Match Up Monsters And Misses Week 10

Week 10 already. Hard to imagine that the fantasy season is winding down. Only a few more weeks until the playoffs start. It's go time. Time to make those good decisions and play your optimal lineups. I present to you my help this week with the match up monsters and misses.

The Good:

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The Dallas Cowboys have a great match up this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars on what amounts to a neutral field in London. The Jags are in the bottom of the rankings in rushing (24th, 123.4 yards per game) and passing (25th, 263.4 yards per game). If Tony Romo can stay upright during the game, look for the Cowboys to tee off on the Jags defense. Any of the starting players on the Dallas offense are good starts this week. The only guy I might worry about is Jason Witten, as he may be required to stay at the line and block this week. 

Baltimore Ravens running backs have a great opportunity this week against the 29th ranked run defense of the Titans. I would expect the Ravens to build a lead this week and lean on their running game. This week both Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro are good starters to lean on. Taliaferro has been getting the bulk of the goal line work the last few weeks, and Forsett has been great this season as the lead back after the Ray Rice suspension.

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The layup of the week seems like it would be the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers against the New York Jets. The Steelers have 12 receiving touchdowns in their last 2 games, and the Jets have allowed 24 passing touchdowns on the season. It is a match made in heaven. If nobody has scooped up Martavis Bryant yet, he is a must start for you this week. I would even suggest a spot start for Markus Wheaton to fill in for your bye week receivers or a flex spot.

The Denver Broncos running backs should have a game of it this week against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have the 27th ranked rushing defense in the NFL, allowing 132.5 yards per game on the ground. In a game that is likely to get out of hand early, look for the Broncos to shorten the game by feeding their running backs and keeping the clock running.

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Andre Ellington and the Arizona Cardinals running attack have a solid match up against the 30th

ranked run defense of the St. Louis Rams. The Rams are allowing 136.2 yards per game on the ground. Look for Ellington and Marion Grice to have good games against the Rams. Not sure that I can say to start grimes, but if you are in a pinch, he has been getting some goal line work for the Cardinals in the absence of Stepfan Taylor.

I am looking for a good week from the Green Bay Packers offense this week against the Chicago Bears. The Bears have the 23rd ranked pass defense, and the Packers pass at a prolific clip. Look for great games for Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and even Davante Adams. If the Packers build a lead, expect a good workload for Eddie Lacy and maybe even James Starks if the game is totally out of hand.

The Philadelphia Eagles face off against the 18th ranked pass defense of the Carolina Panthers this week. Allowing 246.2 yards per game and 17 touchdowns through the air this season, the Panthers should provide a soft landing for the new starter for the Eagles Mark Sanchez. Expect productive days from all your regular Eagles contributors, and even the likes of Jordan Mathews and maybe even Zach Ertz. I'm starting my Eagles passing attack this week.

The Bad

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The Tennessee Titans have a difficult match up this week against the 6th ranked run defense of the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have only allowed 86.4 yards per game this season on the ground. Bishop Sankey is likely in for a long day on Sunday. The Titans will likely be throwing a lot with new starter Zach Mettenberger and his cannon arm. I would not suggest a start this week for Sankey, if he is even on your roster at this point.

Andre Williams and the New York Giants have a difficult game ahead of them this week facing the Seahawks in Seattle. The Hawks are holders of the 4th ranked run defense this season, allowing only 83 yards per game and 3 touchdowns on the ground all season. I wouldn't look for a big game from the oft under performing Williams this week in this match up.

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The dysfunctional Chicago Bears passing game is lining up opposite the 9th ranked pass defense of

division rival Green Bay this week. Both Teams are coming off a bye, and have had plenty of time to prepare for their opponent. The Packers are allowing only 225.8 yards per game through the air, and have a 12:10 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions this year. I don't know if I can trust the Bears offense to right the ship this week.

The Oakland Raiders are facing what could end up the best improved defense in the NFL this season. The Broncos are ranked 1 in run defense, allowing 71.6 yards per game, and 21st against the pass. Last week against the Patriots a big blow was dealt to the Broncos pass defense, but the Raiders are not the Patriots. I see this game as a possible blowout for the Broncos, and your best shot at scoring with the Raiders is garbage time through the air. Sit your Raiders running backs, start James Jones and Andre Holmes if you have no other alternatives.

The Buffalo Bills have the biggest hurdle of the week in the form of the top ranked Kansas City Chiefs pass defense. The Chiefs are the only team that is allowing under 200 yards a game through the air. The Bills are possibly going to be without the services of Sammy Watkins after he hurt his groin in practice on Wednesday. If the Bills are missing him, or if he is limited in any way it's going to be a long, tough day for Kyle Orton and the Bills offense.

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Injury has put a damper on the Miami Dolphins run game for week 10. Already having lost Knowshon Moreno for the season, the Dolphins now deal with an injury to Lamar Miller. Miller has a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and may not play this week. The AC joint often gets sprained in a shoulder separation, and it can be a 4 week injury. For a guy who has the job of running into a group of large men 20+ times a game, this is not a good injury for your ball security. If Miller does play, he is a marginal play in my opinion, and if Miller doesn't play, I don't want anything to do with the Dolphins run game against the number 2 ranked run defense of the Detroit Lions.

That's our week 10 look at the Monster Match Ups and Misses. Hopefully this will help you make good decisions that propel you toward your eventual spot atop the throne of your fantasy leagues. Good luck this week!

Practice Report Round Up

I've combed through the Friday practice report to find the fantasy relevant players for you. Much shorter list this week with 6 teams on bye in week 9. Here we go.

Owen Daniels (BAL) was a full participant in practice on Friday. Listed as questionable after having his knee scoped last week, Daniels is a game time decision. Putting in a full practice bodes well for his chances to play this week.

Giovanni Bernard (CIN) has been ruled out for week 9. Bernard has been banged up the last few weeks and with a Thursday night game in week 10, the Bengals aren't taking any chances with their star running back. If you have Jeremy Hill on your roster plug him in this week at Jacksonville.

AJ Green (CIN) is listed as questionable after being limited in practice. You can be sure that if Green plays, he will be well enough to give a good effort. After being without him for a few weeks already, it wouldn't make much sense to let him play if he isn't ready to go. The match up with the Jags is just what the doctor ordered for the owner that has gotten little to no production out of him this season.

Jordan Cameron (CLE) has been ruled out with a concussion. If you still had him on your roster, get him out of your lineup this week.

Tony Romo (DAL) has not practiced this week. Romo has been called a game time decision for the Cowboys with a back contusion. If Romo does play, it is hard to say if he will be effective. A back injury is debilitating and if he takes another hit, he may not be able to finish. If you have another option you want to have it ready just in case, if not just start your other option.

Ronnie Hillman (DEN) is our first bit of good news. Hillman is probable this week for the Broncos match up against the Patriots. Hillman fell on his shoulder awkwardly in practice this week. In a game that is predicted to possibly have high winds, Hillman may end up with a hefty workload.

Alfred Blue (HOU) is listed as probable for Sunday. The Texans have a good match up against the Eagles this week. Unless something happens to Arian Foster between now and kickoff, Blue is unlikely to be in a lineup. Given the amount of players on bye this week, Blue may be a flex option for you. It seems like he will be playing, but proceed with caution.

Arian Foster (HOU) is probable for Sunday. He was limited in practice, but this is a common thing for Foster. Expect him to play and get fed the ball often against the Eagles.

Andre Johnson (HOU) is probable after being limited in practice. Johnson and Foster both were limited in an effort to rest them up for game day. Expect Johnson to play.

Reggie Wayne (IND) put in a full practice on Friday. At this point it seems likely that Wayne will be able to return from his elbow injury after missing only one week. I would be cautious with him this week as he may be susceptible to re injury. Wayne has been hit and miss this season, and mostly miss, so you likely have a better option. In a bye heavy week though, if he plays, you can start him.

Donnie Avery (KC) is out again this week for the Chiefs. Avery is a fringe player for most leagues, but if you had him, you shouldn't be starting him this week.

Rashad Jennings (NYG) is making good progress, but is out this week against the Colts. Jennings did not practice, but was doing conditioning and pulling a sled on the side. Next week is definitely a possibility, but you won't have him to start this week.

Darren Sproles (PHI) put in full practices all week. He will be back in the Eagles lineup this week. Sproles may be a good flex play this week against the Texans.

Donald Brown (SD) was a full participant in practice for the Chargers. Brown wasn't having much success before suffering a concussion that has kept him out multiple weeks, but beyond Darren Oliver, Brown is about it right now. Expect him to see some action, but only use in case of emergency.

Doug Martin (TB) is listed as doubtful for the Buccaneers in week 9. Martin has had a big fall from grace this season. The Bucs should be seeing the first action of Charles Sims this week, and if his audition goes well, this could be his job to lose. At this point you can all but cut Martin from your roster. The future is bleak.

Robert Griffin III (WAS) will be making his return to action this week after practicing in full for the first time since his ankle injury. The biggest question will be, what will RG3 look like? Will he be the dynamic player he was in college and his rookie year? Or will he be the complete mess he was last year and the beginning of this season. If he is medically sound, hope for the best.

And with that we reach the end of the list for this week. Some good news, some bad. As always remember to watch the inactive lists on Sunday to make sure your guys are in or out. Good luck this week!

Forgot About Pra(ter)

It may seem odd to find a post about a kicker for fantasy football purposes, but when the kicker is likely not owned in your league, and he is on a good team, has a good home field, is highly accurate, and is past his bye, he is a good target to add.

Matt Prater (DEN) was suspended by the NFL for the first 4 games (5 weeks) of the 2014 season. Assuming that the Broncos retain him after his suspension, Prater is a valuable commodity to your fantasy team. Playing for a team that scored 75 touchdowns and attempted 26 field goals last year means that he is likely to be quite a high scoring player for your team.

His kicking situation is fantastic, playing 6 of his remaining games this year in the thin air of Denver. Prater was a very accurate kicker last season making all 75 of his extra points and 25/26 field goal attempts. He is usually one of the first kickers to come off the board in drafts and is just sitting there for the taking.This season he will be available to cunning fantasy players who pounce on the opportunity to scoop him up.

My suggestion is to wait til late in week 5, Sunday morning is the best time, and drop a player that you either don't play, or is not performing if you don't have a bench spot available. You will have a ready-to-drop player in the kicker you play in week 5 to drop and add a player during waivers in week 6.

Tight End Replacements For Week Four

The last few weeks in the NFL have taken a toll on the tight end position. With injuries and bye weeks starting in week 4 many fantasy players will be looking for a replacement for the short or long term. Here is a list of suggestions for a replacement tight end.

Larry Donnell (NYG) has been a good safety valve for Eli Manning in the first few weeks of the season. Donnell has averaged 6 catches a game and scored in week 1. If he is not owned in your league, he is a good option to pick up.

Niles Paul (WAS) has been getting targets with Jordan Reed out. Averaging 6 receptions a game for the first 3 weeks, and having a touchdown in week 2 makes him a viable addition to your team.

Owen Daniels (BAL) didn't see much action in the passing game in week 3, but he had 4 catches in week 1 and 5 in week 2 with two touchdowns. With the injury to Dennis Pitta and his familiarity in the Gary Kubiak offense, Daniels figures to see a more prominent role in the Baltimore passing attack.

Andrew Quarless (GB) had four catches and a touchdown in week 3 against Detroit. Quarless seems to have emerged as the pass catching tight end in the Green Bay offense. Some decent looking matchups against a depleted Chicago secondary in week 4 and Minnesota in week 5 set him up for success in the coming weeks.

Jace Amaro (NYJ) had 3 catches for 54 yards against Chicago Monday night. In an offense that is lacking in overall talent at pass catching positions, and has an iffy Eric Decker with a hamstring injury, Amaro may see an increased role.

Jeff Cumberland (NYJ) may see increased targets if Decker has a prolonged absence. His production has not been very big so far, but in an offense that will struggle at the outside wide receiver spots without Decker, he may be worth a speculative add in case of emergency.

Dwayne Allen (IND) has been all or nothing this season. He has scored in 2 of the first 3 games, and had no catches in the other. some tough match ups await the Colts in the near future, but if you have a desperate need at tight end, he does catch the ball.

Lance Kendricks and Jared Cook (STL) both had good games against Dallas in week three. This is likely a testament to how decimated and devoid of overall talent the Dallas defense is, so approach these guys with caution.