It doesn’t matter how good your computer is — amount of RAM, modem speed, a ground-breaking operating system; none of that matters — if your Internet connection is choppy, you’re going to have a hard time conducting business online.
Josh Gordon is a military-grade machine who racks up fantasy points by the terabyte. But Gordon has a problem. His connection is unstable.
The Browns wide receiver was downloading a massive fantasy season — even with backup QB Jason Campbell (filling on for injured Brian Hoyer), before Campbell suffered a concussion in Week 12. Brandon Weeden, who was demoted to backup earlier this season, provided a workable patch last week, when he and Gordon linked up for a 261 yards and two TDs. But now Weeden is out with a concussion.
If Campbell is unable to return or can’t make it through this week’s battle with the Patriots, then Gordon will have to rely on Caleb Hanie or Alex Tanney to get him the ball. That is a recipe for a system crash.
It’s bad enough Gordon could encounter problems with his passing link, he also will have to deal with the technical difficulties of facing a Bill Belichick-coached team, which happens to have shut-down cornerback Aqib Talib likely monitoring Gordon’s every keystroke.
Belichick’s teams are good at eliminating the one thing an opposing offense does best, so expect the Pats to focus on putting Gordon into quarantine. Belichick is a virus, and with a fourth- or fifth-string QB possibly at the controls, it will be a hard drive for Gordon to come even remotely close to his production of the past three weeks.
You can’t bench Gordon for just anyone, but this collection of data suggests you should access players you otherwise have filed away on the bench behind the star WR. If benching Gordon opens a lineup spot for Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, DeSean Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald or the like, or if you’re flush at RB and get a third solid starter in the Flex position, make the change and press “return.”
Gordon normally is a “CAPS LOCK” starter, but with your entire fantasy season in danger of getting wiped clean, your cache at risk of being emptied in the first round of the playoffs, turn those caps off and save Gordon for later.
BIG WEEKS
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Titans, at Broncos
The Tennessee backup was strong for three weeks prior to last week’s dud. Broncos have given up a combined seven passing TDs in the past three weeks.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Cardinals, vs. Rams
With banged-up backup Andre Ellington likely out, Mendy will continue to get healthy dose of carries. St. Louis has given up rushing TDs in all but four games this year.
Kenny Stills, WR, Saints, vs. Panthers
The Carolina defense has gotten some deserved praise recently, but overlooked is its weakness defending the deep pass. They’ve been burned deep multiple times the past couple weeks, and Stills is a bona fide deep threat.
Jordan Cameron, TE, Browns, at Patriots
If Pats defense focuses on Josh Gordon, that should leave Cameron open. TEs normally run more check-down routes, and inexperienced/backup QBs tend to rely more on check-downs.
SMALL WEAKS
Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers, vs. Seahawks
Should improve with return of Michael Crabtree, but not this week. Seattle has his number — fewer than 300 total passing yards, with one TD and four INTS in two games vs. Seahawks.
Fred Jackson, RB, Bills, at Buccaneers
Backfield mate C.J. Spiller looked last week as if he had recaptured his explosiveness, meaning the distribution could start to lean in Spiller’s favor. Facing an underrated Tampa Bay run defense doesn’t help.
Eric Decker, WR, Broncos, vs. Titans
Coming off remarkable game — 174 yards, four TDs. Forgotten: one catch for 5 yards the previous week. Don’t be surprised if Wes Welker post better numbers against stiff Titans pass defense.
Carolina, DEF/ST, Panthers, at Saints
If you have roster room to carry a second defense, find one this week. As good a Carolina D has been, trust no unit against Drew Brees & Co. in the Superdome.
Giovani Bernard vs. Shane Vereen
Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start this week:
Loftis: Bernard — The Colts have given up at least 100 yards rushing in six of past eight games, and four TDs on the ground in the past four. Bernard splits time with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but give me a two-man backfield over the Patriots three-man circus — between Vereen, LaGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden (and that’s assuming Stevan Ridley doesn’t play again, which would make it even murkier). Browns haven’t given up rushing TDs in five straight games.
Serby: Vereen — Bill Belichick’s doghouse for fumble-prone Stevan Ridley has unleashed Vereen (28-220-1 TD receiving in four games), who has earned the trust of Tom Brady in the passing game while getting his touches (20 over the last two weeks) on those infrequent occasions when Brady chooses to hand off. The Patriots defense will feast on Jason Campbell, offering Brady more opportunities, and with Rob Gronkowski demanding so much attention, Vereen will flourish, too shifty in space for the Cleveland linebackers.