With that said it is also extremely easy for you to fail if even if you are quick to pull the trigger. You may have hit the waiver wire this year and selected Montario Hardesty (CLE, 50) instead of DeMarco Murray (DAL, 21) or on draft day you may have selected Philip Rivers (SD, 12) instead of Eli Manning (NYG, 6) and could be kicking yourself now. As we approach the last few weeks of the fantasy regular season it will be the non-stop team manicuring that will win your season, but you have to make the right moves.

Who would’ve thought that Eli Manning would be playing as well as he has? I know I found it very difficult to understand when players were drafting the Giants quarterback before the likes of Drew Brees (NO, 2), Mike Vick (PHI, 9), and Philip Rivers on draft day. I swore up and down that it must’ve been one of those Homer picks (I am from the East Coast so that was not out of the question). But as we stand here today with 10 weeks of football under our belts these fantasy players were right. Of the three quarterbacks mentioned above only Drew Brees has more fantasy value than Eli Manning does. Eli currently rests 6th among all fantasy QBs with 157 total fantasy points, only 5 points behind Matthew Stafford for the #5 spot. Manning is on pace to exceed his career numbers in passing yards, completion percentage, and quarterback rating. If he stays on his current pace he will fall short of career numbers in touchdowns and interceptions, but the numbers will be so close that I am sure you will all be happy with how he finishes out.

Injuries have caused a lot of players who we never thought would preform to step up and do just that. One in particular is Dallas Cowboys wide-out Laurent Robinson (DAL, 27). Miles Austin (DAL, 32) has been one of the Cowboys main go to guys in that offense for many years, however in 2011 injuries have sidelined the New Jersey resident two different times. In those injury-riddled stints Robinson has stepped up big time for the proclaimed America’s Team. During weeks 3 and 4 when Austin missed time due to a hamstring injury, Robinson combined for 10 grabs and 165 yards receiving. Following the bye week Miles Austin returned to the field, however besides that first game against the Patriots, Robinson has out preformed Miles Austin in every week. Specifically in weeks 8 and 9 when Robinson reeled in 10 passes from Tony Romo (DAL, 10) for 135 yards and 2 scores combined. Austin hurt himself again in the week 9 contest against Seattle, and there was Robsinon stepping it up again in week 10 converting 3 passes for 73 yards and 2 scores. Austin will be hurt for a few more weeks, so it is safe to say Robinson will get the looks, and with 4 TD grabs in the last three weeks Robinson will be a nice WR 2  / Flex spot going forward.

A few weeks ago I told you about wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald (ARI, 6) and Roddy White (ATL, 19) being on the downturn. And while Roddy White is still dropping, Fitz has really picked it up. Shockingly a blessing in disguise came to the Cardinals when their new 60 million dollar quarterback Kevin Kolb (ARI, 24) went down with a foot injury causing back up John Skelton (ARI, 37) to step into the role. Since then Fitzgerald has been on fire, with more than 8 targets in each of Skeltons two games this year Fitz has amassed 11 catches for nearly 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in that span. Skelton clearly knows who his bread and butter is, something that Kolb couldn’t figure out. Going forward his matchups aren’t amazing, but his ability is, and he should be just fine especially if Skelton continues to target his main guy.

I find it hard to believe that in all of this time writing for TheFantasyFix.com that I have yet to mention Shady (LeSean) McCoy (PHI, 1). McCoy has been an absolute monster in 2011 both on the ground and through the air. McCoy currently sits #1 among all half backs in fantasy points nearly 20 points higher than the #2 HB in non-PPR leagues and 10 points higher in PPR leagues. He is second in the NFL in rushing yards, first in rushing touchdowns, top 10 in receptions for HBs and second for TD receptions by HBs. McCoy is the only real option on the ground for the Eagles outside of Vick of course. They are getting him the ball regularly and will continue to do so making him one of the most consistent guys in the NFL this year. 

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FALL:

The law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE, 26) has taken a hiatus over the last few weeks. After back-to-back promising games for the Patriots running back in week 4 and 5, Green-Ellis hasn’t been able to put anything together. Since week 6 BenJarvus only has a total of 127 yards rushing in 4 games, including two games of fewer than 10 yards. In each of the four games BJGE has yet to collect double-digit fantasy points with two big fat zeros mixed in. Because of the Patriots poor passing defense it seems as if their offense is turning more towards the pass every week looking to put up points fast and often. This is hurting BenJarvus’ value and at this point should probably be benched.

Another running back that hasn’t been able to get anything going is Cedric Benson (CIN, 28). I mentioned a few weeks ago that if Benson can find the end zone he would be a pretty reliable halfback, but since saying that, he hasn’t found the end zone but once and that was against the Colts, arguably one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Benson has only three double-digit fantasy point games this year and hasn’t scored more than 18 all season long. Unlike Green-Ellis whose value is hurt by the passing game, Benson’s value is damaged because he just doesn’t seem to be able to run the ball efficiently. Benson has rushed for more than 15 times in every game this season including 4 games of 19 or more, he just isn’t getting the job done.  Much like BenJarvus, Benson should be a bench player / bye week filler at this point.

With Kenny Britt (TEN, 56) playing, Nate Washington (TEN, 28) was one of the leagues top #2 wide receivers. With three straight weeks of double-digit fantasy points, Washington exceeded 5 catches or 60 yards in each of the first five games of the season. Then came the injury to Britt. Nate hasn’t recorded more than 40 yards since, and in that span only has one double-digit performance. Because Washington has become the go to guy in Tennessee it has been easier for defenses to lock on him forcing the rest of the Titans offense to step up, and as we have seen that hasn’t happened.

And as always I am available to answer any and all questions from 10am – 12pm on Sunday. 

(November 5, 2011 – Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)