We’re nine weeks into the fantasy football season and things are starting to get interesting. With the bye weeks soon evaporating and the fantasy playoffs looming, it’s time to start planning ahead. Check the schedules for your fantasy studs for weeks 14-17. If you have some bad matchups, it could be time to make a trade or find someone on waivers who has better matchups. A little homework now will go a long way in a couple weeks.
Teams on bye week: Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, Minnesota
Quarterbacks
Could Impress: Eli Manning. Only one quarterback this season has not been able to throw for more than 300 yards against the Patriots. With Ahmad Bradshaw likely out, Eli should be slinging it all game.
Could Disappoint: Joe Flacco. The tough matchup should be enough for you to consider benching Flacco, but he’s also been a model of inconsistency. Flacco has not had consecutive double-digit games (seriously, check his stats week-by-week. They could make a quality roller coaster out of those ups and downs), and it’s probably a good idea to sit him this week.
Keep an eye on: Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills paid the mad his due, and he’s got just one or two tough matchups the rest of the way. We’ve seen how effective this Bills offense could be with Fitzpatrick under center against some good defenses. If you’re not comfortable at QB, consider trading for Fitz.
Injury Replacement: Matt Cassel. He won’t throw for 300 yards, even against a bad defense. But the Dolphins have only forced two picks this year, and Cassel should have time to survey the field. If you need a one week fix, you could do much worse.
QB Rankings
1. Aaron Rodgers GB (@ San Diego)
2. Michael Vick PHI (vs. Chicago)
3. Drew Brees NO (vs. Tampa Bay)
4. Tom Brady NE (vs. New York Giants)
5. Eli Manning NYG (@ New England)
6. Tony Romo DAL (vs. Seattle)
7. Matt Schaub HOU (vs. Cleveland)
8. Matt Ryan ATL (@ Indianapolis)
9. Ben Roethlisberger PIT (vs. Baltimore)
10. Philip Rivers SD (vs. Green Bay)
11. Josh Freeman TB (@ New Orleans)
12. Tim Tebow DEN (@ Oakland)
13. Matt Cassel KC (vs. Miami)
14. Jay Cutler CHI (@ Philadelphia)
15. Mark Sanchez NYJ (@ Buffalo)
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (vs. New York Jets)
17. Andy Dalton CIN (@ Tennessee)
18. Joe Flacco BAL (@ Pittsburgh)
19. Carson Palmer OAK (vs. Denver)
20. Sam Bradford STL (@ Arizona)
21. Matt Hasselbeck TEN (vs. Cincinnati)
22. Kevin Kolb AZ (vs. St. Louis)
23. Tarvaris Jackson SEA (@ Dallas)
24. Alex Smith SF (@ Washington)
25. Colt McCoy CLE (@ Houston)
Running Backs
Could Impress: Mike Tolbert. Ryan Mathews left Monday’s game with a groin injury, and with a quick turnaround, there’s a good chance he will not be in uniform Sunday. Tolbert has shown the ability to carry the load and has a good matchup this week.
Could Disappoint: Marshawn Lynch. Despite what you saw on Sunday night, the Cowboys are actually a very good run defense. Lynch gets stuffed at the line more than he breaks a long run. Barring a couple goal line opportunities, he’ll struggle to put up points against Dallas.
Keep an eye on: Tashard Choice. Mike Shannahan delighted fantasy owners for years by turning fantasy nobodies into studs. But lately, he’s turned from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde, changing his starting back on a whim. Shannahan knows what he has in Torain, so don’t be surprised if he gives Choice a couple looks this week.
Injury Replacement: Chris Ogbonnaya. Claimed from the Texans’ practice squad a few weeks ago, Ogbonnaya has a chance to be the starting back against Houston on Sunday. With Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis’ status unknown for Sunday, Ogbonnaya could be carrying the load for the Browns.
RB Rankings
1. Arian Foster HOU (vs. Cleveland)
2. Fred Jackson BUF (vs. New York Jets)
3. Matt Forte CHI (@ Philadelphia)
4. LeSean McCoy PHI (vs. Chicago)
5 Frank Gore SF (@ Washington)
6 Michael Turner ATL (@ Indianapolis)
7 Steven Jackson STL (@ Arizona)
8 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG (@ New England) ** doubtful for Sunday
9 Ray Rice BAL (@ Pittsburgh)
10 Darren McFadden OAK (vs. Denver)
11 Beanie Wells AZ (vs. St. Louis)
12 Shonn Greene NYJ (@ Buffalo)
13 DeMarco Murray DAL (vs. Seattle)
14 Rashard Mendenhall PIT (vs. Baltimore)
15 LeGarrette Blount TB (@ New Orleans)
16 Mike Tolbert SD (vs. Green Bay)
17 Cedric Benson CIN (@ Tennessee)
18 Darren Sproles NO (vs. Tampa Bay)
19 BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE (vs. New York Giants)
20 Jackie Battle KC (vs. Miami)
21 Daniel Thomas MIA (@ Kansas City)
22 James Starks GB (@ San Diego)
23 Chris Johnson TEN (vs. Cincinnati)
24 Michael Bush OAK (vs. Denver)
25 Pierre Thomas NO (vs. Tampa Bay)
26 Reggie Bush MIA (@ Kansas City)
26 Knowshon Moreno DEN (@ Oakland)
28 Marshawn Lynch SEA (@ Dallas)
29 Ryan Torain WAS (vs. San Francisco)
30 Peyton Hillis CLE (@ Houston)
31 Chris Ogbonnaya CLE (@ Houston)
32 Javon Ringer TEN (vs. Cincinnati)
33 Ryan Grant GB (@ San Diego)
34 Brandon Jacobs NYG (@ New England)
35 Mark Ingram NO (vs. Tampa Bay)
36 Ben Tate HOU (vs. Cleveland)
37 Delone Carter IND (vs. Atlanta)
38 Joseph Addai IND (vs. Atlanta)
39 Willis McGahee DEN (@ Oakland)
40 Marion Barber CHI (@ Philadelphia)
41 Tashard Choice WAS (vs. San Francisco)
42 LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ (@ Buffalo)
43 Kevin Faulk NE (vs. New York Giants)
44 Jacob Hester SD (vs. Green Bay)
45 Kendall Hunter SF (@ @Washington)
46 Kregg Lumpkin TB (@ New Orleans)
47 Donald Brown IND (vs. Atlanta)
48 Bernard Scott CIN (@ Tennessee)
49 Isaac Redman PIT (vs. Baltimore)
50 Lance Ball DEN (@ Oakland)
Stephen Kelley is a contributor at The Sports Bank where he covers Fantasy Sports and Pro Drafts. You can follow him on Twitter @stephen_tsb.