Many fantasy football playoff spots are on the line this week, so here are some roster tips to help get one step closer to a title.
Start:
Tony Romo – Mocking Tony Romo has become a popular American pastime akin to baseball, apple pie and consuming an inordinate, unhealthily excessive amount of food on Thanksgiving. Romo’s 18 turnovers has cost the 5-6 Cowboys and his fantasy owners some wins, but he’s also averaging 305.2 yards per game and completing 66.2 percent of his passes. Against an Eagles squad that has secured just seven interceptions this season and seemingly tossed in the towel on the 2012 season, Romo should light up the scoreboard.
Jacquizz Rodgers – When looking at tonight’s Falcons/Saints matchup, New Orleans running back Darren Sproles is likely the main 5-foot-6 running back drawing attention, but Atlanta is grooming its own scat-back in Jacquizz Rodgers. As 30-year-old Michael Turner continues to falter, Rodgers should continue to receive more touches, and a contest against the NFL’s worst rushing defense would be the perfect time for him to break out.
Pierre Garcon – The Giants have allowed touchdown passes of at least 50 yards in each of their last three games. Look for Robert Griffin III to produce another strong outing against his division rival, who he embarrassed in a Week 7 loss. Everyone knows to start Griffin at this point, so which receiver will burn New York this time around? After receiving seven targets his way, including one that went for a 59-yard touchdown, last week against Dallas, Pierre Garcon could finally establish a connection with the rookie quarterback after suffering through injuries.
Sit:
Josh Freeman – Tossing 16 touchdowns to only three interceptions in his past seven games has earned Josh Freeman a spot in many starting fantasy lineups. This week, however, consider another option as Freeman squares off against a fierce Broncos defense. In addition to ranking fifth in the NFL with 209.6 passing yards allowed per game, Denver leads the league with 37 sacks. A favorable schedule catapulted Tampa Bay into a playoff hunt, but Freeman and Co. might not fare as well against an elite squad.
Knowshon Moreno – After not touching the football since Week 2, Knowshon Moreno returned from the dead to replace Willis McGahee. The fourth-year back rushed for 86 yards and added 26 receiving yards against the Chiefs. Don’t let him sit on the waiver-wire, but also don’t insert him into the starting lineup right away. Tampa Bay allows a league-best 81.5 rushing yards per game and a league-worst 315.5 passing yards. They can defend the pass, they can’t defend the run and they’re facing Peyton Manning. Do the math.
Mike Wallace – If Charlie Batch starts again this Sunday, fantasy players must bench Mike Wallace, who has caught five passes for 33 yards during Ben Roethlisberger’s two-week absence. An amazing deep threat with a decent quarterback, Wallace is rendered useless with a 38-year-old third-stringer running Pittsburgh’s aerial attack.
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agould1@ramapo.edu
