Fantasy Corner

Fantasy football has grown in popularity over the last couple years that it is estimated that more than 27 million players participate in it every year.  Fantasy football players range from the casual player, who does it just to have fun with their friends of draft day, to the borderline obsessive player who checks their lineup ten times a day hoping to be the first to hear about a potential player to put on his team.  I, unfortunately, am the latter and I am proud to say it.  Fantasy football is any easy game to learn to play, select the best players to fill your team and let them go out and get you more fantasy points then your opponent.  It sounds easy…but it’s not.  Trust me I spent five years getting beat before finally figuring out how to play this game right.  Each week I’m going to give you my top three players with dream fantasy matchups for the week followed by three players with nightmare matchups.  After that we’ll take a look at our Chargers’ game from a fantasy perspective.
 

DREAM MATCHUPS

Matt Hasselbeck vs. Detroit

     I don’t really like Hasselbeck on a regular basis since he has a horrible running game and a patchwork offensive line, however this week he plays the Lions.  You don’t have to be an avid football fan to know that the Lions are not that good.  The Lions are giving up 252 yards through the air and have allowed the fourth most points in the National Football League.  I also expect the Lions to somewhat hang in there in this game so there probably won’t be a reason for them to abandon the passing game.  What to Expect: 235 yards, 3 TDS.

Ryan Grant vs. Tampa Bay

     Ryan Grant is now a marginal starter, in other words if you got a better matchup, don’t go with him.  This week he goes up against the Bucs who give up the third most rushing yards per game (162 yards per game).  The Packers will rattle rookie QB Josh Freeman, who is making his first start, and late in the third quarter they should begin running the clock out.  What to Expect: 150 yard, 2 TDs.

Mike Sims-Walker vs. Kansas City

     If you own Sims-Walker then you know he isn’t completely trustworthy just yet.  He went on a stretch of four games where he had a minimum of 5 catches.  But at the same time he’s had two games where he did not break ten yards receiving, and that doesn’t include the game that he got benched Sunday morning for break a team rule.  This week against a KC team that can’t stop the pass he should find enough open field to catch a bunch of passes.   What to Expect: 7 receptions, 98 yards, TD

NIGHTMARE MATCHUPS

Knowshon Moreno vs. Pittsburgh

     Moreno is one of the up and coming young running backs in the league.  However, this week I don’t like him for two reasons: 1) The Pittsburgh D is number one against the run and 2) Correll Buckhalter is still getting a good number of carries. What to Expect: 39 yards 0 TDs

Tony Romo vs. Philadelphia

     If you would have asked me two weeks ago about Romo I would have told you to dump him like Jessica Simpson.  He has become a viable option, but if you have him in your league I definitely advise you to look for a better option.  The Eagles’ defense have been complete monsters allowing less than 200 yards in the air, and have cause 21 turnovers (14 interceptions and 7 fumbles) in seven games.  What to Expect: 205 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 Fumble

Nate Washington vs. San Francisco

     Washington has been a popular waiver-wire addition in many leagues and has served as a decent #3 receiver.  Even though San Francisco ranks towards the bottom of the league in passing defense, I still don’t trust Vince Young and I like how San Francisco contained Peyton Manning.  What to Expect: 4 receptions, 45 yards, 0 TDs

Chargers vs. Giants

DREAM MATCHUPS

Philip Rivers (SD)- If the Chargers are going to win this game it’s going to be through the air. Expect Rivers to successfully pass a lot against a depleted Giants secondary.

Vincent Jackson (SD)- This year V-Jax has been very reliable.  He has 0 drops this season and always seems to make the big catch when it comes his way.

Nate Kaeding (SD)- The Chargers will move the ball and when the drive stalls, they’ll be in field goal range.

Brandon Jacobs (NY)- The Chargers’ defensive line has been allowing a lot of big runs up the middle, just where Jacobs likes to run.

NIGHTMARE MATCHUPS

Eli Manning (NY)- Let’s be honest, he’s hurt and he has been playing poorly since the injury.  The Chargers D is much improved and will be in his face all day long

Steve Smith and Mario Manning ham (NY)- They’re good route runners but can they get off the line cleanly?  I say no.

Giants Defense (NY)- The Chargers will score a ton of points and gain massive amounts of yards. 

LaDanian Tomlinson (SD)- This matchup favors Sproles a lot more.  LT might be able to get a score but I think he’ll be stuffed by the Giants linebackers