I'm a huge movie buff. I love going to the theaters and catching new films, sitting on my couch and ordering a movie on demand and lying in bed watching Netflix. Some call this passion laziness; I call it inventive non-motion.
When it comes to movie-going, you have to maintain a certain level of acceptance. If you don't suspend disbelief, you're going to have a bad time. But by the same token, some of the things that movies try to get away with are just silly. Take the "Thor" movies, for example. A bunch of characters are seen riding horses despite the fact that they can fly, because screw logic right? Or what about an evil empire that spans an entire galaxy building a super weapon with a hilariously exploitable weakness in "Star Wars?" (Side Note: Shout out to the awesome new trailer for "The Force Awakens").
What I'm saying is, sometimes it's better not to get overly complicated or too cute. Let's not have complete lapses in judgment just for the sake of convenience. The same holds true for fantasy football. For most of you, the playoffs are starting. Now is not the time to try and get away with something. Just because Brandon Marshall has struggled this season doesn't mean I'm benching him for Mohamed Sanu.
Start your stars. And as Han Solo would say, "Don't get cocky, kid."
As always, here are a few players worth starting and some to avoid:
Worth It:
QB: Russell Wilson
The Seahawks are playing the Eagles who have given up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Philly defenders miss tackles like Stormtroopers miss easy targets with their blasters (yeah, today is an unofficial "Star Wars" theme. Don't ask questions, just go with it). Surprisingly, the Eagles have allowed 12 passing touchdowns in six home games this season. Also, Wilson is running more than at any other point in his career, averaging 71.5 rushing yards per game over his last four. Let's put it this way, would you want to play the reigning Super Bowl champs coming off two straight wins and fighting like hell for a playoff spot? Yeah, me neither.
RB: Mark Ingram
It only took four years, but Ingram is finally living up to his first-round draft status. Five double-digit fantasy performances in nine games this season, Ingram will add to his Luke Skywalker-like hero's journey this Sunday against the scruffy-looking nerf herders that are the Carolina Panthers defenders. Carolina is allowing the tenth most fantasy points to opposing running backs, and Ingram is seventh in fantasy points per game among running backs. Yes, Khiry Robinson's return may eat into Ingram's workload just a tad. But this is a Saints team hoping to emerge from the rubble that is the NFC South. They'll lean on their most consistent weapon this season to do so.
WR: Mike Wallace
I know, I know. Three straight games with fewer than ten points. But Wallace is about to blow up against the Baltimore Ravens more than the planet Alderaan (too soon?). The team lost top corner Jimmy Smith earlier this season. Matt Elam, who was a first-round pick in 2013, is missing tackles from the safety position. This secondary should "have a bad feeling" about this matchup. Rookie Jarvis Landry has emerged as a legit receiving threat for the Dolphins, but there will be plenty to go around against Baltimore's 31st-ranked passing defense playing on the road.
TE: Martellus Bennett
Have you seen the comments Bennett has been making about playing his former team? He hasn't overtly said that he hates the Cowboys, but if you read between the lines, it's obvious that he's glad to be out of there. With the pickings so slim at tight end, a pissed off Bennett may be just the type of play you're looking for.
Avoid:
QB: Tom Brady
I mean, you're starting him, that's obvious. It's not like you're going to bench Mace Windu in a lightsaber duel (speaking of which, check out this hilarious clip from Stephen Colbert about the new look lightsaber). I'm just saying that Brady may have a slightly tougher go of it against the San Diego Chargers than one might think. The Chargers have allowed just 202 passing yards per game during their current three-game winning streak. Philip Rivers was a perfect 8-8 on third downs last week, meaning Brady and the offense could be kept off the field longer than they'd like. I'm still taking a Patriots team looking for a rebound to win this game. I just don't see Brady putting up monster stats in it.
RB: Alfred Morris
Colt McCoy may be better for the Washington Redskins' offense than Robert Griffin III right now. But there's no doubt that RGIII is better for Morris' fantasy value. Morris failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in four of the six games RGIII missed this season. A gimpy Trent Williams, who may not even play Sunday, isn't helping matters either. I could go into a vague and confusing spiel about midi-chlorians being to blame for Morris' declining fantasy value, but I'm not as lazy a writer as George Lucas. The fact is, the St. Louis Rams have allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to opposing backfields this season, and the Washington offense is far, far away from being good.
WR: Jordan Matthews
I hit on my Matthews call last week for a good game. Now I'm reversing course. The Seahawks have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Richard Sherman, much like Darth Vader, is more machine than man. He just keeps shutting down anyone you line up across from him. Do you really trust Mark Sanchez against a guy like that? Neither do I.
TE: Jason Witten
Jason Witten is being started in roughly 60 percent of fantasy leagues right now. I'm telling you he shouldn't be. Sure, you can point to his enticing matchup against the soft Chicago Bears defense as evidence to the contrary. But I'd counter that Witten has failed to take advantage of easy matchups all season: 32 yards against the Titans in week 2, 27 yards against the Giants in week 7, eight yards against the Eagles last week. The Cowboys operate a run-first offense with an aging Witten becoming an afterthought in the passing game.
