Week 9: Sit 'Em
We are beginning the later part of the fantasy season and now is the time to pay attention to trends and predictions. Several match-ups are challenging this week and other players have internal competition that is limiting their play and production lately.
In Week 9 I have two quarterbacks, two running backs and three receivers to avoid. The Cincinnati versus Baltimore match-up round two will likely feature a grind on the ground with Cedric Benson and Ray Rice eating at the clock. Both Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer will get their chances, but both will likely see limited yardage and turnovers. Knowshon Moreno has not been that productive lately and faces a tough Pittsburgh rush defense that is giving up less than 80 yards to running backs. Moreno also has Buckhalter to compete with for carries. Steve Slaton has obtained the label 'fumble-prone' and has seen his carries go to Ryan Moats and Chris Brown. This trend will continue and Slaton is a sit'em candidate until things take a turn in his favor. Calvin Johnson's knee injury has kept him sidelined for three weeks and is likely to keep him out again this week; Johnson's production has not met the expectations of most fantasy owners this season anyways. The New York offense under Eli Manning has not been in sync lately and this has hurt the production of Steve Smith. Until Manning and his receivers (and running backs) consistently challenge opponents and create space for play making, Smith is a potential sit' em. Roy Williams has been vocal about his decreased production and the super star performance of his younger counterpart Miles Austin. Williams' production is likely to remain limited if Austin continues to shine and if Romo and his offense continue their streak of turnovers. As always, make your best judgments and weigh your options carefully. Now is the time to gain momentum in your fantasy league and poise yourself for that strong playoff run.QB Joe Flacco, IND
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Flacco did beat the undefeated Denver defense last week, but his numbers were not that impressive -- 175 yards and 1 touchdown. In his Week 5 loss to Cincinnati he threw for 1 touchdown over 186 yards with 2 interceptions. This week's match-up versus Cincinnati should be interesting. I foresee strong running games from both teams as Rice and Benson will try to hit the holes and make gains. However, both Flacco and Palmer are likely to be limited through the air. My money is on Baltimore for the win this round, but the quarterbacks on both teams are sit'ems if you ask me. I picture low yardage, a probable score and possible turnovers from Flacco this week. So far this season Flacco has been averaging around 17 fantasy points per week. This week expect 15 or less.
QB Carson Palmer, ---
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Carson Palmer has been averaging nearly 17 fantasy points per week this season. In Week 5 versus Baltimore he threw for over 250 yards with 1 interception and 1 touchdown. This week the Cincinnati vs. Baltimore match-up will likely feature a contest on the ground. Both Rice and Benson have shown they can grind out the clock and the yardage by rushing the ball. Baltimore's defense is stout, but I foresee Benson getting touches until he is proven ineffective. Palmer will get his chances and will have 150-200 yards through the air, likely a touchdown, and almost certainly at least 1 interception.
RB Knowshon Moreno, ---
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Knowshon Moreno will have a tough match-up this Monday night against Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last 25 regular-season contests. In this year's campaign they lead the league in run defense, giving up only 76.6 yards per game. Moreno did score his first touchdown in weeks against Baltimore in Week 8, but his gains in yardage have been limited and he has been fumble prone lately. Knowshon is averaging about 11 fantasy points per week, but this week (given the matchup and his performance drought lately) I expect to see a less than stellar performance.
RB Steve Slaton, ---
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Steve Slaton is definitely a downgrade and a sit'em candidate until he proves himself the starter in Houston again. Chris Brown and Ryan Moats (who is stealing the show) are taking carries, but Slaton's productivity has not been great anyways. I like Slaton and picked him up on my team draft day after watching him breakout last season. I am now disappointed like many other fantasy owners and have grabbed Moats off waivers just in case Slaton does not get the opportunity to overcome his fumble-prone stigma. Slaton was averaging around 11 fantasy points per week, but these numbers will continue to drop week after week if Moats continues to step up and Brown is productive as well. I would anticipate 5-7 points out of Slaton this week.
WR Calvin Johnson, ---
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Fantasy owners should not be getting excited to have Calvin Johnson back this week. First, Johnson's production has not been super this season (with a few large yardage games and one touchdown) and second, I find it unlikely he will actually start. If Johnson does play, his right knee injury that has kept him out for three weeks will likely limit his production. Detroit plays a later game on Sunday so keep your eyes and ears open for any announcements. You should have a back-up plan in place even if Johnson is available.
