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The BYE weeks are upon us! There are only 12 games to choose from on Sunday/Monday.
Last week was one to forget for me. Ahmad Bradshaw and Giovani Bernard carried my teams in the H2H match-ups but Torrey Smith (why I'd trust him, I do not know) and Khiry Robinson let me down. Last week was a great week to be a Colts homer. Andrew Luck, Adam Vinatieri, and the Colts defense made up 3 of the 9 spots on the 'Perfect Lineup.' We probably won't find the Joe McKnight of this week who was owned in 0.01% of leagues and scored 21+ points, but I'm sure there are some bargains that could pique your interest this week.
***Note: Picks are for 'Sunday/Monday Only' games
Bargain Buys
RB Donald Brown ($6,300)- The Chargers' GM has to be patting himself on the back for this off-season move. Brown was brought in as insurance for the oft-injured Ryan Mathews. Not only did Mathews get injured once again but his 3rd-down spell, Danny Woodhead, is now out for the year as well. Brown is a much better running back than he's given credit for and he gets the Jacksonville Jaguars at home with ZERO committee behind him. Brown is a must play.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw ($6,100)- I'm keeping Bradshaw on the bargain list until his price gets over the $6,700 mark. Bradshaw is the red-zone back for a high-powered Colts offense. I get that he is still splitting carries with Trent Richardson but he's the primary back on passing downs having already caught 3 touchdowns in 3 weeks. The Titans are coming to town with their bottom 10 run defense which has been getting gashed for over 130 yards per game.
WR Steve Smith ($6,100)- Oh the revenge game. In Week 3, DeSean Jackson went off against his former team, and I'd expect nothing less from Steve Smith facing the Carolina Panthers in Baltimore. Listen, the Ravens are not going to be able to run at will against the Panthers like Bell and Blount did last week. If they want to have success, it'll have to be through the air. Torrey Smith is a decoy personified and they just lost Dennis Pitta for the year. The targets will be flowing in Steve Smith's direction.
WR Allen Robinson ($5,100)- Blake Bortles is a major upgrade for the passing game in Jacksonville. I'm actually terrified of rolling with the Chargers in my survivor league because of the unknown surrounding him in his first start. If Bortles is the star-in-the-making I think he is, then Allen Robinson should reap the benefits. Robinson led the team in targets in Week 3, and with Marqise Lee likely out again I'd imagine that will not change.
QB Ben Roethlisberger ($7,700)- They are home against the Bucs. Enough said.
Star Splurges
TE Jimmy Graham ($8,200)- This is the cheapest he's been all year, and it could be his most profitable week yet. The Saints get their dome game against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football which has all the makings for a shootout in Dallas. The Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends in the entire league, and now they face the best tight end in the league. Graham should go for over 120 and a touchdown.
QB Matt Ryan ($8,700)- He has the hot hand. I like Luck (vs. TEN), Rodgers (@CHI), and Brees (@DAL) but Ryan saves you $500-$1,100 from these guys and he'll likely have similar production. Ryan gets the Minnesota Vikings who won't put up much resistance against the Falcons' aerial attack. With 10 days to rest since their last game, Roddy White should be back as well.
RB Le'Veon Bell ($8,800)- If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I've had Bell on my avoid list for 2 out of 3 weeks and he's burned me both times. This week the Steelers get the struggling Bucs at home. Their front seven is dealing with injuries that should open up holes for Bell once again. Don't be scared off by LeGarrette Blount's 10 carries for 118 yards because most of those came during garbage time.
Must Avoid
RB Knile Davis ($7,800)- Love this workhorse back but the issue here is that the Chiefs' matchup with the Patriots is on Monday Night. Jamaal Charles will likely be a game-time decision. As much as I like Knile Davis (if he's the starter), I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck with him if Charles is in.
QB Cam Newton ($8,000)- He's going to break out one game but I just don't see it being this week. The Panthers play in Baltimore this week, and they'll be without two of their three running backs (Stewart and Tolbert). I don't think that'll translate to more carries for Cam because it's been clear that Ron Rivera is protecting his QB's ribs from taking unnecessary punishment. The Ravens are a middle of the pack defense in terms of yardage but they are in the Top 6 in points given up per game. I'd imagine a grind-it-out game for Cam this week.
TE Martellus Bennett ($6,000)- He's the 5th most expensive TE this week. It's hard to argue with his production, scoring a TD in each of his first 3 games (snagging two in last week as well). However, the Packers are the best team in the league (BY FAR) at defending the tight end. They've only given up 66 yards and 0 touchdowns in three weeks to tight ends. I'd encourage you to spend on Jimmy Graham but if you want to save some cash go with Antonio Gates ($5,800) in a bounce back game against the Jags.