The Monday After
Some thoughts about all we saw in Week 14:
Weather is now a major factor and the sooner you realize this the better off you'll be advancing through your fantasy playoffs. Last Thursday's game between the Steelers and Browns showed us that there doesn't have to be a thunderstorm or blizzard to affect a game. In fact, the single most important aspect is wind. Gusty winds can thwart even the most dynamic of passing games as well as severely limit extra points and field goals. Kickers, quarterbacks and wide receivers are all now at the mercy of weather so make sure your roster is deep enough with players who will be playing indoors or in warm weather climates. Some examples of players who weren't valuable before but could be now are Brandon Gibson (Rams), Kevin Walter (Texans), Antonio Bryant (Bucs), Malcolm Floyd (Chargers), Chad Henne (Dolphins), Josh Freeman (Bucs), and Garrett Hartley (Saints).
Kevin Smith is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered in yesterday's game against Baltimore. While Maurice Morris has been named the starter, expect to see a lot of rookie RB Aaron Brown. Brown was impressive early on in the season as a ball carrier but fell out of favor when his pass blocking was exposed. Brown is a very good runner and has great size and speed for a RB and best of all he'll be facing lesser competition in the remaining 3 games. He could be of use to a team in need of RB help late in the season.
With Jeremy Maclin out for at least 2 weeks, I expect Jason Avant to become a solid fantasy option for Eagles. Don't be fooled by his zero catch performance against the Giants. Donovan McNabb trusts Avant an awful lot and they have good chemistry with one another after years of practice time and games. I wouldn't be surprised if Avant led the team in receptions the next couple of weeks either. DeSean Jackson is a wonderful big play WR, but he is never going to get a ton or receptions or work near the middle of the field. Avant is that guy and he'll do quite well for the pass happy Eagles.
The Colts are not going to rest players at least until week 16 against the Jets. For all the commotion about the Colts resting players, I seriously doubt they jeopardize a perfect season or take their main guys out of rhythm just to get a rest. They will already be getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs and it has been proven over and over and over again that teams who rest their guys for longer than the 2 weeks between games don't fare very well in the playoffs. The Colts will take it week to week and rest anybody with an injury but no way do they sit Manning, Addai, Wayne, Clark or Garcon simply to 'take a break'.
Need some advice? I'd be happy to help. Send me an email at thefantasyscout@gmail.com and I'll answer all your nagging fantasy football questions in 12 hours or less.
Listen to Me on Fighting Chance Radio Tuesday at 10 PM EST, Friday at Midnight EST or Sunday Mornings at 11:30 AM EST.
Weather is now a major factor and the sooner you realize this the better off you'll be advancing through your fantasy playoffs. Last Thursday's game between the Steelers and Browns showed us that there doesn't have to be a thunderstorm or blizzard to affect a game. In fact, the single most important aspect is wind. Gusty winds can thwart even the most dynamic of passing games as well as severely limit extra points and field goals. Kickers, quarterbacks and wide receivers are all now at the mercy of weather so make sure your roster is deep enough with players who will be playing indoors or in warm weather climates. Some examples of players who weren't valuable before but could be now are Brandon Gibson (Rams), Kevin Walter (Texans), Antonio Bryant (Bucs), Malcolm Floyd (Chargers), Chad Henne (Dolphins), Josh Freeman (Bucs), and Garrett Hartley (Saints).
Kevin Smith is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered in yesterday's game against Baltimore. While Maurice Morris has been named the starter, expect to see a lot of rookie RB Aaron Brown. Brown was impressive early on in the season as a ball carrier but fell out of favor when his pass blocking was exposed. Brown is a very good runner and has great size and speed for a RB and best of all he'll be facing lesser competition in the remaining 3 games. He could be of use to a team in need of RB help late in the season.
With Jeremy Maclin out for at least 2 weeks, I expect Jason Avant to become a solid fantasy option for Eagles. Don't be fooled by his zero catch performance against the Giants. Donovan McNabb trusts Avant an awful lot and they have good chemistry with one another after years of practice time and games. I wouldn't be surprised if Avant led the team in receptions the next couple of weeks either. DeSean Jackson is a wonderful big play WR, but he is never going to get a ton or receptions or work near the middle of the field. Avant is that guy and he'll do quite well for the pass happy Eagles.
The Colts are not going to rest players at least until week 16 against the Jets. For all the commotion about the Colts resting players, I seriously doubt they jeopardize a perfect season or take their main guys out of rhythm just to get a rest. They will already be getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs and it has been proven over and over and over again that teams who rest their guys for longer than the 2 weeks between games don't fare very well in the playoffs. The Colts will take it week to week and rest anybody with an injury but no way do they sit Manning, Addai, Wayne, Clark or Garcon simply to 'take a break'.
Need some advice? I'd be happy to help. Send me an email at thefantasyscout@gmail.com and I'll answer all your nagging fantasy football questions in 12 hours or less.
Listen to Me on Fighting Chance Radio Tuesday at 10 PM EST, Friday at Midnight EST or Sunday Mornings at 11:30 AM EST.
posted by Jeff Mans at
4:00 PM
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