The DeCon’s Week 8 Fantasy Football Picks

I have to apologize in advance, but the DeCon is sick (I have never referred to myself in the 3rd person before, but I kinda like it), so this is gonna be a relatively short post.  Feel free to e-mail me this weekend with any lineup questions you might have and I will get back to you.  I am going to keep this simple and just give you the guys I like and don’t like this week…

Guys I Like this Week

  1. Matt Forte vs Cleveland – I am calling Forte out…perform this week or I drop you from 2 of my squads…Cleveland???  Come on…and in the orange jerseys to boot…this has to be his week!!!
  2. LeSean McCoy vs NYG – Westbrook’s concussion gives McCoy a chance to shine…not the best matchup, but AZ ran pretty well against the Giants last week.
  3. Kevin Smith and Steven Jackson in the Toilet Bowl (StL @ Det) – This is probably the worst game on the schedule this week, but both defenses are suspect and I think both RBs have a chance to shine.
  4. LaDanian Tomlinson vs Oakland – I don’t know why because LT has been disappointing, but there is something appealing to me about LT at home versus Oakland with a firm chip on his shoulder that sounds like a winning combo to me in favor of LT owners…

Guys I Don’t Like this Week

  1. Thomas Jones vs Miami – As hot as TJ has been, wake me up when a team runs consistently well against the Miami D…you probably have to start him if you don’t have better options, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t perform well…
  2. Matt Ryan @ New Orleans – The NO D comes to play every week and they will be pumped for this division rival…I think they putty Matty on Ice…
  3. Vernon Davis @ Indy – Great week last week, but it may be hard for Alex Smith to throw to him from his back…
  4. Ryan Grant vs Minnesota – You may think the Pack fixed some things last week, but lest we forget, it was against Cleveland…Grant will get back to his 3-ish YPC quickly in this game…although I think Aaron Rodgers could have a big day throwing the ball.

Other Nuggets

With all the teams on bye this week, you may be able to find some real gems to stash this week for use later in the season.  For example, New England is on a bye this week and someone in my league dropped Benjamin Watson, because they needed someone to fill in this week .  I currently have Greg Olsen, but Watson is worth stashing on my roster since he has been a TD machine this year.  Be on the lookout for these values.  Other guys who might fall into this category this week are Vern Coles from Cincy, Heath Miller from Pittsburgh and maybe even Lawerence Maroney if someone used him like a cheap trick last week and threw him back out this week.

Also, be leery of trade offers this week, especially from division rivals or people close to your playoff spot.  Teams might try to make trades to fill in for bye week ravaged rosters.  Don’t do them any favors unless you are confident you will win out later in the season.  It doesn’t make any sense to help your rivals out of a tough spot.  Let ’em lose unless you really benefit from the trade.

Finally…if you are going to the Bears game, please wear your orange with PRIDE!!!  The Bears need to fix some things and I am confident they will get it done this week!!!  GO BEARS!!!

Can I get an “Amen?” and then some Nyquil…

The DeCon has spoken…so let it be written, so let it be done…

I’ll hear your fantasy football confessions at beargoggles.decon@gmail.com.

Schedule