Let’s continue our tour around the NFL by looking at the Top 50 wide receivers for the coming week. With DeMarco Murray out, how good of a play is Felix Jones? Will Adrian Peterson return this week? How far does Rashard Mendenhall fall? Let’s look at these questions and all the rest:
- Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – at San Diego
- Arian Foster – Houston Texans – vs. Carolina
- LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Jets
- Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans – at Indianapolis
- Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Atlanta
- Michael Bush – Oakland Raiders – vs. Detroit
- Beanie Wells – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Cleveland
- Cedric Benson – Cincinnati Bengals – at St. Louis
- Roy Helu – Washington Redskins – at New York Giants
- Shonn Greene – New York Jets – at Philadelphia
- Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – vs. New Orleans
- Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – at Buffalo
- Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Jacksonville
- Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys – at Tampa Bay
- Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers – vs. Baltimore
- Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks – at Chicago
- Willis McGahee – Denver Broncos – vs. New England
- Darren Sproles – New Orleans Saints – at Minnesota
- Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Pittsburgh
- Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – vs. Washington
- Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – vs. Cincinnati
- LeGarrette Blount – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Dallas
- Marion Barber – Chicago Bears – vs. Seattle
- Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns – at Arizona
- C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills – vs. Miami
- Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
- Ryan Grant – Green Bay Packers – at Kansas City
- Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers – at San Francisco
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis – New England Patriots – at Denver
- Donald Brown – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Tennessee
- Brandon Jacobs – New York Giants – vs. Washington
- DeAngelo Williams – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
- Maurice Morris – Detroit Lions – at Oakland
- Ben Tate – Houston Texans – vs. Carolina
- Daniel Thomas – Miami Dolphins – at Buffalo
- Toby Gerhart – Minnesota Vikings – vs. New Orleans
- Dexter McCluster – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Green Bay
- LaDanian Tomlinson – New York Jets – at Philadelphia
- Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints – at Minnesota
- Kahlil Bell – Chicago Bears – vs. Seattle
Thoughts:
- Just when we think Chris Johnson is ready to really turn it on down the stretch, he posts a “stellar” 11 carry, 23 yard performance against the New Orleans Saints. It’s hard to ignore the numbers he had posted in recent weeks (130 rushing yards or more three times from Week 10 – Week 13), as well as the favorable matchup against a Colts team that is allowing 144.3 rushing yards per game and 18 rushing TD. I know it’s hard to trust him, but things appear stacked in his favor.
- Cedric Benson has not been very good this season, but the St. Louis Rams are simply atrocious against the run. Entering Week 14 they were allowing 157.8 rushing yards per game, including a recent 228 yard beating at the hands of Beanie Wells. Benson should be considered a very good option with fantasy titles hanging in the balance.
- Until Darren McFadden not only steps on the field, but makes an impact, we have to assume Michael Bush is going to carry the load. With the Lions struggling against the run this season, at 136.1 rushing yards per game, Bush would seem like a very good play, with Suh returning to the lineup or not.
- Roy Helu has now rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games. Does anyone not expect him to carry the load against the New York Giants?
- Tough break for the Dallas Cowboys losing DeMarco Murray for the remainder of the season. However, with Tony Fiammetta back as the lead back Felix Jones should be just fine. We’ve discussed how much better the rushing offense has been with Fiammetta in the backfield and Jones gets a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed 19 rushing TD on the year (as well as 139.7 rushing yards per game). He’s got to be considered a good play regardless.
- Will it be Adrian Peterson or Toby Gerhart in the backfield? Or, will the two split carries as they work Peterson back into the mix? The complete unknown as to how the situation will play out downgrades both of them significantly. Obviously, if Peterson plays he is by far the better option, but we just don’t know at this point.
- It is Rashard Mendenhall’s turn to get silenced by the San Francisco 49ers defense. They continue to just stymie opposing running backs and have yet to allow a rushing touchdown (an unbelievable accomplishment). In Week 13 it was Beanie Wells, who managed just 27 yards on 15 carries. Mendenhall should be considered nothing more than a FLEX option in all formats.
- Marion Barber had a big day, rushing for 108 yards and 1 TD. However, he made two costly errors (running out of bounds at the end of regulation and fumbling as Chicago drove in overtime). Will the Bears change up the offense after his two major mistakes? We’ll have to wait to find out, but it’s hard to consider him as anything more than a RB2/FLEX due to the complete unknown.
- Will Kevin Smith be healthy for Week 14? If he starts the game, will he stay healthy for the entire thing? Too many questions, though the matchup is appealing. Monitor the news at this point.
- Ryan Grant is a borderline RB2?! Would anyone have seen that one coming? Before you say the Packers aren’t going to run the ball enough to justify using him, would it really be surprising to see them build a huge lead early? Grant rushed for 85 yards and 2 TD in Week 13 and could be usable once again for the coming week.
No K. Smith? Would you go K. Smith or A. Brown at flex if Smith is good to go against Oakland? Also Giants D over SF D should be a no brainer but with big Ben hurting and wsh looking good against pays even though their D isn’t the greatest has me second guessing…
Prof, Who should I go with? 1qb,2rb,3wr,1flex,def
qb-romo,stafford
rb-mendenhall,mcgahee, smith,greene,tate
wr-megatron,robinson,nicks,marshall,burleson
def-texans,patriots
waiver-jacobs,grant,k.williams,cobb,gaffney,young,d.thomas, moss,walter,cards def
HELU OR GREENE OR SOROLES?
Helu and Greene are real close (basically a coin flip), but I’d go Helu
Who to start? 12 tm ppr Felix Jones, Marshawn Lynch or Beanie
Marshawn Lynch, Felix Jones, Beanie all the way.
Ryan – Kevin Smith isn’t listed because of the injury. If he’s healthy he’s the one I’d go with, but it’s a huge if at this point. As for the D, I wouldn’t trust the Giants D for anything at this point.
Jason – Here’s how I’d do it:
QB – Romo (though it’s really close)
RB – Green & McGahee
WR – Johnson, Robinson & Nicks
FLEX – Smith (if healthy) otherwise Marshall
D – Houston
AJ – Are we picking one? If we are, it’s Wells all the way.
Should I pick up a wr/rb? For instance moss,gaffney,battle,grant,baldwin,jacobs….
No, I like the options you have better for this week actually.
Yeah just one, my other back is Rice which is a must start! Thanx i was leaning with Wells also
non-ppr
Jones or Bluont, and Choose 2, Bowe Stevie Johnson Santana Moss
K.Smith/Marshall/Gaffney?
looks like smith is practicing..not sure if moore is gonna play
Hey proffessor its been a while since I text u but I need ur help I’m coming off a first week bye but I lost d Murray and forte so who should I start (qb) tebow, or Ryan rb turner,Jones,Sam,morris, wr boldin,v.j.,James Jones,malcom Floyd,Michael crabtree I kinda need to know by tomorrow and Ty for ur help most of the year
Oh yeah sorry about that 2 rbs 2 wrs and a flex
Tommy – I’m going Jones for the RB. For the WR, I’m going Bowe & Johnson.
Jason – Am I picking one? If Smith plays, he’s risk so we need to monitor the news. I’d give him the nod if it seems he’s close to 100%, but if it doesn’t he’s too big of a risk for a setback. In that case, I’d go Marshall.
rolandw – Here’s how I’d do it:
QB – Tebow
RB – Turner & Jones
WR – Boldin & Jackson
FLEX – J. Jones
Who is Sam though?
should i play marshall if matt moore doesnt start?
I’m sorry Sammy morris Ty again
No problem. My recommendation wouldn’t change though!
K. Smith, A. Brown or Mendenhall at the flex?
.5 ppr and .2 ppc
Need 2 out of these 3 guys….thanks…..
Roy Helu (vs Giants)
Michael Bush (vs Lions)
Felix Jones (vs Bucs)
Lewis – I’d say Smith, if he seems healthy, otherwise it’s Brown.
Brian – Bush & Helu for sure
Dont like Jones vs the Bucs that give up almost 140yds/game and have giving up 19 tds to RBs on the season?
Not that I don’t like him, I just like the other options a little bit better.
If kevin smith were to suit up, where would he be on this list?
Pick two RB’s from list please…
Gore
K. Smith
L. Blount
R. Grant
Jason – Probably as a mid-to-low RB2. The problem is that there is always a threat of an early setback with him. As to if you should use him or not will depend solely on your other options.
Joe – Probably Gore & Blount, though that’s not really knowing the status of Smith at this point.,
who would you start at flex?
smith/marshall?
Right now I’d say Marshall, because Smith’s injury potential scares me. I know Smith is expected to play, though, and depending on the news we get tonight this could easily change.
Professor,
Who would you start in flex between Santana Moss or Ryan Grant?
Thanks!
I think I would go Moss. There is way too much risk in Grant, as we don’t know how many carries he might get.
hey i am in the Championship and i need to who who to start
1QB, 2RB, 1RB/WR, 2 WR
QB newton, vick
RB lesean mccoy, greene, leblount, willis mcgee
WR mike wallace, harvin, robinson, antonio brown
Thanks!
Need 1
R Grant or M Barber? This is one of the toughest decisions ive ever had to make…Please help
Mike – Here’s how I’d do it:
QB – Newton
RB – McCoy & Greene
WR – Harvin & Robinson
FLEX – Wallace (though his stock is shaky right now) – depending on the news I would switch him with McGahee, so let’s check this one back on Sunday.
Aaron – Don’t love either of them, but I think Barber is in a better spot to produce. You just never know how much GB will run.
Thanks Roto, I agree.. My team took a huge hit. I had Fred Jackson and Forte.
Rotoprofessor! I need some expert advice! I lost Demarco Murray and am in the playoffs going against a really strong team.
I’m in a PPR 2 points per reception league and .5 points per rushing carry…
Who should I start at flex…
Peyton Hillis , Kevin Smith, Frank Gore, Leraunt Robinson, or Dwayne Bowe?
Thanks in advance Prof!
I want to say Gore, but I would actually probably go with Robinson. He’s been on an impressive role and is probably the best option in Dallas, so it’s hard to sit him down.
I have a running back question.
I have L. Blount, M. Barber, and A. Bradshaw for one spot. Who should I give the start? It is the fantasy championship btw…
Thanks
Hi
Which 2 RB of 4???
Foster vs carolina
Benson @ st louis
Helu @ NYG
Greene @ philadelphia
ddschmidt – I’d go with Bradshaw, though it’s close. Blount would be my second choice if you are concerned with Bradshaw’s carries.
Rey – Foster & Helu (though Greene is close behind Helu)
Ok prof, its gameday. im in the semi.need to pick two. mcgahee,k.smith,marshall,gaffney
McGahe& Marshall for me. There’s just too much risk to trust Smith in my mind.