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Below is our Week 4 Start Bench Advice for the 2011 fantasy football season. Not sure who to start, and who to sit? In need of some line-up advice? We got you covered on our Fantasy Football Forums!
(9/27/11) The Titans are top 10 against the run so far this year, but we have had only three weeks of play so far this season, so I think defenses haven’t cemented themselves into place quite yet, and the Titans could certainly drift toward the middle of the pack in terms of defenses against the run this year. Losing Kenny Britt crushes that Titans offense as a whole, and the Browns could have the ball more than usual in this contest, as the Titans could be going three every other series… I don’t say this to scare all the Chris Johnson owners out there… maybe the Titans finally lean on CJ2K and he produces, but that doesn’t mean the Browns won’t be out to an early lead in this one, which will mean a whole lot of running for Hillis and the Browns in this Week 4 battle. I see Hillis rushing for well over 100 yards, pulling in 30-40 or so receiving yards and punching in at least one score.
On a couple of side notes, I still think that fantasy owners are reacting too quickly to start writing off studs like Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Peyton Hillis, Hakeem Nicks and even Rashard Mendenhall (whom I was not particularly high on heading into the season). The point is, don’t sell-low, and certainly consider buying low if you can!
(9/27/11) Felix Jones looked good this past week rushing for 115 yards on 14 carries, but he did come away from the game banged up, which could cause concern. Mathews finally broke loose this past weekend for 98 yards and 2TDs, but more importantly, he received 21 touches on the ground. If he gets anywhere close to that this week against Miami, he should be the play here. I think 100 yards and a score is doable. He should pull in a few passes for 20 or so yards.
(9/27/11) I give the Colts a lot of credit for last week’s tough fought match, but that Indy offense will struggle in this one, which means we will see a whole lot of LeGarrette Blount this weekend. I see Blount having 120+ rushing yards and a score in this contest. The Chargers aren’t playing great against the run, but I think San Diego will force Miami to pass their way back in this one, which won’t be good for Thomas owners.
(9/27/11) Steve Smith will be hit and miss all year long with Cam Newton as his QB. His first two games were brilliant, but last week he had only 2 catches for 15 yards. Smith will carry that “who knows” factor with him all year. Tim Hightower is on the road vs. a Rams team that sits at 0-3 this year. The Rams are last in the league in rushing yards allowed (175 yards-per-game). Hightower should go for 90 and a touch in this game and get about 30 yards receiving.
(9/27/11) Clearly these two rushers will face off against each other on Sunday, and what a battle it will be. I like both rushers this week, and this game should be a close scoring battle, which means that both rushing attacks will be heavily involved all the way through the contest. Jahvid Best was disappointing last week, but he was banged up. Now, monitor his thigh, but all early signs point to Best being a full-go for Week 4, which means that he should once again total 100+ yards and have a strong shot to score. Felix could get 60-70 rushing yards and a strong shot at a score, but Best is the home run in this situation. Best!
(9/27/11) Victor Cruz’s Week 3 numbers were extremely pumped up considering the awful tackling in the Eagles’ secondary. He isn’t the primary target in New York. Dwayne Bowe should be in for a big day at home vs. a MIN defense that allows about 300 yards per game passing. Bowe also had his first touchdown and 67 yards receiving last week following his 100-yard receiving performance in Week 2. Bowe is the pick here and should go for 100 yards and 2TDs in Week 4.
(9/27/11) As I state above, the Lions-Cowboys game should be a close game throughout, but that doesn’t mean that the still-hurting Tony Romo will explode against this tough Lions’ passing defense. The Lions rank top 5 against the pass through three weeks of action, and Brandon Lloyd will bounce-back against one of the worst passing defenses in the league! Start Lloyd and don’t think twice… I see Lloyd cranking out 80-100 yards and a score in this one.
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Smitty, need a PPR flex this week..
Lance Moore @Jax Mike Thomas vs.NO Tolbert vs. Miami
also Smitty what do you think of Stevan Ridley…i think he could be starting in NE sometime soon…keeping him stashed on my bench…every time he touches the ball he looks good
Thanx Smitty
Smitty!
Need an opinion on Torrey Smith. Worth a stash?
My WR: Fitz, Dez, McCluster, Devery
My RB: McFadden, Best, M.Bush, T.Jones, Ridley
Would you drop Devery or T.Jones for him?
Also, Who’s Best’s handcuff?
Thanks Smitty!!!
Smitty,
I’m in a PPR league and one of the unlucky few to have lost Britt for the season. I have P. Harvin and M. Thomas at WR which puts me thin. I have been offered a trade for A. Peterson(my RB) for P. Hillis RB and Stevie Johnson WR. I still have J. Best and M. Ingram as my other two RB’s. Should I pull the trigger? I start 1QB, 2RB, 2WR and 1RB/WR…..thanks again
JMBoston: I like Ridley a lot, we have liked him since the beginning of the preseason. It could be a week early, but in one league where I’m DESPERATE at my flex, I actually have him starting. I like Mike Thomas, though. I roll with him.
ff4life: Best’s handcuff… tough one. Harrison, most likely. Here is the thing, if Best goes down, Morris won’t likely be starter worthy, even if he got most of the touches. That’s my view anyway… all that said, Harrison may look like the third option, but if Best went down, Harrison would be more likely to get 1st and 2nd downs and Morris staying in his current role, which is on the field when the starter needs a break. If I had to handcuff, Harrison, but not sure either would ever be starter worthy if Best went down.
gmoney300: I think you can get more. I love Hillis and Stevie, and you have the right idea, but I just think you can get more. Bring something else back…
Thx Smitty! Time to go fishing and see what bites…
Thanks Smitty!
Hey Smitty,
What are your thoughts on my flex and WR positions? Regular scoring with fractional points -10 team league. I’m 3-0 right now and want to live up to the hype…
Starting roster: 1QB / 1RB / 2WR / 1 flex RB or WR / 1TE / 1K / 1DST
Current Lineup:
QB – Big Ben
RB – Ray Rice
WR1 – Larry Fitzgerald
WR2 – ?
RB/WR – ?
TE – Graham
Bench to choose from:
WR:
Brandon Marshall
Dwayne Bowe
Devry Henderson
Denarius Moore
RB:
Tim Hightower
Darren Sproles
Mark Ingram
Roy Helu (only handcuff to Tim)
Thanks in advance for the thoughts….
Gone Fishin’
1 point PPR league with fractional points
What do you guys think about trading Calvin Johnson, Sproles, and D. Nelson to get Andre Johnson and Roddy White.
my other players are , McFadden, Hillis, Bowe, Jimmy Graham,
Mike Thomas
.5 PPR-Third WR-Start Colston or Mike Thomas?? Is Colston going to perform?
Gone Fishin’: Bowe and Hightower… but wow, it’s tough to say because Marshall deserves a look as well. If I’m you, i trade Roethy and Marshall or Roethy and Hightower for a better QB. Or, trade two of Marshall, Bowe or Hightower for a stud WR to pair next to Fitz… just thoughts. Use that depth in trades, not just on a weekly basis in your line-up.
megatron: I would trade Calvin, Sproles and Nelson for AJ and White all day every day, but I doubt you land that. Calvin and AJ are close, if not even, and Rody crushes Sproles/Nelson…. good luck trying, though. I like your squad, nice work.
ksmith39: Thomas. Colston might not play a lot, and while there is a chance he could, Thomas could still outscore him, so why take the chance? Go with the points and let Colston prove himself a bit before you run him out there.
Thanks smitty! One more question, if you don’t mind. Flex spot 0.5 ppr. Starks or Benson?? Thanks in advance!
Thanks Smitty!
Smitty,
i have the Detriot D/ST but nervous this week…i can pick-up one of these Giants,Bucs,Vikings,Browns,Seahawks…
anything ‘jump’ out at you here?
Thanx Smitty
Regarding Peyton Hillis. I am thinking they may rest Hillis a bit this week if they get a lead since the coaches are praising Hardesty and Hillis lost 10-12 pounds.
In my 1 point ppr league with fractional points, I am trying to figure out who to start:
Hillis: Would be definite start if illness didn’t sound so bad(10-12 pounds lost) and coaches indicating Hardesty deserves more plays.
Best: Slow start so far but always has the potential to have a big game.
Sproles: Has scored as much as Mcfadden in first 3 weeks due to ppr and 1 point per 50 yard return yards with fractional points. More than double Hillis’s points and almost twice as much as Best through 3 weeks.
ksmith39: Anything can happen, but Starks. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and should start and have a nice outing against the Broncos. Benson just doesn’t exciting me, but again, anything can happen and a guy like Benson could have 3 straight bad games and one 2TD-performance. I say Starks, though.
JMBoston: See if ATL is available, I like them against the Seahawks this week. I like TB next. IND could have a lot of turnovers in this one.
megatron: If you can only start one, Best isn’t a bad option if you’re worried about Hillis. That’s a tough situation to be in, because both have top 5RB potential during any given week, and both can disappoint depending on how the teams use them. It is tough to predict what’s going to happen carry-wise with Hillis… I can see him going nuts, and I can see him sitting more than expected just like you suggested. Therefore, Best is the safe start and Hillis the more risky/home-run type start. Both are multiple TD-potential guys during any game. I’m glad I don’t have this dilemma. I am starting both in two leagues where I own both. As for Sproles, he is a good Monday morning
quarterbackrunning back consideration, but can you really start him over either Hillis or Best? I couldn’t, but that doesn’t mean Sproles won’t have a nice outing here and there and we won’t be playing the “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” game during those big weeks. Keep in mind that NO could get up early and run Ingram a ton to get him some more experience.Yes I can only start one because Mcfadden is my other starter and we have no flex position. Really like your input on all 3 RBs, especaillay Sproles into perspective. I will think about it some more between Hillis and Best. Thanks again Smitty!
Debating between Holmes and Julio Jones as my second WR for the week (welker is fimrly entrenched as a #1). I like jones matchup versus a very weak seattle secondary. since jones has been lining up the right side, vs. Browner, who is absolutely terrible at preventing the pass (16/19 passes have been completed against him for 250+ yards + 2tds).
holmes, while has a td in 8 straight games vs. baltimore, is playing without a run game now, and will have ed reed over top and all round. based on talent, i like holmes this week, but i think the #s are telling me to go a different route. thoughts?
Thanks smitty!
BigMak66: I think Julio is a “safe” bet and Holmes the 2TD potential guy (but bust guy as well). If your gut says Jones, go Jones and don’t stress if Holmes outscores the rookie. It’s a coin flip situation, I won’t lie… I think either is equally capable of outscoring the other this week. Gun to my head, I go Julio just because of the match-up, but Holmes would be my choice if the match up were different.
Going with Hillis
Hopefully Hardesty will lose some plays after dropping 5 easy passes!
Thanks smitty, went with jones and didn’t look back.
Had a good week overall, Thanks Smitty!