Against The Grain: Four Popular Picks You Should Stay Away From

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When the Sunday contest starts there will no doubt be some players who are big time favorites and are highly owned.  But should you follow the trend?  Here are four picks that you can let someone else have.

Pittsburgh Steeler Defense

There's no doubt that the Steelers are going to win this game.  It's at home and against one of the two worst teams in the NFL.  Unfortunately, fantasy defenses don't get points just for a win.  I know, the Jaguars have been awful.  Now they get to play the offensive minded Steelers.  If you need any more proof as to why the Steelers are going to win you can check out this article on their dominant offensive weapons:https://linkonym.appspot.com/?http://http://www.footballnation.com/content/against-the-grain-four-popular-picks-you-should-stay-away-from/31266/www.footballnation.com/content/draftkings-week-5-best-team-to-stack-pittsburgh-steelers/31172/ . But the Steelers also give up points, as evidenced by last week's last minute loss to Tampa Bay.  The Jaguars have some offensive weapons, they've just needed someone better to lead the charge and now they have him in Blake Bortles.  Bortles won't be able to do enough to win this game, but he will lead his team to points.  He was 29-37 last week against San Diego in his first full game and he should be more comfortable this week.  

Jay Cutler

He won't be as popular at the Steelers defense, but the Panthers have shown over the past two weeks that they can be beat and most people will try to beat them through the air.  Cutler isn't a bad play, you can just do better for cheaper.  He'll throw an interception or two, but he'll get in the end zone a couple of times also.  The Bears will also be able to run it with Matt Forte so this will take away from some of Cutler's production.  What worries me the most about Cutler is the possibility of the Panthers being able to get to him.  If they can make him hurry his throws or worse, put him on his back a few times it will have an impact on the rest of his game.

Montee Ball

This guy should not be a popular pick, but it's amazing what happens to a player when his quarterback is Peyton Manning.  The matchup is terrible against a well rested Cardinals defense and Ball hasn't done anything against defenses he's faced so far and he's not going to do anything against this one.  Along with that, Manning is going to be throwing all day.  Ball will have close to the worst game he's had all season, but there will still be quite a few people that will pick him for their team.

Brandon Marshall

I am almost disagreeing with myself as I write this one.  A healthy Marshall is nearly unstoppable.  He's a big target and knows how to get open and can catch with one hand if he needs to.  And while even an unhealthy Marshall is still better than most, he's not worth what it will cost you to get him, especially when Alshon Jeffery is just a look away from Cutler and $500 less than Marshall.  The Bears will score through the air, but who knows if Marshall's ankle is ready.  It's very possible that this could be a monster game for Jeffery, Forte, and Bennett and Marshall could be used sparingly or as a decoy.  It's too much of a chance to take Marshall this week.