With fantasy football so popular, we decided to start our own Outsports team comprised of players who are LGBT supportive.
With no openly gay players in the league, the idea is to form a fantasy team from players who have shown their support for LGBT issues in interviews with us and other media.
Keep in mind that all of the players on our roster have expressed support of LGBT equality. Players benched are not against LGBT equality, but simply the players we do not feel you should start on your fantasy team this week.
Last week, Aaron Rodgers’s injury really hurt the team and nobody was able to really pick up the slack. A total of 64.72 points was all the team scored last week, and it would have resulted in a loss against any team in the Outsports Yahoo league.
Week 7 start/sits
Quarterback
Start: Russell Wilson vs. Giants
With Aaron Rodgers sidelined for the season with a broken collarbone, we are down to Wilson and Cam Newton for our quarterbacks. Both are interchangeable and it will depend on who has the better matchup week in and week out. New York gives up more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than Chicago does, and Wilson is well-rested after his bye week. Therefore, Team Outsports Equality is electing to start Wilson for the first time this season.
Sit: Cam Newton vs. Bears
I have no doubt that Cam will have a good game against the Bears. He may teach us a lesson by sitting him by going off for five touchdowns and 200 rushing yards. Wilson is a better choice to start, and that is the only reason Newton is sitting this week.
Running Back
Start: Jordan Howard vs. Panthers, Doug Martin vs. Bills
Howard was crucial in the Bears’ win against the Ravens last week as he carried the ball 36 times for 167 rushing yards. There is no way you can sit a guy like that. He’s a must-start every week and it is good to see he has not had a sophomore slump.
Martin enters the starting lineup for the first time this season. With a Buccaneers offense possibly entering Buffalo without their starting quarterback, it could be former Bills starter Ryan Fitzpatrick under center for the Bucs. If that’s the case, look for Tampa Bay to go to Martin early and often. Even if Jameis Winston plays, Martin is a great play as he has scored in each of the two games he has played in this season.
Sit: Mike Tolbert vs. Buccaneers, Giovani Bernard vs. Steelers, Frank Gore vs. Jaguars
Tolbert and Bernard will not receive the majority of the carries in their games on Sunday, making them ineffective starters unless you are in extremely deep leagues. Gore gets a sit this week because he faces a tough matchup against Jacksonville, one of the best rush defenses in the league.
Wide Receiver
Start: T.Y. Hilton vs. Jaguars, Robert Woods vs. Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins is on a bye, so we need to break up our strong power duo at wide receiver. Woods takes the place of Hopkins due to his very favorable matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals’ secondary has been Swiss cheese this season, giving up the third most fantasy points to wide receivers. Woods is likely on waivers this week, so picking him up would be a smart idea to use as a possible bye week replacement.
Sit: Eric Decker vs. Browns, Marquise Goodwin vs. Cowboys
Decker is not a terrible matchup after coming off of his best game with Tennessee, catching seven balls for 88 yards, but Woods is preferable. Goodwin also is not a terrible play but I want to see how Goodwin reacts to new 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard becoming the full-time starter.
Tight End
Start: Rob Gronkowski vs. Falcons
Gronk never got to play in the Super Bowl comeback against Atlanta last year. Now’s his chance. After a two touchdown performance last week against the Jets, he’s going to come close to matching that in what should be an emotional, high-scoring contest.
Sit: Martellus Bennett vs. Saints, Coby Fleener vs. Packers, Delanie Walker vs. Browns, Travis Kelce vs. Raiders.
Walker is not a bad play against Cleveland this week. However, he’s not Gronk, so that’s why he sits. Bennett worries me as a fantasy option now that Aaron Rodgers is not his quarterback anymore, and Coby Fleener had zero catches in a game in which the Saints scored 50+ points. He is not an integral part of their offense. It’s a short week for Kelce, and we prefer Gronk’s matchup.
Flex
Start: DeMarco Murray vs. Browns
In a game in which the Titans will more than likely be winning, it means a chance to run the ball more. That’s where Murray comes in. The Titans backfield is one of the most unpredictable in the league, but it is one of the most effective as well. Tennessee loves to run the football, and the Titans will run the ball down Cleveland’s throats on Sunday. Murray should be the beneficiary.
Defense
Start: Carolina Panthers vs. Bears
We are sticking with the Panthers defense this week for a couple of reasons. Carolina is on slightly more rest after losing last week’s Thursday night game, and Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky is going into only his third start. The Panthers will be the most challenging defense he has faced so far, so it would not surprise me if the Panthers go after him.
Kicker
Start: Brandon McManus vs. Chargers
With Matt Prater on a bye, we have no choice but to start McManus. He might still be on waivers, and if you stream kickers, McManus could be a good call this week against the Chargers in that LA soccer stadium.
This is your weekly reminder to check and make sure you sub out your players on bye.
This week’s teams on bye: Lions, Texans
LGBT focus
"Well I think we all have a responsibility," Wilson said abut equality at Seahawks training camp last month. "It's not just on athletes, it's not just on coaches, it's not just on anybody in particular. It's on all of us. I think ultimately it comes down to love and appreciating one another and respect for one another.
Read more on these players’ LGBT views:
- 14 NFL Pro Bowlers say they would welcome a gay teammate (from 2017)
- NFL players react to Michael Sam coming out (from 2014)
- 62 active NFL players who have made statements in support of gays (from 2013)
- Carson Palmer, 12 Indianapolis Colts Would Embrace Openly Gay Teammate (from 2013)
Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.