Not Sure Of Who To Start Or What Player To Plug In For The Bye Week? The Pug Has You Covered!
Another good week for The Pug, minus the call on Matt Forte. Sorry if you benched him last week as he had a breakout game against the Ravens. Any lineup questions or trade questions feel free to ask!
Must Start
Christine Michael- RB- Seattle Seahawks- Michael has been pleasantly consistent this year for the Seahawks and fantasy owners alike, and this week should be a good week for him. He goes up against a Saints defense that ranks 23rd in the league against the run, and dead last in points given up per game. They have also given up 12 touchdowns to opposing running backs, rushing and receiving combined, which is the most in the league. Michael likes to score his touchdowns in pairs this season, and this might be the game for him to do it.
Jaquizz Rodgers- RB- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- What a great addition Rodgers has been to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are dealing with an injury to Doug Martin and and IR trip for Chris Simms. In the last two weeks, Rodgers has proved he can carry the load, getting 56 carries for 255 yards. Things don’t get much easier for him then facing the Oakland Raiders and their 28th rank run defense. The Buccaneers have been utilizing the run the last few weeks to dictate the tempo of the game, and this week won’t be any different. Expect a big fantasy game from Rodgers.
Terrelle Pryor Sr.- WR- Cleveland Browns- Pryor has quietly resurrected his career as the number one wide receiver in Cleveland. This is a must start week for Cleveland’s breakout player, who is going against a Jets defense that allows more big plays to receivers than any other team in the league. Pryor is definitely capable of the big play. The Pug is so confident in Pryor being in the fantasy lineup this week against the league’s 27th ranked pass defense, he is starting him over Jeremy Maclin and Kelvin Benjamin.
High Risk, High Reward
Drew Brees- QB- New Orleans Saints- The Pug isn’t necessarily saying you should bench Brees, but he does have a tough fantasy match up against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have only allowed four passing touchdowns all season, something Brees is used to doing in one game. Drew Brees and the Saints are a team that have benefited from home field advantage, arguably more than an other team in the league, and trying to contain Mr. Brees is easier said than done.
Rob Gronkowski- TE- New England Patriots- Why would Gronk be on this list? After all, he does have 368 yards and two touchdowns over his last three games. The Bills are one of four teams that have yet to give up a touchdown to an opposing tight end. The Pats and Bills have been known to play some close games lately, most of which are high scoring. Gronk has only scored one touchdown against the Bills since 2012. The high reward? Well it is Gronk after all…..
Dak Prescott- QB- Dallas Cowboys- Dak has been the feel good story of the NFL this season and rightfully so. This really could go either way, but there are many factors that go into this. First off, the Eagles have only allowed six passing touchdowns all year and have gotten five interceptions. In fact, the Eagles give up the less points per game to opposing QB’s than any other team in the league. This is a big time division game, and with the impending return of Tony Romo on the horizon, Dak might feel the pressure. So far this season Dak has handled the pressure well, however. Prescott also receives a gift, as Dez Bryant will return for this game.
Players To Avoid
Devonta Freeman- RB- Atlanta Falcons- This game is a fantasy match up nightmare. The Packers have the #1 ranked run defense in the game, and the Falcons love to throw the ball. Owners of Freeman are going to be enticed by the fact that fellow running mate Telvin Coleman is more than likely going to sit this week, but if the Falcons are going to beat the Packers, it is going to be through the air. If you have a viable option, do yourself a favor and sit him so the The Pug can’t say ‘I told you so’.
Greg Olsen- TE- Carolina Panthers- Greg Olsen has been a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy season thus far for the Carolina Panthers. A tight end averaging over 100 receiving yards a game is unheard of, but Olsen is on that pace so far this year. This week the Panthers are playing the re-surging Cardinals, who have been playing some lights out defense as of late. The Cardinals all season are only averaging 2.1 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, and since Bruce Arians has a great knack for the game, and if you don’t think his main priority in the game will be shutting down Olsen, your crazy. If you have a decent option on the bench, this is the week to play him.
Alshon Jeffery- WR- Chicago Bears- Despite the 1-6 start, the Bears passing attack hasn’t been all that bad this season. Unfortunately, Jeffery has not been the main beneficiary. With the fantasy emergence of Cameron Meredith and the re-emergence of Eddie Royal, Jeffery seems to have taken a step back. Although Jeffery is getting targets, he has yet to score a touchdown this season and has only broken the century mark once all year. The Bears play the Vikings this week who sport the number four passing defense in the NFL, and are giving the second least amount of points to opposing wide receivers this season. Also worth noting is there are whispers about Jeffery being traded, which may be a distraction.
Waiver Wire Gem of the Week
Chris Thompson- RB- Washington Redskins- Thompson had a great game last week with 12 carries for 73 yards and another 40 receiving. The word around town is the Washington front office is none to pleased with Matt Jones and his inability to hold on to the football, caving the way for more carries, and a takeover on top of the depth chart, for Thompson.
