Halloween is such an awesome time of year. People freely give you candy. Women freely wear less clothes. And, you’re a horror maze away from a free adrenaline rush.
Of course, if you want a real scare you can take a look at my teams stacked with all of the tricks of the draft – Trent Richardson, Chris Johnson, Stephen Jackson and CJ Spiller. Truly horrifying sights indeed.
Luckily, I’ve been finding some great matchups with my backups to get me by. This is why it is valuable to look at Yahoo, CBS and ESPN to get a consensus view of who to start.
Good luck out there… and when in doubt, always bet against the Buccaneers (since JAX is on bye).
Brian Reddoch is a CraveOnline reporter and rabid fan of all teams Seattle. You can follow him on Twitter @ReddReddoch or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty (Icon: Dalton)
Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings
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Quarterbacks
Bye Week Savior: Andy Dalton, Bengals
Dalton has been very good lately… very, very good lately. 11 TD's and 0 INTs. He has a rough road assignment against the Dolphins. Something has to give. Yahoo has him projected 14th; ESPN has him 9th. -
Quarterbacks
Worth a Second Look: Jake Locker, Titans
Locker has risen from the injury graveyard and is looking pretty good. The Rams may seem like a tough opponent after they essentially shut down the Seahawks, but keep in mind Seattle has a pistol offense and the Rams are suspect against pro-style offenses.Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images
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Quarterbacks
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Nick Foles, Eagles
Vick is hurt. Foles is (barely) cleared. He’ll play like a mummy so stay away.Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images
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Quarterbacks
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Christian Ponder, Vikings
As of right now, Ponder is starting over Josh Freeman, so keep a close eye on the game day announcements because he is facing the soft Dallas secondary; he is 16th in Yahoo's rankings this week.Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images)
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Quarterbacks
Top Tier: Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton
2nd Tier: Phillip Rivers, Tony Romo, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, Jake Locker, Andrew Luck
Shaky starts: Andy Dalton, Tom Brady, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Ryan
Bye Week Only: Alex Smith, Josh McGowan, Christian Ponder
Don’t Bother: Nick Foles, Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Tannehill, Chad Henne, Geno Smith,Thaddeus Lewis, Mike GlennonPhoto by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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Running Backs
Pick Up ASAP: Andre Ellington, Cardinals
There are unconfirmed rumors that Arizona coach Bruce Arians finally took Rashard Mendenhall behind the woodshed and put him out of his/our misery. In stepped Ellington, who ran for 162 yards (including a breakout 80+ yarder). He is exactly what Carson Palmer needs; an explosive back who will keep defenses on their heels thanks to his 7.7 yards per carry. Expect him to be the starter moving forward. Grab him now even though he has a bye this week.Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
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Running Backs
Don’t Trade: Chris Johnson, Titans
As much as Chris Johnson has been a bad voodoo spell on any owner that took him early in the draft, he is starting to come around. Well, to be specific, he is coming around as a receiving threat. But those 2 TDs he got in the past 3 weeks still count in your RB spot. Let’s call it hope.Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
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Running Backs
I Told You So … Maybe: Zac Stacy, Rams
He picked up 13 Yahoo points last week in a typical league. You’re welcome if you followed our advice. He’ll be a good flex start this week again. CBS and ESPN have him #13 and Yahoo has him projected #12. However, his knees are banged up and he’s undergoing tests. Keep an eye on him and stash as necessary.Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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Running Backs
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Trent Richardson, Colts
He is starting to feel like the Smarties candy that get tossed in your plastic pumpkin. Sure, it is candy, but it is cheap and not really worth the walk up to the door. He’s getting consistent points, but not what we were hoping for. For example, CBS has him listed #25 with guys splitting duties ahead of him, including Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas.Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
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Running Backs
Stash and Wait: Mike Tolbert, Panthers
DeAngelo Williams is still the main guy, however, he is a quad injury main guy. Tolbert has been getting more touches lately.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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Running Backs
Top Tier: Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles
2nd Tier: Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy, Arian Foster, LeSean McCoy, Ray Rice, Le’Veon Bell, Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Ryan Matthews
Shaky starts: Fred Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Peyton Hillis, Joseph Randle, Darren Sproles, Danny Woodhead, Steven Jackson, Zac Stacy
Bye Week Only: Mike Tolbert, Lama Miller, Steven Ridley, Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Jacquizz Rodgers, Joseph Randle, Darren Sproles, Trent Richardson
Don’t Bother: Brandon Bolden, Bilal Powell, CJ Spiller, Roy Helu, DeMarco Murray, Rashard MendenhallPhoto by Michael Thomas/Getty Images
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Wide Receivers
Pick Up and Stash: Kenny Stills, Saints
Technically, he is the third wideout for the Saints, but he’s quickly becoming Brees' main man. It is easy to see why – 6 catches for 193 yards and 3 TDs. Yahoo only has him projected for 5 points (ranked in the 50’s), but ESPN has projected 14th.Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
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Wide Receivers
Get Him While You Can: Harry Douglas, Falcons
While his name sounds like a bad private detective, he is the guy filling in for Julio Jones and Roddy White. He is still available in 30% of Yahoo leagues and is projected #9.Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
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Wide Receivers
Move Him On Up: Golden Tate, Seahawks
With Sidney Rice out for the year, figure Tate to be the main target in Seattle. But, let’s be honest, if you don’t pick him up, then I’m sure Tate will taunt you for it. HUGE ASTERISK – if Harvin doesn’t come back this week, then Tate will surely get covered by Darrelle Revis all day long.Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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Wide Receivers
Spookytacular: T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Facing the Texans D, this is one Hilton hotel that you don’t want to check into this week. You’ll have better luck down the road at that nice, little Bates Motel. (Though CBS strangely has him ranked 16th.)Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images
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Wide Receivers
Top Tier: Dez Bryant, A.J. Green, Jordy Nelson
2nd Tier: DeSean Jackson, Keenan Allen, Pierre Garcon, Denarius Moore, Harry Douglas, Andre Johnson, Demaryius Thomas, Jarrett Boykin, Marques Colston
Shaky starts: Golden Tate, Josh Gordon, Mike Wallace, Terrance Williams, Steve Smith, Michael Floyd, Vincent Jackson, T.Y. Hilton, Nate Washington, Alshon Jeffery
Bye Week Only: Jeremy Kerley, Kenny Stills, Ted Ginn Jr., Stephen Hill, Kris Dunham, Greg Jennings, Marvin Jones , Danny Amendola, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Torrey Smith, Marlon Brown, Aaron Dobson, Donnie Avery, Vincent Brown, Kendall Wright
Don’t Bother: Dwayne Bowe, Riley Cooper, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Williams (TB), Percy HarvinPhoto by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
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Tight Ends
Top Tier: Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez
2nd Tier: Jordan Cameron, Jordan Reed, Heath Miller, Charles Clay, Greg Olsen, Jason Witten
Shaky starts: Martellius Bennett, Coby Fleener
Bye Week Only: Kyle Rudolph, Jeff Cumberland, Garrett Graham, Delanie Walker, Tyler Eifert
Don’t Bother: Any one else.Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images
