Over the Thanksgiving holidays, I had a friend present me his fantasy “dilemma,” which involved his utilization of Jay Cutler. He’s not the first to question the merits of Smokin’ Jay, as his high turnover rate, along with Chicago’s losing record, tends to paint Cutler is an ominous light. However, in fantasy, Cutler continues to get the job done, ranking eighth among quarterbacks in scoring. With this in tow, I told my buddy without a shred of a doubt that Cutler belonged in his starting lineup.
Turns out my hubris got the best of me, or should I say, the best of my friend. For while Cutler wasn’t horrific against the Lions, my friend’s alternative option was…Ryan Fitzpatrick. I don’t think I’m going to be on my man’s Christmas card list.
Week 13’s takeaways…
Yes, Johnny Manziel can be of fantasy use
Congrats to Manziel, who finally has as many TDs as TKOs. Progress!
Initially I was hesitant to give Manziel the thumbs-up. Not only is he an unproven commodity, but if an owner’s team is in the fantasy playoffs, the quarterback position is likely fortified. Inserting a rookie making his first start with such stakes seemed like an unnecessary risk.
After further deliberation, I’ve slightly altered this stance. Manziel’s not entering 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 starting role. Moreover, 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.
Nevertheless, there is the aforementioned matter of your present fantasy arm. You certainly wouldn’t bench the likes of Brees, Brady and Stafford for Johnny Football. Conversely, second-tiered field generals like Cutler, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers and Mark Sanchez face tough opponents this week.
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.
Don’t give up on Tony Romo
As a fellow victim of his Thanksgiving, ahem, “performance” I empathize with proprietors wanting to banish Romo to the waiver wire. In truth, last week wasn’t an aberration. Aside from conquests against the lowly Jaguars and Giants, Romo’s been pedestrian, at least in the fantasy realm, as a nagging back injury has zapped some of his strength. Furthermore, the air attack is no longer the Cowboys’ preferred offensive route, shifting their focus to DeMarco Murray and the running game.
Then why the conviction going forward? Historically, December has been kind to Romo. Before you write that angry Tweet, yes, I’m fully aware that the Cowboys have fallen short in the past during the final month of the season, a struggle that bears Romo’s efforts. In spite of Dallas’ team woes, Romo has enjoyed individual statistical fruition. Since 2009, Romo has 34 touchdowns against eight interceptions in December games, with only Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees turning in a better QB Rating during that span. A generous slate will help Romo’s cause to repeat these dividends, with vulnerable defenses in Chicago, Indianapolis and Washington littering Dallas’ remaining schedule.
I’m aware that Romo and “championship” are not usually associated, but at this juncture of the fantasy season, Romo is an entity that can help you secure your league title.
Only fools fall for Tampa Bay backs
Sure, Doug Martin’s decent outing on Sunday (18 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown) could garner an eyebrow raise or two from owners looking for firepower heading into the postseason. Lest you’re suffering from temporary amnesia, the Buccaneers are still hampered by a dreadful offensive line that’s contributed to the club’s 29th ranking in total rushing. Additionally, this harvest came against a fickle Cincinnati front seven, evidenced in their concession of the second-most ground scores in the league.
I suppose a silver lining could be that Martin received the lion’s share of work on Sunday, as Charles Sims siphoned only five carries (albeit with four catches). Unfortunately, this optimism should be curbed by a date with Detroit’s NFL-best rush defense. You would have to be some type of desperate to rummage in Tampa’s direction for RB help. In a related note, congrats to Marvin Lewis for his illegal challenge that ultimately won the game for the Bengals. Some are arguing that Lewis shouldn’t have been rewarded with that challenge, while others counter the referees’ incompetence warranted such a move. From my personal experience of the Marvin Lewis Era, I feel confident in saying that Lewis had no idea his challenge was illegal. But hey, it worked, and now the Bengals have a 1 ½-game lead in the division. Go figure.
R.I.P., Cordarrelle Patterson’s Fantasy Value
I was far from a Patterson proponent this preseason (say that five times fast), yet even detractors like myself can’t believe the fall from grace for the second-year wideout. Since hauling in six receptions for 86 yards in Week 8, Patterson has done bupkis: five catches, 51 yards and zero scores. Worse, Patterson has been phased out of the offense in favor of Charles Johnson, illustrated in Patterson participating in just three of 50 snaps yesterday (versus Johnson’s 49).
Patterson has already been dropped in most standard formats, but judging by our inbox and chats, many of you in dynasty leagues are still holding out hope for a revival. The WR position is as deep as it has been in years, meaning Patterson is not worth this keeper status. Drop him in all formats.
Kamar Aiken is your Week 14 Flyer candidate
Pretty straightforward: Torrey Smith was hurt at the end of Sunday’s contest, and could likely be out for this weekend’s affair against the Dolphins. Enter Aiken, a wideout who’s bounced around the league since departing UCF in 2011 before finding a home in Baltimore this fall. 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 fireworks.
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
