Monday October 6, 2014
Seattle Seahawks @ Washington Redskins

This week on Monday Night Football the Seahawks travel to Washington to take on the Redskins. We know what you’re thinking, but there is one small ray of light shining through. At least the game is in D.C. and not Seattle. It’s hard to sell this game as interesting. That’s really all we got. The Redskins only hope is that they are at home. If this was in Seattle, they’d be praying to play the Giants again. This one could get ugly, but let’s just hold on to hope that we might get a decent prime time game.

Seattle Seahawks: Key Players

QB Russell Wilson
Wilson is becoming a great QB. He is excellent throwing the ball, running the ball, and his decision making is great. This week the matchup is as good as it gets. The Redskins secondary has been getting lit up by the likes of Eli Manning and Nick Foles. Ever since Deangelo Hall was injured, that secondary just can’t stop anybody.
Verdict: Start Wilson. This is a dream matchup for a fantasy owner. He should be considered a QB1 this week and a great play in weekly leagues. There are very few QBs you should be starting over Wilson this week.

RB Marshawn Lynch
The Redskins are much better against the run than against the pass. Still, it’s hard to imagine them slowing down Beast Mode. Especially because there may be plenty of garbage time. After Wilson lights them up through the first half, Lynch can run it down their throats in the second half.
Verdict: Start Lynch. You should be starting him every week. This week you definitely want him in your lineup. Yes, the Redskins have been decent against the run, but at some point they will have to compensate for the terrible pass defense. When they do, the rush defense will suffer.

RB Robert Turbin
Speaking of garbage time, Turbin could be the biggest beneficiary. Usually he wouldn’t even be worth a mention, but this week we feel it may be necessary. Only because this game has blow-out written all over it.
Verdict: Sit Turbin. Despite the fact that he could see a decent amount of touches if the Seahawks are up big, he’s still a very risky play.

WR Percy Harvin
Harvin is the resident playmaker in Seattle. Receiver, runner, return man and everything in between. He is not the most consistent player in the league, but every time he touches the ball, he can take it to the house from anywhere on the field.
Verdict: Start Harvin. He is the most explosive player on the Seahawks’ offense. Pete Carroll finds creative ways to get him the ball. He needs to be in your starting lineup.

WR Doug Baldwin
Baldwin was predicted by many to be a break out player this year. He has been a major disappointment. He has only 10 catches for 105 yards on the season. We had high hopes for Baldwin and he has let us down.
Verdict: Sit Baldwin. However, if you need a spot start at WR he could be a decent WR3. Especially with Zach Miller on the shelf. He also has a great matchup. Sit him, unless you really need him.

Washington Redskins: Key Players

QB Kirk Cousins
Over the past two weeks, Cousins has gone from looking like a superstar to a nightmare. We’re guessing he’s somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately, when QBs that are “somewhere in the middle” go up against the Legion of Boom, they don’t fair very well. Cousins may be in for a long night. The Giants’ secondary is good. The Seahawks are great.
Verdict: Sit Cousins. You should be sitting most QBs against the Legion of Boom. You have to sit a mistake prone QB like Cousins.

RB Alfred Morris
Morris is a very good RB. Very one dimensional but good at what he does. He is going to get the bulk of the carries and usually runs pretty well. He has very little PPR value. The bad news is, as good as the Seahawks are against the pass, they are better against the run. The Redskins likely will not have time to establish a run game because they will almost certainly be playing from behind.
Verdict: Sit Morris. If you are starting a RB against the Seahawks, he needs to have a few things going for him. He needs PPR value, he can’t just rely on being a straight forward runner. He also needs a strong offensive line that can help get a few extra yards on most plays. He also needs to get goal line carries to bad his fantasy numbers with a TD. Needless to say, Morris doesn’t really fit any of this criteria.

WR Pierre Garcon
Garcon is who Cousins will likely have to lean on if he’s going to have any success. That’s a huge if. He is a big, reliable possession WR who usually sees a ton of targets. He does have some red zone and big play ability as well. He is the best option on the Redskins offense.
Verdict: Start Garcon. If you have him, you most likely need to start him. He only has value in PPR leagues this week. He is a very risky play and you can bench him in eight team leagues. It will be difficult to sit him in 12 or even 10 team leagues.

WR DeSean Jackson
D-Jax is in for a rough night. He will be dealing with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. That usually doesn’t work out well for people. The physicality of the Seahawks also tends to rock smaller finesse WRs. His outlook does not look good.
Verdict: Sit Jackson. This is as bad a matchup as Jackson will face this season. Those safeties are just too dominant.

TE Niles Paul
It looks like Jordan Reed is once again very questionable. Paul has passed concussion protocol and will give it a go. If Reed can’t go, Paul will be the only true option at TE. He is another guy that will have to deal with those safeties. The Seahawks also have very good linebackers in pass coverage.
Verdict: Sit Paul. There are enough good TEs out there that you don’t have to risk playing him against that secondary. He will likely be dealing with Chancellor and he is very tough. Keep Paul on your bench this week.

Predictions

Final Score
Seattle: 37
Washington: 16

Best Play
Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch
Redskins: Pierre Garcon

Sleeper
Doug Baldwin