National Football League

Fantasy Basement: Week 5

Published Oct. 1, 2014 3:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

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: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Ignore Washington’s standing as the eighth-ranked unit in total defense and focus on the squad’s concession of 27.3 points per game. Worse, they were raked over the coals last Thursday by a Giants offense that was in a catatonic state through the first three weeks of the season.

All which paints a pretty picture for Wilson and the Seahawks attack. Normally a borderline starter in 12-team formats, Wilson is slowly inserting himself into the conversation as a sound weekly asset, finding the end zone six times in three games. Coming off a Bye in Week 4, Wilson should be well-rested for the trip east. Side note to all those picking the Hawks in Survivor pools: as good as Seattle is in the Emerald City, the club has struggled mightily in away endeavors under Pete Carroll to the tune of a 14-19 mark (compared to a 26-8 record at home).
Other starts: Jay Cutler, Eli Manning

RB: Chris Ivory, Jets
We highlighted Ivory as one to harbor on your bench until New York’s committee approach dissipated. That time has come.

In Week 4’s loss to the Lions, Ivory racked up 17 carries to Chris Johnson’s six attempts. Moreover, Ivory was targeted in the passing game six times (versus two looks in Johnson’s direction). The 26-year-old back owns a robust 5.5 yards per rush in 2014, Coupled with Geno Smith’s ongoing spiral to quarterback abyss, Gang Green's best route is placing Ivory as the spur of the offense.
Other starts: Steven Jackson, Jeremy Hill

WR: Michael Floyd, Cardinals
Admittedly, this is somewhat of a risky play. Carson Palmer continues to nurse a nerve issue in his neck and shoulder, which could correlate to Drew Stanton taking the snaps under center for the Cards. In Stanton’s defense, he’s been adequate in two starts this season, leading the team to victories over the Giants and Niners. Conversely, he’s not one that instills confidence for those banking on statistical output.

So why the endorsement of Floyd? The Denver resistance, one that retooled with acquisitions of DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward, has fallen well short of expectations, surrendering 390 yards of offense per game (27th in the NFL). To Floyd’s own merit, the third-year wideout is averaging 84 yards per contest with a league-best mark of 22.9 yards per catch. As a WR2, give Floyd the starting nod.
Other starts: T.Y. Hilton, Markus Wheaton

TE: Heath Miller, Steelers
Following a quiet start to the campaign, Miller broke out in fine fashion in Week 4, hauling in 10 passes for 85 yards and a score. But lest you think this Miller nod is based solely off last Sunday’s performance, there’s a different motive for this play, one that’s elementary: he’s taking on the Jaguars! As in, the Jacksonville team that’s ranked last in total yards and points surrendered (also, the defense is giving up the third-most points to roto tight ends). If a date with the Jags doesn’t light your fantasy firecracker, nothing will.
Other starts: Delanie Walker, Eric Ebron

DEF: Detroit Lions
KYLE ORTON ALERT! KYLE ORTON ALERT! KYLE ORTON ALERT!
Other starts: San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs

Sit ‘Em

QB: Tony Romo, Cowboys
The Dallas gunslinger was our Start ‘Em pick last week and more than lived up to his side of the deal with three trips to pay dirt. Why the no-go in Week 5? Houston’s defense has been a nightmare for opposing arms, holding quarterbacks to the fifth-lowest fantasy output through the first month of the season. It’s also worth mentioning that Dallas’ new offensive approach is to keep the reins on Romo, and rightfully so. The three-time Pro Bowler is dealing with a back injury, one that will plague him throughout the year. To keep Romo upright, the Cowboys have made their bones on the ground, evidenced in DeMarco Murray’s NFL-high 99 attempts. In regular formats, keep Romo on the pine.
Other sits: Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins

RB: Jamaal Charles/Knile Davis, Chiefs
The Charles-Davis time split worked a little too well on Monday night, planting the notion that such individual gains in a part-time role are sustainable. For starters, the duo will not combine for 38 touches, with Davis likely to receive a touch stipend in the 7-10 range. I’m not sold on Charles either, at least in terms of his health for the rest-of-season forecast. In a more short-term outlook, both deserve a spot on the bench this week against a San Francisco front seven yielding just 69.8 rushing yards per outing, second-lowest in the NFL.
Other sits: Donald Brown, Joique Bell

WR: A.J. Green, Bengals
Concerns listed by severity for the All-Pro wideout:

4. Green’s lingering toe injury

3. An upcoming trip to Revis Island

2. Bill Belichick is 35-4 since 2003 following a loss.

1. The fact that the Bengals are getting so much love. I have lived in Cincinnati for most of my life, and since we ended the career of Bo Jackson, NOTHING has turned out well for Queen City sports entities.

I understand that, as a top-five receiver, most owners will still play Green in Week 5. Simply lower your expectations.
Other sits: Eric Decker, Sammy Watkins

TE: Jordan Cameron, Browns
The Cleveland tight end is envisioned to suit up against the Titans on Sunday. That doesn’t mean he deserves the same fate for your fantasy lineup. The off week bestowed much-needed rest for Cameron, yet his bruised shoulder is anticipated to give him trouble for the rest of the season. In leagues with 10 or fewer teams, let Cameron prove himself before inserting back into a starting spot.
Other sits: Zach Ertz, Dwayne Allen

DEF: Carolina Panthers
Even in the temperamental confines of the NFL environment, the Panthers’ Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde performance is wearing thin. I’m sticking to my preseason prediction of Carolina taking a step back this fall due to its weakened secondary. The Bears are a lot of things, but they do have the ability to light up the scoreboard, marking the Panthers as a stay-away in Week 5.
Other sits: Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans

Waiver Wire Watch: Mike Glennon, Buccaneers
Hope you’re sitting down: the Josh McCown Experiment failed. I know, right? Who saw that coming?

The weird thing is, Glennon wasn’t that bad in his debut season, notching 19 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. The NC State product has resumed this air prowess since McCown went down with injury, tossing for 423 yards and three scores. He’s not the most enticing of names, but against a Saints defense that’s been torched by signal callers, Glennon merits a look.

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 letter comes from Autumn in New London, who writes:

“Nick Foles is disappointing me and I want to upgrade. Who can I expect back in a trade if I try to deal Foles?”

Foles has one bad week, against a solid defense no less, and owners are ready to pull the plug. He’s fifth in the league in passing! If married couples were as cold-hearted as fantasy managers, the divorce rate in this country would be through the roof.

The Eagles have the Rams and Giants on the impending itinerary. If Foles puts forth two stink bombs, then we can reevaluate his worth. Until then, keep the faith with the Philly field general.

Fantasy Flyer: Marvin Jones, Bengals
Not necessarily worthy of a start this week (see above) and, under new coordinator Hue Jackson, the Cincinnati offense goes through the running expertise of Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill rather than Andy Dalton’s, um, Andy Dalton-ness. However, Jones did find the Promised Land a whopping 10 times in 2013, and his red-zone contributions should once again be utilized, especially with Jermaine Gresham struggling in Tyler Eifert’s absence. In deeper leagues, open a roster spot for Jones.

BYE Watch
In which we highlight the teams on Bye, accompanied with a David Hasselhoff beach clip. Miami and Oakland are on the sidelines this week, with Mike Wallace and Lamar Miller as the only fantasy contributors of note from these squads. Technically, this is not an ocean-centric Hoff video, but it’s in the same awesomely-bad cadence.

This Week in BRENT CELEK
I gotta be honest, this segment mind need to be appraised after the following Tweet appeared in Celek’s timeline…

Little too frat-tastic for my tastes. Have you ever met someone who wore sunglasses on a plane that wasn’t a total tool? As you can imagine, my world is in shambles. If you have other worthy candidates for this space, shoot your suggestions below.
2014 stats: Three receptions, 15 yards
Linebacker Body Count: Four

Gatorade Shower Goes to: The FCC
The Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 to lift the infamous blackout ban. Woohoo!...Right? Well…

Personal Foul on: The NFL
In response to the ruling, the league can still block out viewings by negotiating deals with cable companies. With all the bad P.R. in the past few months, this was seemingly a teed-up opportunity. Amazingly, the NFL still swung and missed. It’s always something with these cats.

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