Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, QB
Want a break from the week-to-week grind of the fantasy football season?
Well, if you’re more into instant gratification and want to earn a quick buck (and not wait a full year to claim your prize) then the FP911Challenge.com is just for you.
What you do is fill a roster consisting of 1 QB, 2 RB’s, 3 WR’s, 1 TE, 1 K and 1 TD/ST- all within a budget of 60,000 imaginary dollars while competing against hundreds of other players.
The scoring is as follows:
Offense:
Rushing yards made = 0.1pts
Rushing touchdowns = 6pts
Passing yards = 0.04pts
Passing touchdowns = 4pts
Interceptions = -1pt
Receiving yards = 0.1pts
Receiving touchdowns = 6pts
Receptions = 0.5pts
Kick-return touchdowns = 6pts
Punt-return touchdowns = 6pts
Fumbles lost = -2pts
Own fumbles recovered touchdowns = 6pts
Two-point conversions scored = 2pts
Two-point conversion passes = 2pts
Field-goals from 0-19 yards = 3pts
Field-goals from 20-29 yards = 3pts
Field-goals from 30-39 yards = 3pts
Field-goals from 40-49 yards = 4pts
Field-goals from 50+ yards = 5pts
Extra-point conversions = 1pt
Defense:
Sacks = 1pt
Opponent-fumbles recovered = 2pts
Return touchdowns = 6pts
Fumble return touchdowns = 6pts
Safeties = 2pts
Blocked kicks = 2pts
Interceptions = 2pts
0 points allowed = 10pts
1-6 points allowed = 7pts
7-13 points allowed = 4pts
14-20 points allowed = 1pt
28-34 points allowed = -1pt
35+ points allowed = -4pts
What you have to do is a field a lineup plus manage a budget and predict who has the best matchups. You also have to take into consideration what under-the-radar type players(since you can’t solely rely on studs) could lead you to glory. If you do all this well, you can earn some major dollars-and really quick.
That said, here are some options at each position that could be the difference in your matchups this weekend. I’ve designated each skill position (QB, RB, WR and TE) with a player worth the bucks, a player a tad under the radar, and a Hail Mary option. For kickers and defense, I will supply what I see as the best value.
QB:
Worth the bucks: Drew Brees- New Orleans Saints
With the Saints getting into gear and now only one game below .500, Brees will look to keep it rolling when he and the Saints head to Oakland to take on the reeling Raiders.
The Raiders allow 255.9 passing yards per game (24th in the league) and have also allowed 17 passing touchdowns thus far on the season. This game figures to be a shootout with defense being an afterthought.
The Saints have still not established a steady running game (even though it’s improving), so expect Brees to sling it early and often on Sunday.
Under the radar find: Carson Palmer- Oakland Raiders
As previously stated, this game has all the makings of a shootout, as both the Raiders and the Saints have shown to be pathetic when defending the pass.
As good as the matchup is for Brees, it could be even better for Palmer. Palmer will be facing a Saints’ pass defense that allows 307.3 (31st in the NFL) passing yards per game while giving up 19 touchdowns through the air.
Palmer is starting to get into a groove, as he has thrown for a whopping 782 yards and six touchdowns in his last two games. And with his opponent being the Saints this week, Palmer should be a veritable bargain at $8,000.
Hail Mary option: Nick Foles- Philadelphia Eagles
While there is some uncertainty about Foles competing in his first ever start, the matchup may be too good to ignore.
Foles and the Eagles will be opposing a Redskins’ squad that has allowed 301.7 passing yards (30th in the NFL) per game while allowing 20 touchdowns (tied for the worst in the league) as well. Foles presents a fresh face for a slumping Eagles’ squad and he’ll have some good weapons to connect with in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.
At $5,300 you can save a lot of money at quarterback by gambling on Foles and spending the rest of your budget on other key positions.
RB:
Worth the bucks: Arian Foster- Houston Texans
There is no secret method to how the Texans win. They rely on Foster to carry the offense while also relying on a stout defense.
That’s not going to change anytime soon and considering that the Jaguars are 29th against the rush (allowing 137.4 rushing yards per game) and have allow the second most rushing touchdowns (14), Foster should be in line for a monster performance on Sunday.
Under the radar find: Marcel Reece- Oakland Raiders
Reece has turned a lot of heads lately with the way he runs and catches ball out of the backfield. With the Raiders still down Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, Reece will continue to be the bell-cow back in their contest with the Saints on Sunday.
The Saints defense can’t stop the run (allowing 162 rushing yards per game, which is last in the league) or the pass (allowing 307.3 passing yards per game, which is second to last in the league). So, expect the Saints to have their hands full containing the multi-purpose back in Reece.
Hail Mary option: James Starks- Green Bay Packers
Although the matchup (vs. Detroit) is not in his favor, Starks will nonetheless be the lead back for the Packers this week with Alex Green taking on a secondary role.
At the price he is listed at ($4,900), at least Starks will be a cost-effective running back. Besides, it’s not like the Lions are that imposing a unit. If given enough carries (or touches for that matter), Starks could put up some respectable stats.
WR:
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals, WR
Worth the bucks: A.J. Green- Cincinnati Bengals
Now riding an eight-game scoring streak, there is a great chance that Green could make it nine come Sunday.
You see, Green will be facing a Chiefs’ squad that has already allowed 12 touchdowns to wide receivers.
The Chiefs have also allowed 214 passing yards per game, but their pass defense can be exploited and Green is just the type of guy who can do it.
Under the radar find: Denarius Moore- Oakland Raiders
I’ve already gone into detail how the Saints/Raiders matchup seems destined to become a shootout, so no need to rehash anymore stats. With that said, Moore should be one of the primary beneficiaries on Sunday.
Moore has scored in five out of his last seven games and is quickly becoming Palmer’s most trusted option in the passing game. With the way the Saints have been burned by wide receivers this year, Moore at $6,500 is as good a bargain you could find.
Hail Mary option: Brandon LaFell- Carolina Panthers
The Bucs have been horrible against the pass this year, allowing a league-high 321.3 passing yards per game and with Danario Alexander, Malcom Floyd, Joe Morgan and Rod Streater scoring on them recently, LaFell could be a sneaky pick this week.
While he has had a subpar year, you can’t ignore LaFell’s matchup. After all, LaFell did score and record 65 receiving yards against the Bucs in their Week 1 matchup. The Bucs should key in on Steve Smith (who had seven catches for 107 yards in their Week 1 matchup) and this could free up LaFell to make some big plays on the afternoon once again.
TE:
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints, TE
Worth the bucks: Jimmy Graham- New Orleans Saints
When you combine the fact that Graham is coming off a game in which he just posted seven receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns with the fact that Dennis Pitta scored a touchdown and had a productive day against the Raiders last week, makes Graham almost a lock to have a dominant performance against the Raiders.
The Raiders’ pass defense has been gashed lately and with Graham still being Brees’ number one target in the passing game, Graham is a slam-dunk selection-no matter his price.
Under the radar find: Greg Olsen- Carolina Panthers
After a breakout performance last week (nine receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns) Olsen will like to keep it going and the Buccaneers (the Panthers’ Week 11 opponent) shouldn’t be much in the way of a buzz kill.
The Bucs’ have allowed three tight ends to score in the last two games, and with the outing he is coming off of, Olsen offers good value at the price of $5,600.
Hail Mary option: Brent Celek- Philadelphia Eagles
While he isn’t having that great a season, Celek could prove to be a valuable target for Foles to rely on in his first start.
Expect Foles to dump it off to Celek a ton, as Foles gets used to playing behind a poor Eagles’ offensive line. Not to mention, the Redskins are awful at defending the pass and have already given up seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year.
K:
Best value: Shayne Graham- Houston Texans
A home game against one of the weaker defenses in the league plus going for the minimum price ($5,000) makes Graham a very appealing choice.
TD/ST:
Best value: St. Louis Rams
The Jets’ offensive woes have been well documented and the last couple of teams (Seahawks and Dolphins) have feasted on their mistakes and misfortunes. For the minimum price of $5,000, the Rams are as good a value as you can get.
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