As the regular season of baseball turns into the playoffs, the temperature changes dramatically in the Midwest. Sadly, backyard cookouts turn into backyard bonfires. Shorts turn into sweats. Swimming pools and amusement parks close for the year. Actually, that last item is not a bad thing. After Halloween, the Great America commercials end. That rubber-faced freak haunts me all summer long. I have changed my television viewing habits so I record everything that I watch just so I can skip over the commercials. Sadly, I cannot bring myself to do that with live sporting events. Whenever I stop the DVR during the game to get a snack or tasty beverage, I have to ignore the computer and the phone just in case I happen across an updated score.
While I enjoy a good summer day, there is something to be said for cooler temperatures when at a football game. Aside from knocking the heat down from 50k+ people, it also allows for a bit more buffer space to slide in a flask of encouragement for doing The Wave. Now if I could just attend a college game that results in a wagering victory, all would be right with the world. At least life is good at Soldier Field for my 3-1 Bears.
However, my Bears are on Bye this week. So, this Sunday is definitely all about fantasy football. Along with the Bears, some high-scoring players are off as the Packers have the week off along with the Saints and Chargers. Big point producers are getting a break. This is where MFS has a nice feature. If your league features Bye Week Rollover, you could have actually gambled on Aaron Rodgers or Matt Forte having a big week last week and you could have captured Week 4's points and used them in Week 5 as well. Of course, you could have suffered the opposite fate if you decided to roll Drew Brees' points over to Week 5. If you don't have that option employed in your league, you may need some fill-in players for this week. Pickins are slim….
QB Derek Anderson (CLE) – Anderson kept the Browns close enough for them to win last week if the defense could have made a big play. After the Braylon Edwards trade, he is left with a stable of young receivers. Anderson's big arm and a wee bit of confidence makes him a nice sleeper at Buffalo if you need a Bye-week fill-in.
WR Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) – Anderson overlooked his former favorite WR, Braylon Edwards, and focused on Massaquoi all day last Sunday (13 Looks). While Cleveland is hard to count on, Massaquoi could be a nice grab off the waiver wire. After the Edwards trade, Chansi Stuckey would be worth a look as well.
WR Austin Collie (IND) – Peyton Manning has always been one to have a favorite WR but enjoy spreading the ball around. While we have been recommending Pierre Garcon, Manning has been turning his attention to Collie more and more. He actually got three more Looks last weekend than Garcon and ended up with a nice day (6/65/1).
WR Sidney Rice (MINN) – Not only did Brett Favre figure out how to throw to Bernard Berrian, he has showed Rice a little more love each week; getting more opportunities each week and scoring in the past two. He is a big target and will continue to put up good numbers as long as he stays on Favre's good side.
TE Jermichael Finley (GB) – Young tight ends are a crapshoot, but after the numbers Finley put up Monday night (6/128/1), how can you not take a chance if you have a Bye week on your current TE after Week 5 or a player to put out to pasture? The Pack will continue to throw 2 out of every 3 plays.