Week 9 - Start / Sit

BYE WEEK: Carolina, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco

QB – Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers

INJURY WATCH: Tony Romo(DAL), Jay Cutler(DEN), Carson Palmer(CIN), Matt Hasselbeck(SEA), Brian Griese(TB), Vince Young(TEN)

Start

David Garrard (JAC) – Garrard has been playing at a very high level lately and I expect the same to continue this week. The Jaguars will be playing the Bengals and the offense should be able to move the ball up and down the field most of the game. The defense should create some opportunities and short fields for Garrard to capitalize on. Garrard also makes plays with his legs, leading the Jags in rushing yards last week. He will also have his top receiver available this week, so things are looking good.  20 of 27 275yrds, 2 TD’s, 30yrds rush

Marc Bulger (STL) – The Rams have been resurgent lately and the passing game has seen improvements over the past weeks. Bulger is getting more support in pass protection and his run game has alleviated a lot of the pressure. The Rams may get into a shootout with the Cardinals this week, or they could get down in the game and be forced to throw more. I’d expect a closer game though even though it may be a high scoring affair. I wouldn’t count of Bulger every week, but if you have Brees, Rivers, or Delhomme, Bulger could fill in this week for you.  24 of 32 250yrds, 2 TD’s, 1 INT

Sit

Matt Cassell (NEP) – I think Cassell runs into some problems this Sunday night in Indianapolis. The Colts could get Bob sanders back, instantly upgrading a run defense that has already been playing pretty good despite the game against Tennessee last week. If the Colts come out gunning and get a lead, Cassell will be forced to throw. And when he’s on the road, the results are not very favorable.  16 of 28 175yrds, 1 TD, 2 INT’s

Eli Manning (NYG) – When Dallas comes to town, it’s typically a low scoring, defensive struggle, with both teams keeping it tight to the vest and utilizing the run game to try and wear out the others’ defense. Wade Philips is now calling the defensive plays, his specialty, and it shut down Tampa’s offense last week. Manning may catch a break here and there, but I wouldn’t expect anything spectacular from him.  17 of 25 200yrds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 FUM

RB – Brian Westbrook, Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson, Clinton Portis, Marion Barber, Ronnie Brown, Brandon Jacobs, Michael Turner, Marshawn ####, Chris Johnson(TEN)

INJURY WATCH:  Clinton Portis(WAS), Joseph Addai(IND), Steven Jackson(STL), Willie Parker(PIT), Reggie Bush(NO), Willis Mcgahee(BAL), Warrick Dunn(TB), Selvin Young(DEN), Michael Pittman(DEN), Darren McFadden(OAK), Sammie Morris(NEP), Chris Perry(CIN), Justin Fargas(OAK), Lamont Jordan(NEP), Maurice Morris(SEA), Jerious Norwood(ATL), Felix Jones(DAL), Ahman Green(HOU), Jamaal Charles(KC)

Start

Earnest Graham (TBB) – Graham should once again get the bulk of the carries this week with Warrick Dunn still nursing a troubled back. Kansas City’s rush defense ranks in the bottom three in yards against, and Tampa will want to run as much as possible on the road this week. Those of you looking for Graham’s breakout game, get ready to smile.  110yrds, 2 TD’s, 4 for 25yrds

Dominic Rhodes (IND) – For the Colts to be successful, they’ll need to run. With Joseph Addai still recovering from an injury, Rhodes will be the workhorse this Sunday Night. The Colts offense is predicated on play-action, and for that to work, they’ll need to feed Rhodes a healthy dose of the rock to make it believable. This is a game the Colts will especially want to win, and I think they’ll get it done.  100ydrs, 1 TD, 4 for 35yrds

Sit

Edgerrin James (ARI) – James will be on the short end of a team that wants to test the future of the franchise this year, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so; on the road against a sub-par defense. James will still get his touches, but it won’t be enough to warrant a start this week. This could be the beginning of the end for James, so monitor his situation closely.  30yrds

Willis Mcgahee (BAL) – Mcgahee is still ####ed up and his game is suffering because of it. Cleveland will be determined to shut down the Raves run this week and force Flacco to beat them threw the air. Ray Rice has also seen his touches increase over the past couple of weeks. All of these things throw up a big, red caution flag on Mcgahee. Unless BYE weeks are forcing your hand, keep him on your bench.  40yrds, 2 for 10yrds

WR – Brandon Marshall, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmanzedah, Plaxico Burress

INJURY WATCH: Reggie Wayne(IND), Santana Moss(WAS), Marques Colston(NO), Plaxico Burress(NYG), Anquan Boldin(ARI), Chris Chambers(SD), Laveranes Coles(NYJ), Jerricho Cotchery(NYJ), Deion Branch(SEA), Eddie Royal(DEN), Anthony Gonzalez(IND), Kevin Walter(HOU), Justin Gage(TEN), Justin McCareins(TEN), Javon Walker(OAK), Joey Galloway(TBB), Sidney Rice(MIN), Brandon Stokely(DEN), Darrell Jackson(DEN), Brandon Lloyd(CHI), David Patten(NO), Drew Bennett(STL), Dante Stallworth(CLE), Marty Booker(CHI), Reggie Williams(JAC), Josh Reed(BUF)

Start

Santonio Holmes (PIT) – This is a redemption game for Holmes after letting his team down last week due to a run-in with the local authorities. The Steelers will need to throw and Washington’s defense is ####ed up. Washington has a meager 10 sacks this year, so there should be lots of time for Ben to have a look downfield to Holmes. He’s looking to prove how valuable he is to this team and he’ll have a big game to make up for it.  6 for 115yrds, 1 TD

Eddie Royal (DEN) – Jay Cutler should have a bounce back game this week as the Dolphins and their 27th ranked pass defense roll into town. Marshall and Scheffler, if he plays, should draw most of the defensive attention, leaving Royal in plenty of single coverage opportunities to taka advantage of. According to Vegas, this should be the highest scoring game of the week, so expect Denver to continue to throw late into the game.  6 for 90yrds, 1 TD

Sit

Dwayne Bowe (KC) – Kansas City is in trouble this week against Tampa Bay. The Cover 2 effectively shuts down receivers on the outside and limits any deep balls. This will likely be a low scoring game with most of the action coming from the ground games. Until Bowe starts converting on more of the targets he receives, you may want to keep him benched.  4 for 30yrds

Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ) – Cotchery was destined for a huge season this year after last year’s numbers and the addition of Brett Favre, but things haven’t quite worked out. Besides from being hurt for most of the season, Cotchery doesn’t seem to draw the eye of Favre as much as Coles and Stuckey do. Buffalo should do a good job of neutralizing him this week.  2 for 50yrds

TE – Chris Cooley, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez, Owen Daniels, Dallas Clark

INJURY WATCH: Jason Witten(DAL), Tony Scheffler(DEN), Jeremy Shockey(NO), L.J. Smith(PHI), Leonard Pope(ARI), Ben Utecht(CIN), Bubba Franks(NYJ)

Start

Greg Olsen (CHI) – It should be a big scoring day for Chicago this week and I’d expect Olsen to get in on the action. Kyle Orton has been phenomenal this season and Chicago’s offense has been one of the more productive. The Bears should have success against the Lions this week with their defense and special teams setting up lots of short field opportunities.  5 for 50yrds, 1 TD

K – Mason Crosby, Stephen Gostkowski, Adam Vinatieri, John Carney, David Akers, Robbie Gould

INJURY WATCH:  Lawrence Tynes(NYG), Mike Nugent(NYJ)

Start

Ryan Longwell (MIN) – It should be a high scoring game in Minnesota this Sunday, and Longwell will get the opportunities as the Vikings drives stall. The game is indoors and Minnesota should be able to move the ball well between the 20’s. Longwell is very accurate and should have no trouble converting.  3 FG’s, 2 XP’s

DEF – Ravens, Titans, Packers, Giants, Eagles, Vikings, Buccaneers

INJURY WATCH: Baltimore (Chris McAllister-CD, Samari Rolle-CB), Minnesota (Madieu Williams-S, David Herron-LB), Chicago (Tommie Harris-DT, Charles Tillman-CB, Nathan Vasher-CB), Pittsburgh (Ryan Clark-FS, Bryant McFadden-CB), Tampa Bay (Jermaine Philips-S, Jovan Haye-DT), Indianapolis (Marlin Jackson-CB, Daymeion Hughes-CB), Green Bay (Charles Woodson-CB), Dallas (Terence Newman-CB, Anthony Henry-CB), Washington (Jason Taylor-DE, Shawn Springs-CB, Cornelius Griffin-DT), NY Giants (Kevin Dockery-CB, Bryan Kehl-LB) New England (Ellis Hobbs-CB, Jarvis Green-DE)

Start

Cleveland Browns – The top defenses are all playing this week, so there may not be a need to find a BYE week fill in, but if you do, take a peek at the Browns this week. They’re at home, and playing a Baltimore offense that ranks in the bottom five in scoring and has been quite generous with turnovers lately. The Ravens will want to run, but Cleveland has been playing extremely well lately and if they can shut things down early, it would force Flacco into throwing more; something he hasn’t done well consistently.  <250 YA, <17 PA, 3 sacks, 2 INT’s, 1 FUM

Week 6 - Start / Sit

BYE WEEK: Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Tennessee

QB – Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, Jay Cutler, Kurt Warner

INJURY WATCH: Aaron Rodgers(GB), Carson Palmer(CIN), Matt Hasselbeck(SEA), Matt Schaub(HOU), Jon Kitna(DET), Brian Griese(TB), Gus Frerotte(MIN)

Start

Brett Favre(NYJ) – Okay, so I doubt Favre will throw for six touchdown passes this week, but anything is possible with him. Still, he needs to be in your lineup this week against Cincinnati. While the Bengals haven’t been terrible against the pass, they’re still very young and vulnerable. The Jets have had two full weeks to prepare for this game and they are at home, two things that will be a key ingredient in their success this week.  17 of 28 275yrds, 2 TD’s

Jason Campbell(WAS) – I’m gonna go out on a limb with this one and say that Campbell continues his efficient fantasy scoring this week. This will be a run first offense and St. Louis will prepare to slow that down. With constant safety help being moved into the box, Campbell will find one-on-one coverage all day, and his receivers know how to get open and make plays. You should also see a couple of deep balls thrown off the play-action and some scoring as the result.  16 of 22 250yrds, 2 TD’s, 20yrds rush

Sit

Philip Rivers(SD) – While Rivers started the season very strong, there’s been a drop-off with each passing week in his performance. Attribute that to what you will, but I don’t see things getting better. Tomlinson, Gates, and Chambers are all ####ed up, leaving Rivers with Sproles and Vincent Jackson maybe? That doesn’t seem like it’s going to be enough to be successful against a Patriots defense that is looking to redeem its past two pitiful outings.  13 of 25 175yrds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 FUM

Derek Anderson(CLE) – Hopefully Anderson used the BYE week to get better prepared and work out the timing issues with his receivers. The thing holding the Browns back is coaching, lets be honest. The Browns will struggle as long as Romeo remains. This week, Anderson will struggle against a Giants defense that is second in scoring defense in the league. You should be able to find a better quarterback this week.  200yrds, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 FUM

RB – LaDanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Brian Westbrook, Steven Jackson, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Marion Barber, Reggie Bush, Michael Turner, Ronnie Brown

INJURY WATCH:  LaDanian Tomlinson(SD), Brian Westbrook(PHI), Willis Mcgahee(BAL), Darren McFadden(OAK), Maurice Jones-Drew(JAC), Chris Perry (CIN), Justin Fargas(OAK), Ahman Green(HOU), Laurence Maroney(NEP), Lamont Jordan(NEP), Maurice Morris(SEA)

Start

Brandon Jacobs(NYG) – Jacobs seems to only be playing one half of his games, but still managing to rack up monster numbers. Expect similar things this Monday Night as Jacobs travels to Cleveland to face the beleaguered Browns. Again, he may only play a little into the second half due to the RB depth of the Giants, but look for numbers regardless as the Giants pound away at the weak Cleveland front seven.  125yrds, 2 TD’s, 2 for 10yrds

Ryan Grant(GB) – I think this is the week Grant finally gets things going. I don’t anticipate the Pack being down or out of this one at any point and they need to get the run game established to pose a more balanced threat to opposing defenses. One dimensional teams, what the Packers have been to this point, usually don’t go far, and I think that’s shown through the first five weeks.  100yrds, 1 TD, 2 for 15yrds

Sit

Joseph Addai(IND) – Difficult to sit a Top 7 draft pick, but let’s be realistic, the Colts play the Ravens this week and the game plan will be to attack through the air. While Addai may catch a bunch of passes, the Raven defense will limit the featured back in this one. Some key RB’s are on BYE this week, so play Addai if you must, but don’t expect numbers better than what a #3 RB would produce.  30-40yrds, 5 for 30-40yrds, 1 FUM

DeAngelo Williams(CAR) – Yes, he lead all players in fantasy points last week and the Carolina offense seems to be firing on all cylinders, but it’s all more the reason to sit him this week. Tampa Bay’s defense is built to handle smaller, quicker backs and Williams fits that mold to a T.  I think Carolina’s other back will shine this week, so curb your expectation for Williams.  55yrds, 3 for 20yrds

WR – Brandon Marshall, Terrell Owens, Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith(CAR), T.J. Houshmanzedah, Andre Johnson, Plaxico Burress

INJURY WATCH: Marques Colston(NO), Anquan Boldin(ARI), Roy Williams(DET), Calvin Johnson(DET), Derrick Mason(BAL), Deion Branch(SEA), Eddie Royal(DEN), Anthony Gonzalez(IND), Javon Walker(OAK), Kevin Curtis(PHI), Jerry Porter(JAC), Reggie Williams(JAC), Joey Galloway(TBB), Sidney Rice(MIN), Darrell Jackson(DEN), Donte Stallworth(CLE), Devin Hester(CHI), Brandon Lloyd(CHI), David Patten(NO)

Start

Santana Moss(WAS) – Though Moss was shutout last week, he continues to be an integral part of the Washington offense. I expect him to bounce back this week against the Rams. Although the Skins will pound the ball with Portis, Moss has the ability to get open anywhere on the field to make plays, including the deep ball that might fly his why once or twice this week.  6 for 115yrds, 1 TD

Bobby Engram(SEA) – Engram played his first game of the season and produced nicely for being out for such a long time. He’s been Hasselbeck’s main target for the past couple of seasons and that’s not something that’s gonna change considering there’s nobody left on the team to throw to, possibly even Deion Branch who suffered another injury. I expect Engram to be the go to guy this week as Seattle could struggle to move the ball on the ground and may end up in a shootout. And let’s face it, they want to throw the ball anyway.  6 for 100yrds, 1 TD

Sit

Torry Holt(STL) – Holt will not benefit from the coaching change and it’s unfortunate. There’s even rumors flying that he’ll be traded and that might be the best thing for him right now. Considering that teams only have to worry about Steven Jackson for about the first quarter and half, Holt is the only other player that can really hurt defenses, so guess where the coverage constantly rolls. Washington will have Bulger scrambling for his life all day, and Holt will be left running routes without much purpose, ouch.  4 for 50yrds

Chad Ocho Cinco #85(CIN) – The Jets defense has been very underrated so far this season and I think that will hurt the Cincinnati offense, especially #85. He hasn’t really done much so far this season,  his longest catch barley touching 25yrds. The Bengals should deplore much more o####round game this week with Benson, limiting passes down field. When they do drop back to pass, the offensive line hasn’t been much more than paper mache’, and that spells trouble for an ailing quarterback and his receivers.  5 for 50yrds

TE – Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow, Chris Cooley

INJURY WATCH: Antonio Gates(SD), Kellen Winslow(CLE), Tony Scheffler(DEN), Jeremy Shockey(NO), L.J. Smith(PHI), Randy McMichael(STL), Ben Watson(NEP), Leonard Pope(ARI)

Start

Greg Olsen(CHI) – Olsen has clearly passed Desmond Clark on the depth chart, and his recent numbers confirm it. The Chicago receivers are ####ed up and inconsistent, leaving Olsen a reliable option for Orton underneath and in the flats. Chicago likes to throw to the backs and tight-ends when they get near the red-zone and the field shrinks. Olsen should be a strong performer against Atlanta this week.  60yrds, 1 TD

K – Nick Folk, Mason Crosby, Stephen Gostkowski, Adam Vinatieri, Nate Kaeding, David Akers, Robbie Gould

INJURY WATCH: Stephen Gostkowski(NEP), Lawrence Tynes(NYG), Mike Nugent(NYJ)

Start

Josh Scobee(JAC) – I think the Jaguars will be able to move the ball consistently against the Denver defense, but may have trouble scoring touchdowns. Scobee has the power to convert 50yrd field goals and the thin air of the Mile-High should afford him at least one opportunity for such. Jacksonville will be desperate, but I think they’ll take their chances at points this week rather than passing up opportunities like they did last week.  4 FG’s, 2 XP’s

DEF – Vikings, Bears, Ravens, Eagles, Giants

INJURY WATCH: Baltimore (Kelly Gregg-NT, Samari Rolle-CB), Minnesota (Erin Henderson-LB, Madieu Williams-S), Chicago (Charles Tillman-CB, Nathan Vasher-CB), Tampa Bay (Derrick Brooks-LB, Barrett Ruud-LB), Indianapolis (Bob Sanders-SS, Dwight Freeney-DE), Green Bay (Al Harris-CB, Charles Woodson-CB), Dallas (Terence Newman-CB, Tank Williams-DT), Jacksonville (Reggie Nelson-S, Drayton Florence-CB), Washington (Jason Taylor-DE, Shawn Springs-CB), Arizona (Bertrand Berry-DE, Eric Green-CB),

Start

Washington Redskins – Call me crazy, but given the way the Redskins have performed against the high powered offenses of Dallas and Philly, St. Louis should be a push over. The Rams offensive line is suspect at best, so once Steven Jackson is contained and the Skins move out to a big lead, there will be a lot of pressure on the QB as the Rams try to play catch up. That will lead to the inevitable turnovers and sacks that the Rams seem to be so generous with.  <300 YA, <17 PA, 5 sacks, 2 INT’s, 1 FUM