The Weekly Ringer

The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

Fantasy Football Corner

3 min read

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QB- Carson Palmer (Bengals): Palmer is far from the quarterback he was before his torn-ACL, but he has been occasionally useful for fantasy purposes. Palmer has mainly feasted on weak pass defenses, and this week he happens to be facing a Dolphins team that opposing quarterbacks have a QB rating over 90. Look for the former USC star to have a strong fantasy showing come Sunday.

RB- Ryan Torain (Redskins): Coming fresh off a 125 yard rushing performance against one of the league’s stiffer run defenses, Torrain continues to show fantasy owners that he can be trusted. In his four games as a starter, Torain has posted three double digit fantasy games. This week he will get to feast on a Lions defense that ranks 27th in run defense (138.8 yards per game) and should prove to be little resistance for the former Sun Devil.

RB- Felix Jones (Cowboys): With QB Tony Romo out with a broken clavicle, Jones should now be highly utilized. This is the perfect week for the Cowboys to concentrate on the running game, both to take pressure off new quarterback John Kitna and because the Jaguars defense Dallas is facing ranks 25th in rush defense (129 yards per game, 10 rushing touchdowns allowed).

WR- Pierre Garcon (Colts): With tight end Dallas Clark out for the season and fellow wide reciever Austin Collie out the next couple of weeks, Garcon should get a sharp increase in targets in the upcoming games. With a pathetic Texans pass defense (worst in the NFL, over 306 passing yards allowed per game) attempting to slow down Peyton Manning and company, Garcon should have a huge week.

WR- Steve Smith (Panthers):

TE- Kellen Winslow (Buccaneers)

K- Ryan Succop (Chiefs)

DEF- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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QB- Drew Brees (Saints): The reigning Super Bowl MVP simply doesn’t look like himself right now. Brees is coming off a four interception game against a terrible Browns defense (26 in pass defense), and that achy knee seems like it may be an issue. With a nightmare matchup against the Steelers (allowed an NFL-low four touchdown passes this year) looming on Halloween, expect Brees to have yet another disappointing week.

RB- Cedric Benson (Bengals): One of last year’s breakout stars has had another solid season, but only because of the bulk of carries he has received. With a solid Dolphins run defense (12th best in the NFL) opposing him, look for the Bengals to attack the questionable Miami secondary instead.

RB- Ryan Mathews (Chargers): The assumed breakout fantasy star has fizzled to start the season, burning fantasy owners who invested a high draft pick in him. The rookie from Fresno State has yet to produce only one double-digit fantasy performance this season. This week he’ll face a Titans defense that has only allowed one rushing touchdown all season, and Mathews doesn’t get the workload to produce on carries alone. The disappointing season continues for at least another week for Mathews.

WR- Miles Austin (Cowboys): With star quarterback Tony Romo out a minimum of 6-8 weeks, Austin gets downgraded greatly now that 38-year-Kitna looked below average in his two-plus quarters last week, and it’s going to take time for he and Austin to gel. So despite Austin’s immense talents, he will likely dissapoint this week while Dallas turns the offensive focus to the running game.
WR- Greg Jennings (Packers): The top target for Aaron Rodgers in a pass happy offense is usually a good thing. But this week a rested and self-proclaimed 100 percent healthy Darelle Revis will be following Jennings all around the field, meaning Jennings is in for a long day.

TE- Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars)

K- Mason Crosby (Packers)

DEF- Minnesota Vikings

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QB- Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bills)

RB- Donald Brown (Colts)

RB- LaGarrette Blount (Buccaneers)

WR- Mike Williams (Seahawks)

WR- Patrick Crayton (Chargers)

TE- Tony Moeaki (Chiefs)

K- Adam Vinatieri (Colts)

DEF- Washington Redskins

Last Week: 10-6
Overall: 61-51