After some whirlwind bye- and injury-induced waiver wire weeks, the XN Sports League of Champions returned to normalcy this week with a subdued run on some of the top available players and defenses. Let’s take a look at who the pros are picking up in their own league and some moves you can make with your fantasy football roster.
4th and Goal (Neil Parker) added Montee Ball, dropped Bryce Brown
Brown is a handcuff at best while Ball has scored three touchdowns over his last three games. He’ll be touchdown-dependent in fantasy but he seems to be getting the goal line snaps which makes easy fantasy points look all the more likely. Knowshon Moreno would have to get injured for him to be startable on a weekly basis, though.
Blurred Goal Lines (Tony Consiglio) added Bears D/ST, dropped Jets D/ST
St. Louis hasn’t given up too many points to opposing fantasy defenses but Tony likes the Bears’ chances against the Kellen Clemens-led squad. Ironically, Tony dropped a Jets defense that faces a Baltimore team that has surrendered a double-digit points to opposing defenses over the last three weeks.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Dan Bailey, dropped Dan Carpenter
Like most kickers, Bailey has been up and down this season but a matchup against the Giants likely spells a decent amount of points. Still, despite their ugly games, the Giants D is much improved of late and haven’t given up double-digit fantasy points to an opposing kicker since Week 6.
Fifty Shades of Cats (Felipe Melecio) added Miles Austin, dropped Colts D/ST
Miles Austin is reportedly back at 100 percent and he’s definitely worth taking a chance on with Terrance Williams failing to produce. Williams has caught just five of his 22 targets over the last three weeks and, although he’s scored two touchdowns, he’s only put up 118 combined yards over those three games and just 54 yards over his last two. Austin will certainly get his chance at the number two receiver role.
Studfeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Ladarius Green, dropped Mike Brown
Green was impressive on Sunday as he caught four passes for 81 yards but it was the first time that he had more than two receptions and 48 yards in a game this year. Mike Brown has only caught four passes since Justin Blackmon was suspended for the season and is nursing a sore ankle so he should be on the wire in all leagues.
Coconut Pete (Tom Fitzgerald) added Matt Bryant, dropped Alex Henery
Bryant faces a Saints team that has allowed double-digit points to Phil Dawson and Nick Folk in two of their last three weeks. We’ll see if Atlanta can put enough yardage up to put Bryant in a position to give Tom some points.
4th and Goal (Neil Parker) added Rod Streater, dropped Leonard Hankerson
Matt McGloin looked Streater’s way often and the Raiders receiver came away with six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. If McGloin gets the nod again, Streater would definitely be worth taking a chance on but Terrelle Pryor hasn’t looked his way nearly as much.
Keepin Heads Ringin (Michael Clifford) added Raiders D/ST, dropped Bills D/ST
The Titans have been up and down, allowing 17 fantasy points to the Jags defense but only four points to the Colts defense. Either way, the Raiders have a better chance of making something happen against Ryan Fitzpatrick than the Bills do on a bye.
4th and Goal (Neil Parker) added Cowboys D/ST, dropped Patriots D/ST
No one gives up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Giants. We’ll see if the banged up Dallas defense can stop an improving New York offense but the last time these two met, back in Week 1, the Dallas defense put up 26 fantasy points.
Derwood #Degenerates (C.D. Carter) added Saints D/ST, dropped Giants D/ST
The Falcons have given up an average of 14.75 fantasy points per week to opposing defenses over the last four games so the Saints have a good chance to put up some points.
Studfeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Justin Tucker, dropped Cardinals D/ST
The Jets have given up double-digit fantasy points to opposing kickers in four of their last five weeks and Tucker is as solid as any kicker in the NFL.
The Winter Classics (Chris Blanchard) added Steelers D/ST, dropped Jeff Cumberland
The Browns gave up two defensive touchdowns, a fumble, three interceptions, a blocked kick, and four sacks to the banged up Cincy defense last week, the Steelers have a decent chance to make something happen against Jason Campbell and company this week.
Studfeldsville (Salvatore Stefanile) added Mark Ingram, dropped Ladarius Green
So much for that Ladarius Green pickup. With Darren Sproles questionable for Thursday’s game, Mark Ingram could see some added snaps against a terrible Falcons defense. Atlanta gave up 34.7 fantasy points to Bobby Rainey, 22.1 to Marshawn Lynch, 21.6 to Carolina’s three-headed backfield, and 22.2 to Andre Ellington over their last four weeks.
