The late season injury bug
looms large this week, as injuries to major role players may have
decimated your lineups and roster depth. Let’s peer into
the crystal ball to see what swirls inside, and see if this week’s
SCR can bring you one step closer to your fantasy playoffs.
Note: Fantasy points
based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.
Bye Weeks: Panthers, Steelers
Jay Cutler has thrown at least two touchdowns
in seven out of ten games this season.
Grab a Helmet
Jay
Cutler v. TB: RGIII at home against Tampa in this spot
failed miserably last week, but second times the charm! Cutler and
the Bears offense showed life last week against the Vikes. Despite
throwing two more interceptions to up his total to 12, Cutler had
just about his best game of the season with a 330-3 line, good for
30.6 fantasy points. Despite taking most of the heat for his team’s
failings, Cutler has been a QB1 all year long, and should continue
to be one this week against Tampa. The Bucs are giving up the 11th
most points to QBs (22.5 ppg), and despite beating up on the dysfunctional
Redskins last week, still aren’t a good team. Take the good with
the bad, and roll Cutler out there with confidence.
Tony
Romo @ NYG: Interesting Romo stat: After 9 games in 2013
Romo had attempt 30+ passes in all but one game. After 9 games in
2014, Romo has attempted 30 or more passes only 3 times. The dip
in attempts has taken Romo from a QB1 to a mid-range QB2. But with
a week to get his back healthier, Romo makes for an interesting
stream option for teams that might have a lower tier starter. Romo
has averaged 264 yards and 2-plus scores a game in his last three
outings against the Giants. The New York defense nearly won despite
5 interceptions from Eli Manning, and while they are game at home,
the mauling Dallas run game should give Romo chances to abuse the
play action to great success.
Colin
Kaepernick vs. WAS: If it seems this year’s QB class
has underwhelmed as a whole, you’re not alone. Other than Luck,
Rodgers, and Manning, there has been a group of QBs yo-yoing between
great and mediocre. I’ve been playing QB carousel in several of
my leagues, and trying to base starts on match-ups. Kaepernick has
been one of those QBs hovering right on the border of QB1/2 status.
His incredibly high floor is bolstered by the fact he has a passing
touchdown in every game and is always going to get you rushing yards.
This week he gets a Redskin squad allowing the 3rd most fantasy
points to QBs. It’s mind boggling Kaepernick doesn’t have a rushing
touchdown yet this year, but expect that to change soon. If you
have Colin, this is a great week to get him in your lineup.
Grab a Headset
Drew
Stanton @ SEA: After a sterling start against the team
that drafted him, Stanton struggled to generate points over the
last three quarters against the Lions. His final line of 306 yards
and 2 scores looks good for fantasy purposes and his 65.5 competition
percentage was a huge improvement. Despite being only a shadow
of their former dominant selves, the Seahawks will be amped for
a home game they simply have to win. Stanton will likely be without
Larry Fitzgerald (or at least a very hobbled version) because
of an MCL sprain, and I expect a run-heavy game plan for the Cardinals,
similar to the one the Chiefs employed last week. Stanton would
only be desperation option in 2 quarterback leagues.
Teddy
Bridgewater v. GB: With a banged up WR corps, a very
conservative game plan, and a red-hot defense coming to town,
Bridgewater makes for a poor starting option this week. Minnesota
has only scored 20+ points twice in Teddy’s seven starts, and
they simply lack any offensive identity. They don’t have anyone
to game plan around, and it shows in some of the close loses they
have had lately. They will be pressured to score to keep up with
Green Bay, and that could be a recipe for a mess.
Ryan
Mallett v. CIN: My senior year of high school football
was a confounding one. We seemed to play poorly, sometimes inexplicably
poorly, only to come back a week or two later and put it all together.
This year’s Bengals team reminds me a lot of my 1995 squad.
They’ve been pitiful in recent weeks, and then came back
to dominate the Saints on the road in Week 11. Mallett, in line
for his second NFL start, faces up against the Cincinnati Scrooges,
as they have yielded a league low 11 touchdown passes. Expect
the Texans to lean on the run game, and let Mallett take calculated
chances. None of these outlooks make me excited to have Mallet
in my line-up, although I would have taken him in a heartbeat
for our high school team!
Running Backs 
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