Nick Foles is doing everything he can to keep his job in Philadelphia and as it turns out, everything he can is quite a bit. With three TDs and zero interceptions, Foles put up a passer rating of 133.3 against an honestly not awful Tampa Bay defense. This week, he faces an even easier Dallas defense that has given up the most fantasy points to QBs this season, mostly because the good Manning (no, not the one with two Super Bowl rings) took them to school. If you’re looking for someone to start this week while Brees is on bye, he’s your man. Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler are also in excellent matchups this week if you need them while Colin Kaepernick and Andy Dalton could have relatively low scoring days.
With Randall Cobb expected to miss 6-8 weeks and James Jones also nursing a leg injury, it could be all Jordy Nelson this weekend. However, before you get too excited, keep in mind that Joe Haden will be playing the part of Nelson’s shadow on Sunday. Nelson is still too talented to bench, but if you’re in a 10 team league with a lot of options, it’s worth looking at Nelson more as a high-upside flex as opposed to a sure thing WR1.
Larry Fitzgerald is also in an especially difficult matchup this week. Combined with the fact that he is now apparently battling problems with both of his hamstrings, fantasy owners need to follow-up on his status and start him with extreme caution this Thursday night. If you have other options available to you, this is the week to use them.
Speaking of other options, Aaron Dobson and Reuben Randle are both in excellent positions for success this week if you need them.
As for running backs, Brandon Jacobs and Joseph Randle are the big buzz names on the waiver wire this week, and for a good reason. Both are in relatively decent matchups this week and both will likely see the vast majority of carries. The only problem is that they’re only good for the next couple of weeks. If you can afford to drop someone, they’re both solid starts this week and should be highly considered over the likes of Maurice Jones-Drew, Zac Stacy, and Le’Veon Bell who all face tough opponents.
Also, I know Stevan Ridley put up some serious points this past weekend, but don’t throw him into your must start pile just yet. Against the Jets, Ridley is a flex play at best, but still a better option than either running back for Cleveland or Arizona.
Luckily for Cleveland, Green Bay is really only a formidable defense when it comes to the run. That should leave plenty of opportunities for Jordan Cameron this week, who has moved into the every week TE1 category. Heath Miller and Kyle Rudolph are both in nice matchups as well if you need them. It’s a pretty good week for TEs in general so there aren’t a whole lot of terrible matchups for them, but Greg Olsen and Garrett Graham should both stay on your bench in case their performances last week weren’t convincing enough.
Now it’s time for the sleeper pick of the week. This week, I really like Brandon Gibson. He’s got an easy matchup and has been very quietly consistent despite not scoring a TD yet this year. He’ll get his first of the season this week.
With Olsen hurting (in a walking boot again today), would you start any of these over him (non-ppr):
Fleener vs DEN
Cumberland vs NE
Celek vs DAL
@E: I’d take Fleener over Olsen this week, but not the other two.
Pick 2 (PPR):
C. Spiller @ Mia
H. Nicks v Min
R. Randle v Min
@Eds: Nicks and Randle. I don’t love starting two from the same team, but in this case, I think it’s your best option.
Start Foles over Kaep? Also, pick one for R/W/T flex: Powell, Stacy, or T.Y.
@Alex: Foles over Kaep this week…absolutely. I’d also go Hilton for your flex.
For the rest of season, should I drop Vincent Brown for Percy Harvin? I already have a deep WR corps, so either guy is depth for me at this point.
@Pete: Yes, absolutely. Worth the gamble.
Fitz v. Keenen Allen or Mike Wallace?
@Alex: This week I’d rank them Allen, Fitz, Wallace.
Nick Foles or Ryan Tannehill this week? I’m leaning Foles but every time he has a good game and sucks people in, it seems like the next week he’ll go look like a completely different player. Appreciate the help.
I don’t think you can count last year against him. Files
@The Dead Heads: I agree, Foles can be a frustrating fantasy player, but this is a new offense and Foles has looked outstanding this year…at least in the regular season. He’s your best bet this week.
Running back problem! Starting M. Lynch and Gio Bernard, for suuure.
Pick my flex! Stevan Ridley, Andre Ellington or Leveon Bell…? I’ve got Miles Austin on the bench too, but I don’t think he’s my guy yet…
@Jeremy: I hate to read into one good week like he’s suddenly back to a reliable starter, but Ridley’s your guy this week.
Have Jordan Reed but Rudolph is available – would have to drop Reed for him. Worth the move?
@Mr. Rickey: This week, yes, but rest of season is a coin flip.
Need some opinions because I’m going insane thinking about this.
start three:
Djax (v Dal)
Blackmon (v SD)
Vjax (at ATL)
K Allen (at JAC)
thanks!
@iHatedougmartin: Sit Vjax
@iHatedougmartin: Originally I read James R’s reply and thought he was insane, but once I actually looked at your other options, I have to agree. I think Jackson has good chemistry with his new QB, but he’s the riskiest play of your 4 choices.
what’s the real rundown in Dallas right now. Yes Randle has got the ball this week, but should Dunbar get healthy, is he expected to get it moving forward barring a D Murray return or a Randle breakout?
@gobiggreen: I reckon it’ll depend on how Randle does this week. I don’t think he’ll need a breakout to keep it. But if he shows his ass, a healthy Dunbar has to get the call next game. Assuming Murray misses more than the optimistic 1 week.
@gobiggreen: From everything I’ve read, it sounds like it’ll be the Randle show this week and Murray is fairly likely to return after that. I wouldn’t give Dunbar too much thought currently.
16 team super deep league .5 ppr, start Zac Stacy or Joseph Randle this week? Leaning towards Randle because of matchup and he should get plenty of touches and catches out of the backfield. Also, someone just dropped Hartline, should I grab him and drop Bowe or Shorts, or just hold (Bowe is just awful and Shorts is productive when he plays, just not sure when he will next)? Last question, looking for a week 8 starting qb and the options are not great (Luck is on bye). Henne vs. 49ers, Weeden vs. Chiefs (eww) and Thad Lewis @ Saints are the best remaining options. Right now I have Thad Lewis but don’t feel great about that. Thanks.
@TobiasFunkeAnalRapist: I also have Stacy and Randle, and I’m rolling with Randle; Stacy is solid but this week’s matchup doesn’t look good for him. I’d hold Shorts for sure, and probably Bowe as well. Though in PPR Bowe v. Hartline is closer. Regarding your QB sitch, eww is right. Probably stick with Thad but DON’T WATCH THAT GAME.
@Pete: Hah I agree about Randle vs. Stacy, and I guess Thad Lewis might be the best out of that impressive bunch. I’m thinking Hartline over Bowe, factoring in it’s a ppr league and that Hartline has had some monster games (including last year), and Bowe has been irrelevant for almost a year. Also, Hartline has more points this year and he’s already had his bye week.
@TobiasFunkeAnalRapist: I agree with everything you said here.
Standard scoring. Jimmy Graham is on bye and I’m hoping I don’t need a backup TE for more than this week, but who do you like better going forward:
Cumberland
Reed
Wright
Celek or Ertz
or Chandler
Thanks!
@Rags: I have Garcon and Doug Martin if that makes a difference, although I don’t usually bother about that sort of stuff.
@Rags: Reed would be my pick.
I have two bad (2-4 and 1-5) teams that need wins this week. In both cases I have Wilson at starting QB (coincidence?) with Pryor on bye/bench. Would you roll with Wilson or attempt to swing a low-level trade for a Cutler type for this week?
@Steve Stevenson: I guess that depends on how low level you could get Cutler for. I really like Wilson rest of season, but this week, Cutler is the better start so if you can get him without giving up too much, it’d be worth it.
Powell/Reed for Miller standard league, which side would you rather have?
@Morgan: A lot depends on the needs of the team. I’d probably pick the Miller side from a value perspective, but arguments could be made for either depending on the teams.
Am I crazy not to take this trade:
Dez (my squad) for Keenan Allen and Josh Gordon? PPR where you have to start 2. Have Kenbrell and R. Randle as my other WRs…
@Mr Belding: I wouldn’t do it.
@Mr Belding: I would stick with Dez. If you could start more than 2, it might be a different story, but Allen and Gordon are both playing above expectations currently while Dez is just being Dez.
Who to start? Dobson, Randle, Bowe, M. Williams, Boldin, K. Allen? PPR. Drop M. Williams for Dobson ROS?
I hate setting my lineup, I have 5 thoroughly mediocre WRs and no WR1
@Kobayashi Maru: choose three of those?
@Kobayashi Maru: Randle, Allen, and Boldin. I would actually hang onto Williams ROS.
How would you rank Brandon Gibson vs. any receiver on the Rams this week?
@d: Honestly, I would take Gibson over any of them. That includes Cook. Keep in mind, that’s for this week only.
Brady or Foles this week?
And going forward, do you think Vick takes the starter job back or is Foles a viable backup from here on out?
Thanks!
@Baren: I would start Foles over Brady this week. As for the whole Vick situation, that’s anyone’s guess. If Foles beats the Cowboys this weekend, I think he keeps the starting role, but this week is the ultimate test. If the Eagles lose, I think Vick gets his job back until the next injury.
Have Matt Ryan, but picked up Cutler as an insurance policy. My league gives bonus points for yardage and completions, and deducts points for incomplete passes. Cutler over Ryan this week based on matchup and Ryan’s depleted corps, or will he have success anyway?
In my CBS league I have Stafford (bye week 9) and am thinking ahead for a bye-week QB. I can drop Broyles for a waiver on: Flacco vs. CLE, Big Ben vs. NE, Fitz vs. Rams, Weeden vs. BAL, or Tannehill vs. CIN.
@Velocity_X: I’d roll with Cutler this week. For your backup QB, I would pick Weeden, but none of them have great matchups.
Hey man, everytime I look at my time I question how I’m 4-2 in a 10-team league so I think I need to make moves to keep this team afloat! Here is my starting line-up for week 7;
QB-R. Wilson
RB- Bush & Richardson
WR – Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffrey & Terrence Williams
TE- H. Miller
Flex-LeVeon Bell
K-Nick Folk
Defense-Broncos
Bench: Roddy White, Powell, Stevie Johnson, Hartline, K. Thompkins & J. Bell
I have been thinking making moves on some free agents but I can’t decide who is expendable on my bench in this 10-team non-PPR league at this point…I’m thinking either Hartline or J. Bell (handcuff to Reggie but I don’t know if I can afford the roster spot)..
free agents include Michael Floyd, Harry Douglas, Snelling, Ellington, K Wright, LaFell, Tolbert, N. Washington….do you like any of those guys as a plug-in for this upcoming week or just in general for ROS? I have a waiver claim in for Andre Ellington (released this Friday) dropping Hartline…
Any other moves I should consider & what do you think of grabbing Ellington for Hartline?
Thanks!
@Nick: I’m surprised both Douglas and Ellington are still free agents. I think dropping Hartline for either of them would also be a decent idea. After that, any moves you make will have to come as trades.
Foles or Wilson on TNF this week? Thanks!
@The Thumb: Foles
Fitz, Megatron, Steve Smith, Terrance Williams- PPR, need to start 3 of the 4
Also, Riley Cooper, E. Sanders, or Boykin as depth going forward?
@JoeBoo: Megatron, Fitz and Smith with Sanders for depth.
Standard league. I lost Cobb so I have to use either Alshon at wash. Keenan Allen at jags.
Are either a must start at this point or play matchups with them going forward?
Thanks
@Jorge Ramos: They’re both borderline must starts which is a good situation to be in. I’d use Allen this week, but play the matchups week to week.
Kaepernick or Wilson this week?
@BigMurph: Wilson, but it’s very close.
Stafford or Foles this week?
@CelticThunder: Foles, but it’s very close for me. I think Foles has the higher ceiling this week.
Nice, brief article. I’m rolling w Jacobs over MJD, per your advice. Thank you!
@Ditka vs God: Good move this week. Best of luck.
1ppr. leveon bell or harry douglas at flex? finley or cameron at te? thanks!
@ok: This week I’d go with Douglas and Cameron.
Which 3 WR’s would you start this week?
Victor Cruz
Josh Gordon
Pierre Garcon
Larry Fitzgerald
Hakeem Nicks
@Jake:
PPR 12 team
@Jake: the first 3
@Jake: I agree with The Thumb. Cruz, Gordon and Garcon.
12 team non-ppr – 1/QB 2/RB 2/WR 1/WR-RB flex 1/TE 1/D 1/K
my roster after loosing Cobb
Staff – Foles
McCoy – Lacy – Miller – CJuselessK – Tate – Helu – Pierce
Jeffery – Randle – Dobson – Boldin
Cameron
Tucker
NE
************************************
which of Dobson/Miller/ChrisJohnson to start at flex? I’m thinking Miller … but want confirmation – I also see Randle and Dobson have potentially good match-ups… so could role with either at #2 WR….
your help is appreciated!!
Yeah, Miller
Randle for your WR question
@will: I’m with Sky for both.
Need to start 1RB, 2WR, 1 flex. PPR league
RB: Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy
WR: Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Keenan Allen, Cecil Shorts
Dez and Charles are no brainers. Shorts being hurt and Thompkins inconsistency plus Gronk I think rule them out. Who’s my other WR and flex? Will Lacy come up big? Do I bench Neslon going against Haden?
@MCR: I would definitely go with Nelson and Lacy. Nelson will have a shadow, but he still has the most upside this week for you.
Pick 2: flex, 1/2 ppr: Keenan, Torrey, Randle
Joseph randle not Reuben
@Felons: Allen and Randle, but Torrey and Allen are a coin flip this week.
*** Joseph randle. Thx
PPR- in place of Johnson… Or leave him?
Boykin
M Williams
Douglas
@Kzing: In place of Calvin? Andre? Stevie? I would play Douglas over Stevie, but not the other two Johnsons.
@Loudon: sorry- with the team situation, I was looking at Andre Johnson…
Have a good problem this week I think. Have Romo and Cutler, with Foles on the bench. I am wavering starting Foles over Cutler this week, in what looks to be a shootout, and take advantage of all the QB points in that game. Currently 3rd, playing #1 team this week (P Manning QB), so want to gain an edge.
@Superstars: I like that move. I don’t think there’s a wrong decision here. The nice thing about starting both QBs in that game is if one team suddenly goes up by quite a bit, the other will have to throw more anyway. Good luck!
Alright everyone, from here on out, you’ll get the most immediate response on Twitter @JRLoudon