All in Sports - Fantasy Advice and Rankings Week 10

Ever been sitting there with a buddy listening to him ramble on about his girlfriend/wife and all their going-ons? The whole time you’re thinking, “For the love…just shut up already, I don’t care as much as you think!” Well, to be honest, you are mildly interested since he’s a friend, and you’re not a total schmuck. You’re just not as interested as he wants or thinks you are.

Why? It’s because you’re single, and your friend’s stories of happiness, arguments, plans, or anything else related, really have no bearing on your life and only make you think about your situation. We’ve all been there. It’s not that we are cruel or uncaring people. It’s just human nature to find yourself more interesting than anyone else.

Such is the life of fantasy sports. It’s an interesting dichotomy just like relationships. (Dichotomy means “division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions” so you don’t have to Google it). On the one hand, you (and your friends alike) want to talk about your team. You want to tell your buddies about your bad luck, tough match-ups, some breakout player you like, trades, and on and on. However, the person on the other side of the conversation wishes you would just shut up, while also wishing you would ask to hear about his team. The fact is, everyone wants to talk about his team, nobody wants to listen to others’ stories, and every owner wishes other people cared more.

So what ends up happening? As I said, most of the civilized and kind people listen to these stories, trying to be somewhat interested, and give some worthwhile feedback. Because in the end, we all know what it feels like being the storyteller, and we want the attention when we’re the ones rambling on about our teams (even if it’s 50% fake).

I guess there’s a lesson here (within this rant). Try to have a genuine interest in your friends’ situations. Try in all areas - not just fantasy sports and not just in their personal life. Having a good heart and being a quality listener will only open doors (both fantasy and real life)…and maybe when you are on the story-telling side, you too will have people to truly care and listen.

Now that I’m done turning this into a sappy, feel-better diatribe…grab your tissue, wipe your nose and tears, and let’s get down to business.

Week 9

Ace in the Hole (player(s) who guaranteed a good week)

Michael Turner had another big week. Now if he can only do this on a consistent basis, we might actually have a contender to AP for top back. This is the Turner we expect, not the one who showed up week 1 and against Chicago, Dallas and New England.

River Rat (player who came out of nowhere to help or ruin you)

Joseph Addai has been having a semi-resurgence this year. However, he’s still splitting time with Donald Brown (when Brown’s healthy). So, a good day was expected with Brown hurting, but the 2 TDs came as a bit of a surprise. I think more people expected Peyton to throw all day to Wayne and Clark.

The Turn (player who showed significant improvement)

Two QBs in Warner and Cutler made a nice jump in performance versus their two previous games, each. Who would expect good ol’ Kurt to throw for 5 TDs the week after throwing 5 INTs? Really? Cutler went and shredded the Arizona pass defense for a great week. But, most of it was in garbage time, so it could boost his confidence, yet still should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Bluff (player who looked great, but fooled you)

Joe Flacco had a rough week against Denver in week 8, and was expected to be only average against Cincinnati. The problem is, he wasn’t supposed to look that bad, and he even looks to be regressing a bit. I would be a bit worried if he was my #1 QB heading into the playoffs.

Muck ‘em (players who won’t help us anymore, throw them back)

Drop Jason Campbell, move on and/or find another solution. It’s been pretty evident that you can’t rely on him to be your starting QB. If you needed more proof, throwing for less than 200 yards only 1 touchdown against the Falcons pass defense is reason enough to let him go.

Week 10

Top Pair (player(s) who guarantee a good week)

Marques Colston and Steve Smith

New Orleans, Brees and Colston versus the Rams? Enough said.

Ok, I said Smith would surprise us with a solid week last week. Well, I’m going for it again (and possibly the last time this year). I have him at #13 and due for a big week. The problem is, his big week still relies on Jake Delhomme. As with the aforementioned Jason Campbell, Delhomme should be able to have a solid day against the Falcons defense. I expect most of the looks to go to Smith, and he should be able to take advantage of the replacement DBs in Atlanta. If things don’t happen for Steve this week, they might not for the rest of the year.

Gut Shot (player who will surprise you with a good week)

Lee Evans

Just like Steve Smith though, Evans relies on Edwards actually looking like a NFL quarterback. Honestly, I would bet against that. I think the week off and Terrell’s continued fall from grace will place more focus on Evans. Maybe, just maybe, Evans can look more like his ’08 version, and Edwards can put together a good day (I know, too much to ask huh?).

All In (player is going to come back around, so buy in now)

Calvin Johnson

We’re talking about a top 5 talent at the WR position. Players get injured every year and bounce back to their true performance level. I am shocked that people are doubting him so much. Maybe it’s the fact he plays in Detroit that people jumped off the bandwagon so much? In any case, there is a renewed focus this week to get him the ball, and it’s a divisional game. Expect Megatron to show up and transform people’s opinions back (ok, that was cheesy but just too easy – ha).

The Flop (player who will let you down)

Kevin Smith

Staying in Detroit here, I don’t expect Kevin Smith to put up #1, or possibly even #2, RB numbers. Everyone knows Minnesota’s run defense is top notch. Plus, the way Favre has been playing, Detroit could be down early. Add to that, the previous mention of getting Calvin the ball more, and you have the makings of a slow day for Kevin.

Quick note when checking my rankings – I factor in injuries. So, when you see players like Westbrook (#29) and Boldin (#29)…weird, both at #29…that’s my confidence level so to speak. Of course, both would be higher if healthy and expected to play fully (and lower if more questionable). I rank them about where I’d rather start the higher players, but would also take the risk versus those lower.

Rankings

Rank - QB - Team (Opp)

1 - Drew Brees - NO ( @StL)

2 - Tom Brady - NE ( @Ind)

3 - Peyton Manning - IND ( NE)

4 - Aaron Rodgers - GB ( Dal)

5 - Kurt Warner - ARI ( Sea)

6 - Tony Romo - DAL ( @GB)

7 - Brett Favre - MIN ( Det)

8 - Philip Rivers - SD ( Phi)

9 - Ben Roethlisberger - PIT ( Cin)

10 - Jay Cutler - CHI ( @SF)

11 - Joe Flacco - BAL ( @Cle)

12 - Donovan McNabb - PHI ( @SD)

13 - Matt Hasselbeck - SEA ( @Ari)

14 - Carson Palmer - CIN ( @Pit)

15 - Matt Ryan - ATL ( @Car)

16 - Alex Smith - SF ( Chi)

17 - Mark Sanchez - NYJ ( Jac)

18 - Matt Cassel - KC ( @Oak)

19 - Chad Henne - MIA ( TB)

20 - Kyle Orton - DEN ( @Was)

21 - David Garrard - JAC ( @NYJ)

22 - Josh Freeman - TB ( @Mia)

23 - Marc Bulger - STL ( NO)

24 - Jake Delhomme - CAR ( Atl)

25 - Matthew Stafford - DET ( @Min)

Rank - RB - Team (Opp)

1 - Chris Johnson - TEN ( Buf)

2 - Adrian Peterson - MIN ( Det)

3 - Ray Rice - BAL ( @Cle)

4 - Michael Turner - ATL ( @Car)

5 - DeAngelo Williams - CAR ( Atl)

6 - Maurice Jones-Drew - JAC ( @NYJ)

7 - Frank Gore - SF ( Chi)

8 - Steven Jackson - STL ( NO)

9 - Ronnie Brown - MIA ( TB)

10 - Thomas Jones - NYJ ( Jac)

11 - Pierre Thomas - NO ( @StL)

12 - Cedric Benson - CIN ( @Pit)

13 - Rashard Mendenhall - PIT ( Cin)

14 - Matt Forte - CHI ( @SF)

15 - Ryan Grant - GB ( Dal)

16 - Joseph Addai - IND ( NE)

17 - Ricky Williams - MIA ( TB)

18 - Marion Barber - DAL ( @GB)

19 - Marshawn Lynch - BUF ( @Ten)

20 - Tim Hightower - ARI ( Sea)

21 - Laurence Maroney - NE ( @Ind)

22 - LeSean McCoy - PHI ( @SD)

23 - Kevin Smith - DET ( @Min)

24 - LaDainian Tomlinson - SD ( Phi)

25 - Ladell Betts - WAS ( Den)

26 - Cadillac Williams - TB ( @Mia)

27 - Knowshon Moreno - DEN ( @Was)

28 - Jonathan Stewart - CAR ( Atl)

29 - Brian Westbrook - PHI ( @SD)

30 - Julius Jones - SEA ( @Ari)

31 - Beanie Wells - ARI ( Sea)

32 - Jamaal Charles - KC ( @Oak)

33 - Reggie Bush - NO ( @StL)

34 - Shonn Greene - NYJ ( Jac)

35 - Darren McFadden - OAK ( KC)

36 - Mike Bell - NO ( @StL)

37 - Correll Buckhalter - DEN ( @Was)

38 - Darren Sproles - SD ( Phi)

39 - Justin Fargas - OAK ( KC)

40 - Chester Taylor - MIN ( Det)

41 - Felix Jones - DAL ( @GB)

42 - Jamal Lewis - CLE ( Bal)

43 - Kolby Smith - KC ( @Oak)

44 - Fred Jackson - BUF ( @Ten)

45 - Tashard Choice - DAL ( @GB)

46 - Derrick Ward - TB ( @Mia)

47 - LenDale White - TEN ( Buf)

48 - Willis McGahee - BAL ( @Cle)

49 - Kevin Faulk - NE ( @Ind)

50 - Willie Parker - PIT ( Cin)

Rank - WR - Team (Opp)

1 - Larry Fitzgerald - ARI ( Sea)

2 - Randy Moss - NE ( @Ind)

3 - Marques Colston - NO ( @StL)

4 - Vincent Jackson - SD ( Phi)

5 - Reggie Wayne - IND ( NE)

6 - Wes Welker - NE ( @Ind)

7 - DeSean Jackson - PHI ( @SD)

8 - Chad Ochocinco - CIN ( @Pit)

9 - Miles Austin - DAL ( @GB)

10 - Roddy White - ATL ( @Car)

11 - Brandon Marshall - DEN ( @Was)

12 - Calvin Johnson - DET ( @Min)

13 - Steve Smith - CAR ( Atl)

14 - Hines Ward - PIT ( Cin)

15 - Donald Driver - GB ( Dal)

16 - Sidney Rice - MIN ( Det)

17 - Greg Jennings - GB ( Dal)

18 - Derrick Mason - BAL ( @Cle)

19 - Devin Hester - CHI ( @SF)

20 - Mike Sims-Walker - JAC ( @NYJ)

21 - Nate Burleson - SEA ( @Ari)

22 - Dwayne Bowe - KC ( @Oak)

23 - Braylon Edwards - NYJ ( Jac)

24 - T.J. Houshmandzadeh - SEA ( @Ari)

25 - Santonio Holmes - PIT ( Cin)

26 - Steve Breaston - ARI ( Sea)

27 - Percy Harvin - MIN ( Det)

28 - Jerricho Cotchery - NYJ ( Jac)

29 - Anquan Boldin - ARI ( Sea)

30 - Lee Evans - BUF ( @Ten)

31 - Michael Crabtree - SF ( Chi)

32 - Bernard Berrian - MIN ( Det)

33 - Roy Williams - DAL ( @GB)

34 - Terrell Owens - BUF ( @Ten)

35 - Mike Wallace - PIT ( Cin)

36 - Austin Collie - IND ( NE)

37 - Devery Henderson - NO ( @StL)

38 - Santana Moss - WAS ( Den)

39 - Jeremy Maclin - PHI ( @SD)

40 - Pierre Garcon - IND ( NE)

41 - Earl Bennett - CHI ( @SF)

42 - Laveranues Coles - CIN ( @Pit)

43 - Johnny Knox - CHI ( @SF)

44 - James Jones - GB ( Dal)

45 - Andre Caldwell - CIN ( @Pit)

46 - Donnie Avery - STL ( NO)

47 - Eddie Royal - DEN ( @Was)

48 - Torry Holt - JAC ( @NYJ)

49 - Justin Gage - TEN ( Buf)

50 - Chris Chambers - SD ( @Oak)

Rank - TE - Team (Opp)

1 - Antonio Gates - SD ( Phi)

2 - Vernon Davis - SF ( Chi)

3 - Dallas Clark - IND ( NE)

4 - Brent Celek - PHI ( @SD)

5 - Jeremy Shockey - NO ( @StL)

6 - Jason Witten - DAL ( @GB)

7 - Tony Gonzalez - ATL ( @Car)

8 - Kellen Winslow - TB ( @Mia)

9 - Heath Miller - PIT ( Cin)

10 - Greg Olsen - CHI ( @SF)

11 - Dustin Keller - NYJ ( Jac)

12 - John Carlson - SEA ( @Ari)

13 - Zach Miller - OAK ( KC)

14 - Visanthe Shiancoe - MIN ( Det)

15 - Todd Heap - BAL ( @Cle)

16 - Fred Davis - WAS ( Den)

17 - Brandon Pettigrew - DET ( @Min)

18 - Benjamin Watson - NE ( @Ind)

19 - Tony Scheffler - DEN ( @Was)

20 - Marcedes Lewis - JAC ( @NYJ)

Rank - Kicker - Team (Opp)

1 - Ryan Longwell - MIN ( Det)

2 - David Akers - PHI ( @SD)

3 - Stephen Gostkowski - NE ( @Ind)

4 - Nate Kaeding - SD ( Phi)

5 - Mason Crosby - GB ( Dal)

6 - John Carney - NO ( @StL)

7 - Nick Folk - DAL ( @GB)

8 - Matt Stover - IND ( NE)

9 - Neil Rackers - ARI ( Sea)

10 - Robbie Gould - CHI ( @SF)

11 - Matt Prater - DEN ( @Was)

12 - Dan Carpenter - MIA ( TB)

13 - Rob Bironas - TEN ( Buf)

14 - Josh Scobee - JAC ( @NYJ)

15 - Steven Hauschka - BAL ( @Cle)

16 - Joe Nedney - SF ( Chi)

17 - Jay Feely - NYJ ( Jac)

18 - Olindo Mare - SEA ( @Ari)

19 - Rian Lindell - BUF ( @Ten)

20 - Jason Elam - ATL ( @Car)

Rank - Def (Opp)

1 - Minnesota Vikings ( Det)

2 - Baltimore Ravens ( @Cle)

3 - New Orleans Saints ( @StL)

4 - Denver Broncos ( @Was)

5 - Pittsburgh Steelers ( Cin)

6 - New York Jets ( Jac)

7 - Philadelphia Eagles ( @SD)

8 - Miami Dolphins ( TB)

9 - Atlanta Falcons ( @Car)

10 - Dallas Cowboys ( @GB)

11 - Arizona Cardinals ( Sea)

12 - San Francisco 49ers ( Chi)

13 - Cincinnati Bengals ( @Pit)

14 - New England Patriots ( @Ind)

15 - Chicago Bears ( @SF)

16 - San Diego Chargers ( Phi)

17 - Tennessee Titans ( Buf)

18 - Green Bay Packers ( Dal)

19 - Kansas City Chiefs ( @Oak)

20 - Carolina Panthers ( Atl)

21 - Washington Redskins ( Den)

22 - Indianapolis Colts ( NE)

23 - Buffalo Bills ( @Ten)

24 - Seattle Seahawks ( @Ari)

25 - St. Louis Rams ( NO)