Scott Engel offers advice to fantasy owners with star players on a bye week.
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Bye Week Planning: There’s only two weeks left of byes, but lots of adjustments that will be needed in Week 10
for many owners. The Packers, Redskins, Cardinals and Browns are on byes in Week 10. So you must prepare to
replace Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Trent Richardson, Larry Fitzgerald and Randall Cobb,
among others. We have some good options in this space this week. Fortunately, there are no prominent tight ends
to replace in Week 10.
Stay with the Hilton: T.Y. Hilton had a breakout game in Week 9. The Jaguars have been hurting in the
secondary and Andrew Luck should continue to perform well on the short week as he faces Jacksonville on
Thursday night. Hilton is an excellent bye week plugger, he has the faith and confidence of Luck, who started
looking for him frequently in the preseason.
Defense Rock City: The Detroit defense allowed 14 Fantasy points and had two interceptions in Week 9. They
face the Vikings in Week 10, and Minnesota is struggling in the passing game and Percy Harvin is hurting. The Lions
are very familiar with the Vikes as a divisional rival, and could keep the score down again while forcing some more
turnovers. They are worth consideration if you need to replace Green Bay or you just need a decent defensive
start.
Nudge to Nicks: Hakeem Nicks is still frustrating his Fantasy owners. Eli Manning is not playing well. But the
Bengals are 19th in the league in passing yards per game allowed, a nice drop-off after facing the Steelers, which
lead the league in that category. If you are not desperate for a win, roll the dice on Eli and Nicks again next week.
Both players are too good to remain in a slump for much longer. Of course, Nicks may not be in optimum playing
shape yet, but a close to true form performance has to be close.
Confident with Carson: Carson Palmer was the leading QB in Fantasy Football in Week 9, and will continue to
throw a lot with the Raiders defense playing badly and the running game riddled with injuries. Palmer faces the
20th-ranked Ravens pass defense and is a great replacement for Rodgers or Robert Griffin III, or simply a quality
starter if you lack another top-level option. You can win a Fantasy league with Palmer this year if he keeps playing
the role of gunslinger.
Spiller Spike: The Bills simply have to get the ball more to C.J. Spiller, who even challenged the Texans defense
on a limited amount of carries in Week 9. It’s a great time to buy low on Spiller, who should post some quality
all-around numbers at New England in Week 10, and has a lot of upside going forward.
Fly with the Fins: The Titans defense presents a tasty matchup for any offense. This week, they travel to Miami,
and the sloppy, undisciplined unit is sure to wilt in the South Florida heat and humidity. Miami presents a few
quality bye week options with the friendly matchup. Use Daniel Thomas for a TD run, Brian Hartline for quality
production again, and you can even use Ryan Tannehill if you are desperate to replace Rodgers or RG3. Reggie
Bush is a very strong start as a RB2, even with Thomas getting more work. Both Miami RBs are fine choices against
the league’s 31st-ranked run defense.
Home Cooking: We’ve said it before and we will remind you again. Russell Wilson is a quality replacement
Fantasy option at home, where he has nine TD passes and no interceptions. He was either fifth or sixth among
Fantasy QBs in Week 9, depending on your format and site. The Jets do rank sixth against the pass, but Wilson will
give you at least respectable totals if you need that Rodgers or RG3 replacement in Week 9.
No so fast: Danny Amendola may return this week. But the Rams face the 49ers on the road, so you may want to
keep Amendola in reserve for one more week. The 49ers have the best pass defense in the NFC and will certainly
give a comebacking Amendola a lot of defensive attention.
Showdown: Two of the best defenses in the league square off when Chicago travels to Houston in Week 10. It’s
going to be stressful making starting choices next week. Houston ranks fourth against the pass, so you can’t expect
another huge game from Brandon Marshall, although you cannot bench him. The turnover-hungry Bears make
Matt Schaub a QB to avoid, and the secondary could limit Andre Johnson after his quality game against Buffalo.
Houston is second against the run, but you cannot bench Matt Forte, either. Michael Bush isn’t likely to find the
end zone, though.
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