Week 5: Sit 'Em
Sit'em articles can vary widely across fantasy websites. Some weeks you might see consistency among experts and other weeks you might not find one match between articles. Sit'em picks are focused on selecting usually solid players that are not worth starting in any given week. Circumstances might include match-up, injury watch, RBBC approach, passing vs. rushing focus, past performance, etc.
Sit'ems include some tough calls. We all have doubts each week and have to consider our options. It is a difficult decision to sit your stud or solid player, but occaisonally you must in order to win that match-up.
QB Kevin Kolb, ---
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I agree, Kolb is a pick-up in most leagues (especially since bye weeks are upon us). However, I iterate the question: can he continue his impressive run? I know Arizona faces St. Louis this week, but can they really go 5-0 to start this season? Kolb has his weapons, although I am just going to go out on a limb and put my money against him this week. Call Kolb my risky sit'em this week. I have a sneaky feeling that Arizona may squeak out the win, but it will be on defensive plays, not offense. I think St. Louis will work some magic to keep Kolb and his receivers at bay and that he will be held to less than 175 yards passing with one TD, two interceptions and minimal rushing yards.
RB Andre Brown, ---
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Amhad Bradshaw did not have an extraordinary effort upon his return, but he is solidified as the starter in New York. Andre Brown's solid outing in Bradshaw's stead in Week 3 did not go unnoticed, though he was relegated to back-up duties in Week 4. Brown's measley 14 rushing yards and 1 reception for 4 yards is not enough to justify him as a flex position moving forward. In Week 5 New York faces Cleveland, who will likely give up points and yardage; the rushing spoils will go to Bradshaw. Look for Brown to be a handcuff at this stage of the season with some games better than others. This week I suspect Brown may see more action than he did in Week 4, but not enough to make him starter-worthy. Look for 20-30 yards rushing and maybe a few short yardage receptions without a score. I would keep Brown in my back pocket for a rainy day.
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, ---
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BJGE makes the list again this week. After taking much heat for my listing of him last week, I hope owners take note and consider sitting him in Week 5. Last week he rushed for 82 yards and caught a few short yardage receptions, but he also recorded his third fumble and second fumble loss in two games. BJGE is projected to see a decrease in his average fantasy production this week of about 26%. If you had been starting him in a flex position, you should strongly consider your options. This week he is projected for less than 50 rushing yards and minimal reception duty. I think Green-Ellis is a player on the bubble for many fantasy owners in terms of bench or flex. If you have options, consider them until we see BJGE boost his numbers.
RB Shonn Greene, ---
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Week 1 was Greene's best so far and that was with two fumbles. Weeks 2-4 have been brutal for his fantasy owners. We have not seen more than 40 yards rushing and a few scattered receptions for short yardage. Last week the team was blanked by San Francisco. This week, the struggling New York offense faces a surging Houston squad that will be looking to beat them into the ground. The rushing and passing attacks in New York have been awful at best. Greene does not appear to be losing any carries to Powell or others, but there are just a lack of carries and offense. Greene has been one of those players who has hurt fantasy owners for several years now and many are fed up with his lackluster play. This week is likely to be another low week for Greene and his compatriots. Look for 30-40 yards rushing in this contest. I would hope to see Greene snag a few dump passes for yardage as well, but he has not played into this part of the game much to-date. Greene is a string sit'em candidate this week given the match-up and the poor play of his offenisve unit.
RB Steven Jackson, NE
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Jackson has yet to top 58 rushing yards and score this season. He has also played little into the passing game. Jackson owners must be frustrated with his production and wondering if he should be starting on their rosters. This week he faces a tough Arizona defense that will likely limit the St. Louis offensive units. You might argue that Arizona will give up yardage, but I would counter and say that Jackson and his offense are struggling enough that they will not be able to produce this week. Jackson has not scored over 9 fantasy points to-date and this is going to be another week where owners who start him will be wondering why they did. Look for a maximum of 50-60 yards rushing, with one or two short yardage receptions without a score.
WR Antonio Brown, ---
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Brown has produced solid numbers in his first three games, so you might wonder why he makes the list this week. In weeks 1-3 Brown averaged just over 10 fanatsy points per game. This week he is projected to score around 8 points, a decrease of about 18%. You might say this is not a huge decrease in production, but I would argue that decreased production is decreased production. I am not comfortable with the two fumbles Brown had in Week 3 (one of which he lost). I also am not sure that his production can stay at the level we have seen. Philadelphia should pose some match-up issues for Pittsburgh and Brown will likely have to deal with better coverage than he saw in Weeks 2 and 3 with New York and Oakland. In Week 1 he saw some better corner coverage at Denver and his numbers were reflective. Look for Brown to see his targets this week, but only come up with 3-5 receptions for 40-50 yards and not score.
WR Brandon LaFell, ---
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LaFell scored a TD in Week 1 and then had six receptions for nearly 100 yards in Week 2 before grabbing only one pass for 27 yards in Week 3 and being held without a catch in Week 4 vs. Atlanta. This week Carolina faces a stiff Seattle defense that has shown their ability to stiffle both the rushing and passing attacks. Since LaFell's production has decreased over the past weeks, he is not at the top of my starter list. It does not appear that he is in danger of losing his starting role, but his production needs to pick up for fantasy owners to hold a starting spot for him on their rosters. This week is going to be tough for Carolina. I think we will see LaFell make some plays, but he will see no more than 5-6 targets with 2-3 receptions for 20-30 yards and be held scoreless. Keep him on your bench this week and look for him to rebound in Week 7 against Dallas after the Week 6 bye.