Starting Beanie Wells over Andre Johnson: Smart Play or Crazy Talk?

Jacob Sloan by Senior Analyst Written on October 31, 2009
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 25: Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball against the New York Giants on October 25, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Chris McGrath/Getty Images

In a fantasy football group I participate in each week, Fantasy Football Fanatics on LinkedIn , I recommended going with Beanie Wells in a flex spot over Andre Johnson this week.

Am I crazy or is this smart strategy? I’m going with the numbers here.

My argument for going with Beanie:

There is definitely a huge risk factor in starting Beanie. Still, he’s a hot hand and I’d go with my gut on him.

I really don’t think A.J. is going to go this week. He has a bruised lung. That hurts (I can only imagine). Besides, the Texans know they probably don’t need him to beat the Bills.

If he plays, he’ll likely be limited and share time with Jacoby Jones and Andre Davis. Then, you have to consider how tough the Bills have been against opposing wide receivers. Actually, they’ve been the best. Just check out the stats at FF Today . Meanwhile, Buffalo ranks first on this chart for fantasy points allowed to running backs. Steve Slaton, I like. Andre, I don’t.

This could be Andre Johnson’s worst week of this season, so that’s where I’m coming from in going with Beanie vs. Carolina (tenth most fantasy points allowed to running backs) in a game that could be controlled by defense and the running games.

I am fine with starting either, but Beanie’s matchup wins my vote.

It’s definitely one of those decisions that I’m going out on a limb to make. The safe play is always to start your studs . At least when they fail, you can say they didn’t show up for you, rather than admitting that you made a stupid guess.

So what say the foolish masses? Is this a smart play? Would you start Beanie? Or would you rather play it safe with Andre Johnson, banged-up and facing a receiver-squashing Bills defense?

Related Articles:

Week Eight Hot Hands and Cold Shoulders: L.T. is a zombie

On the Wire: Week Eight Pickups, Sleepers, Sadness and Fantasy Basketball

Week Three Hot Hands and Cold Shoulders: Why worry?

First Round Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for 2009

Random ESPN Mock Draft: Results May Vary

(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

3 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

422
reads

3
comments

written on October 31, 2009 Preview/Prediction

The best newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address