This is it: fantasy football Championship Week. It's all on the line and this week's match-up is for all the marbles.
Fantasy Football Advice, Championship Week Edition: Start Eli Manning; Sit LaDainian Tomlinson
Two suggested fantasy football ‘starts’ and ‘sits’ for this weekend’s slate of NFL games.
Whether you’re playing for the title, third place or trying to spank your buddy in the consolation bracket competing for the “Toilet Bowl” trophy; we have two suggested ‘starts’ and ‘sits’ based on some favorable match-ups and statistical analysis.
(All statistics included in this piece compiled from ESPN Fantasy Football.)
START- QB Eli Manning (New York Giants)
Why:
Manning is coming off two sub-par performances, but this upcoming game could be exactly what the doctor ordered for his fantasy owners. The Eagles' secondary has been having issues as of late, and they have specifically struggled in defending against the deep ball. They are a young, new-look defense, and communication errors in the secondary are expected.
Eagles' veteran CB Asante Samuel was slated to return this week, but was extremely limited in practice today and is now questionable for Sunday's game. If he sits, Manning should find himself with plenty of open receivers to hit this week.
Between The Numbers:
Eagles pass defense has been suspect of late, giving up an average, 260 passing yards (per game) in their last three games.
What You May Not Know:
When Manning last faced the Eagles a year ago, on Dec. 13, 2009, he threw for 391 yards (three touchdowns, no interceptions.)
START- RB Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers)
Why:
It’s safe to say Stewart has re-gained his title of “workhorse,” carrying the ball 51 times in Carolina’s last three games. It was nice of RB Mike Goodson to keep the seat warm for him, but we think Stewart has fully recovered from his head injury and will now see the brunt of the carries.
Last week, he carried the ball 18 times for 133 yards. On Sunday, we expect more of the same, as he faces the Arizona Cardinals' defensive front which is abysmal against the run.
Between The Numbers:
Arizona ranks No. 30 against the run, giving up 143.3 yards per game on the ground.
What You May Not Know:
Stewart’s nickname is the “Daily Show.”
SIT- RB LaDainian Tomlinson (New York Jets)
Why:
Tomlinson started off the season with a bang, but has since lost a couple of steps and slowed down as the season progressed. Furthermore, OC Brian Schottenheimer has become predictable in his playcalling and Tomlinson's production has diminished as a result. Add that with T Damien Woody's recent season-ending knee injury, and it is clear the Jets run-game will suffer in the near future.
In his last seven games, Tomlinson has carried the ball 103 times for only 347 yards. Don’t expect things to get any easier against arguably the best defensive front in the NFL.
Between The Numbers:
L.T. faces the Steelers and their stout defensive front which ranks No. 1 in NFL against the rush giving up only 60 yards per game on the ground, on average.
What You May Not Know:
Tomlinson has zero touchdowns in his last seven games.
SIT- WR Derrick Mason (Baltimore Ravens)
Why:
Normally it's smart to ride the streaks while playing fantasy football. Well, Mason is relatively hot right now, grabbing three touchdowns in his last three games. However, he finds himself in a terrible matchup this week. An argument can be made that the tandem of CB Jabari Greer and CB Tracy Porter is the best in the NFL when healthy. They're healthy now, and the Saints pass defense has received a tremendous upgrade as a result.
Mason is still a possession-based receiver, and the Saints defense is built on clamping down in the red zone and keeping opponents from throwing passing touchdowns against them. This is the week to sit him.
Between The Numbers:
After a rocky start to the season, Saints’ pass defense ranks No. 5 in NFL and is giving up only 198 yards per game through the air.
What You May Not Know:
Mason is coming off of a short week and dealing with an ankle injury as well. He will likely play, but it may hinder his performance. Sit him.
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