Fantasy Football: Out on a Limb 2009, Volume Eight

Time for another edition of Fantasy Football Out on a Limb. I scour the rosters to select a player who I feel will outperform a higher profile player in that given week. I base my decisions on matchups, how the players are trending, and the ever-important hunch.

To mix things up I’ll occasionally do some two on one matchups or even pit RB or WR duos against each other. Sometimes I’ll spot a player some points.

Scoring

Six points for rushing or receiving TD

Four points for a passing TD

0.1 points per yard for rushing or receiving

0.05 points per passing yard.

Last Week

Donovan McNabb over Tony Romo: Loser – McNabb 11.9, Romo 30.65

Thomas Jones over Cedric Benson:   Loser – TJ 18.4, Benson 24.9

LaDainian Tomlinson over Pierre Thomas:  Winner – LT 7.3, PT 4.4

Austin Collie over Miles Austin:  Loser – Collie 9.6, Austin 29.1

Santonio Holmes over Steve Smith plus-4:  Loser – Holmes 6, SS 13.9 (9.9 actual)

SS: Joseph Addai over Adrian Peterson:  Loser – Addai 12.7, AP 18.9

Regular Picks:  1-4
Super Stretch Picks:  0-1
Overall:  1-5

Season Record

Regular Picks: 16-18

Super Stretch Picks:  1-6

Overall: 17-24

Week 8 Picks

Quarterback

Kyle Orton over Eli Manning 

Baltimore’s pass defense isn’t what it used to be and Orton has developed a nice connection with Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler. Eli is going to be blitzed heavily by the Eagles, which could lead to some early mistakes.

Running Backs

Steven Jackson over Michael Turner
Steven Jackson has yet to score this season, but something tells me he scores multiple TDs against the lowly Lions. Turner faces the Saints, who gave up three scores to Ricky last week, but for the most part have been solid against the run this year.

 
Kevin Smith over Ray Rice
S-Jax isn’t the only RB that should excel in the Rams-Lions game. Kevin Smith should put up solid numbers as well. Rice will be challenged by Denver’s No. 3 run D.

Wide Receivers
 
Mike Sims-Walker over Greg Jennings
Sims-Walker killed Tennessee last time out with two TDs, just like all No. 1 WRs have done this year to the Titans.

Jennings hasn’t performed like a No. 1 WR of late.  The Vikings did a good job with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes last week, plus Green Bay’s line will have their hands full with Jared Allen and the boys.  I don’t like Jennings this week.

Brandon Marshall over Larry Fitzgerald
Like I said, Baltimore has been vulnerable against the pass and Marshall is motivated by a contract extension that appears close.

Fitz has been good, not great, this year and faces the league’s No. 1 pass defense.

SUPER STRETCH

Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton over DeAngelo Williams
In order to make up for my poor Super Stretch start, I’m rolling the dice by picking three Sophomore RBs to topple the superior D-Will (Chris Johnson may have more points, but most came in that one game).

Forte (No. 31 ranked Cleveland), CJ (No. 13 Jax), and Slaton (No. 32 Buffalo) draw better opponents than DeAngelo (No. 1 Arizona).

Originally published at LestersLegends.com