Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, 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: Cam Newton- Carolina Panthers
After slumping early in the season, Newton is finally ramping up his production.
Newton has nine touchdowns in his last four games to go along with 1,056 passing yards while throwing no picks. With the hot streak and his matchup against the downtrodden Raiders, Newton makes for a salivating option at $9,300.
The Raiders will have to make a cross-country trek for a 1:00 ET start game and they could get caught sleeping while trying to contain Newton. The Raiders are equally bad against the pass (27th, allowing 248.3 yards per game) as they are against the run (21st, allowing 122.5 yards per game), so play the multidimensional Newton with supreme confidence this week.
Under the radar find: Tony Romo- Dallas Cowboys
Quietly having an effective season is the Cowboys’ beleaguered quarterback Tony Romo.
Romo has thrown for six touchdowns in his last three games while only throwing one interception. With the Cowboys in the thick of the playoff race, expect Romo to unleash the passing game in their affair with the Saints this weekend.
If you have been paying attention to this column (or just the NFL in general) you’ll know how bad the Saints are against the pass. After Week 15, the Saints now rank 31st against the pass, allowing 287 yards per game and are tied for giving up the second-most touchdowns with 27.
At the reasonable price of $8,200, Romo is well worth a look.
Hail Mary option: Sam Bradford- St. Louis Rams
Looking to save money at QB with a nice sleeper? Then Bradford may be your guy.
Bradford is coming off a fine performance last week against the Vikings, when he threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns with a pick.
This week, Bradford and the Rams will have the pleasure of going up against the worst passing defense in the league in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs allow a league-high 310.6 passing yards per game while also giving up 27 touchdowns through the air.
So, at $6,900, Bradford could be worth the risk.
RB:
Worth the bucks: Ray Rice- Baltimore Ravens
Why don’t the Ravens feed the ball more to Rice? If Rice gets close to 25 touches the chances of the Ravens winning goes up exponentially.
Now riding a three-game losing streak, expect the Ravens to feed Rice the ball a ton in their matchup with the Giants. The Giants have been getting gashed on the ground of late and are ranked 22nd against the run (allowing 123.7 rushing yards per game).
After putting up a stinker last week, expect Rice to rebound and be the primary focus of the Raven’s game plan this week.
Under the radar find: Knowshon Moreno- Denver Broncos
Moreno has been quite the find for the Broncos ever since Willis McGahee was lost for the season.
Ever since assuming the position as lead back in Week 12, Moreno has rushed for 391 yards (twice over 100 yards in his last two games) and two touchdowns (with both in the last two weeks). So safe to say, the Broncos are making sure Moreno is playing an active part in the Broncos’ plans.
This should be another fine week for Moreno, as he and the Broncos will face the Browns at home. The Browns can be run on and have allowed on average 120.6 rushing yards per game while also allowing 13 touchdowns on the ground.
For the mere price of $6,600, Moreno is a steal.
Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts, RB
Hail Mary option: Vick Ballard- Indianapolis Colts
If you haven’t noticed, Ballard is putting together a nice streak to end his rookie campaign.
With Donald Brown out, the rushing workload for the Colts has now fallen on the shoulders of Ballard. And Ballard has not disappointed. Ballard has 240 rushing yards and a touchdown in his last three games.
This week, Ballard and the Colts will be taking on a Chiefs squad that has nothing to play for. The Chiefs can be exploited on the ground, as the Chiefs allow 136.4 rushing yards per game (27th in the league).
With this game having the chance to get lopsided, expect Ballard to run a lot in the second half to kill clock. As such, Ballard is a bargain at $5,800.
WR:
Worth the bucks: Andre Johnson- Houston Texans
After an inauspicious start, Johnson has settled into quite a groove of late.
In his last five games, Johnson has recorded 47 receptions for staggering 763 yards while also hauling in two touchdown passes. This week, Johnson and the Texans will be taking on the Vikings. The Vikings have proven to be mediocre against the pass (allowing 244.4 passing yards per game-23rd in the league) and Johnson should once again have his way.
Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams, WR
Under the radar find: Danny Amendola- St. Louis Rams
When healthy, Amendola is one of the most productive-while at the same time underrated—wide receivers in the game.
After a two week absence, Amendola picked up where he left off last week when he registered six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. This week-as I stated above- Amendola and the Rams will be going up against the anemic Bucs’ passing attack.
For the moderate price of $6,200, Amendola could be a nice fit for your budget.
Hail Mary option: Justin Blackmon- Jacksonville Jaguars
When the matchup is right, Blackmon could be an effective option at wide receiver. And this week could be one of those weeks where Blackmon could get his numbers.
Blackmon is coming off a six-catch, 93-yard performance last week against the Dolphins. The Patriots-Blackmon’s Week 16 opponent-have been known to give up big passing plays and rank 29th against the pass (270.7 yards per game). Besides, the game is likely to get out of hand and the Jags will have to air it out to play catch up. While the Pats pay more attention Cecil Shorts, Blackmon could get loose for a few big plays.
At $5,700 you would bank a lot of money by saving on Blackmon.
TE:
Worth the bucks: Rob Gronkowski- New England Patriots
This is all contingent on if Gronkowski returns; if not Aaron Hernandez could be worth the bucks here in his stead.
Gronkowski is one of the most transcendent players in the game and is clearly the league’s best tight end. If he gets clearance to play Gronkowski is well worth spending the $7,300.
The matchup is good to boot, as the Jags rank 24th against the pass (246 yards per game).
Under the radar find: Dennis Pitta- Baltimore Ravens
After coming off a fine performance last week against the Broncos (seven catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns), and having scored a touchdown in four out if his last six games, Pitta is quietly emerging as Joe Flacco’s main target in the passing game.
With a matchup against the Giants on the docket, Pitta has a good chance to extend his run of productivity.
Hail Mary option: Scott Chandler- Buffalo Bills
In standard leagues, Chandler has scored double-digit points in his last two games while scoring a touchdown in the game prior to that.
With that said, Chandler could be a solid option to count on in daily contests, especially at the cheap price of $5,200. Also, Chandler has a solid matchup, as he will go up against the Dolphins.
The Dolphins allow 247.9 passing yards per game and Chandler seems ready to suit up this week after battling a foot injury.
K:
Best value: Greg Zuerlein- St. Louis Rams
Against the Bucs, the Rams should be able to move the ball and set up “Greg the Leg” for enough scoring opportunities.
TD/ST:
Best value: Indianapolis Colts
If the Raiders can pitch a shutout against the Chiefs, there is potential for the Colts to do some damage too. At the price $5,100, the Colts defense is just a smidge over the minimum price.
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