Week 13 Bank/Tank

By: Christian Hardy

I decided I would do my week 13 Bank/Tank in video form, just to try it out. How did I do? Tell me in the comments section below.


Video Description
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Summary:
QB Bank: Tim Tebow, Matt Moore, Josh Freeman
QB Tank: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco

RB Bank: LeGarrette Blount, Roy Helu. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Lawfirm)
RB Tank: Michael Turner, Steven Jackson, Cedric Benson

WR Bank: Mike Williams, Eric Decker, Antonio Brown
WR Tank: Roddy White, AJ Green, Anquan Boldin

TE Bank: Owen Daniels
TE Tank: Dustin Keller

Week 9 Bank/Tank

By: Christian Hardy

Now we're here. The officially halfway point of the 2011 NFL season. Week nine is packed full of some great games, so let's get right to it.


I'd like to run over what this article is all about. "Bank" is players I love this week and "Tank" are the players that are going to, well, tank this week. The numbers next to the players are, first, my ranking, followed by ESPN's consensus ranking. Let's get started, shall we?

Quarterbacks
Bank
Matt Ryan @ Indianapolis (7th, 8th) - What a turn around Indy has had without Peyton Manning has had his neck surgery. They are now 0-8 and their team as a whole looks worse than ever. Look, Matt Ryan hasn't been great this year (16th ranked fantasy quarterback), but he hasn't been terrible either. If it wasn't for his eight point performance against Chicago and six point game against the undefeated Packers, then he is tied with Ben Roethlisberger as the ninth best fantasy quarterback (15.6 points per game). Against the weak Indy pass defense that is 29th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, you bet I am starting him this week.

Matt Cassel vs Miami (8th, 13th) - Interesting stat for you here: Matt Cassel's best month in terms of passer rating is November. Throughout his career, Cassel has a 83.0 passer rating; in November, Cassel has thrown for a passer rating of 93.1 (his second best month is October with 82.2). That, along with the 31st ranked fantasy pass defense of the Dolphins is starting to look like a real juicy matchup for Matt Cassel.

Tony Romo vs Seattle (4th, 6th) - Romo has a 110.8 passer rating in two games against Seattle, despite the botched snap on a 19 yard chip shot, that, in return, lost the game for the Cowboys in the 2007 playoffs (2006 season). But this year, Romo is at home against the Seahawks for the first time since 2008. In that particular game, Romo threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Pretty impressive, right? Definitely start Romo this week, considering the very vulnerable pass defense of the Seahawks.

Extra: Mark Sanchez @ Buffalo (10th, 15th)

Tank

The story of Tebow as a starter

Tim Tebow @ Oakland (15th, 12th) - Well, I have completely lost the love for this guy. After two (and a half) weeks his stat line is...horrific.A 46.1 completion percentage 412 yards, and a 75.1 passer rating. Just like I said: Horrific.Oakland might have a bad pass defense, but so did Miami. Stay away from Tebow if you can this week. (Warning: This could easily blow up in your face and my face.)

Joe Flacco vs Pittsburgh (24th, 18th) - Flacco has turned the ball over eight times in seven games against the Steelers. Along with that, he has only scored nine touchdowns and 215 yards per game. And, wait, there's more. The Steelers allow just 11.5 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year, which is seventh in the league. There is no way I am putting Flacco in my lineup this week, despite a great game from him in week one of this season against the Steelers.

Running Backs
Bank
Shonn Greene @ Buffalo (10th, 13th) - Greene has twenty carries or more in three straight games and in every game this season he has 10 carries or more. Lead back? I think so. With those type of carries, Greene is an every week start, and it only makes it better when he has a great matchup. Greene plays the Bills who allow 16.7 points per game to opposing running backs this season (including the whopping three points that they allowed to the Redskins last week). To go along with all of this, in the past five games against the Jets, the Bills have given up over 200 rushing yards. Plus, the Bills will be without Kyle Williams which is a great run stopper for this defense. I expect a 15-20 point game for Greene here, and maybe even the game where he finally breaks out.

Steven Jackson blew up for three touchdowns last week

Steven Jackson vs Arizona (6th, 9th) - What are the Rams going on Bradford's first game back from that ankle sprain? I'm pretty sure that they are going to give the ball to their top playmaker who goes by the name of Steven Jackson. Jackson led the Rams to their first win of the season over the red-hot Saints, and so why can't he do it against this defense? The Cardinals allow just over 17 points per game to opposing running backs, and no one by Steven Jackson is going to be touching the rock out of the backfield for this team. Get Steven Jackson in your lineup this week, just like I suggested last week.

Extra: Jackie Battle vs Miami (12th, 20th) - Miami has a decent fantasy rush defense (10th), but with the type of carries he is getting, it is hard not to like him.

Tank
Ryan Torain vs San Francisco (41st, 30th) - I loved this guy for two weeks, with two great matchups. Now he takes on the 49ers, who have the best fantasy defense against opposing running backs. Torain has just three points combined in his last three games against Philadelphia, Carolina, and Buffalo; three of the worst fantasy run defenses. At this point, you can drop Torain, but I am definitely keeping him on my bench.


Chris Johnson vs Cincinnati (32nd, 21st) - What a terrible season for CJ (The "2K" part of it has been revoked, by me). Javon Ringer is now stealing his carries, and Johnson can't even bust through an open hole. He is one of the biggest draft busts that I have seen without injury outside of Randy Moss last year. To go along with that, the Bengals, Johnson's week nine opponent, has only allowed 14 points per game to opposing running backs, which is the tenth best in the league. Keep Johnson on your bench until he can put some points up.


Extra: BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs New York Giants (28th, 17th, also is questionable with a toe injury), Rashard Mendenhall vs Baltimore (24th, 12th)

Wide Receivers
Bank
Miles Austin vs Seattle (3, 13) - The Cowboys looked terrible against the Eagles last week, so you might think that I am crazy for thinking he will have a big game, but hear me out. Last game against the Seahawks, Austin had 12 fantasy points in a standard league, not bad. Austin only has 16 fantasy points in his last three games combined, but the Seahawks allow 22.1 points per game to opposing wide receivers, tenth worst in the league. I expect a huge bounce back from Romo in this one, and I'm feeling so Austin coming along as well.

You know, it puzzles me why he would wear a mouthpiece that big.

Jeremy Maclin vs Chicago (7th, 14th) - I don't think Maclin gets the credit for what he has been doing. For the first time in his career, he has put up consistent numbers on a week to week basis, including great fantasy numbers. After week one, Maclin has not dropped under five points and he now has three straight games of ten points or more, while Desean Jackson has just seven points in his last two games. I think you can call this one more of a hunch that any thing; that, and the rankers at ESPN are a little too low on him. Matthew Berry noted in his week nine Love/Hate that the Bears have been dropping back into deep coverage more often than not, so they will be defending the big play from Desean Jackson while Maclin keeps getting underneath. (I just read the complete excerpt from Berry, and this has a lot of the same content in it, but I did not mean to copy at all, just a heads up.)


Extra: Santonio Holmes @ Buffalo (14th, 24th) - You can call this one a hunch. It only helps that Burress has a back injury.

Tank
Steve Johnson vs New York Jets (35th, 21st) - Destination: Revis Island. Darrelle Revis has had a tremendous bounce back from 2010, and our friends over at ProFootballFocus.com did an entire story on it. I suggest you check it out. It really is remarkable what Revis has done this year, and if he shadows Johnson all day, then I would go with the under on three catches.

John Skelton es no bueno.

Larry Fitzgerald vs St.Louis (14th, 5th)  - I'm not jumping on the Fitzgerald train just because he is playing the Rams, who are the fourth worst fantasy defense against opposing wide receivers. John Skelton will likely be the starter for the Cardinals with Kolb listed as questionable this week, and Skelton never really hooked up with Fitzgerald. Last year, in the three games that Skelton started and finished, Fitzgerald never caught a touchdown pass, and he only averaged 77.3 yards per game. Even against this St.Louis team who has struggled against the pass, I still don't like Fitzgerald as anymore than a number two.

Extra: Vincent Jackson vs Green Bay (23rd, 11th), Brandon Marshall @ Kansas City (26th, 15th)


Tight Ends
Bank

My second Eagles' pass catcher I love this week.

Brent Celek vs Chicago (7th, 16th) - Now remember, Celek is listed as questionable, but I fully expect him to play. If he does play, I am completely buying in on this guy. He now has a touchdown in each of his last two games, including eleven receptions in those two games. The Bears are the worst team against opposing tight ends, allowing 11.4 points per game in that category. Celek is a great start right now, especially if a guy like Jermichael Finley is letting you down.

Extra: Jake Ballard @ New England (10th, 15th)


Tank
Jermichael Finley @ San Diego (11th, 7th) - This guy has fallen off tremendously since week three with only about four points per game since that 26 point performance (with three touchdowns). The Chargers have an average defense against opposing tight ends (7.1 points per game), but nothing to get exciting about. If you drafted this guy in the first four rounds, well, I'm sorry, because that means you probably don't have a replacement for him.


Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow with my game analysis from every game in the NFL. Until then, as always, you can check out my fantasy rankings that have completely updated according to injury, and you can also check out the injury report which sums up all of the injury news from every day. For any fantasy questions, feel free to hit up my twitter or my email. See you all on Saturday!


 

Week 7 Bank/Tank

By: Christian Hardy

Week seven kicks off on Sunday, and with the bye weeks in full swing you need your players to show up big, right? Well, that's what this article is for, and frankly, that's what I'm all about. So why don't we go ahead and get started with all of the players that I like and dislike heading into our seventh (wow, time flies) week of the 2011 NFL season. Remember that the numbers after the players name is first, my ranking, then the ESPN consensus ranking. Any other questions can contact me on my Twitter.

Quarterbacks

Bank

Who's laughing now?

Tim Tebow vs Miami (5th, 9th) - After weeks and weeks of chanting his name, Broncos fans' dream finally came true: Tebow has finally been named the starting quarterback. And you know what that means: It's Tebow Time! Last year Tebow had three stellar performances when he started: 24 points, 27 points, and 29 points. In those three game he played the Raiders, the Texans, and then the Chargers, but this week he has an even easier matchup: The Miami Dolphins. Tebow is expected to be welcomed back into his home of Florida for "Tebow Day" at Sun Life Stadium, but that warm welcome will become a bitter rivalry when he pummels the Dolphins' defense. Dolphins allow 20 points on average (31st) to opposing quarterbacks (ironically, the Broncos are 32nd in that category). Tebow should have 20+ points this week, so get him in your lineup (or trade him, either one).

Matt Cassel @ Oakland (9th, 15th) - You thought he Dolphins were bad? Well, the Raiders' pass defense is almost just as bad. They have given up two touchdowns per game and they are 30th in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks at 18.8 points per game. Cassel has been playing better as of late as well: In the last three games (before the bye) he has 13 points, 16 points, and then finally 27 points against the Colts (20th in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks). I expect a 275 and two touchdown game from Cassel in this one despite an ugly performance against Oakland last year.

Extra: Christian Ponder (deep sleeper, 2 QB leagues, 18th, 25th)

Tank

Joe Flacco @ Jacksonville @ Jacksonville (13th, 10th) - Could there be a pattern here? Flacco has scored double digits, single digits, double digits, and then single digits in fantasy points this year. Last week he came up with 14, so is this his week to tank? Well, I wouldn't base it just on a trend like that. The Jags have allowed just 13.8 points to opposing quarterbacks on average this year; 11th in the league according to ESPN.com. Then again, every quarterback has reached double digits against the Jaguars this season too. I don't exactly think Flacco will flat out tank, but I do think he will be right around 10-12 points which is not what you want out of your starting quarterback.

Matt Ryan @ Detroit - I haven't bought into this Detroit pass defense until, well, this week. They continue to keep quarterbacks in check: No opposing quarterback has scored over 20 points in a single game this season. Ryan is going to be missing one of his top targets Julio Jones, and Detroit has the fourth best fantasy pass defense against quarterbacks. Something has got to give, and I think that will be Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

Extra: Philip Rivers @ New York Jets

Running Backs

Bank

Jackie Battle @ Oakland (11th, 20th) - That's right; two Chiefs in my Bank/Tank in the same week. I expect a big game from the Chiefs a squad here, and quite frankly, the Raiders haven't played good defense thus far so I think that a big game from the Chiefs can be expected. The Raiders are 29th against opposing running backs, allowing 20.5 points per game. Who was the main back for the Chiefs in their last game (week 6)? That'd be Jackie Battle who touched the ball out of the backfield 19 times. I really like Battle as an emerging running back and he has an awesome matchup this week. Great RB2 start (sounds crazy, I know) and an even better flex.

Ryan Torain @ Carolina (13th, 15th) - I realize that both of these "Bank" running backs are risks, and I'm willing to take the hit if both of these guys fail to pan out. The thing is, this matchup and Battle's matchup are just too good to pass up. Although the Redskins did not run all that much last week, Torain still had 10 of the 12 carries that went to the teams' running backs. So they want to give this guy the rock, and the matchup for this week couldn't be much sweeter. The Panthers have allowed a whopping 26.2 points to apposing running backs, the worst in the league. If Torain gets the carries that he has been getting then he could be in business.

Extra: Mark Ingram vs Indianapolis (16th, 18th), Marshawyn Lynch @ Cleveland (18th, 22nd)

Tank

Maurice Jones-Drew vs Baltimore (24th, 9th) - "MoJo" Drew isn't as bad as people think this year. In fact, he is still high in my mind. But, just like last week, I am very low on the team's offense that is playing the Ravens. The Ravens have shut down opposing running backs this season; they are third with only 10.6 points allowed per week (3rd in the league). Look, MJD won't drop a goose egg in your RB1 spot, but I highly doubt that he goes for over ten points in this one.

Shonn Greene vs San Diego (26th, 18th) - The Chargers' defense is better than people realize. Last year they were second to none and this year they aren't too far behind that. They are seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this year with 14.4 per game, and what makes you think that Shonn Greene is going to change that? He is getting a larger workload (42 carries in the past two games) but he hasn't done much to prove that he needs to keep that job by averaging just 3.5 yards per carry in the last two weeks. I know ESPN keeps moving him up in their rankings, but this is not the week that you want to start Greene.

Extra: Delone Carter @ New Orleans (40th, 26th), Maurice Morris vs Atlanta

Wide Receivers 

Bank

Eric Decker @ Miami (12th, 17th) -  With Brandon Lloyd being shipped to the Rams, this early week pickup could suddenly turn into the pickup of the year for some. Decker played very well with Orton before Orton's final game as a starter, for now (four touchdowns in four games). Now we have to see how Decker and Tebow are going to connect with Decker now filling with number one wide receiver slot. It will be interesting to see, but against a week defense like the Dolphins (23.2 points to opposing wide receivers), I don't see how Deckercan be voided in the Broncos' game plan.

Extra: Preston Parker vs Chicago (28th, NR), Brian Hartline (29th, NR), Demaryius Thomas (36th, NR -- High Risk with high reward)

Tank

Roddy White @ Detroit (15th, 7th) - Just like I said earlier, this Detroit defense is legit, and to be honest, I'm scared to start guys who are going up against it. It's not just the defense though; White has been performing awful this year, and I'm not sure what is going to revive his season at this point. He has been undependable and inconsistent. Through six weeks he has 24 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns, which is a huge decline from last year (43, 546, 3 touchdowns). Not only that, but the Lions have keyed in on White in the past. In his last game against Detroit White had just two catches for 54 yards, and in his career (3 games) he has only four receptions. A slump plus bad statistics in Detroit's favor is the ideal equation for a failure.

Brandon Lloyd @ Dallas (23rd, 18th) - This is the perfect equation for a big ol' goose egg from Brandon Lloyd. Sam Bradford is battling a high ankle sprain, and no one knows if he is going to be back against the mean Dallas pass rush. To make things worse, the backup is AJ Feeley! And to make the suckish suck even worse, well, Lloyd just got traded to a new team and although he knows McDaniel's system, I'm not sure he is just going to fit right in. I would just play the "Wait and See" game with Brandon Lloyd, at least for now.

Extra: Sidney Rice (30th, 20th)

Tight Ends

Bank

Fred Davis @ Carolina (5th, 5th) - There isn't much to say for Fred Davis. I ranked him the same as the experts at ESPN did, but I think he will have some huge game with Chris Cooley gone from this offense. Not only that, but John Beck, who is starting for the first time since 2007, is going to need someone to lean on. And a quarterback with inexperience tends to lean on his safer options and those options would be your tight end.

Tank

Dustin Keller vs San Diego (14th, 10th) - I don't understand how people put this guy in their top 10 or anywhere near it! He isn't catching passes and until I see something then I'm not going to rank him any differently than what I am right now. Bottom line.

As always, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. My week seven game previews will be out for your reading pleasure on Saturday afternoon (hopefully). For updates on this blog, answers to your questions, and various other things, check out my Twitter (@TheFFAddict). Those of you who are on Twitter and do follow me I appreciate all of the support and conversations I get going with you guy. You can also email me with your longer questions that aren't quite suitable for Twitter. Until Saturday, peace out!

Editor's Note: All rankings from TheFFAddict and ESPN are subject to change throughout the week, and injuries could change the ranking of these player on Sunday.

Week 3 Bank/Tank

 By: Christian Hardy
After all of the number crunching, the matchup hunting, and trend-setting stat finding  in the last few days and you've got an all new Bank/Tank. I realize that last week my tanks were really, well, awful; but on the flipside, my banks were near perfect. But with all of that, it's time to get this show on the road. First up: quarterbacks

Quarterbacks
Bank
Cam Newton vs Jacksonville - While this is obvious for some, others may be questioning him. Can he do it again? I think he can. Just take a look at my rankings. I ranked the rookie at number two only behind NFL leading passer Tom Brady. Not only has he attempted the fourth most passes in the league, but he also has a great matchup. If Cam Newton throws the pigskin 40 times or more this week, he is going to pick this Jaguars defense apart.

Matt Ryan @ Tampa Bay – This one is also a pretty easy one. The Buccaneers pass defense has been torched in the first two weeks against Matthew Stafford and Donavan McNabb. Matthew Stafford completely went off and McNabb threw for over 220 yards in the week after he threw for just 39. With the offense at its peak, Ryan is going to air it out this week, and he is going to air it out often. Make sure this guy is in your lineup if you have him.

Extra: Matt Hasselbeck

Tank
Eli Manning @ Philadelphia – Not only did Manning look god awful on Monday Night Football, but now he is actually playing a respectable pass defense. With the way he has played in these first two days, I would recommend the Giants keep it on the ground against the Eagles. I know he was without his receivers last game, but even with his main guys (most of the first half) he was extremely inaccurate. Don’t play Manning this week, even if both of his parents are there to watch him.

Josh Freeman vs Atlanta – With only two touchdowns (and two interceptions) in the first two games, I am really not feeling Josh Freeman. I was high on him very early in the preseason, but as it went on, his stock continued to fall. Blount was much more involved in the offense last week and it may go up even more this week. If Freeman isn’t hitting his guys in the redzone then he isn’t going to get you the easy fantasy points. Simple as that. Sit Freeman this week.

Running Backs
Bank
BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Buffalo – We all know the Buffalo run defense is bad. That is a fact. But why is Green-Ellis going to get more carries this week? The Aaron Hernandez injury. With Hernandez gone from that offense I think we are going to see the Patriots pound the ball more, and who does that best? THE Lawfirm. If he can get the carries, he could put on a clinic against the weak Bills rush defense.

Mark Ingram vs Houston – Ingram hasn’t looked great in his first two starts and I acknowledge that. But Ingram is still getting the majority of the Saints’ goal line touches, and it's only a matter of time before he finds the end zone. The Texans haven’t given up a rushing touchdown yet, but they had easy matchups in both weeks one and two (Colts and Dolphins). That’s why, even though many will be reluctant about it, Mark Ingram is a viable flex play this week, and I would put money on him recording a tally in the TD column.

Extra: Darren Sproles, Ben Tate

Tank
Beanie Wells @ Seattle – Yeah, yeah I hear ya. Wells is averaging 5.7 yards per carry blah, blah, blah. Really though, who was he playing? You look at the matchups and you see Carolina and Washington. Both teams aren’t really known as run stoppers. Seattle, his opponent this week and division rival, has allowed 3 TDs which does give Wells a good chance to find the end zone, but I think Kolb is going to exploit their weakness: the passing game. Look for the Cardinals to air it out, not run the ball on Sunday.

DeAngelo Williams vs Jacksonville – This one is pretty easy. DWill has gotten just 17 carries in the last two games combined (only five against Green Bay last week) and he isn’t all that involved in the pass game either. With Newton under center this team is going to throw, throw, and throw some more. Until Deangelo Williams becomes a part of this offense again, he is going to make a real warm spot on the pine.

Extra: Reggie Bush

Wide Receivers
Bank
Dez Bryant vs Washington – Did you see what Miles Austin did to San Francisco’s defense last week as the only WR that Romo could trust? That could be Dez Bryant this week. Granted, he also has Witten who is going to steal a few looks here and there. But Bryant was Romo’s redzone favorite against the Jets in week one and why not again? You have to start Dez this week. I am expecting a huge game.

Eric Decker @ Tennessee- Last week Decker stole the show. Some owners popped him into their line up just minutes before the game and boy did it pay off. With Eddie Royal out for a couple weeks, Decker steps up into an obvious WR2 slot. Even with Lloyd back, who does Tennessee have at corner after Cortland Finnegan that can cover this guy? No one? That’s what I thought. Decker might not duplicate last week, but I think he might come close to it.

Extra: Kevin Ogletree, AJ Green, Brandon LaFell

Tank
Reggie Wayne vs Pittsburgh – Yeah, the Steelers have a good defense. But what is the real reason I hate Wayne this week? Kerry Collins. Collins isn’t going to have time to find Wayne downfield this week (has he ever had that time?). Not only that, but the Steelers have yet to allow a receiver to go over 13 fantasy points this season and that was Anquan Boldin with Joe Flacco under center. This is Kerry Collins, and I don’t want Wayne in my lineup this week. Don;'t let it Wayne on your day.

Dwayne Bowe @ San Diego – I missed (not badly, but I missed) on Dwayne last week. He decided to actually be relevant in week two against the Lions. But this is week three, and the Chiefs' offense is going to be so awful without Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki, I’m not sure I would ever start Bowe again. What are his chances of finding the endzone? I’m legitimately sure that Bowe is going to be hunting for the endzone, not finding it. Keep him on your bench against a good pass defense.

Extra: Hakeem Nicks,  Mike Williams (Tampa)

Tight Ends
Bank
Rob Gronkowski @ Buffalo – Another benefit of Aaron Hernandez being out (one of the many things I hate to say: someone’s gain from another’s injury) is Rob Gronkowski. He is going to get targets added to his already huge abundance of them. Tom Brady is loving his TEs, why should that stop this week?

Others: Jermichael Finley

Tank
Dallas Clark vs Pittsburgh – I really wanted to put Antonio Gates in this spot but I’m sure he will rebound in week three. Anyways, on with Dallas Clark. Pittsburgh allowed Ed Dickson to have a worthy performance in week one, but who didn’t that week for Baltimore? It was a disaster for the Steelers. With Collins under the heat of the Steelers blitz and more and more passes going away from Clark, I think you can find a better option this week.

Extra: Brandon Pettigrew

Well, that’s all for me. My next article will be out sometime on Saturday and it will be my game picks including my start/sit. I hope you guys enjoyed this one. If you have any fantasy football questions, I am always on Twitter and I love reader's questions or you can email me and I will get back to you with a quality answer (well, most of the time..). I’ll talk to you on Saturday!