Fantasy Football Corner

‘Start Em

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF): The Harvard grad topped 20 fantasy points in each of the first three weeks of the season, but hasn’t reached even 17 points in any game since. But this week will be a belated encore from Fitzpatrick’s stellar first three games, as he gets to tee off against a Dolphins defense that ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed. The Miami secondary has surrendered 14 passing touchdowns while intercepting an NFL worst four passes on the year, giving Fitzpatrick an excellent opportunity to excel once again.

RB: Marshawn Lynch (SEA): Lynch’s other self, “Beast Mode,” has made appearances in two straight weeks against the formidable run defenses of Dallas and Baltimore. This week Lynch’s alter ego should crop up once again when Rams sorry run defense (31st in rushing yards allowed) tries to slow him down.

WR: Earl Bennett (CHI): Jay Cutler’s former Vanderbilt teammate has looked awfully impressive the past two weeks since returning from a prolonged injury-caused absence. Cutler is looking for Bennett and the wide receiver has produced against some of the stiffest pass defenses (Detroit and Philadelphia) in the league. Though the Chargers defense that will look to limit Bennett this week ranks sixth in passing yards surrendered, they have allowed 17 passing touchdowns this year (28th in the NFL).

RB: Maurice Morris (DET)
WR: Deion Branch (NE)
TE: Jason Witten (DAL)
K: Nick Folk (NYJ)
DEF: Jacksonville Jaguars

‘Sit Em

QB: Cam Newton (CAR): The former Heisman Trophy winner has been a fantasy stud this season, but he will face a stiff test Sunday when he travels to take on the second ranked Lions pass defense. Detroit has allowed just nine passing touchdowns this year (fourth fewest in allowed in the NFL) while intercepting 11 passes. Newton is still a threat with his feet, but look for the Panthers to use their pair of running backs to exploit a questionable Lions run defense.

RB: Ray Rice (BAL): The consensus first round fantasy pick has been struggling on the ground of late, averaging just 40.25 rushing yards over his last four games. Now Rice has been bailed out by finding the end zone in three of those four games (last week with a passing TD), but it’s hard to count on him to continue reaching paydirt. This week Rice will have to try and find holes against a Bengals defense that ranks second in run defense and is holding opposing rushers to just 3.4 yards per carry (YPC) on the season.

WR: Dwayne Bowe (KC): Despite many experts projecting a big regression from last season, Bowe’s been the 11th best fantasy receiver this season. The match up against the Patriots abysmal pass defense looks good, but the problem is in the former LSU wide receivers current quarterback situation. Matt Cassel is out for this game, meaning Tyler Palko will be responsible for getting Bowe the ball. Palko hasn’t even played 15 minutes in his NFL career and will be making his first ever start, and I’d wait and see how he performs before I trust Bowe.

RB: Steven Jackson (STL): The versatile running back has been a workhorse this year and is coming off a three game stretch where he’s averaged 139 rushing yards per game. The problem is that Jackson did his recent damage against some of the league’s defensive dregs (20th, 27th and 30th run defenses) and now will have to battle a Seahawks front that has been the 11th stingiest to opposing rushers. Seattle has also limited running backs to just 3.6 YPC and have allowed only five rushing touchdowns (sixth fewest in the league).

WR: A.J. Green (CIN)
WR: Eric Decker (DEN)
TE: Fred Davis (WAS)
K: Matt Bryant (ATL)
DEF: Philadelphia Eagles

‘Add Em

QB: Sam Bradford (STL)
RB: Kendall Hunter (SF)
WR: Damian Williams (TEN)
RB: Chris Ogbonnaya (CLE)
WR: Jason Avant (PHI)
TE: Scott Chandler (BUF)
K: Steven Hauschka (SEA)
DEF: Denver Broncos

Last Week: 8-7-1
Overall: 62-59-9