Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 25, 2008


The key to winning your league revolves around
matchups and the injury status of key players.
The Player's Edge is the best source for timely
and comprehensive information and advice on
who to start, who to sit and why.


Week 8 News: (Daily Updates)

Deuce McAllister has tested positive under the NFL's
steroid policy, the result of taking water pills to encourage
rapid weight loss. Attorney David Cornwell told Chris
Mortensen that he has been retained by several players.
to assist with the appeals process. Deuce is expected to
play against the Chargers in London.

Santonio Holmes was held out of practice & is unlikely
to play vs. the Giants after being arrested for possession
of marijuana.

Bye Week: Bears, Broncos, Packers, Vikings


The Walking Wounded: (updated/revised)

Brad Johnson, Seneca Wallace & Tyler Thigpen will
be starting for their respective teams due to injuries to
#1 QB's. They're unplayable unless your league will allow
for a composite total of the 3.

Brian Westbrook has been practicing and should play
vs. the Falcons.

LaDainian Tomlinson practiced fully and will play vs.
the Saints in London.

Clinton Portis participated in a full practice session &
is expected to play vs. the Lions.

Reggie Bush had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and
will miss to 2-4 weeks. Deuce McAllister will shoulder
the load with Aaron Stecker likely to play on 3rd and
long.

Steven Jackson practiced but will likely be a gametime
decision for the Patriots game on Sunday.

Willis McGahee practiced & is probable for Sunday's
soiree with the Raiders.

Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan are out for the
Rams game. Some combination of Faulk, Evans and
BenJarvis Green-Ellis will handle the RB chores.

Joseph Addai has not practiced setting the stage for a
second consecutive start for Dominic Rhodes. Even if
Addai sits, which is likely, Rhodes will have a tough go
vs. Haynesworth and company.

Willie Parker has been limited in practice and is likely
to sit against a stout Giants front 7. Mewelde Moore
would get the touches if fast Willie can't play but would
not be a great play as the Giants have only allowed 3.8
ypc and 2 TD's on the season.

Warrick Dunn has missed practiced with back & ankle
injuries. He claims to be feeling better but is questionable
for Sunday's fracas with the Cowboys. Graham's value
increases exponetially if Dunn is sidelined.

Darren McFadden was seen walking gingerly & may
have reinjured the toe in practice. He's questionable for
the Ravens but is expected to play. All Raiders RB's
should be avoided against a defense that allows 2.8 ypc.

Anquan Boldin has been cleared to practice and play
against the Panthers. He's likely to be eased back into
action against a tough Carolina secondary.

Jerricho Cotchery has a shoulder injury & was limited
in practice. He will be a game time decision.

Laveranues Coles has not practiced due to a concussion
sustained vs. the Raiders but is expected to play.

Kevin Curtis gets the start at WR along side DeSean
Jackson for the Eagles. Reggie Brown continues to
deal with a groin strain and is likely to miss the game vs.
the Falcons.

Plaxico Burress was briefly hospitalized for a sore neck
but returned to practice. He will face a secondary for the
Steelers that allows a league best 4.6 ypa. He's tough to
sit but this is a difficult matchup.

Chris Chambers may have had a setback in practice as
there has been some talk about him playing after the bye.
Malcolm Floyd would be a solid spot play vs the Saints
if Chambers rests.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh practiced fully and is ready to
go against the Texans.

Muhsin Muhammad participated in all workouts and
is "on" for the Cardinals.

Justin Gage practiced but is still listed as questionable
vs. the Colts. He's playing on Monday night so it would
not be prudent to rely on Gage.

Joey Galloway practiced and could play against the
Cowboys on Sunday. He's questionable.

Deion Branch missed practice again with a sore heel
and is out vs. the 49ers.

Josh Morgan sat out the team drills with a groin strain.
He has a terrific matchup this week against a Seahawks
secondary that allows 7.8 ypa & is a solid bye week play
if he's active. He is listed as probable.

Derrick Mason missed practice with an illness. He is
questionable to play vs. the Raiders.

D.J. Hackett returned to practice & may play vs. the
Cardinals. He has little current fantasy value.

Jeremy Shockey is listed as probable for the game vs.
the Chargers.

Shayne Graham will kick this week vs. the Texans.

Bob Sanders is close to being ready & would adversely
affect Chris Johnson & LenDale White if he plays on
Sunday for the Colts. Sanders is a heat seeking missile
on opposing running games. Luckily for the Titans duo
Sanders is questionable for this week.

Dolphins NT Jason Ferguson was back at practice as
he tries to heal a rib injury in time for Sunday's rodeo.

Pass rusher Aaron Schobel is out for the Miami game
with a sore foot. The Bills managed to compensate for his
absence vs. the Chargers last week. CB McGee is likely
to be out as well.

All Pro OT Orlando Pace practiced and is likely to start
vs. the Patriots which is good news for Marc Bulger.


Start/Sit: (Week 8)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Jason Campbell- has a favorable matchup against a
porous Lions secondary which allows a league worse
8.8 ypa and has yielded 11 TD's in 6 games. Detroit
is also awful vs. the run so the downside risk is that
the Redskins will pound the rock and use the pass
judiciously.

Trent Edwards- faces a Dolphins backline that been
overly generous allowing 8.0 ypa. The key to Edwards
success is the availability of Miami nose tackle Jason
Ferguson. If Ferguson plays Buffalo will be forced
to pass otherwise the Dolphins will get an unhealthy
dose of Marshawn Lynch. Stay tuned.

Matt Cassel- is coming off a career game and has the
Rams coming to town. St.Louis is on a roll but allows
8.0 ypa and padded their statistics vs. an inept Brad
Johnson. Cassel is likely to replicate his performance
vs. the Broncos on Monday night.

Good Bet: Garrard vs. Browns, Farve vs. Chiefs
Anderson vs. Jaguars, O'Sullivan vs. Seahawks
Bulger vs. Patriots, Delhomme vs. Cardinals

Unfavorable:

Eli Manning- faces a Pittsburgh defense that allows
a league best 4.6 ypa, a 2nd best 2.9 ypc and 14.8 ppg.
A sliver of a silver lining may show if Polamalu is out.

Chad Pennington- has a tough opponent in the Bills
which yields 5.8 ypa & may be getting its best coverage
CB Terrence McGee back from a knee issue.

Peyton Manning- should be started but expectations
need to be realistic against a Titans secondary that has
allowed 5.2 ypa and only 1 TD on the season. Plan for
12-15 points from Peyton.

Bad Bet: Warner vs. Panthers, Russell vs. Ravens
Orlovsky vs. Redskins


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

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

Favorable:

Thomas Jones- has the worst run defense coming for
a visit. The Chiefs have allowed a league worse 5.6 ypa
and a ghastly 12 TD's in 6 games.

Maurice Jones-Drew- is well rested coming off a bye
and lines up vs. the Browns run defense which yields 4.8
ypc. He has never faced Cleveland but is likely to make
a lasting impression on Sunday.

Willis McGahee- has a good matchup vs. the Raiders
front 7 which allows 4.6 ypc. The Ravens will seek to
run the ball 40+ times with McGahee likely to get 25+
touches if he can stay on the field.

Good Bet: Faulk vs. Rams, Lewis vs. Jaguars
Evans vs. Rams


Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Darren McFadden- the Baltimore defense has been
ravenous stonewalling RB's allowing a league best 2.8
ypc and 1 TD. Fargas needs to be inactive as well.

Brandon Jacobs- an irresistible force hits an immovable
object. The Steelers allow a paltry 2.9 ypc & should be
getting premier run stopper Casey Hampton back from
a knee injury.

Michael Turner- has underachieved vs. stout defenses.
The Eagles yield only 3.5 ypc and will try to make Ryan
beat them over the top.

Bad Bet: L. Johnson vs. Jets, Rhodes vs. Titans,
Lynch vs. Dolphins, Moore vs. Giants


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Lee Evans- run silent, run deep. Evans will likely exploit
the Dolphins backline which allows 8.0 ypa.

Chad Johnson- has created a good rapport with young
QB Fitzpatrick. The Texans are abysmal in coverage
allowing 8.2 ypa and made Orlovsky look like Brees.

Laveranues Coles- faces a Chiefs secondary that has
been abused all season. Favre will bounce back from an
awful effort vs. Oakland.

Good Bet: S. Moss vs. Lions, Muhammad vs. Cards
Morgan vs. Seahawks, Avery vs. Patriots

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Steve Breaston- will be shadowed by a Panthers team
which only allows 5.4 ypa.

Marvin Harrison- has not had separation all season and
faces a Titans secondary that has yielded a scant 5.2
ypa and 1 passing TD.

Greg Camarillo- will be neutralized by a solid Bills back
line that only allows 5.8 ypa.

Bad Bet: Toomer vs. Steelers, A. Gonzalez vs. Titans


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Vernon Davis- perhaps the new regime will force Martz
to use him more. The Seahawks are porous.

Mercedes Lewis- should get more looks with Matt Jones
serving a suspension. The Browns allow 7.0 ypa.

Robert Royal- will be ignored as the Dolphins game plan
Evans and Lynch.

Good Bet: Cooley vs. Lions, Heiden vs. Jaguars
Watson vs. Rams, Rosario vs. Cards


Unfavorable:

Zach Miller- will struggle vs. Ed Reed and the rest of his
Ravens buddies.

Anthony Fasano- the Bills handled Gates last week &
are likely to stifle Fasano.

Dallas Clark- had a solid day vs Green Bay but will find
the Titans to be extremely inhospitable.

Bad Bet: Boss vs. Steelers


5. K's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Josh Brown- has kicked well all season and the Rams
are starting to jell on offense. The Broncos made the
Patriots look really good turning the ball over 5 times.
Expect the Rams to be competitive on offense.

Joe Nedney- it's a new day in San Francisco. The
Seahawks will provide little resistance for a group of
players looking to make a good impression.

Taylor Mehlhaff- the rookie will have his chances as
Saints play the Chargers in London.

Good Bet: Kaeding vs. Saints, Kasay vs. Cardinals
Lindell vs. Dolphins


Unfavorable:

Jason Elam- the Falcons may have difficulties vs. a
well rested Eagles defense.

Sebastian Janikowski- may have to kick a couple of
60 yarders to get on the board.

Jason Hansen- the Redskins will stymie the Lions.

Bad Bet: Rackers vs. Panthers, Folk vs. Bucs


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Baltimore- at home against the Raiders. The key will
be if they can turnover Russell.

New York Jets- faces an inept Edwards offense which
starts a 3rd string QB. The Chiefs are in total disarray
and are deciding whether to bench Larry Johnson for
a 2nd consecutive game.

San Francisco- there have been rumblings about Matt
Hasselbeck returning. Barring that, the 49ers should
dominate a Seneca Wallace led offense at home.

Good Bet: Eagles vs. Falcons


Unfavorable:

Jacksonville- the Browns will be able to probe &
ultimately exploit the Jaguars weakness in both run
and pass defense.

New England- faces a Rams offense that is much
improved. The Broncos imploded on Monday night
with 2 fumbles in Patriots territory in the first 10
minutes of the game. Look for the Rams to serve
up a heavy dose of Steven Jackson to set up Holt,
Avery and Bulger.

Miami- the Bills have an offense that will give the
Dolphins fits. Edwards is accurate & careful with
the ball & Lynch will keep the Miami safeties from
doubling Evans all afternoon.

Bad Bet: Cowboys vs. Bucs


Van Winkles: (deep sleepers)

Ryan Fitzpatrick- will operate a balanced attack vs.
the Texans. Ultimately, Schaub & co. will score and
pressure the Bengals to take shots downfield against
a backline that yields 8.2 ypa.

Cedric Benson will be used consistently in an effort
to keep Schaub and the Texans offense off the field.
Houston's interior defense has allowed opposing RB's
to earn a generous 4.4 ypc and 11 TD's.

Ray Rice will benefit from a game plan that features
the running game. The Raiders allow 4.6 ypc which
plays favorably to the strength of the Ravens offense.

Antwaan Randle El will have a solid game against
the Lions. Doesn't everyone?

Chris Henry will get more looks as the Bengals use
3 and 4 receiver sets to keep up with the Texans.


No He Didn't:

BenJarvis Green-Ellis is likely get a fair amount of
touches with Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan
out of Sunday's tilt vs. the Rams. Heath Evans and
Kevin Faulk will get the call as well but Green-Ellis
acquitted himself well vs. the Broncos and could get
hot against a St. Louis front 7 that allows 5.0 ypc.


All Done!

Site Updated by Noon EST Daily