When the season's down to its final four, it's usually best to dance with who brung ya.
Expect DMC to run wild against Kansas City this weekend.
If you’re still reading us in Week 15, it’s likely your squad is doing pretty well. In most leagues, you’ll be playing in a semifinal matchup, although we have heard there are leagues that still play all the way through Week 17. However your league is formatted, congratulations on making the dance. We’re here to help you bring home the championship.
This week, we feature questions from our inbox with regard to lineups.
Hey guys,
Who should I start at QB this week? I have Drew Brees and Eli Manning on my team. Brees has been my guy all season, I got Manning at the trade deadline just in case. I haven’t been happy with how Brees has performed lately, so should I make the switch? Gary W.
We here at The Fantasy 413 believe in continuity, and would advise staying with who got you to the playoffs. There’s no worse feeling than to bench your season-long starter hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with his backup, only to watch your original have a huge game. If it happens that you lose, do so with your “A” squad.
Also, we expect a big game out of Brees against the Bucs this week. Being back home, inside the dome where there’s no rain, will make a huge difference for him
Help! I need to start two of these guys – Darren McFadden, Montell Owens or DeMarco Murray. Who should I go with? John C.
We think this comes down to a choice between Owens and Murray, as McFadden’s matchup against the Chiefs is a Christmas gift come early for your team.
Murray has put up good numbers against Philly (similar in rank to Pittsburgh against the run), and Cincy (atrocious against the run) since he returned from his ankle injury. Owens looked great against the Jets last week, but Miami’s run defense is much more stout than New York’s is. As long as Murray is on the field, he should get the nod.
If Jordy Nelson is unable to play Sunday, should I start Jon Baldwin or Pierre Garcon? Don S.
This is a tough time of year to lose a player of Nelson’s stature, but even if he is somehow able to get out on the field, starting him this week is not advisable. Baldwin has a huge opportunity against the Raiders, with Dwayne Bowe having been ruled out. The question is, can he cash in? If your team is in a position where you’re desperate for points, we’d advise taking the risk and hoping Baldwin delivers. If you’re looking for a more certain 10 to 12 points, we recommend Garcon against the suddenly spunky Cleveland Browns.
Do I go with Vernon Davis at New England or Dallas Clark at New Orleans? Bob G.
Davis has been stone cold for the last three weeks, and has had only one really good game in his last eight (vs. Chicago in Week 8). Clark had a down week against the Eagles in Week 14, but has been far more consistent this season. Plus, as we’ve mentioned nearly every week this season, if you’ve got a chance to start a wide receiver/tight end against the Saints, always take it. Clark grabbed five receptions and had a touchdown against New Orleans in Week 7.
The Minority Report: It’s a well-known axiom that you leave the dance with the girl that you came with. However, not all members of TheFantasy413 feel that way. If you were clever enough to end up with both Brees and Eli on your roster, it may be time to rethink that old saying. This is fantasy football and, if you’ve got a better option, you run with the hot hand. Given that, this week may be the time to switch out your dance partner. Brees is likely to put up decent numbers, but the Saints and their signal-caller don’t have much at stake for the rest of this season. His consecutive TD streak is over and he’s coming off two sub-par performances. Meanwhile, Manning has the Giants in a dogfight for division supremacy where every game matters. This week’s matchup versus Atlanta will be a shootout. Choose Eli over Brees in a game that matters.
The Fantasy 413 column appears in The Republican and on MassLive each Saturday. The Republican’s Fantasy Guys can be reached at thefantasy413@gmail.com, Twitter @TheFantasy413 or through the Comments section below.