Fantasy Football Out on a Limb: Volume 12

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

Tyler Thigpen (24.25) over Eli Manning (11.35) WHICH I WON.
Marshawn Lynch (23.7) over Brandon Jacobs (19.3) WHICH I WON.
Ricky Williams (5.5) over Willis McGahee (2.5) WHICH I WON.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh (20.9) beat Santonio Holmes (6.3)  WHICH I LOST. 
Kevin Walter (7.9) beat Kevin Curtis (6.4) WHICH I LOST. 
Super Stetch:  Jamal Lewis () beat BenJarvus Green-Ellis (0.9) WHICH I LOST (BADLY).

Regular Picks:  3-2
Super Stretch Picks:  0-1  
Overall:  3-3  

Season Record
Regular Picks:  34-21
Super Stretch Picks:  4-6
Overall:  38-27

Quarterback
  
Jeff Garcia over Donovan McNabb 
Garcia once replaced an injured McNabb on the Eagles.  Now I’m suggesting that he replace him in fantasy lineups.  Garcia has a soft matchup against Detroit while McNabb will have his hands full in Baltimore.

Running Backs
   
Ryan Grant over Ronnie Brown
Ryan Grant has been running well of late, and his matchup with New Orleans should keep that trend going.  Last time Ronnie Brown played the Patriots he carved them up with the Wildcat Formation.  I’m guessing Bill will have an answer for him this time.

  
Darren McFadden over Chris Johnson
It’s amazing that Chris Johnson has left Run DMC in the dust as badly as he has.  Of course Johnson was drafted by an excellent organization and McFadden gets paychecks signed by one Al Davis.  This week though, I think the original higher profile guy gets his vs. Denver.  Chris Johnson faces a much stiffer test against the Jets.  

Wide Receiver
  
Terrell Owens over Brandon Marshall      
I took advantage of the matchup earlier in the year, and I’ll go back to the well.  Romo made an effort to get T.O. involved in the offense last week.  Couple that with him facing his former team (San Francisco) and I see a nice week for T.O.  Meanwhile Marshall will have to battle Nnamdi Asomugha.  He just doesn’t get thrown on.

  
Santana Moss over Calvin Johnson
Talk about a size differential.  This is like David vs. Goliath.  I’ll take David (Santana) because he has a nice matchup against the Seahawks (278.6 ypg), who have been killed by the pass this year.  Megatron has a much tougher matchup against Tampa Bay (194.3 ypg).  Tampa has allowed their share of TDs (13 to the Seahawks’ 15), but I’m counting on Ronde Barber to kep Calvin in check.  

SUPER STRETCH  

 
Peyton Hillis over Brian Westbrook
I know I’m off my rocker.  I’m doing it any way.  Hillis has a nice matchup against Oakland while Westbrook draws the Ravens.  I’m banking on a short TD for Hillis to have a chance.  One thing is for sure, you can’t argue that this one isn’t a Super Stretch.