AB84

Being overlooked can be discouraging, especially when you feel your level of performance is elite. Antonio Brown was overlooked by most of the nation as a high school recruit, coming out of Miami, Florida. He attended Central Michigan with a gigantic chip on his shoulder.

No one is ignoring the twenty-seven year-old multi-purpose Swiss Army knife anymore as Brown tests the discipline of defensive units each week. He clearly earned top Fantasy honors for week nine, hauling in seventeen receptions for 284 yards as the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) squeaked by the Oakland Raiders (4-4) with the score of 38-35 on Sunday.
Brown has sixty-nine catches and 1,002 receiving yards through nine games. He will face a Joe Haden-less Cleveland (2-7) secondary with Landry Jones under center for Pittsburgh.

Look past him at your own risk.


Byes: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco

QB
Sam Bradford (Phi vs Mia)
Joe Flacco (Bal vs Jac)
Nick Foles (StL vs Chi)
RB
Theo Riddick (Det @ GB)
Isaiah Crowell (Cle @ Pit)
Alfred Morris (Was vs NO)
WR
Kamar Aiken (Bal vs Jac)
Davante Adams (GB v Det)
Marquess Wilson (Chi @ StL)
TE
Jordan Reed (Was vs NO) The Florida Gator leads all players in Fantasy points per game over the last month. Reed is a clever option whether or not your player is on bye.
Travis Kelce (KC @ Den)
Delanie Walker (Ten vs Car)
DEF
Green Bay vs Det
NY Giants vs NE
Cincinnati vs Hou

QB
Peyton Manning (Den vs KC)
Teddy Bridgewater (Min @ Oak)
RB
Chris Johnson (Ari @ Sea)
CJ Anderson (Den vs KC)
WR
Calvin Johnson (Det @ GB)
Jordan Matthews (Phi vs Mia)
TE
Martellus Bennett (Chi @ StL)
Kyle Rudolph (Min @ Oak)
DEF
New England @ NYG
Philadelphia vs Mia

One Win

Although the Big Twelve championship isn't scheduled until December, the most accurate precursor of the collegiate contest was Sunday afternoon. Quarterback Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints (4-4) to a 52-49 victory over the New York Giants (4-4), extending their winning streak to three consecutive after a 1-4 start.

The Purdue alumnus put on a rather video game-like display in week eight, logging 505 passing yards while tossing seven touchdown scores. Brees' counterpart, Eli Manning threw six touchdowns in a losing effort. Drew-Orleans will take on a dismal Tennessee Titans (1-6) unit desperate for success in week nine. One win at a time...


Byes: Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Seattle

QB
Kirk Cousins (Was @ NE)
Blake Bortles (Jac @NYJ)
Jameis Winston (TB vs NYG)
RB
Jeremy Langford (Chi @ SD)
DeAngelo Williams (Pit vs Oak)
Antonio Andrews (Ten @ NO)
WR
Malcom Floyd (SD vs Chi)
Dwayne Harris (NY Giants @ TB)
Tavon Austin (StL @ Min)
TE
Jordan Reed (Was @ NE)
Charles Clay (Buf vs Mia)
Heath Miller (Pit vs Oak)
DEF
Atlanta @ SF
NY Jets vs Jac
Minnesota vs StL

 

QB
Peyton Manning (Den @ Ind)
Ryan Tannehill (Mia @ Buf)
RB
Frank Gore (Ind vs Den)
DeMarco Murray (Phi @ Dal)
WR
Jarvis Landry (Mia @ Buf)
Torrey Smith (SF vs Atl)
TE
Benjamin Watson (NO vs Ten)
Vernon Davis (Den @Ind)
DEF
Dallas vs Phi
Pittsburgh vs Oak

Speed Kills

It's funny how a collection of players can put such a bad product on the field one week, then perform like champions when the head coach has been replaced.

The Miami Dolphins (3-4) appeared to turn into competitors, although it helps to look across the field at the Houston Texans (2-5) for positive motivation. Starting running back Lamar Miller took full advantage of the match up disparity Sunday as Miami defeated Houston 44-26 behind a spectacular performance by the former Hurricane, gaining 236 scrimmage yards while scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown. This earned Miller top Fantasy recognition for week seven. And now, sleepers for week eight.

Byes: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Washington

QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ @ Oak)
Nick Foles (StL vs SF)
Alex Smith (SF vs Det)
RB
Alfred Blue (Hou vs Ten) The Titans possess the fourth-worst defense against the run (129.2 rush ypg). Blue should fill in without a hitch.
Ronnie Hillman (Den vs GB)
Branden Oliver (SD @ Bal)
WR
Stefon Diggs (Min @ Chi)
Kendall Wright (Ten @ Hou) The Texans have given up sixteen receiving touchdowns to this point, the most in the NFL.
Rueben Randle (NYG @ NO)
TE
Heath Miller (Pit vs Cin)
Gary Barnidge (Cle vs Ari)
Eric Ebron (Det @ KC)
DEF
St. Louis vs SF
Minnesota @ Chi
NY Jets @ Oak

QB
Jay Cutler (Chi vs Min)
Matt Cassel (Dal vs Sea)
RB
Carlos Hyde (SF @ StL)
Darren McFadden (Dal vs Sea)
WR
Golden Tate (Det @ KC)
Anquan Boldin (SF @ StL)
TE
Vernon Davis (SF @ StL)
Owen Daniels (Den vs GB)
DEF
Denver vs GB
Baltimore vs SD

Nuk 'Em

Would you take A. J. Green and Antonio Gates in a trade for Alfred Morris and DeAndre Hopkins?
On paper, Team A is offering two top-notch Fantasy performers for Team B's perennial player and an under-achieving tailback. Although this particular proposal looks lopsided for Team A, Team B will be losing "Nuk" - the top receiver in Fantasy through the first six weeks of the 2015 season. Dilemma?

Houston Texans (2-4) star receiver DeAndre Hopkins got medieval on the Jags secondary on Sunday en route to a 31-20 victory at Jacksonville to the tune of 10 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. It's completely understandable if one elected to keep Hopkins all to themselves. The Clemson Tiger will take his talents to South Beach as Nuk takes on Miami Dolphins' secondary (2-3) on Sunday afternoon.

Byes: Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay

 

QB
Marcus Mariota (Ten vs Atl) The Falcons defense yield the 4th most passing yards in the NFL (290.7 pass ypg). If Mariota's knee doesn't allow him to play, Zach Mettenberger will fit nicely.
Landry Jones (Pit @ KC)
Teddy Bridgewater (Min @ Det)
RB
Frank Gore (Ind vs NO)
Alfred Morris (Was vs TB)
Jonathan Stewart (Car vs Phi)
WR
Ricardo Lockette (Sea @ SF) The 49ers don't have the worst defense in the world against receivers, just the NFL, including giving up six passing plays of forty yards or more this season.
Kendall Wright (Ten vs Atl)
Allen Hurns (Jac vs Buf in London)
TE
Charles Clay (Buf vs Jac in London)
Crockett Gilmore (Bal @ Ari)
Larry Donnell (NYG vs Dal)
DEF
NY Giants vs Dal
Miami vs Hou
New England vs NYJ

 

 

QB

Sam Bradford (Phi @ Car)

Joe Flacco (Bal @ Ari)

RB

Lamar Miller (Mia vs Hou)

Dion Lewis (NE vs NYJ)

WR

Jordan Matthews (Phi @ Car)

Jarvis Landry (Mia vs Hou)

TE

Kyle Rudolph (Min @ Det)

Benjamin Watson (NO @ Ind)

DEF

NY Jets @ NE

Dallas @ NYG



Value of a Buc

After a dismal performance against Tennessee in week one, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) running back Doug Martin didn't look as if he would be second in the NFL in rushing yards by week five. It would be safe to say the fourth-year veteran out of Boise State is officially back.

Martin was the top performer in week five, logging 158 scrimmage yards with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving score in the 38-31 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4). Martin undoubtedly contributed to many Fantasy victories last week. The Bucs will face Washington after they return from their bye.

Byes: Dallas, Oakland, St, Louis, Tampa Bay

 

 

QB

Colin Kaepernick (SF vs Bal)

Ryan Tannehill (Mia @ Ten)

Sam Bradford (Phi vs NYG)

RB

Eddie Lacy (GB vs SD) Normally, Lacy wouldn't be considered a sleeper, but when thirty-four running backs, including Chris Thompson, Ryan Mathews and Charles Sims have better numbers than Lacy, he's not worthy of starting with an injured ankle. Lacy will be facing a San Diego defensive unit that yields 132.4 rushing yards per game, the fourth most in the NFL.

T. J. Yeldon (Jac vs Hou)

Knile Davis (KC @ Min)

WR

Willie Snead (NO vs Atl)

Eddie Royal (Chi @ Det)

Kendall Wright (Ten vs Mia)

TE

Gary Barnidge (Cle vs Den)

Zach Ertz (Phi vs NYG)

Coby Fleener (Ind vs NE)

DEF

Washington @ NYJ

Arizona @ Pit

Tennessee vs Mia



 

 

 

QB
Mike Vick (Pit vs Ari)
Blake Bortles (Jac vs Hou)
RB
Lamar Miller (Mia @ Ten)
CJ Anderson (Den @ Cle)
WR
Pierre Garcon (Was @ NYJ)
Steve Smith Sr. (Bal @ SF)
TE
Jimmy Graham (Sea vs Car)
Travis Kelce (KC @ Min)
DEF
Pittsburgh vs Ari
Buffalo vs Cin

A Tale of Two Seasons

 

 

 

All is well in Atlanta, so far. The machine is well-oiled and running on all cylinders. Even when starters get injured, reserves step up with electrifying continuity.

 

Atlanta Falcons (4-0) running back Devonte Freeman earned top marks Sunday with 149 all-purpose yards while scoring three touchdowns in a 48-21 impaling of the Houston Texans (1-4).

 

The second-year Florida State product has seven rushing touchdown scores in the first four games of the 2015 season. Freeman had 248 yards and one rushing score for the entire 2014 season. Could he be this year's Justin Forsett? More like this season's Devonte Freeman, flying high.

 

 

Byes: Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, NY Jets

 

 

QB

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Cle)

Alex Smith (KC vs Chi)

Sam Bradford (Phi vs NO)

RB

T.J. Yeldon (Jac @ TB)

Anthony Dixon (Buf @ Ten)

Andre Williams (NYG vs SF)

WR

Eddie Royal (Chi @ KC)

Michael Crabtree (Oak vs Den)

Rueben Randle (NYG vs SF) With Victor Cruz hobbled with an under conditioned calf and Odell Beckham demanding double coverage, the LSU alumnus should be solid in week five against the 49ers.

TE

Antonio Gates (SD vs Pit)

Owen Daniels (Den @ Oak)

Charles Clay (Buf @ Ten)

DEF

NY Giants vs SF

San Diego vs Pit

Baltimore vs Cle

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs Sea)
Matthew Stafford (Det vs Ari)
RB
Jeremy Hill (Cin vs Sea)
CJ Anderson (Den @ Oak)
WR
Brandin Cooks (NO @ Phi)
Anquan Boldin (SF @ NYG)
TE
Jimmy Graham (Sea @ Cin)
Julius Thomas (Jac @ TB)
DEF
St. Louis @ GB
New England @ Dal

Quarter Mark: First Week of Byes

Hoisting the Lombardi on the field at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 with their team-colored confetti falling from the raptors is every player's idea of ending the season on a high note.There will be only one team on the field in Santa Clara, for perhaps the second time in one season.

Atlanta Falcons
The eventual NFC South champions should benefit considerably from upgrades at offensive line and the acquisition of Vic Beasley via the draft, among other changes on the defensive side of the ball - assuming the 'Dirty Birds' can hold off the Carolina Panthers.

Buffalo Bills
Head Coach Rex Ryan had a hand in compiling key offensive components to a championship-caliber defense. The postseason is in realistic reach this season.

Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will be fine. They will adjust to early issues on the offensive line and begin to pick up pace. Andrew Luck will not continue to lead the NFL in interceptions and the proverbial sky is not falling.They're still a lock for the AFC South division title.

SB 50:
Chargers    20
Cardinals    24  Final
Maybe.


We have been anticipating this moment.

Things tend to change the moment one gets settled into comfort. This is why it's imperative to secure a back up plan, especially for owners who have players with early bye weeks.


Selecting back up players based on favorable match ups is the simplest way maximize without wasting a roster spot. Shedding light on the top sleepers, based on match up, for the week, given your ace is on bye.

Welcome home.


Byes week 4: New England, Tennessee

QB
Derek Carr (Oak @ Chi)
Andy Dalton (Cin vs KC)
Brandon Weeden (Dal @ NO)
RB
Chris Johnson (Ari vs StL)
Karlos Williams (Buf vs NYG)
Thomas Rawls (Sea vs Det)
WR
Anquan Boldin (SF vs GB)
Jeremy Kerley (NYJ @ Mia)
Donte Moncrief (Ind vs Jac)
TE
Heath Miller (Pit vs Bal)
Jordan Reed (Was vs Phi)
Kyle Rudolph (Min @ Den)
DEF
Indianapolis vs Jac
Atlanta vs Hou
GB @ SF

QB
Matthew Stafford (Det @ Sea)
Drew Brees (NO vs Dal)
RB
Justin Forsett (Bal @ Pit)
Lamar Miller (Mia vs NYJ)
WR
Tavon Austin (StL @ Ari)
Keenan Allen (SD vs Cle)
TE
Jimmy Graham (Sea vs Det)
Zach Ertz (Phi @ Was)
DEF
Baltimore @ Pit
Houston @ Atl