Week 10 — Use players on teams opposite bottom-feeders

Here at INDenver Times, we want to help out with the not-so-obvious fantasy football decisions and maybe help you find a quality pickup or two. We’re also going to delve into fantasy-related topics (lineup strategies, crafting a credible trade offer, approach to free agents) because there really is more to this game than throwing popular names into your lineup.

With a little help from my friends Paulie, Chris and EZ, we’re going to start bringing you weekly fantasy football coverage every Friday. Please feel free to use the comments link to post questions about your team or the topics you would like more information about. We’ll respond as quickly as possible.

WEEK 10

LACE ’EM UP – Three players to start

1. I’m beginning to notice a trend here: The NFL is so top and bottom heavy this year that it’s officially now a good idea just to find players to start on teams that are playing Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis, to name a few. On that note, if you want to play a matchup, both Minnesota WRs Sydney Rice and Percy Harvin, are good options against the Lions.

2. I’m a dance-with-the-prettiest-girl kind of guy, but I honestly did think about starting Ravens QB Joe Flacco against the Browns over Tom Brady in my lineup this week. It won’t be the worst decision ever if you do decide to make that kind of swap.

3. Per their first matchup, we learned the Bengals have enough secondary help to cover Steelers wide-outs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, but they do not have enough to cover Mike Wallace, who is quietly putting together a solid fantasy campaign.

RIDE THE PINE – Three players to sit

1. Unless you don’t have any other options, we’re not so sure about Broncos RBs Knowshon Moreno this week. Yes, the Redskins are a mess, but they actually do play pretty well on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Bengals QB Carson Palmer has enjoyed a fantasy renaissance in 2009, but that Pittsburgh D is looking to send him back to the dark ages.

3. Staying with that huge Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game, don’t be afraid to sit Santonio Holmes (see above). I know I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but I started Holmes in the Steelers’ first contest against the Bengals and he put up a 1. I had DeSean Jackson on the bench and he put up a 26. I lost by 12. Don’t repeat my mistakes!

FANTASY BREAKDOWN: Don’t be fooled by big names and big numbers

JOSH: All right, Paulie, a lot of owners are looking to make a few trades and make a few key pickups to solidify their team coming down the stretch. What’s the biggest mistake we constantly see owners make in these deals and acquisitions?

PAUL: Overpaying. Either overpaying for names or for the year-to-date statistics. Remember, the deal is only as good as what the guys do from here on out.

JOSH: A couple of months I ago, I got crucified in our dynasty league because I traded Larry Johnson for Greg Olsen, Jeremy Maclin and Edgerrin James. Sure, Edge died two years ago, but that deal’s not looking too shabby for me now, huh?

PAUL: Exactly. You guessed that LJ was done, and you guessed right. Last week we saw Westbrook traded for Shonn Greene. Are you out of the playoffs in a keeper league? Greene has a brighter future.

JOSH: True. Explain to us a little bit more how owners can get enamored with the YTD stats.

PAUL: Well, a guy like Chris Johnson is a great example. If I am looking to make a move, he’s NOT the guy I go after. His value will never be higher, and at best you hope he keeps pace. I’d target a Matt Forte type because you can get him much cheaper. And you’re telling me you are shocked if Forte puts up anything close to CJ? I’m not, and I didn’t have to give up Andre Johnson to get him. But don’t miss my point here, buddy: I would RATHER have CJ than Forte. It’s about market prices, not comparisons.

JOSH: Agreed. Before we go, can we just talk about Jay Cutler’s historic performance from Thursday night? First time ever a QB threw for over 300 yards, threw five interceptions and the team did not score an offensive touchdown. Wow! The crazy thing is, in some leagues, he didn’t actually kill owners. That’s how good his bad performance was!

PAUL: Yeah, that was crazy. You don’t see that every day.

JOSH: In our dynasty league, he scored eight fantasy points. Can you imagine if you give him back the 10 he lost from the INTs and maybe add a TD or two? It could have been a great night. I guess my point is that if most any other QB threw five picks in a game, they’d have something like a minus 6 or lower in fantasy, but he still finished with an 8!! That’s what’s impressive.

PAUL: For real! Five picks usually kills you. Still, you thought you had a franchise guy in Cutler after he blew up last week, but 8’s are not gonna get it done.