Fantasy Football Out on a Limb 2009, Volume 9

Time for another edition of Fantasy Football Out on a Limb. I scour NFL rosters to select a player who I feel will outperform a higher profile player in that given week. I base my decisions on matchups, player trends, 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

6 points for rushing or receiving TD
4 points for a passing TD
0.1 points per yard for rushing or receiving
0.05 points per passing yard.

Last Week

Kyle Orton over Eli Manning: Loser  Orton 8.7, Eli 18.5
Steven Jackson over Michael Turner: Winner  S-Jax, 22.6 Turner 21.1
Kevin Smith over Ray Rice: Loser  Smith 9.4, Rice 16.8
Mike Sims-Walker over Greg Jennings: Loser  MSW 0.9, Jennings 14.8
Brandon Marshall over Larry Fitzgerald: Loser  Marshall 2.4, Fitz 6.6
SS: Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton over DeAngelo Williams:
Forte Winner  24.1
Chris Johnson Winner  35.9
Steve Slaton Loser  1.1
DeAngelo Williams 15.8

Regular Picks:  1-4
Super Stretch Picks: 2-1
Overall:  3-5

Season Record

Regular Picks: 17-22
Super Stretch Picks:  3-7
Overall: 20-29

Week 9 Picks

Quarterback
 
Matt Hasselbeck over Tony Romo

Hasselbeck should have field day against Detroit at home. Meanwhile, Romo takes on the Eagles in Philadelphia, which will be a hostile environment to say the least. They’ll bring the heat and force Romo into mistakes.

Running Backs
 

Maurice Jones-Drew over Knowshon Moreno and Rashard Mendenhall (combined)

I’ll take MJD in a one-on-two battle against Moreno and Mendenhall.  Mojo should destroy Kansas City at home, while Moreno and Mendenhall should struggle as their team’s collide.

Ryan Grant over Cedric Benson

Grant should shred Tampa Bay’s porous run D, while Benson will struggle against Baltimore’s rejuvenated defense. It’s like they heard all of the talk about how their D has taken a step back during their bye week, and responded in a big way. Benson broke their streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher, so revenge is on their minds.

Wide Receivers

Kevin Walter +2 over Brandon Marshall

With Owen Daniels out for the year with a torn ACL, Walter will likely get more targets in the middle of the field. The Colts are going to bring the heat, so look for Schaub to check down to Walter. Marshall faces Pittsburgh, and will have the attention of what should be a healthier Troy Polamalu.

 
Nate Burleson over Derrick Mason

I’m hitching my wagon to Seattle’s passing game against Detroit. Mason takes on Cincinnati, in what should be an old-fashioned smash mouth football game where yards and points are hard to come by.

SUPER STRETCH
 
Jamaal Charles over Laurence Maroney

Jamaal gets to run as the lead dog now that Larry Johnson’s mouth has him on vacation. He takes on Jacksonville’s 25th ranked run D. Maroney faces Miami’s 6th ranked run D. Plus, depending on a Patriot RB is always a risk.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com .