Team woes, top starts and sits for lower-tier teams
BC: We’ve all been there: A team that we like, that is actually pretty good, but totally snakebitten.
The top team in my main league is 5-0. He’s scored 10 more points than my team. My team is 1-4.
Time to panic? That depends on your league’s playoff format. In this 10-team league, teams 1-6 get a bye week before the playoffs, and “wild card” playoffs pit 7 vs.10 and 8 vs. 9 for the last two spots. I hated it at first, but obviously it should keep people involved all year.
My team’s record stinks, but I’ve had some really bad luck. Like, SAQUON BARKLEY getting zero points, and MARK ANDREWS going full Gronk Monday night. I’ve actually never been more Zen about this bad start. My team will be a threat all year.
Have you ever had an experience like this?
AI: Oh absolutely. My season started off, well, not so hot. But I’m gaining momentum — despite my two starting RBs being injured.
I took a risk drafting DALVIN COOK (he’s injuryprone), but that’s why I took his handcuff — ALEXANDER MATTISON. Mattison usually outscores Cook in fantasy points when he’s RB1, so Cook’s absences haven’t hurt me thus far. Plus — DAVID MONTGOMERY is now on IR — so I’ve been flexing in JAMES CONNER or DAMIEN HARRIS (depending on the week). Although — after Harris’ fumbles — I think he’ll be riding my team’s pine for a while.
And your point above is exactly why I didn’t take Barkley. He can’t ever stay healthy. And he’s a Giant. So need I say more?
BC: Wish I’d started Mattison instead of Barkley last week. OK, we are NOT doing Patriots Sit/Starts this week against my Boys. The Patriots don’t have any weapons that anyone should be itching to start right now, and if you have Dallas guys on your team, PLAY THEM. Let’s try something different this week. Pick two starters from losing teams you’d absolutely play this week, and two from 4- or 5-win teams you’d totally bench. Here are mine:
PLAY: The Steelers are crap; how did they beat the Bills? RB Najee Harris is starting to look like he is figuring things out and the Seahawks’ are a far cry from the defensive monster they were back in the glory years. They’ve got one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. I expect Harris to go big this weekend.
I drafted Kyler Murray, and although he was bad last week, I love him. He’s up against a fairly salty Browns defense this week. My backup is Matthew Stafford and the Rams will face a decimated New York Football Giants team this week. I haven’t been this exciting about a Rams QB since Joe Pendleton.
BENCH: This one’s actually easy for me. Coach Chucky has been canceled, rightfully so. The good news is we never have to hear from that dirtball again. The bad news is if you’re a Raiders fan, it’s always something. The only Raider I’d consider playing is Darren Waller. Do not start anyone else in the silver and black at Denver this week.
I also feel like the Lamar Jackson/Ravens magic is due for some regression to the mean. No one’s benching Lamar Jackson, that’s crazy. But Andrews and crew aren’t going to have a field day against the Bolts this weekend. Quoth the Ravens: Nevermore.
AI: I’m going to do one start and one sit because I feel *very* strongly about both of these options, and have a lot to say. OK — here we go:
PLAY: The Chiefs. Who would’ve thought they’d be 2-3 and 4th in the AFC West. I didn’t. BUT — the good news is they’re up against the Washington Football Team this week. In their last three matchups - the Football Team has allowed 18-plus points to running backs. Now — Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out with a knee injury, so I’d grab RB Darrel Williams off waivers or move him into your starting rotation this week and keep him there until Edwards-Helaire comes back. There’s no doubt Williams will play a much larger role in the Chiefs offense this week.
BENCH: Alright, I’m going to say sit a vet this week. Miles Sanders and the Eagles are up against the Buccaneers this week, and considering Tampa Bay allows the fewest rush yards to RBs, I’d say Sanders is a sit — for sure. Plus — only one RB has successfully scored a rushing TD against the Bucs. I don’t see the Eagles duplicating that effort or having much rush success at all this week, so sit Sanders if you have him.