Bring Back the LA Rams

So, I survived my first ever playoff game in my rookie FF season. I've got tough match-ups this week and I need to get points anywhere I can. I really need some advice on how not to screw this up. I win this week and I'm in the finals. First off, here's my team (we play 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DEF): 10 Teams - 1pt PPR, 6pt TDs: QB: Cam Newton / Matt Ryan WR: Brandon Marshall / Marques Colston / Laurent Robinson / TB Mike Williams / Jabar Gaffney RB: LeSean McCoy / Chris Johnson / L. Blount / R. Mathews / Fred Jackson (IR - possible 10th rnd keeper next year so I'm holding him) TE: Jermaine Gresham K: Akers DEF: SF 1st and most important Question: Cam or Matty Ice? Seriously, this is difficult. Cam @ HOU, or Ryan at home vs JAC (game is Thurs!). 2nd Question: If Matt Moore is out and Losman is in, would you still still start Marshall @ Buf or go with Gaffney @ NYG (2nd worst team vs the pass and Moss should garner most of the attention) or TB Mike home vs DAL (not sure I can trust him though). 3rd Question: Gresham @ STL or somebody else? Available on waivers are Ballard (vs WAS), Owen Daniels coming off a big game (vs CAR). I was thinking maybe Daniels. 4th Question: The SF DEF has been awesome, but they play PIT this week. Other available DEF are TENN @ IND, ATL vs JAC, CIN @ STL, HOU vs CAR. We start with 10 pts on D. Sack 1, INT 2, Fumble 2, TD 6, Block Kick 2, Kick/Punt return for TD 6 etc. Any other comments as to what you would do with this roster for week 15 (other than drop FJax) would be greatly appreciated.

The "experts" around the web are favoring Cam about 3 to 1, but I'm leaning towards Ryan right now. Here's a breakdown from one of the better sites: (Pass TD = 4 pts, All Other TDs = 6 pts, 25 Pass Yards = 1 pt, Turnovers -2 pts, 10 rush yrds = 1pt) 5. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Jacksonville Matt Ryan has been a different quarterback ever since his Week 8 bye, and he took his play to a whole new level last week, throwing for 320 yards and four touchdowns in a comeback victory over the Panthers. In his six games since the bye, Ryan has totaled 14 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 299-yard average. While Jacksonville appears to be a solid pass defense on paper, their secondary is decimated by injuries. In Week 13 Philip Rivers exploited the Jaguars’ deficiencies to the tune of 294 yards and three scores, so keep riding the red-hot Ryan. Point Projection: 20 points 9. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) @ Houston By air or by ground, Cam Newton continues to deliver. After compiling six rushing scores in his previous three games, Cam Newton failed to cash in with his legs against the Falcons, but he threw for 276 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. It was the first time he’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in his last five games, while his 36 rushing yards were his lowest total in his last eight. Defenses have been forced to pick their poison with the dual threat rookie, as he’s proven that he can’t be completely shut down. However, Houston’s top-three pass defense hasn’t allowed multiple touchdown passes in any of their last eight games, and they’re very good against the run as well, so nothing will come easy for Newton Sunday. Point Projection: 17 points

Also, I don't know why I mentioned PPR (I mean, I guess Cam could catch another pass, but it's unlikely). Our bonus structure favors throwing for yards and TDs. 6pts TD, 1 pt every 25 yds, bonus 2pts at 250, 4 pts at 300, 6pts at 350. And -1 for INTs.

Well Cincy Dan, you're thinking just like me. Now, a follow up. Would you play the Cincy DEF @ STL or the SF DEF vs PIT (assuming Big Ben plays)?

It's funny, all the posters on this site are saying go with Cam, and on a different site every single one has said Ryan. I'm still pretty torn because I can envision a scenario where Ryan throws for 250 or so yards and 3 TDs which would give me over 30pts in PPR. Right now the Atlanta passing game seems to be clicking pretty well. Meanwhile, things could be a bit rough for Cam on the road in Houston because the Carolina running game isn't great and the only real weapon he has is Smith. Maybe I'm crazy...

The GB WR situation is a tough call. Driver has only had 10 targets over the past two games, while Jones has had seven. They both should see more balls now, especially with Jordy seeing better coverage, and I'd say choosing between them is difficult. Driver seems to be the safer bet, but Jones is bigger, faster, a lot younger, and even has more yards and one more TD on the year. If you're a gamblin' man, Jones looks mighty interesting.

I'm running McCoy and CJ1K this week, but I was thinking of dropping Blount for Felix to: 1) prevent the guy I'm playing from grabbing him (he's running AP and R. Bush, but AP could still be gimpy) 2) possibly upgrade my bu RB position because Felix looked energized. Is this a good idea or is Felix/Blount a wash?

Thanks for playing. I figured I might as well ask all my questions at one time Hmmm, Ballard huh. I rolled with him earlier this year and he tanked. With all those great options, including Jacobs in the red-zone, he could have one of those 3 catches for 25 yards games.

I'd go with Smith as well. There should be a lot of scoring in that game and nobody on SD has a chance to stay with him. His targets have seemed to be increasing too. Mine: http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=397576

I've got Robinson, and he's been great, but I'd go with Harvin. He's been unstoppable and they'll be chasing NO all game long. Mine: http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=397576

That's a plethora of backs. I also like Bush and would avoid Mathews vs BAL. As for Helu, I think it's a toss up between him and Jacobs. Helu might get more touches and catch some passes, but since you're standard Jacobs is in the conversation because he has a better chance at a TD. Mine? http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=397576

Well, you can't sit Cruz period. Great match-up vs WAS. I hope he tanks this week because I'm playing against him (and Nicks and VJax), but he'll probably go for 100 and a TD or more. As for Nelson or Wallace, I'd lean towards Nelson because as you mentioned Jennings is out and the match-up is better. If you get a few minutes, please take a look at mine: http://www.fftodayforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=397576

Ha Ha Ha. I did it again. Instead of playing Robinson, I got worried this morning he might not be healthy and went with TB Mike. Meanwhile, my gut was saying to play Gaffney against that brutal NE secondary. I am a moron. And while I'm here, thank you CJ1K for nothing!

Same situation. I'm in a 1pt PPR and I've got 3 WR slots to fill. My #1 is Brandon Marshall, #2 is Colston (targets please), and my #3 is either Robinson, TB Mike, or Jabar Gaffney (home vs NE). Robinson has been a starter for me for the past month. However, TB Mike is suddenly relevant - even in the red-zone. I'm still leaning towards Robinson if healthy because I think the game will be a shoot-out and by default he should see 6-8 targets with a good chance at a TD. All I can say is I hope they both play well...

Bush and Turner (assuming Turner is healthy).

Thanks Rexy. I originally drafted Daniels, but eventually let him go when Schaub went down and he got injured. Plus, he wasn't putting up the numbers I thought he would. Also, in the last four games he hasn't once put up more than 7 pts, but your points about Andre still being gimpy and Yates looking for an outlet are valid. I think my choices are between Daniels and Chandler. Right now Fitz seems to be leaning more on Chandler and they tend to get in high scoring games.

I'm in the playoffs in my first year of playing FF, but it looks like I'm losing my starting TE. I've still got Gresham, who has some solid match-ups the rest of the way (wk 14 HOU, wk 15 @ STL, wk 16 ARI), but I'd like to secure at least a solid back-up in case he gets injured or... disappears. Here are the best remaining options: Owen Daniels (@CIN, CAR, @IND) - is he healthy and will T.J. Yates find him? Scott Chandler (@SD, MIA, DEN) - sprained his ankle this weekend but should play at SD. Jake Ballard - (@DAL, WAS, NJY) - Eli targets him 5-7 times a games - and sometimes he catches them Heath Miller - (CLE, @SF, STL) - his targets are all over the place, but he usually catches them - just never in the end-zone Or, should I forget about a 2nd TE, and add another WR just in case (I've got B. Marshall, Colston, Laurent Robinson, and TB Mike Williams): Malcolm Floyd (@DET wk 16) Damian Williams (NO, @IND, JAC) Michael Crabtree (@ARI, PIT, @SEA) Dexter McCluster (@NYJ, GB, OAK) - he's a WR/RB in Yahoo leagues, but he obviously doesn't get a ton of touches anyway. Thanks in advance for any and all of your comments. My team is in my signature (Yes, I'm still holding FJax - I could make him my one keeper next year because I would get him in the same round I drafted him -10th).

There's just no way this should be allowed to happen. No way. As somebody said earlier, it's collusion. Plain and simple.

I'm 7-5, in 1pt PPR, 6pt TD, 10 team league (my team in signature). Our final game before the playoffs is this week and, although I'm most likely going to make it even if I lose (6 teams go), I've just fallen from 1st to 5th in the past two games and I need to get as many points as possible to ensure I don't get bumped. Apparently, McCoy (@ SEA) is nursing a sore toe and has been limited in practice while both CJ (@ BUF) and Blount (home vs CAR) have better match-ups. Would you bench McCoy this week? The game is tomorrow. Also, while I'm here, should I start Fred Davis (home vs NYJ) or Gresham (@ PIT). Thanks in advance.

Turns out there's a silver lining after all. By losing this week (thanks to Blount), but still scoring enough points on the backs of Newton and McCoy (and 32 pts from the SF DEF & K), I finished 6th. This gets me a matchup with the lowest scoring team in the playoffs. A team I outscored this season by 140 pts. I may still lose (every week some random player(s) goes for a record game - like Percy Harvin this week or Brees last week), but thanks to Blount I think I've got the best chance to move on.

Well, since we're venting... I fell for the "Blount will run all over Carolina" argument myself. Since I knew I was virtually a lock to make the playoffs win or lose, I went with him over CJ2K thinking he would get a crap load of carries - especially in the red zone. Meanwhile, I figured CJ would put up decent numbers, but was no guarantee to find the end-zone. Not to mention, I thought CJ was the one more likely to have a total bust game. Man, was I wrong. Cost me 33 pts, the game, and 3 seeds. But, as it turns out, by losing the game I ended up getting a match-up with the lowest scoring team in the playoffs. So, I was cursing Blount on Sunday, but I may be thanking him this weekend.

Well, that was painful. I decided to start Blount instead of CJ2K. And, like clockwork, CJ outscored Blount 34.70 to 1.90. Absolutely just cost myself the game. Luckily, I'm still gonna be in as the 6th seed due to point differential. I suck...

Brutal. F'n brutal. And this coming on the same day I decide to play Blount instead of CJ2K (against a team that had Harvin go for 43.50) Now I've got to hope CJ stays hot for the next three weeks and that Gresham can put up decent numbers.

Wait... what? You have Rodgers and Brady? In Yahoo leagues, Rodgers was on average taken 7th overall and Brady 18th. How and why do you have them both? Anyway, I would go with Rodgers. I expect NE to score a lot early and then run a lot. Probably using three different RBs. In GBs case, the Giants will go to the air and it could mean a 45-31 type of game. Lastly, I've got Colston and he was a huge disappointment last week even though Brees went nuts. That said, now I think it's his turn again.

We start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE and no Flex. Before Fred Jackson went down, I usually played McCoy and FJax every week (except the byes). Anyway, I can only play two of the three. And watch, Ryan Mathews who I'm not even considering will end up having the best week of all of them.