AFC Offense

Quarterbacks:

Who Made It:

Tom Brady*

Philip Rivers

Peyton Manning

Who Should Have Made It:

Tom Brady*

Phillip Rivers

Matt Cassel

Brady and Rivers were no-brainers here but how can you ignore 27 TDs to 5 picks all season long? No those are not Peyton Manning’s numbers, try Matt Cassel. Cassel has a higher passer rating and oh by the way, is in the playoffs.

Running Backs:

Who Made It:

Maurice Jones-Drew*

Arian Foster

Jamaal Charles

Who Should Have Made It:

Arian Foster*

Maurice Jones-Drew

Jamaal Charles

Foster and Charles are no-brainers so that leaves one spot for MJD, Chris Johnson, Hillis, and McFadden. Yes Johnson’s numbers are better than MJD’s, but what Jones-Drew brings to the Jaguars in every possible way doesn’t compare to any other back in the AFC.

Fullback:

Who Made It:

Vonta Leach*

Who Should Have Made It:

Vonta Leach*

Like it or not, the way we value fullbacks are how well the running back does. Leach might want to take Mr. Foster for this one.

Wide Receivers:

Who Made It:

Andre Johnson*

Reggie Wayne*

Brandon Lloyd

Dwayne Bowe

Who Should Have Made It:

Brandon Lloyd*

Dwayne Bowe*

Reggie Wayne

Mike Wallace

It’s nice to see Lloyd and Bowe get the nod but they have been the two best receivers in the AFC and deserved to start. Wayne is a valid choice considering his sick numbers and the injuries in the receiving core. I don’t hate the Andre choice but his injuries have really held him back and when you combine that to Wallace’s team in the playoffs, I give the speedster the slight nod.

Tight End:

Who Made It:

Antonio Gates*

Mercedes Lewis

Who Should Have Made It:

Antonio Gates*

Mercedes Lewis

No doubt about this one. Even with Gates out, he still has the best numbers for AFC tight ends. Who’s number two? Mercedes Lewis; voters got this one right.

Center:

Who Made It:

Nick Mangold*

Maurkice Pouncey
Who Should Have Made It:

Nick Mangold*

Don Koppen

Nothing against Pouncey, he has many more pro-bowls in his future, but how can the center of the best offensive line in football get overlooked. Koppen is a huge reason for Brady’s season.

Guard:

Who Made It:

Kris Dielman*

Logan Mankins*

Brian Waters

Who Should Have Made It:

Logan Mankins*

Brian Waters*

Kris Dielman

Even with Mankins long hold out, there is no question that he is the best guard in the game. The voters got it right with Waters and Dielman but I give Waters the start because of the Chief’s playoff position.

Tackle:

Who Made It:

Jake Long*

Joe Thomas*

D’Brickashaw Ferguson

Who Should Have Made It:

D’Brickashaw Ferguson

Jake Long*

Joe Thomas

Long and Thomas are the two best tackles in the AFC, hands down. Injuries have slowed each down which is why the brick deserves the start.

* starter

As a pretty wild week of football comes to close, I fell to 3 – 2 in my fantasy league thanks to Arian Foster suffering from isuckitus and Mark Clayton abruptly coming out of the game with a season ending knee injury. OK I’ll admit I did deserve the whole Mark Clayton thing because I stubbornly benched LeSean McCoy for Clayton; I know it sounds bad but the uncertainty of if McCoy was going to play was giving me paranoia because I knew if he didn’t play I would be forced to pick up Greg Caramillo or Brad Smith because they still had a game and Mark Clayton’s 0.6 fantasy points still was better than Caramillo and Smith combined.

Back to Clayton, if you’re like me and were able to pick up the Rams number one receiver to save your receiving core from the Marques Colston implosion, you are probably think your fantasy team was given the death sentence. Besides him needing a map to find the endzone, Colston really hasn’t been THAT bad. He’s on pace for 918 yards and I would be surprised if he doesn’t get to 1,000. Touchdowns will come and really the only thing you can do with him is wait.

If you don’t have the “luxury” of having Colston, its time to look to the waiver wire for some help.

Mike Williams TB: Before the season started I knew that Mike Williams (TB) would be a star and everyone laughed when I drafted him. The key here is that Josh Freeman has really developed and is the best second year quarterback in the league right now, sorry Jets fans. Williams is the number one guy in Tampa and already has 3 TDs in just 4 games (already had his bye). He’s on pace for a ridiculous 952 yard 12 touchdown season and so far every week he eclipsed his previous high in receiving yards. Rookie of the year here he comes. Just listen to how soft he ends the season: vulnerable Saints D, just an awful Rams and Cards secondary, overrated Falcons D, the Panthers, 49ers, Ravens, Falcons again, ‘Skins, Lions, Seattle, and Saints again. Besides a tough matchup in Baltimore, Williams should be a weekly starter. Pick him up, he’s available in over half of Yahoo leagues.

Steve Johnson: OK this is a little ridiculous, how the hell is a guy with 4 touchdowns available in 83 percent of Yahoo leagues. Yeah I guess Johnson isn’t an extraordinary talent but he is the favorite receiver of the underrated Ryan Fitzpatrick. Lee Evans is absolutely a non-factor and the Bills aren’t even going to run a lot with Spiller wearing baby protective gear and the fragility of Fred Jackson. He’s already burned the Jets D for a score, no matchup should scare you with this guy.

*There’s a reason why I didn’t put Amendola on this list who is getting all of the hype.

As Saturday rolls around, fantasy owners are looking for answers. That’s where I come in. I’ll tell you who to stay with and who to stay away from. I’ll go through every matchup and dissect every player’s fantasy projection.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

Stay

Maurice Jones-Drew: Let’s face it you didn’t use a top 3 pick to bench him. He’s up against the worst run defense in the NFL and he will run all over the Bills.

Prediction: 177 rushing yards 2 TD 32 receiving yards 32.9 fantasy points

Mercedes Lewis: Don’t expect more than about 40 yards but a touchdown or two will make him a valuable fantasy asset.

Prediction: 31 receiving yards 1 TD 9.1 fantasy points

Ryan Fitzpatrick: I cannot believe I am doing this but his speed gives him tremendous upside and with the Jags having the 30th ranked pass defense I expect a 15 – 20 point performance.

Prediction: 212 passing yards 1 TD 35 rushing yards 15.98 fantasy points

Steve Johnson: The Fitz Johnson connection has been money, Lee Evans really isn’t much competition, expect a touchdown maybe two.

Prediction: 67 receiving yards 1 TD 12.7 fantasy points

Stay Away

David Garrard: This is purely a last case scenario, his two games where he had over a 65 passer rating he played against the 15th best pass defense (Colts) and 17th best pass defense (Broncos). The Bills and underrated Jairus Byrd rank in the top 12 in pass defense. Unless your willing to deal with his 35 passer rating he had against the Chargers, leave him on the bench.

Prediction: 146 pass yards 2 TD 2 INT 23 rush yards 10.14 fantasy points

Mike Thomas: Number one receiver and has a good chance of getting 70 yards but no chance at a touchdown, MJD will run it in or Garrard will turn to his favorite red zone target, Mercedes Lewis.

Prediction: 64 receiving yards 6.4 fantasy points

Mike Sims-Walker: Love the talent here but he’s been held without a reception twice this year and I don’t trust him against a decent Buffalo secondary.

Prediction: 14 receiving yards 1.4 fantasy points

CJ Spiller/Fred Jackson: With Marshawn Lynch gone, the reps go to these two but that’s the problem, they go to both. I wouldn’t expect more than 12 attempts for each and against an average rush defense, don’t be surprised if there isn’t a touchdown between the two.

Prediction: Spiller: 52 rushing yards 13 receiving yards 6.3 fantasy points Jackson: 43 rushing yards 4.3 fantasy points

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

Stay

Matt Forte: Don’t love Forte but without Cutler under center, Forte will have plenty of opportunities and will have a respectable fantasy day even if he only gets 3 yards per rush.

Prediction: 73 rushing yards 17 receiving yards 1 TD 15 fantasy points

Stay Away

Any Bears receiver: When Johnny Knox is the number one, its not like your benching anyone special, but with Todd Collins under center, there is no chance that any break 65 yards.

Prediction: Knox: 32 receiving yards 3.2 fantasy points

Deangelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart: Love both’s talent and Williams has established himself as a regular starter, but to be safe you shouldn’t start either. The Bears have the 6th best rushing defense in the NFL and if the Panthers want to stay competitive, they’ll have to mix up the rotation.

Prediction: Williams: 46 rushing yards 13 receiving yards 5.9 fantasy points Stewart: 13 rushing yards 7 receiving yards 2 fantasy points

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts

Stay

Thomas Jones/Jamaal Charles: Sounds crazy to play both but thus far they each have managed to rack up over 70 yards per game each on the ground and against the Colts 29th ranked rush defense, the trend should continue.

Prediction: Jones: 47 rushing yards 1 TD 10.7 fantasy points Charles: 113 rushing yards  11.3 fantasy points

Tony Moeaki: I don’t expect Cassel to have a field day but if in the red zone, Moeaki becomes the odds on favorite to get the TD.

Prediction: 43 receiving yards 1 TD 10.3 fantasy points

Peyton Manning: When you pair the best quarterback on the NFL against the 25th best pass defense in the NFL, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 400 yard field day.

Prediction: 412 passing yards 3 TD 28.48 fantasy points

Any Colts WR: Wayne, Collie, and Clark have all been able to co-exist and all be valuable fantasy assets, against the Chiefs there’s no reason why Garcon can’t join the party especially if Collie sits.

Prediction: Wayne: 142 receiving yards 14.2 fantasy points

Stay Away

Matt Cassel: Yeah I know he’s playing a banged up Colts secondary that is pedestrian at best fully healthy, but I have no trust in Chambers or Bowe; Jones and Charles will get all the yards.

Prediction: 123 passing yards 1 TD 8.92 fantasy points

Joseph Addai/Donald Brown: Neither have been great thus far and you pair that with the Chiefs 5th best run defense, don’t expect either to get more than 50 yards on the ground.

Prediction: Addai: 50 rushing yards 12 receiving yards 6.2 fantasy points

Dwayne Bowe/Chris Chambers: Both have extraordinary talent but the inconsistency of Cassel makes it hard to instill trust in either.

Prediction: Bowe: 23 receiving yards 2.3 fantasy points

Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns

Stay

Matt Ryan: You don’t need me to tell you to start Ryan against the Browns but just making sure.

Prediction: 246 passing yards 2 TD 17.84 fantasy points

Roddy White: He has made himself an every week starter and playing against the Browns 24th rank pass defense only helps.

Prediction: 116 receiving yards 1 TD 17.6 fantasy points

Michael Turner: Never have been a big Michael Turner fan but lets face it your starting all your Falcons starters against the Browns.

Prediction: 97 rushing yards 1 TD 34 receiving yards 19.1 fantasy points

Peyton Hillis/Jerome Harrison: Please understand, this is NOT telling you to start both. If Hillis is active you start him and bench Harrison, but if Hillis is inactive, the Falcons will have trouble dealing with the finesse of Harrison after they prepared for the power of Hillis.

Prediction: Hillis: 102 rushing yards 1 TD 16.2 fantasy points

Stay Away

Anyone involved with the Browns passing game: I don’t care that the Falcons are a pedestrian 18th ranked pass defense, with Seneca Wallace or Delhomme you can’t take them seriously.

Prediction: Delhomme: 221 passing yards 3 INT 5.84 fantasy points

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals

Stay

Mike Williams: Some people cannot stop talking about LeGarrette Blount, for me its Williams, I expect him to get a touchdown even if he only racks up around 50 yards.

Prediction: 53 receiving yards 1 TD 11.3 fantasy points

Carson Palmer: Yes the Buccaneers have the tenth best pass defense but who have they played? Delhomme? Moore? Batch? Palmer will shake things up.

Prediction: 312 passing yards 1 TD 1 INT 15.48 fantasy points

Cedric Benson: Bernard Scott has been a non-factor and the Buccaneers have given up 130 RYPG. I expect Benson to get 90 percent of that.

Prediction: 112 rushing yards 1 TD 11 receiving yards 18.3 fantasy points

Chad Ochocinco: All the hype is surrounding Owens but Ochocinco really has more talent and he’s set to display it with a monster game.

Prediction: 74 receiving yards TD 13.4 fantasy points

Stay Away

Josh Freeman: I love the potential here but the Bengals are in the top ten in pass defense and its not like they’ve been playing David Garrard every week, they’ve already dealt with AFC power QBs, Brady and Flacco.

178 passing yards 1 TD 2 INT 9.12 fantasy points

Any Buccaneers Running Back: I’m not one of those delusional LeGarrette Blount lovers and I Cadillac Williams is too far past his prime.

Prediction: Cadillac Williams: 64 rushing yards 6.4 fantasy points

Terrell Owens: Besides his 222 yard outburst against the Browns last week, he hasn’t topped 5 fantasy points, expect more of a 5 point performance this week.

Prediction: 34 receiving yards 3.4 fantasy points

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

Stay

Kyle Orton: Obviously you don’t like the matchup against the best pass defense, but Orton has had the most passing yards per game than anyone and with Moreno out Orton will have another 50 attempt performance.

Prediction: 346 passing yards 2 TD 2 INT 17.84 fantasy points

Jabar Gaffney/Eddie Royal: Both have solidified themselves as weekly starters, the Ravens secondary will throw fits.

Prediction: Gaffney: 112 receiving yards 1 TD: 17.2 fantasy points

Joe Flacco: Denver’s secondary is below average and Flacco is coming off of back to back 250 passing yard efforts.

Prediction: 234 passing yards 2 TD 1 INT 16.36 fantasy points

Ray Rice: Don’t expect him to be the Ray Rice of last year but 75/1 is definitely possible and maybe a few receptions will give him 15 points.

Prediction: 77 rushing yards 4 receiving yards 1 TD 14.1 fantasy points

Anquan Boldin: He’s becoming a must start every week; this week is no different.

Prediction: 123 receiving yards 1 TD 18.3 fantasy points

Stay Away

Anyone in the Broncos running game: With Moreno out, dumb and dumber get the call, maybe one of them can top their average of 26 YPG on the ground. O excuse me that 26 is Buckhalter and Moroney COMBINED.

Prediction: Buckhalter: 23 rushing yards 2.3 fantasy points

Demaryius Thomas: Extraordinary talent but with Gaffney and Royal ahead in the pecking order, hard to have faith.

Prediction: 45 receiving yards 4.5 fantasy points

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

Stay

Anyone associated with the Packers passing game: Obviously your going to start Finley, Rodgers, Jennings, and Driver, but I’d also take a chance on James Jones.

Prediction: Rodgers: 301 passing yards 3 TD 24.03 fantasy points

Ryan Torain: Don’t love the matchup against a potent Packers D but he’s getting all the touches and that count’s for something.

Prediction: 89 rushing yards 1 TD 14.9 fantasy points

Stay Away

John Kuhn/Brandon Jackson: I hate hearing about these guys because they aren’t that good and they aren’t going to get a boatload of carries anyway with Rodgers under center.

Prediction: Kuhn: 31 rushing yards 3.1 fantasy points

Donovan McNabb: McNabb will be under pressure all day and with Charles Woodson in the secondary, multiple picks is likely.

Prediction: 178 passing yards 1 TD 2 INT 9.12 fantasy points

Any Redskins WR: Normally its hard to play any of them because there are so many but against the Packers D let me make it easy, don’t play any. I don’t expect anything from Cooley, Davis, Armstrong, Moss, or Galloway.

Prediction: Moss: 34 receiving yards: 3.4 fantasy points

New York Giants at Houstan Texans

Stay

Eli Manning: Statistically Manning has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, but you have to stick with a guy that had 4,000 yards last year and is playing against the worst pass defense.

Prediction: 265 passing yards 3 TD 2 INT 20.6 fantasy points

Hakeem Nicks/Mario Manningham/Steve Smith: Expect a touchdown from Nicks and Manningham and at least 90 yards from Smith maybe including a touchdown.

Prediction: Nicks: 134 receiving yard 1 TD 19.4 fantasy points

Anyone on the Texans offense: Foster is the NFL’s leading rusher and the Giants rush defense has been atrocious. The secondary has been good but always lack the ability to stop big plays.

Prediction: Foster: 154 rushing yards 1 TD 59 receiving yards 1 TD 33.3 fantasy points

Stay Away

Ahmad Bradshaw: Obviously you aren’t starting Brnadon Jacobs but for this week the same goes for Bradshaw. A bum ankle combined with the Texans second ranked rush defense and the season debut for Brian Cushing equals a bad day for Bradshaw.

Prediction: 36 receiving yards 23 rushing yards 5.5 fantasy points

St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions

Stay

Steven Jackson: Last week SteJax proved the groin wasn’t an issue and this week will run all over the 25th ranked rush defense.

Prediction: 143 rushing yards 1 TD 17 receiving yards 22 fantasy points

Sam Bradford: He really has been a pleasant surprise this far, you can’t expect that to stop against the 26th ranked pass defense of the Lions.

Prediction: 213 passing yards 2 TD 2 INT 14.52 fantasy points

Mark Clayton: He really is the one receiver on the Rams that can be trusted week in and week out, expect a 90/1 line.

Prediction: 93 receiving yards 1 TD 13.3 fantasy points

The Lions trio: The Rams defense is pathetic and Hill, Megatron, and Best will all reach 15 points +.

Prediction: Hill: 243 passing yards 2 TD 1 INT 16.72 fantasy points

Stay Away

Any Rams receiver not named Mark: I don’t care about the potential of Laurent Robinson or Danny Amendola, the fact of the matter is they are averageing 63 YPG combined and only one TD between the two.

Prediction: Robinson: 42 receiving yards 4.2 fantasy points

Brandon Pettigrew: Its not that I don’t love the talent here, the problem is if you are a tight end with competition there is no way you will be able to keep up a torrid pace. Sell high if you have him.

Prediction: 62 receiving yards 6.2 fantasy points

New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals

Stay

Drew Brees: He’s a must start on a weekly basis, the fact that he is playing the Cardinals and the 23rd ranked defense is just a bonus.

Prediction: 334 passing yards 3 TD 1 INT 24.36 fantasy points

Marques Colston: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie scares me but in four games the number one receiver has gotten 119, 78, 119, and 144; I’m not that scared. He’s got to break out of his slump sometime, I like this week.

Prediction: 81 receiving yards 1 TD 14.1 fantasy points

Jeremy Shockey: Arizona has had major issues guarding the tight end and it seems like Shockey is coming around.

Prediction: 34 receiving yards 1 TD 9.4 fantasy points

Christopher Ivory: All Ivory has done is impress and playing against the third to worst pass defense doesn’t hurt.

Prediction: 67 rushing yards 43 receiving yards 11 fantasy points

Tim Hightower: I have absolutely no faith in Beanie Wells so that leaves Hightower against the 26th ranked rush defense, no reason not to start him.

Prediction: 87 rushing yards 1 TD 15 receiving yards 16.2 fantasy points

Stay Away

Lance Moore: After two sensational weeks, the Cards better prepare for him leaving Colston open but him locked in coverage.

Prediction: 23 receiving yards 2.3 fantasy points

Beanie Wells: He clearly isn’t the talent Hightower is, I would be surprised if he got more than 11 carries but I expect a number more like 7.

Prediction: 52 rushing yards 5.2 fantasy points

Larry Fitzgerald: Its a real sad story here because Fitz is arguably the most talented in football but when you have someone worst than Derek Anderson (Max Hall), its hard to show that talent.

Prediction: 32 receiving yards: 3.2 fantasy points

Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys

Stay

Chris Johnson: A terrible matchup for Johnson but with Vince Young continuing to struggle he probably will eclipse 100 yards and cross the plane.

Prediction: 123 rushing yards 1 TD 12 rushing yards 19.5 fantasy points

Tony Romo: Had his fair share of problems this year, a dose of a banged up Titans secondary should do the trick.

Prediction: 253 passing yards 3 TD 1 INT 1 FL 19.12 fantasy points

Miles Austin: He gets too many receptions to be shutdown in back-to-back games.

Prediction: 87 receiving yards 1 TD 14.7 fantasy points

Roy Williams: Its starting to look like Miles Austin and Roy Williams could become a lethal one two punch, not like the two crackheads in Cincy.

Prediction: 54 receiving yards 1 TD 11.4 fantasy points

Stay Away

Anyone in the Titans passing game: No the Cowboys secondary isn’t amazing but it doesn’t have to be; VY will self destruct and it will hurt his wideouts.

Prediction: Vince Young: 174 passing yards 2 INT 4.96 fantasy points

Felix Jones/Marian Barber: What it looks like is that Felix Jones is getting the carries but Marion the Barbarian will get it at the goal line and you have to remember Tashard Choice is always in the mix.

Prediction: Jones: 67 rushing yards 6.7 fantasy points

Dez Bryant: An exceptional talent in the same shoes as Thomas of the Broncos. Playing as the third receiver leads to little production and its unlikely he’ll take a kick to the house.

Prediction: 23 receiving yards 2.3 fantasy points

Jason Witten: I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets fifty yards but I also wouldn’t be surprised if Sidney Rice gets a TD before him, and he’s out until Week 11 at least.

Prediction: 53 receiving yards 5.3 fantasy points

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

Stay

Phillip Rivers: He’s been the 2nd best fantasy quarterback thus far and he’s playing against the team he reached 500 yards against last year.

Prediction: 312 passing yards 3 TD 2 INT 22.48 fantasy points

Ryan Matthews/Mike Tolbert: The way each have been playing it looks like they can co-exist and both be fantasy assets, well against the second worst run defense of the Raiders at least.

Prediction: Matthews: 56 rushing yards 1 TD 11.6 fantasy points

Antonio Gates: It doesn’t matter who’s guarding him, he’s going to be a monster and be the Chargers number one receiver.

Prediction: 123 receiving yards 2 TD 24.3 fantasy points

Bruce Gradkowski: In deeper or two quarterback leagues, Gradkowski can put up some big numbers especially with Murphy healthy.

Prediction: 278 passing yards 2 TD 2 INT 17.12 fantasy points

Michael Bush: Reminds me of Jonathan Stewart and with McFadden out, he will be a top ten running back.

Prediction: 89 rushing yards 34 receiving yards 1 TD 18.3 fantasy points

Zach Miller: Its really looking like he’s the next big thing at tight end…not Owen Daniels.

Prediction: 67 receiving yards 1 TD 12.7 fantasy points

Stay Away

Any Chargers receiver not named Antonio: Love Floyd but he has no worth against Asomugha. Rivers likes to share the wealth between his receivers, no one but Gates will have a great game.

Prediction: Floyd: 23 receiving yards: 2.3 fantasy points

Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

Stay

LeSean McCoy: Broken ribs and the 49ers defense spells for disaster, but McCoy has been so good and has earned my trust as a weekly starter.

Prediction: 76 rushing yards 45 receiving yards 11.1 fantasy points

Frank Gore: Like McCoy, he is a weekly starter and the 49ers have used him as their best receiver and best running back.

Prediction: 121 rushing yards 1 TD 54 receiving yards 1 TD 29.5 fantasy points

Vernon Davis: Davis hasn’t been great but playing against the Eagles and their problems against the tight end should put him on track.

Prediction: 74 receiving yards 1 TD 13.4 fantasy points

Stay Away

Kevin Kolb: Before I trust him as a real starter, he has to prove to me he can do more than little 5 yard passes.

Prediction: 198 passing yards 1 passing TD 2 INT 9.92 fantasy points

DeSean Jackson: Jackson needs a real quarterback to have a great day, Kolb doesn’t give him that.

Prediction: 46 receiving yards 11 rushing yards 5.7 fantasy points

Alex Smith: I think Smith could be a valuable bye week starter later in the year but that’s the key, later in the year.

Prediction: 201 passing yards 2 TD 3 INT 1 FL 11.04 fantasy points

Michael Crabtree: He is definitely improving but the Eagles will prove to be too much of a nuisance.

Prediction: 34 receiving yards 3.4 fantasy points

Brent Celek: With a real quarterback Michael Vick he was pretty bad and last week with Kevin Kolb he was worst.

Prediction: 29 receiving yards 2.9 fantasy points

Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets

Stay

Adrian Peterson: Yeah I know he is playing the Jets, but he is also the best running back in football and there is no question he will top 100 yards from scrimmage.

Prediction: 112 rushing yards 1 TD 17.2 fantasy points

Brett Favre: It would be ludicrous to think he will be a top five quarterback but Randy Moss should get him into the top 12.

Prediction: 213 passing yards 2 TD 2 INT 14.52 fantasy points

Percy Harvin: The addition of Moss will take pressure off of him and more importantly it takes Revis off of him.

Prediction: 54 receiving yards 1 TD 11.4 fantasy points

Mark Sanchez: The Sanchize called in some reinforcements in the form of Santonio Holmes; don’t be surprised if he is a top 12 quarterback this week.

Prediction: 176 passing yards 2 TD 15.04 fantasy points

Visanthe Shiancoe: Yes the Jets defense is great but there is no way Jim Leonhard will be able to shut down Shiancoe.

Prediction: 64 receiving yards 1 TD 12.4 fantasy points

Dustin Keller: Keller is the only Jets receiver I know will get a fair amount of receptions.

Prediction: 78 receiving yards 1 TD 13.8 fantasy points

Stay Away

Jets receivers not named Dustin: The problem with Holmes, Edwards, and Cotchery is that the wealth will be shared too much for any to have a great game.

Prediction: Holmes: 35 receiving yards: 3.5 fantasy points

Shonn Greene/LaDainian Tomlinson: The Vikes have been allowing 87 RYPG, 87 split between two doesn’t look good. You would need to get up to 160 between the two before we can start talking about these two as starting. And they have been averaging that but they also haven’t played a rushing defense better than 112 RYPG.

Predition: Greene: 59 rushing yards 5.9 fantasy point

Randy Moss: With Tom Brady he has averaged 34 YPG, now without him against Revis he’d be lucky to get 2 receptions.

Prediction: 23 receiving yards 1 TD 2.3 fantasy points

As game number 162 game and went, fantasy baseball champions were named and the bragging began; I would like to take an article just to give a special thanks to all that made my rookie campaign turn into a fantasy baseball championship. This shall prove to you that fantasy baseball unlike football, isn’t about having the best draft, but riding whose hot and releasing whose not…

So let me start off with my draft day roster, bolded are the select few on my team through game 162:

Round 1: Troy Tulowitzki: His September surge singlehandedly kept me in first.

Round 2: Ryan Braun: Didn’t quite live up to expectations, but good enough.

Round 3: Pablo Sandoval: Included him in a package for Torii Hunter, next option was sending him to where he belonged: the waiver wire.

Round 4: Brian McCann: Wasn’t great but still a top 3 catcher.

Round 5: Robinson Cano: I’d love to say I saw this coming…but I didn’t.

Round 6: Josh Johnson: Exceeded expectations, only dropped him due to his season ending injury.

Round 7: Nick Markakis: He was included in the same Torri Hunter deal. They say power is the last thing to develop in the bigs, well he hit .297 with 12 homers and 45 doubles, I’ll be sure to draft him again.

Round 8: Andre Ethier: Kept him until the very end where I realized if I was serious about winning, I had to go in another direction; without the injury that ruined his season he might be the MVP

Round 9: Tommy Hanson: The only pitcher that survived the journey, his 3.33 ERA was serviceable enough.

Round 11: Derrek Lee: I expected Lee to be my first baseman…boy was I wrong, dumped him off in a Greinke trade.

Round 11: Jose Valverde: He ended up being the best player in a deal that landed me Greinke.

Round 12: Jake Peavey: Probably waited too long to draft my third starter, but a couple of free agent pickups saved me.

Round 13: Hunter Pence: Went 0 – 4 for me…thanks

Round 14: Carlos Marmol: Part of an early season deal that landed me the Grandy Man.

Round 15: Mark Buehrle: Gave me one stellar start then I traded him when his value was at its peak.

Round 16: Mark DeRosa: Luckily traded him before the injury.

Round 17: Carlos Zambrano: OK yes technically he started and ended the season on my team but after his opening day meltdown, I dropped him and picked him back up in September, doesn’t really count.

Round 18: Jose Lopez: Eventually I had to just cut ties.

Round 19: Chris Coghlan: His early season struggles earned him a trip to the waiver wire.

Round 20: Geovany Soto: Already had McCann so I dealt him for Heath Bell.

Round 21: Phil Coke: Its my first year, gimme a break.

Round 22: Cristian Guzman: He lasted maybe one week.

Round 23: Jorge Cantu: Actually got great value for him in a trade for Tim Hudson.

Now a special thanks to the guys that came and went:

Curtis Granderson: Landed him in a trade; turns out it wasn’t great for either of us.

Garrett Jones: Picked him up after a great first 2 days, went on to hit .194 with no home runs in his 31 at bats on my team.

Ryan Doumit: Picked hi up after I traded Soto, he wasn’t bad for the week I had him but I was set with McCann.

Vernon Wells: Saw the decline coming and traded him at the right time.

Josh Willingham: Besides the OBP, his real damage came when I benched him.

Lance Berkman: By no stretch of the imagination was he bad for me but Cantu was hot.

Kelly Johnson: Traded him as soon as I picked him up; really had no need with Cano and Weeks.

Marlon Bird: Had him about a week and hit around .190.

Ty Wigginton: Picked him up a little late, gave me 5 hits in 33 at-bats.

James Loney: Had him for a game before I finally picked up Hart.

Corey Hart: Top 5 pickups of the season.

Scott Rolen: Really was my lone third baseman for the second half.

Juan Uribe: Had him about a week when Tulo was down then turned to Furcal.

Aubrey Huff: He was my first baseman the last 2/3rds of the year, really helped me compete.

Carlos Santana: Don’t be surprised if he’s better than Posey next year.

Torii Hunter: Played well for me but anytime you can turn Hunter and a struggling Cantu into a Tim Hudson, you do it.

Rickie Weeks: I really had two top five second basemen.

Rafael Furcal: Provided support when Tulo was down.

Jason Kubel: Didn’t give me average but hit 4 clutch home runs for me down the stretch.

Johnny Gomes: He was the beneficiary of the ineffectiveness of Ethier.

Heath Bell: Landed him in a trade, didn’t disappoint.

Brian Matusz: Really wasn’t bad for me, I was able to find him a new home before his stretch of ineffectiveness began.

Gavin Floyd: I’d love to say I had him for his string of amazing starts, but I didn’t.

Wandy Rodriguez: I dished away Hunter Pence for him early season, released him soon thereafter, but an August pickup gave me the last laugh.

Barry Zito: Wasn’t great but he was long gone by the time he decided to stop winning.

Andy Pettitte: Even with the injury, it was a great pickup.

Matt Capps: Really solidified my bullpen.

David Price: Probably the best pickup of the year.

Zack Greinke: Traded him for decent value.

Doug Fister: Only gave me one win, but a 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings.

Jaime Garcia: Jaime rhymes with stud…or at least Rookie of the Year.

Mike Leake: Maybe he should stick to hitting.

Jeff Niemann: 6.62 ERA for me

Jason Vargas: Picked him up for his one bad stretch.

Colby Lewis: Average

Edinson Volquez: The NL version of AJ Burnett

Shaun Marcum: Really had a great year, just not when he was pitching against Boston, Cleveland, LA, New York, Tampa, and Arizona…OK maybe it wasn’t so great.

Tim Hudson: Even with his late season collapse, still was serviceable.

Vicente Padilla: For some reason I thought he’d be good.

Gio Gonzalez: Most Underrated Pitcher in Baseball

Jeremy Hellickson: Gave me a decent spot start.

Livan Hernandez: Let’s go with, someone hacked my computer.

Koji Uehara: Again with the hacking.

Clayton Richard: Got me a shutout, otherwise not much.

Brad Lige: Gave me three saves before I decided I only needed two closers.

Jonny Venters: Just picked him up because I thought he’d be a guy that wouldn’t blow my lead, of course he has an ERA in the 4s.

Closing Day Roster: The Studs (Except for Venters)

Brian McCann

Aubrey Huff

Robinson Cano

Scott Rolen

Troy Tulowitzki

Corey Hart

Ryan Braun

Curtis Granderson

Rickie Weeks

Jonny Gomes

Jason Kubel

Tim Hudson

Tommy Hanson

Heath Bell

Matt Capps

Jonny Venters

Andy Pettitte

Carlos Zambrano

Shaun Marcum

David Price

Wandy Rodriguez

Clayton Richard

Gio Gonzalez

From what I hear, most people don’t think that the Kenny McKinley death was a suicide. I hear things from all over the spectrum ranging from, if Ricky Williams didn’t commit suicide, than why would McKinley to McKinley showed no signs of suicide; this must be a murder. Boy are these ludicrous claims. First of all, no one should be compared to the aforementioned Ricky Williams, because Ricky is a different type of guy and for those who saw ESPNs 30 for 30 Run Ricky Run, they would know that he is a very lovable, caring individual that isn’t your stereotypical tough guy football player. Trust me, the film is worth the hour; it was one of the most inspiring redemption stories I’ve heard probably ever.

But back to McKinley who o by the way no one knew his name until today, but of course being the expert that I am, I knew…OK that’s total bullshit, I’ve never heard of the guy. Some background for you, the Gamecock was part of a dynamic duo with Sidney Rice in his South Carolina career. His nagging hammy in ’08 kept him out of the All-American option. In last year’s draft, McKinley was drafted in the 5th round by the Broncos. ’09 led to zero receptions before being placed in Injured Reserve and this year was the same, for he started and would’ve finished the season on IR. That can be frustrating for a guy, having turf toe in his early college career and finishing it with a hammy. He continued his stretch of bad luck with his whole NFL career being on IR. As a 5th round pick in the NFL and being on IR, he wasn’t making much money to provide for his son and there was probably much talk surrounding a release. He probably had the mind set that he wouldn’t be able to provide for his son and pulled the trigger (figuratively and literally). All I can say to that is rest in peace and you are a smaller man than I.

Yeah I realized that last night at the eleventh hour Revis and the Jets agreed to a deal but what I care about is the Jets cutting Tony Richardson. Tony Richardson is a well respected veteran leader as the fullback, but the Jets showed real class when they released him with intentions to sign him after week one, they just want to save money. T-Rich was beloved and it almost seems like the Yankees releasing Jorge Posada which will never happen, but I am outraged about this decision. Don’t get me wrong, I love John Connor, but still don’t you think he will be better with the guidance of Tony Richardson for at least his rookie season? I do.