Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 26, 2008


Crunch Time: (updated periodically until 1pm EST)

Alert: Steven Jackson is out with a strained quad.
Travis Minor & Antonio Pittman will split carries.
Use Pittman if you're in a bind.

Darren McFadden is inactive due to a sprained toe.
Fargas and Michael Bush are poor plays vs the
Ravens.

Warrick Dunn is active & is likely to play but may
be limited. He's going to vulture totes from Graham.

Deuce McAllister will start against the Chargers
in London. He's facing a suspension for doping so
adding Pierre Thomas until Bush returns could
yield a nice dividend after the Saints bye next week.

All the Saints receivers get an upgrade as Antonio
Cromartie will not start at CB for San Diego due
to a hip injury.

Chris Chambers is likely to play against the Saints.

Plaxico Burress is active but will not start as he has
violated another undisclosed team rule. He's likely to
play his fair share of snaps but faces a Steelers pass
defense that is the best in the NFL.

Derrick Mason is active & will play vs. the Raiders.

Santonio Holmes is inactive because of his arrest
for possession of marijuana.

Cotchery and Coles are active for the Jets and will
start vs. the Chiefs.

Reggie Brown is out due to a groin strain. Curtis &
Jackson will likely benefit from Brown's absence.

Anquan Boldin will start without limitations vs the
Panthers. He can be activated with confidence.

Joey Galloway is active vs. the Cowboys & would
be a good add for future weeks as #3. He'll need this
game to shake off the inactivity.

Jeremy Shockey is active but will not start. He'll
probably share snaps with Billy Miller.

Kellen Winslow's suspension has been rescinded &
he'll be back with the Browns on Monday. He's out
of today's game against the Jaguars.

NT Jason Ferguson is active for Miami which is
bad news for Lynch and good news for Edwards
and Evans. The Bills will have to throw to move
the ball consistently vs. the Dolphins.


It's in the Stars:

Luminous: (5 Stars)

QB:
D. McNabb
J. Campbell

RB:
C. Portis
S. Jackson
T. Jones
M. Jones-Drew

WR:
R. Moss
L. Evans
S. Smith (Car)
S. Moss
B. Edwards

TE:
C. Cooley

K:
S. Gostkowski
S. Suisham

DEF:
Baltimore
Philadelphia

Glowing: (4 Stars)

QB:
D. Brees
B. Favre
M. Cassel
T. Edwards
M. Bulger
J. Delhomme
D. Anderson
J.T. O'Sullivan

RB:
S. Slaton
L. Tomlinson
B. Westbrook
W. McGahee
J. Lewis
Chr. Johnson

WR:
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Ch. Johnson
A. Johnson
L. Coles
J. Cotchery
T. Holt
W. Welker
L. Fitzgerald
M. Muhammad
D. Mason
Ma. Jones
J. Morgan

TE:
A. Gates

K:
T. Mehlhaff
N. Kaeding
J. Feely
J. Brown
P. Dawson
J. Scobee
J. Nedney

DEF:
New York Jets
Buffalo
Washington
Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh
San Francisco
Tennessee

Bright: (3 Stars)

QB:
P. Manning
P. Rivers
B. Roethlisberger
J. Flacco
J. Garcia
K. Warner
M. Schaub
R. Fitzpatrick

RB:
C. Benson
A. Green
D. McAllister
M. Lynch
R. Brown
T. Hightower
J. Stewart
R. Rice
E. Graham
W. Dunn
M. Barber
F. Taylor
M. Moore
F. Gore
L. White
K. Faulk
H. Evans

WR:
H. Ward
S. Holmes
C. Henry
V. Jackson
M. Floyd
M. Colston
D. Henderson
L. Moore
R. White
K. Curtis
De. Jackson
D. Avery
A. Randle El
T. Owens
D. Stallworth
I. Bruce
R. Wayne

TE:
J. Witten
O. Daniels
T. Gonzalez
L.J. Smith
J. Shockey
B. Scaife
T. Heap
Z. Miller
B. Watson
R. Royal
C. Baker
A. Smith
D. Rosario
S. Heiden
V. Davis

K:
S. Graham
K. Brown
D. Akers
N. Rackers
J. Kasay
M. Bryant
N. Folk
R. Bironas
R. Lindell
J. Reed

DEF:
Dallas
San Diego
New York Giants
Cincinnati
New England
Carolina
Arizona
Oakland
Jacksonville
Indianapolis


Diminished: (2 Stars)

QB:
M. Ryan
E. Manning
C. Pennington
K. Collins

RB:
R. Williams
M. Turner
E. James
D. Williams
Ke. Smith
B. Jacobs
M. Morris
J. Addai
D. Rhodes

WR:
K. Walter
D. Bowe
G. Camarillo
S. Breaston
A. Boldin
J. Walker
Ca. Johnson
An. Bryant
Ro. Williams
P. Crayton
P. Burress
S. Smith (NYG)
D. Branch
B. Engram
M. Harrison
A. Gonzalez
J. Gage

TE:
J. Carlson
H. Miller
A. Fasano
J. Stevens
Z. Miller
Da. Clark
K. Boss
J. Klopfenstein

K:
M. Stover
D. Anderson
O. Mare
J. Elam
S. Janikowski
J. Hansen
A. Vinatieri
J. Carney
L. Tynes

DEF:
New Orleans
Atlanta
Houston
Miami
St. Louis
Cleveland
Seattle


Dull: (1 Star)

QB:
S. Wallace
T. Thigpen
J. Russell
D. Orlovsky

RB:
Ko. Smith
D. McFadden
J. Fargas
R. Johnson
J. Jones

WR:
T. Ginn Jr.
Br. Johnson
A. Toomer

TE:
J. Peelle

K:
C. Barth

DEF:
Kansas City
Detroit


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:

BenJarvus 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!

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