Fantasy game won via rock-paper-scissors

Published 9:07 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A game of rock, paper and scissors may have saved the season.

My fantasy team, the Last Action Heroes, was up against it. Already at 0-2 through two weeks the Heroes had eked out a 10-point lead against the Winners with only Monday Night Football left.

What made it worse was the guy I just traded, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, had gone off in his game Sunday night.

My Heroes had scratched out a paltry 75 points. The Winners had 65.

Add to my misery, the MNF game was the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders and he had running back Knowshon Moreno.

I figured 0-3 was more than just a possibility. It was a certainty.

But to my surprise and delight, Peyton Manning was throwing touchdown passes instead of lining up and handing off near the goal line.

That changed late in the fourth quarter. Ronnie Hillman broke for a big run down to the 1-yard line.

It was inevitable.

Moreno was going to get that carry, which would give him an additional 6 points. He already had accumulated 4 by rushing and receiving and in our league ties are decided by reserve points.

He had me there by double digits.

But there was still a little hope. They could send Hillman back on the field — or Monte Ball, or Moreno. All three Broncos backs were up for this touchdown.

The ball was snapped and into the end zone one of them went for the score.

But which one? Hillman.

Why? Because he won rock, paper, scissors against Ball and Moreno moments earlier during a television time out.

Hillman used rock. Ball and Moreno dropped scissors.

“We were just messing around on the sideline,” Hillman said, per the Broncos’ official website. “Just something to do. Have fun.”

Well, the Last Action Heroes thank you. My team won 75-68. Brutal score, but no complaining about getting the first win.

If the draft was held now, how would it be different?

Based on the first three weeks, if the draft was held this week, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Graham, Calvin Johnson and Drew Brees should be the order of the first five selections.

Not one running back in that bunch.

Well, you could throw in LeSean McCoy, who has been equally as impressive as his teammate Michael Vick. Maybe not in the real-life scenario, but in fantasy with our point-per-two-reception scoring, Vick has totaled 104 points in three games with McCoy at 88.

No. 1 pick Adrian Peterson has 67.

Some players to target going forward?

It is the first week for byes, so make sure if you have a Carolina or Green Bay player, you replace them for this week.

As for pickups, I would look at Jacksonville receiver Justin Blackmon. Like Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon, who went off last week, Blackmon has missed the early part of the season because of suspension. The Oklahoma State product can be a beast though if Blaine Gabbert can throw the ball to him.

I also like running back Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their running game is a mess right now and they drafted Bell for a reason. He has missed the first three games due to injury, but looks to be good to go this week.

Have any lineup questions or comments, feel free to email to cparry@tylerpaper.com or you can tweet to @CParryETFS.