Well, I bragged about Steve Smith Sr. last week, and he broke his back. I must have some sort of crazy Voodoo powers if talking about one of the toughest guys in the league results in a couple cracked vertebrae. I wonder what would have happened if I wrote about paper-boned Sam Bradford?
But I digress. Week Five is here, and it’s time to set those lineups, ladies and gentlemen. And, as always, here’s my two cents on who to look to play in your season-long leagues and who to pay in your Draft Kings games:
Start of the Week: Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants: Eli has been on fire the last three weeks, so it’s time to start cashing in on his hot streak. Manning has had 23+ each of the past three weeks thanks to seven touchdowns and only one interception…that’s right, Eli Manning only has one interception this season. I feel like I’m just jinxing him more and more as I continue…
The Giants are at home this week against the San Francisco 49ers. Manning threw five interceptions last season against the Niners, but San Fran’s defense this year is much worse to put it politely. Ben Roethlisberger had his way with this team (pun intended) Week Two, and then Carson Palmer followed in his footsteps. Give Lil’ Manning a chance this weekend against a struggling 49er team with a cross-country trip ahead of them.
Benched: Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders: Murray is coming off his worst performance of the season with 49 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards, and a fumble which ended his day early against the Chicago Bears. Murray will more than likely maintain the starting job over Roy Helu; however, Helu will certainly get more work coming out of the backfield this week against the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos right now are sitting on arguably the top defense in the NFL, and although they struggled somewhat in dealing with Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson, who doesn’t?
Murray isn’t Charles. Or Peterson. The Broncos shouldn’t have much of a problem controlling Murray, especially if Derek Carr has a rough day against the Broncos secondary and pass rush. Murray may be an okay Flex if the rest of your players are on Bye, but it’s probably better to keep him out for this week.