The Pug has been asked to expand upon The Pugs Kennel to include more players on a weekly basis. Your enquiry has been heard and the Pug plans on ranking players starting next week to provide fantasy football coaches with more players involved in the decision making process. Fear not as all questions regarding line up and trades will still be answered. Change is good and will be starting next week.
Must Start
Jay Cutler- QB- Chicago Bears- Yes, very odd to see him here, especially since it seemed he lost his job to Brian Hoyer earlier in the year while he was out with a thumb injury. He played decently against a good team in the Vikings in his last game, and with the Buccaneers up this week on the schedule, Cutler appears to be in line to improve upon his numbers from last week. The Buccaneers defense has given up the fourth most points to opposing quarterbacks, and Cutler and the fresh of the bye week Bears should take advantage.
Devontae Booker- RB- Denver Broncos- Although Booker was a no show against the one of the league’s 21st ranked rushing defense, but this week, the Broncos should need to score points to keep up with the Saints offense, even with their stellar defense. The Saints pass defense is ugly at best, and Booker should make his mark being the receiving back out of the backfield. a two touchdown day for Booker looks to be in the cards.
Tavon Austin- WR- Los Angeles Rams- This might seem like a crazy bet considering Case Keenum is still the Rams quarterback, but the Jets passing defense isn’t what it has been in years past. The Jets have been known this season to allow the big play. The Pug believes Austin to be one of the most capable receivers in the league of providing the big play, and he will have a better chance than not to make something happen this Sunday.
High Risk, High Reward
Jordan Reed- TE- Washington Redskins- Reed returned after a two game absence and wasted no time reminding the Bengals why he is one of the best in the league. He is having a great season when he is in the game this season, but this week might be an off week for Reed. The Redskins play the Vikings this week who have one of the better defenses in the league, who have yet to allow a touchdown to opposing tight ends. Tread carefully, even though The Pug considers Reed to be the second best tight end in football behind only Rob Gronkowski.
Drew Brees- QB- New Orleans Saints- The ageless one is in a weird spot this week. Arguably the best passing attack against one of the league’s best defenses. The Denver Broncos have allowed the least amount of points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team in the NFL. Something has to give. The risk is that Brees is the one who gives to the stellar Broncos defense. The Reward is Brees carries on with business as usual, which is hard to bet against.
Le’Veon Bell- RB- Pittsburgh Steelers- Bell is the workhorse of the Steelers offense, but is coming off a rare off game in terms of production. The Steelers play the Cowboys this week, who are tied for the least amount of touchdowns given up to opposing running backs. Although benching Bell seems a little overboard, especially having stashed him throughout his suspension, there is a chance he has a second straight off week against the team allowing the second fewest points in the league to opposing backs.
Players To Avoid
Allen Robinson- WR- Jacksonville Jaguars- Although Robinson broke a three week touchdown drought last week, let’s face it the Jaguars passing game isn’t what is was a year ago. With the regression of Blake Bortles, Robinson has gone from fantasy darling last season to borderline bust this season at no fault of his own. The Jaguars opponent this week, the Houston Texans, is one of seven teams to not allow over 1k yards to opposing receivers, and has given up the third fewest overall points to opposing wide receivers. Find an alternative this week.
Andy Dalton- QB- Cincinnati Bengals- Although the Giants have allowed the 25th most passing yards per game, they have only allowed seven touchdowns to be scored on them through the air. They have also nabbed eight interceptions, making Dalton, a player the Pug avoids this week. If the Giants can find a way to contain A.J. Green, Dalton’s numbers will suffer tremendously, and that is exactly how the Giants will gameplan.
Dez Bryant- WR- Dallas Cowboys- After having a great first game back, Dez disappeared last week. With the uncertainty behind how Dez will perform with Dak Prescott week after week, and the Steelers allowing the 9th fewest points to opposing wide receivers, it may be a good idea to go a different route this week while the Dez Bryant saga becomes a little more clear.
Waiver Wire Gem of the Week
DuJuan Harris- RB- San Francisco 49ers- With Carlos Hyde sidelined with a shoulder injury, Harris has been doing everything right to earn more playing time. Harris was effective in both the passing game and the ground game last week, and he should be a great flex option going forward, at least until Carlos Hyde comes back.
