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The RotoExperts.com Staff previews the Week 10 games, with an eye on matchups to exploit and players to avoid.
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Donovan McNabb now has a fully healthy receiving crew. Photo Credit: Icon SMI |
New York Giants at Philadelphia: Both the Giants and the Eagles are coming off double-digit victories and are winners of three straight. And while each team features prime-time fantasy players, there may not be much for owners to cheer about come Sunday. In two matchups last year, the Eagles managed to score one touchdown, while the Giants found the end zone just twice on offense. Donovan McNabb has been about as steady a quarterback as there is in fantasy, but he was held to under 200 yards in both meetings last year. With the Giants sporting the second-ranked pass defense, the 200-yard plateau will once again be a hard marker to reach, and he could be benchable if your backup option has a nice matchup this week. With the Giants secondary blanketing the Eagles receivers, DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis should be looked at as nothing more than flex players, with Reggie Brown not even worth a start. Last week's tight end sensation, Brent Celek is expected to be pushed back to the bench by the return of L.J. Smith. He should be dropped in all formats, while Smith isn't worth a start considering he's averaging around two receptions and just 20 yards receiving a game.
Like the Giants, Philadelphia too sports a top-tier defensive unit, ranking in the Top-10 in both passing and rushing yards allowed. Brandon Jacobs is clearly a must-start because his bruising running style and mammoth size make it hard for any team to completely shut him down. After starting the season with four consecutive 200-plus yard games, Eli Manning has now been under that total in his last four outings, although he has thrown a touchdown in all but one game. Similar to McNabb, if you have player with a more favorable matchup on your bench, you can comfortably sit Manning. Plaxico Burress has just nine catches for 73 yards in his last three games, but should remain a fixture in your lineup thanks to his effectiveness in the red zone. The only other Giants pass-catcher worth a look is Kevin Boss, who is finally starting to become a viable threat. In a game that figures to be plodding and deliberate, Manning will utilize Boss' size frequently on underneath routes. – Chris Ryan
STANDOUT START: Kevin Boss
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Reggie Brown, Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward
Kansas City vs. San Diego: San Diego is coming off a bye and is desperately in need of a victory, while the Chiefs have been dealt consecutive demoralizing losses and will be without the services of Larry Johnson once again. Despite the improved play of Tyler Thigpen and the breakout by rookie running back Jamaal Charles, this game has all the makings of a classic Chargers blowout. The three-headed monster of Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will slash and gash a Kansas City defense that's relinquishing 27.9 points a game, and Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson should both be considered strong WR2 plays with the very good possibility that Rivers delivers his sixth three-touchdown game of the season. The odd man out looks to be Malcom Floyd, who filled in nicely during Chambers' absence, but only had one catch last week with Chambers back in action. There are just too many weapons for San Diego's third receiver to make any kind of fantasy impact. He should be universally dropped.
Even though the Chargers are allowing the most passing yards per game, and Thigpen has looked increasingly competent over the past two weeks, he should remain on your bench (or in free agency depending on the size of your league). The firing of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell in favor of Ron Rivera won't have make a huge difference in the type of schemes that San Diego employs, but it may be the spark that their talent-laden defense needs. Thigpen is still a guy who has started only three professional games, and has shown a tendency to get flustered into making bad decisions. Of course, that doesn't mean Dwayne Bowe or Tony Gonzalez should be riding your pine, as they'll find a way to get their numbers no matter what. After gaining 106 yards against a very tough Tampa Bay defense last week, Charles can be considered starter-worthy, but if the game gets out of hand, his touches will be held to a minimum. – C.R.
STANDOUT STARTS: Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Tyler Thigpen
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh: The Colts are coming off a big win in which their defense stepped up, but the offense once again struggled to find any consistency. Joseph Addai saw his first action in three weeks, and did not look good. He was indecisive in hitting the hole, and averaged 1.9 yards per carry. Dominic Rhodes actually replaced him late in the game and his straight ahead, hard-charging running style was much more effective. The two will likely share carries again this week, and against Pittsburgh's third-ranked rush defense, neither is worth a start. With the running game struggling, defenses are lying back in deep zones and preventing Peyton Manning from connecting on his trademark play-action bombs. While he's capable of putting up big numbers against any team in the league, the Pittsburgh secondary and their blitzing schemes will present a huge challenge, making Manning nothing more than a mid-level starting option. Marvin Harrison has completely disappeared since his two-touchdown effort against the Ravens, and needs to remain on your bench until he proves that he still has something left in the tank. While Harrison has struggled, Anthony Gonzalez has been making strides, and is now second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards. He caught his first two touchdowns of the season last week, but his inconsistencies essentially make him a higher upside version of Kevin Walter. Don't look for him to contribute more than a few catches and less than 50 yards receiving.
With Ben Roethlisberger's status uncertain because of a shoulder injury and his backup, Byron Leftwich, still learning the playbook, the Steelers will need to rely heavily on the run game against Indianapolis. Which works out nicely considering the Colts have the third-ranked pass defense (they've only allowed two touchdowns through the air), but they're 26th worst against the run. Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward have yet to record a 100-yard game, but the Steelers love to throw the ball near the goal line, and each is a reliable target. Keep them in your lineup, but don't expect outstanding numbers. Nate Washington has had a reception of at least 48-yards in each of his last four games, but like Devery Henderson, that's about all he's good for. The Colts pass defense is designed to prevent the big pass play, and they've allowed just one reception of over 40 yards. Washington will still have some value this year, it just won't be his week. – C.R.
STANDOUT START: Jeff Reed
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Nate Washington, Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes
Tennessee at Chicago: Rex Grossman probably wishes that his first start of the season didn’t have to come against the intimidating Titans defense. The Titans have 13 interceptions, while only allowing four passing touchdowns. Grossman, who is known to battle inconsistency, should find himself in constant trouble throughout the game. Grossman will pass for 200 yards and two interceptions. Grossman will rely on short routes to Matt Forte, who will total 100 yards and a score. Forte's receiving numbers have declined the past two weeks, but Grossman's presence should reverse that trend. Rashied Davis has emerged as the Bears' top receiving threat and has scored in two of the last three games. Davis still doesn't have a 100-yard game; so don't expect the yardage to be there this week. Davis, nor any other Bears' receiver should be started this week. Greg Olsen caught two passes for 10 yards in Week Nine, but should benefit from Grossman's inability to find open wide receivers. Olsen will catch five passes for 65 yards. Chris Johnson faces a daunting task, opposing the sixth-ranked Bears run defense. Johnson will rush for 75 yards against a defense that is allowing only 81.8 rushing yards per game, but he will find the end zone once. LenDale White will continue to shoulder short-yardage and goal line duties and rush 10 times for 35 yards and a score. Kerry Collins hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week Five and that won't change this week, as the Titans will continue to pound out yardage on the ground. Collins will finish with 185 yards and an interception. While no Titans wide receivers should be started, Bo Scaife should be highly targeted and finish with six receptions for 75 yards. – Brad Rysz
STANDOUT START: Bo Scaife
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Rashied Davis
Carolina at Oakland: Jake Delhomme and the Panthers get the chance to beat up on the hapless Raiders. Unfortunately for Delhomme’s owners, this will mean a lot of handing off. Delhomme will throw for 200 yards and a touchdown before the Panthers turn to the run. At that point, DeAngelo Williams will feast on the 30th-ranked Raiders run defense. Williams will score a touchdown and finish with 115 yards. Steve Smith will be limited by the Panthers game plan, but will end up with 90 yards and a score. If JaMarcus Russell passed for 31 yards and an interception against the 16th-ranked Falcons pass defense, what can be expected when he faces the 11th-ranked Panthers pass defense? 25 yards? That's a bit extreme, but don't count on Russell finishing with anything better than 150 yards and an interception. Darren McFadden, battling turf toe problems, is likely out again, leaving Justin Fargas to handle a majority of the carries. Fargas rushed only six times for 23 yards last week, and the prognosis isn't much better against a Panthers defense that has only given up four rushing touchdowns. The Raiders remain a run-first offense, so Fargas makes a decent flex play and will rush for 80 yards and a score. Similar to the Titans, the Raiders don't boast any wide receivers that are worth a start. Those desperate for tight end help can take a chance on Zach Miller, who still remains one of Russell's most-targeted players. Miller will finish with 40 yards on three receptions. – B.R.
STANDOUT START: DeAngelo Williams
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Jake Delhomme
San Francisco at Arizona: The Tim Hightower Era began last week, and now goes to prime time as the Cardinals and 49ers battle on Monday Night Football. In his first career start, Hightower rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers have given up 10 rushing touchdowns and are allowing 112 rushing yards per game. Hightower will get 20-plus carries and rush for 110 yards and a touchdown. Kurt Warner has thrown for at least two touchdowns in every game this season since Week Two. Warner will throw for 250 yards and two scores against the 20th-ranked 49ers pass defense. Anquan Boldin has scored three touchdowns in two games since returning from a head injury. The 49ers have given up 11 passing touchdowns and Boldin will catch eight passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald has at least five receptions in every game with the exception of Week One and will catch seven passes for 110 yards and a score. Steve Breaston has taken a back seat lately, but is still a factor in the Cardinals offense. Breaston will catch four passes for 45 yards. Shaun Hill gets his first start of the season against a Cardinals defense that has given up a league-worst 16 passing touchdowns. Hill makes a nice sleeper play this week and should find success, as the 49ers will be playing from behind. Hill will throw for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Gore ran for 96 yards and score when the 49ers played the Cardinals in Week One. This week, Gore will be relied on even more and will total 130 yards and a touchdown. Isaac Bruce hasn’t scored since Week Five, but will score this week, as the Cardinals defense doesn’t discriminate against age. All are welcome to the end zone. Bruce will catch five passes for 60 yards and a score. Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle will each catch four passes for 45 yards. Vernon Davis should continue to pout after being sent to the locker room in Week Eight and will catch three passes for 25 yards. – B.R.
STANDOUT STARTS: Tim Hightower, Isaac Bruce
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Steve Breaston
New Orleans at Atlanta: Drew Brees will deliver his seventh 300-yard game of the season, when he passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns against a decent Falcons secondary. The Falcons defense is giving up 205 passing yards per game and has allowed 10 passing scores while intercepting six passes. The bye week should have permitted Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey the necessary time to nurse their respective injuries. Colston has only two catches in two games since returning from a hand injury, but should be counted on to produce WR1 stats. Colston will catch six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Shockey may still see limited action, but he will catch three passes for 35 yards, including a touchdown. Devery Henderson will continue to be a deep threat and will catch three passes for 75 yards. Billy Miller will spell Shockey at times and finish with four catches for 40 yards. Deuce McAllister is facing a possible suspension, but if he plays, he should get 15 carries and rush for 70 yards and a score. If McAllister ends up being suspended, Pierre Thomas should get the carries. Thomas shouldn’t be played unless it’s confirmed that he is starting. The Saints pass defense is not very effective, allowing 237.2 passing yards per game. Matt Ryan should be able to find open receivers and manage to throw for 200 yards and a touchdown. Roddy White has had at least 54 yards in each game, providing the kind of consistent option that Ryan needs to succeed. White will catch seven passes for 115 yards and a score. Michael Jenkins caught two touchdown passes last week, but still doesn’t have more than four catches in any game. Jenkins will catch three passes for 45 yards. Michael Turner has been churning out yards weekly, but hasn’t found the end zone since Week Five and is overdue. The Saints have given up only four rushing touchdowns, but Turner will score a touchdown and rush for 110 yards. – B.R.
STANDOUT START: Jeremy Shockey
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Michael Jenkins
St. Louis at New York Jets: Kenneth Darby. That’s the name you want to remember in case Steven Jackson does not start. Antonio Pittman and Travis Minor are both coming off injuries last week, and are unlikely to contribute. Jim Haslett has said that Jackson must have at least one full practice to be cleared to play this weekend. Keep your expectations low. The Jets defense has actually been pretty good in preventing fantasy points for running backs. Between a solid New York run defense and the fact that Jackson probably won’t be 100 percent, expect a quiet game from Jackson, if he plays. Torry Holt had one of his best games last week with six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Holt will have nearly an identical line this week. After a stratospheric game two weeks ago, Donnie Avery returned to ground level last week with just 26 receiving yards. He’ll improve on those numbers, but expect a line similar to Holt’s. Marc Bulger will throw a couple touchdowns but don’t expect more than 190 passing yards, he’s done that only once this year. Opposing wide receivers usually have pretty good days against the St. Louis secondary. This week will not be any different, as both Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery should score. Expect yardage totals in line with their season averages. Brett Favre will toss those two touchdowns, but with eight interceptions in his last four games, don’t be surprised to see a pick or two as well. Thomas Jones has scored each of the last two weeks and against a weak St. Louis defense, he’ll make it three weeks in a row. – Mark Strausberg
Standout Starts: Thomas Jones, Jerricho Cotchery
Banish to the Bench: Steven Jackson
Green Bay at Minnesota: Since the Vikings made the switch to Gus Frerotte, Bernard Berrian has not totaled less than 79 yards in a game. He will have at least 80 yards and extend his scoring streak to five games. Adrian Peterson should have a big game, as the Packers have allowed four runners to top 100 yards, including Peterson back in Week One. That game was not on the faster track of the Metrodome, so Peterson should have one or two scores as well. If Peterson has a big day, Frerotte obviously will not, but you can expect 220 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, should have big day. He had one of his lesser outings earlier against the Vikings, passing for only 190 yards. However, he still accounted for two scores that day (one passing, one rushing), and since then has three 300-plus yard performances and has accounted for a score at least once in every game. With Minnesota much better against the run, Green Bay will take to the air, as Rodgers throws for 280 yards and two touchdowns. If Donald Driver has a catch, he will set a new franchise record with at least one reception in 104 straight games. Driver will have no problem doing that, as he will catch quite a few balls for nearly 100 yards and a touchdown. Greg Jennings has slowed down lately, but he had five catches for 91 yards against the Vikings earlier in the year. No reason that he can’t do that again. Ryan Grant has averaged 76 yards a game in his three meetings against the Vikings. Don’t expect Grant to rush for much more than that this weekend. The Vikings are ranked 27th in preventing fantasy points to tight ends, but Donald Lee has yet to score or have more than 27 receiving yards on the road this year. Don’t expect that trend to change. – M.S.
Standout Starts: Bernard Berrian, Adrian Peterson, Donald Driver
Banish to the Bench: Ryan Grant, Donald Lee
Baltimore at Houston: The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 27 games. Make it 28, as Steve Slaton will not even rush for 60 yards. However, when the Texans face a top defense, Slaton finds a way to be productive (in both the Tennessee and the Jacksonville games, he had over 100 combined yards in each), so you can expect 100 combined yards. Worried about starting Andre Johnson against the Ravens? Don’t be. He is second in catches and first in the league in receiving yards. All four of Johnson’s 120-plus yard games have been at home. Of course, the Ravens have a better defense than the Colts, Lions, Bengals, or Dolphins. However, Samari Rolle will be playing his first game after injury and has been susceptible to the big play. And don’t be surprised to see Owen Daniels have a decent day. The last time the Ravens and Texans tussled, Houston tight ends combined for 10 catches and over 100 yards. Daniels will score and use his 6’3 frame to total 70 yards. While Daniels and Johnson both have big days, Kevin Walter will not. Sage Rosenfels will be making his first start of the year, replacing the injured Matt Schaub. You’ve seen enough of Rosenfels to know what to expect: decent yardage totals, a touchdown or two, as well as a turnover or two. When the Ravens have the ball, expect the Three-Headed Monster to grind up a Texans defense that is ranked 26th in preventing fantasy points to running backs. It was reported in the The Baltimore Sun that the Ravens are preparing for a day in the not-too-distant future without the services of Willis McGahee. Between that, McGahee’s unknown injury status, and the fact that John Harbaugh has refused to name a starter, things do not portend well if you are a McGahee owner. On the heels of his 154-yard effort last week, Ray Rice will top 100 yards and score. However, don’t expect a full load of carries from Rice, as Le’Ron McClain will be used to eat the clock. With the running game going strong, Joe Flacco will return to his sub-200 yard self, but Flacco will also toss a touchdown or two. The touchdown will go to Flacco’s favorite receiver, Derrick Mason, but don’t be surprised to see Mark Clayton have a solid game for the second week in a row. Todd Heap’s production has been minimal this year. With the rest of the offense carrying the load, Heap will continue to be a non-factor. – M.S.
Standout Starts: Andre Johnson, Ray Rice
Banish to the Bench: Todd Heap, Kevin Walter, Willis McGahee
Jacksonville at Detroit: David Garrard has at least 30 pass attempts in six of eight games, but rarely has he put up useful fantasy numbers. Garrard and his receivers haven't been able to make big plays, and he has only has six touchdown passes. His longest pass of the season? 35 yards. However, against a Lions defense that has given up 247.1 passing yards per game and 13 touchdowns through the air, Garrard should be able to get back on track and will be a sneaky start. Garrard will pass for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Jones will snag five balls for 65 yards and a touchdown. While none of the Jaguars receivers should be in your starting lineup, if you had to start one other than Jones, go with Reggie Williams. He will catch a touchdown pass, and accrue 40 to 60 receiving yards. This is not the Maurice Jones-Drew that owner’s thought they were getting when they drafted him in the second round. He's had only two 100-yard rushing games, and has one run that went for more than 20 yards. Jones-Drew will have better luck against a Lions defense that is giving up 161.8 yards per game on the ground, and will finish with 120 total yards and one touchdown. Fred Taylor has yet to score a touchdown, and has had only two runs over 15 yards. Keep Taylor on your bench, as he'll be lucky to break 50 yards. The Lions signed Daunte Culpepper due to a sprained thumb sustained by Dan Orlovsky. Culpepper is the most likely option, but he hasn't been an effective quarterback since 2004, until he shows something, he is not worth a roster spot. If Culpepper plays, look for 160 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Regardless of who is quarterbacking, Calvin Johnson will get his 85 yards and a touchdown. Shaun McDonald will grab three balls for 30 yards. The running attempts will be split between Kevin Smith and Rudi Johnson. Hopefully you are not starting either, but if you're in a bind, Smith is the safer bet, as he should finish with 60 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson will net only 40 yards. – Matt Wirkiowski
STANDOUT START: Calvin Johnson
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Fred Taylor
Seattle at Miami: The Seahawks have scored 150 points. 101 of those points have come in three games against San Francisco (twice) and St. Louis. This week won't be much different. Seneca Wallace will once again be under center for the injured Matt Hasselbeck, and will attempt to direct the offense. Wallace faces a Dolphins defense that has given up 242.3 yards per game and 11 touchdowns, but don't expect that if you start Wallace. He will finish with one touchdown, one interception, and 175 passing yards. Bobby Engram, Koren Robinson, and John Carlson will all finish with three to five catches and 35 to 45 yards. If you're scrambling to fill out your starting lineup, go with Carlson, as he'll catch a short touchdown pass. Miami is only giving up 89.6 rushing yards per game, and five rushing touchdowns, so don't look for much from either Julius Jones or Maurice Morris. Jones will finish with 50 total yards while Morris will total 30 yards. The Seahawks give up 258.0 passing yards per game, and have also allowed 13 touchdown passes. Chad Pennington now has four straight games in which he's passed for at least 280 yards, and should continue that streak. Pencil Pennington in for 285 yards and one touchdown. Miami's starting wide receivers, Greg Camarillo and Ted Ginn Jr., have combined to catch one touchdown pass. Look for that trend to continue this week, as Anthony Fasano will be the recipient of Pennington's touchdown toss, but will only finish with 20 yards. Camarillo will pluck eight balls out of the air for 80 yards, while Ginn will corral four balls for 60 yards. Ronnie Brown has 465 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season. More than half of those yards and five of those touchdowns came in Weeks Three and Five. Against the Seahawks, Brown will find his footing and rush for 105 yards and one touchdown. Ricky Williams is merely an afterthought in the offense; so don't expect more than 40 total yards from him. – M.W.
STANDOUT START: Ronnie Brown
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Koren Robinson
Buffalo at New England: Trent Edwards has been able to throw the ball effectively, as he has at least 200 passing yards in six of eight games, but has yet to throw more than one touchdown in a game. With Josh Reed out due to an Achilles tendon injury, opposing defenses have been able to double-team Lee Evans, because backup wide receivers Roscoe Parrish and James Hardy haven't been able to produce. Expect the Patriots to defend the Bills similarly, watch Edwards finish with 210 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Evans will snag five balls for 75 yards and a touchdown, and should be started, but both Parrish and Hardy should be avoided, as neither will get you more than 30 yards. Buffalo's offensive line has under-performed. This has negatively affected Marshawn Lynch in a huge way. Lynch has yet to rush for more than 85 yards in a game. Lynch faces a Patriots defense that has given up 105.0 rushing yards per game and four rushing touchdowns. Lynch won't see many holes, and will struggle to rush for 75 yards, although he will score one touchdown. With Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan both expected to miss the game, the Patriots will once again turn to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk. Faulk will get most of the carries on first and second downs, with Green-Ellis coming in for short-yardage and red zone plays. This will result in a fairly even split of carries, with both backs accumulating 60 to 65 yards. If you need running back help, Green-Ellis will be the better play, as he'll add a touchdown run to his yardage numbers. With the exception of the Denver game, Matt Cassel's fantasy numbers have been very mediocre. That won't change this week. Cassel will throw for 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception; he should remain on your bench. It took a few weeks, but it looks like Randy Moss is adjusting to having Matt Cassel at quarterback. Over his past three games, Moss in averaging six receptions and almost 80 yards per game, while catching two touchdowns. Moss should continue the good play with seven receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. Wes Welker will continue to be a clutch player, making those tough catches on third down, however that doesn't translate into much in the way of fantasy points, as he'll finish with five catches for 50 yards. – M.W.
STANDOUT START: BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BANISH TO THE BENCH: Matt Cassel
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