Draftmix News

Week ten produced some extremely high-scoring affairs which made Draftmix an exciting week and offered fantasy owners plenty of entertainment. As a result of these scoring frenzies the running back position heavily benefited; seven running backs scored greater than 20 fantasy points and several others scored in the mid-high teens. Week 11 will offer another entertainment filled weekend and running backs should be the focal point of any draft format.

Brian Westbrook: Cincinnati has given up 12 rushing touchdowns on the season and their defense allows 26.2 points per game. Westbrook could very easily have one of his best performances of the season. Projected Points-26

Michael Turner: After such a fast start Turner has only scored two touchdowns in his last six games. The Broncos head to Atlanta this week and they bring with them the leagues 27th ranked run defense. The Falcons continue to play well and Turner is one of the reasons for their success. Turner is due for a big week. Projected Points-25

Frank Gore: Gore faces the leagues 2nd worst run defense, St. Louis. Therefore, there is no need for any further analysis. Projected Points-22

Matt Forte: The Packers run defense isn’t much to talk about and even if they were Forte has proven that he can get it done against the best of them. The Packers allow 154 rushing yards per game. Not a stroll in the park in this divisional rivalry game, but this rookie will have his way this weekend. Projected Points-20

Adrian Peterson: Over his last three games Peterson has averaged 23 fantasy points but the Bucs have only allowed one rushing touchdown all season. Peterson continues to prove that he is one of those dominant backs who can take-over any game he chooses. Projected Points-20

Marion Barber: In Dallas’ first meeting with Washington Barber had a total of 37 total yards in a game where Tony Romo had 47 pass attempts. As a result, the Cowboys lost at home. I’m certain the Cowboys will play into their strengths in Barber this week. Projected Points-19

Clinton Portis: Portis has been on Washington’s injury report all season so I expect him to play this week against the Cowboys. In week four against the Cowboys Portis failed to find pay-dirt but rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries. Projected Points-18

Brandon Jacobs: Because the Giants were playing Philadelphia last week Jacobs was passed over in most league formats. Jacobs continues to make a case for himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL. Baltimore has their work cut out if they want to stop Jacobs. Projected Points- 18

Thomas Jones: With Jones having one of his best seasons as a professional it’s time for me to start showing him a little love. New England is allowing a 4.1 yard per carry average and in week two at home against the Patriots Jones finished with 75 total yards in a Jets loss. This week will be a different story. Projected Points-17

Steve Slaton: After coming off of such a tough week against Baltimore, Slaton is ready to put the pieces back together against Indy. The good news is the Colts allow 133 rushing yards per game and have given up 12 rushing touchdowns through nine games. Projected Points-17

Bonus

Marshawn Lynch: Playing the Browns on a Monday Night should be enough for Lynch to be a must draft in 8-man leagues.

Bye weeks are over, the playoffs are in the near future, and these quarterbacks should be called upon to carry most weekly fantasy formats. These top-five are this weeks “can’t miss” at their position.

Drew Brees: It doesn’t matter that the Chiefs rank dead last in almost all defensive categories Brees is going to play well against any team in the NFL. Back to his 2006 form Brees leads the league in passing yards (2985) and is third overall in touchdowns (17). Another big day! Projected Points-30

Jay Cutler: With Cutler second in the league in both passing yards (2616) and touchdowns (18) this game should be another shootout in the “Dirty South”. The Falcons defense ranks 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed (226) and they give up at least one passing touchdown per game. Without any type of run game the Bronco’s will rely on Cutler’s arm. Projected Points-28

Kurt Warner:
You must continue to ride the coattails of this two time league MVP. Warner continues to have a stellar season and with the weapons around him the Cardinals will continue to post ungodly offensive numbers in Seattle this week. Warner continues to make a case for his third MVP of the league. Projected Points-26

Peyton Manning: The Colts have won two out of their last three games and during that stretch Manning has averaged 24 fantasy points per game. The Texans go to Indy and they bring with them a defense that has allowed 15 touchdown receptions and an average of 200 passing yards per game. Projected Points-24

Matt Ryan: If Brady Quinn can find success against the Bronco’s secondary then the leagues 13th ranked quarterback (1909 passing yards) should also. With the Falcons receivers emerging into one of the leagues best Ryan should find success and the Falcons should roll. Projected Points-23

Bonus

Philip Rivers: If the San Diego defense continues to play the way they have, Rivers will be forced to pass all day and therefore a must draft in all league formats. With 21 touchdown passes through nine games Rivers is playing the best football of his career and this week he gets the same Steelers defense that P. Manning lit up for 24 fantasy points . Projected Points-22

Week 10 of the 2008 NFL season is by far the toughest week to draft. After Thursday it will be even worse due to losing at least five viable fantasy options in the Cleveland/Denver match-up. When you add in those two factors and the ill-production of these following players, Draftmix owners better do more than their homework in order to stay competitive this week.

Peyton Manning: The Colts have been exposed all season long and without a true run game Manning and the rest of the offense will struggle. Defensively, the Steelers create too many big plays for Manning to find any type of success.

Donovan McNabb: McNabb has been all over the place this season in terms of fantasy production but I’ve watched owners draft him all week long. If you’re looking for possibly 16 points from your QB position then have at it.

Brett Favre: Everything looks good for the Jets offense to produce huge numbers against a St. Louis defense which ranks close to dead last in the league. However, the excitement of Favre being in New York has worn off and he’s simply not playing well. Don’t draft until further notice.

Steven Jackson: Firstly, who knows if Jackson is really going to play. Secondly, will he even finish the game? Then again, Jackson usually finds a way to play against less aggressive run defenses. If that’s the case he still won’t be productive.

DeAngelo Williams: Williams is looking like an excellent option against a Raiders defense, but the distraction of DeAngelo Williams is no longer. Besides if Jonathan Stewart plays he’ll share the load in a meaningless Carolina road win.

Willie Parker: If Leftwich starts Parker will be limited in his role. If Roethlisberger starts he will be limited in his role. Parker still has to get healthy and the Steelers know to limit his responsibility. Besides, Bob Sanders is back and he brings a great deal of intensity to that Colts defense.

Matt Forte: Forte has played well for a rookie, but he has not faced a Tennessee type defense. Definitely don’t draft him early and if you do good luck. If Orton is out, Forte will have a long day.

Desean Jackson: In eight-man leagues you may feel compelled to draft Jackson as your third receiver option. However, the Giants will be all over McNabb this week and if Jackson catches more than two balls he better score. Highly unlikely!

Lee Evans: In my book Evans is always a bust. Owners keep drafting him and I keep staying away from him. You just never know what you’re going to get from the Bills offense and the entire unit will be shut down in New England this week.

Laveranues Coles: I want nothing to do with anyone who’s name needs looked up every time I have to spell it.

Jericho Cotchery: Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care. Part of the worst receiving duo in the NFL. We won’t place the sole blame on Favre struggling.

With the match-ups some of the top running backs have this week you better depend on the quarterback position to carry you. In Draftmix weekly leagues anything outside of these top-five could be a disaster.

Drew Brees: The Falcons defense is not that bad on “fantasy” paper. However, on the road or not Brees will find a way to work his magic against the same defense that he torched for 547 yards and five touchdowns last year. Projected Points-28

Kurt Warner: The 49er/Arizona match-up doesn’t seem like a game of choice for a Monday night game but it will have tremendous fantasy impact. With Boldin back, a solid Fitzgerald, and an emerging run game the Cardinals offense is firing on all cylinders. Warner is the NFL’s third best fantasy quarterback with a 21.2 points per game average. Projected Points-25

Philip Rivers: While the rest of the Chargers have not lived up to their pre-season expectations, through eight games Rivers is posting a career best season. Even though weekly Draftmix players have not fully trusted Rivers he’s proven his value week in and week out. The Chargers offense will have their way in Kansas City. Projected Points-24

Jay Cutler: The last time the Browns played on the national stage Eli Manning threw three interceptions and only 196 yards in a Giants loss. That won’t happen with Cutler as the Browns continue to struggle on both sides of the ball. Projected Points: 22

Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is another quarterback that is consistently overlooked until the latter rounds in weekly leagues. However, he continues to play as good as any fantasy quarterback in the league. This week won’t be any different, Minnesota is the leagues 22nd ranked pass defense. Projected Points-21

If you want to be competitive on Draftmix owners must do their homework in what appears to be the NFL’s toughest week. With the exception of New Orleans at Atlanta and the lopsided Kansas City at San Diego game there is not alot to choose from in terms of clear-cut fantasy options. In terms of fantasy match-ups this has to be one of toughest weeks that I can ever remember. Here is a quick preview of a few games that you may want to reconsider when drafting players from these following teams.

Tennessee at Chicago: We are all aware of the fact that these two teams don’t offer a lot in terms of fantasy players, however, Chris Johnson has been a nice addition to the running back category in weekly drafts. Playing in Chicago this week most people will avoid him.

Jacksonville at Detroit: Again, these two teams may have one fantasy player to choose from in most weekly leagues MJD and Calvin Johnson. However, Jones-Drew has been inconsistent all season and CJ, even though playing well, faces a physical Jacksonville defense.

Green Bay at Minnesota: Minnesota is playing better but once again fantasy options are limited in this divisional rivalry game. Adrian Peterson is a must draft but Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings are coming off of a tough defeat in Tennessee. Will the 4-4 Packers recover this week?

Baltimore at Houston: The Ravens have never really had great fantasy options but the Texans have emerged with three viable fantasy options, A. Johnson, Slaton, and Matt Schaub. However, the Ravens defense remains one of the best and Schaub left early in his week nine match-up in Minnesota.

Buffalo at New England: Buffalo has lost three out of four and has averaged 15.5 points per game during that stretch. Lynch and Lee Evans have lost some value during that stretch. The Pats are without a running game and their receiving threat has become less than mediocre with Matt Cassel in the starting lineup.

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh: Indy may have turned things around but they go on the road and go from a turf to grass playing surface. Not to mention, the Steelers continue to play excellent defense and the Colts cannot run the ball. On the other hand, Bob Sanders is back and he will continue to add much needed value to that Colts defense. Tough week in Pittsburgh for both teams.

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia: We all know this division rivalry game is going one of two ways. A complete shootout or shutdown! Either way it goes, how many people are going to give tremendous fantasy value to McNabb/Westbrook or Burress/Jacobs in this divisional rivalry?

There are a few positives: Dallas, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay and Washington are on bye this week and we will not be confused on whom to draft from these sub-par offenses. Good luck in this weeks drafts.