NFL Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em Advice

Question:

Should I start or sit Peyton Hillis in week 3 @ New Orlenas? This is for my flex and my other options are Mark Ingram vs. KC or Michael Crabtree @ MIN.

Answer:

Peyton Hillis has been a disappointment for fantasy owner who likely spent a mid-round pick on him when a quality WR could have been taken such as Mike Wallace or Stevie Johnson.

The good news for Peyton Hillis this week is the Saints defense. They’ve given up the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs through two games this season. Jamaal Charles also tweaked his inured knee last week against the Bills. Although Charles should play this week (he’s listed as probable), the injury gives the Chiefs staff more reasons to decrease his workload while giving Hillis more carries.

Hillis saw 7 carries in week 1 and 11 carries last week. Hills may see as many as 15 carries this week. Although Hillis in week 1 was a bust against the Falcons, Hillis had a much better game in week 2 against the Bills picking up 66 yards on 11 carries and hauling in 3 receptions for 25 yards. A 6.0 YPC and 12.5 YPR average make fantasy owners happy, but he just needs to get more touches and he should have that opportunity against the Saints this week.

I don’t trust Ingram in my starting lineup since his fantasy numbers are always contingent on whether he gets any goalline opportunities for the Saints. Without the goalline opportunities, he won’t put up any big numbers and his statline may come in at 15 carries for 60 yards on a good day. Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles also put a big dent in his touches.

Michael Crabtree …

Question:

Should I start Lance Moore or Marques Colston in week 3.  My other active WR’s are A.J. Green, Mike Wallace, and at Flex Stevie Johnson in a PPR league.

Answer:

Marques Colston is listed as questionable with a foot injury, so you may want to put Lance Moore in the starting lineup. If you find out right before kickoff that Colston is going to be playing, then I would insert him in your lineup as he’s a more consistent producer compared to Moore.

Your other wide receivers and flex should do plenty of damage this week. A.J. Green @ WAS, Mike Wallace @ OAK, and Stevie Johnson @ CLE are all quality starts this week due to their favorable matchups and should put up big numbers this week.

Good luck!…

Question:

Who should I start? Steven Ridley or Ryan Mathews in week 3?

Answer:

Steven Ridley will take on the Baltimore Ravens on the road and Ryan Mat]thews will have the Atlanta Falcons at home. Ridley has so far been a great mid-round pick putting up about 18 points in week 1 and nearly 10 points in week 2.

Mathews has been sidelined for two weeks with a collarbone injury. His return is still questionable. Matthews wants to play and the fact that he practiced this past week is an encouraging sign. He’s on track to get the start this Sunday, but I don’t like the fact that it’s still an unknown if and how much he’ll play.

The good news is that the Chargers have the 4:00 game and the Patriots play at night. I think you go into this one with Ryan Mathews as the starter and if he’s a last-minute scratch, which is unlikely at this point, you can insert Stevan Ridley in your lineup. Mathews is the play this week as he has a better matchup than Ridley.…

Question:

I can’t figure out if I should Mike Wallace or Dwayne Howe at WR2. Help!!

Answer:

You shouldn’t go wrong with either player. I like Mike Wallace’s matchup in Oakland, especially since the Raiders top two corners are injured.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:  Whoever plays cornerback for the Raiders on Sunday, they’re going to have their hands full with Pittsburgh receiver Mike Wallace. “Fastest kid in the world,” Raiders safety Michael Huff said of Wallace. “You see him on film and you see corners playing off … he is probably track-Olympic-fast, to be honest.” The Raiders have been looking for answers all week now that they are without both starting cornerbacks, Ron Bartell (shoulder) and Shawntae Spencer (foot). Backups Pat Lee and Joselio Hanson didn’t inspire much confidence last week against the Dolphins.

Wallace is averaging 55 YPG and has had a TD in each game.

Dwayne Bowe also had a hell of a game against the Bills with 8 receptions, 102 yards, and 2 TDs. The Saints have a suspect defense which should allow Bowe to put up big numbers as well.

The bottom line is that you can’t go wrong with either of these guys. With the Raiders starting corners out, I think you should exploit that and take Mike Wallace this week.

Good luck!…

Question: Which player should I go with in week 2 at the flex?

Steve Smith @ CAR or Stevan Ridley vs. ARI

Answer:

I like Stevan Ridley. First, Steve Smith is listed as questionable with knee injury, but will be active. Although I expect the Saints vs. Panthers game to be a high-scoring shootout, Smith’s injury is still a concern for me. Steven Ridley, on the other hand, was spectacular in week 1 and will get the Pats goalline carries. Since the Pats are facing the Cardinals, that would lead to a lot of scoring opportunities for the Patriots. Ridley had 20 carries, 125 yards and 1 TD in week 1 against the Titans. Very impressive numbers.…

Antonio Gates comes into his week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans listed as questionable. Antonio Gates suffered a rib injury in week 1 against the Oakland Raiders. Gates was able to finish the game despite the hit to his ribs, but sat out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Gates’ history of injuries has fantasy owners concerned, but don’t be overly worried yet. It was a foot injury that has plagued Gates the last three years. This was merely a shot to the ribs that caused some soreness.

Gates was able to return to practice on Friday, although it was limited. Gates informed media outlets that he’ll physically and mentally ready to go this Sunday when his Chargers take on the Tennessee Titans, but he’s still experiencing some soreness in his ribs. During practice, Gates wore a protective vest.

I’m an Antonio Gates owner and willing to keep him in my starting lineup. If Gates is a last-minute scratch you should pick up Heath Miller on the waivers. Miller had 50 yards and a TD in week 1 and should be a quality tight end to pick up last minute since the Steelers face the Jets at home at the 4:00 spot.

Another plus for Antonio Gates is his matchup against the Titans D who didn’t have an answer for the Patriots tight end duo last week. The Titans gave up 12 receptions, 119 yards, and 2 TDs to the Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.…

Question: Which 2 wide receivers should I start in week 2?

Mike Wallace vs NYJ
Eric Decker @ ATL
Torrey Smith @PHI
Brandon Lloyd vs. ARI

Answer:

Very nice group of wide receivers. Who did you take in the first 3 rounds? It looks like you got your QB and 2 RBs early and then went WR, WR, WR, WR and got a mighty fine set of receivers to work with.

I like Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker this week.  The Pats should be able to score a ton of points at home against the Cardinals and hopefully Tom Brady looks Lloyd’s way in the endzone rather than the tight ends he typically looks to. I wasn’t high on Lloyd coming into this season since he’s Brady’s fourth option after Gronkowski, Herandnez, and Welker, but he still managed 5 receptions for 69 yards in week 1.

I also like Eric Decker due to his matchup against the Falcons. This game should be an offensive shootout and Manning will come out throwing to keep up with the Falcons high octane offense.

I love Torrey Smith and have him drafted on two of my teams as my WR3. He’ll be covered by Nnamdi Asomugha or Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, so that will be a tough matchup for him.

The good news for Mike Wallace is that Darrell Revis is likely out this week with a concussion.

Good luck!…