Some of you may know this about me, some of you may not, I love myself some fantasy sports. Probably more than I should. Fortunately my fellow staff members here at VFC happen to share that same passion and I hope that you do too. This will be the first installment of many in which I take a look at some of the less obvious matchups in the world of fantasy sports and give you my opinion on who you should start and who you should sit. Hopefully I have gained enough wisdom over my illustrious fantasy sports career to bring our devoted followers some success from week to week.
Start 'em:
QB Alex Smith - San Francisco 49ers
Smith is simply off to the best start of his young and for lack of a better term, disappointing NFL career. Through week 5 Smith has thrown for 965 yards, 7 TDs while tossing 1 interception. Those numbers are good for 73.8 Yahoo! Fantasy points which makes him better so far this season than high profile QBs such as; Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler and Joe Flacco. I can only see Smith bettering his already outstanding start to this season when he goes up against the Motor City Lions. While Detroit's defense has been very good this season, I see Smith having a good day against the D's average cornerback and linebacker crew. Look for Smith's teammate and safety blanket, Vernon Davis, to have a big day for the 49ers as well.
Fantasy forecast: 311 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT
RB James Starks - Green Bay Packers
It's been puzzling in Green Bay at the running back this season. It is time for the torch to be passed from slow footed veteran Ryan Grant to quick footed newcomer James Starks. Starks has outplayed Grant in 4 of 5 games this season totally 250 rushing yards, 1 TD and 96 receiving yards. While Grant has only rushed for 175 yards and 25 receiving yards. After Grant's terrible game against the Falcons last week, a game in which he fumbled, this is a no brainer, James Starks needs to be the starter from here on out. Grant just doesn't have it anymore. This week against the Rams is where it will begin. Start 'em folks.
Fantasy forecast: 18 carries, 82 rush yds, 25 rec yds, 1 TD
WR Victor Cruz - New York Giants
Cruz has been a fantastic surprise this year for fantasy owners (myself included). Getting him warmed up has been a gradual process, but through the last three solid weeks, Cruz has 17 catches for 369 yards and 3 TDs. Cruz certainly has a flair for the dramatic whether it's one handing deflected passes or boneheadedly fumbling (but not fumbling). Cruz control is going to be on again this week against the Bills of Buffalo. While they lead the NFL in interceptions, Buffalo has given up the sixth most pass plays of 20 yards or more this season and the 10th most fantasy points to wideouts. I fully expect to be another happy VCruz owner this week.
Fantasy forecast: 7 rec, 89 yds, 1 TD
Sit 'em:
QB Matt Schaub - Houston Texans
While he has been very solid so far this season (1,377 yds, 9 TDs and 5 INTs) the Schaub will be stumped this week against the stingy Ravens defense. Schaub is without his favorite target in Andre Johnson and it's likely the Ravens defense will be physical with the rest of his targets. With Ed Reed patrolling center field I don't like Schaub's chances at all this week. The Texans will be forced to run the ball on the Ravens with "The Aussie Assassin" Arian Foster and Ben Tate, taking the ball out of Schaubs hands.
Fantasy forecast: 240 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
RB Frank Gore - San Francisco 49ers
The second 49er featured this week will have a tougher time than the first. Gore is going up against a Lions defense that is allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points to RBs this season. That trend will continue this week when Gore won't be able to run against Suh, Fairley and the rest of the Lions' surprisingly good defense. As I said above, Smith will be forced to go to the air, leaving Gore with less carries than usual and much less yardage.
Fantasy forecast: 14 carries, 57 yds
WR Brandon Marshall - Miami Dolphins
Brandon is making his first of two vacations to Revis Island this week folks. Expect the big wideout to have little to no fantasy impact this week against the stellar CB. Miami will be forced to throw the ball to Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano over the middle. Believe it or not, I actually expect this to be Reggie Bush's breakout game with the Dolphins. The lights are bright on Monday Night and I think Reggie will shine in them but more importantly, Brandon will have the man-tarp that is Revis draped over him. No go for BMarsh this week.
Fantasy forecast: 3 rec, 42 yds
There you have it folks! The first of many Fantasy Forum pieces featured on VFC. Next week I'll take a look at how my picks from this week fared and some of the matchups I think look great and some that look not so great.
Set your lineups wisely.
-ZHawk
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