Monday November 30, 2015
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

What a nightmare this one is. The ineptitude of these offenses may be completely unbearable. The only thing that makes any player in this game even worthy of consideration is the complete incompetence of the defenses. The Browns have no resistance against the run and the Ravens are borderline useless against the pass. The league should have saved this one for a Thursday. I’m not sure why they thought the Browns against anybody was worth putting on a Monday.

Baltimore Ravens: Key Players

QB Matt Schaub
So it has come to this in Baltimore. Their starting quarterback will be Schaub this week. No need to worry though, at least he has Kamar Aiken and Buck Allen at the skill positions to help him out.
Verdict: Sit Schaub. The last two times we saw him in a starting role, he broke the all-time record for consecutive games with a pick six in Houston and then was beat out by Terrelle Pryor in Oakland. Pass.

RB Buck Allen
With Justin Forsett on injured reserve with a broken arm, Allen will step in as the starter. The rookie is talented and is most renowned for his abilities as a pass-catcher.
Verdict: Start Allen. He’s a talented kid with a prominent role and a great matchup. At this point of the season with all the injuries, he should be started in most leagues this week.

WR Kamar Aiken
Aiken did have some value once Steve Smith went down. Now he has Matt Schaub throwing him the ball. Welp, it was fun while it lasted.
Verdict: Sit Aiken. Yes, this is a side effect of Schaub. He’s like one of those medicines you see on TV. Schaub could cause mood changes, depression and a drastic drop in fantasy points. Please speak to your fantasy expert before starting him.

TE Crockett Gillmore
Gillmore has been the big beneficiary of the Smith injury. He’s been great as of late seeing plenty of targets and red zone work. Nevertheless …
Verdict: Sit Gillmore. You may have figured out by now that I don’t trust Schaub. Nonetheless, he could have to rely on Gillmore as a safety blanket. Still, I’d like to see him do it first.

Cleveland Browns: Key Players

QB Josh McCown
McCown has certainly has had his moments this year and this is a great matchup. Only the Saints are allowing more fantasy points to opposing QBs.
Verdict: Start McCown. He’s actually a decent start this week despite being Josh McCown.

RB Duke Johnson
Johnson is an ultra-talented kid. It’s really a shame he’s stuck in Cleveland. His upside is as great as any back in the league. Unfortunately, the offense does not have the same ceiling.
Verdict: Sit Johnson. The talent is undeniable, but the team underutilizes him.

WR Travis Benjamin
Benjamin is the top option at WR. He could see an increase in touches with both Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel sidelined. Lord knows Dwayne Bowe isn’t going to pick up the slack.
Verdict: Start Benjamin. I wouldn’t have extreme confidence, but he is worth a start as a high-risk option, high-upside option.

TE Gary Barnidge
Barnidge has been a high-end TE1 this season in every format. He pretty much came out of nowhere, nevertheless, he’s a very solid option now. McCown starting further increases his value.
Verdict: Start Barnidge. He’s been great this season, so get him in your lineups. He’s pretty much a must-start every week at this point.

Final Score
Baltimore: 13
Cleveland: 20

Best Play
Ravens: Buck Allen
Browns: Gary Barnidge

Sleeper
Brian Hartline