Did you see that Alabama-A&M game? Yeah, it was weird for me to root for the Aggies. With the NFL and college football in full swing, it’s hard not to bring the two together. With that in mind, this week’s fantasy starters all have something in common: they’re from the Lone Star State and played their college ball in Texas, too.
Start:
1) Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former TCU Horned Frog has been lighting it up this year, exceeding expectations and stymieing the always dreaded sophomore slump. Dalton looked polished and efficient last Sunday against the Giants, tossing four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-13 drubbing. With the Chiefs’ generous defense up next on the schedule, Dalton should have a fine day through the air.
2) Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams
After missing the last three games with a shoulder injury, the Texas Tech alumnus returned in a big way against the 49ers’ stout defense, snagging 11 catches for 102 yards. Not only is he fully healthy, he is clearly Sam Bradford’s favorite receiver. No other receiver was targeted more than three times last week. Although the Rams face a Jets defense that is stingy against opposing wideouts, Amendola will be looked for early and often by Bradford, which bodes well for fantasy owners.
3) Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The ex-Longhorn has been anything but consistent this year, rushing for a combined 83 yards in his previous three games before breaking out for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. Although it’s risky to expect Charles to produce two weeks in a row, the Chiefs would be crazy not to keep feeding him the ball this week against a Cincinnati defense that is nowhere near as good as Pittsburgh’s.
Sit:
1) Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Set to make his first career start against the Washington Redskins on Sunday in place of a concussed Michael Vick, Foles is no doubt a hot commodity on the fantasy waiver wires. However, expecting the local product from Westlake High to produce in his first start might be asking a bit much, even if it is against a bad defense.
2) Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Boldin has not earned double-digit fantasy points since Week 4 against the Browns and has not scored a touchdown since Week 1. Even last week in the Ravens’ 55-20 embarrassment of the Raiders, in which Baltimore’s punter scored a touchdown, Boldin was held to 38 yards on four catches. With Pittsburgh’s physical defense up next, Boldin should be in for another quiet game.
3) Danny Woodhead, RB, New England Patriots
Woodhead was everywhere last weekend against the Bills, rushing for a touchdown and catching a touchdown pass. While fantasy owners are understandably happy with his recent production and a favorable matchup against the Colts Sunday, don’t expect lightning to strike twice, especially in a New England offense that loves to spread the ball around.
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Andy Dalton
Photo Credit: Cody Bubenik | Daily Texan Staff
Fantasy Frenzy: Rookies Jones, Dalton proving to be productive fantasy options
Here’s a list of who’s hot and who’s not after Week 9 of fantasy football.
HOT
Julio Jones,
Atlanta Falcons
After the Falcons traded a bounty of picks to move up and select the talented Alabama star, people everywhere praised the move that gave Matt Ryan a much needed second option. But up until this week, the trade hadn’t worked out. Jones has been injured much of the season and had yet to produce. On Sunday, however, he made the Falcons management look like geniuses as he went off for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jones gives Atlanta the deep threat they need to complement Roddy White. Expect solid fantasy numbers from him the rest of the season.
Andy Dalton,
Cincinnati Bengals
Cam Newton has stolen all the headlines this season as far as rookie quarterbacks go, but Dalton is quietly having a very good year for the 6-2 Bengals. He is hitting open receivers and showing a poise that some veteran quarterbacks struggle to find and he also puts up solid fantasy numbers. This weekend against the Titans, he threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, good for 20 fantasy points in ESPN leagues. If you’re in a two-quarterback league or just need a bye week fill-in, look for Dalton to be a solid option the rest of the season.
Laurent Robinson,
Dallas Cowboys
He had another solid week for Dallas with nine fantasy points in ESPN leagues. This is after being signed off the couch seven weeks ago to give the team some receiver depth. Now he is Dallas’ established third string wideout and, on the heels of another Miles Austin injury, he should see even more balls thrown his way. Expect Robinson to be a top-20 fantasy receiver until Austin comes back. He is available in 98 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, so he is also an easy wavier pickup.
COLD
Indianapolis Colts
The race for Andrew Luck seems to have a front-runner in the Colts as they are off to a 0-9 start. Without Peyton Manning, they have struggled mightily on offense and there is no reason to ever start a Colts player on fantasy at this point. This was exemplified in a 31-7 loss to the Falcons, where they just looked inept on offense. Sadly for the Colts, this kind of performance is now the norm. Stay away from playing any Colts player the rest of the season.
Ryan Torain,
Washington Redskins
He was the starter in Washington at the beginning of the year but only received one carry Sunday as he falls farther and farther into Mike Shanahan’s doghouse. Roy Helu got the bulk of the work with 10 carries and 14 catches out of the backfield for over 150 yards from scrimmage. Helu has earned the starters job for now, so if you have Torain on your roster you might want to consider dropping him in favor of the first-year back.