Getty Gallery: 7/7
Start: QB Andrew Luck at Raiders
Sit: QB Cam Newton vs. Ravens
Luck's numbers from Week 7 look like you are reading a typo. The Colts quarterback threw for just 156 yards but had four touchdowns. It was an odd way to achieve his typical fantasy production, but Luck is back to his days as a must-start quarterback.
This week, he gets a great matchup against a Raiders team that seems to be waiting for the season to end. The Raiders rank in the bottom half of the league for passing yards allowed. Oakland is giving up the fourth most points per game at 29.3. Luck's recently spoke with ESPN about his desire to protect his body more so he can stay on the field.
"It's weird, but I am happy I chose -- in those two instances -- to do what I did," Luck explained to ESPN. "It's more important to be on the field as a quarterback. That's the truth. Certainly situationally, you will take hits. I'd like to think that if it was the fourth quarter in a really tight game that I would have put my shoulder down to get in the end zone and taken a hit. But within the context of this game, I think I did the right thing."
Luck has a chance to be one of the top fantasy quarterbacks this week. If he keeps up this pace, Luck is going to help some teams win fantasy championships.
Cam Newton Is Hard to Trust Against a Stout Ravens Defense
Newton is coming off a good fantasy performance against a tough Eagles team, but I don't trust him to make it two straight outings against the Ravens. Baltimore just held Drew Brees to 212 passing yards, not a great sign for Newton.
The Ravens rank second in the league against the pass, giving up just 190 yards per game. Baltimore is tops in the NFL in points allowed at just 14.4 points per game, close to three points ahead of the next team. Newton is hoping the Panthers can build some momentum after their big win over the Eagles.
"This place was as advertised, playing in a hostile environment but we overcame that and kept pushing through," Newton told WRAL. "Good teams have to win on the road and win close games and we did that...I took that one [loss to Redskins] extremely personal. I told myself if we get in that position I have to hold up my end. I didn't want to let anybody down."
If Newton is the only quarterback on your roster, I am not telling you to drop him. You would just be wise to modify your fantasy expectations in a bad matchup against the Ravens defense. There is a slight hope Newton could salvage the day with some rushing yards.