Well, Thursday Night Football… what can I say? The average margin of victory was 28 points (and if I actually knew what math was, I’d have to guess it would probably be around 30 points now after last night’s game), and I still can’t figure out if these blow out games are boring… or just plain sad. One thing’s for sure, Thursday Night Football is where NFL parity goes to die. The Packers opened up the first half with five, I repeat, five 3-and-outs, but still managed to lead the game 28-0. The Vikings couldn’t reach their own 45-yard-line until late in the second quarter… and then, when they did, it was on a Matt Asiata run where the end result was a fumble. Because of course. And it only got worse from there. For example, I think the Vikings are still punting as you’re reading this.
Vikings – 10, Packers – 42
Aaron Rodgers – 12/17, 156 YDS, 3 TD.
Matt Flynn – 3/5, 22 YDS, 1 INT and 1 CAR, -1 YDS. Flynn showing off that great talent that made him the starter at both Seattle and Oakland.
Eddie Lacy – 13 CAR, 105 YDS, 2 TD and 3 REC, 27 YDS. Eddy Lacy looks like he should have a Sherpa running behind him with an oxygen bottle. Especially since he out-gained the entire Vikings team in yardage in the first half.
James Starks – 12 CAR, 46 YDS and 2 REC, 2 YDS. Sure, he had an expanded role, but most of his limited damage came at garbage time. When he spelled Lacy early in the game, I thought for a second that the Packers had traded for Trent Richardson.
Jordy Nelson – 1 REC, 66 YDS, 1 TD. At what age should you say, “Guys, stop calling me Jordy.”?
Randall Cobb – 3 REC, 34 YDS, 1 TD.
Christian Ponder – 22/44, 222 YDS, 2 INT and 3 CAR, 15 YDS, 1 TD. I still always imagine Christian Ponder as a blind anthropomorphic panda, but that’s only because he has the situational awareness of a refrigerator… then again, maybe Ponder is more like a less interesting and more easily defeated Riddler. Regardless, in case you weren’t sure before, job is safe Teddy.
Matt Asiata – 15 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 FUM. Whey to go, Asiago. Not very gouda.
Jerick McKinnon – 7 CAR, 24 YDS and 3 REC, 22 YDS. I had him pegged for about 10-15 touches a game, and he barely made it there, but he remains a high quality match-up flex play, only because I ran out of words to describe what he exactly is.
Cordarrelle Patterson – 2 REC, 8 YDS. Reminding us that, no matter how good you are, this is Thursday Night Football. That being said, he did suffer what appeared to be a hip injury which forced him to leave the game. It doesn’t seem major, or, rather, it doesn’t seem to be causing his disappearing act since Week 1. Hold out hope here, since there’s really nothing else you can do.
Greg Jennings – 2 REC, 31 YDS. Was targeted just four times, but to be fair, I don’t think Ponder can actually throw the football more than 10 yards. We should probably trade the Ponder to ISIS and see how they do with all the inaccurate bombs.
Which side would you prefer ROS (non-ppr): Matt Ryan + Gio Bernard or Matthew Stafford + DeMarco Murray? Thanks!
@friar: Stafford & Murray, no question
@friar: Stafford and Murray
@friar: Murray side… but it’s close.
bradshaw and lamar miller for ellington?
@Zandy: Sure, assuming one of those is just a bench piece you don’t really use.
@Jay: both are part of a 3headed matchup dependent committee for RB2 along with Joique. My RB1 is jennings. I flex Keenan or Kelvin to go with my DT and Dez combo
@Zandy: Yeah, I’m fine with it.
Thanks Asiata. Way to get me in a little hole already. Damn my RBs need help. After Forte it’s a cluster eff of epic proportions. Asiata, Vereen, Tate, J.Bell.
GUH.
@Wilsonian: The entire Vikings offense essentially destroyed a lot of fantasy teams this week. At least it was an early death?
@Jay: I am a victim of the Vikings offense as well…in that I am playing against the GB Defense who was barely outscored by my Rodgers / Cobb combination. Not good.
@Prince of Soul Glo: Right, still have Sunday, but these Thursday games have been wrecking everyone.
@Jay: even if i owned asiata i wouldn’t be playing him unless i had at least 2 other RB’s injured, or were in some league where i HAD to start 3 RB.
@Montezuma’s Revenge… right now: or like 16 team league.
@Montezuma’s Revenge… right now: Yeah, or if you’re a fan of cheese. That’s the only reason I’m starting him.
@Jay: certain types.
12 team ppr. Should I trade Forte and Antonio Brown for Philip Rivers, Demarco Murray, and Julius Thomas?
Here is my team:
QB – Cam Newton
RB -Forte
RB -Morris
WR- Brown
WR- Crabtree
WR-Tate
Flex1-Chris Johnson
Flex2-Brian Quick
TE-Clay Harbor (dropped Rudolf)
Bench:
Moreno
Crowell
Rainey
Justin Hunter
Beckham
Marvin Jones
@Dollabill: Pretty fair trade, but there’s risk in Murray. That being said, I would do it.
I worked with a cocky Vikings fan a few years back when they got Favre and he made bold proclamations GB was done and the ‘Queens were set up for domination for the next 3-5 years or so w/Favre/AP & that defense. I told him they’d get a good year or two out of Favre but he’d eventually come up short like the Vikes do, the Defense would age, AP would be the last man standing, and they’d go through painful rebuilding while GB’d continue winning. Love it when a plan comes together :)
@Clint: ateam type strategy there!
Me and Michael Floyd for Demaryius. Which side wins?
@Crabtree: I’m fine with it, seems like a good condensing there.
A little advice please – dropped miller for Moreno now not sure if I should try and get miller back??with moreno’s 4 more weeks news
Other RB lacy, ellington, j bell, ivory
Also picked up San Diego to cover cincinnati bye- roll with SD this week or drop one to pick up Mathews that someone dropped
Thanks for your help.
@Beachgirl: news is all over the placr at the moment. Unless you’re desperate for a starter, I’d hold.
Howdy Jay! Which to roll with this week;
Browns [email protected] Tennesee
Philly D vs Rams
Next we don’t have a typical flex it’s only WR/TE
My current player in that slot is wheaton , I like his matchup vs jags but he’s been dealing with an injury , would you start kelce who faces SF or look to add doug Baldwin who faces washington , Allen hurns & jared cook are also available
@Bobby Boucher the waterboy: Philly, stick with Wheaton, but double check my updated rankings on Sun morning just in case.
Pick 1 in PPR- T. Smith, McKinnon, Reaves
@Gay 4 Jay: Smith, but I feel dirty about it.
What do you think about Monte Ball ROS? I Know he has a tough match-up this week and some of the weeks going foward, but he wont be this bad all year..i hope. Also K. Benjamin or Malcom Floyd ROS? Impressive as Kelvin has looked its still floyd right?! NO way dude stays out of the end zone much longer…
@Dan: I’ve been low on Ball since the preseason, but the talent is there. Let’s see how the next two games go and reassess. I’d still go Benjamin here, I love what I see.
Was that Cobb picture you missing San Diego?
@J-FOH: MAYBE
@J-FOH: the elote here sucks.
@Jay: i can’t send you one, but as long as you can get the cheese and the proper mayonesa then it can be done. If you can’t then I can ship to you, no charge.
@J-FOH: I might die from that.
Start Locker, Glennon or Alex Smith over Brady this week?
@pound sand: Smith. Glennon could be crazy, but it’s something to think about. Check back Sun morning for my updated rankings.
Jay, got a question. In a 10 team standard league, would you drop Terrance WIlliams for Cooks? I guess, could you see Cooks becoming NO’s number one receiver? I guess after Graham.
My receivers:
Bryant
Garcon
E. Sanders
Crabtree
V. Jax
Williams
I’d drop Gerhart, but that would put me over the limit (6) for WR’s on a team.
@Luis: I can see it, but as long as the Cowboys are doing well, I’d stick with Williams.
The Asiata jokes were so cheesy!
@Scott: Straight chedda!
In a standard Y! league – does Denard Robinson’s WR eligibility make him VERY interesting or just kinda interesting as a final bench spot stash?
@Zandy: Kinda interesting, totally worth a stash though.
14-team Yahoo / Half PPR league
Who would you rather have? Jimmy Graham or Aaron Rodgers & Travis Kelce?
My QB’s are Roethlisberger and Cousins. He has Luck and Rodgers
@Silky: Graham, based on the fact that Ben is holding his own.
Ben Tate or Andrew Hawkins at flex PPR?
@Jack: Tate this week, but double check the Sunday rankings in the morning for the final say.
3 questions:
1) Big Ben or Cam ROS.
2) Would you drop Joquie Bell or Forsett for Ivory? Do you like Ivory ROS? He seems to be finally breaking out and I am a fan especially as the goal line tailback. And will Bell turn things around when he comes back?
3) Would you hold Mathews (obvious yea) and Moreno?
Thanks!! Your advice is much appreciated.
One more thing, I was high in Demarco this season, you seemed to be too. Do you think he is top 3 RB ROS? Or would you sell high?
@Tarman Got Him: 1, Still got Cam, 2. Probably Forsett. 3. Yes on both, if you can. Anytime!
If he’s healthy, no doubt he’s top-3. It’s a gamble, but I think there’s at least one season where it all comes together. I’m hoping this is it.
Doug Martin or Fred Jackon this week?
Please pick 2, Quick, Sankey, Sproles, Hill this week?
Kelce or Cameron ROS?
Thanks for your help!
@T Carter: .5 ppr 14 teams
@T Carter: Going Martin. And then Sankey and Sproles. Cameron, but it’s close. I want to see his return before setting that in stone.
Yo Jay, should I trade my Bush for Ellington?
@T Carter: In a heartbeat.
Also, who’s a better back up ROS? Palmer or Bridgewater?
@T Carter: Slight edge to Bridgewater, just because nerve damage is a serious thing.
@Jay:
Thanks Jay.
Hey Jay,
Would you start Vereen or Taliaferro in your FLEX spot?
Thanks!
I forgot to mention it’s a PPR league if that makes a difference.
@Steve: Yeah, PPR gives the edge to Vereen.
Planning ahead Jay
12 Team Standard league.
Need to drop one to open a roster spot to cover Kelce next week.
I will need that roster spot for Mathews soon here
when he comes off my IR.
Also Cutler/Ryan have same bye week.
QB-Ryan, Cutler
RB-Murry, Ellington, Bradshaw, J. Hill, Mathews
WR-Thomas, Benjamin, Cruz, T. Williams, Gordon
TE-Kelece
I could also try to trade with Benard owner (I give Cutler/Hill for Rivers)
that would leave me with my roster spot!
Any way if I have to drop someone who would be best?
I will probly have to drop Cutler either way week 9!
Thanks,
@Tom: Yeah, I agree, you can cut Cutler, but if you can pull that trade for Rivers, I would do it.
I need a TE play for next week who’s the add [email protected], Clay v GB, Graham v IND, Dwayne [email protected] or Zac Miller v DAL
@oppo taco: Probably Ebron or Allen, but ask me again after tomorrow. Lot could change.
Hey there Jay, would you drop Brady for Big Ben?
Also, would you trade Jeremy Hill for Jordan Cameron in a 14 team .5 ppr league?
@T Carter: Sure and yes.
@Jay:
Then would you flip Cameron for Fred Jackson to be an RB2 in a 14 teamer?
Will Sankey be an RB2 material?
Sankey vs a Bad D or Sproles vs a Good D this week. Hate that Sproles hasn’t been getting many touches. He’s a BEAST in the open field.
Quick over either of those guys?
Thanks for the advice! Hope you can take me to the ship this year!