QB Brandon Weeden: (available in 88% of ESPN leagues) There aren’t a ton of marquee QBs out this week on a bye, but if you need a QB Weeden wouldn’t be a bad one week pick-up. He’s thrown more picks than TDs for the season but he’s been settling down. In the last three games Weeden has thrown 6 TDs to 3 INTs and he’s only thrown for less than 200 yards in week one. He’s been able to find rookie Josh Gordon pretty successfully the last few games and this week he may have to carry the team since Trent Richardson may be slowed by injury.

RB: Jonathan Dwyer: (available in 75% of ESPN leagues) Mendenhall is out and Redman is questionable. And even if Redman’s active, after a 122 yard outburst last week, looks like Dwyer will get the start.

Phillip Tanner: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) DeMarco Murray is out against the Giants and the ever fragile Felix Jones is dealing with a bruised knee. Tanner is next up in the Cowboys backfield and may a significant amount of work if Jones gimps up under the workload.

Rashad Jennings: (available in 42% of ESPN leagues) With MJD out for at least a few weeks and Gabbert nursing a bum non-throwing shoulder, Jennings will be thrown into the fantasy football meat grinder for the time being.

WR Donald Driver: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) Listen up. With AJ Green, Andre Johnson, Steve Johnson and Torrey Smith on byes it may be time to dust off the old man for a week if your roster is hurting for a WR/Flex player. Greg Jennings is getting abdominal surgery and out for a few weeks. Jordy Nelson hurt his hamstring in practice and is questionable. Jermichael Finley’s shoulder is still nicked up. Looks like the old man may see action as the #3 WR in the slot against a weak Jags pass defense. He might do some damage. Lord knows he’s well-rested.

Darrius Heyward-Bey: (available in 42% of ESPN leagues) Ordinarily, DHB’s not very appealing fantasy-wise, but Kansas City has a pretty shabby pass defense and DHB is pretty fast.

Josh Gordon (available in 54% of ESPN leagues) The kid is on three game scoring streak and the Chargers have given up 7 passing TDs in the last two weeks.

Leonard Hankerson: (available in 55% of ESPN leagues) Garcon is out. So, is Fred Davis. Despite the ‘Skins re-signing of Chris Cooley, he may not be in good enough shape to be very effective. It looks like RG3′s two top targets will be Moss and Hankerson.

TE Brandon Myers: (available in 96% of ESPN leagues) He doesn’t get a lot of press, not a lot of flash, but Myers consistently gets 4-6 points each week. If you’re in a jam at the TE position, you could do a lot worse.

David Thomas: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) A bit speculative, but with Jimmy Graham questionable and Daniel Graham out, it might be worth it to pick up the Saints #3 TE in advance of a likely shootout between Brees and Manning.

Joel Dreesen: (available in 94% of ESPN leagues) Yeah, I said it. The Broncos-Saints game could be a shoot-out. And yeah, everybody talks about how Manning and Tamme have a history. But how has Dreesen has outscored Tamme every game since week three? Hey, and the kid has really good hands.

Start ‘Em! QB Carson Palmer: Palmer has a deep threat back and healthy in Denarius Moore and a second one in DHB ready to go. Plus, the Raiders have a division rival in the Chiefs with a pretty suspect pass defense.

Andrew Luck: Tennessee’s pass defense is as bad as an 80′s airline food joke. And Luck showed last week that if he can’t pass for a couple of TDs, he can run for them.

Matt Hasselbeck: It may not be a shootout on the same scale as Brees-Manning, but because of how lackluster their pass defenses are, the Titans-Colts tilt could be an aerial extravaganza in it’ own right.

Brandon Weeden: Hey, despite how good the Chargers secondary is supposed to be, they’ve given up 14 passing TDs this season and Weeden’s going to have to shoulder most of the offense’s load with Richardson’s ribs banged up.

RB: Willis McGahee: New Orleans can’t stop jack-diddly-squat on the ground. The old man will roll.

Vick Ballard: Hey, did you know that the Titans defense stinks against both the run and the pass? ‘Cos, it does.

Ryan Mathews: It looks like Jackie Battle is headed for more time on the bench, the Chargers are rested off the bye and the Browns defense gives up a lot of yards to non-divisional opponents that they don’t have a lot experience with.

Alex Green: With Jennings out and Nelson and Finley gimpy, facing a below average Jags defense, I think once the Packers get a nice lead they just feed it to Green to eat up the clock and get out of the game with their receivers healthy.

WR Reggie Wayne: The old guy is benefitting from being Luck’s best receiving option and the Titans have given up 16 passing TDs.

Brandon Gibson: Amendola is almost back from his injury but not yet, so Gibson is still Bradford’s top target. And the Patriots have also given up 16 passing TDs this year. So, Gibson, at home, stands to score some points.

Mike Wallace: He was a butterfingers last week against the Bengals, but this week Big Ben and company have the woeful Redskins pass defense in their sights.

Dwayne Bowe: The Chiefs are coming off a bye week, so he’s had plenty of practice time with new QB Brady Quinn. Sure, he wants out, but he’s got to show prospective new employers he’s not taking a step back. Enter the Oakland rival, who he torched last year and who’s pass defense has not gotten any better. Bowe is motivated to put on a show.

TE Antonio Gates: He looked healthy at last in his last game with a 20 point scoring spurt. And now he’s had a bye week to get even better physically. He’s back to being Rivers’ best receiving threat.

Heath Miller: Well, with a depleted RB corps and facing a bad Washington pass defense, Pittsburgh will throw it and throw it a lot. So, Miller should get yards and red zone looks.

Jason Witten: Witten has had a rough year. But this time it’s a divisional grudge match between the ‘Pokes and the G-men. Witten has historically done well against them and his spleen is healthy this time.

Sit ‘Em! QB Cam Newton: Can you spell sophomore slump? The Bears defense, playing at home, is going to continue that slump.

Matthew Stafford: His TD-INT ratio stands at 5-6. That’s one fewer TD than Seattle has given up and the same number of INTs as they’ve picked off. My guess is with Burleson lost for the season, only Stafford’s and Seattle’s INT numbers are liable to go up.

Michael Vick: The way Vick has been handing out turnovers like they were candy, Halloween will come a few days early for the Falcons’ defense.

Mark Sanchez: If it weren’t for his turnovers, Sanchez’s fantasy numbers would be pretty decent. But given his inconsistency, he’s not likely to improve his fantasy output against a competent Dolphins pass defense playing against a division rival.

RB Trent Richardson: Between banged up ribs and a strong Chargers run defense, it’s not a good week to go with Richardson.

Shonn Greene: He’s facing the Dolphins and in week three Miami held Greene to 40 yards rushing. Just saying.

Steven Jackson: Between sharing carries with Daryl Richardson and facing a good Patriots run defense, I think S-Jax is back to single digits fantasy points.

Mikel Leshoure: Seattle defense. ‘Nuff said.

WR DeSean Jackson: Having a  lackluster year, only one TD this season. And he’s facing an Atlanta pass defense that is tied for allowing the fewest passing TDs this season with 6.

Michael Crabtree: Alex Smith claims his bum finger is all better. Ha! Even if it is, Arizona’s defense has been pretty stout. Between the QB problems and a tough defensive matchup, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Crabtree could be held to less than 10 yards receiving and zero fantasy points this week.

Larry Fitzgerald: Speaking of underperforming QB play and facing a tough defense, John Skelton and Fitz just don’t mix well on the field. The big guy only racked up 2 fantasy points last week against the Vikings and the Niners pass defense this week is better than the Vikes.

Calvin Johnson: I know, common wisdom says you’d be nuts to bench Megatron. But he only has one TD this season. It’s the same theme: underperforming QB play and facing a tough defense. Stafford has not been playing well and the Seahawks defense has. Heck, last week Johnson only had 3 fantasy points and now he has one less WR, Burleson, to take the heat off him. Megatron will be drawing a huge crowd.

TE Greg Olsen: Against the Bears, with Newton’s erratic play, I think Olsen will be blocking more than running routes.

Dustin Keller: He had a great game last week against the Pats, but coverage has not been the Pats forte for a while. Miami has been playing tough defense and Sanchez is inconsistent. I think Keller comes back down to Earth this week.

Chris Cooley: I know he’s a fan favorite and he’s back, but there’s no way that he’s in game shape and Pittsburgh’s LBs are athletic enough to hang with him.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Eight, Combo Waiver Tips And Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em appeared first on The Faster Times.

Start ‘Em! QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: He’s finally at home after facing two nasty defenses on the road, the Niners and the Seahawks. As icing on the cake, the Bills’ opponent is one of the worst pass defenses in the league, the Titans.

Josh Freeman: Speaking of facing one of the worst pass defenses in the league at home, Freeman get a chance to rip Spagnuolo’s sick Saints crew this week.

Brandon Weeden: Weeden hasn’t been having a horrible rookie year, actually racking up 15 points in back-to-back weeks. Granted, this week he is facing a Colts pass defense that doesn’t give up a ton of yards, but they’ve given up 10 TDs so far, so Weeden has that going for him.

Ben Roethlisberger: Cincinnati’s pass defense isn’t that bad, but with Mendenhall and Redman banged up, The Steelers are going to have to ride Big Ben.

RB: Chris Johnson: If there’s anything that can spark CJ(?)K’s fantasy output it’s Buffalo’s league worst rush defense.

Doug Martin: The pitiful Saints are giving up 173 yards a game and 5 yards a carry. Cha-ching!

Darren McFadden: Run DMC looks like he’s healthy again and ready to run against a vulnerable Jags run defense.

Trent Richardson: His ribs are hurt but he’ll be wearing a flak jacket and the Colts aren’t good at stopping runners.

WR Hakeem Nicks: The big man’s knee is looking as good as Washington’s pass defense looks bad.

Antonio Brown: Kind of like with the Eagles a few weeks ago, I think the Bengals try to contain Wallace and force the Steelers to beat them with their other receivers, since it looks like Mendenhall and Redman are dinged up. That means a big day for Brown.

Larry Fitzgerald: Minnesota’s secondary isn’t what it used to be in its heyday, and Skelton seemed to look more to Fitz than Kolb did last year. Now, that he’s back behind center, the big guy’s going to keep getting his targets.

James Jones: Jones has roped in 6 TDs in the last 3 games. Go with the flow.

TE Heath Miller: With Mendenhall and Redman out, it’ll be Big Ben and his receivers, Miller included, that the Steelers will rely on against the Bengals

Scott Chandler: Tennessee gives up a lot of yards and TDs to TEs. I’m just saying.

Owen Daniels: He’s having a big comeback year and the Ravens defense will be missing Ray Lewis’ stabilizing influence on the field.

Sit ‘Em! QB Matthew Stafford: It’s a combination of a tough Chicago defense and the fact that this year he just hasn’t been able to find the end zone much. As a matter of fact, he’s thrown more INTs (5) than TDs(4).

Christian Ponder: Arizona’s defense. ‘Nuff said.

Sam Bradford: Now is not the week you want to be facing a Packers pass defense coming of a big confidence building win against the Texans.

Cam Newton: This pick could go either way, but the Cowboys are good at both pass and rush defense. Even though the Panthers are coming off a bye week, Newton’s passing yardage has been on a slow declining trend all season.

RB Mikel Leshoure: Chicago’s defense. ‘Nuff said.

Pierre Thomas: The Saints don’t run much and it doesn’t help that the Bucs only give up 3.1 yards a carry.

Shonn Greene: I’m sorry but that ridiculous outburst last week was an anomaly. He’ll be back to single digits against the Pats.

Alex Green: The Rams are a middle of the road run defense but the Packers are a pass heavy offense. After last week’s explosion against Houston, the Packers are going to let Rodgers have some fun.

WR Steve Smith: The Cowboys will be blanketing him. Now, LaFell on the other hand …

Anquan Boldin: On the road against a Texans defense still stinging from the aerial reaming Rodgers and Company laid on them, I don’t think Boldin will be getting much traction.

Brandon Lloyd: After the beat-down in the Emerald City last week, I think that once the Pats get the  lead, they’re just going to run it down the Jets’ throats. Other than Welker and Gronk-nandez, I don’t think any of the Pats receivers will see the ball much.

Santana Moss: Moss has historically done well against the G-men, but this year, with RG3′s tendency to rely on his legs, I don’t see him repeating his past successes.

TE Greg Olson: Against Rob Ryan’s defense, Olsen will likely be blocking more than running routes.

Jermaine Gresham: Speaking of blocking more than running routes, the Steelers will be requiring that of Gresham.

Dennis Pitta: Slowly, it seems that Boldin has been getting the middle of the field attention that Pitta was getting earlier in the season.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Seven, Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em appeared first on The Faster Times.

QB Josh Freeman: (available in 34% of ESPN leagues) He may not be having a great year, but Freeman lit up the Chiefs defense and this week he gets the woeful Saints defense at home.

Brandon Weeden: (available in 94% of ESPN leagues) He had a decent outing, 15 points, against the Bengals, but things should get a little bit easier this week against the Colts. I’m thinking more like 18-20 points.

RB Felix Jones: (available in 49% of ESPN leagues) With DeMarco Murray out for a few weeks with a sprained foot, Jones now gets the bulk of the carries for the Cowboys.

William Powell: (available in 97% of ESPN leagues) LaRod Stephens-Howling had first crack at the Bills, but Powell stepped up and showed him up. Looks like Powell will be the primary Cardinal ball carrier going forward.

Vick Ballard: (available in 68% of ESPN leagues) He got shut down against the Jets, but so did the rest of the Colts offense. This week he faces Cleveland and the Browns are tough against the pass but soft against the run.

Alex Green: (available in 72% of ESPN leagues) He did okay this week, 6 points. But it was against the Texans. Things should get a little brighter going forward.

WR Josh Gordon: (available in 97% of ESPN leagues) Not a lot of catches, but Gordon racks up the yards and he has 3 TDs in the last 2 games. Hey, Weeden likes him.

Mike Williams: (available in 45% of ESPN leagues) The big kid isn’t a #1 WR, but he is a big target, especially in the red zone. He’s been on a mini-tear the last two weeks and this week, the Saints are ripe for a receiver’s pickings.

Kendall Wright: (available in 87% of ESPN leagues) The rookie’s only hit double digits one this year, but I think against the Bills this week, Wright gets his third TD of the year and hits double digits again.

TE Kyle Rudolph: (available in 27% of ESPN leagues) It’s a low probability that he’ll be available, but if you can get him. Rudolph’s developed into Ponder’s security blanket, especially in the red zone.

Brandon Myers: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) The Raider Te isn’t going to rack up big numbers, but Myers is worth a steady 5-6 points week-in, week-out.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Seven Waiver Wire Tips appeared first on The Faster Times.

Start ‘Em! QB Matt Ryan: Starting Ryan has turned into a no-brainer this season, but I’m going to harp on it since he got no love during most fantasy drafts. I picked him up in a couple of leagues in the seventh round after I snagged my skill position starters and now, I’m loving it. He’s going to barbecue the Raider secondary.

Kevin Kolb: Hear me out. Kolb’s got a long week to prepare, he’s facing a weak Buffalo pass defense, and the RB situation in Arizona is insanely desperate with the top two RBs out with injuries and the #3, LaRod Stephens-Howling was out last week with an injury and is questionable for this week. Kolb is going to be throwing a lot. He’s got no choice.

Michael Vick: Yes, he’s seems to be at the cutting edge of scientific research on new and creative ways to turn the ball over, but Vick is facing a Detroit pass defense that was supposed to be all better now going into this season, but is the same hot mess it was last year.

Brandon Weeden: At this point, you may be thinking that I’m legally insane, what with three crazy picks being the nutball charm. But in the season opener Weeden lit up the Bengals pass defense for 20 fantasy points. I doubt they’re going to shut him down. I figure, worst-case scenario, Weeden racks up 14-16 against the Bengals which is good for a bye-week substitute. But, personally, I think he’s at least 50-50 to meet or beat his week one 20 point total.

RB: Donald Brown: He’s far from a  fantasy stud, but as a competent runner and receiver, he’s certainly capable of double digits against a Jets defense that’s giving up 172 yards per game.

Rashard Mendenhall: He didn’t have a bad debut against the Eagles, but he should be able to show off his stuff against the Titans #28 run defense.

Darren McFadden: D-Mac is healthy but he still hasn’t been able to get much traction this season. But he’s an a bye week to get ready and if Atlanta’s defense has a weakness it’s that they are average against the run.

Trent Richardson: Division rival Cincinnati’s run defense is also a fair-to-middling run defense yardage wise, but they’ve had problems giving up TDs, 7 so far through 5 games, and keep in mind, that this is a passing league. Richards also already put up 25 points on them when the squared off in week two.

WR Mike Wallace: Up till now, he’s only hit double digit points in 2 out of 4 games the Steelers have played. I say this week against the hapless Titans secondary Wallace makes it double digits in 3 out of 5.

Vincent Jackson: Like Wallace, V-Jax has also only scored double digits in 2 out of 4 games, but now he gets a stretch of suspect pass defenses in a row, starting this week with the Chiefs.

Jeremy Kerley: With all the injuries at WR for the Jets, Kerley hauled in 5 passes for 94 yards against the Texans. This time starting against a far weaker Indy secondary, Kerley should not only register catches and yards, he’s likely to find the end zone again, which he’s already found twice with a back-up’s minimal playing time.

Nate Washington: This is a little bit of a speculative play (well, more so than the others in this week’s column), think about this: The Steelers have given up 8 TDs in 4 games played with only one INT, Polamalu is out with Ike Taylor gimpy, and there is a bit of a revenge/familiarity-breeds-contempt motive for Washington against his former team. I’m in.

TE Heath Miller: The Titans have given up 8 TDs in 5 games to TEs and Miller has scored 4 TDs in 4 games. I like those odds.

Jared Cook: Yes, the Steelers do have active linebackers that should be able to cover a TE, but they didn’t stop Celek from scoring last week and Cook is bigger and even more athletic than Celek.

Kyle Rudolph: 4 TDs in 5 games and the Redskins can’t cover receivers very well, and the defense in general is going to be paying more attention to Peterson and Harvin. Rudolph is more than able to take advantage of that.

Sit ‘Em! QB Aaron Rodgers: When he’s played a top defense, Rodger s hasn’t produced much this season. Sure, he lit up the Niners for 22 fantasy points in the opening game in Lambeau. But against Chicago (at home) and Seattle he only put up 10 and 9 points. So, this week at Houston, I’m just not feeling it.

Matthew Stafford: It’s kind of the trend this year for the hot NFC North QBs  to underperform against strong pass defenses. Granted, he’s had a bye week to prepare, but Stafford has yet to top 20 points in a game and in weeks one and two against the Rams and Niners, two good pass defenses, he racked up enough turnovers to score only 12 points each time.

Tom Brady: I know it looks like I’m nuts, but playing at home Seattle’s defense and their 12th Man have made a couple of pretty good QBs, Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers, look like street free agents.

Tony Romo: The Ravens have owned Tony Romo and Jason Garrett. And the way the Cowboys offensive line has played like the old silent movie Keystone Cops, it’s going to take more than just a bye week, to get them whipped into some sort of shape. If Romo starts handing out INTS again like they’re candy and Halloween came early, we might even see Kyle Orton behind center sooner rather than later. And maybe a benching would ,be good for Romo to get him to screw his head on straight. He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to throw 5 picks last time if Parcells were still his head coach.

RB: Steven Jackson: The big guy did better against Arizona that I expected, especially with the big receiving threat, Amendola out of action, but S-Jax still hasn’t hit double digits this season and against the top ranked Miami run defense I don’t expect him to break out this week.

Willis McGahee: Another tough match-up on the road against division rival San Diego, with a top five run defense. Looks like #18 will be throwing a lot in this one.

Alfred Morris: The kid has been on a tear, but on the ground the Vikes have only been allowing 3.2 yards per carry, 78 yards a game and only one TD all season. Now, Shanahan is going to try and take care of RG3 so Morris will get his touches but it’s a long shot that he’ll hit double digits.

Fred Jackson: Between a very stout Cardinal defense and the time share with a Spiller, there just won’t be enough yards and points to be worthy of a start.

WR Brian Hartline: He’s shifty possession receiver, but up until last week and Amendola’s injury, the Rams got to face a pretty good on in practice on a regular basis. His special status as Tannehill’s security blanket notwithstanding, the Rams should limit Hartline pretty easily.

Steve Johnson: He’s in a slump. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been targeting the hell out of him, but he’s just not coming down with the ball. Things aren’t going to be any easier this week against a stingy Cardinals defense.

Torrey Smith: As bad a Brandon Marshall burned them, the Cowboys defense has still only given up 2 passing TDs this season and they’ve had a bye week to prepare.

Pierre Garcon: After a big week one, he’s been either hurt or underperforming. The Vikes aren’t as good a pass defense as they’ve been in years past, but  garcon is still healing and he’s got either a recently concussed RG3 or a pretty green Kirk Cousins behind center.

TE Jermichael Finley: As a Texas Longhorn homer, it hurts me to say bench him, but not as much as he’s already hurting.  He’s got an injured shoulder that has him listed as questionable and the Texans are on tap. time to go with a back-up.

Brandon Pettigrew: The Eagles used to be awful at defending the TE, but so far this year they’re doing OK. They gave up some yards to the Ravens’ Dennis Pitta but the only TD to a TE was a sucker play that Eli Manning threw to his run-blocking TE, Bear Pascoe, who will never be mistaken for Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates. Pettigrew is not a big downfield yardage target, he’s a red zone target; like Dennis Pitta, Martellus Bennett and Heath Miller. I don’t see Pettigrew being automatically more successful in the red zone than those three.

Martellus Bennett: Between injuries and who knows what else, Bennett has slowed down after a fast start. If he even plays this weekend, he’s going to have a tough row to hoe against the Niners.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Six, Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em appeared first on The Faster Times.

And a few of my predictions were almost creepily accurate. This could be my month to start playing the lottery. Anyway, here’s the damage and a little bit of the contents of my vented spleen.

Start ‘Em! QB Christian Ponder: Ponder really lit it up with Harvin. The only downside came from 2 INTs. Otherwise, Ponder would have gone over 20 points. 17 points. Swami!

Joe Flacco: A sudden offensive nosedive for the entire Ravens team. If it wasn’t for 3 FGs from a rookie former Longhorn kicker, the Ravens would have lost to the hapless Chiefs. 6 points. Bonehead!

Philip Rivers: I mention he hasn’t gone over 300 yards this season and then, BOOM, Rivers goes off for over 350 against the Saints. But the Chargers still lost to the Saints. Rivers’ INT and his fumble didn’t help. 18 points. Swami!

Ryan Tannehill: The rookie threw for over 200 yards with no turnovers and if he had thrown for a single TD, he would have met my points criterion of 14 points for a swami-call. Instead the ‘Fins relied on the RBs and wound up with 2 rushing TDs. Close, but no cigar. 8 points. Bonehead!

RB: Jackie Battle: Looks like Mathews is solidly back in the starters role. One point. Bonehead!

Matt Forte: As predicted Bush did provide some relief for Forte, but Bush had 6 touches to Forte’s 24  which Forte turned into 12 fantasy points. Swami!

Alfred Morris: Looks like Shanahan has found a new coach’s favorite in Morris; 115 yards rushing and 20 receiving. 13 points. Swami!

Ryan Williams: Damn. The strength of the Rams defense was supposed to be pass defense, but man, the run D just bowed up their necks and came hard. 3 points. Bonehead!

WR Brian Hartline: A big production drop off, but it had more to do with the fact that the Dolphins went with 35 rushing attempts out of 61 offensive plays. 5 points. Bonehead!

Julio Jones: He’s back! 94 yards and a TD. 15 points. Swami!

Michael Crabtree: 115 yards and a TD, though this has a much to do with Alex Smith exploding for over 300 yards passing and 3 TDs. 17 points. Swami!

Jordy Nelson: My theory is that Nelson has been teasing Rodgers about those State Farm Discount Double Check commercials. 2 points. Bonehead!

TE Tony Gonzalez: 123 yards and a TD. I’m wondering if Tony G will change his mind about retiring. he’s making this all look so easy. 18 points. Swami!

Brent Celek: If it wasn’t for the TD, I’d have looked like an idiot. But Celek came through and beat my TE fantasy scoring criterion by 2 points. 6 points. Swami!

Kyle Rudolph: Once again, not a lot of yards but Ponder looks for Rudolph in the red zone. 8 points. Swami!

Sit ‘Em! QB Kevin Kolb: The Rams had like 9 sacks. Kolb was lucky to come out of there in one piece. 9 points. Swami!

Ben Roethlisberger: Just like I said, the Eagles were going to force the Steelers to beat them with Antonio Brown and Rashard Mendenhall. Which they did, but that meant Big Ben only generated 9 points. The good news going forward for Steeler fans is that the o-line actually kept the Eagles pass rush from sacking Big Ben and Mendenhall didn’t look that rusty, but he did lose the handle on a rain-slick ball. Swami!

Robert Griffin III: I actually hated to be right on this one, but I said that if RG3 kept running he might get his clock cleaned against a Falcons defense used to facing mobile QBs. He had one intentional rushing attempt and then on a scramble that looked like he was going to light out, RG3 was hit and suffered a concussion. Both he and the Shanahans should leave the running to the RBs. Michael Vick and RG3 weigh about the same, 215-217 lbs. Vick has only played a full season once in his career due to injuries, and he would have missed more games but he’s played through some hurt. The last couple of years he’s complained that teams were out to get him. But the physics and reality are that in the NFL, every defense as at least one big sonuvagun at LB that goes between 240-260 lbs that is athletic enough draw a bead on RG3 or Vick at least once a game Some teams have more than one. Many teams have a safety that weighs as much or more than those two QBs and can also lay a wicked lick on a blitz or in pursuit. If you keep running your QB sooner or later the odds will catch up with you and he’ll be out of the game. 3 points. Swami!

Cam Newton: I told you he’d be down to the level that he was against the Giants, another team with a strong defensive line like the Seahawks. He couldn’t even run for much. And really, since I’m on a soapbox about running QBs, especially young ones, even at 245 lbs, Newton is gonna get seriously hurt if he relies on running to get out of trouble instead of just stepping up and throwing the ball away. 7 points. Swami!

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Man, the Dolphins rush defense jacked the law firm UP! But at least he’s not lost for the season with a torn ACL like Bernard Scott. One point. Swami!

DeAngelo Williams: Six carries for 6 yards and a lost fumble. Yowch! -2 points. Swami!

Maurice Jones-Drew: Yep, I told you so. Chicago. ‘Nuff said. 5 points. Swami!

Fred Jackson: Yep, I told you so. Patrick Willis and the Niners. ‘Nuff said. (Is there an echo?) 2 points. Swami!

WR Steve Smith: Newton targeted him 13 times but Smith only connected with him 4 times. 4 points. Swami!

Justin Blackmon: Speaking of an unequal balance between targets and catches, Blackmon had 8 targets but only 3 catches. 4 points. Swami!

Jeremy Kerley: He almost made me a liar with 5 catches for 94 yards. But Kerley just missed my double digit scoring criterion for RBs and WRs. But against Indy next week, watch out! 9 points. Swami-ish.

Mike Wallace: Just as I predicted, the Eagles focused on taking Wallace out of the game, which they did. Too bad for them that the Steelers still won, though. One point. Swami!

TE Fred Davis: I thought that RG3 would be needing to go deep to catch up with Matty Ice & Co. But like I said, a TE is a QB in trouble’s best friend and RG3 has been more prone to run rather than dump the ball off. But he’s been trying to dump it off more recently. Well, he was in enough trouble to have gone to Davis 5 times before

he was knock out of the game early in the second half with a concussion. But all that trouble for RG3 led to Davis beating my TE scoring criterion. 5 points. Bonehead!

Jermaine Gresham: Not really a breakout, but he did rack up 60 yards. 6 points. Bonehead!

Marcedes Lewis: Here’s where the TE being a QB in trouble’s best friend rule-o’-thumb has problems. The Bears were giving Gabbert plenty of trouble. The kid still didn’t have the time to find Lewis. 2 points. Swami!

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Six, Swami or Bonehead? appeared first on The Faster Times.

QB Brandon Weeden: (available in 97% of ESPN leagues) If you’re short a QB due to the bye week, Weeden faces the Bengals and he put up 20 fantasy points against them in week two. Not bad if you’re looking for a one week pick-up.

Christian Ponder: (available in 73% of ESPN leagues) It’s a match-up thing, buck-o. Ponder has a shot at a Redskins secondary that’s been torched so often the league suspects Daniel Snyder of working on some sort of insurance fraud arson scheme.

RB Alex Green: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) Cedric Benson left the Packers-Colts game with an injury and after the game was in a walking boot. Green filled in pretty well, with 55 yards on just 9 carries.

WR Josh Gordon: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) A speculative pick-up. Cleveland’s WRs have been getting hurt and Gordon got to play last week hauling in 2 passes for 82 yards, 62 of them on one catch, but they both went for TDs. And this week the Browns face the Bengals that Weeden was successful against in week two. If the other Browns WRs don’t heal fast enough, Gordon could get enough targets from his QB to be a nice one shot fill-in.

James Jones: (available in 31% of ESPN leagues) He may not be available, but if he is, snag him. Jones has caught 2 TDs in each of the last two weeks. If Greg Jennings’ groin continues to bother him, it looks like Jones could be this year’s Jordy Nelson instead of Jordy Nelson. The only downside is that this week, Green Bay faces the Texans on the road.

Chris Givens: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) The kid is kind of a raw talent at this point, but with Amendola injured and out for at least a month and the other starting Rams WR, Brandon Gibson, still nursing a sore knee, the raw kid may get a chance to get on Sam Bradford’s radar. Especially this coming week with the Dolphins on tap, who have a strong run defense that should bottle-up Steven Jackson.

TE Joel Dreesen: (available in 97% of ESPN leagues) Tamme gets more catches, but Dreesen has scored a TD in each of the last three games. The kid always did have great hands and almost never dropped a ball with the Texans.

Kyle Rudolph: (available in 49% of ESPN leagues) He and Ponder got off the schneid last Sunday. And now Rudolph and Ponder together face the Redskins pitiful pass defense.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Six Waiver Wire Tips appeared first on The Faster Times.

But I’m not letting the chaos get me down. I’m chalking it up to the Mayan Apocalypse and the replacement refs, plus the hormones and antibiotics in our food chain. And if you feel like I’m nuts, remember. This is a free site. You get what you pay for. And my picks are no less crazy than some of the big names out there that charge, so I got that going for me. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Start ‘Em! QB Christian Ponder: Last week Ponder disappointed me. After a solid fantasy output against Indy and a phenomenal one against the Niners, I figured with Jerome Simpson back from suspension to take some of the heat off Percy Harvin that he’d light up a Detroit secondary that gave up two TDs each to Alex Smith and Jake Locker, but he barely threw for over 100 yards. This week I’m tabbing him to get back in the groove against a Titans defense that has given up 10 passing TDs through 4 games.

Joe Flacco: Speaking of pass defenses that have given up 10 passing TDs through 4 games, that also describes the Chiefs defense the Ravens play this week. And Joe himself has passed for over 350 yards each of the last two games and has passed for 6 TDs and run for another so far this season.

Philip Rivers: Rivers hasn’t thrown for over 300 yards yet this season but he has as many passing TDs as Joe and the only bounties that Steve Spaguolo’s Saints defenders have been playing for are the quicker picker-uppers to wipe off the eggs on their faces.

Ryan Tannehill: The rookie has been down, then up, then down, then up. The Bengals defense may let him have two up games in a row. While Tannehill hasn’t thrown for many TDs and has thrown 6 INTs, Cincinnati has allowed opposing QBs an almost 68% completion rate and only picked them off once. Tannehill isn’t a great choice but if he’s your bye week replacement, I think he should be able to rack up 14-16 points on the Bengals.

RB: Jackie Battle: Pretty soon, Ryan Mathews will reclaim his place atop the Charger depth chart, so I think this will be Battle’s last fantasy-relevant week. Good thing it’s against the Saints who’ve given up an average of 186 rushing yards per game. Heck, New Orleans gave up 84 yards rushing to Cedric Benson last week and Green Bay runs about as much as Charlie surfs.

Matt Forte: He may be listed as questionable and coming off a short week, but he was originally listed as doubtful for the Dallas game and he made it all the way through. He’ll get spelled by Bush but Forte will still have his shots against a Jacksonville defense that’s giving up 150 yards a game.

Alfred Morris: I’ve been hesitant to jump on the Morris bandwagon simply because of Shanahan’s history of playing musical chairs with his Redskins RBs (remember Ryan Torain? Tim Hightower?). But Morris is starting the fifth game in a row. I haven’t seen  the old man show that much loyalty to a RB since Terrell Davis. If memory serves that’s the longest string for a Shanahan RB since Clinton Portis back in Denver, before he got traded to Washington. So, I’m going all in with Morris facing Atlanta’s 29th ranked rush defense.

Ryan Williams: The kid got stuffed last week against a stout Miami run defense, but Beanie Wells is on IR and the other law firm, LaRod Stephens-Howling, is questionable, so Williams is definitely getting the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield. And the Rams are giving up 4.7 yards per carry and been scored on 6 times via the run.

WR Brian Hartline: The Bengals don’t give up a ton of big plays via the air but they do give up receptions and yards and that is exactly this possession receiver’s game. Combined with being Tannehill’s security blanket, double digit fantasy points are within reach, especially in a PPR league.

Julio Jones: He disappointed last week, but it turns out he had a hand injury. He’s fine now and the Redskins pass defense has given up 11 TDs through 4 games, doing their best imitation of a prison “girlfriend” to such receiving luminaries and household names like Lance Moore, Danny Amendola, Andrew Hawkins, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson. Julio is going to do quite well.

Michael Crabtree: Now, the Niners are more of a running team and Alex Smith isn’t exactly a big-time passer, but the Bills have given up 9 passing TDs so far this year. I think Crabtree scores this week and that lifts him up into double digit territory.

Jordy Nelson: Bad news for Green Bay fans is that Greg Jennings’ health took a bit of a step back last week.  Good news is that Jordy Nelson was able to step up, leading the team in targets and catching the game-winning TD. And while Indy seems to have not allowed many passing yards, that’s because they’ve only played three games and one of them was against Blaine Gabbert. They gave up passing 3 TDs to Cutler , 2 TDs to Ponder and even Gabbert got one.

TE Tony Gonzalez: Remember what I said about Julio Jones? How badly the Redskins pass defense stinks? Do I have to add that Tony G has 3 TDs in 4 games? Don’t you think he’s got enough experience to find the wide open spots in a bad pass defense? I rest my case.

Brent Celek: This is risky, but it’s a gut call. Pittsburgh may shut him down. But I keep saying that a TE is a QB in trouble’s best friend and Vick will probably be in plenty of trouble on the road. The last time I felt that way was in the Ravens game and Celek caught 8 balls for 157 yards in that game.

Kyle Rudolph: Here is an interesting trivia fact. The Titans have given up 7 TDs to TEs in the last 4 games. Hmmmm. As the blind man says, “Well, let me see …”

Sit ‘Em! QB Kevin Kolb: The former Eagle has been doing quite respectably since taking over for John Skelton, but the Rams pass defense is one of the better ones, giving up only 2 TDs so far this season while registering 8 INTs.

Ben Roethlisberger: This is a risky call. Ol’ Rapey McRaperson has been having a big year so far, with 8 passing TDs through 3 games and the Eagles have given up 2 in each of the last 2 games, but the Eagles have a great pass rush and one of the best CB tandems in the league.

Robert Griffin III: The kid from Baylor has been on a fantasy tear. Sure, the Falcons gave up 2 passing TDs and a rush TD to Cam Newton last week, but divisional games often wind up going against the general grain. Against non-division opponents, including Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, Atlanta has only given up one passing TD each. Sure, RG3 can run, but Cam weighs 245, Griffin is 217. If the kid tries running too much against the Falcons, he could get his clock cleaned. Between playing Newton and Josh Freeman twice a year, it’s not like they’re unfamiliar with and easily scared by a mobile QB.

Cam Newton: Sure, he rolled last week like he hasn’t rolled since last year at mid-season. But the Seahawks have a damn good cover secondary and have already racked up 12 sacks through 4 games. I’m think Cam’s results are going to be more like the 9 points he got against the Giants than last week’s 30 against the Falcons.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Miami is giving up just 56 yards per game on the ground and 2.4 yards per attempt. Things do not look good at all.

DeAngelo Williams: Well, there’s the time share situation going against him. And then there’s a tough Seattle defense. Well, you might say, what about goal line attempts? Seattle has only given up 2 rushing TDs in 4 games. Three strikes.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Ol’ Pocket Hercules looked like his old self in week three against the Colts, but that was the Colts. Last week MJD came back down to earth against the Bengals which have given up 5.3 yards per rush, including MJD’s yards. Now, how do you think he’ll fare against a Bear’s defense that stuffed DeMarco Murray like a pork chop? Without a consistent passing threat by Gabbert to take some of the pressure off him?

Fred Jackson: He’s anxious to bounce back and he is healthier than Spiller right now, but I don’t think that butting heads with Patrick Willis and the Niners is exactly what most rehab specialists have in mind when they recommend “resistance training.”

WR Steve Smith: Like I’ve already said, Seattle’s defensive backs can cover and Smith hasn’t hit double digit fantasy points since week two, even during Newton’s fantasy explosion last week.

Justin Blackmon: The much heralded rookie finally started to get untracked a little last week with 10 targets, 6 catches and just short of 50 yards. Looks like he picked a bad week to run into the Bears defense, huh. I mean, he’s not even worth a bye week Flex pick.

Jeremy Kerley: Well, Santonio Holmes just went on IR and #2 WR Stephen Hill is listed as questionable. Ordinarily, you’d think,  ”Time to move this guy up from the bench to a flex or a WR2 spot. After all, he’s already scored 2 TDs this year with limited playing time. He’s sure to break out.” Then you notice that the Jets are playing the Texans. Well, there’s always next week.

Mike Wallace: It’s risky. He is a fantasy stud. He’s Big Ben’s #1 WR. The Eagles have Pro Bowl CBs but they haven’t faced a specimen like a healthy Wallace yet this season and they have had lapses in coverage. But I don’t think the Eagles fear the Steeler run game at all and they haven’t been given a reason to. I think they try to shut Wallace down and force Pittsburgh to prove that they can beat them with Antonio Brown and a gimpy, rusty Mendenhall.

TE Fred Davis: I think the Redskins follow the path of least resistance and that is trying to run the ball down the Falcons’ throats to run out the clock and keep Matty Ice & Co. off the field. I don’t think it’ll work and then RG3 will be forced to try and go deep to play catch up and that means targets for Garcon, Moss and Hankerson, not the TE.

Jermaine Gresham: Other than a ridiculously porous Redskins pass defense, Gresham really hasn’t broken out this year. And with Green and Hawkins as options for Andy Dalton, there’s no reason Gresham should command any of Dalton’s attention against the Dolphins.

Marcedes Lewis: Sure, I do say that a TE is a QB in trouble’s best friend and against a Bears pass rush, Gabbert will definitely experience a ton of trouble. But Lewis’ fantasy value comes from being a big target in the red zone and I just don’t think that the Jags will get within sniffing distance of the Bears’ 20 yard line. Lewis may get a few yards, but nothing to write home about.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Five, Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em appeared first on The Faster Times.

Start ‘Em! QB Matt Schaub: He slowed down a little bit but Old One Ear still threw for two TDs. 16 points. Swami-ish.

Philip Rivers: The INT kind of offsets the 2 TDs but he still meets my criterion for a starting fantasy QB with 14 points. Swami-ish.

Blaine Gabbert: It looks like he’s starting to regress a little. 10 points. Bonehead-ish.

Christian Ponder: Now, talking about regressing … well, it’s really more that Adrian Peterson is shouldering more of the load. Ponder really didn’t make any mistakes. He completed over 60% of his passes but only racked up a little over 100 yards. 4 points. Bonehead!

RB: Cedric Benson: He didn’t roll big like I thought he would, but Benson still hit double digits, so he meets my minimum criterion. Swami-ish.

Maurice Jones-Drew: The Bengals run defense isn’t that good, but they really stepped up. 7 points. Bonehead!

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Speaking of run defenses, there’s a kind of ironic symmetry here. 7 points. Bonehead!

Michael Turner: Yeah. He really does have the Panthers number if nothing else. 22 points. Swami!

WR Demaryius Thomas: He had enough receiving yards, 103, to hit double digits, but he lost points for fumbling. ARGH! 8 points. Bonehead!

Vincent Jackson: Yeah. Something ain’t right with the Redskins pas defense. 16 points. Swami!

Greg Jennings: Damn. He looked healthy last week. 6 points. Bonehead!

Steve Johnson: His drop-off this week is, frankly, inexplicable. 2 points. Bonehead!

TE Fred Davis: He may not have scored this season, but Davis is racking up some yards for a TE. 7 points. Swami!

Scott Chandler: Wow, 2 TDs this week and 4 in 4 weeks. This guy is becoming golden. 18 points. Swami!

Kyle Rudolph: WTF? Zero points. Bonehead!

Sit ‘Em! QB Eli Manning: The Eagles may have won but Eli showed that they can be tested and found lacking at times. 18 points. Bonehead!

Cam Newton: He flashed back to his early season form from last year, but somehow, I don’t think it will last. 30 points. Bonehead!

Tony Romo: I thought he’d be stifled. I didn’t think he’d actively participate in his own undoing. 6 points. Swami!

Jake Locker: Injured, didn’t even play. I must be psychic. Wait. I’m obviously not. Swami!

RB Alfred Morris: You see, I’m almost happy I blew this call. The only reason why I hesitate is Shanahan’s history of yanking guys willy-nilly. But, damn, if it don’t look like he’s found a RB he wants to ride like he did TD back in Denver. 17 points. Bonehead!

Steven Jackson: Yeah, told yeah Seattle was going to be tough. 6 points. Swami!

Ryan Williams: And I said that Miami was going to be tough, too. 2 points. Swami!

DeMarco Murray: Again, it hurts to be right like this when you’re a Cowboys homer. 7 points. Swami!

WR Marques Colston: He’s been invisible up to now and THIS is the week he chooses to show up? @*%#! 21 points. Bonehead!

Danny Amendola: Frankly, the way the Seahawks secondary has been playing, I thought Amendola would get concussed before he could score a TD. 11 points. Bonehead-ish.

Brandon Marshall: Yeah, Romo wasn’t alone in stinking the joint up. Rob Ryan’s defense started playing like they did last year. On the bright side, it doesn’t look like Ryan’s going to be recruited away from the Cowboys for a head coaching job anytime in the next 10 or 20 years. 19 points. Bonehead!

Santana Moss: Really, none of the Redskins WRs did much. 3 points. Swami!

TE Greg Olsen: Now, I’m not sure if this means that the line is blocking better or if Newton screwed his head on straight. 14 points. Bonehead!

Jared Cook: Between being dinged up a little and Locker missing the game, his production was mostly pedestrian. 3 points. Swami!

Jason Witten: Well; I guess he’s finally over that lacerated spleen problem. 17 points. Bonehead!

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Five, Swami or Bonehead? appeared first on The Faster Times.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: (available in 53% of ESPN leagues) Despite injuries in the runnign game and to his receivers, he’s averaged. over 18 fantasy points per game. Sure, he faces the Niners next week, but Ponder didn’t seem to mind and there’s always the chance of Fitzpatrick striking garbage-time gold in the shadow of Sutter’s Mill.

Kevin Kolb: (available in 92% of ESPN leagues) I can’t believe I’m doing this, but the guy has averaged 17 fantasy points  in the last three games since Skelton’s injury, including 17 against the Eagles. Maybe the defense’s toughness is rubbing off on him.

Matt Hasselbeck: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) Locker is out at least a week and Chris Johnson seemed to get untracked last week, finally. And if the offense can play more like they did against Detroit than they did against the Texans, Old Man Hasselbeck could have a good day against the Vikes.

RB Brandon Bolden: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) A little risky becasue this is first outburst of the season. But with the way he exploded, along with Ridley, against the Bills, Bolden is worth handcuffing if you have Ridley and if you don’t, then as possible trade bait if Ridley gets hurt.

WR Brian Hartline: (available in 73% of ESPN leagues) Hartline is feast or famine, but of the Dolphins thin talent at WR, he seems to be the one that Tannehill looks for.

Andre Roberts: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) Another feast or famine situation, but he seems to be the #2 WR in Arizona. And against division rival St. Louis next week, the Rams will be trying to stop Fitz, so Roberts should be facing single coverage.

Jerome Simpson: (available in 92% of ESPN leagues) He’s back off suspension and had a decent outing getting the cobwebs out, leading the Vikings WRs in yards. And the Lions and Texans did show that the Titans are vulnerable through the air.

TE Scott Chandler: (available in 68% of ESPN leagues) He got his bell rung, but no concussion. He’s going to continue to be a big red zone target, though I wouldn’t expect last game’s 18 points every week. But he’s definitely worth your trouble to claim.

Greg Olsen: (available in 83% of ESPN leagues) It’s weird, but the more potent the defenses, the more he seems to be in the position to produce. If the trend continues, then he should be very fantasy-relevant against this week against the Seahawks.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Five Waiver Wire Tips appeared first on The Faster Times.

Start ‘Em! QB Matt Schaub: Even if he is missing a piece of his ear, Schaub should rack up some serious points against a Titans team that gave up 450 yards and 3 TDs through the air last week.

Philip Rivers: Rivers had a bad game of epic proportions against the Falcons last week, but this week the Chiefs bring one of the worst pass defenses in the league. He should rebound nicely.

Blaine Gabbert: He did well against the Vikes, horrible against the Texans and partially rebounded against the Colts. I’m banking that the trend continues this week against a semi-porous Bengals defense that he racked up over 200 yards passing and a TD in their last meeting a year ago. If for no other reason that he’s playing better than he did last year and his receivers have also marginally improved since then.

Christian Ponder: Any QB that schooled the Niners defense should also do pretty well against a Lions pass defense that gave up 378 yards and 2 TDs to Jake Locker and the Titans.

RB: Cedric Benson: My cat Tigger could run for 100 yards on the Saints and he’s been dead for 4 years. Benson will probably have the best game of this season against New Orleans.

Maurice Jones-Drew: The Bengals have been giving up 155 yards a game on the ground. A well-rested MJD will roll, running and receiving.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Funny thing about the Bengals having a bad run defense. So do the Jaguars. The law firm shall also roll.

Michael Turner: I know, he’s not the back he was a couple of years ago. But neither is the Carolina run defense. And even during his decline, Turner has had success against them ever since he landed in Atlanta.

WR Demaryius Thomas: Oakland simply doesn’t have the horses in the secondary to keep up with the Bronco WRs. Period.

Vincent Jackson: Just saying, if Danny Amendola and A.J. Green could rob the Redskins secondary blind, V-Jax should put up some good fantasy numbers.

Greg Jennings: Despite the disappointment of losing, Monday night did show that Jennings is healthy. And against a Saints defense in disarray, he and Rodgers should finally get back on track in a big way.

Steve Johnson: He’s the top target in the Buffalo pass offense and if the Pats turn it into a shoot-out, Johnson will generate some nice fantasy points totals.

TE Fred Davis: The Bucs do give up yards through the air. But it’s just RG3 really isn’t getting a lot done with his WRs. Last week he finally turned to Davis for 90 yards. My guess is that the kid may keep it up.

Scott Chandler: With the top two RBs out and the original #2 WR lost for the season, Chandler will continue to be a vital part of the passing attack in the red zone against the Pats.

Kyle Rudolph: Each week, Rudolph’s stat line has increased. And this week he gets the Lions defense that got gutted through the air by the Titans. He may not be quite the physical specimen that Jared Cook is, but he’ll more than do.

Sit ‘Em! QB Eli Manning: Is he going to cave against the Eagles? No, but on the road against a division rival with a good pass rush and sound corners and at last word, a still gimpy Nicks, I’d expect an output closer to what he produced against the Cowboys than what he produced against the Bucs.

Cam Newton: The Atlanta defense made Peyton Manning look lame where the Pittsburgh and Houston defenses couldn’t. Heck, they’re probably better right now than  Giants defense that corralled him last week. It’s not going to be a good day for Newton.

Tony Romo: After an admirable job in the opener with the Giants, his offensive line’s play has become progressively more offensive to watch. Unless offensive line coach Bill Callahan starts kicking some ass, Tony will be running for his life and getting hit and that’s when any QB is more likely to make mistakes.

Jake Locker: He did a fantastic job against a Lions pass defense that really hasn’t gotten any better from last year. But even though Peyton Manning exposed them in the second half, the Texans did frustrate him for an entire half and Locker has neither the football skills nor weapons that Manning has at his disposal. The kid is coming back down to Earth hard.

RB Alfred Morris: The Bucs run defense has shut down the run in 2 out of the last 3 games. I think they’ll do it again this week to Morris.

Steven Jackson: S-Jax seems to be over his groin injury, but Seattle’s defense has been playing with a crazy intensity. I am not optimistic.

Ryan Williams: Beanie Wells is on IR until November and Williams rushed for over 80 yards last week against a tough Philly defense. The problem is that Miami’s run defense is the strength of the unit.

DeMarco Murray: As I mentioned in the case of Romo, the Dallas offensive line is playing like they should be part of the Lingerie Football League. The only thing preventing them from starting a second career in the LFL is the mandatory bikini waxing. They’re not man enough to put up with the pain and the gals at the Gaylord Texan spa in Arlington throw up a little bit in the back of their mouths at the thought of having to do the job.

WR Marques Colston: Even if the Saints-Packers game turns into a high-scorer, Colston will be only one of the targets and, really, he’ll be at best the #2 target behind Jimmy Graham. Maybe even #3 behind Sproles.

Danny Amendola: If Seattle could shut down Larry Fitzgerald, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, why should Amendola be any different?

Brandon Marshall: After they handled Vincent Jackson last week, I am forced to believe that the Cowboys pass defense can handle another one-hit wonder passing attack.

Santana Moss: Against a more porous Bengals defense last week, even with Garcon sidelined, Moss wasn’t a factor. There’s no reason to believe that if Garcon is still out against the Bucs  that suddenly Moss will break out. RG3 will just try and run with it. If he dumps it, judging from last week, it’ll be to his TE.

TE Greg Olsen: Basically, until the Panthers offensive line learns how to block better, he’s going to be doing a lot of blocking to help out.

Jared Cook: He’s a little dinged up, but even healthy Cook likely wouldn’t be very productive against the Texans defense.

Jason Witten: Spleen injury, drops, what gives? He’s just not what he used to be. and he’s not likely to come out of his slump against a defense like the Bears.

The post NFL Fantasy Football: Week Four, Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em appeared first on The Faster Times.