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Fantasy Football Outlook: New York Jets Could Offer Surprise Results Against Kansas City Cheifs

By Kenneth Teape

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The New York Jets will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday afternoon in what could turn into an ugly game quick. Arrowhead is one of the toughest stadiums in the NFL to play in, and for a team struggling as much as the Jets it could be a game that’s over fast. But for fantasy football owners, every game is important, and this is one, like all the others this week, that needs to have an eye kept on. Here is some last minute fantasy advice for the Jets vs. Chiefs game.

Quarterback

Michael Vick will be making his first start of the season, replacing the beleaguered Geno Smith under center. For the Jets, and fantasy owners, this could be a season changing move.

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In real life, Vick gives the Jets a better chance of winning games, which could actually be a detriment to the franchise. At this point in the season, the Jets are essentially eliminated from playoff contention, and can already start focusing on 2015 and beyond. That means the higher draft pick the better, but with Vick running the show the Jets should have a better offense, meaning more wins.

In fantasy, this could be a godsend for owners struggling at the QB position. Vick has always been a difference maker in fantasy because of his legs. The ability to run the ball as earned Vick spots on fantasy rosters even when it may not be deserved, as the rushing yards is something very few other QB’s in the league can offer. That alone puts him on fantasy owner radars for as long as he is the Jets’ starting quarterback.

But against a strong Chiefs defense and on the road nonetheless, Vick should not be counted on this week. It is his first game starting on the season, and it could not be coming in much more difficult of a situation. For Week 9 Vick should be benched for your fantasy football team, not to be counted on for anything more than being a QB2. But as he gets more comfortable in the offense, and gets easier matchups, Vick will start moving up the fantasy ranks at QB.

Running Back

The phasing out of Chris Johnson from the game plan continues as the Jets used him sparingly last week, giving him even less touches as he ran only three times and caught two passes. He cannot be counted on in fantasy and can be safely dropped.

A reason for Johnson’s continued decline in playing time is Percy Harvin. After being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks, Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan said Harvin would not get more than 50 snaps. He came close, playing in the upper 40’s, even taking some snaps from the backfield as a rusher. That was with minimal knowledge of the Jets’ playbook; imagine what he could do to Johnson’s playing time once he knows what he’s doing.

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Ivory is the player to own here in fantasy. Even in a tough matchup, he can be started as an RB2/FLEX. He will lead the Jets in rushing attempts, and gets all of the goal line looks. He did not have many yards last week against a stout Buffalo Bills defense, but managed to find pay dirt twice. With Vick under center, the Chiefs will have one more thing to focus on, giving Ivory some more rushing lanes to take advantage of.

In the end, this is a position that could see an improvement with Vick under center. It should be a little easier to find holes as the defense will apply a spy to Vick, taking one person out of the play more often than not. The Chiefs also give up the fourth fewest fantasy points per game to running backs in fantasy, but Ivory has become a player you cannot bench in fantasy unless you have other options that have an extremely easy matchup, or are one of the only studs at the position this season.

Receivers

As mentioned earlier, Harvin was a part of the rushing game, which is encouraging to fantasy owners. While that is nice to see, there is still work to be done in the passing game, which is understandable. Like the rest of the offense, Harvin will benefit from Vick being under center. He is more willing to throw the long ball and the Jets could continue lining him up in the backfield next to Vick to give defenses a unique look to worry about. Harvin is a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin (16) stands on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated New York Jets 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Decker is the biggest beneficiary here. He will see less attention from defensive backs as they now have to worry about not only another capable target in Harvin, but a QB in Vick who is more than willing to scramble. Expect Decker to continue working the chains as the Jets possession receiver. His role in the offense is more established than Harvin’s making him the less risky play in fantasy this week.

The Chiefs are one of the better defenses against wide receivers in fantasy, allowing the sixth fewest fantasy points per game at the position. That would normally be a deterrent, but in a game that should be another blowout, the Jets should be passing early and often and the receivers will benefit.

Against tight ends though they are not as daunting, giving up the 16th most points to tight ends in fantasy. That makes Jace Amaro an intriguing option for teams looking to shake things up at the tight end position, arguably the most disappointing position in fantasy this season.

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