Fantasy lesson number one: Fantasy sports are far from fantasies.
Fantasy sports dictate my life a little more than they should. I have traded away my sandwich and yogurt for Dwight Howard, gotten in trouble with my sixth grade teacher for gloating when I beat him in a matchup, and left in the middle of a movie after losing my fantasy basketball championship.
However, I am not the only one whose every waking moment is dominated by fantasy sports.
In “BHS Warriors,” a fantasy basketball league created by a group of juniors, league managers drew up an elaborate “constitution” that all members had to sign prior to last year’s season. After much arguing and bickering over the strict rules, a fraction of the league members staged a heroic coup d’état to overthrow one of the league managers and abolish the constitution. The league coined the historic revolt, “La Revolución.”
According to senior Ari Karchmer, league members of the “Eleven and a Half Man League” have never let senior Miles Morris live down his pick of running back David Wilson in the second round of this year’s draft. Wilson, who is now out for the year with a neck injury, is the cause of much pain and suffering for Morris. Karchmer said the members of the league are not afraid to take verbal jabs at Morris while he is walking down the hall or text him a reminder of exactly who his second round pick was.
In the “BHS Fantasy Football League,” juniors Jack Levine and Jonathan Bell refused to let a tie decide the result of their week five matchup. Instead, the two decided that they would turn to video games to decide who the ultimate victor would be. Thanks to a 38-35 win in a game of Madden, Bell has an extra digit in his wins column.
Here are my fantasy football recommendations for November.
Buy Low:
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)–Over the past three weeks, Ryan has accumulated over twice as many interceptions (7) as touchdowns (3). Much of his struggles can be attributed to a lack of weapons. However, wide receiver Roddy White is getting healthy, and tight end Tony Gonzalez is still formidable as Ryan’s security blanket. Look for the Falcons to throw the ball a lot more as they claw their way to playoff contention.
Ben Tate (RB, HOU)–Tate figures to be the starting running back in Texas now that Arian Foster is out for the year. Plagued with four broken ribs, Tate has yet to eclipse double digit fantasy points. In 2011 Tate rushed for 942 yards on only 175 carries. As he regains full health, expect Tate to become a top 15 running back.
Victor Cruz (WR, NYG)–We’ve only seen Cruz “salsa” in the back of the end zone four times this season. He has not scored a touchdown since week four. Cruz’s stats have dipped drastically recently due to the less than stellar play of his quarterback, Eli Manning. Although it pains me to say this, Manning is a very solid quarterback who has two Super Bowl rings. Cruz and Manning will find a way to get back to their winning ways.
Sell High:
Nick Foles (QB, PHI)–Foles made history in his week nine matchup against the Oakland Raiders, throwing for seven touchdowns. His sudden outburst came as a surprise to many fantasy owners, who attempted to snag the 24-year-old quarterback off of waivers. However, Michael Vick is only a couple of weeks away from returning, and Foles’ starting spot is far from guaranteed.
Knowshon Moreno (RB, DEN)–Moreno has the sixth most fantasy points out of all running backs and had scored the most touchdowns out of all running backs prior to week 10. The only problem is the Broncos are too good. Going forward, Denver will likely give the ball to Moreno’s backup, Montee Ball, during garbage time to increase his experience. Expect fewer and fewer touches from Moreno as the year progresses.
Jordy Nelson (WR, GB)–Nelson has been one of the most reliable fantasy weapons. He was also Aaron Rodgers’ most reliable weapon until Rodgers got hurt in week nine. No Packers’ wide receivers are reliable without Rodgers. If you are looking to make a late push into the playoffs, trade Nelson now.
Seth Coven can be contacted at [email protected].
