If you have Christine Michael on your Fantasy roster right now, you should be feeling good. He is just outside the Top 10 among Fantasy running backs in standard NFL.com leagues with 72.10 total points, and he is coming off his second 20-point Fantasy performance of the year. Arizona, this week's opponent, allows 13.32 Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing running backs, fourth-best on NFL.com, but Michael's volume and consistent scoring opportunities as a finisher on the Seahawks offense make him a certain start regardless of opponent.
Other Fantasy owners may not be as fortunate as you, as bye week and injury issues have trimmed the amount of reliable running backs available. If you have Michael, you can simply lock him in and not be concerned about a key starting slot, and that is a luxury some of your opponents may not have right now. But you could also be reading this and need another solid option to pair with Michael. If you search diligently and carefully, there are viable options, not only potentially on your roster but also possibly available on free agency or through a trade.
Jamaal Charles is being eased back into action by the Chiefs, and faces the Saints, who allow the most FFPG to opposing RBs on NFL.com, at a rate of 28.32 per game. Charles looked sharp last week and can produce well enough even with something of a limited workload. Jacquizz Rodgers should start again for Tampa Bay, and the 49ers allow 25.27 FFPG to the position, third most on NFL.com. New England's James White is very involved in the Patriots offense right now, and he is a quality option in PPR formats. Mike Davis may see a lot of quality work this week, and Tampa Bay allows 21.78 FFPG to the position. He's a good bet for some goal-line chances this week. If you are desperate for a plugger, consider Tennessee's Derrick Henry, as the Titans may run often, not just with DeMarco Murray, against a Colts defense that allows 117.7 rushing yards per game.
Arizona has the league's third-best pass defense and allows 12.14 FFPG to opposing passers, third-best on NFL.com. Russell Wilson, however, has thrown for 579 yards over the past two games and should still get QB1 Fantasy consideration this week. Wilson has a 120-plus QB rating in three of his past four games against the Cardinals.
Andy Dalton is a very good start against a Browns defense that has allowed an AFC-high 16 TD passes. Kirk Cousins is another good streamer, as only the Lions have surrendered more scoring passes than the Browns (17). Blake Bortles looked good running the hurry-up offense late in a comeback win over Chicago last week, and he takes on the Raiders, who have the league's lowest-ranked pass defense. Marcus Mariota has thrown three TD passes in consecutive weeks, and is arguably the best streamer of all vs. the Colts' 29th-ranked pass defense. You can also consider Colin Kaepernick when you note that his rushing abilities give him some additional output and can bolster his totals in any given week.
The Cardinals allow only 2.20 standard Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing tight ends, the best mark on NFL.com. But even the Arizona defense will have a lot to handle with Jimmy Graham, who has reclaimed his place among Fantasy Football's elite players at his position. Graham is aiming for his fourth consecutive game with six-plus receptions and 85-plus receiving yards. He's a must-start in all seasonal formats.
San Diego's Hunter Henry has defied the usual adage that rookie tight ends don't make an impact in Fantasy Football. He is learning well from future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates in addition to flashing natural pass-catching skills, and is a TE1 this week against an Atlanta defense that allows a standard 12.63 FFPG to the position on NFL.com. Julius Thomas certainly deserves starting consideration against Oakland. Charles Clay should give you pretty good PPR numbers against his former team, the Dolphins. Dennis Pitta is also a decent starting option against the Jets.
The Cardinals allow 21.40 standard FFPG to opposing wide receivers, 10th on NFL.com. Doug Baldwin has 100-plus receiving yards in two of his past three games against the Cards, and remains a sound WR2 Fantasy start this week, as Wilson is sure to get him back involved in the primary offensive flow in a key divisional matchup. Fantasy leaguers should continue to roster Tyler Lockett, as he can flash his big-play ability at any time, and Wilson could look his way this week when the Cardinals may be focused heavily on Graham and Baldwin.
Jeremy Maclin should be in starting lineups for sure as he takes on the Saints. The Raiders give up 28.07 FFPG to WRs, most among AFC teams. This should be the week when Allen Robinson has his best game of 2016 so far, and Allen Hurns should get into your lineup if you need to plug a hole. The Lions allow 27.43 FFPG to WRs, fourth-most on NFL.com. DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder can be confidently utilized as Detroit takes on the Redskins. The Jets secondary has looked very vulnerable to the big play this year, so start Mike Wallace as a WR3. Kenny Britt is enjoying a resurgence with the Rams, and the Giants allow 24.43 FFPG to WRs.Â
Tennessee's defense has risen to fifth in the league in sacks and is a fine start against Indianapolis. The Ravens are second in the league with eight interceptions and are a top play vs. the Jets. Philadelphia is fifth with 56 defensive points on NFL.com and should still be started against the Vikings. Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins is second at his position with 60 points, yet is only owned in 41.5 percent of NFL.com leagues. Invest a bit of research in the kicker position, and you'll find that he and other top scorers such as Matt Bryant and Josh Lambo are widely available. Kickers can save your team in some weeks, do don't totally ignore the position as many other owners are doing.
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