Dissenting Opinions: Dougernaut or not?

Group-think can be an especially scary thing when it comes to fantasy football rankings. After all, the unpredictable nature of the NFL game is part of what makes fantasy football so popular, and why some people like to say that the NFL acronym stands for "No F****** Logic." But when one of our Yahoo fantasy football analysts veers particularly far away from the rankings consensus, our curious nature begs for an explanation. So, with that in mind, I've identified two players from our Week 4 rankings that our Yahoo analysts love/hate significantly more than the rest of us, and have asked them to explain their reasoning. I'll kick things off with a couple of my outliers:

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Love him: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Hou, QB - Funston QB rank No. 11 (Yahoo rank No. 16)

Facing his former Buffalo teammates, expect "The Bearded One" to transform into "The Bearded Wonder" on Sunday. Actually, Fitzpatrick is currently the No. 12 fantasy QB, so my ranking (No. 11)  is more in line with what he has done to this point than my colleagues. And facing a Bills defense that has yielded the ninth-most fantasy points to the QB position, I'm feeling good about Fitz once more delivering at a top 12 level. With Arian Foster dealing with a hamstring issue, Fitzpatrick, who threw a season-high 34 times last week, will likely continue to lean more on the passing game. Behind a line that has allowed just two sacks (second-best in the NFL), I think Fitzpatrick throws for 265 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions (hey, I didn't say it would be pretty).

Hate him: Jay Cutler, Chi, QB - Funston QB rank No. 15 (Yahoo No. 8)

The history card tells a damning story for Cutler when looking at his career against the division-rival Packers. Just once in his past eight meetings has he thrown for more than 226 yards, and he has a 7:12 TD-to-INT ratio in that span. Now I know that historical performance is overrated in terms of analysis because the NFL changes so quickly. But if we want to go on recent history between two teams that know each other well, I think it's valid. And in Cutler's past three meetings, he's averaging 162.3 passing yards and has a 4:6 TD-to-INT ratio. And we also have to factor in that Green Bay has been good in pass defense this season, allowing the fifth-lowest QB Rating (77.1) and 10th-fewest fantasy points to the QB position.

With Brandon Marshall slowed by a sore ankle, I think Cutler finishes with something like 235 passing yards (which would be his second-highest total of the year), two TD passes and a pick. That's middling fantasy production.

BRAD EVANS

Love him: Doug Martin, TB, RB - Evans RB rank No. 10  (Yahoo No. 15)

After Bobby Rainey’s choke job in last week’s throttling in Atlanta, I fully expect Doug Martin to receive every opportunity to regain his foothold as the featured back. The Tampa offensive line has its issues, but against a soft Steelers frontline that’s allowed 5.48 yards per carry to opposing backs, I anticipate a nice rebound game from the Muscle Hamster. Keep in mind sans Ike Taylor and with Mike Glennon now manning the controls, the Bucs offense should find success vertically setting up the RB with multiple goal-to-go situations.

Hate him: Andre Johnson, Hou, WR - Evans WR rank No. 26 (Yahoo No. 14)

Johnson scores about as often as a fantasy "expert" lands a date. He hasn’t crossed the chalk in 10 consecutive games. Outside Corey Graham, the Bills have played generally loose coverage this season. On the year they’ve allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs. Still, I suspect Graham, who’s given up a 37.5 catch percentage, to shadow Johnson most of the game, limiting the WR’s chances. Combine that with Houston’s willingness to pound the rock inside the red zone and the former All-Pro will struggle in Week 4.

SCOTT PIANOWSKI

Love him: Jordan Matthews, Phi, WR - Pianowski WR rank No. 28  (Yahoo No. 44)

I'm excited by what Mathews showed in Week 3 (in the box, 8-59-2, and on the tape), and I'm bullish on him going forward. Of course there are some caveats here: Chip Kelly likes the running game, too, and Riley Cooper remains ahead of Matthews for the moment, a blocking-heavy receiver. But I anticipate a changing of the guard coming soon, and when the upside is this great, I'd rather be a week early than a week late.

San Francisco's secondary? I'm not worried. The Bears and Cardinals found plenty of holes in it. I expect Nick Foles and Kelly to do the same.

Hate him: Doug Martin, TB, RB - Pianowski RB rank No. 23 (Yahoo No. 15)

What has Doug Martin done, exactly, to earn our trust? He averaged 3.6 yards a pop last year. He gave us nine carries, nine yards in Week 1. He's coming off a sore knee and didn't even play last week. Backup Bobby Rainey offers interesting competition, provided he can get control of his fumbling problems. I need a show-me week from Martin before I restore full privileges.

I recognize Pittsburgh has allowed some running production, but a lot of that has come late in games - Baltimore's backs were silent until the endgame. If Tampa Bay were the favored team in this spot, I could call for some of those late-arriving downhill yards. But I'm expecting Mike Glennon to be in comeback mode, not handoff mode, as this game wraps up. (Buy low on Vincent Jackson? You bet. Buy low on Doug Martin? That's all you, captain.)

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ANDY BEHRENS

Love him: Frank Gore, SF, RB – Behrens RB rank No. 8 (Y! No. 14)

If you're a skittish Gore owner, I get it. Just realize that last week's dud performance had an awful lot to do with the opposing defense – Arizona has allowed just 2.9 YPC this season, and 71.7 rushing yards per game. This week's opponent isn't quite as frightening. My expectation is that San Francisco will ride Gore on Sunday in a must-win, as long as game situation allows it. (Related: As a Bears fan, I'm thrilled that the Niners only gave Gore 12 carries in Week 2. That was a gift.)
 
Hate him: Pierre Garcon, Was, WR – Behrens WR rank No. 18 (Yahoo No. 10)

I've got nothing against Garcon this week. In fact, I have him slotted as a solid WR2. But I try to reserve those top-10 spots in my ranks for receivers who commonly find the end-zone, and that ain't Pierre. Not every game is going to look like last Sunday's Nintendo nonsense at the Linc.

DALTON DEL DON

Love him: Marques Colston, NO, WR - Del Don WR rank No. 17 (Yahoo No. 25)

He's no doubt coming off two disappointing games, but he did score a TD last week and had a nice Week 1. Colston has a long track record of success, is seemingly healthy and still looks like the Saints' No. 1 wide receiver. New Orleans/Dallas has the highest over/under (53.5 points) among all games this week, so expect a shootout Sunday night, which should benefit Colston, as the Saints' passing attack finally gets on track.

Hate him: Fred Jackson, Buf, RB - Del Don RB rank No. 32 (Yahoo No. 19)

He's averaging just 8.3 rushing attempts per game this season, as the volume simply hasn't been there. Jackson contributes as a receiver, but I don't love the matchup in Houston. Especially with all of this week's byes, I'm not saying Jackson isn't worth starting, but he's more of a low-end flex in my view.