Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 20, 2008


Monday: (Recap)

Bills 23- Chargers 14- Trent Edwards (14) returned
from a concussion and played extremely well vs. an inept
Chargers (0) defense. Lynch (15) & Evans (14) were
solid. Royal (5) had 4 catches. Rivers (11) disappointed
vs a depleted Bills (9) defense. Tomlinson (6) is lost.
Gates (5) was pedestrian while Jackson (13) & Floyd
(12) performed well.

Panthers 30/Saints 7- Delhomme (15) and Smith
(18) played pitch and catch. Stewart (12) & Williams
(12) had scores. Muhammad (4) was quiet. Bush's (5)
swollen knee kept him in the locker room for the 2nd half.
Brees (8) had his 1st sub-standard game. Henderson
(8) had late yards. Miller (5) and Shockey (3) had the
targets. Colston (0) looked rusty and Moore (1) was
blanketed. McAllister (4) was limited due to the score.
The Panthers (9) defense was smothering.

Bears 48/Vikings 41- Orton (17) played well again.
Booker (13) and TE Olsen (13) were the beneficiaries.
Forte (12) continues to amass points against difficult
opponents. Rashied Davis (8) scored on a fumble while
Hester (2) was limited by an injury. The Bears (22) D,
missing it's starting CB's intercepted 4 passes. Frerotte
(15) scored decently despite the int's and Peterson (24)
had a long touchdown run. Berrian (14) & Shiancoe (12)
had scores. Chester Taylor (13) had a nice game as did
Wade (6). The Vikings (2) defense struggled.

Steelers 38/Bengals 10- Roethlisberger (16) played
well. Mewelde Moore (31) was outstanding while Ward
(12), Holmes (8) & Washington (11) were invited to
the party. Fitzpatrick (9) hooked up with Chad Johnson
(11) for a score. Houshmandzadeh (5) had 8 catches.
Benson (6) had tough sledding. The Steelers (13) had
7 sacks.

Titans 34/Chiefs 10- C. Johnson (22) & White (32)
ran wild amassing a combined 317 yards and 4 TD's. The
Titans (7) defense allowed 10 meaningless points late.
Collins (4) & Scaife (4) were running game spectators.
Bowe (8) and Gonzalez (9) were the only useful Chiefs.
Herm Edwards should consider stepping down.

Ravens 27/Dolphins 10- Flacco (13) and Mason (14)
teamed for a score. McGahee (18) did most of his damage
after the Dolphins (5) NT Jason Ferguson went down.
Ronnie Brown (2) was throttled forcing Pennington (16)
to throw. Camarillo (7) was serviceable. The Ravens (13)
defense was solid.

Giants 29/49ers 17- Jacobs (18) was solid while Eli (10)
managed the game to the chagrin of his owners. Burress
(8) had a score. Gore (6) was held in check by a relentless
Giants (18) defense which sacked O'Sullivan (12) 6 times.
Josh Morgan (14) had a score while Bruce (4) & Davis (0)
were frustrated. The 49ers (8) defense scored on a blocked
FG.

Rams 34/Cowboys 14- Steven Jackson (35) was a beast
before leaving with a quad injury. Bulger (10) threw a score
to rookie WR Avery (12) while Holt (5) was pedestrian. The
Rams (12) defense outplayed the Cowboys (4) defense as
Owens (3), Witten (4), Crayton (4) and Williams (0)
were thoroughly thwarted. Brad Johnson (10) looked old.
Barber (15) had a reasonable day.

Texans 28/Lions 21- Schaub (16), A. Johnson (14) &
Slaton (14) had solid efforts. TE Daniels (18) had 2 scores.
Even Ahman Green (12) got into the act with only Walter
(2) disappointing as a bye week play. Calvin Johnson (23)
caught a 94 yard score from Orlovsky (17). Kevin Smith
(12) had a rushing touchdown. Rudi Johnson (0) had 6
touches.

Packers 34/Colts 14- Ryan Grant (17) had his 1st solid
game of the season. Rodgers (11), Jennings (3) & Driver
(3) were benign. TE Lee (8) had a score. Peyton Manning
(7) was out of sync all afternoon. Woodson & the Packers
(19) held Wayne (2) and Harrison (1) to virtually nothing.
Rhodes (23) was a great spot play for Addai while Clark
(8) and Gonzalez (7) performed well.

Raiders 16/Jets 13- Thomas Jones (15) was fantastic.
Favre (5), Coles (4) and especially Cotchery (0) were not
able to score effectively. Javon Walker (13) finally found
a groove. Russell (12), McFadden (8), Fargas (7) & TE
Zach Miller (5) all had a little sumthin-sumthin. The Jets
(3) defense underachieved.

Redskins 14/Browns 11- Portis (21) continues to reign
as the king of fantasy RB's. Campbell (10) found Santana
Moss (13) for a late TD. Randle El (5) and Cooley (3) had
4 catches each. Anderson (11), Lewis (9) & Edwards (7)
were contained by the Redskins (5) defense. Winslow (1)
returned to active duty with 2 catches.

Bucs 20/Seahawks 10- Jeff Garcia (16) is proving to be
a valuable bye week replacement hooking up with Antonio
Bryant (17) on a long score. Graham (12) & Dunn (5) are
still sharing productivity. The Bucs (8) defense was useful.
Morris (7) and Julius Jones (5) are back to a timeshare
while Bobby Engram (0) was shutout again.


Quick Picks: (free agents to acquire)
Kyle Orton
Deuce McAllister
Mewelde Moore
Javon Walker
Malcolm Floyd
Josh Morgan
Donnie Avery

Castaways: (waiver candidates)
Gus Frerotte
Julius Jones
Rudy Johnson
Lance Moore
Isaac Bruce
Bobby Engram

Hard Knocks: (injury notes)
Brodie Croyle- knee
Damon Huard- hand
S. Jackson- quad
Reggie Bush- knee
Laveranues Coles- thigh
D. Hester- unknown
J. Shockey- groin
T. Polamalu- unknown


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!

Site Updated by Noon EST Daily