD vs NYJ)

DEF
Chicago @ NE
Arizona @ Den

Get To Work, Boys!!

Routine pick-up and landfill delivery typically occurs four days per week leaving one weekday to rest.

One must make a conscious effort to be the best  possible competitor. In some cases,
the absolute best output can end in a mediocre result. Just as long as the intangible is not garbage, there's always a chance for victory.

Fortunately, the garbage, or 'Gabbo' moniker can be shaken in 2014 with proper preparation and supreme confidence in self.

Success can obviously start with the draft.
Just don't get too down on yourself and maintain composure throughout the entire process. Even if week one of the regular season is a complete disaster, hold your head high. You can't win them all. History speaks for itself as follows:
2014 ???
2013   L, 148-79
2012  W, 146-96
2011  W, 149-85
2010  W,  80-74, L, 108-81
2009  W, 131-88
2008  W,  96-87

Snap out of the trance of such lopsided defeats.

The best example of proper maintenance of composure despite yet another horrible draft follows below:
Round 1: Doug Martin
Round 2 (via trade): Reggie Wayne
Round 5: Randall Cobb
Round 6: Danny Amendola
Round 9: Tavon Austin
Round 10: Michael Vick
Round 12: Justin Blackmon
Round 13: Joseph Randle

Once again, as expected, adjustments were made as well as a top fourth-place finish in the playoffs despite these laughable selections.

Whoever is matched up against such a competitor in week one will definitely have their hands full. Get to work boys, for work will be cut out for you. Best of luck in 2014's version of Fantasy football!

Catch Up

The 2014 Fantasy football season is here! Now is the perfect time to assemble the iron-clad battle plan for a championship-calibre roster.

Since wide receiver is the deepest position, what better place to start?

Rankings are based on a ppr (point per reception) format.


WR Rankings


1. Demaryius Thomas - Denver
Thomas finished 1st overall in Fantasy points at the wide receiver position in 2013. Since Eric Decker went to New York, the Georgia Tech product should prosper even more in 2014.





 2. Josh Gordon - Cleveland
 3. Julio Jones - Atlanta
 4. Antonio Brown - Pittsburgh
 5. AJ Green - Cincinnati
 6. Brandon Marshall - Chicago

7. Randall Cobb - Green Bay
Some may say he is the next Percy Harvin. Others may convey that he is the heir apparent to Greg Jennings. Perhaps he is just the first Randall Cobb.








8. Alshon Jefferey - Chicago
 9. Andre Johnson - Houston
10. Percy Harvin - Seattle
11. Dez Bryant - Dallas
12. Pierre Garcon - Washington
13. Vincent Jackson - Tampa Bay

14. Eric Decker - NY Jets
The Minnesota Gopher caught eight touchdowns in 2011 with Tim Tebow as his quarterback. Decker will be fine in the Big Apple.










15. DeSean Jackson - Washington

16. Keenan Allen - San Diego
It took the rookie from California only four games to record his first 100-yard game. Allen also led the Chargers in receiving with 1,046 yards in 2013.



17. Jordy Nelson - Green Bay
18. Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona
19. T.Y.Hilton - Indianapolis
20. Julian Edelman - New England
21. Justin Blackmon - Jacksonville
22. Torrey Smith - Baltimore
23. Roddy White - Atlanta
24. Calvin Johnson - Detroit
25. Michael Crabtree - San Francisco
26. Kendall Wright - Tennessee

27. Golden Tate - Detroit
Forget what he did last season. The mere thought of lining up opposite of Calvin Johnson will give Tate many looks from Matthew Stafford alone.










28. Victor Cruz - NY Giants
29. Marques Colston - New Orleans
30. Michael Floyd - Arizona

Who Wants it More?

What happens when the unstoppable force comes face to face with the immovable object? Hopefully not a blizzard.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey will be the site of Super Bowl XLVIII where the Denver Broncos (13-3) and the league's top offense will face off against the Seattle Seahawks (13-3) and the league's number one defense.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and his "Omaha, Omaha"-laden cadence average 457 .3 yards and nearly thirty-eight points per game. An accomplishment that earned him his fifth MVP trophy of his career.

Seattle's defensive unit, on the other hand, is superior at all three levels. Manning will have his hands full with corner backs Byron Maxwell and often-outspoken Richard Sherman who has led the league in interceptions the last two seasons. Collectively they've allowed only 273 .6 yards and a mere 14.4 points per game during the regular season.

Can Peyton win a low-scoring defensive slug fest? Will second-year quarterback Russell Wilson be able to match touchdowns with Manning in the event of a shootout?
This game will undoubtedly be predicated on special teams play and costly turnovers. So long as no one else tries Richard Sherman with any more sorry receivers.

As severe cold weather threats, it will not be a determining factor on who hoists the Lombardi Trophy as confetti falls.

Seattle 29
Denver 24  Final
Maybe.