Like many of you out there, I have advanced in my league's playoffs and will be playing for a shot at the crown this week. With so much work on the line, I am doing what anyone in my position would do and am stressing out over my lineup.
Thankfully, the majority of my squad are pretty obvious choices. However, there is one spot I am struggling with — my second running back. You see, I am faced with the choice of three solid backs to start in this most important game to go alongside Jamaal Charles. They are Ray Rice, Andre Brown and Montee Ball. All three have the potential to contribute and all three have the chance to break my heart (and my championship chances).
So, who will I choose?
For those interested, the answer can be found by reading on. For those not interested and just want to see my "Love-Hate", well, read on also and keep my dilemma far from your thoughts (but be prepared to see the answer anyway).
James LeBeau is an avid fantasy sports participant and a sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on twitter @LoboISbroke or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
Week 15 Love-Hate
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Case Keenum QB – Houston
The Texans situation is one that you should be taking very seriously right now if you have any of their main fantasy players on your roster. Not the most productive squad to begin with this season, the Texans will probably come out flat this week against an Indianapolis Colts team looking to regain its early dominance. Though Keenum was impressive against these Colts earlier in the season (350 passing yards and three touchdowns), don't expect this time to be the same as Keenum is averaging just 192.5 passing yards with two touchdowns to four interceptions over his past four games.
HATE
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Matt Ryan QB - Atlanta
Let's hear it for the two words any fantasy owner wants to hear this time of year: favorable matchup. That's right, like last week against the Green Bay Packers, Ryan faces a defense that isn't exactly known for stopping anything in the Washington Redskins. A team in disarray, the Redskins have given up the sixth most yards to opposing quarterbacks as well as the second highest quarterback rating and the sixth most fantasy points. What this all adds up to is that Ryan is likely to have multiple scores for the second time in two weeks.
LOVE
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Montee Ball RB – Denver Broncos
Pssst, don't tell anyone but I'm using reverse psychology on the universe by putting Ball in the HATE section. In fact, I actually LOVE Ball and plan on starting him myself over both Rice and Andre Brown. Considering how well Marques Colston did when I put him here last week, and how a fair number of my HATE picks seem to gain playing ability from my negativity, I thought why not see if I can use that to my favor.
So, um, definitely don't start Ball this week because he will do terrible, terrible things to you fantasy team if you do! (wink, wink)
HATE
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Pierre Garcon WR – Washington
Looking back at the Washington-Atlanta game, which I believe is going to be a shootout, I see the potential for a big day out of Garcon. With the announcement that Kirk Cousins is going to get the start, you have to believe that the Redskins offense will look better as a whole. If that's the case, as the Redskins' most talented receiver, Garcon is the one player who should see the most out of the QB switch. Start Garcon with confidence because he will snap out of his last four game average of 53.5 yards a game.
LOVE
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Ray Rice RB – Baltimore
Oh Rice, you have been the biggest disappointment to my fantasy squad all year. But enough about that, let's stick to the facts. Rice is averaging just 3.0 yards a carry this season and though he is coming off of his third 100 total yard game this season, don't expect number four to happen against the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The Lions are coming off of an embarrassing performance against the Philadelphia Eagles where they gave up 299 yards rushing. This week, Detroit will emphasize stopping the run which will limit the opportunities of Rice who has been limited enough as it is. No, Rice won't break double digits this week, I guarantee it.
HATE
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Shane Vereen RB – New England
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has to be ecstatic with having Vereen back on the field. In fact, I think he gave away how much so last week when Vereen caught a career high 12 receptions. With tight end Rob Gronkowski out for the remainder of the season, look for Brady to continue to target Vereen heavily the rest of the year. While 12 catches may be a little bit much to expect this week against Miami, I do easily see Vereen crossing the century mark in total yards with at least one score.
LOVE
