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Welcome to the last week before BYE weeks!
Odds are either you or your H2H opponent got bit by the injury bug in Week 2. In one of my year-long standard leagues a friend started Jamaal Charles, AJ Green, and Robert Griffin III. His 40.97 point total is the worst that league has ever seen, and it's not looking up because all three are likely out in Week 3.
***Enter FanDuel***
It's such a good feeling to start from scratch (Trust me, I drafted AP and Ray Rice in the Hogs Haven Writers League).
Like I said last week, I'm waiting until Week 4 (and the BYE weeks) to start really investing but there's still money to be made and games to be played.
***Note: Picks are for 'Sunday/Monday Only' games.
Bargain Buys
RB Khiry Robinson ($4,700)- Feeling really good about this one. With Mark Ingram out this week, Khiry Robinson (who already stole a touchdown from Ingram in Week 1) will be the primary ball-carrier and goal-line back in New Orleans. The Saints are 0-2, in desperate need of a win, and are playing the distracted Vikings. It is their home opener in the dome where they averaged 34 points per game last year! Roll with ALL your Saints players this week.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw ($5,200)- The Trent Richardson experiment is all but over. Bradshaw is the better back, and after T-Rich's 2nd fumble on Monday Night, Bradshaw was the primary guy. The Colts are another 0-2 team with their backs against the wall. The doctor ordered the Jacksonville Jaguars just in time. The Jags are one of the worst run defenses in the league and Bradshaw should take full advantage of that.
WR Greg Jennings ($5,500)- After finding success with Michael Crabtree on his birthday last week, I'm rolling with another birthday boy this week. Greg Jennings turns 31 on Sunday and I'm certain he'll have more to celebrate than he did last week. Jennings found himself stranded on Revis Island last week, but gets New Orleans and their league worst pass defense this week. Points should come in bunches in this match-up.
WR Torrey Smith ($5,200)- You just know he's going to break out of this rut sometime. I'd imagine Steve Smith's emergence will force the Browns to stick Joe Haden on him this week. That should open up possibilities for Torrey. Just a week ago, Flacco said he believes Torrey Smith could catch 100 balls this year. With a week and a half to prepare for the Browns, I'd imagine Kubiak will try to get his home-run threat the ball this week.
TE Larry Donnell ($4,900)- I'd advise spending money on Jimmy Graham (vs. MIN), Julius Thomas (@ Sea, Antonio Gates just demolished them), or Rob Gronkowski (vs. Oak). However, if you want a bargain TE go with the guy leading his team in receptions and yards. Houston is not a great match-up for Eli and the Giants but the loss of Jerrel Jernigan should mean more targets for the massive Donnell.
Star Splurges
QB Drew Brees ($9,800)- See my note on Khiry Robinson above. If you haven't realized, I really like this New Orleans - Minnesota match-up. New Orleans could easily rack-up 5 TDs this week. With the healthiest this receiving corps has been, look for Brees to get around 300 yards and 3 TDs. Consider this a ringing endorsement for Jimmy Graham as well.
WR Calvin Johnson ($9,000)- I like that he and Stafford had an off week (by their standards) last week. Megatron comes back to the fast track in Detroit this week against the Packers. Great match-up against a team giving up 30 points per game so far. Saying this is going to be a shoot-out is an understatement.
RB Giovani Bernard ($8,500)- Honestly, it doesn't even matter whether AJ Green suits up or not. Bernard has the hot hand in Cincinnati. He had 169 total yards, 5 receptions, and a touchdown against the Falcons. Now he gets the Tennessee Titans in at home. The Titans just gave up 220 rushing yards to the Cowboys last week. Ride Gio until they start saving him and Jeremy Hill becomes a real threat.
Must Avoid
QB Peyton Manning ($9,900)- Rule of thumb: It's not worth risking it against the Seahawks in Seattle. Sure, it's a regular season Super Bowl revenge game for Manning but I just can't justify spending that much on him when I could save a couple hundred and get Drew Brees.
RB Le'Veon Bell ($8,800)- Rule of the left hand's thumb: It's not worth risking it against the Panthers in Carolina. Seriously, don't do it. I know Le'Veon is as hot as any RB in the league right now but that front seven in Carolina is as good as it gets and the Panthers offense can eat the game clock as efficiently as any team in the league. Roll with Gio ($8,500) or Alfred Morris ($7,600) instead.
RB Arian Foster ($8,800)- He's on a tear thus far with 241 yards on the ground but it's come at a price of 55 carries which leads the league. Bill O'Brien knows that Foster is a guy they need to preserve if they have hopes of winning later in the year. He already said they could spread the carries out a bit more. Look for that to start this week against New York.