Where else can people look for fantasy value this week? Well with the International game at Wembley Stadium this weekend, it may be in the running games of Chicago and Tampa Bay. The weather over here has taken a turn for the worse in the last week or so. At the beginning of the month it was 80 degrees, which was the highest ever temperature recorded in the UK in October, but that has dropped to and is expected to be in the mid 50’s on Sunday night. It’s also expected to be windy and in the bowl like environs of Wembley, where the wind will swirl around, I would expect the running game to take charge.
Matt Forte has been one of the stars of the season and should do well against a Tampa D not used to this cold weather, although they have been her all week acclimatising. For the Bucs. The injury to LaGarette
Blount has seen Earnest Graham come to the fore, and if he’s still available may be worth picking up for your rosters (I already have!)
The Washington Redskins are also a team worth looking at as they start with another quarterback this week. The failure of “Sexy Rexy” Grossman was, let’s be honest, totally expected so John Beck has stepped into the breach. Whilst selecting Beck would be a gamble, the chances are that Ryan Torain may offer more value as a Running Back or Flex player.
With a host of new quarterbacks at the helm of their team, there may be value in looking to pick up points from Running Backs and Tight Ends. Until the QB takes command of the offense, the short passing routes that move the chains and build up confidence may be used. That seems to be an option being used by Curtis Painter at the Colts, and after his stunning one handed touchdown grab at the back of the end zone last week, Dallas Clark may on his way back.
My final tip of the week is to look to bring in the Dallas D if they are available. They take on the Rams and whilst Sam Bradford finally has a receiver to throw to in Brandon Lloyd, it may be a week too soon for the pairing to click in St Louis.
So check out that Free Agency list, set up your teams and sit back and enjoy (or endure!) the weekends action. And if you’re going to Wembley on Sunday I hope the game’s a good one and that I was there with you.
I am away on vacation for a week, but if you have any fantasy questions you want to ask then feel
free to e-mail me at clarkyboy72@googlemail.com and I’ll answer them in my next column.