exceeding expectations in an unexpected spot. Defenses dont

The NCAA and ACC have both sent a strong message to North Carolina, pulling championship games from the state because of HB2, the controversial law that blocks transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice in government buildings, schools and universities. North Carolinas GOP responded in turn with a statement thats as tone-deaf as it is offensive and desperate.This is so absurd its almost comical, North Carolina Republican Party spokeswoman Kami Mueller said in a statement Monday. I genuinely look forward to the NCAA merging all mens and womens teams together as singular, unified, unisex teams. Under the NCAAs logic, colleges should make cheerleaders and football players share bathrooms, showers and hotel rooms. This decision is an assault to female athletes across the nation. If you are unwilling to have womens bathrooms and locker rooms, how do you have a womens team?This is truly the hottest take Ive ever seen on the slippery slope argument long used to deny LGBT rights -- how, exactly, do you get from unisex bathrooms to unisex teams? But thats not even the most cynical part of the North Carolina GOPs response: I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor, Mueller continued.The NCAA deserves criticism for failing to protect sexual assault victims across the country. Violence against women is rampant on college campuses, particularly in sports, and victims have long been silenced as their athlete attackers continue to thrive under the protective netting of college sports. (The NCAA pointed to the resources it provides student-athletes on preventing sexual assault and violence, and the North Carolina GOP didnt respond to a request for comment).But its extremely problematic to use the sexual assault cases?at Baylor as a singular barometer for moral comparison. First of all, the NCAA is a wide-ranging organization that can and should have the ability to address more than one issue at once. It doesnt need to choose between preventing violence and fighting discrimination.Moreover, playing the Baylor card effectively gives a pass to any lesser offenses. There are plenty of issues that dont reach the level of problems?at Baylor. Just because the system failed in Waco, Texas, doesnt mean we should stop trying to make it work elsewhere.I, and countless other sexual assault survivors, would implore the North Carolina GOP not to co-opt our movement for victims rights in order to deny the rights of transgender citizens, many of whom are victims of violence as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the LGBT community experiences sexual violence at rates higher than heterosexuals. Human Rights Campaign estimates that nearly half of transgender people will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.In addition to ignoring the plight of sexual assault in the transgender community, the North Carolina GOPs statement is blatantly disingenuous, given the partys history of denying legal protections for assault victims. In 2012, North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr was one of 31 Republicans who voted against the Violence Against Women Act. In 2013, seven representatives from North Carolina voted against a watered-down version of the bill: Renee Ellmers, Walter Jones, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Robert Pittenger, Mark Meadows and George Holding. And to take it a step further, Jones was one of nine Republican congressmen who voted against a resolution to allow the House to consider any version of the bill at all.North Carolina Republicans are invoking sexual assault victims in order to further an agenda of sexual discrimination. For as loud as its statement against the NCAA sounded, the party has been noticeably silent on sexual assault cases involving players in its home state, most recently the allegations against UNC linebacker Allen Artis.Violence against women is not an appropriate political device, especially when the politicians involved have voting records that clearly reflect an utter disregard for the issue and its victims. The sports world is continually struggling to get it right on sexual violence. 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The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. There are only two NFL teams with byes this week and the Vikings and Buccaneers offenses wont hurt fantasy teams too much beyond losing standout wide receiver Mike Evans and the Minnesota defense. Be prepared to go full throttle in Week 6 with most of your best players in your starting arsenal.---FALCONS MATCHUP SCARE?You may be tempted to bench every notable Falcon other than Julio Jones as the Falcons travel to Seattle. But as we saw with Brandon Marshall and Bilal Powell in Week 4, the Seahawks are not a total shutdown unit. Tevin Coleman has the receiving chops and versatility to attack the Seattle defense underneath and on the edges, and Devonta Freeman has the speed and tenacity to stand up to the Seahawks linebackers and may be able to finish off a scoring drive with a TD run. Atlanta has the desired personnel to match up with Seattle and compete in what could be a high-scoring affair on both sides. Matt Ryan is a Top 10 fantasy quarterback this week, so dont hesitate to start some key Falcons playmakers despite the seemingly daunting matchup. Do check the weather on gameday before you fully consider Ryan and Coleman, though. Rainy conditions are expected, although the Atlanta offense may only be adversely affected if there are strong winds.---HOPKINS, MILLER BOUNCEBACKThis appears to be the rebound week for two notable Texans who have disappointed fantasy owners so far. DeAndre Hopkins has not cracked 60 receiving yards in four of five games this year and Lamar Miller still does not have a rushing score. Hopkins should look more like his expected and projected self against the Colts 28th-ranked pass defense. Moving the ball well enough against a team that allows 301 passing yards per game should put Miller in position to convert some short scoring opportunities. Many fantasy analysts predict his best performance so far will come this week.---ELLIOTT VS PACKERS DEFENSEEzekiel Eliott is the NFLs leading rusher, but the Packers have easily featured the leagues best run defense so far, allowing an incredibly stingy 42.8 rushing yards per game with one score. When you consider they have faced the Lions, Giants, Jaguars and Vikings so far, who have rushing attacks ranked 23rd or lower, the Pack looks less intimidating. Not that you would bench him, but dont be worried about Elliott this week. He is going to be a major focal point of the Cowboys offense again as they try to control the clock and keep the Packers offense off the field as much as possible.---HOYER PROSPECTSBrian Hoyer is suddenly fantasy relevant again with three consecutive outings of 300-plus passing yards and two TD passes. Rookie Jordan Howard has two consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Cameron Meredith busted oout with nine catches for 120 yards and a TD last week.dddddddddddd But before you get too excited about your Bears, keep in mind that Hoyer threw for two TDs and nine interceptions in his final six starts for the Browns in 2014 after he had apparently played well enough to earn the starting job. The Texans then moved on from him at QB this past offseason. He can implode at any time. Erratic QB play could hurt Meredith, and we need to see more from him before we start him. Its hard to not continue riding with Howard, though, as his versatility can ensure a decent floor in point-per-reception leagues.---MARIOTA VS BROWNSThe Browns 26th-ranked pass defense has allowed an AFC-high 13 TD passes, so you may be moved to start Marcus Mariota this week. He threw three TD passes and ran for 60 yards and a score at Miami. But before you plug him in to start, keep in mind he did not throw a TD pass and was intercepted twice by Oaklands league-worst pass defense in his third game of the season. Mariota has to show us more than one good outing before we can be convinced to use him over a more proven passer based on just a friendly matchup. Ryan or Matthew Stafford would be safer over Mariota this week.---STICKING WITH GREENThis appears to be a very trying week for A.J. Green at first glance. The Patriots are good at limiting an opponents top offensive weapon. But you shouldnt bench your fantasy superstars in these kinds of matchups that the best players often relish, exceeding expectations in an unexpected spot. Defenses dont always win the tough matchups by default. Keep your faith in Green. He could at least pad his numbers in catch-up mode if New England dominates.---POST-CONCUSSION PALMERCarson Palmer returns from a concussion this week, and he is another QB you can consider over Mariota. Only the Raiders have a worse pass defense than the Jets, who have surrendered 303 passing yards per game and 12 TD passes. Palmer will get back on track this week and John Brown is an outstanding start as a third wideout.---GIANTS OFFENSEThe Giants are struggling offensively, and face Baltimores fifth-ranked pass defense, which would seem to lead to more issues. But at home, with the determination to silence the very vocal criticism of media and fans, we could see them play better. The Ravens have allowed nine TD passes, so we could see Odell Beckham Jr. get in the end zone again, while getting more from Sterling Shepard. Bobby Rainey is also emerging as a nifty PPR option at RB.---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com ' ' '