Last Place Wisdom: Bye-week from hell

Apparently Big Ben didn't like all the attention I put on Bane last week, as if he was the most terrifying person ever to show up at Heinz Field, because Roethlesberger had to go and follow up with an all-time great performance of his own. As a Steelers fan, it was fun to watch, but part of me thinks as a fantasy fan it was even better. Not only did I get to be on the receiving end as an Antonio Brown owner, but the fact that Pittsburgh turned it into a shootout meant that Andrew Luck was going to have to try and keep pace, and as the best fantasy QB in the NFL this year he rose to the occasion. Overall, it meant good things for me, as this past week turned into an absolute shootout around the league.

In truth, the most terrifying person ever at Heinz Field is probably Hines Ward coming at an unsuspecting defender.

The one person who couldn't take advantage of Ben's big game was Andrew, as Mike put up the highest score of the season on him to continue his improbably goal of making the playoffs. At this point, I'm almost thinking he might do it. He has 2 good RBs, 2 of the best TEs, and 2 QBs who are at worst average starters. His receivers might still be garbage (in my opinion), but they're putting up some points right now, and if they can keep doing it then he has a shot. It'll be interesting to watch how Sanu performs after AJ Green comes back in a week or two.

Andrew created some controversy in the PowerPowell rankings by comparing his schedule with Shayne's. Here's my thoughts on it: Shayne is fully deserving of his 1st place ranking thanks to the number of points his team has put up, but there's no doubt he's taken advantage of a fortunate schedule so far. Andrew has had some horrible luck, losing twice with the 3rd best point total for the week and losing a couple of close games by less than 10 points. It's what makes fantasy interesting, but I know how frustrating it can be to be in Andrew's position. I'm glad it creates controversy however, as I told Andrew a few weeks ago I need to start making more controversial statements in my blog to get people commenting.

Back by popular demand: What Mike just did to Andrew.

At this point, I think I'm ready to say we're fully in the playoff race. 5 weeks to go and there are some huge games coming up. The most interesting part to watch to me is the 4 teams I feel are fighting for the last 2 playoff spots (Mike, Dawson, Aaron, Stan). Mike has to make up a game on the other 3, but what makes it so exciting is that he plays Aaron, Stan and Dawson in back-to-back-to-back weeks beginning next week. Unfortunately his other 2 games are against me and John, which will be tough, but his challengers all have games against John or Shayne as well.

Meanwhile, the 4 teams at the top I think will be jockeying for the byes that come with the top 2 spots. After this week, I get to play both Shayne and Steve, and the winners of those matchups will have a big advantage at realizing that goal. John probably has the easiest schedule of the 4 teams, so he has a good chance to stop his losing streak and get back into the top 2.

For Curtis and Andrew....I think they're playing spoiler and playing for next year. Andrew's team is loaded with keepers (Forte, Jeffery, Benjamin, Tate, ODB, Evans) and he has no need to sell off any of his players to improve his chances for next year. If I'm Curt, I'm keeping Ellington and Terrance Williams, maybe Romo or Tate (I still like Keenan Allen as a player but he needs to turn it around bigtime to be worth a keeper spot) meaning he has need of at least 1 more spot to fill. Russel Wilson, Ryan Mathews and DeSean Jackson could help a team trying to win now, and could get Curt the type of valuable breakout player he needs to turn his team around.

Mr.Manager of the Week Award

Mike was thinking ahead, picking up the Dolphins a week ago while obviously looking ahead to their matchup with the Jaguars, and it was instrumental in his win over Andrew this week. Mike's been busy on the waiver wire as he tries to find anything that works, and as much as the moves don't always make sense to me they've been successful for him, and he's my Mr. Manager of the Week for his unconventional approach.

Random Thoughts

Bye weeks certainly make things interesting for fantasy when 6 teams are not playing. Here are all the guys I can find who would otherwise normally not be starting: Martavis Bryant, Jonas Gray or Tre Mason, Rueben Randal, Mike Vick, Brandon Cooks, Teddy Bridgewater, Toby Gerhardt, Bobby Rainey, Daniel Fells, Anquan Boldin.

Going into the season I thought I would be ok this week, but with Lacy and Joique Bell out, Rashad Jennings injured, and Zac Stacy being horrible, suddenly you're trying to scrounge up whoever you can off the waiver wire, which given how informed our league is, and how deep our rosters are, is easier said than done.

Week 7 Preview

The Keith-glorius Basterds vs BISP – This game scares me, partly because of how well Mike has been playing, and partly because injuries and the bye-week from hell means that I have to start either Jonas Gray or Tre Mason. It could be a high scoring affair, as all 4 QBs playing in this game have matchups against defenses that have allowed a lot of points recently. I'd really like to win this one, because if I don't, playing Shayne and Steve the next 2 weeks could mean I'd be facing a big losing streak and the possibility of missing the playoffs.

What are the Chances vs Sideliners – Curt's ability to play spoiler begins here, although he might be left scrambling for a QB if Romo is unable to play. Steve is playing Mike Vick this week, which given the number of teams on bye doesn't surpise me. It is terrifying however, because he could either run for 150 yards and just dominate the game, or else fumble 2 times and throw a couple of picks. Trying to catch Steve, you know which Mike Vick I'm hoping for (I've disliked Vick ever since the week John played him against me years ago).

NFL Owner vs  RW Throws a Sexy Deep Ball – After the smack-talk and controversy from the PowerPowell Rankings, this is the first time I realized that the 2 teams are playing each other this week. That certainly adds some extra interest to this matchup, as Andrew has a chance to stick it to Shayne and make up for the differing difficulty of the schedules. Both teams are hit pretty hard by the bye weeks, so it'll will come down to a battle of roster depth.

 oh that's nasty vs AARON - PRIMETIME- CLAPPERTON – Huge playoff implications from this matchup. Dawson is stuck relying on Bridgewater and Gerhardt thanks to the byes, but fortunately for him he might be getting AJ Green back just in time for a matchup with Jacksonville. It has the biggest potential to be the game to watch this week, as it's will likely come down to the Sunday and Monday night games before a winner can be predicted.

The Fear Boners vs NINERS – 3 football games this week are going to determine the outcome of this matchup, NO vs CAR, MIN vs WASH, DEN vs NE. If DEN vs NE turns into a shootout between Manning and Brady, John will be in trouble unless everything Manning throws ends up going to Demaryius. John will be looking to be the one to come out of the Thursday night game with a huge lead for once, rather than being in a big hole, and given how badly Carolina's D has been for much of the year he has a good shot. It looks like 5 players will be playing between Minnesota and Washington, with the most interesting being how RG3 can do for John in his return from injury. It also could be the week that John trading away Steve Smith Sr. comes back to bite him, since even though Martavis Bryant has looked good, John's WR depth at this point is paper thin.