By: David
Bachman
Fantasy Football
Editor For WagerOnFootball.com
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down all the weekly action right here for you. Need to
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NFL
SPORTSBOOKS FANTASY FOOTBALL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Kickoff: 12:37 p.m.,
Ford Field, Detroit, MI. Weather: Dome. The Colts
are certain to attack the Lions' pass defense, which has
surrendered eight touchdowns in its past four games. That
means opportunities for Harrison, Wayne, Brandon Stokley,
Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark. All warrant consideration
as starters in leagues with 12-plus teams. The aerial
onslaught will create chances for RB Edgerrin James to
star for the second consecutive week. Lions QB Joey Harrington
appears to have taken a step back in his pro development,
but Steve Mariucci still must test what has been an inconsistent
Colts defensive backfield. WR Roy Williams should produce
a nice stat line and will be the main target in the pass,
especially with Az-Zahir Hakim (back, doubtful) on the
sidelines. Indianapolis has been serviceable against the
run, but RB Kevin Jones remains a nice flex option in
what could be a shootout.
Dan Marino was the
most impressive statistical quarterback to ever grace
the gridiron, but one of his countless records is in real
jeopardy. Manning has thrown 18 touchdowns passes in his
past four games and has 35 overall. At his current pace,
he would compile a ridiculous 56 passing touchdowns. That
would demolish Marino's single-season record of 48, which
was established back in 1984. Manning should continue
to thrive this week at Detroit against a Lions defense
that has surrendered 16 passing scores in 10 games. Manning
will shred the defensive backfield with strikes to his
impressive array of weapons, led by WRs Marvin Harrison
and Reggie Wayne. This inter-conference tilt could produce
a glut of points, so expect Manning's assault on Marino's
record to continue at full force. Wayne has scored a TD
in his past five games vs. NFC teams. ... Jones rushed
for 100 yards for the first time in his pro career last
week and has 181 yards in his past two games
Kickoff:
4:35 p.m., Texas Stadium, Irving, TX. Weather: Sunny,
high: 61, low: 45. The Bears will look to establish
RB Thomas Jones and the run, and should find some success
against the Cowboys' vulnerable front seven. Even with
the support of Jones, QB Craig Krenzel will endure blitzes
and should not be relied on as a Fantasy starter. When
allowed time in the pocket, the former Ohio State Buckeye
will look to WR David Terrell, who is a decent third or
fourth option against a Dallas team that has surrendered
the second-most receiving touchdowns (22) in the NFL.
The 'Boys will start rookie QB Drew Henson in the absence
of Vinny Testaverde, (shoulder, questionable) so look
for Bill Parcells to lean on RB Julius Jones against a
Bears defense that allowed James to rush for 204 yards
last week. Henson will look often to TE Jason Witten,
who should have another solid stat line. WR Keyshawn Johnson
could be in for a difficult afternoon against CB R.W.
McQuarters, so don't start him as more than a third receiver.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis.
Weather: Dome. Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich (knee,
questionable) is expected to return after a two-week absence,
and is a nice option against a Vikings defense that has
surrendered 16 passing touchdowns in 10 games. He will
continue to look for his first option in the pass, WR
Jimmy Smith, who has 100-plus yards in three of his past
four games. Leftwich's presence could mean fewer carries
for RB Fred Taylor, but he remains a good second back.
QB Daunte Culpepper will welcome back WR Randy Moss (hamstring,
questionable), who is expected to return in at least a
limited role. The presence of Moss could mean more open
chances for WR Nate Burleson and TE Jermaine Wiggins,
who has become a nice option for Culpepper. The Jaguars
defense has been less effective on the road, so don't
be afraid to start RB Onterrio Smith as a flex option.
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NOTES: Leftwich is 2-1 with four TDs and two INTs vs.
NFC teams. ... Wiggins has a career-best 43 receptions
and is on pace to record 75 for the season.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. Weather:
Rain/snow showers, high: 43, low: 35. The weather
could become an issue, and that would mean an increase
in carries for RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who should dominate
a Chiefs defense that has surrendered 12 rushing touchdowns.
QB Drew Brees has been less dominant on the road, but
Kansas City's anemic pass defense still makes him a nice
option. TE Antonio Gates is a matchup nightmare for most
teams and will continue to thrive, as will WR Keenan McCardell
against a vulnerable defensive backfield. Chiefs QB Trent
Green has nine touchdowns in his past four weeks and will
look often to TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Eddie Kennison,
who has 324 yards and three scores in his past three contests.
RB Derrick Blaylock will see additional carries in bad
weather, but San Diego's top-rated run defense limits
his value to flex positions.
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NOTES: Tomlinson has 100-plus rushing yards in three of
his past five games vs. the Chiefs. ... Chiefs WR Johnnie
Morton has four-plus receptions in all five home games
this season.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Reliant Stadium, Houston. Weather: Cloudy,
high: 71, low: 65 Titans QB Steve McNair isn't
on the injury report this week, and his stat line should
also get healthy against a Texans defense that has surrendered
the most passing touchdowns (24) in the NFL. McNair will
look often in the direction of WR Derrick Mason, who should
post nice numbers against CB Aaron Glenn. RB Chris Brown
(toe, questionable) is expected to return, but he rushed
for a mere 52 yards against Houston in Week 6. QB David
Carr is a nice sleeper option against a Titans pass defense
that will be without FS Lance Schulters (foot), SS Tank
Williams (knee) and CB Andre Woolfolk (elbow). These absences
in the defensive backfield also bode well for WR Andre
Johnson, who tends to produce monstrous numbers at home.
RB Domanick Davis averages a mere 3.0 yards per carry,
but he has scored five times in his past three weeks.
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NOTES: McNair threw for 689 yards and five TDs last season
vs. the Texans. ... Mason has seven-plus receptions in
four of his past seven games.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati. Weather:
AM clouds/PM sun, high: 47, low: 30. Browns QB
Kelly Holcomb will start in the absence of Jeff Garcia
(shoulder, out), but he could have limited option in the
pass with the uncertain status of WRs Andre Davis (toe,
questionable) and Andre King (ankle, questionable). The
Bengals surrender an average of 143.5 rushing yards, so
RBs Lee Suggs (toe, questionable) and William Green warrant
consideration as flex options. The Browns have surrendered
11 touchdowns on the ground, so expect Cincinnati to lean
on RB Rudi Johnson. QB Carson Palmer (back, probable)
won't have great statistical success against a Cleveland
unit that has allowed a mere eight passing touchdowns
in 10 games, but he will find WR Chad Johnson downfield
on a regular basis.
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NOTES: Suggs rushed for 186 yards and two TDs in his last
game vs. the Bengals. ... Johnson has 18 receptions and
four TDs in his past five games vs. the Browns.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Weather: Partly cloudy, high: 63, low: 39. Buccaneers
QB Brian Griese won't produce a big stat line against
a Panthers defense that has surrendered the fewest passing
touchdowns (6) in the NFL, but he will look toward WR
Michael Clayton often. RB Michael Pittman should dominate
a Carolina front seven that will be without LB Dan Morgan
(concussion, out) and is tied for the most rushing touchdowns
allowed (15). That stat also makes RB Mike Alstott an
attractive flex option in leagues with 12-plus teams.
Panthers RB Nick Goings is a serviceable flex option,
but he won't score three times against the Buccaneers
like he did last week. QB Jake Delhomme is on pace for
a career season, and will look for WR Muhsin Muhammad
against CB Ronde Barber in the pass attack.
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NOTES: Pittman has 405 rushing yards and six TDs in his
past four games. ... Muhammad has five TDs in his past
two weeks.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Heinz Field, Pittsburgh. Weather: Cloudy,
high: 45, low: 28. The Redskins must establish
RB Clinton Portis against the Steelers, but that could
prove difficult against a front seven that surrenders
the second-fewest rushing yards (77.8) in the NFL. Pittsburgh
allows an average of one passing touchdown, so QB Patrick
Ramsey is not a recommended option. WRs Laveranues Coles
and Rod Gardner have been invisible in recent weeks, so
don't expect much production from this duo. Steelers QB
Ben Roethlisberger will be without WR Plaxico Burress
(hamstring, out), so expect Hines Ward to see additional
opportunities in the pass attack. RB Duce Staley (hamstring,
questionable) will return to the starting lineup and is
a nice second back against a Redskins defense that will
be without LBs Lavar Arrington (knee, out) and Micheal
Barrow (knee, out).
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NOTES: Gardner has six receptions for 53 yards and no
TDs in his past three games. ... Ward has six-plus receptions
in five of his past six home games.
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Weather: Rain/thunder, high: 59, low: 37. Weather
could be an issue, and wet conditions would mean more
carries for RB Brian Westbrook, who found the end zone
twice last week in a victory over the Redskins. QB Donovan
McNabb has eight touchdown passes in his past two games
and will continue to focus his attention on WR Terrell
Owens, who should dominate CB William Peterson. Giants
QB Eli Manning will see relentless blitzes from the Eagles,
so expect offensive coordinator John Hufnagel to lean
on RB Tiki Barber, who has been an absolute stud. When
allowed time to make his progressions, expect Manning
to look to TE Jeremy Shockey in the intermediate pass
and red zone.
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NOTES: Eagles TE L.J. Smith has just eight receptions
and one TD in his past seven games. ... Barber leads NFL
with 1,522 all-purpose yards and has 100-plus rushing
or receiving yards in eight of 10 games.
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta. Weather: Dome.
The Saints could find it difficult to run on
a Falcons defense that has been solid in nine of 10 games,
so expect the team to utilize RB Deuce McAllister as a
receiver out of the backfield more often. QB Aaron Brooks
has been inconsistent and prone to turnovers, but he remains
a decent option in leagues with 12-plus teams. When allowed
time in the pocket, Brooks will look for WRs Joe Horn
and Donté Stallworth downfield. Falcons QB Michael
Vick should thrive against a porous Saints defense, both
with his cannon left arm and his speed and elusiveness
as a runner. His first option in the pass will be TE Alge
Crumpler, who has three touchdowns in the past two weeks.
RB Warrck Dunn has 244 yards and one touchdown in his
past two games against New Orleans and is a nice second
back or felx option.
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NOTES: McAllister has rushed for 100-plus yards in his
past two games vs. the Falcons. ... Dunn needs three TDs
to surpass his previous single-season career best (9).
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m., Qwest Field, Seattle. Weather: Mostly
sunny, high: 44, low: 32. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe
threw for three touchdowns last week in a home win over
the Rams, but has no touchdowns and seven interceptions
in his past two road games and is not a recommended starter.
The Bills must lean on RB Willis McGahee, who is a nice
second back against a Seahawks defense that will be without
LB Chad Brown (knee, out). Seattle's pass defense has
been inconsistent, so keep WR Eric Moulds active. Seahawks
QB Matt Hasselbeck (thigh, questionable) will have a difficult
time against a formidable Bills pass defense, so expect
the team to lean on RB Shaun Alexander to establish more
play-action chances in the pass. WR Koren Robinson is
out due to suspension, so Jerry Rice will start and is
a decent third or fourth option in leagues with 12-plus
teams.
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NOTES: McGahee has rushed for 100-plus yards in four of
his first five pro starts. ... Alexander has rushed for
627 yards in his past four games.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m., Monster Park, San Francisco. Weather:
Sunny, high: 57, low: 42. Dolphins QB A.J. Feeley
should receive support from RB Travis Minor, who will
see an increase in carries ans is a decent flex option
in larger leagues with Sammy Morris (ribs, doubtful) injured.
Feeley should have adequate time to throw all afternoon,
so expect him to find TE Randy McMichael on a regular
basis. San Francisco will be without CBs Ahmed Plummer
(neck, out) and Jimmy Williams (toe, questionable), so
expect WR Chris Chambers to produce huge numbers. The
49ers should lean on RB Kevan Barlow, who faces a Dolphins
defense that allows an average of 142.6 rushing yards.
QB Tim Rattay has been prone to turnovers in recent weeks
and will have little success against Miami CBs Patrick
Surtain and Sam Madison.
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NOTES: Chambers has 100-plus receiving yards with two
TDs in three of his past four games. ... 49ers TE Eric
Johnson ranks second among tight ends with 58 receptions.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m., Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. Weather:
Few showers, high: 62, low: 38. With QB Chad
Pennington (shoulder, out) still on the sidelines, expect
the Jets to lean on RB Curtis Martin. The Cardinals defense
has surrendered seven rushing touchdowns in their past
five contests -- including three to Nick Goings last week
-- so expect Martin to receive 20-25 carries and find
a lot of success. QB Quincy Carter will remain unimpressive,
but WR Santana Moss still warrants some consideration
as a third or fourth receiver. Cardinals QB Shaun King
should have RB Emmitt Smith (ankle, questionable) in the
backfield, but he can still expect a ton of blitzes from
the Jets' front seven. When allowed time to throw, King
will look in the direction of WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry
Fitzgerald, who are both nice third options.
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NOTES: Jets WR Justin McCareins has three TDs in his past
four games. ... Fitzgerald ranks second among rookie WRs
with 39 receptions and 557 receiving yards.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m., Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. Weather:
Rain, high: 58, low: 31. Ravens QB Kyle Boller
has been solid in recent weeks, but the loss of RB Jamal
Lewis (ankle, out) will mean more blitzes from the Patriots
defense. Even with a patchwork defensive backfield, New
England continues to win and will hold down WRs Travis
Taylor and Kevin Johnson. RB Chester Taylor will start
in the absence of Lewis, but he could struggle against
a Patriots team that has surrendered a mere five rushing
scores. Patriots QB Tom Brady won't have a monster performance,
but the return of WR Deion Branch does give him another
weapon in the passing game. RB Corey Dillon remains a
nice second back, but the presence of LB Ray Lewis could
limit his production in what has the potential to be a
real defensive battle.
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NOTES: Boller has thrown four TDs and no INTs in his past
four games and has 200-plus passing yards in three of
his past four. ... Dillon has 98-plus rushing yards in
past five games and has a TD in two of his past three
vs. the Ravens.
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m., Invesco Field, Denver. Weather: Snow,
high: 31, low: 18. Snow in the forecast would
mean a greater emphasis on the run for both teams. Raiders
QB Kerry Collins has been prone to turnovers all season,
so poor weather conditions will make him even less attractive
as a starter. RB Tyrone Wheatley (foot, questionable)
is in danger of being out, so Amos Zereoue could see an
increase in carries. WR Jerry Porter has been inconsistent
and unproductive and is not a recommended option against
CB Champ Bailey and a formidable Broncos defense. Invesco
Field has been heaven for Broncos QB Jake Plummer, who
has eight touchdowns in his past two home games. The Raiders
pass defense has surrendered 20 touchdowns, so Plummer
and WRs Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie should thrive.
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NOTES: Porter has 15 receptions, 178 yards and one TD
in his past six games vs. the Broncos. ... Broncos RB
Reuben Droughns rushed for 176 yards and one TD in his
last game vs. the Raiders.
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