Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 19, 2008


Crunch Time: (updated periodically until 1pm EST)

Brad Johnson will start for the Cowboys against the
Rams. Tony Romo will be active as a #2 QB and will
play if Johnson goes down.

Joseph Addai is out of today's fracas in Green Bay.
Dominic Rhodes is a solid play in Addai's stead.

Larry Johnson is suspended for today's game. Adjust
accordingly.

Jonathan Stewart is probable which is a downgrade
for D'Angelo Williams, who'll share carries with the
rookie.

Cedric Benson will get the start against the Steelers.
Benson is not usable even with smothering nose tackle
Casey Hampton inactive.

Roy Williams will only play 15-20 snaps for Dallas
vs. the Rams. Compounding the problem is that Brad
Johnson will be under center. Treat it like a bye week
and start another receiver.

Chris Chambers is out with Malcolm Floyd taking
his place. Floyd could be a useful #3 vs. a banged up
Bills secondary. Vincent Jackson will see additional
looks and is a solid start.

Marques Colston is active while David Patten will
sit out vs. the Panthers. Colston's presence will help
Lance Moore have a solid day. Colston's a bit risky
until he gets some game reps.

Jeremy Shockey will start against the Panthers in
a tough matchup vs. a solid pass defense.

Kellen Winslow will be a game time decision. He did
not sound overly confident that he would play. It might
be wise to have another TE on the roster just in case
Winslow's out.

Shayne Graham is inactive. Dave Raymer will handle
the place kicking for the Bengals. Look elsewhere.

Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman are out vs. the
Bears. Frerotte, Berrian and Wade get upgrades.

DE Aaron Schobel is out after missing practice all week
with a sore foot. Rivers gets an upgrade vs. the Bills.

All Pro OT Orlando Pace is out which is bad news for
Bulger/Holt and to some extent Steven Jackson.


It's in the Stars:

Luminous: (5 Stars)

QB:
J. Cutler
M. Schaub

RB:
C. Portis
S. Slaton
M. Barber
C. Johnson

WR:
R. Moss
An. Johnson
B. Marshall

TE:
J. Witten

K:
M. Prater
K. Brown

DEF:
Pittsburgh
Tennessee
Tampa Bay

Glowing: (4 Stars)

QB:
D. Brees
A. Rodgers
E. Manning
P. Manning
K. Orton
K. Collins
B. Favre
M. Cassel
J. Campbell
P. Rivers

RB:
R. Grant
M. Lynch
M. Moore
D. Rhodes
M. Pittman

WR:
Ca. Johnson
T. Owens
P. Burress
S. Moss
D. Mason
K. Walter
E. Royal
G. Jennings
W. Welker
J. Gage
L. Coles
J. Cotchery
B. Berrian

TE:
O. Daniels
C. Cooley

K:
R. Bironas
J. Hanson
M. Bryant
S. Gotkowski
N. Folk
J. Brown

DEF:
Baltimore
New York Jets

Bright: (3 Stars)

QB:
J. Delhomme
T. Edwards
B. Roethlisberger
D. Anderson
J. Flacco
D. Orlovsky
J. Russell
M. Bulger
J. Garcia
G. Frerotte

RB:
F. Gore
L. Tomlinson
A. Peterson
R. Bush
B. Jacobs
J. Lewis
S. Jackson
R. Johnson
D. Williams
W. Dunn
L. White
J. Stewart
S. Morris
K. Faulk

WR:
S. Smith (Car)
S. Smith (NYG)
L. Evans
K. Moore
H. Ward
D. Hester
R. Wayne
M. Harrison
T. Holt
A. Randle El
M. Muhammed
D. Driver
P. Crayton
B. Edwards
S. Avery
Ra. Davis
An. Bryant
I. Hilliard
B. Wade
J. Higgins

TE:
A. Gates
B. Scaife
T. Heap
Z. Miller
G. Olsen
De. Clark
Da. Clark
D. Graham
D. Lee
B. Watson
K. Boss
R. Royal
C. Baker
A. Smith
D. Rosario

K:
S. Janikowski
T. Mehlhoff
J. Feely
R. Gould
M. Crosby
A. Vinatieri
N. Kaeding
S. Suisham
R. Lindell
J. Reed
R. Longwell
J. Carney

DEF:
Chicago
Dallas
San Diego
Buffalo
Minnesota
New York Giants
Miami

Diminished: (2 Stars)

QB:
B. Croyle
J.T. O'Sullivan
C. Pennington
S. Wallace
B. Johnson

RB:
D. McFadden
J. Fargas
E. Graham
R. Brown
R. Williams
M. Forte
L. Johnson
W. McGahee
D. McAllister
T. Jones
K. Watson
D. Ward
C. Taylor
J. Jones
A. Green

WR:
Ro. Williams
C. Chambers
V. Jackson
S. Holmes
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
D. Bowe
D. Henderson
A. Toomer
G. Camarillo
A. Gonzalez
J. Walker
M. Colston
Ch. Johnson
C. Henry
D. Branch
B. Engram
I. Bruce
E. Doucet
D. Stallworth

TE:
K. Winslow
H. Miller
V. Shiancoe
T. Gonzalez
V. Davis
Da. Clark
A. Fasano
J. Stevens
J. Carlson
J. Shockey

K:
J. Kasay
M. Stover
O. Mare
P. Dawson
J. Nedney
D. Anderson
O. Mare

DEF:
Oakland
New Orleans
Cincinnati
Houston
Indianapolis
Denver
Seattle
San Francisco
Green Bay
Carolina
St. Louis
Cleveland
New England

Dull: (1 Star)

QB:
R. Fitzpatrick

RB:
C. Benson
C. Perry

WR:
T. Ginn Jr.
Br. Johnson
Da. Jackson

TE:
B. Utecht
J. Peelle
J. Klopfenstein
J. King

K:
S. Graham
N. Novak

DEF:
Kansas City
Detroit


Start/Sit: (Week 7)

1. QB's: Matchups

The Standard: 300 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int = 20 points

Favorable:

Matt Cassel- virtually every opposing QB has played
well vs. the Broncos which have yielded 7.5 ypa and
9 TD's. He's played much better at home this season
with a QB rating of 85.7 as opposed to 74.1 on the
road.

Brett Favre- is likely to exploit a generous Raiders
backline which has allowed 7.5 ypa and 8 aerial scores.
Farve has 114.5 passer rating and 10 touchdowns in
3 games vs. Oakland.

Matt Schaub- prospers vs. poor secondaries such as
the one he faces this week in the Lions which allows
a league worse 8.9 ypa. They've yielded 9 passing TD's
in 5 games. His passer ratings are 93.2 indoors & 90.2
at home. He's coming off a strong effort last week.

Good Bet: Cutler vs. Patriots, Collins vs. Chiefs
Garcia vs. Seahawks, Campbell vs. Browns

Unfavorable:

Ben Roethlisberger- returns to action to face a good
Bengals secondary which allows 5.8 ypa. Historically,
Ben has averaged about 12 points in 8 starts against
Cincinnati. He does play well on the road & will have
more snaps as the Bengals offense will not move the
ball consistently with Fitzpatrick at the helm. He is
playable but expect production of 15 points or less.

Chad Pennington- the Ravens were humiliated last
week and are certain to take it out on the Dolphins.
The Miami passing attack will not be able to exploit
the Ravens CB's like Manning/Wayne did. Baltimore
allows only 5.3 ypa and will lower this metric on Sunday.

J.T. O'Sullivan- will face a red faced Giants defense
in New Jersey. The G-Men are solid in the secondary
allowing 6.0 ypa and only 5 scores in 5 games. To make
matters worse for J.T. the Browns offensive line kept
Anderson clean not allowing a single sack. Redemption
will be an issue on Sunday for the blue & red front 7.

Bad Bet: Frerotte vs. Bears, Croyle vs. Titans


2. RB's: Matchups (starting a #2)

The Standard: 110 yards rush, 30 yards rec, 1 TD = 20 pts

Favorable:

Dominic Rhodes- will face a Green Bay run defense
that has been gouged for 5.1 ypc. Certainly he should
only be used if Addai is out.

Steve Slaton- faces a unit that actually looked good vs.
the Vikings. This is more of an indictment of the offense
of Minnesota than a vote of confidence for the Lions
defense which allows 4.9 ypc.

Ryan Grant- has been coming on every week and is close
to his 2007 form. The Colts have yielded 4.6 ypc and will
have to respect Rodgers and the Packers aerial attack
creating running lanes for Grant.

Good Bet: Pittman vs. Patriots, C. Johnson vs. Chiefs
Ru. Johnson vs. Texans, M. Moore vs. Bengals

Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Willis McGahee- the Dolphins have stonewalled every
running attack they've faced allowing 3.5 ypc. Baltimore
will have to throw to move the ball consistently.

Julius Jones- faces a tenacious Tampa Bay front 7. The
Bucs are yielding 3.4 ypc and have yet to allow a rushing
TD.

Ronnie Brown- has the unenviable task of rushing vs. the
Ravens which have allowed 2.8 ypa and only one score.
Sparano has returned to a backfield timeshare which will
further erode Brown's value against this opponent.

Bad Bet: Perry/Benson vs. Steelers, Forte vs. Vikings,
Fargas/McFadden vs. Jets


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Kevin Walter- faces a soft Detroit secondary who will be
preoccupied with stopping Andre Johnson. He's likely to
see single coverage all afternoon.

Derrick Mason- will be the beneficiary of a gameplan that
will have to include more short & intermediate passes. The
Dolphins will stop the run and force Flacco to throw to
beat them.

Laveranues Coles- faces a Raiders secondary that has
been exploited all season. Favre will open up the offense
as Oakland will work to limit Thomas Jones after his
big game against the Bengals. Jerricho Cotchery is a
solid play as well.

Good Bet: A. Bryant vs. Seahawks, Royal vs. Patriots
V. Jackson vs. Bills

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Chad Johnson- the Bengals offense will stall with Ryan
Fitzpatrick facing a voracious Steelers defense.

Dwayne Bowe- will remember the Titans which has only
allowed 5.1 ypa. Croyle returns to action vs. the league's
best defense and will be hard pressed to locate Bowe on
a consistent basis.

Isaac Bruce- the preacher will pray for open looks. New
York will have something to prove after being upset by
the Browns on Monday night.

Bad Bet: Camarillo vs. Ravens, Moore vs. Panthers,
Berrian vs. Bears


4. TE's: Matchups

The Standard- 40 yards, .3 TD = 6 points

Favorable:

Bo Scaife- should be targeted often by Collins vs. the
Chiefs.

Todd Heap- although he's a shadow of his All Pro form
the matchup vs. the Dolphins will force Flacco to pass
early and often.

Owen Daniels- should have a free run down the middle
vs. the Lions.

Good Bet: Watson vs. Broncos, Baker vs. Raiders
A. Smith vs. Seahawks, G. Olsen vs. Vikings


Unfavorable:

Vernon Davis- had his best game of the season against
the Eagles. The Giants will take notice.

Anthony Fasano- the Ravens limited Dallas Clark to 17
yards on 2 catches. It's hard to expect more from Fasano.

Heath Miller- has averaged 35 yards with only 1 TD in 6
games vs. the Bengals.

Bad Bet: Shockey vs. Panthers, Shiancoe vs. Bears
Gonzalez vs. Titans


5. K's: Matchups

The Standard- 2 FG's, 1/40+, 3 Pat's = 10 points

Favorable:

Matt Prater- possesses the strongest, most accurate
leg in football. A must start every week.

Rob Bironas- will have plenty of chances to kick as
the Titans amass yards vs. the Chiefs.

Kris Brown- the Texans offense should have its way
with the Lions defense.

Good Bet: Gotkowski vs. Broncos, Bryant vs. Seattle


Unfavorable:

Shayne Graham- the Bengals will be lucky to cross
midfield against the Steelers with Fitzpatrick at the
helm.

Joe Nedney- the 49ers offense will struggle this week
vs. the Giants.

Matt Stover- will be involved in a low scoring defensive
struggle between the Ravens and Dolphins.

Bad Bet: Longwell vs. Bears, Mare vs. Bucs


6. DEF's: Matchups

The Standard- 13 points allowed, 3 turnovers, 2 sacks = 12 pts

Favorable:

Tampa Bay- will feast on Charlie Frye. The Bucs
will stifle Seattle's running game and force Frye into
mistakes in the passing game.

Tennessee- faces an inept Edwards offense. They'll
stuff Larry Johnson and force Croyle to beat them
creating turnovers in the process.

Pittsburgh- will devour Fitzpatrick and a miserable
Bengals rushing attack. No contest.

Good Bet: Jets vs. Raiders, Dolphins vs. Ravens
Bears vs. Vikings, Ravens vs. Dolphins


Unfavorable:

Green Bay- could fare better if Al Harris returns.
You saw what Manning and company did against
the Ravens who had a reserve starting at CB.

New England- faces a Broncos offense that will
exploit a suspect secondary. This is a bounce back
game for Denver after misfiring vs. the Jaguars.

Carolina- Brees had 3 touchdowns and 260 yards
vs. the Panthers the last year in Charlotte. He's
been even better this year.

Bad Bet: Seahawks vs. Bucs, 49ers vs. Giants


Van Winkles: (deep sleepers)

Dan Orlovsky- should get caught up in a shootout
vs. the Texans. Schaub and co. will score early &
often allowing Orlovsky to attack a soft Houston
secondary which yields almost 8.0 ypa.

Kevin Faulk will have opportunities, including at the
goal line, to exploit a Broncos front 7 that allows a
generous 5.1 ypc. Look for 60 total yards and a TD.

Rudi Johnson will get 20+ touches if Kevin Smith
is out against the Texans. He's a solid play against
a leaky run defense that yields 4.5 ypc and a league
high 10 touchdowns.

Antwaan Randle El will have a solid game against
the Browns. He's likely to be involved in a couple
of gimmick plays and will be Campbell's 3rd option
in the passing game. The Cleveland backline yields
7.0 ypa.

Shaun McDonald works opposite Calvin Johnson,
who will receive extra attention from a weak Texans
secondary. McDonald should get plenty of looks.

Daniel Graham should receive additional targets &
some red zone looks vs. the Patriots to augment a
depleted Broncos receiving corps. He'd like to have
a solid game against his former team.

No He Didn't:

Johnnie Lee Higgins seems to have at least 1 big
catch every game. Cable would like Russell to step
up his game and he'll have to throw more this week
as the Jets will shutdown the Raiders running game.
Higgins is likely to have more targets than usual.


All Done!

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