Fantasy Football: Titan Sized Staff Predictions – Week 7

We are back for another week of fantasy football, and today on the menu, we’ve got plentiful helpings of ever-so-rock-solid advice for you guys. As always, David Fleming, Matt Ward, and myself, Jason Peters, are here to make sure you have everything you need to enjoy beating the snot out of your opponent. First last week, then onto projections!

Week 6 Recap

David Fleming

Aristide Economopoulos/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Start ‘em – Reggie Wayne – 6 points

Sit ‘em – Steven Jackson – 9 points

Sleeper – Jacquizz Rodgers – 2 points

Waiver – Alex Green – 6 points

PPR Player – Kendall Wright – 10 points (PPR Format)

Matt Ward

Start ‘em – Antonio Brown – 2 points

Sit ‘em – Robert Griffin III – 34 points (ouch)

Sleeper – Andrew Hawkins – 3 points

Waiver – Brandon Gibson – 9 points

PPR Player – Heath Miller – 12 points (PPR Format)

Jason Peters

Start  ’em – DeMarco Murray – 9 points

Sit ’em – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 6 points

Sleeper – Mikel LeShoure – 9 points

Waiver – Andre Roberts – 1 point

PPR Player – Brandon Gibson – 12.5 points (PPR Format)

Week 7 Projections

Start Em

Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Jason: Andrew Luck vs. Cleveland Browns – Luck has been overshadowed by RG3 this year, but is developing into the type of player so may expected coming out of Stanford. Last week, he stumbled a bit against the Jets in New York, but in the last two games at home, Luck has a combined 51 points in standard fantasy scoring. This week, he is back in Indanapolis against the woeful Browns, and while they have showed a tenacity in picking off quarterbacks a couple times a game, they also surrender big yardage and points. Look for Luck to toss 3 touchdowns and over 300 yards, while being picked off once or twice.

David: Chris Johnson @ Buffalo Bills – CJ has undoubtedly been the most frustrating player in all of fantasy football over the past two seasons, but his extreme level of talent continues to entice owners. He started extremely slow this season but recently has found some swagger with good performances against the Texans and Steelers. This week he faces the Buffalo Bills, who are ceding 173.5 yards per game on the ground, an NFL worst. In two career games against the Bills, he has rushed for 285 yards (5.8 YPC) and four TDs, also catching five passes for 104 yards. Basically, CJ has torched the Bills every time he’s seen them, and this week will be no different.

Matt: Robert Griffin III @ NY Giants – After a game where RG3 was beat up and received a mild concussion, I thought for sure he would be in for a less-than-productive game against the Vikings last week.  That “Sit ‘em” was my worst call of the year!  Robert Griffin III made a believer out of me last week.  Even though he is up against the New York Giants defense, I think RG3 has the tools to make them pay.  This guy has a great arm, but if things get hot, he can take off for considerable running games.  In a week that has several teams on bye, you would be crazy not to start Robert Griffin III.  I look for 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT while rushing for 60 yards and a TD.

Sit Em

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David: Jets Defense @ New England Patriots – The Jets came out swinging last week vs. the Colts, tuning up rookie Andrew Luck for two interceptions and recovering two fumbles. More surprisingly, Cromartie has taken stud wide receivers Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne to Revis Island the past two weeks. The Jets are on an emotional high after dominating the Colts, but now they must travel to New England, where the Patriots are still fuming over their one-point loss at Seattle. Tom Brady will pick apart the Revis-less secondary, especially with the dynamic Aaron Hernandez back from injury.

Matt: Jets Defense @ New England Patriots – The New York Jets resurfaced last week after everyone had written them off.  Their defense pressured and harassed Andrew Luck and the Colts all game long picking him off several times.  They scored 17 points in standard ESPN fantasy leagues.  Before you start thinking “They’re back!”… Tom Brady is not Andrew Luck.  The Patriots can come at you from several different angles, and the Jets just don’t have the Defense that they once did.  When Darrelle Revis went down for the year, the Jets were shopping for Corners on the open market.  Suppose by some miracle that they can slow down the high-flying passing attack of the Patriots – then they would have to contain the multi-faceted running attack of the Patriots.  After an uncharacteristic come from behind loss last week, the Patriots are going to be playing angry and looking to punch someone in the mouth.  Sorry New York – but I expect your defense to put up negative points this weekend.

Jason: Martellus Bennett vs. Washington Redskins – Bennett came out of nowhere at the beginning of the season and looked to become a major player in fantasy, as well as for the New York Giants. However, something happened those first three games, and ever since, Bennett has been more or less a non-factor. During the first three games he had a combined 33 points in standard scoring; in the last three, he has had a combined 3 points, all of which came against Cleveland. This is just as much a declaration that you should probably move on from having Bennett in any of your long term plans.

Sleeper

Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

Matt: Kenny Britt @ Buffalo Bills – Kenny Britt was gold in the handful of games he played in the 2011 season.  As the 2012 season was drawing close, fantasy owners remembered the good ol’ days until Britt got arrested for drunk driving.  So far this season he has been less than impressive, but I think he is just starting to get up to speed.  Once he starts rolling – watch out!  I think this week he will have a great game against a Buffalo defense that is susceptible to the pass.  Out of 6 games this season, 3 times they have allowed 3 passing TDs.  It will either be Kendall Wright or Kenny Britt with a big game – but it seems like Britt has been ramping up as of late.  I like seeing him trending in the right direction, so I am gonna expect around 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD.

Jason: Montario Hardesty @ Indianapolis Colts – With Richardson sidelined last week, Hardesty performed decently for any owners desperate enough to start him (Can’t imagine there were many), putting up 11 points in standard scoring and notching a touchdown for the Browns along the way. Hardesty has two things going for him. First, obviously, is the injury Richardson, but more-so than that is the fact that they play the Colts, who are currently fourth-worst in the league at defending the run, allowing 159 yards on the ground per game. If you have Richardson on your lineup, you would do well to grab Hardesty while you can for fill-in duty.

David: Doug Martin vs. New Orleans Saints – The Bucs drafted Martin in the first round to be the unquestioned starter, but he hasn’t yet produced like they anticipated. He’s averaging nearly 17 rushes per game, but recently LeGarrette Blount has been poaching carries. This week Martin faces the Saints, who are just as bad against the run as the Bills, allowing 172.8 yards per game. Martin is also a receiving threat, averaging nearly 11 yards per reception, and he will receive at least 20 total touches against a struggling Saints defense. He has the potential to be a top-10 fantasy running back this week.

Waiver Wire Pickup

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David:  Josh Gordon, WR Browns (owned in 13.7% of ESPN leagues) – Rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon would have been an early round selection in the NFL Draft if not for off-the-field problems at Baylor in 2010, which forced him to transfer to Utah and miss the entire 2011 season. When the Browns took him in the 2nd round of the NFL Supplemental Draft this summer, they were hoping for a big play threat, and wow has Gordon delivered. In his last two games he’s caught TD passes of 71, 62, and 20 yards, and he’s established himself over Greg Little as the best receiver on the team. If you haven’t heard, the Browns lose most games, and usually play from behind. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden may not be the savior of this franchise yet, but he can wing the ball deep, and Gordon knows how to make big plays.

Matt: Josh Gordon (owned in 13.7% of ESPN leagues) – Josh Gordon has had back-to-back big games as the clear #1 receiving option for Brandon Weeden.  The more times Weeden sees Gordon take a pass to the house, the more confident he is going to be throwing it his way.  Gordon is a rookie this year and was taken in the supplemental draft.  The odds were stacked heavily against him.  Greg Little has fallen out of favor with too many dropped balls, and Gordon has been up to the challenge with some added attention.  He should be owned in 100% of leagues with high-end FLEX or WR2 potential.  He is also in line for another good game this week against a weak Colts defense.

Jason: Santana Moss (owned in 20.6% of ESPN leagues) – Moss is an unfairly overlooked player in leagues. Not that he is necessarily the receiver he once was, but considering the many busts at the poistion, he is a solid #3/Flex option. Consider that two weeks ago against Atlanta, he notched 14 points in standard scoring. This week, he goes up against the New York Giants, a team he has traditionally performed well against, as he has 9 TD’s in 15 games historically against them.

PPR Player

Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Jason: Percy Harvin vs. Arizona Cardinals – Harvin has fast become the main scoring threat in Minnesota. Kyle Rudolph had a surprising season and came out of nowhere to become a solid second option for Ponder, but the entire offense goes through Percy Harvin at this point. In the last 2 games, he combined for 19 receptions, catching at least a TD and 100 yards in each of those contests. Harvin should be considered an every week starter at this point, especially in PPR circles. Look for another 8 – 10 catch game plus a TD.

Matt: Anquan Boldin @ Houston Texans – I am not a huge Anquan Boldin fan these days.  Gone are the days where he can blow past anyone, and there are better receiving options for Baltimore.  However, this week the Ravens are going up against a stout Texans Defense with a sack-hungry Defensive line.  I can see the Ravens game-planning for less deep passes and more underneath routes.  Boldin is as good as they come at catching a pass in traffic while fighting off defenders.  I could see him having 8+ receptions this weekend as the Ravens work to get the ball out of Joe Flacco’s hands before the tenacious JJ Watt gets to him for a sack.  The yardage may not be huge, but he will be a good PPR option this weekend with 8 receptions, 60 yards, 0 TDs.

David: Randall Cobb @ St. Louis Rams – Greg Jennings is still questionable with an injured groin, so Cobb will again see increased playing time this week against the Rams. The Rams do have one of the best tandems of cornerbacks in Finnegan and rookie Janoris Jenkins, but those two will be occupied with Jordy Nelson and the recently sensational James Jones, who has caught 6 TDs in the past 3 games! In those same 3 games, Cobb has caught 18 passes and 1 TD, so I fully expect another TD to come his way this week as Aaron Rodgers continues to heat up.

Now of course none of this would be as fun for any of us if you didn’t let us know what you think about our picks, or curse us for a blown recommendation, so be sure to note the following Twitter-related contact info:

Follow Jason Peters @TitanSizedJason

Follow David Fleming @dfleming22

Follow Matt Ward @titanchaps

We love when you hit us up, so feel free to send anything you want our way, and good luck to everyone in Fantasy Football Land.