Erin Skelley, aka "Erin the Fantasy Girl" on Texans Radio/Sports Radio 610 in Houston, dishes out waiver wire magic for Week 11.
So now do you feel my pain? Most of us in fantasyland deal with the weekly ups and downs of our players. From injuries to slumps to stupid penalties, it's part of the game. All of us deal with this. Show me someone, anyone not impacted.
Oh right, almost all of us.
That is, unless you own Peyton Manning. That lucky little elite club is coasting through a peachy 2013 season with a playoff berth already secured. I mean, what could possibly derail Peyton's season? He doesn't slump, so yes – yikes – an injury is the only answer. During Sunday's Broncos-Chargers contest, Manning received a questionable blow to the leg. As he gripped his ankle, Broncos' fans and Manning owners could be heard across the country. NOOOOOO!
Don't worry, he's fine. Might have a little limp as he torches his next opponent for 400 yards. Might have a little skip in his step as he throws for 200 more touchdowns this year. Blindfolded. But he'll be just fine. You can exhale.
I do want to remind you that most of the faux football community deals with drama like this EVERY SINGLE WEEK. So, of course, I'm glad your little trophy quarterback will rebound. But please, for Peyton's sake, I insist that you rest him the duration of the season. You know, for Peyton.
Here are this week's waiver wire pickups for poor fools, like me, whose teams are battered, bruised or just not performing:
Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – This is a repeat automated announcement. Pick up Foles. So he didn't toss seven touchdowns this time, but I'll settle for three. Next up is Washington who has a weakness for quarterbacks. Available in 33 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants – I can't keep up with all these Giants running backs either. The Giants desperately needed Brown to rebound from a pre-season leg injury, as their other running options have disappeared. Brown answered the call with 115 yards and a touchdown. Strong recommendation on this guy. Available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Bobby Rainey and Brian Leonard, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Which one do you choose? Tampa Bay backs contributed Monday night when Mike James left early with a season-ending ankle injury. Leonard looked like the early favorite, finishing with 57 yards on 10 carries. But Rainey dazzled with a 31-yard run, and a 1-yard touchdown, totaling 45 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries. It appears to be timeshare, with Rainey being the favored back. Rainey and Leonard are respectably available in 97 percent and 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Riley Cooper, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – I know he made the list last week, but I only kinda meant it. Now it's legit. His 139 yards and 3 touchdowns last week were respectfully matched with 102 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Thinking Foles has a favorite target. Available in 49 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Case Keenum, QB, Houston Texans – Another tough loss for the Texans but another solid outing for Case, who threw 201 yards for three touchdowns. Lots of good matchups ahead for the second-year Coog, including week 11 opponent, the Raiders, who surrender the ninth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Available in 70 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams – And that's why he's a first-round draft pick. Like you, I've been scratching my head all season wondering when we'd see the speedy rookie do something. So yes, two receiving touchdowns on 138 yards, and a 98-yard punt-return TD are fantastic. But buyer beware, prior to Sunday he had only 207 yards and one touchdown. Deep leagues only. And P.S., he's on a bye this week. Available in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She'll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.
