Challenges

We now have the contestants for both challenges this week. Going against The Post this week is Matthew V. Matthew will try to take us out while we look for our first winning streak of the season. Let's look at the tale of the tape:


Fantasy Football Post:

QB: Tom Brady vs. San Diego
RB: Frank Gore vs. Carolina
WR: Randy Moss vs. Green Bay
TE: Jason Witten vs. New York Giants
K: Josh Scobee vs. Kansas City

Matthew V.:

QB: Drew Brees vs. Cleveland
RB: Adrian Peterson vs. Green Bay
WR: Chad Ochocinco vs. Atlanta
TE: Brent Celek vs. Tennessee
K: Rob Bironas vs. Philadelphia

The contestant for the NFL Challenge is Vincent C. Vincent will try to take up the unenviable task of overtaking Eric M. in our challenge. Here are Vincent's picks:

Jacksonville over Kansas City
Tennessee over Philadelphia
Baltimore over Buffalo
New Orleans over Cleveland
Washington over Chicago
Atlanta over Cincinnati
Pittsburgh over Miami
San Francisco over Carolina
St. Louis over Tampa Bay
Arizona over Seattle
San Diego over New England
Denver over Oakland
Green Bay over Minnesota
New York Giants over Dallas

What I Learned This Weekend: Week 6

The NFL trade deadline came and went like it does almost every year, with little fanfare and anticipation.  Trades don't happen at the very last second in the NFL, there just isn't enough that one guy can do for a team that would make a franchise give up a lot to get them.  So this got me thinking on the players that I feel you should sell high on.  Most fantasy trade deadlines are coming up in the next couple of weeks and you don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to round up your lineup.

There is so much I have learned these last 6 weekends and I think I know who has peaked.  Here is 5 guys I would consider trading at their highest value:

QB Kyle Orton, Den:  Chances are that you have Orton as a backup.  And if your other quarterback is one of the top 7 you have a chance to get, pretty much anything you want for him.  Orton is the number overall scorer in all of fantasy and if you can get the appropriate compensation for him, you have to do it now.

RB LaDanian Tomlinson, NYJ: LT has been a pleasant surprise, except for those who aren't surprised by his resurgence  (*cough* yours truly *cough*).  Anyways, enough about me and more about LT.  Tomlinson is currently the 12th highest scorer in standard leagues and the main focus of the Jets running game.  I feel that Shonn Greene will have  a great second half and if you can get a good recevier or a good #2 running back, I take that deal now.

RB Peyton Hillis, Cle:  Hillis is a bruiser who has taken hold of the Cleveland running back job but truthfully those are the reasons why I trade him now.  He's a top-25 player and he has started to show some wear as he is dealing with injuries.  It's time to get a newer, less beat up upgrade while you can get it (Shonn Greene sounds about right).  Plus he plays for the Browns, which means that he won't ever be running out the clock and picking up garbage time yards for you.

WR Austin Collie., Ind:  Collie has recently had surgery and will be out a couple of weeks.  I fully expect the offense to focus around Wayne and Garcon as he recovers and when he does return he'll be hard pressed to get the looks he is getting now.  If you can get a starting running back or wide receiver from an owner that is patient enough to wait for him, I say you take the points and the player.

WR Hakeem Nicks, NYG:  Nicks is good!  So good that he is getting double covered even though he is the #2 receiver on the Giants.  You can definitely shop him around as a low #1 or high #2 receiver and get some value.  Take that chance because if the Giants don't start falling behind in games, his stats will be limited.

Challenges

The losing streak is finally over!!! This week we snuck a win over Gabe D. 22-21 in our Starting 5 Challenge.  Sorry Gabe, but I needed this.  I mean I was losing sleep over it, I wasn't able to concentrate at work, amongst other things.  Now it's time to look ahead and hopefully make it two in a row.

And we know have a new leader in the clubhouse of our NFL Pick'Em.  Eric M. went an amazing 11-3 this week and now has sole possession of first in the Challenge with a percentage score of .785.  That's going to be tough to beat, but we will see how the rest of the contestants fare this year.

If you'd like to participate in one of our challenges, send your Starting 5 postfantasyfootball@gmail.com by Thursday afternoon and your NFL Pick'Em by Saturday afternoon.  Remember that you might win some fantastic sports memorabilia at the end of the year.  Let's kick off the week with our Starting 5:

Fantasy Football Post:

QB: Tom Brady vs. San Diego
RB: Frank Gore vs. Carolina
WR: Randy Moss vs. Green Bay
TE: Jason Witten vs. New York Giants
K: Josh Scobee vs. Kansas City