We've got this new Fantasy Index Blackout competition. You can enter it under Your Stuff at the top right of the screen. It's similar to our old SuperLeague competition, except you're prevented from using sure-fire, slam-dunk superstars. Ideally it would also prevent us from using players who get hurt 2 minutes into the game, like Jordy Nelson and Ty Montgomery, who I somehow managed to start the week they got hurt. Boo!
Week 4 was a decent one for me, notably because I used Deshaun Watson and Drew Brees, who both did just fine. Won't be using those players this week, though, and there are some good offenses on byes, making it extra tricky. Here's what I'm thinking about so far.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are blacked out, eh I hate those guys anyway. I will instead go with the guy FACING Brady's pitiful defense (time to fire the coordinator in New England, or maybe that Belichick guy), Jameis Winston, and also Carson Palmer, on a team that can only pass, not run.
Running back: Tricky week with Elliott, Bell and Hunt blacked out and some other guys on byes, injured, facing Seattle, or just kind of bad. I will roll with DeMarco Murray and Carlos Hyde, on the road but facing shaky defenses and involved as receivers.
Wide receiver: Only Antonio Brown is blacked out. I'm going with wizened old Larry Fitzgerald, who is still awesome, and a pair of wideouts in choice matchups with shaky secondaries: Dez Bryant versus the Packers, and Mike Evans versus the Patriots. Would like to sneak a Dolphin in against the Titans, but I only get three.
Tight end: No Gronk of course. I'm going with Travis Kelce, because he's awesome, and though I should probably just use Zach Ertz, and might, I love the thought of using Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who faces a Browns team that's already given up a pair of 2 TD games to lesser players, Jesse James and Tyler Kroft. And 13 TDs to tight ends a year ago. There's your free advice of the week, you're welcome.
Kicker: Gostkowski and Chris Boswell are blacked out; Boswell who I've started on his two poor games and cut before his two good games. The perils of streaming kickers. Anyway I'm using Justin Tucker against Oakland and Dan Bailey of Dallas, because they're good and facing lesser-type defenses, and their teams will maybe/probably win.
Defense: No defenses are blacked out; I've got the whole world in my hands, a-ha-ha-ha-ha! I shall go with Kansas City in a favorable matchup with Houston's rookie quarterback and Pittsburgh against Blake Bortles, who often plays like one.
Good luck to the rest of you.