Author: TJ Streett

Streaming Defenses- Week Four- Washington

The Washington Redskins’ defense has a great match up in St. Louis in week four.

Analysis: The Skins are fifth in the league in points allowed at 17.7 and are first in the NFL in fumbles forced with ten. Although the Skins have only recovered two of the fumbles, ten fumbles forced in three games is a telling stat. Throw in eight sacks and three picks and you have yourself a defense that should give the Rams fits. Washington has played some solid offenses this year which include the Giants, Cards and Cowboys. The Washington defense is widely available and should be used if you feel somewhat confident in Rex Grossman’s ability to not turn the ball over too much.

Sam Bradford is responsible for five turnovers thus far this season while completing just 50.9% of his passes. The return of a fully healthy Steven Jackson may be a possibility, however, the Rams just don’t have the weapons to out muscle the Skins this week. The only way streaming the Washington defense fails this week will be if Rex Grossman turns the ball over two times or more. Stream at your own risk.

Earnest Graham For Deep PPR Leagues

Earnest Graham’s rushing total may not be impressive, however, his reception total may surprise you.

Analysis: Earnest Graham has hauled in twenty balls in just three games this year, if that stat doesn’t scream PPR depth then I don’t know what does. Graham may only have thirty yards on the ground this year but twenty receptions for 116 receiving yards will get some attention. Graham’s twenty-two targets tell the whole story with passing down situations considering feature back LeGarrette Blount only has three targets on the year. LeGarrette Blount may have a monopoly on carrying the rock and goal line situations but Earnest Graham is the man with the hands in passing situations. Graham’s 146 total yards and twenty receptions make him hard to ignore in deep PPR leagues and since he’s available in tons of leagues you have to give this guy a look. Tampa is passing the ball 36.3 times per game thus far this season to just 23.7 rushing attempts per game and expect that trend to continue if not bump up just a bit. The Bucs are in between a passing team and a balanced team but we will see more forty passing attempt games with Josh Freeman than thirty carry games with LeGarrette Blount and friends.

Nate Washington Is A Must Add

With the injury to Kenny Britt, veteran wide out Nate Washington becomes a must add in all fantasy formats.

Analysis: Whether Kenny Britt’s knee injury is season ending or not, Nate Washington’s fantasy value is on the rise. Washington had already caught thirteen balls for 166 yards in his first two games while playing with Britt. Now, with Britt out of the picture Sunday against Denver, Washington exploded for eight receptions for ninety-two yards and a score. Washington now has at least six receptions in each game this year and twenty-seven targets. The Titans are struggling mightily on the ground this year and that fact can only add to Washington’s value. He’s available in most fantasy leagues and expect him to go fast, especially if Kenny Britt is out for the year. Going forward Washington projects as an upper tier WR3/FLEX option. With a career 15.2 yards per reception average, Washington can be a big play wide out.

Even if Chris Johnson gets it going, the Titans lack the depth at wide out to really limit Washington’s value the rest of the year.

Streaming Defenses- Week Three- Titans

The Tennessee Titans’ defense has been stellar thus far this year. They held a game Jacksonville team on the road to sixteen points and followed that up with a dominating performance against the Ravens. The Titans only allowed thirteen points to a Ravens squad that lit up the Steelers the previous week. Tennessee have forced four turnovers and have five sacks on the year and are only giving up 14.5 points per game. Also, the Titans’ defense is only allowing 276 yards per game this year, good for third best in the NFL.

The Titans are at home this week against a weak Denver team. The Tennessee game plan should be pretty simple- make the Broncos who are only averaging 84 rushing yards per game and 3.4 a carry beat them on the ground. Kyle Orton still isn’t playing well and the athletic Titan defensive line should be able to rattle the mediocre quarterback. The Titans’ defense is available is just about every fantasy league and now is the time to pick up the unit if you are unsure of your defense this week. The Saints’ defense is a shaky pick against the Texans as well as the Bears’ defense against Green Bay.

Sell High- Dustin Keller

Dustin Keller may have the second most fantasy points among tight ends in standard leagues but it’s time to sell.

Analysis: Dustin Keller is off to a hot start, it sounds awfully familiar! Last year Keller started the season with FIVE touchdowns in the first four weeks of the season- he did not catch one touchdown in his remaining twelve games. Thus far this year Keller has two touchdowns with 162 receiving yards. First, we have to look at the targets, Keller has fourteen targets on the year- sixth most among tight ends. That actually isn’t that bad but Keller doesn’t have the quarterback to put up top tier fantasy numbers while not being heavily targeted like a Jason Witten. We also have to consider the New York offense has only run the ball an average of twenty-four times per game, which doesn’t put them in the top half of the league in rushing attempts. New York will run the ball more, they averaged 33 rushing attempts in 2010 and 38 in 2009.

Keller is a great athlete and in a better system with a better quarterback he would be a TE1 but as of right now he isn’t. Sell high.