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 ESPN.com leagues. Each week Zoneblitz.com will publish a preview, with Maggio’s top-rated at each position among the Ballsy-eligible players.

Josh McCown at Washington

Only the Bears and the Jets are allowing more fantasy points per game to quarterbacks than Washington, so most quarterbacks going against it make for decent plays. McCown grades out slightly higher than decent if only because of his weapons, which he used last week en route to a top five fantasy day among quarterbacks upon his return to the lineup. McCown’s weapons are what made him a sleeper coming into the year, and with no run game to speak of he should be chucking it again in this contest. Another 300-yard, two-touchdown game is certainly on the table.

 

Tre Mason vs. Denver

Mason had a tough task going against the Cardinals last week, but still managed a top-25 day among running backs—not bad all things considered. The best news were his 18 touches following 20 the previous week. For the record, that’s 18 or more touches now in three of the last four weeks, so I’m more comfortable in calling him St. Louis’ workhorse at this point. Unfortunately for Mason, Denver’s only slight worse than Arizona against the run, so there’s once again not a huge ceiling here. Still, I like the workload and I like the talent.

 

Andrew Hawkins vs. Houston

Hawkins was back practicing in limited capacity on Wednesday after a thigh injury kept him out Week 10. Assuming he goes this week, I like him a lot considering he leads the Browns in catches and yards, and faces a Texans defense allowing the second most fantasy points to wide receivers.

 

Kyle Rudolph at Chicago

Rudolph has been out since Week 3 with a hernia, but he could probably put up 100 yards and a touchdown in a wheelchair against this Bears squad. There’s certainly risk of rust and limited usage after such a long time away, but Rudolph’s been targeting this game as his return all along and is back at practice, so there’s lots of ceiling against a Chicago defense allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

 

Caleb Sturgis vs. Buffalo

Sturgis is tied for fourth in the league scoring this season, but doesn’t have the ownership to reflect it. Take advantage this week against a Bills team that’s middle of the road in fantasy points allowed to kickers, and for the rest of the season with three more games left in Miami through the fantasy season—including Weeks 14 and 16.

 

Browns DEF vs. Houston

Cleveland’s defense only a little above average in terms of fantasy points scored this season, but it plays at home this week with extra rest after clobbering the Bengals last Thursday. And here are the best two words: Ryan Mallett. He’ll be making his first start for Houston on Sunday. Turnovers are certain to follow.

 

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