FantasyNFL

11 Players With Sweetheart Fantasy Matchups This Week

by Pat Mayo | 12:25 pm, October 25th, 2012

Each week, Pat Mayo of RotoExperts.com will bring you 11 fantasy football players with favorable matchups. Whether it’s a wide receiver facing a weak-kneed secondary, a running back taking on a dinged-up front seven, or a team defense preparing to eat a cupcake rookie quarterback, these are the guys who are poised for a big fantasy output this Sunday.

This week, he likes a rookie QB who’s getting goal line rushing opportunities, a wide receiver on the mend, and a defense looking to feast on the wobbly offense it’s being served up. Matchups, ahoy.

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1.1. Brandon Weeden

Would you be stunned to know that Brandon Weeden isn’t the worst thing to happen to the future of quarterbacking since Blaine Gabbert? It’s true! The 63-year old rookie has flashed some legitimate down field ability in recent weeks. The Browns pivot has posted multi-touchdown outings in each of his past three games and gets another soft match up with the Chargers. The last time we saw San Diego, they were acting like Londoners during the Battle of Britain: ducking for cover against a Bronco blitzkrieg.

2.2. Brandon Stokley

Deep leaguers take notice. Stokely shouldn’t be started in 10-team leagues, or even 12-team leagues, but a date with the Saints and their DII quality defense may be too hard to pass up. New Orleans allows yardage in chunks to wide outs and have already ceded 10 touchdowns to the position in six games. We know Peyton Manning trusts Stokley, and this may be the right week for him to capitalize on those looks.

3.3. Matt Forte

Forte is flying under the radar as an elite running back. That could all change this week after he lays the smackdown on the Panthers. Carolina has been gashed in the on the ground week after week, and have shown a proclivity to fair far worse against running backs that can make plays through the air. Forte’s gone over 100+ yards in two consecutive contests, but hasn’t churned out a signature game in 2012. That changes in this week.

4.4. Vikings D/ST

The Buccaneers have actually protected the ball quite well this season, but road teams on Thursday nights have been more than generous with the turnovers. The Vikings have the perfect unit to hassle Josh Freeman too. Their ability to disrupt the quarterback and flood passing lanes will lead to another fantastic Fantasy performance.

5.5. Reggie Bush

Suppressing the Patriots rushing attack is one thing, they’d rather throw anyways, but halting a team that will commit to running the ball presents a world of problems for Gang Green. To date, the Jets have only allowed fewer than 131 rushing yards in a game twice in seven weeks. Bush exited the week 3 match up with an injury, but was doing a terrific job finding holes in New York’s defense; averaging 6.1 yards per rush before heading the to locker room. He’ll post a big day if he makes it through all four quarters.

6.6. Robbie Gould

This is a no-brainer. The Bears offense seems to embrace sputtering out in opponents’ territory and the Panthers haven’t been shy in their affections in giving up field goal opportunities. Gould has been extremely accurate this season, missing just a lone attempt in 13 chances, and Carolina’s 20 field goals against are two more than any other team.

7.7. Anthony Fasano

Fasano is nothing if not consistently mediocre. Something a slew of Fantasy owners will gladly embrace after weeks of tight end incompetence on their Fantasy roster. Looking at you Kyle Rudolph and Vernon Davis. Fasano is being utilized as Ryan Tannehill’s safety net, resulting in a series of short-yardage opportunities. His yards per catch will never delve into the double-digit realm, but if you’re hurting at the position it’s nice to plug in a player that is averaging over four receptions per game the last month.

8.8. Hakeem Nicks

It’s been a rough year for Nicks’ owners. With his injuries and general lack of competence, the Giants bulky wide out has only one quality game under his belt in 2012: Week 2 against Tampa. And he was questionable right until kickoff, causing many owners to bench him and miss out on the near-200-yard performance. No worries this week though. Nicks is closer to full strength than at any other point this season and facing off with the Cowboys will have him finally have him stuffing the stat sheet… in your starting lineup to boot!

9.9. Andrew Luck

Now that it has been revealed that Luck is daring enough to call his own number near the goal line, the ceiling of his upside has moved up a few stories. And there’s no better place to showcase that upside than in Music City: Tennessee has ceded a league high 16 passing touchdowns this season. In addition to their futility through the air, the Titans are also allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 5.7 yards per rush.

10.10. Alex Green

This is certainly not a results-based endorsement. Since taking over for Cedric Benson in the Packers backfield, Green owners have witnessed his yards per rush plunge into the Abyss with each subsequent week. Fortunately, most of his disappointing play can be attributed to the quality of opponent: The Rams and Texans defenses have been stingy to all running backs this year. The Jags, on the other hand, have not. Jacksonville gives up 23 points per game to RBs, and Green’s strangle hold on the position in Green Bay could see him realize all those points.

11.11. Malcom Floyd

Floyd is technically San Diego’s number one receiver, at least by number of passes tossed his direction, and will finally get to bust loose against the Browns. One bonus in holding that prestigious position for the Chargers is that the opposition’s top corner won’t be lining up on the outside, but will focus their attention on Antonio Gates. Floyd will be dealing with second-rate corners for the majority of the game and has the type of speed that have given Cleveland fits all season.

Start preparing now for the new Fantasy Hoops season with the RotoExperts Xclusive Edge Fantasy Basketball Package. You get the complete and deluxe draft kit, plus in-depth regular season and playoff coverage.

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