By: David
Bachman
Fantasy Football
Editor For WagerOnFootball.com
The Fantasy Football Matchups is our weekly in depth
look at every NFL game and their effect on fantasy football
lineup decisions. Our Sportsbook Review Experts will brake
down all the weekly action right here for you. Need to
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NFL
SPORTSBOOKS FANTASY FOOTBALL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Javon Walker, WR, Green Bay:
Walker doesn't receive the same attention as Randy Moss,
Terrell Owens -- or even Nicollette Sheridan for that
matter -- but he's one of the best at his position. He
has found the end zone at least once in six of his past
seven games and is on pace to score a career-best 14 times.
Walker should increase those projections this week when
the Packers travel to Houston to face the Texans on Sunday
night. Dom Capers' team has surrendered the most receiving
touchdowns (23) in the NFL, a total that includes five-score
performances by QBs Daunte Culpepper and Peyton Manning.
The Packers are certain to exploit this weakness with
QB Brett Favre's cannon right arm in several downfield
strikes to Walker. This inter-conference game should turn
into a shootout, so expect Walker to post 100-plus yards
and at least one touchdown.
Kickoff:
8:30 p.m., Reliant Stadium, Houston. Weather: Scattered
T-storms, high: 79, low: 68. Favre should have
a monster performance against a Texans defense that is
vulnerable to the pass, so expect WRs Walker and Donald
Driver to succeed. RB Ahman Green remains a must-start,
though Houston is tied for the fewest rushing touchdowns
allowed (3) in the NFL. Texans QB David Carr performs
well at home and should post a nice stat line against
a Packers defense that has allowed 20 passing touchdowns.
That also bodes well for WR Andre Johnson, who has averaged
nine receptions, 119.6 yards and one touchdown in his
past three games at home. The return of NT Grady Jackson
improves Green Bay's resistance to the run, but RB Domanick
Davis has been too hot in recent weeks to reserve.
Kickoff: 4:15
p.m., Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. Weather: Cloudy,
high: 59, low: 47. Giants QB Eli Manning will
make his first pro start against the Falcons, who will
look to pressure the rookie the entire afternoon. When
he is allowed time in the pocket, expect Manning to look
for WR Amani Toomer and TE Jeremy Shockey more often than
his veteran counterpart, Kurt Warner. RB Tiki Barber should
be a candidate for NFL MVP and will continue to be the
focal point of the offense. Falcons QB Michael Vick should
find some success through the air against a Giants defense
that has allowed 13 passing touchdowns and will look often
to TE Alge Crumpler. RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett
both warrant consideration as flex options.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Paul
Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. Weather: Mostly cloudy, high:
60, low: 44. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will
spend most of the afternoon handing the ball to RB Jerome
Bettis, who is expected to start in the absence of Duce
Staley (hamstring, doubtful). The Bus should post 100-plus
yards against a Bengals defense that surrenders an average
of 142.7 rushing yards per game. His success will create
play-action chances for Roethlisberger to hit WRs Hines
Ward and Plaxico Burress. Bengals RB Rudi Johnson won't
produce a gigantic stat line against a Steelers defense
that surrenders 79.6 rushing yards per game, so QB Carson
Palmer could be forced to air it out more then normal.
WR Chad Johnson will be his first option and should have
several balls thrown in his direction.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Weather: Cloudy, high: 61, low: 46. Redskins
QB Patrick Ramsey will replace the ineffective Mark Brunell
as the starter, which makes WRs Lavernanues Coles and
Rod Gardner a bit more attractive as starters in leagues
with 12-plus teams. RB Clinton Portis should be the centerpiece
of the offense and will find success against an Eagles
defense that can be vulnerable against the run. Eagles
QB Donovan McNabb won't produce as he did against the
hapless Cowboys, but it's difficult to reserve a player
of his caliber. The same holds true for WR Terrell Owens,
who is a must-start each week. RB Brian Westbrook is a
serviceable flex option at best, but his stat line could
be limited against an underrated Redskins defense.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Soldier Field, Chicago. Weather:
AM clouds/PM sun, high: 49, low: 38. Colts QB
Peyton Manning should post solid numbers even against
a Bears defense that has been hot in recent weeks. RB
Edgerrin James hasn't scored a touchdown in four games,
but it's difficult to reserve a back of his caliber. Expect
the Colts to throw to WR Marvin Harrison, who should bounce
back from last week's two-catch performance. WRs Reggie
Wayne, Brandon Stokley and TEs Marcus Pollard and Dallas
Clark all warrant a start. The Bears will look to establish
the run with RBs Thomas Jones and Anthony Thomas in an
attempt to avoid excessive blitzes against QB Craig Krenzel.
The Colts defense surrenders a league-worst 293.6 receiving
yards per game, so WR David Terrell could be a decent
third option.
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m., Network Associates Coliseum,
Oakland, Calif. Weather: Sunny, high: 66, low: 42.
Chargers QB Drew Brees is one of the NFL's hottest players
and should thrive against a Raiders defense that has allowed
19 passing touchdowns. That bodes well for WR Keenan McCardell
and TE Antonio Gates, who has scored in his past two games.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson should shake off the effects of
his injured groin and produce solid numbers. Raiders RB
Tyrone Wheatley will have a tough time on the ground against
the Chargers, who allow the fewest rushing yards per game
(78.6). QB Kerry Collins has been too prone to turnovers
and warrants little consideration in leagues with 12 or
fewer teams, but WRs Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry are
serviceable third or fourth options.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte,
N.C. Weather: Showers, high: 67, low: 51. The
Cardinals will look to attack a Panthers defense that
has surrendered a league-high 15 rushing touchdowns, so
expect RBs Emmitt Smith (ankle, questionable) and Troy
Hambrick to receive several carries. QB Josh McCown has
been benched in favor of Shaun King, who will target WRs
Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. The Panthers could
be without QB Jake Delhomme (thumb, questionable), which
means the ancient Rodney Peete would start. WR Muhsin
Muhammad is hot and remains a nice option. RB Nick Goings
could see more carries with the uncertain status of Brad
Hoover (knee, questionable) and Joey Harris (hamstring,
questionable).
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m., Qwest Field, Seattle. Weather:
Cloudy, high: 50, low: 44. The Dolphins have
given the reins of the offense to QB A.J. Feeley, but
that might not be a positive. RBs Sammy Morris and Travis
Minor will find minimal success on the ground, so expect
the Seahawks to blitz on a regular basis. When allowed
time to throw, Feeley will look to WR Chris Chambers and
TE Randy McMichael. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (thigh,
questionable) could be in for a mediocre performance against
a Dolphins defense that allows the fewest passing yards
per game (150.1), so WRs Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson
are no better than third options. Expect RB Shaun Alexander
to have a real chance at his fourth consecutive game with
150-plus rushing yards.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard
Park, N.Y. Weather: AM showers, high: 54, low: 38.
Rams QB Marc Bulger could be in for a difficult afternoon
against potential wet conditions and a Bills defense that
surrenders the fourth-fewest passing yards (177.6) in
the NFL. That could mean more carries for RB Marshall
Faulk and Steven Jackson in what will become a ball-control
contest. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe's will have limited success
in the form of WR Eric Moulds, who is a nice option against
CB Jerametrius Butler. RB Willis McGahee will be the focal
point of the offense, however, and should thrive against
a Rams defense that surrenders the fourth-most rushing
yards (139.4) and an average of one rushing touchdown
per game.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland.
Weather: Cloudy, high: 55, low: 45. Jets QB Quincy
Carter will start for the second consecutive week in the
absence of Chad Pennington (shoulder, out), but he's not
a recommended option in leagues with 12 or fewer teams.
New York must lean on RB Curtis Martin, who should be
active against a Browns defense that has given up 11 rushing
touchdowns. Cleveland has allowed a mere seven receiving
touchdowns, so WR Santana Moss could be limited to mediocre
numbers. Browns QB Jeff Garcia will start despite being
pulled in favor of Kelly Holcomb last week, but like Carter,
he has little value as a starter. The Jets have surrendered
just five rushing touchdowns, so don't expect much from
RBs William Green or Lee Suggs.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore.
Weather: Mostly cloudy, high: 65, low: 49. Cowboys
QB Vinny Testaverde will receive little support from RB
Eddie George and the run, so expect the Ravens to blitz
all afternoon. WR Keyshawn Johnson is a better option
with CB Chris McAlister (neck, doubtful) out, but Testaverde
will also look toward TE Jason Witten. Ravens QB Kyle
Boller should produce a productive stat line against a
Cowboys defense that is tied for the second-most passing
touchdowns allowed (20). RB Jamal Lewis will thrive and
create play-action for Boller, who should look to his
new favorite target, WR Clarence Moore.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Alltell Stadium, Jacksonville,
Fla. Weather: Partly cloudy, high: 80, low: 62. Titans
QB Steve McNair (sternum, questionable) is expected to
return and is a decent option with WRs Derrick Mason and
Drew Bennett on the ends. RB Chris Brown (toe, questionable)
could be on the sidelines, so Antowain Smith would see
more carries against a formidable Jaguars run defense.
Jacksonville will start QB David Garrard for the second
consecutive week in the absence of Byron Leftwich (knee,
out). RB Fred Taylor hasn't had much success against the
Titans in the past, and could lose important goal-line
carries to Greg Jones. WR Jimmy Smith has three consecutive
100-yard games and should remain active.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa,
Fla. Weather. Sunny, high: 83, low: 63. 49ers
QB Tim Rattay still has a sore forearm and isn't a great
option against a Buccaneers defense that surrenders the
third-fewest passing yards per game (168.2). The loss
of DT Anthony McFarland (triceps, out) will hurt their
resistance to the run, however, so expect the 49ers to
lean on RB Kevan Barlow in an attempt to create more offensive
balance. QB Brian Griese should receive great support
from RB Michael Pittman and the run, so expect him to
have time in the pocket to make his progressions and find
open receivers downfield. WR Michael Clayton will be his
best option and should thrive against a 49ers defense
that has allowed 17 receiving touchdowns.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome,
Minneapolis. Weather: Dome. Lions QB Joey Harrington
has struggled in recent weeks, but he should turn it around
against a Vikings defense that surrenders the fourth-most
passing yards per game (244.9). With the uncertain status
of WRs Az-Zahir Hakim (back, doubtful) and Tai Streets
(hamstring, questionable), Harrington will have to lean
on Roy Williams in the pass. RB Kevin Jones should also
see some chances as a receiver out of the backfield and
is a decent flex option. Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper will
thrive in what should be a shootout, which makes WRs Marcus
Robinson and Nate Burleson both attractive as a third
option. RB Onterrio Smith should also find success and
is a nice flex option.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans.
Weather: Dome. Broncos RB Reuben Droughn should
dominate a Saints defense that surrenders the most rushing
yards per game (149.0) in the NFL. That success will create
play-action opportunities for QB Jake Plummer, who is
a nice option in leagues with 12-plus teams. New Orleans
is also inept against the pass, so WRs Rod Smith and Ashley
Lelie are both attractive starters -- even more so with
the uncertain status of CB Mike McKenzie (knee, questionable).
The Saints must establish RB Deuce McAllister and the
run, which will create chances for QB Aaron Brooks. The
field general has been more productive at home and should
have WR Joe Horn (knee, questionable) active.
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