RADIO
Rex Ryan is trying his hardest to hype up this week's Thursday Night Football matchup between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, wearing helmets into his press conferences and appointing team captains that may rustle a few feathers. But if there's one thing that Jets fans know for sure, it is that his pre-game antics doesn't always necessarily lead to winning football.
It's an AFC East rivalry game with a ton of roster connections from both sides, and the weather is leaning towards being messy (80% precipitation). The game should be fun, so lets dissect some must-play (and must-sit) fantasy choices below.
Bills @ Jets - Thursday Night Analysis
Karlos Williams and LeSean McCoy: With running back options thin across most leagues, I'm playing both running backs even with McCoy not being 100% with a shoulder issue. If I had to pick between the two, I'm leaning towards playing Karlos Williams over McCoy.
In every game he has played in, Williams has posted double-digit fantasy points and has scored a touchdown (the seventh player in NFL history to score a touchdown in each of his first five games). Williams will probably be even more involved with McCoy's health at least being a slight issue, and Williams' ability to sniff out the end zone is second-to-none. Going against the Jets run defense isn't an A+ matchup, but until he slows down he deserves to be in lineups.
Sammy Watkins: Complaining about touches seemed to have paid off for at least one week, as Sammy Watkins had his best fantasy game of the season last week against the Miami Dolphins. The return of Tyrod Taylor certainly boosts Watkins value, but he did tweak his ankle and should have Darrelle Revis on him for the majority of the game. Watkins is not a WR2 this week, but it would be tough to leave him out of any flex spot after last week's outburst. Ryan is going to let Taylor take a few shots down field, and Watkins should be the primary target on them. In my personal opinion, I would wait until next week to use Watkins again.
Tyrod Taylor: The Jets secondary may have actually improved with Antonio Cromartie being doubtful for the TNF game, as Marcus Williams and the recently activated Dee Milliner will see more snaps. With a banged-up Watkins and McCoy, I'm choosing a player like Blake Bortles over Taylor this week if we're discussing similar options. With bad weather in the mix and the Jets coming off a four-turnover game against Jacksonville, Taylor is on my sit list along with Watkins.
Eric Decker: Eric Decker is the Karlos Williams of wide receivers. Decker has found the end zone often in 2015, scoring all games but one. He's been particularly effective in the first half of games recently, with six receptions in the first half against Jacksonville and four receptions in the first half against New England three weeks ago. He was even effective against Oakland when Ryan Fitzpatrick had to leave the game during the first drive. Both Decker and target-hog Brandon Marshall should be in all lineups.
Chris Ivory: When Chris Ivory has 20+ attempts he's at his most effective, as his running style wears down defenders of all kinds. With Nick Mangold back in the mix for the Jets and the weather leaning on the negative side, this feels like a 20+ attempt game for Ivory. When receiving at least 20 carries (four times), Ivory has reached 20+ fantasy points in three of those contests. Surprisingly, the one game he received 20 carries and didn't have 20 fantasy points was last week against the Jaguars, and he still ended up scoring two touchdowns. I highly doubt Fitzpatrick will be slinging it all over the yard against a blitzing Ryan defense, so Ivory should feast.
