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Fantasy Basement: Week 8

Published Oct. 22, 2014 3:24 p.m. ET

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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: Nick Foles, Eagles
Ostensibly, not a lot to like here. Foles’ ball security, or lack thereof (seven interceptions, three fumbles), is becoming increasingly confounding. As the former Arizona Wildcat threw just two picks in all of 2013, these turnovers have hung like a dark cloud over the Eagles’ early-season success. These issues seemingly will be amplified against an Arizona defense that’s holding opponents to 19.8 points per contest, fifth-best in the NFL. Furthermore, under Bruce Arians, the team is 9-2 in the friendly confines of the desert.

So why the endorsement? The Arizona secondary can be had, ranking 31st in pass defense. And though the Philly field general hasn’t lived up to expectations, he’s still averaging 271 aerial yards per contest (eighth in the league) and owns a 13-3 mark since taking the reins from Michael Vick last fall. I like the Eagles pulling the upset in Phoenix, with Foles lighting up the scoreboard.
Other starts: Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer

RB: Darren McFadden, Raiders
I thought about infusing this section with Run D.M.C. lyrics until a) I remembered I did a write-up in similar fashion two seasons ago and b) it wasn’t that entertaining/funny/informative. Worse, most of the college and high school crowd probably won’t get the references. Getting old is the worst.

Starting McFadden isn’t the most ideal of propositions, because, well, it’s the Raiders. However, McFadden is the undisputed primary back in Oakland; those believing in Maurice Jones-Drew's relevance have clearly not seen a box score. The Silver and Black don’t have the best track record in the Eastern Time Zone, yet a date with a Browns defense surrendering a league-high 155.5 yards per game should negate that worry. View McFadden as a high-end RB2 this Sunday.
Other starts: Lamar Miller, Joique Bell

WR: Greg Jennings, Vikings
Normally I’m not one to endorse an offense averaging 17 points per game. Call me old fashioned. Jennings earns an exemption from this censure for three reasons:

- Minnesota is facing a Tampa Bay defense allowing a league-worst 303.8 receiving yards per contest.

- Jennings has been targeted 19 times in the last three weeks, whereas the more fantasy-beloved Cordarrelle Patterson has hauled in just six catches in that period.

- Despite rocky reviews in the early going, I think Teddy Bridgewater can fire life into the Vikings’ morbid assault.

As a WR2/3 or Flex play, feel free to insert Jennings into your starting lineup.
Other starts: Mike Wallace, Michael Floyd

TE: Dwayne Allen, Colts
Echoing Monday’s sentiments, Allen has finally won me over as a weekly start. The initial worry was that Coby Fleener would nullify Allen’s individual contributions, an outlook that’s backed up by Indianapolis’ pass distribution chart with Allen’s 33 targets to Fleener’s 30. Allen’s red-zone prowess has overcome this burden, as only Julius Thomas and Antonio Gates have racked up for more scores at the position than Allen.

Allen will be lined up against a Pittsburgh defense ranked 25th against fantasy tight ends in 2014, bestowing trust in his starting status. While we’re here, it might be time for Andrew Luck to explore a beard transplant. Love watching the dude play, but that cookie duster he’s rocking is an affront to facial hair. Maybe he and Ryan Fitzpatrick can switch crumb catchers, for Luck’s wispy college-freshman-who’s-trying-to-look-tough-by-not-shaving-for-two-months appearance is more apropos for Fitzpatrick’s game anyway.
Other starts: Charles Clay, Zach Ertz

DEF: Miami Dolphins
The Jags finally got a W, but they’re averaging a feeble 15 points per game. Plus, they’re still the Jags. Look for the Dolphins’ fourth-ranked resistance to have a field day.
Other starts: Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts

Sit ‘Em

QB: Matt Ryan, Falcons
I am one of the last defenders on the Ryan bastille, and remain at my post following last week’s no-show, at least in terms of a rest-of-season outlook. Yes, his totals are jaded by his Week 1 outburst, yet Ryan’s averaged 272 yards per game in his last six outings, and has a favorable second-half schedule in his pocket.

This week’s forecast is a different matter. Detroit’s top-ranked defense is relinquishing a parsimonious 15 points per game and has been especially tough on adversarial quarterbacks (216.9 passing yards, seventh-best). Versus a porous Falcons’ offensive line, the Lions should wreak havoc, marking Ryan as a stay-away.
Other sits: Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton

RB: Anthony Dixon/Bryce Brown, Bills
Fred Jackson is likely sidelined for the next month while C.J. Spiller’s disappointing season has come to a fitting end. As such, Dixon and Brown are the candidates projected to fill Buffalo’s backfield void. Unfortunately, both get the thumbs-down this week. Dixon’s efforts on special teams could limit his offensive touches, and Brown, though possessing a level of explosiveness that could elevate him to a starting candidate, has battled consistency and ball-security issues in the past. Throw in a rendezvous with a Gang Green front seven confining opponents to 88 yards per game and this Bills duo is best served on your fantasy pine.
Other sits: Donald Brown, Mark Ingram

WR: Pierre Garcon, Washington
The Cowboys are giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to wideouts this year. Oh, and Colt McCoy is starting. On the road. In prime time. For a non-CFL team. In 2014. As much as I like McCoy and redemption stories, this is the Redskins we’re talking about. Nothing turns out well for these cats.

Garcon has finished with double-digit grabs in two of the last three games, yet this is a riskier play than believed. Only start in deeper formats.
Other sits: Cecil Shorts, Roddy White

TE: Delanie Walker, Titans
Walker enters Week 8 ranked sixth in fantasy points at tight end. Alas, Walker’s been a non-factor the past three weeks, collecting a meager nine catches in this span. I suppose that’s to be expected with Charlie Whitehurst as quarterback. There’s a chance Jake Locker returns this weekend, but even in that capacity, Locker’s far from healthy, painting a menacing picture for Walker against the Texans.
Other sits: Eric Ebron, Travis Kelce

DEF: New England Patriots
I could see Twitter blowing up with Smokin’ Jay Cutler photos after the Chicago arm tosses four picks against the Pats. In that same vein, Cutler and the Bears offense are more than capable of dropping a 30-spot on New England, even in Foxborough. In standard leagues, the Patriots aren’t worthy of your lineup in Week 8.
Other sits: Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers

Waiver Wire Watch: Jermaine Kearse, Seahawks
Although Doug Baldwin is the primary bull’s-eye in the Emerald City, Kearse is seeing plenty of love in his direction, with 14 looks in the past two weeks. Granted, Seattle’s run-run-RUN offensive philosophy remains, and when Russell Wilson does hit the skies, he’s prone to spreading the pigskin amongst his receiving corps. Even in these parameters, Kearse, available in 98 percent of FOXSports.com Fantasy Football leagues, warrants a spot on your watch list. Sticking with the Seahawks…

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 Michelle Sanders in Carrollton, Texas:

“Would you drop Percy Harvin in a 12-team league? Sanu, Holmes, Hunter, Wheaton are available. PPR. Thanks!”

This question was posed in multiple fashions from owners, so let’s address the Harvin situation. In five games in 2014, the versatile Harvin submitted a modest harvest of 225 yards (133 receiving, 92 rushing) with one touchdown. That’s production that doesn’t merit a roster spot in the majority of formats. Additionally, Harvin had nearly two years to integrate into Seattle’s offense. With a little over a week of assimilation under his belt, I doubt he’ll be able to do much with the Jets. Oh, and Geno Smith’s involved. Can’t forget that. I would give the go-ahead to dropping Harvin from your team.

In a related note, the Harvin trade, coupled with the team’s 3-3 record and the collective view that the NFL resents their success, has made the Seahawks the first reigning champion to play the “No one believes in us!” card. We are witnesses to history, folks.

Bye Watch
In which we highlight the teams on Bye, accompanied with a David Hasselhoff. The Giants and 49ers are on the sidelines this week, adjust your lineups accordingly. As for the Hoff, the living legend put out a video campaigning for the British Bulldog’s wrestling enshrinement. Your guess is as good as mine.

Fantasy Flyer: Allen Robinson, Jaguars
Owned in just 2.7 percent of FOXSports.com Fantasy Football leagues, the rookie out of Penn State has quietly climbed the WR ranks, especially in PPR formats. In the past three weeks, Robinson has been targeted 27 times, 17 of which led to receptions. Jacksonville will likely find itself behind in most ballgames, correlating to the offense resorting to the passing game early and often. In PPR formats or deeper leagues, this trend makes Robinson a worthwhile investment.

This Week in Kyle Orton
Whoever put this together, you’re doing the Lord’s work, my friend:

Orton is now 2-1 as Buffalo starter, which means we live in an NFL season where Kyle Orton has a better record than Drew Brees. Strange times, indeed.
2014 stats: 85-for-124, 890 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions
Cornerback Body Count: Five

Personal Foul on: Bill Parcells
A book excerpt was released detailing the fractured relationship between the Big Tuna and Bill Belichick, only for Parcells to come out and denounce the rumor, saying the two remain friends and their rapport was never broken. One issue: the initial story came from a book written by…Bill Parcells. So…yeah.

Gatorade Shower Goes to: Peyton Manning
Put aside Manning capturing the all-time touchdown record. Do you realize the man’s on pace for another 50-score campaign? That’s getting it done, son.

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

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