Week 8 Go/Fo Pt. 2

Week 8 "Go Off/Fall Off"

'Go Off/Fall Off' is not meant to be a literal start/sit list.  GoFo is an aggregate of ESPN rankings, projections, and personal insight from Adamantly Particular.  A player on the Go Off list is likely to outperform expectations for the week.  Conversely, a Fall Off player will underproduce or disappoint.  All projections are based off of ESPN Standard Scoring.

Fall Off

QBs

Carson Palmer
ESPN Rank: 15
Projected Points: 18
Rationale: Palmer shouldn't be picked unless you play in the world's deepest league, or you gain points for picks.  Although the Chiefs aren't a turnover-causing machine (in games against Ryan Fitzpatrick and Phillip Rivers, they have a combined 1 interception...c'mon man!), they are coming off a bye week with time to prepare for a sputtering Raiders team.  On top of that, the Chiefs are in the middle of the pack in terms of passing yards allowed (13th), but rank 22nd in rushing.  Run-DMC should get the bulk of the offensive touches, and the Raiders will win, but they will do so without relying on Captain Turnover.

Mike Vick
ESPN Rank: 9
Projected Points: 12
Rationale: ESPN has Vick at the 9 spot, which puts him as a starter in most leagues.  I'm extremely low on him this week.  The Falcons will be up big early, causing the Eagles to play catchup turn the ball over (frequently).  On the road against San Diego in week 3, Atlanta caused 4 turnovers.  On the short list of masters of the turnover, Vick might be the only player who tops Rivers.  The comedy of errors that is the Philadelphia Eagles continues this week against a rested, hungry Falcons squad.

Obvious player my obviously informed and rational readership doesn't need a similarly formatted section: Cam Newton.  We'll get to see what happens when a very stoppable force meets an immovable object; the Panthers face the Bears, this one will be ugly.  Expect multiple interceptions (and multiple post-game improprieties).

RBs

LeSean McCoy
ESPN Rank: 3
Projected: 17
Rationale:  See above.  This game gets out of hand early, and the misuse of a top-3 back continues.  I see McCoy as a great buy-low candidate, though.  Assuming the Falcons blow the Eagles out, Reid will be under insurmountable pressure to make changes in playcalling and personal.  As a result of either, Shady will be called to balance the workload or ease in rookie backup QB Nick Foles.

Shonn Greene 
ESPN Rank: 19
Projected: 13
Rationale: Fantasy tip for sucess #347: Stay away from all Jets, Browns, and Chargers players not named Trent Richardson.  In all seriousness, Greene produced only 3 fantasy points in the last tilt against Miami, and will put up similar(ly dysmal) numbers in the rematch.

Vick Ballard
ESPN Rank: 25
Projected: 13
Rationale: Good news: Ballard is trending up, averaging more yards per carry in the month of October than he ever has in his career!  Bad news: in October, Ballard is averaging a paltry 3.4 yards per carry (up from 3.1!).  The Colts play the lowly Titans this week, and as bad as they are against the run (25th), they are even worse against the pass (27th), allowing just shy of 300 yards per game.  I trust Luck and Wayne a lot more than a fill in back who isn't even getting all of the touches.  UPDATE: Donald Brown was a full participant in the Colts' Friday practice, potentially limiting Ballards touches even further.  Ballard looks destined for Dumpsville.

WRs

Dwayne Bowe
ESPN Rank: 18
Projected Points: 15
Rationale: Bowe and Quinn are like oil and water.  In week 6, Bowe registered his lowest fantasy point total of the season, only managing a measly 2 points against the 29th ranked Tampa Bay pass defense.  Before the Thursday Night game, the Bucs have allowed an average of 33.4 ESPN Standard Scoring points to Wide Recievers alone in their 5 other games of the season (Week 5 bye).  If that isn't enough, Bowe is disgruntled, and is likely on his way out of Kansas city.  Missouri no longer loves his company, and he likes Brady Quinn's even less.

Victor Cruz
ESPN Rank: 2
Projected: 13
Rationale: I am by no means saying Cruz isn't a top 10 WR play this week.  I just don't expect him to produce as an overall number 2.  Nicks is getting healthier by the day and will vulture touches.  Plus, with Sean Lee leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the Cowboys' defense, the G-Men will be able to gash the Cowboys on the ground.  As Lee is the signal caller for the Dallas D, Eli will control the tempo of this game, relying on the run and shorter passing routes, limiting home run bombs, and in turn taking away slightly from Cruz's big play potential.


That's all for Week 8, check back for Wednesday's recap.