Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings

Let's just jump into it because, if we're all honest with each other here, you're probably not reading this intro anyways. Here are my Week 1 rankings.

These rankings are based on non-PPR standard fantasy football leagues.

Quarterbacks

1. Robert Griffin III vs Phi
2. Drew Brees vs Atl
3. Tom Brady @ Buf
4. Andrew Luck vs Oak
5. Matt Ryan @ NO
6. Aaron Rodgers @ SF
7. Michael Vick @ Was
8. Colin Kaepernick vs GB
9. Ben Roethlisberger vs Ten
10. Tony Romo vs NYG
11. Russell Wilson @ Car
12. Matthew Stafford vs Min
13. Eli Manning @ Dal
14. Cam Newton vs Sea
15. E.J. Manuel vs NE
16. Matt Schaub @ SD
17. Terrelle Pryor @ IND
18. Jay Cutler vs Cin
19. Josh Freeman @ NYJ
20. Alex Smith @ Jax
21. Andy Dalton @ Chi
22. Brandon Weeden vs Mia
23. Sam Bradford vs Ari
24. Christian Ponder @ Det
25. Carson Palmer @ StL

Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson @ Det
2. Jamaal Charles @ Jax
3. Alfred Morris vs Phi
4. Marshawn Lynch @ Car
5. Doug Martin @ NYJ
6. Stevan Ridley @ Buf
7. LeSean McCoy @ Was
8. C.J. Spiller vs NE
9. Steven Jackson @ NO
10. Reggie Bush vs Min
11. Trent Richardson vs Mia
12. Lamar Miller @ Cle
13. David Wilson @ Dal
14. Arian Foster @ SD
15. Maurice Jones-Drew vs KC
16. Matt Forte vs Cin
17. Frank Gore vs GB
18. Darren Sproles vs Atl
19. DeMarco Murray vs NYG
20. Darren McFadden @ Ind
21. Ben Tate @ SD
22. Daryl Richardson vs Ari
23. Ahmad Bradshaw vs Oak
24. Ryan Mathews vs Hou
25. Shane Vereen @ Buf
26. Chris Johnson @ Pit
27. Eddie Lacy @ SF
28. Giovani Bernard @ Chi
29. Bryce Brown @ Was
30. Mark Ingram vs Atl
31. Isaac Redman vs Ten
32. DeAngelo Williams vs Sea
33. Rashard Mendenhall @ StL
34. Chris Ivory vs TB
35. Joique Bell vs Min
36. Jacquizz Rodgers @ NO
37. Vick Ballard vs Oak
38. Bilal Powell vs TB
39. Fred Jackson vs NE
40. Pierre Thomas vs Atl
41. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Chi
42. Roy Helu vs Phi
43. Benny Cunninham vs Ari
44. Mike Tolbert vs Sea
45. Ryan Williams @ StL
46. Felix Jones vs Ten
47. James Starks @ SF
48. Shonn Greene @ Pit
49. Michael Bush vs Cin
50. Daniel Thomas @ Cle

Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson vs Min
2. Dez Bryant vs NYG
3. Julio Jones @ NO
4.  Pierre Garcon vs Phi
5. Larry Fitzgerald @ StL
6. Brandon Marshall vs Cin
7. Danny Amendola @ Buf
8. Antonio Brown vs Ten
9. Randall Cobb @ SF
10. Andre Johnson @ SD
11. Dwayne Bowe @ Jax
12. Reggie Wayne vs Oak
13. Roddy White @ NO
14. Victor Cruz @ Dal
15. A.J. Green vs Chi
16. Cecil Shorts vs KC
17. Hakeem Nicks @ Dal
18. Jordy Nelson @ SF
19. Marques Colston vs Atl
20. Kenbrell Thompkins @ Buf
21. T.Y. Hilton vs Oakland
22. Greg Jennings @ Det
23. Miles Austin vs NYG
24. DeSean Jackson @ Was
25. Chris Givens vs Ari
26. Steve Johnson vs NE
27. Mike Williams @ NYJ
28. Anquan Boldin vs GB
29. Golden Tate @ Car
30. Vincent Jackson @ NYJ
31. Steve Smith vs Sea
32. Mike Wallace @ Cle
33. Vincent Brown vs Hou
34. Kenny Britt @ Pit
35. Lance Moore vs Atl
36. Sidney Rice @ Car
37. James Jones @ SF
38. Greg Little vs Mia
39. Emmanuel Sanders vs Ten
40. Ryan Broyles vs Min
41. Alshon Jeffery vs Cin
42. Tavon Austin vs Ari
43. Mohammed Sanu @ Chi
44. Andre Roberts @ StL
45. Denarius Moore @ Ind
46. Rueben Randle @ Dal
47. DeAndre Hopkins @ SD
48. Darrius Heyward-Bey vs Oak
49. Michael Floyd @ StL
50. Kendall Wright @ Pit

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham vs Atl
2. Tony Gonzalez @ NO
3. Jordan Cameron vs Mia
4. Jason Witten vs NYG
5. Zach Sudfeld @ Buf
6. Fred Davis vs Phi
7. Antonio Gates vs Hou
8. Vernon Davis vs GB
9. Kyle Rudolph @ Detroit
10. Owen Daniels @ SD
11. Brandon Pettigrew vs Min
12. Brent Celek @ Was
13. Coby Fleener vs Oak
14. Jermichael Finley @ SF
15. Greg Olsen vs Sea
16. Jared Cook vs Ari
17. Martellus Bennett vs Cin
18. Rob Housler @ StL
19. Brandon Myers @ Dal
20. Anthony Fasano @ Jax
21. Dwayne Allen vs Oak
22. Tyler Eifert @ Chi
23. Vance McDonald  vs GB
24. Scott Chandler vs NE
25. Jermaine Gresham @ Chi

Defenses

1. Texans @ SD
2. Colts vs Oak
3. Buccaneers @ NYJ
4. Patriots @ Buf
5. Steelers vs Ten
6. Seahawks @ Car
7. Rams vs Ari
8. Bengals @ Chi
9. Browns vs Mia
10. Cardinals @ St.L
11. Chiefs @ Jax
12. Bears vs Cin
13. Vikings @ Det
14. Giants @ Dal
15. 49ers vs GB

Week 12 Game Picks

By Christian Hardy

Picks standings through four weeks

Christian (@TheFFAddict) - 39-21

Gabe (@CrazyGabey) - 42-18

Zach (@Zatchj62) - 37 - 23

Taylor (@TaylorStuber) - 34-26


Make sure to click on those names and give them a follow on Twitter. Also, the lines are from footballlocks.com on Wednesday night. The lines for the Sunday games will be updated on Saturday evening. 

Green Bay Packers  @ Detroit Lions
Thursday - 12:30 PM EST - FOX
Line: Packers -6.5 or Lions +6.5
Over/Under: 56

Loss (0-1) - Christian's Pick: Lions 30, Packers 27 (OT)
Win (1-0) - Gabe's Pick: Packers 34, Lions 31
Win (1-0) - Zach's Pick: Packers
Loss (0-1) - Taylor's Pick: Lions 31, Packers 28
Final Score: Packers 27, Lions 15

Miami Dolphins @ Dallas Cowboys
Thursday - 4:15 PM EST - CBS
Line: Cowboys  -7 or Miami +7
Over/Under: 45

Win (1-1) - Christian's Pick: Cowboys 30, Dolphins 20
Win (2-0) - Gabe's Pick: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 17
Win (2-0) - Zach's Pick: Cowboys
Loss (0-2) - Taylor's Pick: Dolphins 23, Cowboys 17
Final Score: Cowboys 20, Dolphins 19

San Francisco 49ers @ Baltimore Ravens
Thursday - 8:20 PM EST - NFL
Line: Ravens -3.5 or 49ers +3.5
Over/Under: 40

Loss (1-2) - Christian's Pick: 49ers 20, Ravens 17
Win (3-0) - Gabe's Pick: Ravens 17, 49ers 13
Win (3-0) - Zach's Pick: Ravens
Loss (0-3) - Taylor's Pick: 49ers 20, Ravens 17
Final Score: Ravens 16, 49ers 6


Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons
1:00 PM EST - FOX
Line: Falcons -9.5 or Vikings +9.5
Over/Under: 44

Win (2-2) - Christian's Pick: Falcons 27, Vikings 17
Win (4-0) - Gabe's Pick: Falcons 27, Vikings 17
Win (4-0) - Zach's Pick: Falcons
Win (1-3) - Taylor's Pick: Falcons 27, Vikings 13
Final Score: Falcons 24, Vikings 14


Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 PM EST - CBS
Line: Bengals -7 or Browns +7
Over/Under: 37.5

Win (3-2) - Christian's Pick: Bengals 24, Browns 10 - Lock of the Week
Win (5-0) - Gabe's Pick: Bengals 24, Browns 13
Win (5-0) Zach's Pick: Bengals
Win (2-3) - Taylor's Pick: Bengals 16, Browns 3
Final Score: Bengals 23, Browns 20


Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Tennessee Titans
1:00 PM EST - FOX
Line: Titans -3 or Bucs +3
Over/Under: 43

Win (4-2) - Christian's Pick: Titans 20, Buccaneers 17
Win (6-0) - Gabe's Pick: Titans 27, Buccaneers 21
Loss (5-1) - Zach's Pick: Buccaneers
Win (3-3) - Taylor's Pick: Titans 30, Buccaneers 26
Final Score: Titans 23, Buccaneers 17


Carolina Panthers @ Indianapolis Colts
1:00 PM EST - FOX
Line: Panthers -3 or Colts +3
Over/Under: 45.5

Win (5-2) - Christian's Pick: Panthers 30, Colts 10 -Lock of the Week #2
Win (7-0) - Gabe's Pick: Panthers 34, Colts 17
Win (6-1) - Zach's Pick: Panthers
Win (4-3) - Taylor's Pick: Panthers 23, Colts 10
Final Score: Panthers 27, Colts 19

Arizona Cardinals @ St.Louis Rams
1:00 PM EST - FOX
Line: Rams -3 or Cardinals +3
Over/Under: 40.5

Loss (5-3) - Christian's Pick: Rams 17, Cardinals 6
Win (8-0) - Gabe's Pick: Cardinals 23, Rams 17
Loss (6-2) - Zach's Pick: Rams
Win (5-3) - Taylor's Pick: Cardinals 17, Rams 13
Final Score: Cardinals 23, Rams 20


Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
1:00 PM EST - CBS
Line: Jets -9 or Bills +9
Over/Under: 42.5

Win (6-3) - Christian's Pick: Jets 27, Bills 10
Win (9-0) - Gabe's Pick: Jets 24, Bills 17
Win (7-2) - Zach's Pick: Jets
Win (6-3) - Taylor's Pick: Jets 23, Bills 20
Final Score: Jets 28, Bills 24

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
1:00 PM EST - CBS
Line: Texans -3.5 or Jaguars +3.5
Over/Under: 37.5

Win (7-3) - Christian's Pick: Texans 27, Jaguars 10
Win (10-0) - Gabe's Pick: Texans 24, Jaguars 13
Win (8-2) - Zach's Pick: Texans
Win (7-3) - Taylor's Pick: Texans 41, Jaguars 17
Final Score: Texans 20, Jaguars 13

Chicago Bears @ Oakland Raiders
4:05 PM EST - FOX
Line: Raiders -4 or Bears +4
Over/Under: 41.5

Win (8-3) - Christian's Pick: Raiders 24, Bears 17
Win (11-0) - Gabe's Pick: Raiders 27, Bears 17
Win (9-2) - Zach's Pick: Raiders
Win (8-3) - Taylor's Pick: Raiders 27, Bears 16
Final Score: Raiders 25, Bears 20

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks
4:05 PM EST - FOX
Line: Seahawks -3.5 or Redskins +3.5
Over/Under: 37

Loss (8-4) - Christian's Pick: Seahawks 24, Redskins20
Loss (11-1) - Gabe's Pick: Seahawks 21, Redskins 14
Win (10-2) - Zach's Pick: Redskins
Loss (8-4) - Taylor's Pick: Seahawks 21, Redskins 20
Final Score: Redskins 23, Seahawks 17

New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles
4:15 PM EST - FOX
Line: Patriots -3 or Eagles +3
Over/Under: 50.5

Loss (8-5) - Christian's Pick: Eagles 27, Patriots 24 - Upset special
Win (12-1) - Gabe's Pick: Patriots 31, Eagles 27
Win (11-2) - Zach's Pick: Patriots
Loss (8-5) - Taylor's Pick: Eagles 30, Patriots 24
Final Score: Patriots 38, Eagles 20

Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers
4:15 PM EST - CBS
Line: Chargers -6 or Broncos +6
Over/Under: 42

Win (9-5) - Christian's Pick: Broncos 17, Chargers 14
Win ((13-1) - Gabe's Pick: Broncos 20, Chargers 17
Loss (11-3) - Zach's Pick: Chargers
Win (9-5) - Taylor's Pick: Broncos 21, Chargers 20
Final Score: Broncos 16, Chargers 13 (OT)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs
8:27 PM EST - NBC
Line: Steelers -10.5 or Chiefs +10.5
Over/Under: 40

Win (10-5) - Christian's Pick: Steelers 30, Chiefs 10
Win (14-1) - Gabe's Pick: Steelers 27, Chiefs 13
Win (12-3) - Zach's Pick: Steelers
Win (10-5) - Taylor's Pick: Steelers 31, Chiefs 10
Final Score: Steelers 13, Chiefs 9

New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints
8:37 PM EST - ESPN
Line: Saints -7 or Giants +7
Over/Under: 51

Win (11-5) - Christian's Pick: Saints 24, Giants 20
Loss (14-2) - Gabe's Pick: Giants 28, Saints 27
Win (13-3) - Zach's Pick: Saints
Win (11-5) - Taylor's Pick: Saints 23, Giants 17
Final Score: Saints 49, Giants 24

Week 11 Pickups

By: Gabriel Harber

The past three weeks have shown exactly why having a good backup plan is imperative, both in the NFL and on our fantasy teams.  Let’s say for example you were sitting pretty at 6-2 just a few weeks ago.  You had Jay Cutler, Jeremy Maclin, Julio Jones, and Ahmad Bradshaw all producing at high levels and with the combined power of your other studs you felt confident in your chances of making a championship run.

Flash forward to the aftermath.  You’re spiraling downwards quickly, about to be 6-5 and clinging to the final playoff berth with a matchup against the league’s best team looming next week.  At this point it doesn’t matter how well you play the wire, you’ve lost a significant chunk of production and you’re left wondering what you could have done differently.

Don’t be that guy.

Even though our favorite game is heavily influenced by factors outside our control, we needn’t be helpless.  There are a few simple steps you can take to give your team the highest chance of succeeding through adversity.  Place extra emphasis an acquiring high value handcuffs.  Research and find out which guys have shown promise in practice, training camps, and pre-season games and target them as throw-ins in your trades.  Scour the waiver wire for high upside players that only need a depth chart breakthrough to be great.  Stop holding onto that WR5 because you “just know” he’s due and fill your bench with speculative home runs.

Or you can just call Brett Favre, I heard he’s available.

Blank Stare

(Do not, under any circumstances, text him.)

Pick Ups

Jacoby Ford:  With the Darrius Heyward-Bey banged up (thoughts and prayers go to him) and a hopeful return date of next weekend for Ford, the window to pick up Ford uncontested is likely closing.  Carson Palmer looks for him when he’s on the field which should be more than enough for you to trust him too.

Kevin Smith:  Obvious add is obvious. 201 totals yards, three touchdowns. That is all.

Matt Moore:  Head coach Tony Sparano spoke about an emotion and fire that Moore was exhibiting during Sunday’s victory.  Now I’m no expert (at anything) and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but there is something going on with the Miami Dolphins the past month that defies conventional wisdom.  Moore is playing at another level, managing games and daggering when necessary.  He had a career day yesterday with Brandon Marshall being a non-factor.  That’s impressive and an indicator of a player who isn’t forcing mistakes.  If you find yourself in quarterback damage control mode Moore is the guy for you.

Vince Young:  Michael Vick is banged up, and has a history of being banged up.  Young has been nothing but a winner his entire career (except that time when he was benched, and stopped producing) and as long as Vick stays hobbled I expect to him to make the most of every opportunity thrown his way.  If you’re in a keeper league this is a no brainer addition, as Young will likely be a starter somewhere next season.

CJ Spiller:  Fred Jackson has a calf bruise and that means that as unimpressive as Spiller has been, he’s still worth a pick up.  The Bills have been lining him up in the slot at times, adding a little icing on the cake for PPR’ers.

Riley Cooper:  Vince Young trusts Cooper, as is evidenced by the twelve targets tossed his way and the fact that Young looked to him with the game on the line.  DeSean Jackson is still in the doghouse and Maclin may not be cleared to play for a few more weeks.  If you need a fill in, Cooper versus New England looks as tasty as the Thanksgiving leftovers you’ll be eating as you watch.

Jared Cook:  This one’s tricky, as his value hinges almost completely on Mike Munchak’s decision at quarterback.  The Titans have a real shot at a playoff run, two games behind division leading Houston who is rolling with Matt Leinart the rest of the way.  The season concludes with a showdown at Houston that could potentially decide the division.  If the Titans stick with Hasselbeck then Cook loses much of his appeal, but should they choose to move forward with the future then Cook gains safety valve value for the talented young gunslinger.  Keep a close eye on the news coming out of Tennessee.

Nate Burleson:  The Lions (specifically Matthew Stafford) are throwing the ball as proficiently as they have been all year, and Burleson has been heavily involved the last two contests as defenses continue to load up on Calvin Johnson.  Throw in the newly established running game and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Backflips for Barber

Marion Barber:  The news out of Chicago is devastating.  Jay Cutler will miss at least the rest of the regular season.  I expect the Bears to limit Caleb Hanie by employing a two-headed monster approach in the running game, which is what Chicago has came out and said that they want to do.  Barber has shown he’s more than capable as a goal line back, and I would expect his touches to increase to around the 12-15 mark now.

Jake Locker:  Looking impressive in his first extended action, Locker almost led the Titans out from the claws of defeat this weekend.  He showed exceptional athleticism and poise as he threw bullets to Jared Cook, Nate Washington, and Lavelle Hawkins for long gains.  As mentioned above, look for the word coming out of Titans camp for news on what to do here. However, head coach Mike Muchak did say after yesterday’s game that

Toby Gerhart:  Peterson will likely sit a game, and that means a large workload will necessarily fall into Gerhart’s lap.  He’s shown speed and power in limited touches, but hasn’t really seen much action.  This is most likely a direct result of late season fumbles that placed him in coach Leslie Frazier’s doghouse last season.

I’ll see you back here next week!  Until then, be sure to shoot me any questions you might have on Twitter.