My season's on the line: NEED HELP!

[NinerRider]

Ok, so I need to win this week clinch the final playoff spot.

I should've clinched this week but had Frank Gore and Drew Brees sitting on the bench combining for 50+ points while I started Ben Rothleisberger and Clinton Portis who combined for a whopping 3+ points. :nonono:

Anyway, should I go with Brees vs TB or Big Ben vs Cincy? Marion Barber will be starting at RB, but should I start Frank Gore vs CAR, Clinton Portis vs Buffalo or even Thomas Jones vs Miami (He hasn't scored a TD all season, but isn't he due?)

Then at WR my options are Wes Welker, Donald Driver, Steve Smith, Brandon Marshall or Patrick Crayton. I'm pretty sure Welker and Driver are starting, but do I start Steve Smith vs SF or Brandon Marshall vs OAK?

Also, I have GB D and don't feel good about starting them vs Dallas' potent offense, should I pick up NYJ Def going against Miami?

All opinions are appreciated!

[NinerRider]

This is a multiple choice poll.

[NinerRider]

Ok, what's with all the views but no votes? I need help folks! :laugh:

[majesstik1]

Ben - Cincy has had some real trouble defending the pass. Holmes could be back to help PITs passing game, and they need to re-establish themselves this week.

Portis - Playing with a heavy heart may inspire him to take things out on a banged up BUF defense.

Smith - We're just giving up too many yards in the air, and elite WRs kill us. If Carr starts again, remove this pick.

NYJ - Beck has done well in protecting the ball, but I don't see GB doing much to slow down DALs offense. At least NY may keep the score down, and may get a fumble recovery.

[NinerRider]

Portis - Playing with a heavy heart may inspire him to take things out on a banged up BUF defense.

Smith - We're just giving up too many yards in the air, and elite WRs kill us. If Carr starts again, remove this pick.



These are the two I'm having the most trouble with.

Portis had a few nice weeks, but the last two games he hasn't done much for me. Plus, Gore was a teammate of Taylor's as well for a while, but I guess it would hit harder for Portis since they were teammates on the Skins. I'd hate to decide my season based on an emotional decision.

Maybe I go with an all Canes backfield and bench Barber? GB rush defense is pretty tough.

As for Smith, if Testaverde is in, I'm definitely going with Smith, but if it's Carr I'll probably start Brandon Marshall over him.

[Ace Matherton]

Way too early in the week for this but right now i'd go:

Drew Brees
Ben Rothleisberger
Frank Gore
Clinton Portis
Steve Smith
Brandon Marshall
GB Defense
NYJ Defense

B Roth, Gore, Portis, Marshall, Welker, Driver, GB (if Testeverde plays sub in Smith for Driver)

As for the defense it only matters what scorring you have. If you have large negative points for defensive points given up NYJ would be better, but in pretty much any other scorring format GB would be the way to go. They will get more sacks and turnovers and have a better return game.

[NinerRider]

Way too early in the week for this but right now i'd go:

Drew Brees
Ben Rothleisberger
Frank Gore
Clinton Portis
Steve Smith
Brandon Marshall
GB Defense
NYJ Defense

B Roth, Gore, Portis, Marshall, Welker, Driver, GB (if Testeverde plays sub in Smith for Driver)

As for the defense it only matters what scorring you have. If you have large negative points for defensive points given up NYJ would be better, but in pretty much any other scorring format GB would be the way to go. They will get more sacks and turnovers and have a better return game.

So you wouldn't be worried about Portis' lack of production the past two weeks?

I don't know, tough to sit someone who just had 100+ yards and a TD for someone who had 60+ 0 TDs and 2 fumbles.

Right now, I'm leaning towards this lineup:


Ben
Welker
Driver
Marshall (Smith, if Vinny starts)
Gore
Barber
Vernon Davis
NYJ

Just sucks that Barber and Driver play tomorrow, otherwise I'd have a few more days to think about it.

[Ace Matherton]

Packers have allowed 4 rushing TD's all season second lowest to Pitt who has 2. Rushing yards they are 10th lowest point total. Barber facing that D with the RBBC approach they have to me reaks of a 40-60 yards performance. Gore is hot you have to start him, so its Portis or Barber. Buffalo has alowed 9 TD's (9th most in the league) on the ground, has the 3rd highest YPR against average at 4.4 and has allwoed the 10th most yards in the league to RB's. The numbers say Portis over Barber, i almost always go the way the numbers tell me but i certainly could not fault you for going on instinct.


As for the special teams, the returner is only half the value to a ST pat of a defense in FF, just as important are the kicking games which in large part determine the ability of the offense to score rapidly and what kind of plays they can call. Counting on any production from a return man results in falure more time than not, sans Hester no return man in the league will have more than a 1 in 4 chance of getting a TD in a game so unless your getting massive points for return yards its moot point.

[NinerRider]

Packers have allowed 4 rushing TD's all season second lowest to Pitt who has 2. Rushing yards they are 10th lowest point total. Barber facing that D with the RBBC approach they have to me reaks of a 40-60 yards performance. Gore is hot you have to start him, so its Portis or Barber. Buffalo has alowed 9 TD's (9th most in the league) on the ground, has the 3rd highest YPR against average at 4.4 and has allwoed the 10th most yards in the league to RB's. The numbers say Portis over Barber, i almost always go the way the numbers tell me but i certainly could not fault you for going on instinct.


As for the special teams, the returner is only half the value to a ST pat of a defense in FF, just as important are the kicking games which in large part determine the ability of the offense to score rapidly and what kind of plays they can call. Counting on any production from a return man results in falure more time than not, sans Hester no return man in the league will have more than a 1 in 4 chance of getting a TD in a game so unless your getting massive points for return yards its moot point.


Ok, you make a good case for starting Portis over Barber, I think I'm now leaning towards benching Barber, but it'll likely be a game-time decision tonight.

I'm officially starting Steve Smith since Vinny is playing, but still unsure about whether to sit Driver or Marshall. Marshall had a nice game vs the Bears, but much of that was on one play. Driver was solid with 10 for 147, but 0 TDs, as has been the case since like week or 3, but I keep thinking, "he's due" Plus Raiders are better vs the pass than the Cowboys and Greg Jennings should be seeing more and more double teams since he's been on fire.

[NinerRider]

Well, good thing I benched Barber. He only got 3.90 points. And REALLY good thing I benched GB defense, they got me -2.00 points, :laugh:

I started Driver and he got me 3.30 points, man, if only I knew Crayton was going to score 2 TDs!