You’re going to have to wake up earlier than usual to set your fantasy football lineups this week, with the Falcons and Lions kicking off in London at 9:30 a.m. EDT time, so if you want to keep winning, you will have to cancel or limit your Saturday night activities. You want to be enjoying scrambled eggs while your opponent scrambles for information.
It looks like you may have to prepare your Sunday morning feast with two of the top receivers, so here’s how you should cook up a winning roster without some key ingredients.
• Lions WR Calvin Johnson is listed as questionable with his lingering ankle problem and likely will be a game-time decision. As we have already seen with Megatron, being active doesn’t mean being effective. Play it safe with another option.
• Bengals WR A.J. Green (toe) was not able to practice this week, and when a player cannot participate in a Friday session, his outlook does not often look promising for a Sunday game. Expect to see Green out again this week, and his absence makes the Ravens defense a strong play. Mohamed Sanu is a risky start as he continues to assume No. 1 WR duties for Cincinnati.
• Lions RB Reggie Bush (ankle) also looks like he will be out for the Lions. The appeal of Joique Bell skyrockets, as the Falcons are allowing a league-high 27.8 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. Bell is the type of back who plays best when he gets consistent work. Theo Riddick may be mixed in as well.
• Colts WR Reggie Wayne (elbow) will not play against the Steelers. Hakeem Nicks may get the start in his place, but he has not looked good this year and should not be in your lineups. Keep an eye on promising rookie Donte Moncrief, who could start to become a more integral part of the Colts passing game.
• The Saints will be without RBs Pierre Thomas (shoulder) and possibly Khiry Robinson (arm) against the Packers. Green Bay has the second-worst run defense overall, so expect Mark Ingram to regain his early-season form and plug in the versatile RB Travaris Cadet at your flex spot.
• Denard Robinson has a chance to fully seize the Jaguars starting RB job with a good performance against Miami. But solving the tough Dolphins front may prove to be a tall task after a breakout game vs. the injury-riddled Browns. You may want to sit Robinson against Miami’s 10th-ranked run defense.
• Anthony Dixon likely will start for Buffalo at RB this week. He is the guy you plug in if you need immediate RB help. Bryce Brown, though, should be monitored and stashed for his upside.
• This is not the week to start new Jets WR Percy Harvin. No one knows for sure what his snap count will be, and there are much better options who should be targeted more. He will help your team soon, though.
For more from Scott Engel and his team, watch FNTSY on Cablevision Ch. 147 and listen to the “RotoExperts in the Morning” on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio weekdays from 6-9 a.m.