Jonas Gray everybody!
Now what? We're stuck in that limbo situation where he can't possibly have that huge performance again, so why would you play him? Although, that is the same kind of thinking which kept you from starting Ben Roethlisberger during his second consecutive six-touchdown performance as well.
So Gray is quite the noodle scratcher.
Especially when you factor in Bill Belichick is not a coach; he's a Decepticon. Gray could end up as a healthy scratch this week against Detroit because of the game-plan against the stout Lions front four. I'm going to put him as a low-end flex option this week. I'm not going to completely advise against a spot in our starting lineup. Because I don't want to bury my head in the sand with this guy. But I'm not going to bench him for LeSean McCoy, either.
What I saw on Sunday night was a great effort by Gray, but an even better effort by the offensive line. But when I look at the early success the Cardinals had against the Lions with deep passes to Michael Floyd, I expect the Patriots to air the ball out a little more this week with Shane Vereen getting most of the snaps. Vereen had just 20 against the Colts as they chose to bleed the clock down.
There are going to be other weeks when we can break Jonas back out. Maybe in two weeks against the Packers. I'm just going to hesitate this week. I would take guys like Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, C.J. Anderson and Justin Forsett over him.
The Browns running backs
As you've probably heard by now, Ben Tate is gone. And I'm not going to use this space to go on a tirade about the kid who thought I was being negligent to say Tate was going to be a bust this season. No need. But I like both Browns running backs right now. I have to imagine you have either one or the other right now. And I do like both. Crowell led West with a 5-to-1 play count. So he's my early leader in the clubhouse. Both have value to me this week against the Falcons who give up tons of points.
Josh McCown, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As I talked about at great length, work smarter not harder, Josh. It's as if Lovie Smith wrote "throw the ball to your tall receivers" in the dirt and McCown is firing it accordingly. They are practically playing flag football out there anyway, why not go for it? And really, do you think this isn't a huge game to Lovie Smith and to some extent McCown as they face their old team, the Chicago Bears? Especially Lovie. You always hear how the players love to play for Lovie. So if they like their coach even a little bit, they have to have a huge game here.
Kyle Orton, QB, Buffalo Bills
I kind of like the matchup against the New York Jets. Wait, I really like the matchup against the Jets. It's the kind of fantasy matchup we live for. But Orton has struggled in the cold. The weather report right now says we have a 70 percent chance of snow, and the stadium is already buried in i. So if it becomes closer to 100 percent, then we might need to adjust accordingly. I am in a league, however, with highly competitive men and women who have left Orton as my lone option this week. Or RGIII. Which is brutal.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
Tannehill has been a somewhat consistent quarterback, as he put up decent numbers against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. The matchup against the Broncos is pretty good. Though, they just got torched by the St. Louis FC. So while some will look at it and raise their octave and scream, "This team just got torched by St. Louis," that kind of (expletive) scares me. Because the Broncos have some pride. So I would tread a little lightly on this one. But again these are sleepers, not must starts. So plan accordingly.
Mark Sanchez, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
I'm not giving up hope on him. Playing at Lambeau can do that to just about anybody in the NFL. So I'm not going to let one bad game on the road push me off my guy. The matchup against the Titans is decent, though not as good as it looked before Monday's game. But I like Sanchez to rebound this week.
Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders
He's more a waiver-wire stash. He's going to get his chance at some point and he could be the guy who leads your team at the end of the season. I mean, what's the point of putting Darren McFadden or the other old guy on the field for the rest of the season? At least see what you have in Murray.
Dan Herron, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Boom was the toast of training camp for the Colts and somebody I have kept an eye on for a while. He's done next to nothing, but the practice squad has been the hip place to pick up running backs this season. Not saying he's going to be Jonas Gray, but still, we're desperate here. If you still have him available in your league, please add him right now. I implore you.
Kenny Stills, WR, New Orleans Saints
Trying to figure out which Saints receiver to play is akin to trying to choose your favorite Malloy brother. It's nearly impossible. But there should be some clarity this week. Brandin Cooks is out for the season with an injury which should mean more targets for Stills who had a nice game against the Bengals on Sunday. The matchup against the Ravens is pretty good this week. Look, I can't tell the future. I pay people to do that for me and even they get it wrong some times. But Stills is going to get his opportunities.
Taylor Gabriel, WR, Cleveland Browns
I'm headed back to Gabriel once again. I know I should know better. But when everybody is yelling "That Helps No One" after he scores on a long-bomb, you can be all "That totally helped me."
Packers D/ST
I had the Packers at the beginning of last week, but had to drop them. And then on Sunday, I had to drop the Browns defense which I wanted to play, but needed to make room for Crowell. So I just kind of waited through the early games (they start at 10 a.m. out here on the West Coast) to see which curtain-jerker running back to drop. And then when the first games started, I added the Packers just before kickoff. I'm so glad I did. I've been dropping my defenses for most of the season to horde running backs, but I'm going to ride with the Packers again this week against the Vikings. I might just stick with Green Bay for the rest of the season.
Colts D/ST
I know a lot of you like to fade the Jacksonville Jaguars. I won't do it because I love my brothers and sisters down in Duval County, Florida. But I'm just putting the information out there.
For the record, you can submit your fantasy questions to NFL Fantasy Live, Michael Fabiano or me on Twitter. But realize, NFL Fantasy Live has 270K followers, and Fabiano has 165K. Me? Just four. See, the odds are better I will answer your question, so hit me up both via Twitter or via Facebook. And if you follow him on Sundays, he'll quote "The Wolf" from "Pulp Fiction" and then it's game on! Although, it's tough to catch me on Facebook. Twitter is your go-to." Plus seriously people, I'm not taking your tweets after Midnight. I'm into the #HashtagWars via @Midnight.
