Gridiron Experts

NFL Fantasy RB Strength Of Schedule

Stats are always made to be broken. A sneaky run that goes for 60 yards after a long day of nothing but frustration happens all the time. Yet, a fantasy football strength of schedule list is a helpful tool to evaluate a players chances against a season’s worth of opponents. Many fantasy sites go about making such a spreadsheet by simply taking the top 10 toughest defenses, the 10 worst defenses, compare the results and hit the print button.

Gridiron Experts has gone beyond the cookie-cutter stats to analyze each game, giving what we think is a better prediction based on extended criteria.

If you think a new NFL week doesn’t come without lingering aches and pains from the week before, not to mention jet-lag, you’re dead wrong. Long road trips, teams off BYE weeks, and divisional match-ups are just a few of the factors we took into account when compiling this list. Other increments include: fantasy playoff match-ups, “overlook” games, and recent additions to a team’s defensive roster.

Here are our top 3 best and worst Running Back Strength of Schedule Teams in 2010

3 BEST RB Schedules

San Fransisco: A+

The 49er’s get three road games out of the way quickly to start the season. Early on, the tougher opponents like the Saints, Eagles and Broncos are all at home, which is a plus. Their bye week is comfortably placed in the middle of the season, and even the late 2-game road trip to Arizona and Green Bay isn’t as bad as it seems. The Packers themselves are off a tough 2 game road trip and shouldn’t be that fresh after just facing Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner. The icing on the cake is the fantasy playoff match-up. Depending on whether your league holds it’s Super Bowl in wk 16 or 17, the 49er’s face 3 out of 4 divisional opponents, which looks like gravy.

Even the road trip to San Diego in December is a gift with no snow or cold temperature. Throw in a few possible jackpot games against St. Louis (2), Carolina, Kansas City, and the cross-country trip the Bucs have to make, and Frank Gore has moved up our fantasy board.

Dallas Cowboys: A

The Coyboys don’t have a ton of easy rushing match-ups, but they don’t have any hard ones either. The second half of their NFL schedule is where we give all our high marks. Starting week 12 Dallas sees opponents that in essence are all the same type of build and chemistry. The Saints, Colts and Eagles style are all about getting that early lead, then blitzing you with their speedy pass rushers. The Cowboys have a great …Continue reading Fantasy RB Strength Of Schedule

It comes every week. You read all the Start/Sit advice you can find, scan the waiver wire, and even contemplate pulling off a trade. But, as I’ve said before, sometimes the best answer is simply taking a look at two guys that are already on your team, and just making the best choice possible.

Last week’s match-ups gave you two successful starts if you followed my advice and started Thomas Jones over Clinton Portis, and Kyle Orton over Matt Hasselbeck. Take a look at this week’s three match-ups and see if they can point you in the right direction:

Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Who’s going to show up in Washington? Could it be the pass happy Eagles that can’t pick up first downs, or a balanced well oiled machine? The Eagles need to run the ball more or no one will ever buy into the play action pass. This seems to be an ongoing problem with the Eagles, but we think McNabb should play well either way. The players were questioning the play-calling (so were the fans) after the crazy loss to the Raiders, so expect Reid and his coaching staff to be more in tune and focused this week.

The Giants want to get back to the running game but Arizona has a solid front 7. Throw in Eli Manning’s sore heel and we might have an issue. Manning is a risky start against an aggressive Cardinals front line, but Eli does step it up in big games, and with the crowd on his side facing an average secondary, his numbers should be solid. …Continue reading Fantasy Coin Flip

Gridiron Experts Start’em Sit’em Week 6

Most sites recycle imaginary fantasy numbers with yards and touchdowns and quick blurbs on how great Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson is going to do, but you already know that. We here at Gridiron Experts are not about to insult your fantasy football intelligence by posting the obvious numbers, instead we go out on a limb and try spotting great fantasy match-ups that many people might be overlooking. Star players will always perform, but key players can thrive in one week situations through either an offensive game plan or an excellent match-up. Our goal is to zone in on these perfect match-ups and offer advice that might make your life a little easier. It always comes down to you making the last minute call with your line-up, but hopefully we can help.

** “Less chat more picks”-? Readers want more**

Start’em

• Kurt Warner- On the road where the Jaguars were made to look like kitty cats? Don’t fret. Warner and his lethal receiving core will be in a shoot-out in Seattle this weekend. The Seahawks and Cardinals are battling to a spot where they can sneak up and challenge the 49er’s for the division.
• Ben Roethlisberger- vs. the Browns…enough said.
• Philip Rivers- Oh no, the Denver Broncos, run for the hills (mile high)…wait, the Chargers are at home and off a bye, and are tired of  hearing about how great McDaniel’s and his team of misfits are happy and winning. Rivers will test the Broncos defense by stretching the field, just like last year. Rivers combined for 570 yards and 5 TD’s in the two divisional games against the Broncos last season.
• Josh Johnson- In a bind? I know this kid makes bad decisions, but he didn’t play that bad on the road last week. Stop laughing, Johnson threw 240 yards and 2 TD’s last week in Philly and should be a solid start if you need a bye week QB.
• DeAngelo Williams- The Bucs are struggling against the run…amongst other things. Williams has yet to be able to get on track from his strong fantasy numbers from last season but the Bucs are averaging 157 yards per game against the run; with Delhomme playing awful football, the Panthers might rely more Williams.
• LeSean “Shady” McCoy- The Eagles are a pass first team, but when facing a team that is 2nd from last in run defense…the Birds will run the ball. One of the Eagles favorite plays is to set up is the play-action deep pass; expect a heavy dose of the run from the new rookie who is splitting carries with Westbrook. McCoy could also see a lot of clean up duty if this game gets out of control (it will).
• Knowshon Moreno- The Chargers have been ruined by the run all season. Denver is starting to find their passing game which should keep the Chargers defense honest. This is a prime time game and Knowshon wants to showcase his skills to the football world.

…Continue reading Start’em Sit’em Week 6