Thursday, November 08, 2012

Week 10: Picks Ups/No McFadden

Darren McFadden's most likely not going to play this week. This hurts my fantasy team. If your in a situation like mine, you most likely need a win this week to stay in the playoff hunt. In my 12 team league 10 teams make the playoffs. It is extremely hard to find replacements at running back in a league as deep as 12 teams. I find the difference in player availability between my 10 team league and 12 team league to be enormous. I will list some options for runningbacks who could be available in your league. Please note that this is suggestions in a 12 team league, a relatively deep league. In leagues with less teams there could be an even more beneficial runningback available. I'm hoping that McFadden can get back from his injury quickly as I don't want to rely on the guy I'm picking up for the rest of the year.

Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys) - He is on waivers in my league, I put in a bid to pick him up. He has not really had any remarkable games. His benefit is that he most likely will get touches on Sunday against the Eagles. Murray has not returned from his injury, and has not practiced this week. If he could deliver you 7-10 points this weekend (which I believe is possible against the Eagles) he would be a worthwhile pick up.

Daniel Thomas (Miami Dolphins)- He and Reggie Bush practically split snaps last week. He will see the field this weekend. If Thomas can run for any amount of yardage and pound in one touchdown he would be a worthwhile pick up. Daniel Thomas most likely won't put up huge numbers, but I am fairly certain he will not blank the board. The Dolphins odds for the week are good, they are playing the Titans. The Titans have given up the 4th most points to runningbacks this season.

Joique Bell (Detroit Lions)- He is clearly the number two back in the Lions  offense. He will not take Leshoure's spot unless Leshoure suffers some sort of injury. Fortunatly Bell is active in the passing game, and he produced 16 points last week. His 16 points was against Jacksonville, the Lions play the Vikings this week. Picking him up really depends on how well you think the Lions will do playing in Minnesota this weekend.  He could break 100 yards of total offense again this week, the problem would be if he does not.

Taiwan Jones (Oakland Raiders) - Taiwan Jones and Marcel Reese will be picking up the slack in the Raiders running game. With McFadden and Goodson being injured, Taiwan appears to be the replacement runnungback. Baltimore has not been good against the run, maybe Taiwan Jones will have a good game. It is hard to say how many touches he will get. Some weeks I find it irritating to see how many times they have Carson Palmer throw the ball  when he has a back like McFadden who could be grinding out yards.

Shane Vereen (New England Patriots)- He is playing with the Pats against the Bills. The last time the Bills played the Patriots the Pats annihilated them. Both Brandon Bolden (the backup) and Stevan Ridley had enormous weekends. Maybe Vereen will get touches as the Pats attempt to run the clock down. Or maybe the Pats will simply run the ball a lot to move the chains as they did in their last meeting with Buffalo. It is not a sure fire play, but if the Pats get stalled at the goal line Vereen could easily be putting up six points. It's a very risky play, but one that could payoff if the Pats really pound the Bills. 

Good luck to everyone this week! Hopefully the suggestions above could give you an option you maybe had not thought of, or a bit of reassurance one way or another. I hope McFadden gets back quickly as his absence will seriously hurt my fantasy team.

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