I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of you have never heard of nor seen an episode of the television sitcom My Favorite Martian from the mid 1960s. Who am I kidding, I was born in 1977 and barely know much about the show. I watched a random episode or two when I was much younger, and probably again about 10 years ago during a late night online poker tournament on PokerStars. Remember when it was legal to play online poker in the good old U.S of A.? Dem some good times. My Favorite Martian starred Ray Walston as Uncle Martin who was a human looking extraterrestrial from Mars that piloted a one-man spaceship that crashed near Los Angeles.  Tim O’Hara, played by Bill Bixby, discovered Martin and took him in as his roommate. The show centered around the two and their adventures as they kept Martin’s martian origin a secret. The first two seasons were filmed in black and white, while the third and final was in color.
Hidden Rupees Category 1: Best of the Rest (Weekly)
These are the players that are owned in less than approximately 85% of most leagues that were top performers based on last week’s stats.
Running Back:Â C.J. Anderson (29.2 SAV)
Just when you thought you had the running back situation figured out in Denver this happens and now you are out of free agent dollars! Fark! I drafted Montee Ball. Picked up Ronnie Hillman and now I have to try and get C.J. Anderson. Do you mean C.J. Spiller? No, I mean C.J. Anderson. The guy who carried the ball 13 times for 90 yards and caught 4 passes for another 73 yards and a touchdown. Can’t get a BJ, get yourself a CJ.
Wide Receiver: Jordan Matthews (31.2 SAV)
Got a little Jerry Rice in you? Didn’t think so. But you know who does, besides his ex-wife? Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Jordan is Jerry’s second cousin and he played like it last week catching 7 of 9 targets for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. As great of a game as that was I wouldn’t get too excited as he hasn’t done much since his 2-touchdown performance back in week 3. Although perhaps with Mark Sanchez throwing the ball things will change. Somewhere Jeremy Maclin is crossing his fingers that they won’t.
Tight End: Mychal Rivera (22.1 SAV)
Over the past 3 weeks Mychal Rivera has been one of the best tight ends in fantasy football. This is his second week in a row receiving these honors and I expect that after this week he will no longer qualify. If he does, that means he’s available in your league and you should seriously consider picking him up. Unless of course you own one of Gronk, Graham, Thomas or Olsen. Rivera had 6 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown this week rewarding everyone that listened to me last week and picked him up.
Hidden Rupees Category 2: Best of the Best (Weekly)
These are the best performing players based on last week’s stats regardless of percentage owned.
Running Back: Marshawn Lynch (37.4 SAV)
Beast mode went feast mode on the New York Giants scoring 4 rushing touchdowns. 21 carries for 140 yards is no joke. Eat that Pete Carroll. Taste like Skittles? Tastes like victory to Lynch’s fantasy owners. Two weeks in a row as the top back and looking for more. Marshawn to the beat of his own drum! Honorable Mention (C.J. Anderson 29.2)
Wide Receiver: Dez Bryant (33.35 SAV)
Sunday, Monday, Happy Dez. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Dez. Thursday, Friday, Happy Dez. The weekend comes, my cycle hums, ready to race to you… I know that’s a stretch but I’m putting it out there. This week was a long time in the making. With 6 catches for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns Dez Bryant exploded in London and shows why he is one of the best in the game. Honorable Mention (Jordy Nelson 30.25, Golden Tate 30.15)
Tight End:Â Jimmy Graham (31.4 SAV)
Oh hot Graham this is my jam! Jimmy caught 10 of 13 targets for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. Now if only your tight end could do that every week. He could if you owned Jimmy Graham. Honorable Mention (Julius Thomas 27.7)
Hidden Rupees Category 2A: Best of the Best (Year To Date)
After LeSean McCoy’s 19 yard game stinker he has fallen out of the Stats Machine’s top 10. Over the past month or so Eddie Lacy has begun his climb. At week 7 he had a 16.1 average score and this week he has risen to 19.32 and is just outside the top 10. I doubt his owner will give him up without a fight, but if you can get him… get him. Other running backs that have shown improvement since week 5 include Andre Ellington, Jerick McKinnon, Branden Oliver, and Jeremy Hill.
Running Back:
Matt Forte (31.56)
DeMarco Murray (28.07)
Arian Foster (27.67)
Le’Veon Bell (27.21)
Marshawn Lynch (24.82)
Andre Ellington (24.12)
Mark Ingram (21.78)
Jamaal Charles (20.49)
Justin Forsett (20.24)
Ahmad Bradshaw (20.22)
LeSean McCoy (19.69)
Eddie Lacy (19.32)
Jerick McKinnon (19.24)
Wide receivers on the rise since week 5 include Larry Fitzgerald (+8.49), Brandon LaFell (+5.34), Roddy White (+4.71), Jarvis Landry (+4.31), and John Brown (+3.85). Receivers trending in the opposite direction include Kelvin Benjamin (-8.91), Eddie Royal (-4.58), Julio Jones (-3.98), Terrence Williams (-3.16) and Steve Smith Sr. (-2.67).
Wide Receiver:
Antonio Brown (27.74)
Demaryius Thomas (26.46)
Golden Tate (25.29)
Emmanuel Sanders (24.96)
Jordy Nelson (24.78)
Jeremy Maclin (24.55)
Julio Jones (23.06)
T.Y. Hilton (22.41)
Dez Bryant (22.27)
Randall Cobb (21.48)
Sammy Watkins (20.17)
Mohamed Sanu (19.98)
Anquan Boldin (19.87)
Julian Edelman (19.62)
Alshon Jeffery (19.58)
All appears normal again in tight end land with Graham, Gronk and Thomas on top.
Tight End:
Jimmy Graham (20.73)
Rob Gronkowski (20.68)
Julius Thomas (20.43)
Martellus Bennett (21.12)
Greg Olsen (20.08)
Antonio Gates (16.84)
Larry Donnell (16.42)
Delanie Walker (16.42)
Jason Witten (16.21)
Heath Miller (15.64)
There were no duds of the week worth highlighting.
Examine the stats yourself (Downloadable Spreadsheet).
14 team league looking to improve my WR 2 spot….
Should I trade R White, M Vick, and J Bell for E Sanders? Also do you have any reservations about having both receivers from the same team? I already have D Thomas as my wr1.
@Wacha Wacha: To me Michael Vick belongs on the waiver wire so I won’t even consider his value in this deal. That makes it White and Bell for Sanders. I’d make that deal. Bell hasn’t been that great. Who are your other running backs? And I don’t have any reservations having both receivers from Denver. Denver would certainly be the exception to the rule.
@malamoney:
Thanks for the help! I forgot to mention it is a two QB league and and so with 14 teams all QBs are owned which is why I have Vick but I already have M Ryan and J Cutler so I could trade him.
J Bell sits behind Forte and Ellington and probably R Jennings as well. Still like the trade then?
@Wacha Wacha: Yes
@Wacha Wacha: You are trading bench depth for a guy you will start.
Trade Julio Jones for Jimmy Graham?
I have:
QB-Stafford, Tannehill
RB-Ellis, Ellington, Bernard, Hyde, C2K
WR-Jones, Benjamin, Maclin, Edelman
TE-Kelce
K/DEF-Random
format
QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, FLEX
non PPR
@KMDA:
Sorry, Lacy…not Ellis…don’t even know why I typed that
@KMDA: Ha! I was trying to figure out who the heck Ellis was. It’s a fair trade. Julio is your best receiver, but you would be getting one of the top tight ends.
From a “how will this affect me fantasy points wise” perspective. In my standard ESPN league Kelce is averaging 7.5 points and Graham 11. Jones is averaging 11.3, Maclin 14.6, Benjamin 10.6 and Edelman 10.
So what does that mean? I assume you have been starting Jones and Maclin most weeks. Upgrading from Kelce to Graham at tight end should get you an additional 3.5 points per week. Downgrading from Jones to Benjamin will lose you 0.7 points. That’s a net gain of about 2.5 points.
The numbers say the deal helps your team. There are two things that concern me. First is the fact that I expect Jones to do better than he has. The second is the fact that the only thing keeping Kelce from putting up better numbers is the existence of Fasano. And right now Fasano is injured with his status in question.
Like I said, it’s a fair deal and one you won’t know if you get the better end of until the season is over.
Benj 10.6 Maclin 14.6 Edelman 10
Who would you hold as last bench spot – john brown, Hawkins or hurns? Std league
@Zandy: In standard probably Brown. Hawkins in PPR. Although I am interested to see how things play out for Hawkins when Gordon returns and defenses are forced to key in on him.
Hey Malamoney,
This is the first week in a while that I cant make my mind up! NON-PPR league
I need 2RB 3WR & a flex
I have set now;
RB1: Ingram
RB2: R Jennings
WR1 Cobb
WR2 Beckham
WR3 M Bryant
Flex: McKinnon
I have R Matthews, K Allen (Just received in a trade for Edelman), Sanu & A Johnson on the bench…am I taking it too safe?
@Nick: Sub McK for Mathews, Ive made that change so far
@Nick: Put in Mathews and take out McKinnon. That’s what I’d do.
@malamoney: hah, I jus said that. Thanks. Lets hope the return of Jennings & Mathews is glorious!
@Nick: Here here!
have foster, with him out pick 2 out of a blue, cj anderson, c sims, full point ppr league
@mcBlunty: Blue and Anderson
@malamoney: Listen to this guy. Finally someone who picked Blue. I bet you started Hill vs NOLA also
12 team league ppr
Qb newton wr allen wayne rbs lacy ellington te bennett flex bradshaw
Bn gordon mathews crabtree denard mason
I want to get a qb for next week or this week for that matter and starting next week i will be starting gordon and allen/denard at the 2 wr slots
Available qbs e manning mccown orton bridgewater carr
Drop crabtree or wayne or mason for manning ?
Also garcon was dropped should i drop mason for garcon?
Thank you
@Barker: I’d rather have Garcon over Crabtree in PPR. I’d probably want Crabtree over Mason except that in this case I’d rather have Mason to give me some extra depth at RB. With Gordon, Allen, Garcon, Wayne and Robinson you have plenty at WR. As a receiver I’d rather have Crabtree over Denard, but his dual eligibility helps at 2 positions. It really comes down to who you want on your bench.
Would you trade Andre Ellington since he plays SEA in the Playoff championship
@Dom B: Not for that reason alone.
Mala money should i drop bobby rainey for larry donnell?
@Joe: Who is your current TE and running backs?
Out of these choose 2 WR and one Flex Charles Sims, Alshon Jeffrey, Kelvin Benjamin, Roddy White TY Hilton, Malcolm Floyd also ROS Odell Beckham Jr or Alshon Jeffrey
@Dom B: Hilton and Benjamin and Alshon.
Alshon ROS.
Would you trade Alshon Jeffrey and delaine walker for Julius Thomas leaving Roddy White as flex
my roster
QB – Aaron Rodgers – Packers
RB – LeSean McCoy – Eagles
RB – Andre Ellington – Cardinals
WR – Alshon Jeffery – Bears
WR – T.Y. Hilton – Colts
TE – Larry Donnell – Giants
PK – Steven Hauschka – Seahawks
DEF – Baltimore Ravens – Ravens
Bench:
QB – Ben Roethlisberger – Steelers
RB – Fred Jackson – Bills
RB – Charles Sims – Buccaneers
WR – Kelvin Benjamin – Panthers
WR – Malcom Floyd – Chargers
WR – Roddy White – Falcons
TE – Delanie Walker – Titans
@Dom B: Yes
Would you trade kelvin Benjamin for golden Tate and Rashad Jennings
QB – Aaron Rodgers – Packers
RB – LeSean McCoy – Eagles
RB – Andre Ellington – Cardinals
WR – Alshon Jeffery – Bears
WR – T.Y. Hilton – Colts
TE – Larry Donnell – Giants
PK – Steven Hauschka – Seahawks
DEF – Baltimore Ravens – Ravens
Bench:
QB – Ben Roethlisberger – Steelers
RB – Fred Jackson – Bills
RB – Charles Sims – Buccaneers
WR – Kelvin Benjamin – Panthers
WR – Malcom Floyd – Chargers
WR – Roddy White – Falcons
TE – Delanie Walker – Titans
@Dom B: Yes
Better flex golden Tate or Rashad Jennings also ROS kelvin Benjamin or Golden Tate
@Dom B: Tate and Tate
Sup Money.. This iS a must WIN FOR me this week and I got Murray on a bye, QB gOT hURT and picked up McCown while riding CVam on the bench cause I’ll never start him again (LOL) and starting Rivera over Donnell cause he can’t be trusted.. My flex cause of bye weeks are Baldwin, Donnell or James Jones.. What u think?? I still got Antonio Brown, Maclin, Boldin, Mathews and CJ Anderson. IDK anymore but need some luck this week!! Lol
@Frank White: I’d almost pick one while blindfolded there. But I guess if I had to make a choice it would be Baldwin or Jones. Or Donnell. Honestly, this is an impossible choice. Consensus rankings say Donnell.
Would you trade Lesean McCoy for Eddie Lacy
@Dom B: Yes
@malamoney: MY MAN!
We must share the same football mind
@Bye Felicia: Get out of my head! Those thoughts are private…
@malamoney: I played a Sunday millions on PS and lost a nice amt during the full tilt debacle. Yup we are brothers from a different mother. Ha!
You’re the only writer who said roll with Blue. I traded Shady for Lacy 5 weeks ago, And I never bought into the Rudolph hype train. Minny is a disaster!
@Bye Felicia: I had my share of ups and downs on PokerStars. Just found an old PS tee shirt that Lee Jones sent me. Blue seemed like an obvious choice to me. I’d love to get my hands on Lacy. I’ve been making offers since week 4. Rudolph has never shown me anything and like you said, Minnesota is a disaster!
Mala money should i trade julian edelman and ryan mathews for CJ anderson?
.
@Joe: No
drop andre johnson in non ppr for green bay (cant drop charger d til morning & gb might be gone by then.) its 10 team so i feel johnson has no value for me since i have cobb, beckham, m bryant, sanu & k allen
@Nick: or drop sanu? or wait & hope in the AM…
@Nick: Drop Johnson for who? Green Bay D? I’d say no on that move.
@malamoney: yea ill prob try in the AM, dropping SD
@Nick: how bout dropping Johnson or Sanu for Gray?
@Nick: Im really tempted to grab gray for Sanu with Green back to his normal self
@Nick: or just witten for gray since i have donnell?
@Nick: You could do that if you have a need at RB
@malamoney: I have Ingram, Murray, Mathews, Jennings, McKinnon. 2 rb 1 flex league
@Nick: sorry to blow your post up, its no waivers league, first come first serve
@Nick: he was snagged, never mind, ughhhhh
@Nick: yeah, the football version of “daily-tomorrow” transactions for baseball in yahoo. i hate that stuff. if you aren’t at internet spot you are screwed.
I need Martavis Bryant to get 13+ points to squeak out a win, what are the chances?
@Nick: there’s always a chance. I’ll say 50/50 :-)
@Nick: In my ESPN standard league he has averaged 16.8 over the past 4 weeks. But Tennessee has been tough against opposing receivers. Gonna be a tight one. I’ve got him at somewhere between 7-13 points. He’s gotta get a touchdown. Good luck
Hey would you swap out Mason Crosby for say, Matt Bryant, Zuerlein, Bullock, Nugent, Novak, Santos or S Graham?
Or despite Crosby’s brutal game, don’t blame it on him & hold?
@Nick: Six of one half dozen of another. I’d probably hold on Crosby though.
Defense week 11, I grabbed Green Bay. Role with them over these options:
Colts v. Jags
NE v Det
Cleveland @ ATL
Dallas @ NYG
St. Louis vs. SD
@Nick: I like just about any defense going up against the Jaguars…
What would you consider to be fair trade value for Gray at this point? Who are some players that you’d consider to be reasonable swaps for him straight up?
@friar: That’s a tough question. Here are a few possible suggestions. Keenan Allen, Jordan Matthews, Brandon LaFell, Eric Decker. Maybe Fitz or Martavis. It’s tough to know how Gray will be used from week to week making it hard to pin an accurate value on him. If he’s used as he was in week 11 then he has an even higher value. But who knows, next week could be Vereen’s turn rendering Gray useless. You just don’t know…
Hey Malamoney, week 11 questions;
My starting lineup looks like this;
QB-Rodgers
RB-Murray & Ingram
WR-Cob @ Min, Beckham v. Dal, Sanu @ Houston
Flex-Rashad Jennings v. Dal
TE-Donnell v. Dal
K-Crosby @ Min
D- GB @ Min
bench options for week 11 are;
Mathews v. STL
McKinnon v. GB
K Allen v STL
A Johnson v. Cincy
Witten @ NYG
Besides advice on any changes to the starting lineup, do you think Crosby has a rough day in Minnesota where its outdoors/windy?…Novak, Tucker & Dawson are available so I think I’ll go get one of them & shed some of my GB bias but which is best for week 11?
Novak has ST Louis at home, Tucker is going to NO and Dawson has Washington…
@Nick: I like Johnson and Allen over Sanu now that A.J. Green is back.
Tucker and Dawson over Crosby.
@Nick: And I assume you meant week 12
@malamoney: yes correct. Would you drop Donnell for L Murray? I would say Witten/Donnell are in the same tier so its not worth carrying both, right?
Also available is Boom Herron, J Brown, J Thompson…but I like Latavius Murray since he is getting the nod for the 0-10 raiders..
@Nick: I went ahead & dumped Donnell for L Murray as I have Witten & also dont want to many Giants (as I have ODB)…
Rudolph is on the waivers so if he responds in week 12, I can always dump Witten or L Murray for him instead…