Last week was a very good one for my fantasy studs as everyone was productive. This is the most important week of the year for many fantasy owners as their team is either competing for a playoff spot or the playoffs have already started. More than any other week, this is the time where you need to check the injury reports and waiver wire for favorable matchups.
QB: Alex Smith vs Seahawks: Smith was my quarterback last week, but with another favorable matchup and his performance last week, I am going to use him again. The Seahawks have really struggled against the pass this year and Smith is finally in an offense in San Francisco where he feels comfortable. Expect around 230 yards and two touchdowns.
RB: Matt Forte vs Rams: In the beginning of the year, I said that I wouldn't mention the obvious players in this column. The definition of obvious would be players who were high draft picks that you should start every week regardless of the matchup. Even though he was a top 5 pick in almost every draft, Forte isn't in the obvious category anymore. For the year he is averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry and with only 543 yards and three touchdowns could be considered one of the biggest fantasy draft busts ever.
However, he has the ability to get back into the good graces of fantasy owners this week against a poor Rams rush defense. If you still have Forte, start him with confidence as he could be in for a big game. Expect around 140 total yards and a touchdown.
WR: Jeremy Maclin vs Falcons: Maclin has really emerged as one of Donovan McNabb's favorite targets and has been putting up solid numbers even with DeSean Jackson in the lineup. Now the Eagles go up against a Falcons secondary that has had injury problems and Maclin should be the number one option as Jackson is missing the game with a concussion. Expect around 90 yards and a touchdown.
TE: Tony Scheffler vs Chiefs: While Scheffler hasn't put up the kind of numbers he did with Jay Cutler at quarterback, he has still been productive when given the opportunity. Look for him to bounce back this week against a Chiefs defense that struggles covering the tight end. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.
K: Shayne Graham vs Lions: Even though the Bengals offense has struggled of late, Graham should be in your lineup against the Lions. The Bengals have had a hard time scoring touchdowns lately and for some reason don't put up many points against the teams you would expect. Regardless of it's through field goals or extra points, Graham will get his opportunities this week and should have a big game. Expect around two field goals and three extra points.
DEF: Chargers vs Browns: While the Chargers defense isn't what it was a few years ago, they are still a solid unit and should have a big week against a struggling Browns offense. Expect around four sacks and two interceptions.
Start all Texans and Jaguars: With two sub-par defenses and Gus Johnson announcing, this game has all the makings of a shootout. If you live in the Houston area or you have Sunday Ticket watch this game as you could be in for a treat. (If you just want to see who you should start, feel free to skip the following paragraphs).
Even though the game is already blacked out locally in Jacksonville, I am recommending that fans should come down before the game starts and try to buy tickets. Living in Jacksonville, when you listen to sports talk radio the two main topics other then Tebow to the Jaguars are the Gators and the Jaguars lack of offense. I realize that college football is what many locals prefer as they had built allegiances to programs long before the Jaguars came to town.
However, Florida plays Alabama tonight and won't be playing in another game this month. Also, based on the matchups offense should not be lacking in this game. In the last year or two I have also started paying more attention to the marketing aspect of sports. The Jaguars staff does a great job of trying to generate interest in the city and compared to other NFL teams have very reasonable ticket prices.
I know this is a topic that doesn't mean much to most people but the Jaguars mean more to this city then anyone could imagine. The team has brought lots of businesses to the area and has really grown after hosting the Super Bowl. This is why the frequent articles of them moving start getting to me. I have been going to games since the franchise arrived and I was wearing diapers but have built many memories in the process.
Overall, I am very fortunate to have had an NFL franchise in this city during my childhood as I would never have been as passionate about the game without it. I would hate for younger children who could one day bring their kids to Jaguars games to lose out on the opportunity that I had.
Finally after my anti Los Angeles Jaguars rant, here are the players you should start for each team including the obvious ones.
Texans: Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton (if he plays), Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and for deeper leagues James Casey, Chris Brown, Ryan Moats (if Slaton doesn't play Brown would start) and Jacoby Jones.
Jaguars: David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker and for deeper leagues Marcedes Lewis, Torry Holt and Mike Thomas.
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