By Brad Kurtzberg, Fantasy Football Insiders
Chicago Bears—It will take nothing short of a miracle to get the Bears into this year’s playoffs. After Thursday night’s loss to Washington, the defending NFC champs are 5-8 with remaining games at Minnesota, vs. Green Bay and vs. New Orleans. The Bears would need to run the table and get plenty of help to sneak in as the second Wild Card team. Trust me, it won’t happen.
Brian Griese threw two costly picks against the Redskins on back-to-back plays. It seems that no matter who is behind center, Chicago’s offense is inconsistent and turnover prone. Griese hasn’t turned out to be that much better than Rex Grossman, having thrown 12 picks in seven starts. Regardless of how serious Grossman’s injury is, the Bears need to address the quaterback position in the offseason as neither Grossman nor Griese appear to be the answer. Griese is more valuable as a backup if the team wants him to stay.
Two reasons for Brian Urlacher’s mediocre season (by his standards) this year: his arthritic back and the lack of a strong defensive line. Urlacher is not very big and he has trouble shedding blocks if offensive linemen can get to him. Last year, Tank Johnson and the other Bears linemen kept Urlacher free to make plays. This year, the defensive line is not doing nearly as good a job of occupying blockers and they are finding ways to block Urlacher…The Bears continue to struggle to run the ball. Adrian Peterson’s stats are very Cedric Benson-like. The bottom line is that the offensive line is not opening many holes and the running backs the Bears have are not good enough to make something out of nothing.
Meanwhile, Devin Hester had a season-high five receptions on Thursday against Washington. The Bears would be wise to get him more involved in the offense. He and Bernard Berrian would make a good pair of deep threats…Chicago has benched safety Adam Archuleta. The free agent signee has had trouble in pass coverage all season and has also taken poor tackling angles when defending the run. Unfortunately for the Bears, his replacement, Brandon McGowan, hasn’t done much better and continues to make mental mistakes.
Detroit Lions—WR Roy Williams is likely out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. That hurts the Lions because Williams remains their best deep threat and most reliable receiver. Still, this gives rookie Calvin Johnson a chance to shine. The second overall pick in last year’s draft has shown flashes but seems to be having trouble learning the complex Mike Martz offense. It’s not unusual for recievers to struggle in the NFL as rookies. These last four games should give Detroit’s coaching staff a better idea of how far Johnson has progressed this season
CB LaMarcus Hicks is also out for the season after breaking his ankle against the Vikings. The Lions lack depth in their secondary to begin with and Hicks’ absence will hurt them further…From the it’s probably not a coincidence department: Detroit’s six wins have come against teams with a combined .458 winning percentage. During their recent four-game losing streak, they have played teams with a winning percentage of .625…
Detroit’s biggest problem offensively is on the offensive line. OT George Foster has been playing poorly, G Blaine Saipaia has been forced to play tackle at times and Jonathan Scott has missed substantial time due to injury. Guard Damien Woody has been playing tackle as well. He’s done a workmanlike job but he’s no long term solution. The offensive line has had trouble pass protecting and opening holes for the run
Jon Kitna has been affected by the constant pressure he has been under. In the last three games, he has thrown only 3 TDs and 5 INTs. Kitna’s as tough as they come but the constant punishment he has taken this season is taking its toll.
Potential mismatch this week against Dallas: CB Fernando Bryant against Terrell Owens. Bryant is questionable for the game with a foot injury. The Lions would have trouble matching up against Owens and TE Jason Witten even if their secondary was healthy. Unfortunately, they are banged up. Unless the Lions get pressure on Tony Romo, the secondary could be in for a long day.
Green Bay Packers—Brett Favre is expected to start his 250th consecutive regular season game Sunday against the Raiders. That’s a good thing because backup Aaron Rogers, who played well against the Cowboys when Favre got hurt, is unavailable for at least the next two games due to an hamstring injury. The Pack signed former backup Craig Nall, recently released by Buffalo, to be Favre’s backup
Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila are still game-time decisions on Sunday. The Pack would not be wise to rush either back. KGB is more likely to start than Woodson is…The key for the Pack defensively this week will be to slow down RBs Justin Fargas and LaMont Jordan. The Raiders have trouble passing the football consistently but they are one of the top running teams in the league. The Pack must stay in their lanes and prevent big running plays
Ryan Grant has been a perfect fit for the Pack at RB. He gives the team a threat of the run but doesn’t seem to need a lot of carries to pick up big yards. Grant is a one-cut runner who finds holes and quickly exploits them
The Packers need some contribution from first round pick Justin Harrell down the stretch. With two members of their DT rotation (Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole) out with injuries, Harrell will get playing time. So far, he has not even been dressed for games unless injuries made it necessary. He also appears to be slow to pick up the team’s defensive scheme
A win over the Raiders would clinch the NFC North for the Packers regardless of what Detroit or Minnesota do…WR Donald Driver needs 102 yards to top the 1,000 yard mark for the fourth straight season. Driver just passed Hall of Famer Don Hutson for third on the Packers all-time receptions list with 490. He needs 105 to tie Sterling Sharpe for first all-time
Safeties Atari Bigby and Nick Collins are both weak in coverage. The Pack has had trouble covering TEs partially due to this problem. Bigby also takes too many interference calls which have been hurtful to the Pack..
Minnesota Vikings—One reason for the Vikings recent winning streak is the improved play of QB Tarvaris Jackson. While Jackson is still not the kind of QB who will win games for you with his arm, he is becoming an efficient and effective passer. During his last three games, Jackson has completed nearly 79 percent of his passes and his decision making has improved. He is now more able to go through his progressions and find secondary receivers. Jackson has four games left to show the Vikings’ coaching staff that he is worthy of being their QB of the future
DE Erasmus James is out for the season with a knee injury. DE Ray Edwards has been suspended for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The loss of those two players leaves Minnesota thin at DE. The Vikings just might get CB Antoine Winfield back for Sunday’s game in San Francisco. Winfield’s presence would really be a boost to the secondary
With Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, the Vikings may have the most explosive RB duo in the league. If healthy and given enough carries, Peterson is capable of gaining 2,000 yards on the ground in a season while Taylor can surpass 1,500. The two complement each other well and make life hard for opposing defenses
The Vikings’ schedule down the stretch is not too bad. After playing San Francisco this week, they finish by hosting Chicago on Monday night, hosting Washington and traveling to Denver.
Showing posts with label fantasy football matchups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy football matchups. Show all posts
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Stock Report
By The Fantasy Trader, NFL Draft Bible
The pressure of playoff football is upon us. My audience is among the elite this week and should be proud of their accomplishment. For many, the year is over…but for our privileged readers this week, the second season has arrived. The wrong start or the right sit will determine your season. It is a time of stress, but other owners would line up to take your place. Congratulations to all the playoff teams. Let the game of survival begin.
RB Jesse Chatman – is expected to play despite an ankle injury and if so, he matches up nicely against the Bills. The Bills have the 22nd –ranked run defense and are allowing 116.4 yards per game. In week 10, Chatman ran for 124 yards against Buffalo.
RB Kolby Smith – is everything a Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes owner could ask for. I hope you all got him. He has been solid in his first two career starts and has a great opponent in the Denver Broncos this week. The Broncos rank 31st against the run and are giving up 149 yards per game.
RB Frank Gore – will not make up for what he did to you in the regular season. He managed only 58 yards against a poor Carolina defense. The 49ers are still struggling with Dilfer at QB and this week they have to face a hungry Vikings defense. Minnesota has the best run defense in the league.
RB Ron Dayne- was the playoff MVP of 2006. He was scooped off the wire and preceded to run for 334 yards and 5 TD from weeks 14-16. I would not expect the same this year. He has been solid for Ahman Green owners, but he gets a stingy Bucs defense this week. The Bucs have allowed just one rushing TD in the last four weeks.
QB Donovan McNabb- should start this week for the Eagles. If you throw out the game that he got hurt, McNabb has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points just three times. The last time he faced the Giants he was sacked 12 times, but that was also with a rookie on the offensive line and no Brian Westbrook. I expect a big game from McNabb.
QB Jay Cutler- is starting to get his weapons back for the holiday season. Travis Henry will not be suspended and Jevon Walker has returned. I expect a big game from Brandon Marshall. The Chiefs look like they may have mailed it in this season, especially when your secondary makes Duante Culpepper look like he is still wearing a Vikings uniform.
WR Roddy White- has been the steal of the season. He has put up solid numbers with one of the worst quarterback situations in the league. White clicked instantly with Chris Redman and finished with 10 catches for 146 yards and a TD. Now he gets a full week of practice with Redman.
WR Bryant Johnson- is a great sleeper play this week. He filled in nicely for Larry Fitzgerald last week and will get another opportunity this week. Even if Fitzgerald plays, it looks as if Anquan Boldin, who sprained his toe last week, will not. Johnson faces an average Seahawks pass defense.
DE-Vikings- defense benefits so much from the offense’s ability to run the football. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor eat up clock and provide the rest the defense needs. It also helps to play the 49ers this week. I expect multiple sacks and turnovers with a defensive TD.
TE Antonio Gates- will never have as bad of a game as he did last week. Gates had one catch for minus one yard. Yikes! I expect him to bounce back in a big way against the Titans. The man has pride right?
The pressure of playoff football is upon us. My audience is among the elite this week and should be proud of their accomplishment. For many, the year is over…but for our privileged readers this week, the second season has arrived. The wrong start or the right sit will determine your season. It is a time of stress, but other owners would line up to take your place. Congratulations to all the playoff teams. Let the game of survival begin.
RB Jesse Chatman – is expected to play despite an ankle injury and if so, he matches up nicely against the Bills. The Bills have the 22nd –ranked run defense and are allowing 116.4 yards per game. In week 10, Chatman ran for 124 yards against Buffalo.
RB Kolby Smith – is everything a Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes owner could ask for. I hope you all got him. He has been solid in his first two career starts and has a great opponent in the Denver Broncos this week. The Broncos rank 31st against the run and are giving up 149 yards per game.
RB Frank Gore – will not make up for what he did to you in the regular season. He managed only 58 yards against a poor Carolina defense. The 49ers are still struggling with Dilfer at QB and this week they have to face a hungry Vikings defense. Minnesota has the best run defense in the league.
RB Ron Dayne- was the playoff MVP of 2006. He was scooped off the wire and preceded to run for 334 yards and 5 TD from weeks 14-16. I would not expect the same this year. He has been solid for Ahman Green owners, but he gets a stingy Bucs defense this week. The Bucs have allowed just one rushing TD in the last four weeks.
QB Donovan McNabb- should start this week for the Eagles. If you throw out the game that he got hurt, McNabb has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points just three times. The last time he faced the Giants he was sacked 12 times, but that was also with a rookie on the offensive line and no Brian Westbrook. I expect a big game from McNabb.
QB Jay Cutler- is starting to get his weapons back for the holiday season. Travis Henry will not be suspended and Jevon Walker has returned. I expect a big game from Brandon Marshall. The Chiefs look like they may have mailed it in this season, especially when your secondary makes Duante Culpepper look like he is still wearing a Vikings uniform.
WR Roddy White- has been the steal of the season. He has put up solid numbers with one of the worst quarterback situations in the league. White clicked instantly with Chris Redman and finished with 10 catches for 146 yards and a TD. Now he gets a full week of practice with Redman.
WR Bryant Johnson- is a great sleeper play this week. He filled in nicely for Larry Fitzgerald last week and will get another opportunity this week. Even if Fitzgerald plays, it looks as if Anquan Boldin, who sprained his toe last week, will not. Johnson faces an average Seahawks pass defense.
DE-Vikings- defense benefits so much from the offense’s ability to run the football. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor eat up clock and provide the rest the defense needs. It also helps to play the 49ers this week. I expect multiple sacks and turnovers with a defensive TD.
TE Antonio Gates- will never have as bad of a game as he did last week. Gates had one catch for minus one yard. Yikes! I expect him to bounce back in a big way against the Titans. The man has pride right?
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Week 14 Fantasy Preview
By Brad Kurtzberg, Fantasy Football Insiders Senior Writer
The playoffs start in most fantasy leagues either this week or next week. When it comes to this time of year, stick with the players that got you there. Sure, you have to keep close tabs on injuries and the like, but your best bet in the long run is to have the most talented lineup possible. If it’s a toss-up between two or more players, I’ll be able to point out matchups to take advantage of. Here is a look at this week’s matchups which will help you win your fantasy league.
Thursday 8:15 PM ET
Chicago at Washington
Both of these teams are hanging on by a thread in the NFC playoff race. The Redskins are still reeling from the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor. They had the funeral on Monday and will have only one full day of practice to prepare for this game. Meanwhile, the Bears allowed the Giants to make a late fourth quarter comeback last week in Chicago to drop to 5-7. They are a far cry from the team that represented the NFC in last year’s Super Bowl.
Stud: Clinton Portis, RB Washington. The Redskins running back aggravated an ankle injury late in the Buffalo game last week so check his status. If he plays, Portis should find plenty of room to run against a leaky Bears defense ranked 27th against the run. If Portis can’t play, go with Ladell Betts, his replacement.
Dud: Adrian Peterson, RB Chicago. So far, Peterson’s stats look an awful lot like Cedric Benson’s. Perhaps the offensive line is a large part of the problem in Chicago. The Redskins run defense is 10th in the league and the Bears have trouble rushing the football.
Sleeper: Bernard Berrian, WR Chicago. Berrian faces a Redskins secondary that has struggled since Taylor’s death. Look for Rex Grossman to exploit this matchup and for Berrian to have his first big day in three weeks.
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
San Diego at Tennessee
This game matches up two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Both have 7-5 records but the Chargers benefit from being in the weaker West while the Titans are in the South, perhaps the most competitive division in the league. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs last week which solidified their hold on the division. The Titans got past the pesky Texans to end their three-game losing streak. Getting DT Albert Haynesworth back really helped. Both teams really need a win but the Titans need it a bit more.
Stud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB San Diego. Tomlinson ran wild against KC last week and totaled 197 yards and 2 TDs. He has scored in four of the last five games and gone over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season. Even with Haynesworth back in the lineup, the Titans defense has not been as effective. If they do slow LT down rushing the ball, the Chargers will throw it to him.
Dud: LenDale White, RB Tennessee. White has only 141 yards rushing total in his last four games. The Chargers run defense is strongest up the middle and that’s where White is at his best.
Sleeper: Antonio Gates, TE San Diego. Gates had only 1 catch last week for –1 yards. He will be facing LB Keith Bulluck of the Titans, which gives a physical advantage to Gates. Don’t expect Gates to be a non-factor two weeks in a row.
Miami at Buffalo
The Dolphins are three-quarters of the way to a winless season. No team has gone 0-16 since the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 but the Dolphins look like they have a real chance to pull off that unwelcome feat. The Bills are a game behind in the AFC Wild Card race after a last second victory over a stunned Redskins team last week in DC. The cold weather will not make things easy for the battered Dolphins.
Stud: Fred Jackson, RB Buffalo. The Dolphins have the worst run defense in the league and Jackson has looked good so far when given the chance. Last week against Washington, he ran for 82 yards and caught four passes for another 69. Look for another good game from Jackson against a Miami team that has trouble staying in its gaps.
Dud: Marty Booker, WR Miami. Booker has fallen off in recent weeks although a lack of a quaterback hasn’t helped. He has also dropped too many passes. The Bills will contain the Fish’s top wide receiver who has only 1 TD on the season and 12 catches total in the last four games.
Sleeper: Lee Evans, WR Buffalo. Evans is the biggest receiving threat the Bills have and Trent Edwards played well last week. The Dolphins pass defense is nothing special and Evans should end up with a solid statistical day.
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
The Giants pulled out a late game comeback against the Bears that may have saved Eli Manning’s career with New York. Manning remains mistake prone but he showed some leadership by coming on late last week to eke out a victory. The Eagles loss to Seattle all but ended their playoff hopes. Donovan McNabb may be back to face the Giants tough defensive line. The first time these two teams met, McNabb was sacked 12 times.
Stud: Brandon Jacobs, RB N.Y. Giants. Jacobs has been limited in practice but is expected to get the start Sunday (check status). Even if Jacobs is not ready to go, feel free to play Reuben Droughns. The Giants are trusting Eli Manning less and less and their run blocking has been strong. Philly’s run defense is solid but the Giants will grind it out effectively.
Dud: Donovan McNabb, QB Philadelphia. McNabb may be back from ankle and thumb injuries but against the Giants tough pass rush, he may wish he stayed off the field for another week. If A.J. Feeley has to start, he’d be an even bigger dud.
Sleeper: Brian Westbrook, RB Philadelphia. Westbrook is a top fantasy player and if the Giants 5th ranked rush defense shuts him down, the Eagles will throw plenty of short passes to him to stall the Giants pass rush. Westbrook will put up good numbers Sunday.
Carolina at Jacksonville
The Panthers have fallen on hard times without a steady quaterback while the Jags have proven themselves true playoff contenders despite another heartbreaking loss to the Colts last week. While Carolina has been wildly inconsistent this year, they are 4-2 on the road.
Stud: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Jacksonville. Jones-Drew has scored in each of the last four games. The Jaguars running game should wear down the Panthers defense and by the fourth quarter, big holes should be there for Jones-Drew and company.
Dud: Vinny Testaverde, QB Carolina. The veteran had a solid game last week with 2 TDs, but he just can’t get it done consistently anymore. The Jags will put enough pressure on Testaverde to keep him in check.
Sleeper: Fred Taylor, RB Jacksonville. Taylor has topped 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games. He doesn’t find the end zone as much as Jones-Drew, but he is playing very well and gets the bulk of the carries. He should find success Sunday as the game progresses.
Tampa Bay at Houston
The Bucs all but own the NFC South and at 8-4, have an easy schedule down the stretch and no real competition for the division crown. The Texans are very improved and you have to wonder what their season would have been like if WR Andre Johnson and QB Matt Schaub would have stayed healthy. They are capable of beating anybody but are also capable of playing poorly on any given week. They are learning how to win at this point.
Stud: Earnest Graham, RB Tampa Bay. Graham has 737 yards rushing and 7 TDs which is impressive considering he only saw spot duty as a backup the first three games. The Texans run defense is ranked 25th and with QB Jeff Garcia out with an injury, the Bucs should emphasize the run even more than usual.
Dud: Sage Rosenfels, QB Houston. Rosenfels is not very consistent and he faces the NFL’s 4th best pass defense in Tampa Bay. Look for average fantasy stats from Sage but nothing special.
Sleeper: Andre Johnson, WR Houston. Johnson is one of the best in the game but he flies under the radar because he plays for a Houston team that has not yet established itself as a consistent winner. He has an interesting matchup this week with CB Ronde Barber and Johnson has a five-inch height advantage. In five games played, Johnson has 5 TDs and has topped the 100-yard mark four times.
St. Louis at Cincinnati
These two teams mirror each other in that they have much stronger offenses than defenses and both have struggled this year. The Rams have won three of their last four while the Bengals are out of the AFC playoff picture but can score with anybody, especially now that third WR Chris Henry is back in the lineup.
Stud: Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis. Jackson has scored TDs in four of the last five games and has topped 90 yards rushing in has last three contests. The Bengals have trouble stopping the run and are ranked 23rd in that category. Jackson should have a very productive day.
Dud: Kenny Watson, RB Cincinnati. Watson has not had a solid rushing total in five weeks and he and Rudi Johnson tend to split carries. Johnson is going to get a few more chances than Watson and is more likely to carry the mail near the end zone.
Sleeper: Torry Holt WR St. Louis. There are plenty of great receivers to choose from in this game and all of them are probably solid selections but Holt is the focal point of the Rams’ passing attack and the Bengals secondary is 26th in the league. Holt has a mismatch against CB Jonathan Joseph. He also has three 100-plus yard games and 3 TDs in his last five contests.
Oakland at Green Bay
The Packers look to bounce back from last Thursday’s defeat in Dallas while the Raiders hope to build on their win over the Broncos. Brett Favre is expected to get his 250th straight start but keep an eye on his effectiveness throughout the game.
Stud: Ryan Grant, RB Green Bay. The Raiders defense is 30th against the rush. Grant may not get a lot of carries, but he is averaging nearly five yards per carry and has 3 TDs in his last four games and usually approaches or tops the 100-yard mark. With Brett Favre a little banged up, don’t be surprised if Grant gets a few extra chances to run the ball Sunday.
Dud: Josh McCown, QB Oakland. McCown will be under steady pressure from DE Aaron Kampman and company. While he played very well against Denver last week (3 TDs), McCown is not known for his consistency.
Sleeper: Justin Fargas, RB Oakland. Fargas has run wild the past two games, totaling 285 yards and 2 TDs. The Raiders are a run-first team and Fargas will have his moments against the Packers’ solid run defense on Sunday.
Dallas at Detroit
It doesn’t get any easier for the reeling Lions who have now lost four straight. The 11-1 Cowboys come calling. Another loss would be very harmful to the Lions fading playoff chances. The Cowboys have an extra few days of rest after last Thursday’s big win over Green Bay. They have to avoid a letdown and they can roll to the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Stud: Tony Romo, QB Dallas. The Lions secondary is very vulnerable and are ranked 31st in the league at pass defense. Romo must be licking his chops to face this mediocre unit. Unless the Lions find a way to put steady pressure on Romo, they are in for a long afternoon.
Dud: Kevin Jones, RB Detroit. The Lions don’t even try to run the football in some games and last week was yet another example. Jones had three carries for one yard and for the second time in four weeks, the Lions ground attack was literally almost non-existent. Dallas’ run defense ranks 4th in the league.
Sleeper: Terrell Owens, WR Dallas. T.O. vs. the Detroit secondary. You can stop laughing now. No matter which CB and/or safety the Lions try to cover Owens with, T.O. will have a huge advantage and he should have another huge day.
Sunday 4:00 PM ET
Minnesota at San Francisco
The Vikings suddenly find themselves in the thick of the NFC Wild Card race while the 49ers have been behind the eight ball most of the season. San Francisco simply has trouble moving the ball and scoring points. Minnesota has gotten better play of late from QB Tarvaris Jackson and getting Adrian Peterson back only makes the Minnesota attack more lethal.
Stud: Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota. Peterson is facing a San Francisco defense ranked 26th in the league at stopping the run. He seemed no worse for wear playing with a knee brace last week. Peterson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The Niners should be plenty worried.
Dud: Arnaz Battle, WR San Francisco. Battle has TDs in two straight games but he tweaked an ankle last week and may not be at full strength for Sunday’s game. The Minnesota secondary is not good but Battle will be held in check.
Sleeper: Tarvaris Jackson, QB Minnesota. Jackson’s play has improved in recent weeks. He is reading defenses much better and has found his groove, completing more than 75 percent of his passes in each of the last three games. Don’t look for a monster game from Jackson, but he’s capable of throwing for a couple of TDs and more than 200 yards against a shaky San Francisco secondary.
Arizona at Seattle
A win all but clinches the NFC West for Seattle. A Cardinals win and they would have a sweep of the Seahawks and be one game back (with all tiebreaker advantages) with three to play. Injuries to WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin may limit the Cardinals offense. The key for Arizona will be to protect QB Kurt Warner.
Stud: Matt Hasselbeck, QB Seattle. The Cards pass defense ranks 24th in the league against the pass. Hasselbeck’s steady play has carried the Seahawks of late when RB Shaun Alexander was injured. Hasselbeck has thrown for at least one TD in 11 of 12 games.
Dud: Arizona Defense. The Cards defense makes plenty of big plays when they win, but they will surrender a lot of yards and points to the Seahawks this week, especially through the air.
Sleeper: Edgerrin James, RB Arizona. James topped the 100-yard mark last week. If the weather is iffy, he will be even more vital to the Cards’ offense. As it is, they need him to be effective to take some pressure off of Warner. He will get plenty of touches Sunday.
Kansas City at Denver
These two teams expected to be contenders this season but both have fallen flat. The Broncos have lost two straight and one more loss would all but end their playoff chances. The Chiefs have dropped five in-a-row and need to hold on to some dignity and finish the season on a little bit of a run. Both of these teams tend to make mistakes at crucial moments. Denver won the first meeting in Kansas City earlier this season.
Stud: Kolby Smith, RB Kansas City. Smith topped 80 yards last week and has 233 yards and 2 TDs in two starts. The Broncos run defense is allowing 149.1 yards per game so Smith should have room to run.
Dud: Damon Huard, QB Kansas City. Huard has in injured hand but is expected to play. The Broncos pass defense is strong, ranking 9th in the league. Even when Huard is healthy, the Chiefs passing attack is second rate.
Sleeper: Travis Henry, RB Denver. Henry had 2 TD runs last week and won his appeal against the league to prevent him from being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He should get the bulk of the carries for the Broncos. The Chiefs run defense is 21st in the league.
Pittsburgh at New England
The Patriots remained perfect with another last minute win against Baltimore last week. Meanwhile, the Steelers won another game in the rain and slop of Pittsburgh, downing the Bengals on Sunday night. Pittsburgh’s defense, which features multiple formations and zone blitzes, may be just the thing to contain Tom Brady and the Patriots high powered offense. Certainly on paper, this is the toughest remaining game New England faces.
Stud: Tom Brady, QB New England. Brady’s numbers haven’t been as overwhelming the past few weeks, but keeping up that pace was nearly impossible. He’s still in charge of the most potent passing attack in the league and should post solid numbers against a tough Steelers defense.
Dud: Laurence Maroney, RB New England. Maroney has just 29 carries in the last three games. Pittsburgh is 2nd in the league against the run so don’t expect a lot of production from him on Sunday.
Sleeper: Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger has 25 TD passes and a passer rating over 100 this season. The Steelers will try to establish the run first, but they score TDs through the air and Roethlisberger will put up good if not great numbers vs. the Pats.
Cleveland at N.Y. Jets
The Browns lost a controversial game a week ago to the Cardinals when Braylon Edwards was ruled not to have been pushed out of bounds on the final play of the game. The Browns are 7-5 and still hold the final Wild Card spot in the AFC but they have little room for error if they hope to keep it. The Jets staved off embarrassment by beating Miami handily but they still have a long way to go as a team.
Stud: Derek Anderson, QB Cleveland. Anderson has thrown 24 TD passes despite not starting in week 1. Look for him to find plenty of chances against the Jets pass defense. The Browns attack simply has too many weapons for the Jets defensive backs to handle.
Dud: Cleveland Defense. The Browns have trouble stopping anybody. Stay away from this defense every week if possible.
Sleeper: Thomas Jones, RB N.Y. Jets. Jones scored his first TD of the season last week and had 75 yards rushing. The Browns defense is 28th in the league at stopping the run and the Jets would be wise to give Jones plenty of carries in an attempt to keep the Browns powerful offense off the field.
Sunday 8:15 PM ET
Indianapolis at Baltimore
The Colts are regaining their health on offense and have the inside track to the second seed and a first round bye in the playoffs. The Ravens are out of the playoff picture but gave the Patriots all they could handle last Monday. Kyle Boller will start at QB for the rest of the season. This may be his last chance to show he can still be Baltimore’s quaterback of the future.
Stud: Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis. Manning is still deadly accurate and one of the best fantasy QBs out there. The Ravens defense is good but no longer as intimidating as it used to be. Manning should have a solid game against the Ravens 15th ranked pass defense.
Dud: Kyle Boller, QB Baltimore. Boller had 2 TDs and 210 yards against New England last week. That is probably his fantasy upside. The Colts have a good pass defense, ranked second in the league. They will make things tougher for Boller.
Sleeper: Willie McGahee, RB Baltimore. McGahee has scored a TD in each of the last seven games. He has gone over 1,000 yards for the season and has topped the 100-yard mark in two of the last three games. The Colts run defense is good but not great. The Ravens will feature McGahee and he will come through.
Monday 8:30 PM ET
New Orleans at Atlanta
When the schedule came out, this divisional clash looked like a great game. Now the Saints have come back to earth and Michael Vick is behind bars and the game features two sub-.500 teams. The Saints have to run the table to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs as a Wild Card. The Falcons have a chance to show a national TV audience that they aren’t as bad as their record.
Stud: Drew Brees, QB New Orleans. Brees has 5 TDs in the last two games and is capable of a big game at any time. New Orleans struggles to run the ball so they will rely heavily on Brees and the passing attack to get things done.
Dud: Michael Jenkins, WR Atlanta. Don’t expect much from Jenkins despite his TD catch last week. The former first round pick has never developed into a consistent NFL receiver.
Sleeper: Reggie Bush, RB New Orleans. The Falcons can’t stop the run and Bush is the Saints favorite target in the passing game as well. If the former Heisman winner can have a big game, this should be it.
The playoffs start in most fantasy leagues either this week or next week. When it comes to this time of year, stick with the players that got you there. Sure, you have to keep close tabs on injuries and the like, but your best bet in the long run is to have the most talented lineup possible. If it’s a toss-up between two or more players, I’ll be able to point out matchups to take advantage of. Here is a look at this week’s matchups which will help you win your fantasy league.
Thursday 8:15 PM ET
Chicago at Washington
Both of these teams are hanging on by a thread in the NFC playoff race. The Redskins are still reeling from the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor. They had the funeral on Monday and will have only one full day of practice to prepare for this game. Meanwhile, the Bears allowed the Giants to make a late fourth quarter comeback last week in Chicago to drop to 5-7. They are a far cry from the team that represented the NFC in last year’s Super Bowl.
Stud: Clinton Portis, RB Washington. The Redskins running back aggravated an ankle injury late in the Buffalo game last week so check his status. If he plays, Portis should find plenty of room to run against a leaky Bears defense ranked 27th against the run. If Portis can’t play, go with Ladell Betts, his replacement.
Dud: Adrian Peterson, RB Chicago. So far, Peterson’s stats look an awful lot like Cedric Benson’s. Perhaps the offensive line is a large part of the problem in Chicago. The Redskins run defense is 10th in the league and the Bears have trouble rushing the football.
Sleeper: Bernard Berrian, WR Chicago. Berrian faces a Redskins secondary that has struggled since Taylor’s death. Look for Rex Grossman to exploit this matchup and for Berrian to have his first big day in three weeks.
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
San Diego at Tennessee
This game matches up two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Both have 7-5 records but the Chargers benefit from being in the weaker West while the Titans are in the South, perhaps the most competitive division in the league. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs last week which solidified their hold on the division. The Titans got past the pesky Texans to end their three-game losing streak. Getting DT Albert Haynesworth back really helped. Both teams really need a win but the Titans need it a bit more.
Stud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB San Diego. Tomlinson ran wild against KC last week and totaled 197 yards and 2 TDs. He has scored in four of the last five games and gone over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season. Even with Haynesworth back in the lineup, the Titans defense has not been as effective. If they do slow LT down rushing the ball, the Chargers will throw it to him.
Dud: LenDale White, RB Tennessee. White has only 141 yards rushing total in his last four games. The Chargers run defense is strongest up the middle and that’s where White is at his best.
Sleeper: Antonio Gates, TE San Diego. Gates had only 1 catch last week for –1 yards. He will be facing LB Keith Bulluck of the Titans, which gives a physical advantage to Gates. Don’t expect Gates to be a non-factor two weeks in a row.
Miami at Buffalo
The Dolphins are three-quarters of the way to a winless season. No team has gone 0-16 since the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 but the Dolphins look like they have a real chance to pull off that unwelcome feat. The Bills are a game behind in the AFC Wild Card race after a last second victory over a stunned Redskins team last week in DC. The cold weather will not make things easy for the battered Dolphins.
Stud: Fred Jackson, RB Buffalo. The Dolphins have the worst run defense in the league and Jackson has looked good so far when given the chance. Last week against Washington, he ran for 82 yards and caught four passes for another 69. Look for another good game from Jackson against a Miami team that has trouble staying in its gaps.
Dud: Marty Booker, WR Miami. Booker has fallen off in recent weeks although a lack of a quaterback hasn’t helped. He has also dropped too many passes. The Bills will contain the Fish’s top wide receiver who has only 1 TD on the season and 12 catches total in the last four games.
Sleeper: Lee Evans, WR Buffalo. Evans is the biggest receiving threat the Bills have and Trent Edwards played well last week. The Dolphins pass defense is nothing special and Evans should end up with a solid statistical day.
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
The Giants pulled out a late game comeback against the Bears that may have saved Eli Manning’s career with New York. Manning remains mistake prone but he showed some leadership by coming on late last week to eke out a victory. The Eagles loss to Seattle all but ended their playoff hopes. Donovan McNabb may be back to face the Giants tough defensive line. The first time these two teams met, McNabb was sacked 12 times.
Stud: Brandon Jacobs, RB N.Y. Giants. Jacobs has been limited in practice but is expected to get the start Sunday (check status). Even if Jacobs is not ready to go, feel free to play Reuben Droughns. The Giants are trusting Eli Manning less and less and their run blocking has been strong. Philly’s run defense is solid but the Giants will grind it out effectively.
Dud: Donovan McNabb, QB Philadelphia. McNabb may be back from ankle and thumb injuries but against the Giants tough pass rush, he may wish he stayed off the field for another week. If A.J. Feeley has to start, he’d be an even bigger dud.
Sleeper: Brian Westbrook, RB Philadelphia. Westbrook is a top fantasy player and if the Giants 5th ranked rush defense shuts him down, the Eagles will throw plenty of short passes to him to stall the Giants pass rush. Westbrook will put up good numbers Sunday.
Carolina at Jacksonville
The Panthers have fallen on hard times without a steady quaterback while the Jags have proven themselves true playoff contenders despite another heartbreaking loss to the Colts last week. While Carolina has been wildly inconsistent this year, they are 4-2 on the road.
Stud: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Jacksonville. Jones-Drew has scored in each of the last four games. The Jaguars running game should wear down the Panthers defense and by the fourth quarter, big holes should be there for Jones-Drew and company.
Dud: Vinny Testaverde, QB Carolina. The veteran had a solid game last week with 2 TDs, but he just can’t get it done consistently anymore. The Jags will put enough pressure on Testaverde to keep him in check.
Sleeper: Fred Taylor, RB Jacksonville. Taylor has topped 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games. He doesn’t find the end zone as much as Jones-Drew, but he is playing very well and gets the bulk of the carries. He should find success Sunday as the game progresses.
Tampa Bay at Houston
The Bucs all but own the NFC South and at 8-4, have an easy schedule down the stretch and no real competition for the division crown. The Texans are very improved and you have to wonder what their season would have been like if WR Andre Johnson and QB Matt Schaub would have stayed healthy. They are capable of beating anybody but are also capable of playing poorly on any given week. They are learning how to win at this point.
Stud: Earnest Graham, RB Tampa Bay. Graham has 737 yards rushing and 7 TDs which is impressive considering he only saw spot duty as a backup the first three games. The Texans run defense is ranked 25th and with QB Jeff Garcia out with an injury, the Bucs should emphasize the run even more than usual.
Dud: Sage Rosenfels, QB Houston. Rosenfels is not very consistent and he faces the NFL’s 4th best pass defense in Tampa Bay. Look for average fantasy stats from Sage but nothing special.
Sleeper: Andre Johnson, WR Houston. Johnson is one of the best in the game but he flies under the radar because he plays for a Houston team that has not yet established itself as a consistent winner. He has an interesting matchup this week with CB Ronde Barber and Johnson has a five-inch height advantage. In five games played, Johnson has 5 TDs and has topped the 100-yard mark four times.
St. Louis at Cincinnati
These two teams mirror each other in that they have much stronger offenses than defenses and both have struggled this year. The Rams have won three of their last four while the Bengals are out of the AFC playoff picture but can score with anybody, especially now that third WR Chris Henry is back in the lineup.
Stud: Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis. Jackson has scored TDs in four of the last five games and has topped 90 yards rushing in has last three contests. The Bengals have trouble stopping the run and are ranked 23rd in that category. Jackson should have a very productive day.
Dud: Kenny Watson, RB Cincinnati. Watson has not had a solid rushing total in five weeks and he and Rudi Johnson tend to split carries. Johnson is going to get a few more chances than Watson and is more likely to carry the mail near the end zone.
Sleeper: Torry Holt WR St. Louis. There are plenty of great receivers to choose from in this game and all of them are probably solid selections but Holt is the focal point of the Rams’ passing attack and the Bengals secondary is 26th in the league. Holt has a mismatch against CB Jonathan Joseph. He also has three 100-plus yard games and 3 TDs in his last five contests.
Oakland at Green Bay
The Packers look to bounce back from last Thursday’s defeat in Dallas while the Raiders hope to build on their win over the Broncos. Brett Favre is expected to get his 250th straight start but keep an eye on his effectiveness throughout the game.
Stud: Ryan Grant, RB Green Bay. The Raiders defense is 30th against the rush. Grant may not get a lot of carries, but he is averaging nearly five yards per carry and has 3 TDs in his last four games and usually approaches or tops the 100-yard mark. With Brett Favre a little banged up, don’t be surprised if Grant gets a few extra chances to run the ball Sunday.
Dud: Josh McCown, QB Oakland. McCown will be under steady pressure from DE Aaron Kampman and company. While he played very well against Denver last week (3 TDs), McCown is not known for his consistency.
Sleeper: Justin Fargas, RB Oakland. Fargas has run wild the past two games, totaling 285 yards and 2 TDs. The Raiders are a run-first team and Fargas will have his moments against the Packers’ solid run defense on Sunday.
Dallas at Detroit
It doesn’t get any easier for the reeling Lions who have now lost four straight. The 11-1 Cowboys come calling. Another loss would be very harmful to the Lions fading playoff chances. The Cowboys have an extra few days of rest after last Thursday’s big win over Green Bay. They have to avoid a letdown and they can roll to the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Stud: Tony Romo, QB Dallas. The Lions secondary is very vulnerable and are ranked 31st in the league at pass defense. Romo must be licking his chops to face this mediocre unit. Unless the Lions find a way to put steady pressure on Romo, they are in for a long afternoon.
Dud: Kevin Jones, RB Detroit. The Lions don’t even try to run the football in some games and last week was yet another example. Jones had three carries for one yard and for the second time in four weeks, the Lions ground attack was literally almost non-existent. Dallas’ run defense ranks 4th in the league.
Sleeper: Terrell Owens, WR Dallas. T.O. vs. the Detroit secondary. You can stop laughing now. No matter which CB and/or safety the Lions try to cover Owens with, T.O. will have a huge advantage and he should have another huge day.
Sunday 4:00 PM ET
Minnesota at San Francisco
The Vikings suddenly find themselves in the thick of the NFC Wild Card race while the 49ers have been behind the eight ball most of the season. San Francisco simply has trouble moving the ball and scoring points. Minnesota has gotten better play of late from QB Tarvaris Jackson and getting Adrian Peterson back only makes the Minnesota attack more lethal.
Stud: Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota. Peterson is facing a San Francisco defense ranked 26th in the league at stopping the run. He seemed no worse for wear playing with a knee brace last week. Peterson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The Niners should be plenty worried.
Dud: Arnaz Battle, WR San Francisco. Battle has TDs in two straight games but he tweaked an ankle last week and may not be at full strength for Sunday’s game. The Minnesota secondary is not good but Battle will be held in check.
Sleeper: Tarvaris Jackson, QB Minnesota. Jackson’s play has improved in recent weeks. He is reading defenses much better and has found his groove, completing more than 75 percent of his passes in each of the last three games. Don’t look for a monster game from Jackson, but he’s capable of throwing for a couple of TDs and more than 200 yards against a shaky San Francisco secondary.
Arizona at Seattle
A win all but clinches the NFC West for Seattle. A Cardinals win and they would have a sweep of the Seahawks and be one game back (with all tiebreaker advantages) with three to play. Injuries to WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin may limit the Cardinals offense. The key for Arizona will be to protect QB Kurt Warner.
Stud: Matt Hasselbeck, QB Seattle. The Cards pass defense ranks 24th in the league against the pass. Hasselbeck’s steady play has carried the Seahawks of late when RB Shaun Alexander was injured. Hasselbeck has thrown for at least one TD in 11 of 12 games.
Dud: Arizona Defense. The Cards defense makes plenty of big plays when they win, but they will surrender a lot of yards and points to the Seahawks this week, especially through the air.
Sleeper: Edgerrin James, RB Arizona. James topped the 100-yard mark last week. If the weather is iffy, he will be even more vital to the Cards’ offense. As it is, they need him to be effective to take some pressure off of Warner. He will get plenty of touches Sunday.
Kansas City at Denver
These two teams expected to be contenders this season but both have fallen flat. The Broncos have lost two straight and one more loss would all but end their playoff chances. The Chiefs have dropped five in-a-row and need to hold on to some dignity and finish the season on a little bit of a run. Both of these teams tend to make mistakes at crucial moments. Denver won the first meeting in Kansas City earlier this season.
Stud: Kolby Smith, RB Kansas City. Smith topped 80 yards last week and has 233 yards and 2 TDs in two starts. The Broncos run defense is allowing 149.1 yards per game so Smith should have room to run.
Dud: Damon Huard, QB Kansas City. Huard has in injured hand but is expected to play. The Broncos pass defense is strong, ranking 9th in the league. Even when Huard is healthy, the Chiefs passing attack is second rate.
Sleeper: Travis Henry, RB Denver. Henry had 2 TD runs last week and won his appeal against the league to prevent him from being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He should get the bulk of the carries for the Broncos. The Chiefs run defense is 21st in the league.
Pittsburgh at New England
The Patriots remained perfect with another last minute win against Baltimore last week. Meanwhile, the Steelers won another game in the rain and slop of Pittsburgh, downing the Bengals on Sunday night. Pittsburgh’s defense, which features multiple formations and zone blitzes, may be just the thing to contain Tom Brady and the Patriots high powered offense. Certainly on paper, this is the toughest remaining game New England faces.
Stud: Tom Brady, QB New England. Brady’s numbers haven’t been as overwhelming the past few weeks, but keeping up that pace was nearly impossible. He’s still in charge of the most potent passing attack in the league and should post solid numbers against a tough Steelers defense.
Dud: Laurence Maroney, RB New England. Maroney has just 29 carries in the last three games. Pittsburgh is 2nd in the league against the run so don’t expect a lot of production from him on Sunday.
Sleeper: Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger has 25 TD passes and a passer rating over 100 this season. The Steelers will try to establish the run first, but they score TDs through the air and Roethlisberger will put up good if not great numbers vs. the Pats.
Cleveland at N.Y. Jets
The Browns lost a controversial game a week ago to the Cardinals when Braylon Edwards was ruled not to have been pushed out of bounds on the final play of the game. The Browns are 7-5 and still hold the final Wild Card spot in the AFC but they have little room for error if they hope to keep it. The Jets staved off embarrassment by beating Miami handily but they still have a long way to go as a team.
Stud: Derek Anderson, QB Cleveland. Anderson has thrown 24 TD passes despite not starting in week 1. Look for him to find plenty of chances against the Jets pass defense. The Browns attack simply has too many weapons for the Jets defensive backs to handle.
Dud: Cleveland Defense. The Browns have trouble stopping anybody. Stay away from this defense every week if possible.
Sleeper: Thomas Jones, RB N.Y. Jets. Jones scored his first TD of the season last week and had 75 yards rushing. The Browns defense is 28th in the league at stopping the run and the Jets would be wise to give Jones plenty of carries in an attempt to keep the Browns powerful offense off the field.
Sunday 8:15 PM ET
Indianapolis at Baltimore
The Colts are regaining their health on offense and have the inside track to the second seed and a first round bye in the playoffs. The Ravens are out of the playoff picture but gave the Patriots all they could handle last Monday. Kyle Boller will start at QB for the rest of the season. This may be his last chance to show he can still be Baltimore’s quaterback of the future.
Stud: Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis. Manning is still deadly accurate and one of the best fantasy QBs out there. The Ravens defense is good but no longer as intimidating as it used to be. Manning should have a solid game against the Ravens 15th ranked pass defense.
Dud: Kyle Boller, QB Baltimore. Boller had 2 TDs and 210 yards against New England last week. That is probably his fantasy upside. The Colts have a good pass defense, ranked second in the league. They will make things tougher for Boller.
Sleeper: Willie McGahee, RB Baltimore. McGahee has scored a TD in each of the last seven games. He has gone over 1,000 yards for the season and has topped the 100-yard mark in two of the last three games. The Colts run defense is good but not great. The Ravens will feature McGahee and he will come through.
Monday 8:30 PM ET
New Orleans at Atlanta
When the schedule came out, this divisional clash looked like a great game. Now the Saints have come back to earth and Michael Vick is behind bars and the game features two sub-.500 teams. The Saints have to run the table to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs as a Wild Card. The Falcons have a chance to show a national TV audience that they aren’t as bad as their record.
Stud: Drew Brees, QB New Orleans. Brees has 5 TDs in the last two games and is capable of a big game at any time. New Orleans struggles to run the ball so they will rely heavily on Brees and the passing attack to get things done.
Dud: Michael Jenkins, WR Atlanta. Don’t expect much from Jenkins despite his TD catch last week. The former first round pick has never developed into a consistent NFL receiver.
Sleeper: Reggie Bush, RB New Orleans. The Falcons can’t stop the run and Bush is the Saints favorite target in the passing game as well. If the former Heisman winner can have a big game, this should be it.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
FAVORABLE FANTASY MATCHUPS
By Dan Lewis, Fantasy football Insiders
Miami @ New York Jets
The Jets have faced two tough defenses (Ravens and Patriots) in their first two games, but look for some improvement this week against the Dolphins. Miami allowed 191 yards rushing to Washington Week 1 and 166 to Baltimore Week 2. Looks like a nice opportunity for Thomas Jones turn it on. Start WRs Coles and Cotchery for the Jets as well, but sit QB Chad Pennington, if he even plays, to make sure he comes back well from his ankle injury. For Miami, WR Chris Chambers is second in targets on the season with 27, and is bound to get opportunities against the Jets and their lackluster pass rush (0 sacks in 2007). Marty Booker may even make some noise in this game. Start Ronnie Brown this week also, as he had 2 of his top 4 rushing performances of last year against the Jets.
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh
The Steelers have been dominant thus far, but face a solid 2-0 49ers team. Start RB Willie Parker. You can start WRs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, but don’t expect too much as San Francisco’s defense is far better than either Buffalo’s or Cleveland’s. This goes for Ben Roethlisberger as well. TE Heath Miller doesn’t always put up big numbers, but he gets looks in the endzone and has a chance to score every week, so use him if you need him. For the 49ers, Frank Gore is an every week start. Darrell Jackson has been disappointing thus far, and he faces a solid Pittsburgh defense. Temper expectations. Arnaz Battle was also disappointing after a strong Week 1, and until Alex Smith improves, these two receivers will have problems. Vernon Davis was irrelevant again, and until he shows some of his explosive potential, he’s staying on my bench.
St. Louis @ Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay faces a defense not much better than the Saints’ squad that they scored on last week. Jeff Garcia is making a case for himself as a strong backup option, and with a few more solid performances could be considered as a matchup play going forward. Gruden seems committed to pounding Cadillac Williams, so he’ll get touchdown opportunities if they present themselves. Start him. Joey Galloway was his explosive self again, and he should have chances against the Rams again. We are all waiting for St. Louis’ Steven Jackson to turn it on. The more he plays, and the more the Rams’ retooled O-line can play together, the better Jackson will be. It’s not panic time yet, so get him in there. Bulger is an every week start, as is Torry Holt. Isaac Bruce made a strong case for himself last week with 8 catches for 145 yards, but Tampa’s defense is superior to New Orleans. Randy McMichael hasn’t clicked yet, and Tampa has been strong against tight ends so far this year. Not a strong play.
San Diego @ Green Bay
Two great defenses face off in this one, making it a tough game for players on both sides. Start LaDainian and Gates obviously. The Packers have a muddled running back picture, with rumors that DeShawn Wynn will start this week over rookie Brandon Jackson. Jackson had more carries last week, but Wynn was far more effective, averaging 5 yards per carry. However, neither is a good play against San Diego. Donald Driver is a start every week, and will likely get some looks as soon as the Chargers shut down the Packer running game. Both Green Bay TE Donald Lee and Bubba Franks had good games last week, but the Giants have been killed by tight ends the past two weeks now. Make those tight ends do it again before expecting too much.
Detroit @ Philadelphia
The feisty, pass-happy Lions face the disappointing Eagles, whose franchise quarterback looks distressed. Donovan McNabb had problems other than his own injuries on Monday night, but when he was given time to throw, and open receivers to throw to, he often missed them. This is a game for him to get back on track against a very weak Detroit defense, so start him if you need him. RB Brian Westbrook is dinged up again with that nagging knee, but he played well through several questionables last year, and he remains the Eagles only viable offensive option, especially in Coach Andy Reid’s stubborn pass-heavy offense. If he is ruled out for Sunday, Correll Buckhalter would likely start, but rookie Tony Hunt is also in the picture, and could emerge given the opportunity. Donovan has yet to develop chemistry with any of his receivers, so keep an eye on who he’s targeting this week; in the meantime, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis have gotten the most looks, but Jason Avant and Hank Baskett will probably be in the mix as well. None is a particularly strong play. The Lions’ QB Jon Kitna is a start, as are Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and a surprising Shaun McDonald, who has reunited with offensive coordinator Mike Martz from their days in St. Louis, and gotten more looks than last year’s surprise, Mike Furrey. RB Tatum Bell is an uninspiring play, as Martz has shown an eagerness to abandon the run in the past.
Arizona @ Baltimore
Despite Baltimore’s defense, WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are starts. Edgerrin James has gotten off to a nice start, but he faces a defense that has allowed only 60 yards rushing per game on the season, so sit him. Sit QB Matt Leinart as well. Steve McNair looks like he’ll play this week, but don’t play him. Derrick Mason has been targeted 12 times in both games this year; look for that to continue this week. Mark Clayton is working his way back from his toe injury. He is expected to reclaim his starting role for the Ravens, and he is a nice fantasy option if you need him. TE Todd Heap always starts.
Buffalo @ New England
This game should be a massacre. New England has been dominant, and Buffalo has been anemic. Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, and Randy Moss are starts and should all have very nice games. Brady is notorious in the fantasy world for spreading the ball to his receivers, but he’s been consistently targeting Moss and Wes Welker more often this year. He should be able to pass to whomever he wants in this one, and those two remain great plays this week. Temper expectations for Donte Stallworth, as he hasn’t done much yet. Benjamin Watson is also a good play. Buffalo’s Lee Evans remains a potential deep threat, so start him. Roscoe Parrish has the second most targets for the Bills behind Evans, and he could make some noise in garbage time once the Pats take a sizeable lead.
Indianapolis @ Houston
The surprising Texans face their division rivals, but without top WR Andre Johnson. This fact, coupled with Indy’s strong defense, lowers QB Matt Schaub’s potential this week. RB Ahman Green could catch some balls out of the backfield, and he is a decent play. No Texan WR not named Andre Johnson has more than 2 catches on the season, so monitor Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter to see who gets the looks, but don’t start either one this week.. Owen Daniels remains a decent TE option. Start all of your Colts (Manning, Addai, Harrison, Wayne, and even Dallas Clark, if he plays this week (neck)).
Minnesota @ Kansas City
Minnesota’s run-heavy offense faces the uninspiring Chiefs. QB Tarvaris Jackson may not play, but it doesn’t matter. Don’t start any Viking receivers or QBs. It looks at this point as though Chester Taylor may be back this week, so monitor the situation as Sunday approaches to see if you get a sense of how many carries he and Adrian Peterson will get. If Taylor is indeed back, both runners are strong plays. For the Chiefs, start Tony Gonzalez. RB Larry Johnson faces the top defense vs. the run in the NFL, and coupled with his slow start to the year (49 yards per game), I would look into alternate options this week.
Jacksonville @ Denver
Jacksonville has been unimpressive for fantasy thus far, including a disappointing start for RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Don’t look for the offense to get on track this week. If you have Jones-Drew or Fred Taylor, you may not have great alternatives, but temper expectations for them. For Denver, I’d start QB Jay Cutler, RB Travis Henry, and WR Javon Walker with high hopes. WR Brandon Marshall has also looked good, and he is startable.
Cleveland @ Oakland
Cleveland comes off of its astonishing 51 point game over the Bengals, but it ends here. I think Cincy’s defense may just be that bad… Oakland has a top defense vs. the pass, so sit Derek Anderson. Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius were nice plays last week, but not this week. Start Edwards if you need him. Kellen Winslow is a start this week. Look for Oakland WR Ronald Curry to bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance. LaMont Jordan has been nothing but impressive this year, and he should continue to play well this week.
Cincinnati @ Seattle
Look for Seattle WR Bobby Engram to emerge this week. Cincinnati can’t stop anybody, and Engram has been effective in the past for Mike Holmgren. Engram and Deion Branch will have nice games this week. Nate Burleson is actually also a good play for this week because of the Bengals’ defensive ineptitude. For those of you in scoring systems where offensive players earn points for kick returns, Burleson deserves serious consideration, as Cincy will score and give him ample opportunity to return kicks. Start the typical Bengals this week (Carson, Chad, TJ, and Rudi).
New York Giants @ Washington
Washington QB Jason Campbell comes off of an encouraging outing against the Eagles. He’s making a case for himself as a bye-week replacement and decent backup. Start both Santana Moss, as you do most weeks, and Antwaan Randle-El against the Giants’ inept defense. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts should play well. Betts has gotten fewer carries than some have speculated he might get this season, but against the Giants there should be enough gaping holes for 2 runners to share. Also, Happy Birthday, Chris Cooley owners. Expect an explosive day. The Giants have been terrible covering the TE thus far. For the Giants, start WR Plaxico Burress for sure, and the scrappy Derrick Ward and the improving Eli Manning, if you need them. Shockey is a decent play as well.
Carolina @ Atlanta
Atlanta may be the worst team in the NFL. They haven’t played a particularly strong offense yet, but Carolina will look great against them. Start Steve Smith for sure. WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter have been getting the rest of the targets from QB Jake Delhomme, but these aren’t particularly exciting options. The Carolina RB situation is muddled, but both DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams could have nice games this week. Start them if needed. Tight End Jeff King has gotten some looks from Delhomme as well, and if you are trapped in some sort of dire TE shortage, he’s worth a look this week vs. the Falcs. Alge Crumpler’s matchup is decent.
Dallas @ Chicago
Dallas will have its troubles vs. the Bears. RBs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones don’t have a great matchup, but Barber is a threat to score a touchdown every week, so start him. Terrell Owens and Tony Romo are also starts, but if you have another option at QB, consider it over Romo. No WR has established himself in place of injured Terry Glenn. Neither Patrick Crayton nor Sam Hurd has impressed, so leave them alone this week. Jason Witten seems to have taken advantage of his Week 1 matchup against the Giants, but had problems against the Dolphins last week, catching only 2 passes. The Bears won’t make things any easier on him. For Chicago, don’t expect much from Cedric Benson or Adrian Peterson. Start WR Bernard Berrian, and TE Desmond Clark could have a nice game here.
Tennessee @ New Orleans
New Orleans is a mess. They aren’t giving Deuce McAllister the ball, Reggie Bush plays running back like a punt returner, and no receiver other than Marques Colston seems interested in excelling. Look for them to get back on track eventually, but the solid Tennessee defense won’t make it easy for them. I’d continue to start Deuce and Bush. Drew Brees and Colston are also starts. I was high on Devery Henderson coming into the season, but he dropped three passes last week, including a touchdown, and was benched for the second half. I’m not starting any Saints receivers other than Colston until this offense remembers how to play. For Tennessee, Vince Young is a solid play. My impression this season has been that Jeff Fisher wants to give the ball to LenDale White more than Chris Brown, so White is the stronger play. WR Brandon Jones is also a decent play, although the Titans’ passing game can be unpredictable.
Miami @ New York Jets
The Jets have faced two tough defenses (Ravens and Patriots) in their first two games, but look for some improvement this week against the Dolphins. Miami allowed 191 yards rushing to Washington Week 1 and 166 to Baltimore Week 2. Looks like a nice opportunity for Thomas Jones turn it on. Start WRs Coles and Cotchery for the Jets as well, but sit QB Chad Pennington, if he even plays, to make sure he comes back well from his ankle injury. For Miami, WR Chris Chambers is second in targets on the season with 27, and is bound to get opportunities against the Jets and their lackluster pass rush (0 sacks in 2007). Marty Booker may even make some noise in this game. Start Ronnie Brown this week also, as he had 2 of his top 4 rushing performances of last year against the Jets.
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh
The Steelers have been dominant thus far, but face a solid 2-0 49ers team. Start RB Willie Parker. You can start WRs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, but don’t expect too much as San Francisco’s defense is far better than either Buffalo’s or Cleveland’s. This goes for Ben Roethlisberger as well. TE Heath Miller doesn’t always put up big numbers, but he gets looks in the endzone and has a chance to score every week, so use him if you need him. For the 49ers, Frank Gore is an every week start. Darrell Jackson has been disappointing thus far, and he faces a solid Pittsburgh defense. Temper expectations. Arnaz Battle was also disappointing after a strong Week 1, and until Alex Smith improves, these two receivers will have problems. Vernon Davis was irrelevant again, and until he shows some of his explosive potential, he’s staying on my bench.
St. Louis @ Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay faces a defense not much better than the Saints’ squad that they scored on last week. Jeff Garcia is making a case for himself as a strong backup option, and with a few more solid performances could be considered as a matchup play going forward. Gruden seems committed to pounding Cadillac Williams, so he’ll get touchdown opportunities if they present themselves. Start him. Joey Galloway was his explosive self again, and he should have chances against the Rams again. We are all waiting for St. Louis’ Steven Jackson to turn it on. The more he plays, and the more the Rams’ retooled O-line can play together, the better Jackson will be. It’s not panic time yet, so get him in there. Bulger is an every week start, as is Torry Holt. Isaac Bruce made a strong case for himself last week with 8 catches for 145 yards, but Tampa’s defense is superior to New Orleans. Randy McMichael hasn’t clicked yet, and Tampa has been strong against tight ends so far this year. Not a strong play.
San Diego @ Green Bay
Two great defenses face off in this one, making it a tough game for players on both sides. Start LaDainian and Gates obviously. The Packers have a muddled running back picture, with rumors that DeShawn Wynn will start this week over rookie Brandon Jackson. Jackson had more carries last week, but Wynn was far more effective, averaging 5 yards per carry. However, neither is a good play against San Diego. Donald Driver is a start every week, and will likely get some looks as soon as the Chargers shut down the Packer running game. Both Green Bay TE Donald Lee and Bubba Franks had good games last week, but the Giants have been killed by tight ends the past two weeks now. Make those tight ends do it again before expecting too much.
Detroit @ Philadelphia
The feisty, pass-happy Lions face the disappointing Eagles, whose franchise quarterback looks distressed. Donovan McNabb had problems other than his own injuries on Monday night, but when he was given time to throw, and open receivers to throw to, he often missed them. This is a game for him to get back on track against a very weak Detroit defense, so start him if you need him. RB Brian Westbrook is dinged up again with that nagging knee, but he played well through several questionables last year, and he remains the Eagles only viable offensive option, especially in Coach Andy Reid’s stubborn pass-heavy offense. If he is ruled out for Sunday, Correll Buckhalter would likely start, but rookie Tony Hunt is also in the picture, and could emerge given the opportunity. Donovan has yet to develop chemistry with any of his receivers, so keep an eye on who he’s targeting this week; in the meantime, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis have gotten the most looks, but Jason Avant and Hank Baskett will probably be in the mix as well. None is a particularly strong play. The Lions’ QB Jon Kitna is a start, as are Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and a surprising Shaun McDonald, who has reunited with offensive coordinator Mike Martz from their days in St. Louis, and gotten more looks than last year’s surprise, Mike Furrey. RB Tatum Bell is an uninspiring play, as Martz has shown an eagerness to abandon the run in the past.
Arizona @ Baltimore
Despite Baltimore’s defense, WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are starts. Edgerrin James has gotten off to a nice start, but he faces a defense that has allowed only 60 yards rushing per game on the season, so sit him. Sit QB Matt Leinart as well. Steve McNair looks like he’ll play this week, but don’t play him. Derrick Mason has been targeted 12 times in both games this year; look for that to continue this week. Mark Clayton is working his way back from his toe injury. He is expected to reclaim his starting role for the Ravens, and he is a nice fantasy option if you need him. TE Todd Heap always starts.
Buffalo @ New England
This game should be a massacre. New England has been dominant, and Buffalo has been anemic. Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, and Randy Moss are starts and should all have very nice games. Brady is notorious in the fantasy world for spreading the ball to his receivers, but he’s been consistently targeting Moss and Wes Welker more often this year. He should be able to pass to whomever he wants in this one, and those two remain great plays this week. Temper expectations for Donte Stallworth, as he hasn’t done much yet. Benjamin Watson is also a good play. Buffalo’s Lee Evans remains a potential deep threat, so start him. Roscoe Parrish has the second most targets for the Bills behind Evans, and he could make some noise in garbage time once the Pats take a sizeable lead.
Indianapolis @ Houston
The surprising Texans face their division rivals, but without top WR Andre Johnson. This fact, coupled with Indy’s strong defense, lowers QB Matt Schaub’s potential this week. RB Ahman Green could catch some balls out of the backfield, and he is a decent play. No Texan WR not named Andre Johnson has more than 2 catches on the season, so monitor Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter to see who gets the looks, but don’t start either one this week.. Owen Daniels remains a decent TE option. Start all of your Colts (Manning, Addai, Harrison, Wayne, and even Dallas Clark, if he plays this week (neck)).
Minnesota @ Kansas City
Minnesota’s run-heavy offense faces the uninspiring Chiefs. QB Tarvaris Jackson may not play, but it doesn’t matter. Don’t start any Viking receivers or QBs. It looks at this point as though Chester Taylor may be back this week, so monitor the situation as Sunday approaches to see if you get a sense of how many carries he and Adrian Peterson will get. If Taylor is indeed back, both runners are strong plays. For the Chiefs, start Tony Gonzalez. RB Larry Johnson faces the top defense vs. the run in the NFL, and coupled with his slow start to the year (49 yards per game), I would look into alternate options this week.
Jacksonville @ Denver
Jacksonville has been unimpressive for fantasy thus far, including a disappointing start for RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Don’t look for the offense to get on track this week. If you have Jones-Drew or Fred Taylor, you may not have great alternatives, but temper expectations for them. For Denver, I’d start QB Jay Cutler, RB Travis Henry, and WR Javon Walker with high hopes. WR Brandon Marshall has also looked good, and he is startable.
Cleveland @ Oakland
Cleveland comes off of its astonishing 51 point game over the Bengals, but it ends here. I think Cincy’s defense may just be that bad… Oakland has a top defense vs. the pass, so sit Derek Anderson. Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius were nice plays last week, but not this week. Start Edwards if you need him. Kellen Winslow is a start this week. Look for Oakland WR Ronald Curry to bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance. LaMont Jordan has been nothing but impressive this year, and he should continue to play well this week.
Cincinnati @ Seattle
Look for Seattle WR Bobby Engram to emerge this week. Cincinnati can’t stop anybody, and Engram has been effective in the past for Mike Holmgren. Engram and Deion Branch will have nice games this week. Nate Burleson is actually also a good play for this week because of the Bengals’ defensive ineptitude. For those of you in scoring systems where offensive players earn points for kick returns, Burleson deserves serious consideration, as Cincy will score and give him ample opportunity to return kicks. Start the typical Bengals this week (Carson, Chad, TJ, and Rudi).
New York Giants @ Washington
Washington QB Jason Campbell comes off of an encouraging outing against the Eagles. He’s making a case for himself as a bye-week replacement and decent backup. Start both Santana Moss, as you do most weeks, and Antwaan Randle-El against the Giants’ inept defense. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts should play well. Betts has gotten fewer carries than some have speculated he might get this season, but against the Giants there should be enough gaping holes for 2 runners to share. Also, Happy Birthday, Chris Cooley owners. Expect an explosive day. The Giants have been terrible covering the TE thus far. For the Giants, start WR Plaxico Burress for sure, and the scrappy Derrick Ward and the improving Eli Manning, if you need them. Shockey is a decent play as well.
Carolina @ Atlanta
Atlanta may be the worst team in the NFL. They haven’t played a particularly strong offense yet, but Carolina will look great against them. Start Steve Smith for sure. WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter have been getting the rest of the targets from QB Jake Delhomme, but these aren’t particularly exciting options. The Carolina RB situation is muddled, but both DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams could have nice games this week. Start them if needed. Tight End Jeff King has gotten some looks from Delhomme as well, and if you are trapped in some sort of dire TE shortage, he’s worth a look this week vs. the Falcs. Alge Crumpler’s matchup is decent.
Dallas @ Chicago
Dallas will have its troubles vs. the Bears. RBs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones don’t have a great matchup, but Barber is a threat to score a touchdown every week, so start him. Terrell Owens and Tony Romo are also starts, but if you have another option at QB, consider it over Romo. No WR has established himself in place of injured Terry Glenn. Neither Patrick Crayton nor Sam Hurd has impressed, so leave them alone this week. Jason Witten seems to have taken advantage of his Week 1 matchup against the Giants, but had problems against the Dolphins last week, catching only 2 passes. The Bears won’t make things any easier on him. For Chicago, don’t expect much from Cedric Benson or Adrian Peterson. Start WR Bernard Berrian, and TE Desmond Clark could have a nice game here.
Tennessee @ New Orleans
New Orleans is a mess. They aren’t giving Deuce McAllister the ball, Reggie Bush plays running back like a punt returner, and no receiver other than Marques Colston seems interested in excelling. Look for them to get back on track eventually, but the solid Tennessee defense won’t make it easy for them. I’d continue to start Deuce and Bush. Drew Brees and Colston are also starts. I was high on Devery Henderson coming into the season, but he dropped three passes last week, including a touchdown, and was benched for the second half. I’m not starting any Saints receivers other than Colston until this offense remembers how to play. For Tennessee, Vince Young is a solid play. My impression this season has been that Jeff Fisher wants to give the ball to LenDale White more than Chris Brown, so White is the stronger play. WR Brandon Jones is also a decent play, although the Titans’ passing game can be unpredictable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)