Nobody needs to be told
starting Aaron Rodgers, Arian Foster, or Calvin Johnson is a good
idea. Duh, right? You can’t have studs at every position,
though, unless you’re in the shallowest of leagues. This
is where the Shot Caller comes in. Need help deciding which bargain
basement QB to use and which to ignore on Rodgers’ bye week?
Let’s talk. Looking for solutions at running back because
Foster is a game-time decision? Look no further. Need to know
which of your unproven targets to start and which to sit since
you ignored Megatron and went RB-QB-Gronkowski in your first three
rounds? I’m your huckleberry. Past results may not guarantee
future success, but I believe ignoring them entirely can ruin
your Sundays in a hurry. Read on for a little history and, hopefully,
a little sage advice.
Note: Fantasy points
based on FF Today’s default scoring system.
Bye Weeks: Arizona, Cleveland,
Green Bay, Washington
Grab a Helmet
Carson
Palmer @ BAL: Palmer did some serious statsheet-stuffing last
Sunday against Tampa, both in very good ways (414 yards and four
touchdowns) and very bad ways (three picks, including the game-sealer).
This may have been my favorite of his many crooked numbers, however:
61 attempted passes. When did Mike Leach become the Raiders’ offensive
coordinator? That isn’t the most passes attempted in an NFL game
this year – Tony Romo chucked it 62 times against the Giants –
but it’s pretty close and it IS a career high for Palmer. When
you throw the ball 61 times, you’re usually going to A) post some
very relevant fantasy numbers, and B) lose. Luckily, losses don’t
count against the fantasy bottom line. Interceptions might, depending
on your league’s scoring system, but even the three turnovers
probably wouldn’t have prevented Palmer from being the very best
QB option in most leagues last week. Give him the nod against
a short-handed Ravens defense, especially if DMC is forced to
sit.
The SC has a man-crush on Fitz.
Ryan
Fitzpatrick @ NE: Unless you’re just tuning in to the SCR this
week, you already know I’m pretty fond of Fitzpatrick, another under-the-radar
field general more likely to lead your fantasy team to victory than
his own team. Unlike Palmer, Fitz doesn’t throw the ball all over
the yard (74 fewer attempts). He’s arguably more efficient, however
(15 TDs against 13) and possesses an identical 85.6 QB rating halfway
through the season. He’s also not incapable of Palmer-esque explosions,
as evidenced by his Week 4 numbers against this week’s repeat opponent,
New England: 350 yards and four scores (and four INTs). In his last
five starts against the kings of the AFC East, in fact, Fitzpatrick
is averaging 304 yards, three TDs, and two picks. He’s also 1-4
in those games, an indication New England is content to let him
sling it around so long as he continues to turn it over (likely)
and Tom Brady et al. continue to torment the Bills’ overmatched
defense (ditto). I’d start him over many name brand QBs in Week
10.
Eli
Manning @ CIN: Speaking of name brand QBs…. This guy doesn’t
really belong in a start/sit column but he’s thrust himself into
the discussion with three really iffy performances in his last four
games. In fact, here’s what Eli had to say after his Week 9 dud
(125 yards, no scores, and one INT) against the Steelers: “I got
to play better.” OK, so I wouldn’t trust him to proofread the SCR.
I would, however, trust him to do exactly what he says he needs
to do this Sunday against the reeling Bengals. Opposing QBs have
posted a 99.0 QB rating (28th in the league) and have completed
68.3% of their passes (31st) against Cincinnati. If the younger
Manning can avoid the mistakes he’s historically been prone to,
he should have a very efficient and productive (maybe even prolific)
day in the Queen City. Don’t even think of sitting him.
Grab a Clipboard
Jay
Cutler v. HOU: By virtue of their unblemished record, Atlanta’s
Falcons are getting most of the national love thus far. Chicago,
however, is the team sporting a league-best +116 point differential
through nine weeks. They got there by riding a solid, though unspectacular,
rushing attack and an insanely opportunistic defense (+16 turnover
margin), Bears hallmarks for as long as I can remember. Of course,
Cutler – their strong-armed and eminently talented triggerman
– has been forced to accept a supporting role (just 18.3 fantasy
points/game), something he’s probably not accustomed to but has
seemingly accepted in good soldier fashion. So long as his team
keeps winning, this is likely to remain the case. Unfortunately,
so long as his team keeps winning (in this particular manner,
that is), he’s likely to remain a so-so option for fantasy GMs.
Avoid him this Sunday as the Bears tangle with the league’s other
other best team, commanded by…
Matt
Schaub @ CHI: …this guy. It’s kind of ironic, really, that
two of the NFL’s more talented quarterbacks would end up leading
two of its best teams, but not in ways that make them particularly
compelling from a statistical standpoint. Cutler is ranked 19th
and Schaub 21st in fantasy points per game at the position, making
them borderline start candidates most weeks. Both have become,
quite simply, game managers, guys asked to keep defenses honest
while their respective running backs and defenders take care of
business. Though they’ve been wildly successful so far from a
wins and losses standpoint, game managers won’t typically win
you a lot of fantasy matchups. I’m not even convinced they can
ultimately win the most meaningful real matchups come playoff
time. After all, the quarterback responsible for each guy’s only
defeat this season is Mr. Discount Double-Check himself, Aaron
Rodgers. Don’t start Cutler or Schaub…and don’t fall asleep on
the Pack down the stretch.
Michael
Vick v. DAL: I expected huge things from Vick in Monday night’s
Desperation Bowl at the Superdome, reasoning the Saints’
historically putrid defense would have a difficult time preventing
him from doing pretty much anything he wanted. Unfortunately,
the fleet-footed one forgot to pack an offensive line for his
trip to the Crescent City and ended up flat on his back most of
the night. This just in: It’s really hard to throw touchdown
passes or break off highlight reel runs when you’re spending
most of your night in the supine position. The final fantasy numbers
weren’t bad (and haven’t been all year) but it’s
clear the Eagles are a mess up front. That’s not good news
with the Cowboys coming to town. Dallas has some offensive issues
of its own but the defense has been playing lights out. In fact,
they’ve yielded just seven passing TDs all year (tied with
Chicago for 3rd overall) and 15.8 fantasy points per game to opposing
QBs. Sit Vick if you can afford to.
Running Backs 
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