WEEK TWO PLAYER MATCHUPS

Indianapolis @ Tennessee
Indianapolis is coming off a game where they dominated New Orleans offensively and defensively. Start Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, and both Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, just like every week. Dallas Clark had a few big receptions last week, but he can be inconsistent from game to game. The surprising Indianapolis defense, which seems like a different unit with Bob Sanders in the lineup, should also have a good outing against a lackluster Tennessee offense. Temper your expectations for Tennessee’s offense. Vince Young is great on the field, but has yet to show consistency in fantasy. None of their receivers has established himself yet, and Vince spread the ball around last week. Chris Brown is interesting coming off of a huge 175 yard performance, but he will likely be neutralized as soon as the Colts take a lead and the Titans are forced to pass.

Green Bay @ New York Giants
The Giants’ offense is in trouble, having lost Brandon Jacobs and Eli Manning last week. New York is also matched up against the impressive Green Bay defense. The team is still maintaining that Eli may play this week, but most reports have him out for about a month. With Jared Lorenzen starting, the value of all Giants receivers goes down. You still want to start Plaxico Burress, since he can snatch a jump ball in the end zone in any game, but sit the rest, including Amani Toomer, who had nine catches last week. Derrick Ward had a good game last week, and against another defense he’d be a decent start, but not this week. The Giants’ defense was terrible last week, allowing 45 points to Dallas. Brett Favre is a good start if you need him, as are Donald Driver and James Jones at receiver. Vernand Morency was limited in practice this week, so follow this situation as Sunday approaches to see whether he or Brandon Jackson will get carries. Depending on who plays more, these guys could be decent plays as well.

Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Start all of your Bengals this week, including the Cincy defense, which looked very impressive against Baltimore and should look great again against Cleveland’s inept offense. Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius will get passes thrown to them in garbage time once the Bengals take the lead, just like the Steelers did, but of the 14 passes thrown to these two last week, Browns’ QBs only connected on 5 of them. Kellen Winslow should also catch a few balls.

Houston @ Carolina
The Panthers are coming off of a 27 point performance, beating the Rams. Steve Smith had a big game, and he’ll be targeted all day in this one too. Start him. Drew Carter caught two TDs last week, so see if he can impress again and establish his role in this offense. RBs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams split carries, but Foster did more with his. The Texans shut down the Chiefs’ running game last week, but will have a tougher time with Carolina. They’ll split carries again, making neither a great option. For Houston, Andre Johnson is a good start, just like he is most weeks. Ahman Green will have some difficulty rushing against the Panthers, who shut down Steven Jackson last week, but he should catch a few passes for those of you in point per reception leagues. Also, TE Owen Daniels could have a decent game. Carolina was a good matchup for tight ends last season, and Daniels had a number of nice games last year. If you need a TE in a pinch, give Daniels a look.

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
Start Brees, both Deuce and Reggie, and Colston for sure, which you probably do every week. Devery Henderson, despite only three catches last week, did catch a few short ones, which he did not do last year, and was clearly the Saints’ number two option at receiver. He’ll remain in this role this week, and should have a few deep chances as well. Tight end Eric Johnson had eight catches last week, and he is a decent play again. The Bucs don’t usually have many viable fantasy options, but monitor their RB situation as the week progresses. The Saints have trouble stopping the run, and whether it’s Cadillac Williams, Michael Pittman, or Earnest Graham starting, the Buccaneers have as good a chance as ever to put up some numbers on the ground. The difficulty for Tampa’s runners will be opportunities, since New Orleans could take an early lead and force them to pass; Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard will be the beneficiaries.

Buffalo @ Pittsburgh
Buffalo’s Marshawn Lynch played well last week, but he is only a decent start against a tougher Steelers D. Lee Evans is always a start, and always has a chance to connect on a bomb from J.P. Losman. The Bills’ defense looked a lot better than it was last week: they allowed only 15 points, but let Jay Cutler throw for 304 yards and Travis Henry run for 139. This looks good for Ben Roethlisberger, who should continue his strong play this week. Willie Parker, Hines Ward, and Santonio Holmes are good plays this week, and Big Ben looks for Heath Evans in the end zone every week.

Atlanta @ Jacksonville
The Jaguars should have success running on the Falcons, as Minnesota did last week and most teams will this season. Both Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor are strong plays this week. Surprisingly, Dennis Northcutt led the Jaguars’ receivers in targets (9) and catches (4) last week. Watch to see if this continues against Atlanta, but I’m not buying him just yet. Atlanta is facing a Jacksonville defense that was expected to be stout against the run, but allowed Chris Brown to gain 175 rushing yards last week for Tennessee. The Jaguars should get it together and stop RBs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood this week, so neither is a good play. Alge Crumpler is the only good play for the Falcons this week.

San Francisco @ St. Louis
The Niners’ defense looked much improved on Monday Night against the Cardinals, containing Arizona’s vaunted passing game. They’ll have to show it again this week against the high-flying Rams before I really believe in them. Start Bulger and Holt. Steven Jackson, coming off of a very disappointing performance against Carolina, should have a much better game this week. Keep in mind he didn’t play at all in the preseason, so rust likely played a part against the Panthers. Also, keep an eye on the Rams’ receivers. Isaac Bruce has been there for years, but watch for how many passes are thrown to him and Drew Bennett, who plays his first game with St. Louis this week. For San Francisco, Frank Gore starts every game. Darrell Jackson wasn’t all that impressive last week, but start him against the Rams. Also, keep a close eye on Arnaz Battle, who could break out this season as the 49er passing game improves. He and Jackson were targeted equally last week, and he could emerge, especially if Jackson’s knee continues to bother him.

Minnesota @ Detroit
The Lions’ defense is bad, so look for a big game from the Vikings’ running game. The problem is that Chester Taylor’s hip injury last week created some uncertainty as to whether he or Adrian Peterson will carry the load this week. Monitor Taylor’s status this week and plan accordingly, but if they both play, they should both have big games anyway. I don’t trust the Vikings’ passing game, even though the Lions allowed Josh McCown to throw for 313 yards and 2 TDs, so don’t start Tarvaris Jackson or any of their uninspiring receivers. Detroit should be able to throw on Minnesota, so Kitna is a good start. The ball was spread evenly between receivers Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald last week, but Williams, Johnson, and Furrey are all good plays this week (McDonald will have to do it again before I believe in him). See if Kitna leans on any of these guys more this week, but don’t be surprised if Mike Martz’s offense keeps the ball evenly distributed.

Seattle @ Arizona
For Seattle, Shaun Alexander starts every week, and should play well against Arizona’s mediocre defense. Arizona gave Alex Smith and the 49ers problems last week, but Matt Hasselbeck should play better. Start him and Deion Branch if needed, and keep an eye on Nate Burleson. Depending on your scoring system, Burleson’s return yards on kickoffs and punts will help, and this could finally be the year where he emerges as a reliable receiving option. Bobby Engram is also in the mix here. Matt Leinart looked overmatched against San Francisco, and his problems may continue against Seattle and its speedy defense. As a result, temper expectations for WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, but start them anyway. Edgerrin James looked great on a few runs last week, and scored. Start him this week for sure.

Dallas @ Miami
Dallas’ defense was a big disappointment last week, but its opponent this week has its own problems. Nevertheless, Chris Chambers was QB Trent Green’s favorite target last game, and he should be able to get open against Dallas, especially if CB Terence Newman is out again. Ronnie Brown will benefit from Jesse Chatman’s injury, and maybe this will be the week where he decides to seize the RB job. If Chatman can’t go, Brown’s value increases this week. For Dallas, Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and Marion Barber are all starts. Julius Jones is falling out of my favor, since all he seems to do is gain some yards between the 20s. Barber looks far better when he carries the ball, so don’t look for Jones to get more carries anytime soon. His only chance to score is on a long run. WR Patrick Crayton was poised for a nice game last week with Terry Glenn out, but he managed only 3 catches. Sam Hurd caught a long TD, so watch to see who gets the targets after Owens.

Kansas City @ Chicago
Kansas City couldn’t do much of anything last week on either side of the ball, and things don’t look any prettier this week going to Chicago. TE Tony Gonzalez is a start every week, but may run into trouble against Chicago’s fast linebackers. Larry Johnson is also a start every week, especially if he keeps catching passes like last week, but he’ll have problems against a stout Bear defense as well. As unpredictable as the Bear offense is for fantasy, it should have a good game here. You can even start Rex Grossman this week if you need to, but only if you need to. Bernard Berrian will have a good game, as should Cedric Benson (if he decides he wants it). Continue to monitor this RB situation, as Adrian Peterson had almost as many yards as Benson did last week on fewer than half the carries.

New York Jets @ Baltimore
The Jets had a rough game against New England all around, and losing QB Chad Pennington doesn’t help matters. They’re also up against the scary Baltimore defense. Sit all of your Jets except Laveranues Coles if you need him. Keep an eye on second year QB Kellen Clemens, though, and see if he shows you anything in his first NFL start. His mobility and strong arm could surprise people. Baltimore had its own troubles on offense last week, which was particularly disappointing since it went up against Cincinnati’s 30th ranked defense from last season. With Steve McNair banged up as well and possibly out this week, your Ravens don’t look good this week either. Willis McGahee has had some tremendous games against the Jets from his days with the Bills, so start him, but he has yet to show much with the Ravens. Todd Heap is a start every week. Also, continue to monitor the Ravens’ receivers. Derrick Mason seemed to rediscover his connection with McNair last week; McNair targeted young Demetrius Williams nine times, and Williams made some really nice catches. Mark Clayton could reclaim his spot in the mix as well.

Oakland @ Denver
Oakland’s offense saw some success against Detroit last week, but Denver will be a different story. The Broncos historically play very well against the run, which does not bode well for Oakland RB LaMont Jordan, who had a nice game with 70 yards, a TD, and 9 catches. You can start him, but PPR leagues are where he’ll be more valuable. Ronald Curry caught 10 passes and looked great last week. Start him this week again. Denver’s offense also looked effective despite only scoring 15 points against the Bills last week. Oakland had a great pass defense last season, but start WR Javon Walker anyway. WR Brandon Marshall is a decent play, as is QB Jay Cutler. RB Travis Henry should have another very nice game this week, as he should most weeks running behind that offensive line and in Mike Shanahan’s system. Denver’s defense is also a good play this week.

San Diego @ New England
This is San Diego’s second elite opponent in two weeks, but its big-time fantasy players are must-starts every week: Ladainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. Tomlinson couldn’t run anywhere last week against Chicago, but still found ways to score, running for a tough 7 yard TD and throwing for another one. The Patriots destroyed the Jets defense, but will have more difficulty this week. Start Tom Brady every week. If you have other options, consider sitting RB Laurence Maroney against the Chargers, whose tough defense against the run will cause problems. It will be difficult to predict the fates of Patriot wide outs every week: Randy Moss went off last week while Donte Stallworth caught just one pass. Brady spreads the ball around, and many of the Patriot receivers will be feast-or-famine for your fantasy team. It’s hard to sit Moss after his game last week, so don’t, but don’t be too surprised if he disappoints. Stallworth should catch more than one this week, and Wes Welker will be solid as a possession receiver again.

Washington @ Philadelphia
Philadelphia looks to be more efficient this week against a Washington defense that played OK against the Dolphins. Washington isn’t as tough as Green Bay was for QB Donovan McNabb, so look for a good game from him and from Eagle receivers. McNabb should find WR Reggie Brown more than once in this one, and see if WR Jason Avant can have another solid game this week. Brian Westbrook should have a very good game here. For the Redskins, see if Clinton Portis can repeat his nice performance from last week. Start him, but don’t necessarily expect a huge game. Santana Moss will be his erratic self again going deep.