Week 7 Kings and Jokers

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings:

King of Spades: Joe Flacco QB, Ravens
The Buffalo Bills are the perfect cure for any QB has been underachieving. There's nothing like a match-up with a sloppy defense to wake up an arm. The Ravens have shown glimpses of being a stellar offense, and this is the week they will put it together. Flacco just has too many offensive weapons to not breakout this week.

King of Diamonds: Thomas Jones RB, Chiefs
I just dealt Jamaal Charles and junk for MJD, because I am fed up with Todd Haley. Charles is obviously the more explosive RB, but he is as stubborn as policemen in a line for free donuts, and continues to chug right along with Jones as the main ballcarrier. Take advantage of that against a stumbling Jacksonville team.

King of Clubs: Chris Ivory RB, Saints
The PT Cruiser is still dealing with a bum wheel, and Ivory has jumped at the chance to be a feature back. After blowing up in week 6, and leading the entire league in rushing, I have seen enough to advise a start of the young Saint.
[Somewhat irrelevant tangent: My girlfriend's parents recently went to New Orleans and saw multiple sets of naked women. In October. That makes no sense. This is why I will some day live in New Orleans, and my theory for why the Saints won the Super Bowl last year.]


King of Hearts: Buster Davis WR, Chargers
The Chargers' pass catcher situation looks like the hospital where Lieutant Dan is in Forrest Gump. There are limbs falling off everywhere. However, Phillip Rivers is still there, and the Patriots' pass D is still bad. Someone is going to have to benefit through the air. Patrick Crayton will be the trendy pick, but I like what I've seen from Davis thus far, and think extra playing time could really benefit the former 1st round pick.

The Jokers:


Jay Cutler QB, Bears
The Redskins are a scrappy bunch, who aren't going to give up a lot of points. A death sentence for a quarterback. Especially for one who has struggled to get a single block, and has to look across the line at guys like Brian Orakpo.

DeAngelo Williams RB, Panthers
The 49ers are a bad football team, but its not because of their rush defense. The Panthers have had a week to prepare, but I don't think it will mean much for DWill. He hasn't done much this year, and this won't be the start.


Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown RB, Dolphins
If I were playing the Steelers I would be more worried about getting my head knocked off than gaining yards. I'm sure Ricky and Ronnie would rather not be the reason James Harrison retires.


Brandon Lloyd WR, Broncos
The island of Asomugha has been less than deserted thus far, but Lloyd will be overmatched against the Raiders. The Broncos' running game should finally thrive, and Orton should see good numbers, but Lloyd should be out of your lineups while he fights with Nnamdi.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! If you have questions about who you should start or sit don't hesitate to ask. Check out this post for more info.

Week 6 Kings and Jokers

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings:

King of Spades: Mike Wallace WR, Steelers
If you aren't playing the Steelers' passing game this week, boy, are you missing out. This will be the week of Big Ben's triumphant return. He has had two whole weeks to prepare, and a lot longer to sit around and get motivated to show what he can do. The Browns' have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to wideouts, and Pittsburgh has two great ones. Both Hines Ward and Wallace should be in for big days.


King of Diamonds: Vince Young QB, Titans
Nothing cures a fantasy QB's slump quite like a meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So far Vince has yet to go for more than 180 passing yards in a game this year, and leave it to the Jags to cure that ailment. On Monday night, Young will shine and show that he can be a 300 yard passer, probably hooking up with Chris Johnson for 100 yards through the air.

King of Clubs: Pierre Garcon WR, Colts
The flying Frenchman has been all but invisible so far in 2010, but this could be his week. Garcon made a slight impact in the Colts' week 5 match-up, and the 'skins aren't exactly airtight against the passing game, giving up a league high 87 catches to opposing receivers. Peyton is known for finding a new flavor of the week whenever he plays, and I have a gut feeling that Garcon's relative obscurity this season means this could be his breakout week.


King of Hearts: Pierre Thomas RB, Saints
Wait. Two Pierre's in one Kings section? That can't be true. This isn't soccer. Or losing at war. This is football. All French jokes aside, as long as PT plays this week (which it looks like he will), he is in for a big week against the Bucs. Tampa has given up over 530 yards in just 4 games. Not to mention the fact that they have allowed backs to amass an average line of 4/30 in the passing game. With the Saints' running game looking pathetic with Betts (not to be confused with Ebony) and Ivory, I think the Saints will depend heavily on PT.

The Jokers:



Tom Brady QB, Patriots
Kyle Orton really ripped the Ravens last week, which was a complete eye-opener. But the Ravens still rank 4th in the least amount of points allowed to QBs, despite the Orton air show. Tom Brady might not be as lucky. Going into his first game without his star receiver, Brady will have to hope that Brandon Tate and Aaron Hernandez can create enough room for Wes Welker to operate. I don't know how fast I'm willing to drink that Kool-Aid.



Knowshon Moreno RB, Broncos
I feel terrible for the Knowshon owners out there. Drafting a premier back from a team that has historically stuck to the ground game seemed like a good idea. Oh how have the Broncos changed. With the Jets coming to town, Moreno should be on everyone's bench this year, unless you play in a 30 team league. Even then, I'm thinking about it. The Jets give up mediocre numbers through the air, but are dominant against rushers. Look for the Broncos to continue their trend of sticking to the air, and Moreno suffering the consequences.


Rashard Mendenhall RB, Steelers

The Browns have a surprisingly competent fantasy rushing defense, having not allowed a score on the ground thus far. If your league is heavy on yards (which I imagine would be zero fun) then Mendenhall could be a star, but Cleveland is lethal around the goal line. Rashard could probably be a mediocre play this week, but a lot of major sites *cough* ESPN *cough* have him ranked as a top 10 RB. A guy who most likely won't get in the end zone is the last player I want being my RB1.


Roddy White WR, Falcons
Probably the most consistent WR this year, White has been spectacular. Going up against the Eagles could change that, as they have only given up 14 points per game to wide receivers. In a game being played in Philly, there should be a lot of noise and a lot of pressure on Matty Ice. I don't know how cold-blooded he will stay when he struggles to connect with his star wide receiver.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! If you have questions about who you should start or sit don't hesitate to ask. I'm always ready to answer.

Week 5 Kings and Jokers

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings of Week 5:

King of Spades: Beanie Wells RB, Cardinals
The Saints have been anything but godly against the run this year, yielding 138.3 YPG. With a young QB under center, I look for the Cards to try and run the ball early and often and use their home field to attempt to contain the Saints' powerful offense.


King of Diamonds: Sam Bradford QB, Rams
Oklahoma Sam is the shining example of why football is overtaking baseball as America's sport. He has almost single-handedly brought the Rams from the undisputed worst team in the league to a group with a respectable chance to make the playoffs. (Thank you NFC West!). While he hasn't had a true breakout game this year, look for Detroit to provide him with an opportunity to do so. I mean, that's what they're in the league for right?

King of Clubs: Mario Manningham WR, Giants
The Giants' 3rd receiver has managed to eclipse 80 yards in each of the games he has played. Throw in the fact that New York is taking on the team which has given up the most passing yards in the league. Steve Smith has been underwhelming this year, and Hakeem Nicks can only catch so many passes. That leaves Manningham with, hopefully, his first 100 yard game of the year.


King of Hearts: Fred Jackson RB, Bills
The departure of Marshawn Lynch turned the clarity of the Buffalo backfield from mud to fish tank that is being taken care of by a 7 year old. While he will still split carries with C.J. Spiller, the Jacksonville D will let up some yards in the passing game, and I like FJax to gobble some of those up.

The Jokers:



LaDainian Tomlinson RB, Jets
Minnesota's run defense is impenetrable. Look for the Vikings to challenge Sanchez to beat them through the air using someone other than Dustin Keller. I'm looking at you Santonio.



Matt Forte RB, Bears
Forte has been incredible in the passing game. In PPR he has been hit or miss, as he won many matchups in week 1 and lost just as many in the last 2 weeks. Watch for another weak performance in week 5, as he goes up against a respectable Panthers' run D. The Bears will air it out, and if though he might get 5 or 6 catches, Forte will fail to reach 30 yards rushing yet again.

Kyle Orton QB, Broncos

Orton has looked like a premier fantasy QB so far this year, posting 300 yard game one after another. Hell, if I had bet all of you that Kyle Orton would have the most passing yards in the league after the first 4 weeks, I could have made a lot of money. Of course, those games have come against some of the worst passing defenses this year, with two of them ranking in the bottom four. Enter the stiffest passing D in the league in Baltimore, and I see a rough week for Orton coming.


Ryan Torain RB, Redskins

Ok, so maybe he's not much of a stud, but people are spending their FAAB budgets like he is. While I think he could be a worthwhile investment, I wouldn't recommend picking him up with the hopes of playing him this week. Green Bay is serviceable against the run, but how often will the ball be carried? The Redskins and Packers both boast great QBs and terrible pass defenses.  What do those two things put together equal? Shootout!

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! If you have questions about who you should start or sit don't hesitate to ask. I'm always ready to answer.

Here's the results from last week:

Week 4 Kings:
Kenny Britt WR, Titans- ✓ | Hey, he got a TD and some yards, what else were you expecting? 
Bruce Gradkowski QB, Raiders- Push | A very good passing line, but 3 TOs makes it worse.
Kevin Walter WR, Texans- X | Andre being out really hurt this one. Nnamdi is mean.
Shonn Greene RB, Jets- ✓ | He might not have gotten his job back, but Greene owners rejoiced Sunday.

Week 4 Jokers:

Hines Ward WR, Steelers- ✓ | Two catches for 12 yards is definitely a down week for Hines.
Matt Ryan QB, Falcons- Push | If Nate Clements had held onto that INT, his line would have been Ug-lee.
Steve Smith WR, Panthers- ✓ | Being carted off helped my case, but he wasn't exactly golden before the unfortunate injury.

Ahmad Bradshaw RB, Giants- X | This was just a flat out miss. But I'm man enough to admit it.

Record: 4-2-2

Week 4 Kings and Jokers

This is the first edition of what will hopefully be an every week staple of the fantasy football season here on FSC. So, let me know if you want me to keep it around!

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings:

King of Spades: Kenny Britt WR, Titans
He's playing at home against the Broncos, who have been involved in nothing but shootouts. I still have faith that Britt is the best option which Vince Young has, making him a prime target to rack up some big numbers this week.


King of Diamonds: Bruce Gradkowski QB, Raiders
Another player in what could evolve into a shootout. The Texans' pass D has been horrendous and Gradkowski has shown he can be serviceable. He may not have a ton of weapons at his disposal, but a quality running game behind McFadden should open up the field for B-Grad.

King of Clubs: Kevin Walter WR, Texans
When Gradkoski doesn't have the football, I like Kevin Walter to feature big in this football game. With AJ stuck on Nnamdi Island, Schaub will have to look to someone. Owen Daniels has shown that he is still slowed by his knee and Jacoby Jones can only do so much.


King of Hearts: Shonn Greene RB, Jets
Alright, I'm sure you guys have heard enough about Greene from me. I mean, he featured in my Buy Low, Sell High article a week ago and I continually rank him higher than LT, but I think he deserves to be there. All it will take is one good day out of Greene to get back to the feature back in a great rushing attack, and I like Buffalo to be the team to let him do it.

The Jokers:

Ahmad Bradshaw RB, Giants
What do you get when you face a great run defense and an offense that will put your team behind by 17 at the half? A bad day for the Giants' running game.


Steve Smith WR, Panthers
Jimmy Claussen really scares me. He may be talented, but he won't be making Smith look good for a while. The pressure that the Saints will bring, as well as the ear-spliting noise that will arise every Panthers snap, makes me really intimidated to touch any Panthers player.

Matt Ryan QB, Falcons
The 49ers might be underwhelming so far this year, but their defense is just as talented as ever. This one really might not make sense in terms of statistics and projections, but I just have a gut feeling that a fired up Mike Singletary will bring the heat and Ryan will crack.


Hines Ward WR, Steelers
He's playing the Ravens. With Charlie Batch throwing the ball to him. What else needs to be said? How about the fact that in two games against Baltimore last year (with Big Ben at QB), Ward amassed a "whopping" 84 yards on 7 catches. Let him ride the pine for a week, you'll be glad you did.