Week 9: Sit 'Em
Week 7 wrap-up:
Matt Schaub - Andre Johnson was out again this past week. Schaub put up 225 yards with 1 TD and 1 rushing TD on 2 yards rushing.
Sidney Rice - Rice had 7 receptions for 102 yards and no score with Jackson throwing for the majority of the game.
Victor Cruz - The two tight end sets did not seem to limit Cruz as expected this past week. He grabbed 7 receptions for 99 yards and 1 TD.
DeAngelo Williams - Newton and Stewart ran the show. Williams gained 26 rushing yards and 13 yards receiving.
Reggie Wayne - Wayne's fantasy value is still not where expected. He caught 5 passes for 61 yards.
Pittsburgh defense - The New England vs. Pittsburgh game this past week was a show. Pittsburgh held Brady and New England to 17 points and had 3 sacks.
Deion Branch - Branch grabbed 4 passes for 36 yards and 1 TD.
This week you should sit:
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Fitz started the season in a flurry and was looking to be a viable QB option, but has since fizzled. I think the Buffalo passing game is going to be rough going this week vs. New York.
Tim Tebow - "Tebowing" appeared to be the new trend after the win against Miami, but it was Miami. Tebow was awful this past week vs. Detroit and I think will suffer again against Oakland this week.
Roy Helu & Ryan Torain - You can never guess what Mike & Kyle Shanahan will do with a running game. This week they added Tashard Choice off waivers and will no doubt bring him to this running back party.
Chris Johnson - This is the first week that Johnson has made my list. I have been in hopes he would come around, but he is not performing up to standards this season. This week vs. a highly ranked Cincinnati defense will not be the best spot to keep him on your starting roster.
Stevie Johnson - Johnson will unfortunately see Revis this week. I think Fitz will struggle and Johnson will have a rough start in Week 9.
Torrey Smith - Smith has been filling in for an injured Lee Evans and had some solid performances, but this week vs. Pittsburgh is not the week to start Smith.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Fitzpatrick began the season on a high and many were skeptical, as I was, that this could continue. Fitz has since fallen back to earth and found that he is a mere mortal QB who can fall prey to solid defenses. Fitz also has to deal with the fact that Fred Jackson is having a great season running the ball. This week vs. New York, Jackson will likely be the focal point of the Buffalo offense and Fitz will have to battle the New York defensive corners, who can shut down almost every receiving option. I suspect Fitzpatrick will be good for about 200 passing yards this week with one touchdown and at least one interception.
RB Roy Helu, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Roy Helu looked to be splitting time with Ryan Torain following the ACL injury and season departure of Tim Hightower. However, the Shanahans just grabbed Tashard Choice off waivers and are completely unpredictable with their featured running back from week-to-week. Helu looks to be a solid option and then the schemes and outlooks change and he appears to be a player to keep on your bench. At this stage I would keep Helu on your bench until something is defined in Washington as running back expectations.
RB Chris Johnson, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Johnson looked to be one of the poster boys for running backs this season, but has proven to be much less. With limited yardage and scoring this season, he is a player you might want to consider benching. I know that it is difficult to put a player of this caliber on your bench and maybe consider keeping him there, but at this point in the season, it is an option that most fantasy owners must face. This week's match-up vs. Cincinnati is not that appealing. I think Johnson will gain around 50 yards rushing and grab a few short yardage passes. I do think Johnson will be kept out of the end zone again this week.
RB Ryan Torain, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Ryan Torain falls into the same category as Roy Helu at this point. Washington claimed Tashard Choice off waivers this week and now the running back cluster is even less defined. After Hightower was lost due to his torn ACL, Torain and Helu looked to be splitting time in the running game, now Choice will figure into the mix at some point and this does not look promising for any running backs in Washington. I figure at this point that Torain looks to be the best option, but who can really say? This week against San Francisco's defense should not be easy either. I figure Torain will be good for about 40 rushing yards and a reception or two in this mix.
WR Stevie Johnson, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Stevie Johnson will face off against Revis this week, enough said? Maybe, but Revis can be beat. However, I do think that Johnson will be limited by not only Revis, but the limitations that will be imposed upon Ryan Fitzpatrick by the rest of the New York defense. Fred Jackson will run this show, no pun intended this week and the Buffalo passing game will be severely limited. Look for Johnson to grab 3-4 passes for 40-50 yards. I do not think he will find the end zone as his coverage will be tight.