A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals, WR
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: Aaron Rodgers- Green Bay Packers
After coming off a 338-yard and six-touchdown performance against what was considered a good defense in the Houston Texans, it appears that Rodgers has found his groove.
While the Rams are a better unit against the pass and are no slouch, it appears Rodgers and the Packers are on a mission and the “Discount Double-Checker” should have no problem connecting with the likes of Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb.
Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders, QB
Under the radar find: Carson Palmer- Oakland Raiders
Throughout the years Palmer has proven to be a capable quarterback and when the matchup is in his favor, he usually delivers.
Well, the matchup doesn’t get much better for Palmer and the Raiders when they host the Jaguars. The Jaguars have a pathetic pass-defense and allow 261 passing yards (23rd in the league) a game.
With Denarius Moore stepping up his game, Palmer has the chance to light up the scoreboard on Sunday.
Hail Mary option: Brandon Weeden- Cleveland Browns
You’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here, but Weeden is actually playing at a decent level of late. Weeden has thrown for 842 yards in his last three games with four touchdowns (all in the last two games).
Now that receivers such as Josh Gordon and Jordan Norwood are stepping up, Weeden is gaining confidence. That confidence may continue to grow this week with a matchup against the Colts. The Colts have struggled in the last two games, while allowing five touchdowns through the air.
RB:
Worth the Bucks: Arian Foster- Houston Texans
Arguably the game’s best running back, Foster should have no trouble racking up the points this week.
This week Foster and the Texans will be facing the Baltimore Ravens and this not your father’s Ravens’ defense. With the Ravens losing key defensive players, they are simply not the same unit they once were. The Ravens are giving up 136.5 rushing yards a game (26th in the league).
Once again the Texans will want to control tempo and run the ball down the Ravens’ throat making Foster an excellent play.
Under the radar find: Doug Martin- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints, Martin’s Week 7 opponent, are atrocious against the run, ranking last in the league in rushing yards allowed (172.8) and that alone makes Martin a great start.
Martin, who is coming off a game in which he had 131 total yards against the Chiefs, should be more involved in the game plan and with the Saints not stopping anyone these days, Martin could be in line for a huge afternoon.
Hail Mary option: Jonathan Dwyer- Pittsburgh Steelers
With the Steelers down Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, Dwyer is in line for the start on Sunday vs. the Bengals. When given a chance, Dwyer has shown he could do some damage.
The Bengals are in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed, ranking 21st (116.8 yards) and have also given up eight touchdowns (tied for second in the league) on the ground. So, as long as Dwyer is starting and getting the reps, he can be a productive option at cheap price ($4,900).
WR:
Worth the Bucks: A.J. Green- Cincinnati Bengals
Green is blossoming into a dominant, elite wide receiver and it can be argued that he is the best in the league.
Green ranks first in receiving yards (628), tied for third in receptions (43) and tied for second in touchdowns (six). While the Steelers are good against the pass (200.8 YPG), they have not faced a receiver the caliber of Green in a while. When the Steelers had to face a big, gifted receiver in Demaryius Thomas in Week 1, they allowed him to record five receptions for 110 yards and a score.
Don’t worry, Green will get his numbers.
Under the radar find: Denarius Moore- Oakland Raiders
When the Raiders and Jaguars hook up on Saturday expect defense to be an afterthought.
Just as Palmer is a good play, Moore might be even a better option at wide receiver. As mentioned before, the Jaguars are 23rd in the league in passing yards allowed. Moore is coming off his finest performance of the year (five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown) and is becoming Palmer’s most heavily targeted receiver.
Hail Mary Option: Josh Gordon- Cleveland Browns
If you want a big play, go to Gordon.
Gordon is quickly becoming Weeden’s main weapon in the passing game, having scored three touchdowns in his last two games.
Gordon and the Browns have yet another matchup (@ the Colts) that they can exploit. This could turn into a high-scoring affair and Gordon could get loose for a few big plays.
TE:
Worth the bucks: Rob Gronkowski- New England Patriots
Simply put, Gronkowski is due.
Gronkowski has not scored in two games and while he is slowly getting back to full health, he could wreak havoc on the Jets’ secondary.
While he is questionable, I expect “Gronk” out there and tearing up the Jets’ secondary, which is something he has done in the past. Gronkowski recorded eight receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns in his last game against the Jets.
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys, TE
Under the radar find: Jason Witten- Dallas Cowboys
At the price of $5,200, Witten is vastly undervalued. With the way he has been playing lately, Witten is a veritable bargain.
Witten has recorded 19 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. Witten and the Cowboys will now take on a mediocre Panthers’ pass defense which has allowed 249.6 passing yards per game.
It appears Witten is over his early season struggles and is worth the price here.
Hail Mary option: Marcedes Lewis- Jacksonville Jaguars
While Lewis and the whole Jaguars’ offense have struggled from the beginning, one constant on the year has been Blaine Gabbert targeting Lewis in the red zone.
The Raiders are a terrible at defending the pass, ranking 25th in passing yards allowed (274.6) and have allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this season.
K:
Best value: Shayne Graham- Houston Texans
With the Ravens being a banged up bunch, expect the Ravens to move the ball efficiently in this contest, which should set up Graham to have a busy day.
TD/ST:
Best value: New England Patriots
The Patriots are an underrated bunch, especially against the run (allowing 82.7 yards a game) and they will dare Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air.
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