The Fantasy Basement is a weekly piece that provides fantasy advice on lineup calls, sleepers, waiver-wire moves and rookie spotlights, along with the occasional ramble or two. Why “Fantasy Basement” you ask? There is a common belief that sports writers dwell in their childhood cellars, that the institution promotes arrested development. Um…why is that such a bad thing? Who wouldn’t enjoy coming home to fresh-baked cookies and having their laundry done?…Anyway, enjoy!
Start ‘Em
QB: Eli Manning, Giants
No, don’t x-out the article just yet! This will make sense, I swear!
Sure, the Giants are a train that’s glided well off the tracks, a wreck that’s occurred with Manning in the conductor’s seat. However, Eli has quietly pieced together a decent statistical campaign. He’s connecting on a career-high 63 percent of his attempts, averaging 256.7 yards per game (second-most in his tenure) and could set a personal-best for touchdowns with a strong finish. Moreover, aside from his nightmarish outing against San Francisco (five interceptions), Manning has been secure with the rock, tossing seven picks in the other 11 games, quite the reduction from 2013’s 27 interceptions.
A contingent of second-tiered fantasy quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Ryan Tannehill, Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cuter have tough matchups this week, bequeathing Eli an opportunity to start. It has the cadence of a gamble, but have faith that Manning will deliver this Sunday.
Other starts: Shaun Hill, Cam Newton
RB: Frank Gore, 49ers
Like Secret Santas or the Cowboys’ collapse, the Frank Gore Fantasy Freakout has become a December tradition. To those unfamiliar with this custom, around this juncture of the season, the venerable back posts consecutive duds, leading to a wave of “Has Gore run out of gas?” commentary. I too have been guilty of being a Doubting Thomas towards the five-time Pro Bowler, yet never again will I commit this fallacy until the man hangs ‘em up. For every time we think Gore’s kaput, he answers, and answers with vigor.
Gore has the platform to deliver this type of bounce-back performance Sunday against a 1-11 Raiders club ranked 27th in rush defense. Combined with Colin Kaepernick’s struggles, look for San Fran to hit the ground early and often, correlating to a bonanza for Gore owners.
Other starts: Isaiah Crowell, Denard Robinson
WR: Marques Colston, Saints
This endorsement is based strictly off intuition. Colston is having his worst season in his ninth year with the Saints, and, like running backs, when receivers hit a wall, the chance of rejuvenation is unlikely. Why the thumbs-up then? Kenny Stills has seen an extended workload in the absence of Brandin Cooks, but so has Colston, with the 31-year-old finding the end zone in consecutive weeks after a lone score in the previous 10 outings. While he doesn’t have a high ceiling, he is a sound play, meriting starter-status in deeper leagues or three-WR formats. Speaking of the Saints, good idea by Sean Payton to squash reports of a strained relationship between himself and coordinator Rob Ryan. Because if Saints’ fans have to choose a side, do you think they’ll pick the man who lives in Dallas or the dude who celebrates victories with a round of drinks on Bourbon Street?
Other starts: Cecil Shorts, Golden Tate
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
He’s cooled off since a hot start, making headlines for the wrong reasons as of late. Though his stat line doesn’t suggest as much, Kelce should be in line for a strong game in Week 14, as Arizona is giving up the sixth-most points to tight ends in 2014. The beat-up state of the Kansas City backfield should also contribute to a bigger role for Kelce in Sunday’s game plan. Outside of Gronk and Jimmy G, the position has been a fantasy albatross this fall. With such a muddled forecast, Kelce is one to place your conviction in this weekend. While we’re on the Chiefs…
Other starts: Martellus Bennett, Scott Chandler
DEF: Kansas City Chiefs
…you’d be a fool not to insert this unit in your D/ST slot. Granted, with Eric Berry’s heartbreaking ailment, the Chiefs resistance has lost some bite. This doesn’t mean the cupboard is completely bare. Plus, Andre Ellington is banged up and Drew Stanton has returned to reality. Even without Berry, the Chiefs should be a top-five unit in Week 14.
Other starts: Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers
Sit ‘Em
QB: Mark Sanchez, Eagles
As one who’s ridden the Sanchize to positive results in the past month, this is a rendezvous to keep him on the pine. Concededly, I think the Eagles pull this one out. Seattle has been pedestrian on the road, and Chip Kelly’s preparation and scheming is second to none in the NFL. Even in that mindset, the risk of a no-show from Sanchez is too probable to place him in the starting lineup during the fantasy playoffs. After all, there’s a reason the Seahawks are holding adversarial arms to the lowest output in fantasy. He has value in the final three weeks, yet this Sunday won’t be a time to shine for Sanchez.
Other sits: Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler
RB: Lamar Miller, Dolphins
A matchup with Baltimore, the top-ranked fantasy rush unit, is catalyst enough to bench the Miami entity. On his own accord, Miller has not lived up to expectations. He’s averaging a feeble 52 yards per game in the last five contests, not doing much of substance in the receiving arena and has hit pay dirt just once in the past month. It’s not like Miami is that passing-centric of an offense where Miller would fall between the cracks. If owners are desperate for a Flex player, Miller wouldn’t be the worst of options. Unfortunately, don’t envision much, at least this week.
Other sits: Andre Ellington, C.J. Anderson
WR: Chargers receivers
The Patriots make a lot of teams look bad. Philip Rivers has not been immune from this sentiment. The San Diego signal caller is 1-5 against New England in his career, throwing the pigskin to the wrong team eight times in this span. I know Rivers is coming off a commendable showing in Baltimore and that the Pats are allowing over 250 passing yards per game. Nevertheless, the New England defense still ranks ninth in QB rating allowed, and, how can we put this nicely, Rivers is not the type of player who does well when things go wrong around him. Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal will suffer as a corollary from this ominous forecast. Despite their individual potential, each is far from a slam-dunk, painting a no-go for this corps.
Other sits: Mike Evans, Kendall Wright
TE: Coby Fleener, Colts
Last week we had Fleener listed in the Starts section and it paid dividends. Alas, with Dwayne Allen back in the swing of things, the third-year Stanford product will see a drop in targets. Moreover, the Browns have been stingy against tight ends this year, ranked 10th versus the position in fantasy points allowed. It’s going to be hard to sit him following Week 13’s fireworks, but I don’t see a repeat performance in Fleener’s future. On the bright side for the Colts, Brian Hoyer’s staying under center in spite of six interceptions in the last three games, so allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your ninth win of the season, Horseshoes!
Other sits: Larry Donnell, Jordan Reed
DEF: St. Louis Rams
Like Fleener, a host of owners are jumping on this wagon. Sadly, they’re a tad late to this party. The Washington offense has shown signs of life with Colt McCoy at the helm, proving a more formidable threat than their figures illustrate. The Rams are still likely to pull in a turnover or two, but I think McCoy is good for 20-plus points. In smaller formats, better options exist.
Other sits: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
Waiver Wire Watch: Johnny Manziel, Browns
Yes, I know Hoyer is starting this week. Don’t imagine that circumstance to last long. And when Manziel enters, he won’t be arriving to a “baptism by fire” environment. Rather, a Week 14 matchup against a shaky Colts’ defense provides an opportune platform for the Texas A&M product to ease into the role. Bet yet, Manziel gets a Bengals’ unit ranked 21st in total defense the following week, followed by a date with the 3-8-1 Panthers. Coupled with the likely return of Jordan Cameron, its setting up to be an auspicious break for the Cleveland QB-in-waiting.
Make no mistake, this remains a gamble. However, his ground prowess makes him a potential stud in the box scores. If available, make room on your roster for Manziel.
Email of the Week
Throughout the season we’ll be emptying out the fantasy fan mail in this column and the occasional mailbag post. Reach us on Twitter @JoelMBeall or email – jbeallfoxsports AT gmail.com. This week’s message comes from J. Gentry in Springfield, TN:
I have the option of playing Gronk, Mason, Reggie Wayne, or Roddy White at flex. I already have McCoy, Forte, AJ Green, Graham, Rivers, Denard Robinson in the lineup. Roddy is iffy so i put Denard in his Wr spot. I have one flex spot to fill and those names above are my options. Thanks
Apparently J. had four selections in the first 15 picks. That, or the cat plays in a four-team league. I would switch Gronk to TE, with Mason in the Flex. I know the latter seems like it’s riding the wave from last week, yet Mason is the unquestioned carrier in the St. Louis backfield, and the Washington defense is nothing to shy away from. If it’s a PPR league, Graham would get consideration, but even in that forum, I still like Mason to deliver.
Fantasy Flyer: Kamar Aiken, Ravens
As of writing, Torrey Smith is still not practicing due to a knee injury. If Smith can’t go, look for Aiken to fill his void. Aiken had his best game of the year versus the Chargers, finishing with 51 yards off three balls. With Smith joining fellow wideouts Marlon Brown and Michael Campanaro on the sidelines, Aiken is left to complement Steve Smith, a responsibility that will bequeath plenty of opportunities. In deeper formats or one-week tournaments, Aiken is a cheap, available commodity that could provide a spark.
This Week in Kyle Orton
I try to be a company man, but when one of the regional sites posted a video titled, “Has Orton’s magic run out for Bills?” I wanted to fire everyone associated with the clip. Fortunately I settled down, only after being told that I lacked the power to dismiss anyone and that I should be lucky to even have a job. Anyway, while Orton threw two picks, he still led the Bills to a win, his fifth victory in eight starts. I usually don’t do hashtags in non-Twitter situations, if only because I’m a grown-up, but this situation merits such usage: #Orton4MVP.
2014 stats: 2,000 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
Cornerback Body Count: 11
Personal Foul on: Roger Goodell
How bad is this guy at his job? He’s making players who slugged innocent women and children in cold-blood the victims. THAT bad.
Gatorade Shower Goes to: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Texans
In the words of the great Jim Ross, “Wait a minute, is that…THAT’S RYAN FITZPATRICK’S MUSIC! THE BEARDED BOMBER HAS RETURNED!” I know it was against the lowly Texans, but for a guy who watched the previous week’s action from the bench, a job well done. Plus we got introduced to Baby Fitzpatrick, who’s overtaken the Internet. Good times, indeed.
Joel Beall is a writer for FOXSports.com and WhatIfSports.com, and is the host of the Fast Break on FOX podcast. He lives with a Golden Tee machine and a jump shot that’s broken. Reach Joel on Twitter @JoelMBeall
