Fantasy Football Player's Edge

November 3, 2008


Tomorrow: Notes From The Edge


Monday: Recap

Jets 26/Bills 17- Thomas Jones (15) more than held his
own. Favre (7), Cotchery (6) and Coles (4) were mediocre.
Edwards (11) was erratic while Lynch (6) and Evans (4)
disappointed. The Jets (21) defense had a score while the
Bills (9) were useful.

Bengals 21/Jaguars 19- Fitzpatrick (18) & Johnson (15)
combined for 2 scores. Cedric Benson (16) abused the
Jaguars (12) while Houshmandzadeh (6) was serviceable.
Garrard (10) underachieved while Jones-Drew (11) had a
TD. Matt Jones (6) had yards.

Ravens 37/Browns 27- Ray Rice (17) came up big playing
for McGahee (0), a surprise scratch. Flacco (17) was solid.
Mason (19), Mark Clayton (14) and McClain (9) had TD's.
Anderson (15) & Edwards (14) combined for a score. Lewis
(5) and Winslow (6) were held in check. The Ravens (11)
defense scored late.

Vikings 28/Texans 21- Peterson (19) ran wild. Frerotte
(18) threw 3 TD's to Berrian (16), Rice (6) & Shiancoe (8).
Schaub (2) was replaced by Rosenfels (15) after suffering
a knee injury. Andre Johnson (12), Owen Daniels (13) &
Slaton (11) played well. Kevin Walter (4) disappointed. The
Vikings (12) defense stepped up.

Bears 27/Lions 23- Kyle Orton (10) was carted off with an
ankle injury. Grossman (11) took his place and had a passing
and a rushing score. Forte (12) and Rashied Davis (12) had
nice games. Neither Hester (3) or TE Greg Olsen (1) could
get untracked. Calvin Johnson (15) is unstoppable. Shaun
McDonald (12) & Kevin Smith (10) had scores. Orlovsky
(17) had the Bears (10) defense on their heels.

Bucs 30/Chiefs 27- Garcia (18) scored heavily late while
Graham (8) lost 2 fumbles. Antonio Bryant (17) came up
big as Galloway (2) didn't look healthy. Thigpen (21) was
surprisingly effective vs. the Bucs (3) defense & got behind
them to catch a TD on a trick play. Gonzalez (6) and Bowe
(8) put up hard earned points while Jamaal Charles (8) was
solid replacing an injured Kolby Smith (4). Mark Bradley
(10) threw the TD to Thigpen.

Cards 34/Rams 13- Warner (21) & Anquan Boldin (14)
were outstanding. Hightower (16) has displaced James (0)
as the feature back while J.J. Arrington (11) was his backup.
Fitzgerald (8) had yards while Breaston (3) disappointed.
Bulger (14) & Holt (11) teamed up for a late TD as Donnie
Avery (2) disappeared. Steven Jackson (1) had 7 touches.
The Cards (18) defense scored.

Titans 19/Packers 16- Chris Johnson (21) was terrific.
White (7) had a long run. Collins (7) is not playable in this
offense. Gage (0) was shutdown by the Packers (3) defense.
Rodgers (14) & Driver (19) scored well while Grant (8) and
Jennings (7) held their own vs. the rugged Titans (9).

Dolphins 26/Broncos 17- Ronnie Brown (14) had a late
TD. Pennington (10) played better than he scored while WR
Greg Camarillo (11) had 11 catches. Ginn (3), Williams
(3) and Fasano (3) were bystanders. Cutler (17) scored well
despite 3 interceptions while Marshall (2) was stymied by the
Dolphins (14) secondary. Eddie Royal (12) had a score. FB
Peyton Hills (17) had 117 yards and a TD. Pittman (2) and
Torain (0) were shutdown.

Falcons 24/Raiders 0- Matt Ryan (14) hooked up with WR
Michael Jenkins (18) for 2 TD's. Michael Turner (13) ran wild
as did Norwood (14). Roddy White (5) was held in check.
Spot start Fargas (2) had 6 touches & Russell (2) was awful.
The Falcons (18) defense pitched a shutout.

Giants 35/Cowboys 14- Eli Manning (12) had 3 TD's, an int.
and 2 fumbles. Jacobs (17) and Ward (12) had rushing TD's. TE
Boss (9), Steve Smith (8) & Toomer (8) had scores. Burress
(3) was quiet. Owens (7) had a score and a fumble. Barber (4)
was stifled. Roy Williams (2) was not a factor. Witten (0) was
active but inactive. The Giants (16) defense dominated while
the Cowboys (12) defense had a score.

Eagles 26/Seahawks 7- McNabb (20) was sharp throwing to
10 receivers with TE Celek (13) leading the way. Curtis (8) had
yards while Reggie Brown (8) had a score. DeSean Jackson (2)
was left out. Westbrook (9) was pedestrian. Koren Robinson
(16) had a 90 yard score. Morris (4) and Julius Jones (4) were
ineffective. Engram (2) was neutralized. The Eagles (8) defense
was useful.

Colts 18/Patriots 15- Manning (20) and Anthony Gonzalez
(17) combined for a pair of TD's. Wayne (8), Dallas Clark (6) &
Harrison (5) attended the party. Addai (4) struggled. Cassel
(9), Moss (4) and Welker (3) disappointed. Green-Ellis (11) &
Faulk (9) were serviceable. Neither defense had an impact.


Quick Picks: (free agents to acquire)
J. Flacco
S. Rosenfels
J. Garcia
T. Hightower
R. Rice
J. Charles
C. Benson
Ra. Davis
Ma. Clayton
S. McDonald

Castaways: (waiver candidates)
E. James
Ko. Smith
M. Pittman
J. Fargas
M. Morris
Ju. Jones
B. Engram

Hard Knocks: (injury notes)
K. Orton- ankle
M. Schaub- knee
Ko. Smith- knee
J. Fargas- hand


Start/Sit: (Week 9)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Kyle Orton- worked over the Lions secondary in week
5 by throwing for 334 yards and 2 scores at Ford Field.
If the weather cooperates Orton is likely to approximate
that performance.

Donovan McNabb- has been on the precipice of having
a breakout performance. The Seattle pass defense has
allowed 7.5 ypa and yielded 11 scores in 7 games. Curtis,
Jackson and Brown should have plenty of open looks.
Westbrook will play a major role in the passing game.

Marc Bulger- will have to throw early and often to keep
pace with Warner and Co. Arizona's backline has been
generous allowing 7.5 ypa and a league leading 14 TD's.
Fasten your seat belts.

Good Bet: Warner vs. Rams, Cutler vs. Dolphins
Pennington vs. Broncos, P. Manning vs. Patriots
Ryan vs. Raiders, Garcia vs. Chiefs

Unfavorable:

Jason Campbell- has the unenviable task of throwing
vs. the Steelers defense which allows a league stingiest
4.8 ypa.

Derek Anderson- has played better recently but faces
a Ravens secondary that is getting healthier. Even with
backup players at cornerback Baltimore yields only 5.9
ypa.

Aaron Rodgers- has been a must start all season but
will face a Titans secondary that has allowed 5.2 ypa &
only 3 TD's on the season. He's playable but a bit risky.

Bad Bet: Collins vs. Packers, Orlovsky vs. Bears
Thigpen vs. Bucs


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

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

Favorable:

Michael Turner- has had his best games vs. permissive
run defenses such as the Raiders, which has allowed 4.5
ypc & 11 rushing TD's on the season.

Matt Forte- has been surprisingly consistent all season
regardless of the opponent. He faces the Lions front 7
which has been gouged for 4.7 ypc and 9 TD's.

Willis McGahee- has a good matchup vs. the Browns
rush defense which allows 4.7 ypc. The Ravens will seek
to control the clock with McGahee and Ray Rice.

Good Bet: Ch. Johnson vs. Packers, Dunn vs. Chiefs
White vs. Packers, Graham vs. Chiefs


Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Jamal Lewis- the Ravens defense has been ravenous
stonewalling RB's allowing a league best 2.8 ypc & 1 TD.

Steve Slaton- has a bad matchup vs. the Vikings rush
defense which holds RB's to 2.9 ypc. He may have some
chances in the passing game but is a risky play.

Marshawn Lynch- faces a Jets interior defense which
has been stout vs. the run allowing only 3.2 ypc.

Bad Bet: Grant vs. Titans, Portis vs. Steelers
Ko. Smith vs. Bucs, Ke. Smith vs. Bears


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Joey Galloway- needed last week's action to shake off
a season of inactivity and faces a Chiefs secondary that
has been targeted all year allowing a generous 7.5 ypa.

Steve Breaston- the Rams secondary has not limited
any passing offenses this season much less one like the
Cardinals high powered aerial circus.

Eddie Royal- the Dolphins backline has been abused
consistently yielding 7.8 ypa.

Good Bet: Ginn vs. Broncos, Berrian vs. Texans,
Houshmandzadeh vs. Jaguars, Avery vs. Cards
Curtis vs. Seahawks, Gonzalez vs. Patriots

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Donald Driver- faces a Titans secondary that limited
Wayne, Gonzalez and Harrison to 68 total yards.

Dwayne Bowe- will have to earn his keep against a solid
Bucs secondary that has allowed only 5.8 ypa. They will
harass Thigpen into a lot of checkdowns to Gonzalez &
Kolby Smith.

Hines Ward- faces a secondary that excels in coverage.
The Redskins pass defense yields a paltry 5.7 ypa with
only 10 sacks on the season. Ward will face tight man to
man schemes underneath forcing Roethlisberger to look
elsewhere.

Bad Bet: S. Moss vs. Steelers, Stallworth vs. Ravens
Gage vs. Packers


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Greg Olsen- returns from a bye to face the Lions. That
is the NFL's equivalent to Christmas morning.

Tony Scheffler- was out with a groin injury prior to the
Broncos bye week. He has a nice matchup vs. Miami if
he's healthy.

Anthony Fasano- the Broncos offer little resistance on
defense and have lost Champ Bailey.

Good Bet: Al. Smith vs. Chiefs, Da. Clark vs. Patriots
L.J. Smith vs. Seahawks, Shiancoe vs. Texans


Unfavorable:

Kellen Winslow- will struggle vs. Ed Reed and the rest
of his Ravens buddies.

Bo Scaife- the Packers will lock down on Collins primary
target.

Chris Cooley- the Steelers have the best pass defense in
football and will make life miserable for all of the Redskins
skill players.

Bad Bet: Lee vs. Titans, H. Miller vs. Redskins


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. Expect the Cardinals to
score often which will force the Rams follow suit.

Matt Prater- has the best leg in football and kicks in
Mile High this week vs. the Dolphins.

Robbie Gould- should have plenty of opportunities as
the Bears move the ball at will vs. the Lions.

Good Bet: Bryant vs. Chiefs, K. Brown vs. Vikings
Rackers vs. Rams, Vinatieri vs. Patriots


Unfavorable:

Mason Crosby- the Titans defense is stingy yielding
a league best 12.4 ppg.

Jeff Reed- the Steelers/Redskins brawl on Monday
night shapes up to be a hard hitting, low scoring affair.

Shaun Suisham- will not get many chances vs. the
Steelers.

Bad Bet: Hansen vs. Bears, Barth vs. Bucs


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Tampa Bay- faces a young QB in Thigpen who does
not have a strong running game to keep this aggressive
defense honest.

Chicago- will be at full strength welcoming back CB's
Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman. The Lions are
simply over matched at every position.

Philadelphia- Jim Johnson's blitzing defense will
create confusion for Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace.
Seattle's running game will be thwarted which should
cause the young signal caller to make mistakes in the
passing game.

Good Bet: Baltimore vs. Browns, Pittsburgh vs. Redskins


Unfavorable:

Minnesota- the Texans strength stacks up well vs.
the weakness in the Vikings defense. Schaub and co.
will exploit Minnesota's secondary.

New England- faces a Colts offense that has a great
deal to prove. Peyton Manning should have his best
game of the season vs. a Patriots backline that allows
7.3 ypa and has yielded 11 TD's over the top.

Washington- Roethlisberger will throw deep as the
Redskins have had trouble applying pressure on QB's.
As long as the Steelers protect the ball Washington
will have problems scoring points without sacks in what
should be a low scoring game.

Bad Bet: Indianapolis vs. Patriots


Van Winkles: (deep sleepers)

Gus Frerotte- it will be ugly but look for Frerotte to
capitalize on a Houston secondary that allows 7.6 ypa.
The Texans will have to deploy a safety to help control
Peterson at the point of attack opening passing lanes
for Berrian and Wade.

Justin Fargas- was an effective running back late last
season. McFadden is likely out with multiple turf toe
injuries allowing Justin to receive the bulk of the totes
vs a Falcons defense which has yielded a generous 4.7
ypc.

Ricky Williams- Sparano suggests that Williams will
be getting additional carries against the Broncos. The
Denver run defense is awful allowing a staggering 5.4
ypc.

Tim Hightower- is very close to unseating Edgerrin
James as the Cards feature back. The Rams defense
will offer little resistance with a leaky 4.8 ypc.

Greg Camarillo- the Broncos will be focused on Ted
Ginn Jr. and the Dolphins running game. Camarillo
should get plenty of targets.


No He Didn't:

Ryan Fitzpatrick- the Jaguars defense has been kind
to QB's all season allowing 7.2 ypa and 12 touchdowns.
Fitzpatrick is playable only as a last resort but he could
actually provide a surprise to the upside.


All Done!

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