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NFL Week 16: "Ask the Docs" Replies
Friday, December 25
Merry Christmas! FootballDocs is playing the role of Santa this week. We hope this fantasy advice brings you lots of goodies and very little coal in your stockings this weekend. This week people are freaking out about their Colts! They have a tough matchup against the Jets and they have little on the line this week. The Colts have done the vanishing act in multiple years past, so you have to wonder if they can be counted on in week 16. It isn't easy to figure out what the Colts have planned, but we will do our best to answer those questions and many more on this 25th day of December! Without further adieu, let's get to the mailbag.
"Do I start Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, or Vince Young? Would like to start Manning but don't know if he will get viable points this week. Also have Dallas Clark. Is he a viable start this week?"
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Brian, Sanford, North Carolina
Docs:
Brian, the Colts are a tough cookie to crack this week. They have the #1 seed all wrapped up in the AFC, and they have historically rested key players in this same situation in the past. What do you do about your Colts? Our advice is to stick with most of your Colts if you would typically start them (We will get to Reggie Wayne in another email). Peyton Manning should still be fine this week. The Jets are a tough defense and they have great corners. However, Manning is one of the best in the NFL at taking what the defense gives him. Look for Manning to use all of his receivers to post a decent week. A 3 TD game isn't likely for Manning this week, but he is still the guy you should count on given your other options. We would only start Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, or Jermichael Finley over Clark this week. We expect Clark to cool down from his current TD pace, but he is still a threat to score a TD.
"Docs,
It's been a great year, making two huge playoff runs in two of my four league and all with your help. Thank you so much. Now to my question, I am in a dilemma on which RB to start this weekend. I picked up J. Harrison on the waivers a couple of weeks back, but he's been riding my bench since I have MJD and T. Jones. Now with MJD playing the Patriots D and T. Jones playing Indy D this coming weekend, should I sub J. Harrison who will be playing Oakland for either of my featured backs?
Thanks for all your help."
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Tarun, Glendale, CA
Docs:
Maurice Jones-Drew is a must start, so you can never take him out of your lineup. Your next option is Jones or Harrison. This is a tough call. If we knew that Harrison was going to get the bulk of the carries, we would start Harrison this week, but the Browns have pulled some crazy stuff this season. Harrison should have been getting more carries all season, but the coaches choose differently. We have a sinking feeling that the Browns will "go with the hot hand this week." That means they will foolishly not allow Harrison to get into his rhythm. We have to go with Thomas Jones, but it is a tough call this week. We know that having Harrison on your bench hurt last week, but this just isn't a point in the season that you can handle a risk like Harrison given your options.
"I play in a PPR league where every 7 yards equals a point for the WRs and we use 3 WRs and one flex.
I will be starting Randy Moss.
Who should I start (pick 2)? Roddy White, Donald Driver, Mike Sims-Walker, or Dwayne Bowe.
Should I play Joseph Addai at flex or one of the above WRs instead?"
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Lawrence, Austin, TX
Docs:
Start Addai as your flex. We are a little concerned about the Colts resting him, but he should still be better than the WR options you have for a flex. At WR, you should go with Driver, and Sims-Walker to compliment Randy Moss. White and the whole Falcons offense has suffered with Michale Turner out and Matt Ryan banged up. Driver has a great matchup this week and his QB is on fire right now. Sims-Walker is always a threat for a big play. The Patriots pass defense has looked very poor this season. There are going to be some opportunities there for Sims-Walker in week 16. Bowe is on the upswing, but it still might take a couple of weeks for him to get back into the Chiefs offensive rhythm.
"I'm in my championship game against last year's champ. I haven't won since 2003 when I won back to back. Man would it be sweet to beat this article writing buddy! I have 4 great WR that have carried an otherwise weak team. Austin, Ochocinco and Santonio Holmes are my possible starters. My question is this; do I bench Reggie Wayne because of the Colts-clinching, sore foot, Revis facing situation? My other question, as an Eagles fan, is at TE. I have both Witten, who I always start, and Celek, who outscores him frequently. I'm a bit of an underdog, but his big guns are Peyton and Dallas Clark against the Jets. So he might not be that powerful (His DeAngelo Williams is hurt). Can I sit the guy who got me there? If not, who would you sit?
Thanks!"
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Jim, Furlong, PA
Docs:
We would start Wayne over Holmes. Wayne does have a terrible matchup this week, but he might be able to get a couple of good plays to make him worth while. You should stick with Witten this week. We know that Celek has been solid, but you can't turn your back on an explosive guy like Witten. There is a good chance that Revis will be moved all over the defense to try and confuse Manning. This could let Wayne get a few plays without Revis on top of him. It looks like things have lineup nicely for your roster. Good luck this weekend.
"I was wondering in my 12 team ppr league who would your last flex spot be out of Reggie Wayne, Maurice Morris, and Josh Morgan? Thanks"
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Jarrod, Marine, Illinois
Docs:
We don't like Reggie Wayne this week. He has about as bad of a matchup this week as you could imagine. However, he is still better than Morris and Morgan. This is a tough break for you considering that so much is on the line, but you are just stuck with Wayne this week.
"I need help!
I have 2 RB slots available and 5 RBs. Pierre Thomas, Cadillac Williams, Michael Turner, LeSean McCoy, and Chris Jennings.
Also, between Heath Miller, Antonio Bryant, and Steve Breaston, who would you play?
Thanks!"
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Phillip, San Diego, CA
Docs:
Pierre Thomas and LeSean McCoy are your top 2 RBs this week. However, if there is some excessively good news about Michael Westbrook prior to the game, you should lean on Cadillac Williams instead of McCoy. You can't trust Turner because of his injury. You can't trust Jennings because you never know what the Browns are thinking. For your WR/TE flex, we would start Bryant. Bryant he is going to need to involved against the Saints this week. He should be able to post solid numbers. Your other 2 options just aren't going to see the ball enough to warrant starting over Bryant.
"Thanks to your help, I have made it to my second straight superbowl!!! I have a dilemma at RB2 this week though. I have:
RB1 - Adrian Peterson
Possible RB2s - J. Addai, L. Maroney, D. Brown
I’ve been using Addai all year, but what do I do this week? Not sure if Brown is even playing. But should I start Maroney over Addai?
Thanks again!"
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Eric, Keyport, NJ
Docs:
You are correct that the Colts players are going to be risky starts in week 16, and you do have another decent option. We would start Maroney. In a typical week, we would lean toward Addai, but the Colts' make us nervous. Be glad that you have a better option. Many teams out there don't have that luxury.
"Docs,
I have used your software for three years now and have won at least one championship each year with your help!!! Thank you!
This year, I am back in the championship game and have a dilemma at RB. I lost Ronnie Brown for the season and have had success with Jamaal Charles, but need some advice for this week. We play two RBs - I have:
Steven Jackson
Jamaal Charles
Ahmad Bradshaw
Lawrence Maroney
Mike Bell
Which two of these should I play? I am currently leaning towards S-Jax and Maroney, but can't believe I am going to sit Charles even though it is against the Bengals
Thanks"
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Ian, Inneedofhelp, USA
Docs:
We would start Jackson and Charles. Charles has been red hot. The Bengals are a bad draw for such and important fantasy week, but Charles looks like an all-pro when you watch him run. All of your other backs have a less reliable carry distribution. You know Charles is going to touch the ball a lot.
"I have two spots left for three players--Miles Austin, Marques Colston, and Jonathan Stewart. Who would you start, and why?"
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Henry, Cincinnati, Ohio
Docs:
We would start Colston and Stewart if DeAngelo Williams is not going to play. If Williams is going to play, we would start Austin and Colston. Stewart can be a beast when he is the sole ball carrier for the Panthers. The other guys you listed are great, but they are still WRs. The number of touches that Stewart would get with Williams out makes him too irresistible to leave on the pine.
Thanks to everyone who sent a question this week! It is always fun reading them, and we wish you all the very best of luck this weekend.
