Sports Blog

As we approach the halfway point of the fantasy football season, the importance of winning each week seems to be magnified tenfold. This is especially true for teams that would not be in the playoffs if they were to start today. For those on the outside looking in it is easy to fall into a panic, but regardless of your current record and roster predicaments there is still time to turn it around.

Even if the future looks bleak because Matt Forte, Tony Romo, and the once mighty Steve Smith (Carolina version) have all disappointed your team thus far, there is still value on the waiver wire that can help you get a win this week. None of these guys are going to carry your team to victory like Tom Brady and his six touchdowns did last week, but they are good bye week replacements that could potentially become serviceable starters.

QB Matt Cassel (Owned in 78.5 percent of ESPN leagues): He laid a big goose egg in week one against the Baltimore Ravens but has been surprisingly dependable since. Cassel has scored double digit fantasy points in four of his last five games and finally seems to be clicking with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. He also has the fortune of playing at home against the San Diego Chargers, which allowed 18 fantasy points to the less than prolific Kyle Orton and 21 points to Ben Roethlisberger and the suddenly pass-happy Pittsburgh Steelers.

RB Mike Bell (Owned in 49.7 percent of ESPN leagues): Conventional wisdom says to sit Bell because he is going against one of the best run defenses in the NFL in the Miami Dolphins. To that I respond — there are six teams on their bye week and sometimes you have to take risks. Look, while Bell has split time with Pierre Thomas he also has become the go-to guy on the goal line. Goal line carries lead to rushing touchdowns and the Dolphins allowed two of those last week against the New York Jets.

WR Hakeem Nicks (Owned in 25.1 percent of ESPN leagues): Of the big three wide receivers on the New York Giants, do you know which is the only one to post double digit fantasy points the last three weeks? You may be surprised to learn that it is Nicks, who has quietly been flying under the radar due to the emergence of the new Steve Smith and the endless hype of Mario Manningham. Look for Nicks to extend his streak to four games as the G-Men face the Arizona Cardinals, who have given up the 7th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Any defense that is not the Tennessee Titans: If you would have told me before the season that the Titans would be the worst ranked fantasy defense in the NFL, I simply wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, six weeks and three negative scoring games later that is exactly where we stand. Somehow the Titans are still owned in a mind boggling 50.4 percent of leagues, but with this being their bye week it is the perfect time for all you hanger-oners to let go of the past. A few interesting defenses to consider that are widely available — the New England Patriots (11th ranked defense), Cincinnati Bengals (13th ranked defense), and Indianapolis Colts (16th ranked defense).

For more fantasy advice right up to kickoff, follow me on Twitter @davidcarrillo.

Image Source: Arrowhead Pride

GOLD

Antonio Gates, SD, TE, VS. Miami

Forecast: 8 catches, 113 yards, 2 Tds (25 points)
Yes, I know if you own him you are starting him anyway, but I think he is for a huge game against TE friendly Miami. Miami has already been torched by Tony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark and now they have to deal with Gates. Even better for Gates is that LT might not play again meaning Rivers is going to throw the ball a lot. Expect a huge game from Gates.

Tim Hightower, ARI, RB, VS. Indianapolis
Forecast: 17 carries, 96 rushing yards, 3 catches, 21 yards, 1 TD (19 points)
The Colts run defense has been horrible of late, that bodes well for Hightower who has been surprisingly solid so far. Whether it’s been running or receiving he has made an impact. I expect solid number against this weak defense.

Matt Forte, CHI, RB, @ Seattle
Forecast: 23 carries, 103 yards, 3 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD (21 points)
Forte has struggled in the first two games this season and has disappointed some owners. Well this week he should go off. Did you see what Frank Gore did to this defense? Well I expect something similar from the talented Forte.

Brandon Jacobs, NYG, RB, @ Tampa Bay
Forecast: 22 carries, 115 rushing yards, 1 catch, 8 yards, 2 Tds (24 points)
Like Forte, I see a struggling player getting right against a weaker opponent. Jacobs has not been over 20 carries in any of the first to games, well I see that changing this week. With more opportunities he will go off this week.

Brent Celek, PHI, TE, VS. Kansas City
Forecast: 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD (15 points)
With McNabb out and Kevin Kolb as QB, I see another big performance from Celek. Kolb looked for him a lot last week and Celek ended with 8 catches and over 100 yards. I see another big game coming against the Chiefs

Mario Manningham, NYG, WR, @ Tampa Bay
Forecast: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Tampa Bay have been giving up huge plays in the passing game so its only right that Mario goes off again this week after coming up huge against Dallas. He has been the Giants big play receiver so far this season and I don’t see it changing against Tampa.

Felix Jones, DAL, RB, VS. Carolina
Forecast: 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 catches, 17 yards, 1 TD (17 points)
With Marion Barber being out for the game, Jones should get more opportunities to run wild this week. He is a threat to go all the way on every touch. He should have a couple big plays in this game so start him with confidence.

Byron Leftwich, TB, QB, VS. New York Giants
Forecast: 305 passing yards, 3 Tds, 2 Int, 10 rushing yards (21 points)
Leftwich has had to throw a ton in the first two weeks and it doesn’t look it’s going to change. The Giants should take a early lead forcing Tampa to pass all day. I could see Leftwich throwing for around 300 yards and a couple TDs. But be careful he could have some turnovers also.

COLD
Willie Parker, PIT, RB, @ Cincinnati
Forecast:15 carries, 38 rushing yards, 0 Tds (3 points)
The Steelers have struggled to run the ball and there has been talk that Parker has lost a step. Against a solid defense I don’t see him improving this week. It might be time to give up on Parker for this season if Rashard Mendenhall has a good game this week.

Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB, VS. San Francisco
Forecast: 24 carries, 47 rushing yards, 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 TD (11 points)
I know your thinking I’m crazy right now but I think the 49ers will keep Peterson in check this week. The last time they played they held him to his worst game ever 3 yards on 14 carries. Now there defense is better and Peterson has not been practicing because of a bad back. I don’t think he will have a huge game this week but your probably starting him anyway.

Darren McFadden, OAK, RB, VS. Denver
Forecast: 14 carries, 43 rushing yards, 2 catches, 15 yards, 0 TD (6 points)
Last week I thought Bush would get the goal-line carries but it was McFadden. The Denver defense has been solid so far this season and I think it will be hard for McFadden to duplicate last week against the Chiefs.

Hines Ward, PIT, WR, @ Cincinnati
Forecast: 4 catches, 41 yards, 0 TD (6 points)
Last year in this game he broke the jaw of Keith Rivers on a blind side hit that is now illegal. This week he has talked about doing it again if he gets the opportunity. I think he is going to have a huge target on his back. Besides that he looks like he has lost a step this season.

Brandon Marshall, DEN, WR, @ Oakland
Forecast: 3 catches, 37 yards, 0 Tds (4 points)
Two words “Nnamdi Asomugha.” he should be shadowed on Marshall all day making it tough for him. Even worse he still hasn’t made a strong connection with Kyle Orton. I guess missing practice will do that.

SCORING BENCHMARKS
QBs: 12+ fantasy points
RBs: 12+ fantasy points
WRs: 10+ fantasy points
TEs: 8+ fantasy points
*Scoring system:
4 PTs/Pass TD
1 PT/25 pass yards
6 PTs/Rush-Rec TD
1 PT/Reception
1 PT/10 Rush yards
1 PT/20 Rec yards
-2 PT/INT or FL

GOLD
Michael Bush, OAK, RB, @ Kansas City                                                                LOSS
Forecast: 15 carries, 65 rushing yards, 2 catches, 15 yards, 1 TD (14 points)
Actual: 9 carries, 35 rushing yards, 1 catch, 17 yards, 0 Tds (4.3 points)
Santana Moss, WAS, WR, Vs. St. Louis                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD (17 points)
Actual: 3 catches, 35 yards, 1 Fumble Lost, 0 TD (2.75 points)
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT, QB, @ Chicago                                                               WIN
Forecast: 301 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 TO, 10 rushing yards (17 points)
Actual: 221 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, 6 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD (17.5)
Steve Smith, CAR, WR, @ Atlanta                                                                             WIN
Forecast: 8 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD (20 points)
Actual: 8 catches, 131 yards, 0 TD (14.5 points)
Leon Washington, NYJ, RB, Vs. New England                                                    LOSS
Forecast: 15 carries, 75 rushing yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD (20 points)
Actual: 14 carries, 58 rushing yards, 2 catches, 18 yards, 1 Fumble Lost (6.8 points)
Bernard Berrian, MIN, WR, @ Detroit                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 5 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Actual: 6 catches, 46 yards, 0 TD (8.3 points)
Vernon Davis, SF, TE, Vs. Seattle                                                                            LOSS
Forecast: 6 catches, 55 yards (8 points)
Actual: 2 catches, 32 yards (3.6 points)
Philip Rivers, SD, QB, Vs. Baltimore                                                                        WIN
Forecast: 265 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 Int (20 points)
Actual: 436 passing yards, 2 passing Tds, 2 Int, 10 rushing yards (22.4 points)
                      ___________
Last Week: 3- 5 (37.5%)
Season: 8- 8 (50%)

COLD
Mike Bell, NO, RB, @ Philadelphia                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 12 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 catch, 5 yards, 0 TDs (5 points)
Actual: 17 carries, 86 rushing yards, 1 catch, 9 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Roy Williams, DAL, WR, Vs. New York Giants                                              WIN
Forecast: 3 catches, 46 yards, 0 TDs (5 points)
Actual: 1 catch, 18 yards, 0 TD (1.8 points)
DeSean Jackson, PHI, WR, Vs. New Orleans                                                 LOSS
Forecast: 3 catches, 22 yards, 1 carry, 14 yards (5 points)
Actual: 4 catches, 101 yards, 3 carries, 15 yards, 1 TD (16.5 points)
Julius Jones, SEA, RB, @ San Francisco                                                          WIN
Forecast: 20 carries, 49 yards, 2 catches, 10 yards, 0 TDs (6 points)
Actual: 8 carries, 11 yards, 3 catches, -3 yards, 1 TD (9.8 points)
Tin Hightower, ARI, RB, @ Jacksonville                                                        LOSS
Forecast: 12 carries, 44 yards, 3 catches, 15 yards, 0 TDs (7 points)
Actual: 15 carries, 72 yards, 3 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD (16.7 points)
____________
Last Week: 2- 3 (40%)
Season: 6- 4 (60%)

Image Source: Getty Images