2014 Fantasy Football: Week 7 Thursday Night Football Preview
Thursday October 16, 2014
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
This Thursday we have bitter rivals heading in very different directions. The Patriots are back atop the AFC East, where they so often find themselves, while the Jets are stumbling through a 1-5 season. The Jets needs a complete overhaul but appear content with the disastrous product with which they are tormenting their fans. The Jets usually play the Pats hard, but we do not see them being overly competetive in this game. The defensive line may help them hang around, but they will just be delaying the inevitable. Hopefully we are gifted another moment by these two teams on Thursday night like we were with Mark Sanchez‘s infamous butt-fumble. We can only hope.
New York Jets: Key Players
QB Geno Smith
If ever we were to completely exclude the QB position for a team in this preview, it would be right here. Smith has been nothing shy of a nightmare this season. He’s a turnover machine with no weapons, playing for coaches that clearly do not know how to run an NFL offense. With the occasional exception of some rushing value, Smith is probably the worst starting QB in the NFL.
Verdict: Sit Smith. He isn’t even the best QB on his own team and everybody knows it. One of these games will be his last.
RB Chris Ivory
Ivory has been the clear leader in the Jets backfield. Still, he has not managed double-digit touches in either of the last two games. He may be the best option on an offense with no good options. At some point the Jets will figure out how to properly use their personnel at RB.
Verdict: Sit Ivory. He is not an awful flex start if you’re desperate. But hopefully you have a better option.
It has become clear that the Jets have no idea how to use CJ2K. He is no longer that 2,000 yard back, but he is much better than he’s looked this season. Until either Ivory gets injured or the coaching staff is fired, it doesn’t look like Johnson has too much value.
Verdict: Sit Johnson. Leave it to the Jets to ruin another great career.
WR Eric Decker
Decker is featured because we have no other option at WR. Turns out he’s a little bit better when he has Peyton Manning throwing him the ball, and Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker drawing away attention. He sure is a little it better than Jeremy Kerley though.
Verdict: Sit Decker. He’s just not that good. He’ll be playing with a bad hamstring on four days rest. To make matters worse, he will most likely be covered by a rejuvenated Darrelle Revis.
TE Jace Amaro
Amaro had by far his best game in Week 6. He totaled 10 receptions, 68 yards and a TD. He also had a critical drop late in the game. He may become the No. 2 target in the Jets’ passing game.
Verdict: Sit Amaro. It’s just hard to trust him after one decent game. He’s not a terrible play if you’re in a 12 team league and your TE is injured or on a bye though.
New England Patriots: Key Players
QB Tom Brady
Brady’s fantasy value is clearly on the rise after back-to-back strong performances. This week he gets a Jets’ secondary which is among the worst in the league. The only way the Jets even slow down Brady is if their defensive line can dominate because that secondary is useless.
Verdict: Start Brady. Great QB, great matchup. Everybody was so quick to start shoveling dirt on Brady’s career. That was clearly premature.
RB Shane Vereen
Vereen should see more touches with Stevan Ridley sidelined. Don’t get us wrong, he will never be a workhorse back. But a few more carries could help his production. He has a great matchup with the Jets. Since the Jets’ run defense is strong, screen passes and dump offs should be utilized often. The more classic style RBs may struggle.
Verdict: Start Vereen. Like usual this only applies in PPR leagues. But he should be a solid start. He could see a lot more touches immediately while the Patriots integrate other RBs.
Bolden is who we believe has the potential to fill the Ridley role this week. The job will likely come down to Bolden and rookie James White. However, it will be hard to plug in a rookie who has been inactive most of the season, especially in a short week. White’s role may increase moving forward, but not this week.
Verdict: Sit Bolden. But he is worth a waiver wire pickup. Bolden should be considered a very deep sleeper this week. We would not be overly shocked if he had a nice game.
Much like Vereen, Edelman is all PPR value. He sees a lot of targets and catches a lot of passes. His yardage totals and TDs are unimpressive but the reception totals are there.
Verdict: Start Edelman. Again, like Vereen, only start him in PPR leagues. He has little value in standard leagues.
Gronk has not quite been the elite fantasy TE we all remember, but he’s getting there. He is quickly returning to form. As his snaps increase, so do his fantasy totals. From here on out, he should be considered a must start every week. He is a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Verdict: Start Gronk. Soon he will be considered as an elite TE1 once again, right up there with Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas.
Predictions
Final Score
New York: 13
New England: 31
Best Play
Jets: Chris Ivory
Patriots: Tom Brady
Sleeper
Brandon Bolden
The Author
