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

Enough Said?

Here's your chance to make it.

 If you focus on your goals, you can be victorious in week one! Just remember you've been told...

As surely as swallows migrate to Capistrano each spring, composed as smoothly as Rimsky-Korsakov's FLIGHTOFTHEBUMBLEBEE, 2015's version of Fantasy football will extract stingers, to say the least.

 The object is always to compete as hard as realistically possible, even if week one's victory falls just beyond the outstretched arms of SGT. SLAUGHTER. There is no shame in starting a win streak in week two.

 The intrigue of competition can completely overwhelm some. It's best to focus on having fun rather than winning or losing - especially for week one. There is no shame in enjoying the entire experience, even if it's to the hands of defeat. The alternative would be equivalent to driving to The Lumber Depot looking for sturdy wood only to find a bunch of dry-rotted twigs.

Buck the Cheaters, as they can create an extraordinary amount of paranoia. Lose yourself  with reckless abandon. Disregard the feeling of being lost. You'll Turn Up in due time. Bang Bang.

Below are some of  the biggest sleepers for 2015 according to some of the top Fantasy experts:

> Martavis Bryant (WR-Pit)

> Todd Gurley (RB-StL) 

> Lamar Miller (RB-Mia)

> John Brown (WR-Ari)

> Ray Rice (RB-FA)

Good luck to those who dare to test their survival chances across the information superhighway of ones and zeroes.

Lastly, a brief look back at 2014's sub-par draft picks in key rounds, despite finishing with a first round bye:

> Round 3  Robert Griffin III

> Round 5  Kendall Wright

> Round 6  Michael Floyd

> Round 9  Reggie Wayne

> Round 11 Toby Gerhart

2014 WR comparison    Rec    Yds    TD
Rueben Randle              71      938    3
Larry Fitzgerald             63     784    2

Deja Vu?

Glendale, Arizona is the site of Super Bowl forty-nine.

Crucial match ups will decide the outcome of the 2014 season finale. Turnovers and special teams play usually play a major role in such big games but certain match ups will prove to be a huge component beginning in twenty-four hours.

The New England Patriots began the 2014 season with a 3-2 record including a 33-20 loss at Miami in the opener and a 41-14 pounding at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. They obviously finished 12-4 with a first-round bye in the AFC.

The Patriots offense was fourth-best in scoring as tight end Rob Gronkowski contributed abundantly. Gronk scored four touchdowns in New England's first five games, posting his first 100-yard performance in week five against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The defending champion Seahawks also began the 2014 campaign 3-2, losing at San Diego 30-21 and to Dallas 30-23 at home. By week six experts wondered what was wrong with Seattle, writing them off as pretenders. By mid-season, it looked as though Arizona and Dallas were the class of the NFC. Seattle was officially under the radar especially after getting rid of wide receiver Percy Harvin. They finished with a 12-4 record and a first-round bye as well.

The Seahawks possessed the stingiest defensive unit the NFL, allowing under 16 points per contest.

The most crucial match up tomorrow will be between Rob Gronkowski and Seattle safety Kam Chancellor even though last year's Super Bowl MVP injured his left knee toward the end of practice Friday. New England did not go through a walk-through practice Saturday, claiming to be "as ready as we're going to be", according to head coach Bill Belichick.


New England 17
Seattle          27 Final
Maybe.

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