Week 8: Start 'Em
What a wild week of football week 7 was. It was a blood bath of injuries (especially to running backs) as Darren McFadden, Joseph Addai, Marshawn Lynch, Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower, Willis McGahee, Mark Ingram, and Ernie Graham all missed parts or all of the games in week 7. Some might not miss any time, some might miss a week and some might be done for the season. Due to these and all the other injured players and oh ya the 6 teams on bye this week, you might be in a panic and need someone to start. With the waiver wire most likely lacking in depth, you might find one of the following players on your bench; if so, don't be shy, give them a shot, and put them in your lineup and watch. Good luck and May the force be with you. Last week's recap: Jackie Battle and Brandon Lloyd were solid, but nothing spectacular; both should be started again this coming week. Demarco Murray was a STUD and must be started until Felix Jones comes back. Eric Decker didn't do very much as Tebow seemed to look for Demaryius Thomas much more often. Sit Decker for now. Torain was a complete bust (sorry to anyone who used him), but he might get some more run now that Tom Hightower is done for the season. Colt McCoy was ok, but nothing special. He is nothing more than a bye week fill and not the best one at that either.
RB Delone Carter, ---
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There was at least one bright spot in the Colts' embarrassing loss to New Orleans this past weekend and it was Delone Carter. Starting running back Joseph Addai started the game, but (as usual) left in the first quarter after re-injuring his hamstring -- leaving the rushing duties to rookie Delone Carter and Donald Brown. While Brown looked good Sunday, it was Carter who really impressed the coaching staff as he rushed 10 times for 89 yards and his 2nd touchdown of the season. Addai can't be trusted to return to the field next weekend, leaving Carter and Brown as the main beneficiaries. The Colts will most likely use both backs next weekend; but with Carter looking so good, expect him to carry the bulk of the load. The Colts face the Titans next week (who just finished giving up a big day running to Arian Foster), so look for the Colts to try and get the running game going. If you have Carter and need someone to start at RB for the week, he might be the guy.
RB Alfonso Smith, ---
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Once again Beanie Wells left the game early and will miss the next 1-2 weeks, maybe more. In steps rookie Alfonso Smith, who took over last week when Wells went down and scored a touchdown on 5 carries -- as the Cardinals were in pass mode trying to come back from a big deficit. While some might look to Stephens-Howling as a starter for Wells, I say stick with Smith. Smith will get the bulk of the carries as well as the goal line carries, whereas Stephens-Howling will only be used as a change of pace. With the amount of running backs that went down last week, good chance you're looking for someone to start and Smith might be the guy. He won't be putting up Ray Rice numbers any time soon, but (with the lack of depth on waiver wires) Smith is a legit start at RB2 who will get enough carries that he will put some points up on the board for you.
RB Pierre Thomas, ---
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Thomas has been up and down the past three seasons dealing with injuries and inconsistencies. Despite getting a new contract this off season and losing Reggie Bush, the Saints drafted former Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram in the 2011 NFL draft and signed free agent Darren Sproles. Thomas was off to a slow start with Sproles and Ingram getting the bulk of the workload until this past game vs. the Colts when he set season highs in all categories, rushing 10 times for 57 yards and catching 6 passes for 68 yards. Some of these numbers were inflated by Mark Ingram leaving the game early due to injury, but Ingram only left in the 4th quarter and Thomas had already racked up some good numbers before that. Ingram looked like he was in a lot of pain and might miss the next game. If that's the case then Thomas is a must start as the Saints play the Rams (who have the worst rush defense in the NFL, giving up an average of 183.8 yards per game on the ground). Pay close attention to Ingram's injury status, if he is out then Thomas is a good start.
WR Antonio Brown, ---
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Antonio Brown got tons of hype throughout the preseason. With Emmanuel Sanders injured and Hines Ward being old, there was some concern about who would line up opposite stud receiver Mike Wallace; and during training camp it looked like Brown would be that guy. While Brown has played in every game so far this season, he has yet to score a touchdown and was only good for a few catches here and there. Plus, Big Ben was spreading around all the passes that didn't go Wallace's way. Last game Brown really showed what he is capable of, especially after Hines Ward went down with an injury. Brown led all Steelers in targets with 9, catching 7 of them for 102 (including a ridiculous catch along the sidelines) both career highs. It looks like Ward will miss some time and Brown faces the Patriots (who are giving up a league worst 322 yards passing a game). Brown makes for a good start this week as a WR3 or Flex.
WR Demaryius Thomas, ---
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Thomas played his first game of the 2011 season; while it wasn't the best week, there were some positives that came out of the game. First, he stayed healthy; second, he led the team in targets with 10 and scored a big touchdown at the end of the game to keep them alive. It seems that Tebow and Thomas will try and build on this to become the next John Elway and Mark Jackson (ok, they have a long way to get there, but you see what I mean). Anyone who gets 10 targets should be looked at. If you're in a deep league and in desperate need of a flex, throw Thomas a bone and let him start.
