This week, strategy comes to the forefront as six nfl teams are on their bye weeks.
Strategy comes into play even more when you play in a small-roster league like the WTO Laid Back League, which only has 14 roster spots per fantasy football team.
My team's star players are off this week and I have injuries to DeAngelo Williams and Joseph Addai, which left me with an interesting decision. I either had to cut a good player to make room for a kicker or play without one. Since my team is 6-1, I decided to go "kickerless" this week and almost hand my opponent (WTO sports editor Jon Sitler) a freebie and keep my team intact for the rest of the season. Next week, I can cut one of my lesser bye week players and be set for the rest of the season.
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Rob Stewart is... The Fantasy Oracle
(Editor's Note: This is Rob's reverse psychology strategy, making him look like a genius if he wins; nothing more, nothing less. But he's good at it!)
In NFL news, another major injury as Tony Romo has gone down for what appears the year and will be replaced by Jon Kitna, who seemed to have quite a feel for Dez Bryant. Is it a sign of things to come? I'm guessing yes. The switch to Kitna upgrades the Dallas running game, Bryant and Jason Witten. On the contrary, Miles Austin and Roy Williams' values take severe hits.
Last week will go down as the week lesser-known players took center stage as Oracle last-minute replacement Darren McFadden erupted for four touchdowns, Attorney Fitzpatrick shredded the vaunted Ravens defense, while receivers Kenny Britt, Steve Johnson, Jordan Shipley, Lee Evans and David Gettis all had career days. In addition, DeAngelo Hall helped the Washington defense have a huge game against Da Bears with an NFL record 4 interceptions and a touchdown. All of these players, aside from McFadden and Britt, are available in most leagues.
In the WTO Laid Back League, Central division leader Frank Galeazzo (5-2) battles Western division leader Joe Mangione (4-3). Other games of note are 6-1 Jon Myler battling the high-scoring 2-5 Mike Campbell team, and there's a battle of two teams trying to get to 4-4 as Dave Hishman battles Dean Wells.
Bye Week Teams: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, NY Giants and Philadelphia
TOLD YA SO: Brandon Lloyd, Roddy White, Frank Gore, Sebastian Janikowski and the Seahawks defense were all good calls.
DID I REALLY SAY THAT: Wet noodles to the side of my head for picking both Ray Rice and Chris Johnson as my ultimate lineup running backs as both only garnered 73 total yards. In addition, my numbers weren't far off on Jay Cutler, but I didn't predict the five turnovers.
FEMALE FANTASY PERSPECTIVE OF THE WEEK: Our female correspondent says, "The Buffalo Bills getting a win is as impossible as trying to steer a herd of cats. Having Larry Fitzgerald in your lineup last week against the Seahawks was as useful as a trap door in a canoe."
FOOTBALL JOKE OF THE WEEK: A young boy, who has run away from home, tells the court he doesn't want to live with his parents because they beat him. So the judge asks him, "Where do you want to live?" The boy says, "I want to go live with the Buffalo Bills. They don't beat anybody!"
CUTLER CORNER: Jay and the first place Bears get a well deserved rest this week.
FREE AGENTS TO TARGET: Jon Kitna, Matthew Stafford, Ryan Fitzpatrick, LaGarrette Blount, Donald Brown, Mike Hart, James Jones, Anthony Gonzalez, Jacob Tamme and the Broncos defense (a one-week play).
INJURIES: The following players need watching as they are unlikely to play or will be game-time decisions: Tony Romo, Brett Favre, Carson Palmer, Bruce Gradkowski, Steven Jackson, Joseph Addai, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Fred Taylor, DeAngelo Williams, Austin Collie, Louis Murphy, Buster Davis, Terrell Owens, Danario Alexander, Eddie Royal, Legedu Naanee, Vernon Davis, and Nate Kaeding.
ULTIMATE LINEUP: Peyton Manning, Arian Foster, Darren McFadden, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Jason Witten, Rob Bironas and the Broncos defense against Troy Smith. Flex play will be Calvin Johnson as he gets quarterback Matthew Stafford back and should be in line for a monstrous game against Washington's 31st ranked pass defense.
FANTASY BUST OF THE WEEK (7-0): As predicted, Brandon Lloyd was held to just one catch as the Raiders blew out the Broncos. This week we go for 8 in a row as we put the whammy on Drew Brees (Sitler's QB) against a tough Steelers defense.
Last week's WTO LBL results:
Rob Stewart 135.20, Cody Elms 74.92
Jon Myler 112.04, Dean Wells 106.58
Joe Mangione 135.12, Brian Ferry 72.26
Allen Seybert 107.46, Paul Mangione 87.76
Jon Sitler 111.44, Dave Hishman 62.34
Frank Galeazzo 95.58, Derek Farr 67.26
Mike Campbell 89.04, Bob Patchen 88.60
WTO LBL Standings (Division champs and next best three make playoffs)
Eastern Division
1. Jon Myler 6-1
4. Rob Stewart 6-1
6. Jon Sitler 4-3
9. Dave Hishman 3-4
12. Bob Patchen 2-5
Central Division
2. Frank Galeazzo 5-2
5. Allen Seybert 5-2
7. Brian Ferry 4-3
10. Dean Wells 3-4
11. Mike Campbell 2-5
Western Division
3. Joe Mangione 4-3
8. Paul Mangione 3-4
13. Cody Elms 1-6
14. Derek Farr 1-6