Friday’s Fantasy Watch
As I am taking a look at the week nine matchups it occurs to me what a strange season this has been so far. No Sydney Rice or Vincent Jackson (yet), Larry Fitzgerald has pulled a disappearing act, Reggie Bush has missed the past six weeks, Brett Favre has lost his magic, and Aaron Rodgers has yet to live up to his NFL MVP hype.
It’s become a season filled with predominantly running backs by committees and few super star fantasy studs. Sure there are Roddy White, Adrian Peterson, and Andre Johnson players living up to the hype, but who are these Brandon Lloyd, Peyton Hillis, and Kyle Orton fellas? And where did they come from.
Each week with some of the best fantasy studs taking a back seat for an afternoon and some new name running to the forefront, it’s been tough from time to time this season to figure out who should be in your lineup. Believe me, I feel your pain.
And so as we enter week nine I will offer a couple of thoughts as we inch closer to kick-off (just over 24 hours away). Here are a couple of players on my watch for Sunday….
On My Watch
RB LeSean McCoy against the Colts defense…
Last week against the Indy defense running back Arian Foster (112 yards rushing) was very productive not only in the running game, but out of the backfield as well. With the Colts traveling to Philly this Sunday, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy will be on my radar.
The Colts were burned nine times for 65 yards out of the backfield by Foster and even back-up running back Derrick Ward snagged a couple of passes on the evening. As a matter of fact the Colts defense has allowed 18 receptions to running backs in its’ last two games.
McCoy has great versatility and there’s no doubt the Eagles offense will be utilizing all his skills and taking advantage of any mismatches coming out of the backfield. In week seven against a tough Titan run defense McCoy was limited to 48 yards rushing, but was able to contribute in the pass game with six receptions for 54 yards.
On Sunday against the Colts 28th ranked run defense that allows 4.9 yards per carry, McCoy should be able to find a few running lanes. He’ll also be an effective weapon out of the backfield as an eligible receiver. With the Colts defense allowing 11 catches to the Texan’s running backs a week ago, I’m sure Eagles head coach Andy Reid and company will find many ways to get the ball into McCoy’s hands.
I will be watching McCoy in your starting lineup on Sunday.
WR Dwayne Bowe against the Raiders defense….
For the past several weeks there hasn’t been any receiver as hot as the Chiefs Dwayne Bowe (21 receptions, 357 yards, 6 touchdowns in 2010). In his last three games Bowe has five touchdown receptions to go with over 200 yards receiving. He has become a man possessed and unstoppable in the red-zone.
Normally with a tough matchup like the Raiders 5th ranked pass defense I might steer clear, but with shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha listed as doubtful and not expected to play I like Bowe’s matchup on Sunday. The Raiders are going to have their hands full trying to cover Bowe with back-up corner Chris Johnson.
I wouldn’t expect the league’s number rushing attack to suddenly turn pass happy this Sunday, so I don’t look for big yardage from the Chief’s go-to receiver. I would however bank on Bowe making it four straight games with a score and I would not be surprised to see him make multiple trips against the Raiders.
Not only will I be watching Bowe, but he’s a must start in my lineup this week….
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