Week 7: Sit 'Em
QB Colin Kaepernick, ---
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The talented yet inconsistent quarterback is coming off a good game against the St. Louis Rams in which he passed for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while turning the ball over twice and rushing for just 18 yards. Kaepernick has not been running the ball as effectively this season, and with the 49ers only averaging about 26 pass attempts per game, Colin's fantasy numbers are down. The 49ers' opponent this week are the Tennessee Titans, who have been good against the pass this season - allowing just 224 passing yards per game and are ranking 5th against opposing fantasy quarterbacks. Fantasy owners should consider leaving Kaepernick on their benches until the 49ers open up their offense and let him use his immense talent.
RB Stevan Ridley, ---
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After getting off to a very slow start to the season, Steven Ridley finally broke out, totaling 110 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling win over the New Orleans Saints. Ridley had struggled mightly this season with his previous high rushing game being 53 yards. Fantasy owners who are expecting Ridley to build on his strong game this week will be disappointed. While Ridley should see the majority of the carries out of the Patriots backfield this week, he is likely to struggle. The Jets run defense has been stout this season, allowing just under 76 yards per game, second in the league. Ridley and the Patriots faced the Jets in week two, with the running back rushing 16 times for only 40 yards, a 2.5 yards per carry average. While Ridley has shown signs of bouncing back from his poor start, I would keep him on fantasy benches this week in New York.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, ---
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The declining running back put in a decent effort in a week six loss to the Denver Broncos, rushing for 71 yards and a touchdown. It shows how far MJD has fallen that fantasy owners would be happy with a performance like this, but that is where we now stand. Jones-Drew is clearly not the same player he was a couple years ago, and fantasy owners can no longer consider him a RB 2 on a weekly basis. Jones-Drew's opponent this week, the Chargers, have not been great against the run this season - allowing 117 yards per game -, but even so, MJD simply can not be counted on to turn in starter worthy performances on a weekly basis. Fantasy owners should consider keeping him on their benches this week.
RB C.J. Spiller, ---
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A consensus top five pick in fantasy drafts, C.J. Spiller has struggled to live up to his lofty draft position. Spiller has been dealing with an ankle injury that limited him to just 12 touches in week six, while Fred Jackson touched the ball 14 times. The Bills are content letting Spiller play at less than 100 percent, an arrangement that puts fantasy owners in a tough spot. Spiller has the ability to make game changing plays in a limited amount of work, but he can not be counted on as a fantasy starter if he is only going to touch the ball 12 times per game. Fantasy owners with other good running back options should consider keeping Spiller on their benches this week.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, ---
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Banged up wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald faces off with the Seattle Seahwks this Thursday night. Fitzgerald was a gametime decision to play in week six, but ended up topping 100 receiving yards while also finding the endzone in a loss to the 49ers. The star receiver did tweak his hamstring during the loss, making it likely that he will not be at 100 percent heading into this weeks matchup. Fitzgerald faced the Seahawks twice last season, catching just five passes for 65 yards in total. These factors, added to Fitzgerald only having a couple days to recover before Thursday night, do not bode well for him putting in a good fantasy performance. Fantasy owners should be cautious starting the star wide receiver this week.
