24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson
Posted Oct. 20 at 05:27 AM
Six teams are on byes, so I don't have to write as much in this column -- it's going to give me easily an extra 10-20 minutes in my morning! Better yet, Seattle and San Francisco have already played, so there are no worries about all those tricky reader questions involving the entire receiving corps of both teams ("Do I start Braylon Edwards or Golden Tate? Michael Crabtree or Kyle Williams?"). Yeah, right.
Titans at Bills: I guess if you've been hanging on to Chris Johnson, you can use him here. Both defenses have been pretty poor so far, but I will seldom recommend a running back known to be playing in a straight committee, a la Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. I am not convinced Matt Hasselbeck can have another good game, but would probably use Britt if I had him anywhere. Stevie Johnson, too.
Cowboys at Panthers: I won this one money league last year, which I was pretty pleased about, and it's a good thing, because this year every single thing that could possibly go wrong has gone wrong. I won't bore you with every tough loss by 1 or 2 points decided in the final minute of Monday Night Football, beyond saying it's already happened to me twice this season. (Too boring? Apologies.) So anyway this week I traded for Dez Bryant, a deal I made in part because Julio and Decker are on byes and I really need a win. So hours after I made the deal, Bryant shows up as questionable with a groin injury. Anyway, as for this game, if Bryant isn't out there, Ogletree is a nice fill-in. No DeMarco Murray, I would happily use Felix Jones this week. Don't like Carolina running backs. Do like both QBs, at least in fantasy terms.
Ravens at Texans: Both of these defenses are missing a little something -- Baltimore its best cornerback, while Houston's best cornerback is dealing with a groin injury. For that reason, I wouldn't be afraid to use the main wideouts in this game, and who among us can consider benching Foster or Rice? No one, that's who. Big game between likely division champions in the AFC, might well determine a first-round bye.
Browns at Colts: Sounds like Trent Richardson will start; maybe he'll lose a few more snaps than normal to another back. Unless Richardson is inactive, though, you really can't use Montario Hardesty. Feel free to answer my lineup question here; I've got to start either Vick Ballard, William Powell, or Chris Givens in one league. Ugly, I know. Non PPR. I'm putting Powell third right now but can be swayed. Nice matchup for Ballard, but the Colts are more of a passing team.
Cardinals at Vikings: Both defenses are playing pretty well. I'd be using the top wideouts on each, and Peterson, Rudolph, and have to use Ponder (Ryan on bye). Not keen on Powell but considering him (or Ballard, or Givens). Would rather not use the AZ defense this week (actually dropped them in one league because their next month has one good matchup, one bad matchup, and a bye).
Washington at Giants: I am expecting Ahmad Bradshaw to play, but can't promise it obviously. If he sits out, I'd rather use Andre Brown than David Wilson, even though Wilson is the better talent. If Bradshaw active, can't use either backup. Giants should pass more than run. No Garcon. Only Washington receiver I'd use is Fred Davis. Fairly important NFC East game.
Packers at Rams: Can the Packers get upset on the road by another perceived "lowly" team? Rams defense playing very well. I think St. Louis' offense has some potential here; why I'm considering guys like Brandon Gibson and Chris Givens. No Greg Jennings, but you knew that. Expectations would be modest if forced to use Alex Green. Rodgers should be fine, just not 6-TD fine.
Saints at Bucs: So Jonathan Vilma will play while his appeal is being heard by Paul Tagliabue. If you care a whit anymore about these bounty suspensions, rulings, and appeals, congratulations. It's one of those things that gets reported regularly because people who aren't totally absorbed in fantasy football or the NFL, really, are interested. People with a passing interest care. I think, maybe I'm wrong. I don't care, and New Orleans' defense is still going to be awful. I'd use any Bucs, although make sure Vincent Jackson is active after he left Friday's practice with a trainer. Believed to be fine, but I said something similar about inactive Mario Manningham the other day. I would bench Jimmy Graham unless I really had no other option. He's hurting and if he starts he might not finish.
Jets at Patriots: Not to get all fatalistic but I don't expect things to go well for the Jets here. They'll fall behind, making Shonn Greene irrelevant, and putting extra pressure on Mark Sanchez. I think I'm using Jeremy Kerley somewhere because I have to. And the Patriots defense. And I went with both Patriots tight ends in the SuperLeague this week, because Jimmy Graham can't be used.
Jaguars at Raiders: I like both running backs a lot this week. I'd also use Denarius Moore and maybe Carson Palmer. Jacksonville passing game remains hands-off even with a soft matchup. I've seen some people grabbing the Raiders defense in a couple of my leagues. No thanks. They don't do much that get you points, despite last week's flukey 3-pick game.
Steelers at Bengals: This week I wasted my rolling waiver priority, which I'd held onto all season, on Baron Batch, then cut him yesterday to pick up Jonathan Dwyer. He's the guy I would start. In general, though, I like the passing offenses more in this game. Not much else to say beyond, it's not the most attractive Sunday night game ever, which is good for those of us who like Walking Dead and Homeland an awful lot.
Lions at Bears: Can the Bears defense really be as good as it's played so far? Maybe. I'm sitting Stafford, who's struggling, for RG III. I'd use Megatron, obviously. And Forte, Marshall, and probably Cutler. Lions will start Mikel Leshoure, I wouldn't. My desperation wide receivers this week are guys like Given and Kerley -- not converted cornerback Devin Hester.
Enjoy the games, what few there are of them anyway.
- Comments [21]
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Posted by David Kennedy | Oct. 20 at 05:59 AM
I would definitely start Ballard. He should be used a lot more this week in a close game. Jets pulled away early last week and Luck had to pass pass pass. Ok so heres what I have. Newton or Dalton? Ugh! J Nelson, S Johnson, R Cobb, S Smith (Car), and M Williams. Have to sit one guy. Tough decision and nice luxury. PPR League! Mulling between Smith and Williams. I figure Cobb is safe until Jennings is healthy. Help me brother this league is worth mucho deneiros.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 06:39 AM
David -I am using Newton. I would bench Smith first, Cobb second.
Posted by ERIC SCOLNICK | Oct. 20 at 08:08 AM
Cuttler or Stafford?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 08:32 AM
good question. I would use Cutler
Posted by L.B. Graham | Oct. 20 at 08:41 AM
I have Ridley, Doug Martin, Steven Jackson and Bradshaw. Normally, I'd bench Jackson, but should I start Jackson & bench Bradshaw b/c he is hurting?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 09:18 AM
If Bradshaw is active, I would be fine using him over SJax. Barring an in-game setback, he should be good for 15 or so touches...cant promise any better from SJax. I can understand just avoiding the whole thing, though, but SJax doesnt give you much these days.
Posted by Brett Watts | Oct. 20 at 09:25 AM
I feel like this is the week that Donnie Avery is finally going to break out. He has been seeing tons of targets and Wayne will be well covered by Joe Haden. I had pretty much made up my mind to start him over Antonio Brown at flex in a non-PPR league. Antonio was solid averaging 8 pts a week until last week when he inexplicably only scored 2. I think his upside is limited. Then I saw Dwyer's favorable situation and dropped Robert Turbin to pick him up. Should I start Dwyer over Avery and Brown, knowing the Bengals have been poor against the run? Regarding your start/bench conundrum, I think William Powell is the better running back but Ballard has the better chance to succeed this week. Thanks for your advice. Anyone else feel free to comment on my question too please!
Posted by Scott Anderson | Oct. 20 at 09:56 AM
Good day, sir! Pitta or Rudolph, Gibson or Burleson, and (another league) should I risk dropping Hardesty to pick up Burleson, or wait to see if Richardson will get full workload? Thanks.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 09:56 AM
I also like Avery this week, but could not.bench Brown for him. To me, Dwyer's role is too uncertain to use over a better option (like Brown).
Posted by PETER DEBIASE | Oct. 20 at 10:43 AM
Andy: Need 1 RB, 1 WR & 1 Flex (standard scoring); starting Ridley & Jordy. CJ, SJax, Dez & Den. Moore are options. If Dez doesn't play it makes decision a little easier but even if he does, I'm concerned about his groin injury. Thanks much.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 11:18 AM
Scott - I would use Rudolph and Gibson. If you need to use Burleson or Hardesty, I would probably just drop Hardesty - I have seen no indication that Richardson won't at least start, and unless he's inactive, you can't use Hardesty. (Half of the Browns running game isn't particularly useful.) I suppose I'd wait until tomorrow morning, and if you lose Burleson (probably won't), find someone else once Richardson is officially active. Peter, I'd be benching SJax, but I suppose you could play it safe and bench Dez (keeping in mind SJax could also aggravate his previous groin injury and be sidelined, it's already happened to him once this year). I'm down on SJax because of the minimal upisde; max 60 percent of the work, and he's not scoring, so....
Posted by JOHN HARBAUGH | Oct. 20 at 11:58 AM
Hi Andy - QB & FLEX dilemmas(PPR/Distance). Freeman or Schaub? BAL is minus their top CB & R Lewis and Texans s/b on their game after last week's thumping. Freeman of course has the enticing matchup vs Saints, but V Jackson is iffy. FLEX: Need 1 (listed as I currently have them ranked) Josh Gordon, Alex Green, Ballard, Andre Brown. Normally I'd go RB (Green) but he's dinged. Gordon's targets are few, but his long TDs are huge in distance formats. Thanks!
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 01:09 PM
John, I can't trust Schaub to throw the ball, so I would want to use Freeman against the Saints. I like matching up QBs with them, you know they'll have to score a lot of points to match up. Given your other options, I'd roll the dice with Gordon, as long as you concede he's not safe -- he's more likely than say Ballard or Green to finish with very low numbers, you're gambling on the big-play potential. I'd go Gordon first and consider Ballard a close second. (I like Brown IF Bradshaw ends up being inactive, though I don't think that will happen.) Good luck all.
Posted by Matt Mumford | Oct. 20 at 02:49 PM
Andy, Buddy, I'm stuck with Stafford or Flacco (like Stafford even away at Chicago). Also, How about Miles Austin over Torrey Smith? (I'm leaning toward Smith.) How about Houston Defense vs. Patriots (I'm leaning towards patriots!) What do you think? Matt
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 20 at 04:04 PM
I like Stafford more than Flacco. Austin over Smith. Love the Pats D this week.
Posted by Russell Ditnes | Oct. 20 at 06:44 PM
Weekly has Rudolph, Leshoure and Ballard so close. I need to sit one. Playing against Cutler Marshall and Gould so I feel the need to have someone Monday night for some reason.
Posted by Robert Song | Oct. 20 at 10:38 PM
Andy - Who do you start Dalton or Roethlisberger? I know that Dalton has had some turnover issues but the Steelers Defense almost never makes INTs and they seem likely to get torched by A.J. Green. The Steelers RB injuries might mean that Big Ben is throwing all day. Also, I have Leshoure and Morris going with Ballard on the bench. Any reason that I am not seeing to give Ballard a shot?
Posted by Brian Dalager | Oct. 21 at 12:19 AM
Andy: I'm starting Ray Rice & Darren McFadden at running back. Wes Welker and Mike Wallace at Wide Receiver. For my Flex position I have the choice of: Fred Jackson, Vick Ballard, Anquan Boldin or Hakeem Nicks; who should I pick for the flex position?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 21 at 04:39 AM
Russell I would be sitting Ballard. He and leshoure are very close for me. Robert, I like Roethlisberger. Leshoure strikes me as a little better bet than Ballard. Brian, nicks practiced all week and should be fine.
Posted by George Taylor | Oct. 21 at 08:18 AM
Andy I know you have this choice as well so which way are you leaning this week, Newton or Luck? Also struggling with SJax or DWilliams (McCoy on Bye)and Rudolph or Witten?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 21 at 09:56 AM
George I am giving Newton one more chance. I will never recommend DWilliams. If it's a PPR league, Witten, otherwise Rudolph.