Right and Wrong Last Week

Raise your hand if you’ve gotten into a heated argument with dudes in your league about rules and/or roster moves. Yep, it’s happened to all of us. It affects friendships, and it can even affect family life. While there is no offseason in fantasy football, now is the time of year when most everyone really cares about their squads. I mean, cares to the point where it becomes a priority in life, and I’m here to reassure you that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

As we inch closer and closer to the fantasy playoffs, my weekly predictions article becomes more and more important to your success. And, of course, this is the forum in which I check myself to see how I did. While I was wrong about a few things, I definitely came through with some solid sleeper calls. Let's start with those...

We were right about...

DeAndre Levy, Lions MLB - A sleeper that sites like Rotoworld touted heading into the season, was totally forgotten about by just about everyone but yours truly. After battling a groin injury for the first seven weeks of the season, he returned in Week 8 and made it through the win against Washington tallying four solo tackles. With virtually no buzz around him, I told IDP owners last week to consider him a solid add and start. Nine solo tackles later, it sure looks like those that listened to me could have themselves a long term gem. Levy is only 23, and the MLB is in a solid up-and-coming 4-3 defense.

Santonio Holmes, Jets WR - Well, I called it. After being suspended for four games, then “acclimating” himself into the Jets offense and “easing” his way into the rotation, Holmes started against the Lions and hauled in five Mark Sanchez passes for 114 yards, including one that would have gone for a game winning TD if not for the speed of Levy cutting him down and making the tackle. New York’s offense is legit, and while a 73-yard TD bomb went to Braylon Edwards this week, expect those types of plays to start going Holmes’ way.

Mark Sanchez, Jets QB - The “San-chize” had his best fantasy performance of the year in a come-from-behind win over the Lions, tossing for 336 yards and a score, while also rushing for a TD. He was my sleeper QB play of the week, and surely came through for owners that started him. With the Browns, Texans, Bengals and Patriots on tap over the next four weeks, he might as well be left in lineups.

Greg Olsen, Bears TE - Not a bad call, right? I mean, the guy hadn’t scored since Week 3, and had posted two goose-eggs over his previous four games. I said he’d be a solid sleeper TE for those in need, and he hauled in three passes for 29 yards and a score against Buffalo.

Ray Edwards and Jared Allen, Vikings DEs -  Prior to Week 9, these two had combined for a putrid total of only 2.5 sacks on the season. In a matchup against Derek Anderson and the Cardinals, I predicted a “sack party” from these two. I was absolutely correct, as each young star tallied at least two sacks (Allen had 2.5).

Mike Williams, Buccaneers WR - While many haven’t started him yet, proceeding with caution as if he’s not the real deal, I called him a must-start moving forward. He racked up four catches for 89 yards and a score on nine targets and clearly IS the Buccaneers passing game.

Michael Turner, Falcons RB - Coming out of the Falcons Week 8 bye, Turner was a great option against the Buccaneers run defense. He was on fire early and often in this one as he gained 107 yards and two scores on the ground.

Derrick Mason, Ravens WR - I dubbed the veteran a solid spot start against the Dolphins, and while Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh combined for only four catches, Mason had four for 42 yards and a score.

Ray Rice, Ravens RB - Many Rice owners are unhappy with their return on investment this year, but he needs to be in lineups, as I stated last week. He came through in PPR leagues, hauling in nine balls for 97 yards while also gained 83 on 22 carries.

We were wrong about...

Johnny Knox, Bears WR - Mike Martz's offense is becoming unpredictable, as Earl Bennett was the star of this one, leaving Knox with only three catches for just over 40 yards. Despite the disappointing performance, he remains the top WR option in Chicago.

Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs WR - The law of averages said Bowe would cool off against a solid Raiders secondary this week, but that’s why we need to ignore the law of averages more often. Bowe remained red hot, hauling in five passes for 63 yards and a score, and now has six TDs in his last four games.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones, Packers WRs - Well, my sleeper of the week call didn’t really pan out. Nelson started the game, but only caught four balls for 42 yards, while Jones shined with eight catches for 123 yards and a score. Both players are very talented, and will continue to play key roles in Green Bay if Donald Driver continues to miss time following the Week 10 bye.