Week 8: Sit 'Em
Week 7 wrap-up:
Carson Palmer - You might have been all excited that Palmer replaced Kyle Boller, but Palmer did not perform well. He completed 8 of 21 passes for 116 yards with 3 interceptions.
Ryan Grant & James Starks - Grant rushed for 29 yards on 9 attempts and Starks rushed for 75 yards plus 24 yards in receptions.
Thomas Jones - Jones rushed for a total of 19 yards.
Oakland's receivers - Heyward-Bey caught 5 passes for 89 yards; Moore had 1 reception for 4 yards and Ford caught 2 balls for 13 yards
Knowshon Moreno - McGahee got injured, so Moreno now has his starting job back. In Week 7 Moreno gained 38 total yards from scrimmage.
This week you should sit:
Matt Schaub - Johnson looks to be out another week and Jacksonville is struggling. Look for Houston to focus on the ground attack with Foster and Tate.
Sidney Rice - Rice is suffering with Whitehurst at the helm and things do not look good again this week against Cincinnati's defense.
Victor Cruz - The two tight end sets and rushing focus in New York lately have kept Cruz limited. This week vs. Miami, we will likely see this again.
DeAngelo Williams - Newton and Stewart are the Carolina rushing attack. Williams has been the odd man out lately and has lost carries and his goal line opportunities.
Reggie Wayne - Wayne's fantasy value is in the ditch this season. I think you have to keep him on your bench until we see something click in Indy and the offense sparks - we all can hope for something.
Pittsburgh defense - The New England vs. Pittsburgh game this week will be quite a show. Look for Brady and his receivers to match blows with Roesthlisberger and his wide outs. This game will be focused on high-powered offense attacks.
Deion Branch - Branch is not the first, second or third targeted option for Tom Brady. This means that he should not be in your line-up until he moves up the list.
QB Matt Schaub, ---
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Houston faces a struggling Jacksonville team this week. Schaub has been without his prime target recently and has had some issues. This week, Foster and Tate will be used in tandem to punish the Jacksonville defense. You might say that Jacksonville looked alright vs. Rice and Baltimore, but Flacco is the issue there. Schaub will be used to move the ball as needed, but the rushing attack will be the focus that Houston brings to this match-up. I expect Schaub to throw for just over 200 yards with one score and likely an interception. The Jacksonville offense is in big trouble, so look for Houston to bang this out on the ground and use up the clock.
RB DeAngelo Williams, ---
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DeAngelo Williams had a solid game a few weeks back and then slipped in production again. Jonathan Stewart appears to be picking up the slack in the running game and this leaves Williams out in the cold; Cam Newton picks up the rest with his rushing prowess. Williams no longer has the goal line carries coming his way and with significant playing time and losing the goal line carries, his fantasy value drops off a cliff. Williams might look appealing with all of the running back injuries in the league, but be aware of his downside.
WR Deion Branch, IND
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WR Victor Cruz, ---
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With Manningham and Nicks playing as the top two receivers and New York playing two tight end sets to complement the rushing attack, Cruz loses value in fantasy formats. I like Cruz and he had some value earlier in the season, but the past week and this week where the running game will be focused appear to be times to sit Cruz. This week against Miami's reeling offense and defense, New York should exploit the ground attack. This means Cruz will likely be sidelined with the two tight end sets once again. Look for Cruz to have some more solid outings as the season progresses, but keep him on the pine this week.
WR Sidney Rice, ---
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Charlie Whitehurst at the helm is not the best option for Rice owners. Cincinnati's defense is top ten in the league at this stage of the season and will likely limit the passing game of Seattle. I would keep Rice on your bench and see how things progress with Whitehurst throwing. Rice caught two passes for 38 yards this past week and that is not encouraging. Cincinnati should be able to keep the pace of this game moving and that could pressure Whitehurst (especially with the likely absence of Lynch in the backfield). This game will not likely be high scoring either. Look for this match-up to be strategic from both benches.
