Every Thursday on 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party, Anthony Maggio and Bo Mitchell field their Ballsy teams—a full fantasy lineup comprised only of players available in at least half of MyFantasyLeague.com leagues. Each week Zoneblitz.com will publish a preview, with Maggio’s top-rated at each position among the Ballsy-eligible players.

Brian Hoyer vs. Tampa Bay

There really should be a “Brian Football” nickname happening here. It’s the perfect answer to Johnny Football in every way, as it’s boring both in sound and style. But there’s safety to be had in boring sometimes, which is why Hoyer’s the starter and not a bad fantasy play this week. Sure, he’s only thrown more than one touchdown pass in a game once all season, but he’s reached the 275-yard mark thrice in his last five games and only has two interceptions all year. With the Bucs allowing the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season—including 16 touchdown passes in their seven games—Hoyer’s got a safe floor and a higher than usual ceiling.

 

Jonas Gray vs. Denver

I’m a huge fan of the Weezer blue album, which of course leads off with the track My Name is Jonas. But enough about me. Let’s talk about Jonas Gray, who rushed his way to 86 yards on 17 carries against the Bears on Sunday en route to being one of this week’s most added players. There is much caution to be taken here as Chicago’s defense is awful and the Patriots play plenty of games with their running back rotation. But Gray could wind up taking all of the work Stevan Ridley left behind, and on that alone you’ve got to take a bet on the opportunity in hopes he’ll do something with it.

 

Martavis Bryant vs. Baltimore

Markus Wheaton couldn’t take the No. 2 job and run with it, but Bryant’s happily obliged. He’s scored thrice in his first two career games and has 123 yards to boot. The Ravens aren’t the easiest game three for Bryant, but they are giving up the ninth most fantasy points to wide receivers, so there’s plenty of opportunity here for Bryant to keep up the good work.

 

Clay Harbor at Cincinnati

I’m not gonna lie—there’s a pretty low floor here for Harbor considering he’s combined for just 61 yards and no touchdowns his last two games. But Harbor’s topped 70 yards twice this season since taking over for the injured Marcedes Lewis as the starter in Week 4, and gets a Bengals defense allowing the second most fantasy points to tight ends. For what its worth, those two games with 70+ yards I mentioned previously both came on the road.

 

Graham Gano vs. New Orleans

Anyone else remember Gary Gnu? That guy was great. I’m pretty sure that’s what I’d call Graham Gano if we were friends. But we’re not friends. Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t be my fantasy kicker this week. The Saints allow the sixth most fantasy points to kickers, and Gano is the 10th highest scoring kicker this season—just six points behind fourth-best Dan Bailey.

 

Vikings DEF vs. Washington

Minnesota has quietly pushed its way into the top 10 among fantasy defenses in most scoring systems with back-to-back solid games after a five-week stretch that included New England, New Orleans, Atlanta, Green Bay and Detroit. Now they get a Washington team at home that, granted, just won on the road at Dallas, but is getting Robert Griffin III back for his first action since dislocating his ankle early in Week 2. There’s bound to be some rust there.

 

For even more Ballsy picks of the week, listen to 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party.