A few observations from week 10.

The Cleveland Browns went Ralphie Parker on Scut Farkus and the rest of the Bengals in a Thursday night beat-down. For me, Dalton has to be the worst big game (prime-time) quarterback in the league. He sports a 2-7 record and a touchdown / interception ratio in such games. Over the past 3+ seasons, anytime the Bengals lose the water-cooler conversation the next day has the same theme – – “Dalton played terrible.” At that same water-cooler there will undoubtedly be a Dalton apologist who will quickly site that he is one of only five quarterbacks in the history of the league to make it to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. That is usually followed up with a mention of his single season franchise best yardage and touchdown marks. I personally am in the anti-Dalton camp.

Games in which Andy Dalton has attempted 40+ passes in his NFL career.

As you can see the results are disastrous.

– Record: 3 – 12 – 1

– Touchdown / Interception Ratio

– Average QBR: 43.2

I am wondering if the Bengals coaching staff performed a similar study in the off-season (or finally opened their eyes). So far this year, he has only attempted 40+ passes once. Keep in mind that game was a full 5 quarters that resulted in a tie against Carolina. At the end of the day I don’t see any way in which the Bengals will ever win big with Dalton. As long as he plays on a team with a good defense and weapons on offense he will have moderate success. If 8-10 wins and a trip to Wildcard weekend is your goal then Dalton is your man.

Come on Peyton Manning look how sad you made poor Brock Osweiler. I get that Manning is an ultra-competitive guy, but now that he has pretty much every meaningful passing record who is he even competing against? At this point in his career, preserving his 38-year-old body should rank ahead of going into a 31 point game with less than a minute left in the 3rd quarter.

A few more observations…

– Odell Beckham Jr. is the real deal.

– Fantasy experts said to stay away from Marshawn Lynch and his 400+ touch workload from last year – – they were wrong.

– John Brown – good receiver, better dancer.

Week 10 Recap

Penthouse Picks –

Steven Jackson – 15.5

Darren Sproles – 8.1

Allen Robinson – 8

Mychal Rivera – 12.4

Poorhouse Picks

Markus Wheaton – 4.1

Week 11: “In Question”

QUARTERBACKS

There are no questionable quarterbacks on the injury report for week 11. Owners should be pretty locked in at quarterback this week with only Romo and Flacco being the viable fantasy quarterbacks on bye. If you are in a pinch though…

Plan B: Anyone who trusted Mark Sanchez in week 10 was rewarded. While I hate going against “Mad Dog McCleese” I have to trust my gut on Sanchez this week. The Packers offense has been lighting up the scoreboard and the Eagles might be playing catch up. The Packers have allowed 19+ fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks on five separate occasions this year. In what could be a potential shoot-out, I think Sanchez will air it out enough times to surpass 20 fantasy points.

RUNNING BACKS

Arian Foster (Out), Reggie Bush (Out), Ronnie Hillman (Out), Marshawn Lynch (Questionable)

News broke Saturday afternoon that Arian Foster is going to be out. The news sent fantasy owners scrambling to the waiver wire to check the availability of Alfred Blue. While Blue will be in line for the bulk of the work, he has struggled to get going averaging only 3.4 yards on 68 carries so far this year. With Ryan Mallett making his first career start, I look for the entire offense to struggle. With that said, “your NOT my boy blue.” Reggie Bush has been ruled out for week 11. That backfield situation has become one to avoid with three potential options going forward when Bush, Bell, and Riddick are all healthy. Theo Riddick could be a sneaky PPR play. I would have a hard time trusting someone who is so dependent on getting receptions as he has never carried the ball more than three times. Just when I was ready to throw dirt on Montee Ball for the 2014 season he now looks like he could be a decent option with Ronnie Hillman out. He will battle C.J. Anderson for touches. Of the two I would rather start Anderson, but Ball could be in line for 10 touches. Marshawn Lynch was back at practice at the end of the week, unless he aggravates his calf injury in warm-ups he should be good to go.

Plan B: There is nothing fun about recommending a running back who is part of a three-back system. However, I think Terrance West will be the most productive of those backs for a

third consecutive week. Although West, Tate, and Crowell all received 10+ carries last week West was the bell cow with a line of 26 / 94 / 1. As mentioned earlier, I think Cleveland takes care of business in this game and West will be the one carrying the mail late in the game grinding out the clock. West has had double-digit fantasy points in 5/8 games and tomorrow he makes it 6/9.

Another backfield that I usually want no part of is the Carolina Panthers, but with a match-up against the running back friendly Atlanta Falcons I will take my chances rolling with Jonathan Stewart. Things got out of hand for the Panthers on Monday night and they were forced to abandon the run. This week I think they will lean on the run game. Deangelo Williams will be getting the start, but I look for Stewart to outperform Williams just as he has the past two weeks.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Fantasy owners shouldn’t have to sweat much this morning regarding injured receivers as the only questionable names on the injury report are a couple of Falcons in Harry Douglas and Devin Hester. Hopefully for the sake of your fantasy team your line-up isn’t make or break based on the availability of these two.

Plan B: Get Anquan Boldin in your line-up. Last week, in a must win game at New Orleans, the 49ers turned to a couple of veterans in

Frank Gore on the ground and Boldin through the air to lead them to victory. Boldin has always been a crunch-time receiver. With the 49ers sitting at 5-4 and in the 3rd place in the very competitive NFC West the rest of the season will be crunch-time. Boldin has separated himself as Kaepernick’s favorite target racking up 6+ catches in four consecutive weeks and 90+ yards and a touchdown in three of those four games. If Vegas makes the mistake of setting Boldin’s catch total at O/U 4.5 again this week get out your piggy bank and make some money.

Another guy I like this week is Keenan Allen. He has not lived up to his draft day billing, but in his last 3 games he has received target totals of 10 / 13 / 9. The Chargers have had an extra week to stew over their embarrassing performance against Miami their last time out. I look for the offense to get back on track today against Oakland and for Allen to be a big part of it.

TIGHT END

Delanie Walker (Questionable)

It is always tricky regarding players scheduled to play Monday night. Delanie Walker finally got on the practice field Saturday; however, he still needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can play. My policy on questionable players for a Monday night game is that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you have any other option I would use them rather than risking a zero on MNF. Ideally, if Heath Miller is available in your league you could pick him up and plug him into your line-up if Walker is inactive.

Plan B: If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Mychal Rivera is still only owned in 2/3 of fantasy leagues. He is a top 10 option going forward and should be owned and started in all leagues. Over the past three weeks he only trails some guys named Graham and Gronkowski in receptions and fantasy points over that stretch. The Raiders will continue to play from behind and Rivera will continue to cash in easy receptions against soft defenses.

Thanks for reading. Check me out on the MLFS radio show if you would like to talk about any of my selections – – or if you want to join in on making fun of Andy Dalton.

The following picture has nothing to do with fantasy football; however, it would be a disservice to the general public to not share something this funny.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Click the link below to listen live)

Major League Fantasy Football Radio: Join Ej Garr and Corey D Roberts this Sunday November 16th from 11am-12pm EST for this week’s live episode of Major League Fantasy Sports Radio sponsored by the Sports Palooza Radio Network. Call in to ask questions live at 646.915.8596. This weeks guests areBryan Robinson and Matt Barkman. Both Bryan and Matt write for MLFS. Bryan publishes a piece every Thursday called “FLEXual Tension” in which he focuses on the WR/RB position from week to week. Matt publishes a piece every Sunday morning at 9am EST called “Off the Matt” in which he focuses on key players either “out”, “questionable”, or “doubtful” to play Sunday or Monday. He then provides you with alternatives.We love taking live callers so don’t feel bashful, we will make you part of the conversation.

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