Giants stink in fantasy football, too

There is more on the line than just the Giants’ season when they take the field Sunday against the Eagles looking for their first win.

Fantasy owners everywhere are mourning the downfall in production by Eli Manning. They are sweating the long-term projections for Hakeem Nicks. They are worried about the use and performance of David Wilson. They are mystified by the disappearance of Brandon Myers.

Besides Victor Cruz, there has been no bankable member of Big Blue for your fantasy lineup. The past two weeks in particular have been troubling. You could discount a tough matchup last week against a tough Chiefs defense were it not for the no-show a week before against the seemingly vulnerable Panthers.

This week, they get another enticing matchup against an Eagles defense that ranks next to last in the league in points allowed (ahead of only the Giants).

This is it. This is the last time we allow ourselves to be fooled. If Eli & Co. don’t produce against this Philadelphia, we give up.
But we are giving them this one last chance.

We are starting Manning ahead of Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton. We are putting Nicks in our lineups at the expense of Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith and fellow dud Dwayne Bowe — but not ahead of DeSean Jackson.

We even are risking a spot on Wilson if our other backfield options are Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Mathews or DeAngelo Williams. But on those teams that haven’t yet waived Brandon Myers, we will wait for him to prove he is worth a start before forcing him into our lineup.

If they burn us this week, we’re done. Manning becomes a bye-week filler rather than a matchup consideration. We plant Nicks on the bench and start seriously considering sell-low options. We introduce Wilson to the trading block, with the waiver wire an eventual possibility.

So as the Giants take the field Sunday in an effort to save their season, we fantasy owners who have struggled with Big Blue stars ask: Can you please save ours as well?

BIG WEEKS

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles, at Giants

Runs a lot of plays, thus racks up a lot of yards. Giants, who have given more points than any team so far this season. Historically susceptible to running QBs. No pass rush, bad secondary on either side. Look for shoot-out.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars, at Rams

In the past two weeks, St. Louis has given up 401 rushing yards and four TDs to opposing RBs. One of few bright spots on schedule for Jags back.

Jeremy Kerley, WR, Jets, at Falcons

Jets could be without banged up WRs Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill against Atlanta secondary that has been kind to opposing pass catchers.

Coby Fleener, TE, Colts, vs. Seahawks

Seattle gave up some big plays to Greg Olsen in Week 1 and were torched by Texans TEs last week.

SMALL WEAKS

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers, vs. Texans

After huge Week 1, Kaepernick has failed to notch a 200-yard game. He has just two TD passes offset by four INTs in that time. We have no confidence in Houston winning a game vs. a quality opponent, but we do think the Texans can curtail fantasy success.

Chris Johnson, RB, Titans, vs. Chiefs

Averaging fewer than 70 yards a game with zero TDs. Now he has backup QB against league’s third-stingiest fantasy run defense.

Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens, at Dolphins

Coming off his first big game of the season (166 yards, one TD). But expect Ravens to acknowledge run game this week (nine runs, 50 passes last week). Dolphins defense underrated.

Chicago, DEF/ST, Bears, vs. Saints

Second straight week Bears have difficult task. Saints QB Drew Brees doesn’t take a lot of sacks, and his team does score a lot of points.

Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start this week: DeSean Jackson or Hakeem Nicks