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
know the fine details of all the NFL fantasy football
matchups. Look no further!!! WagerOnFootball.com
has you covered. Apply what you learn here to an NFL Wager
in our NFL Sportsbooks
Ratings Guide.
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NFL SPORTSBOOKS FANTASY
FOOTBALL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
| NOTE:
Kickoff: 8:30 ET Weather (Tentative): TBA.
The game could be rescheduled again. Steelers
QB Ben Roethlisberger will make his pro debut as
a starter when the game occurs, but he's a gamble
for owners in leagues with 12 or fewer teams. Pittsburgh
will lean on RB Duce Staley,
and Jerome Bettis should also receive a few carries
in certain sets. Dolphins QB A.J. Feeley has tunnel
vision when it comes to TE Randy McMichael, but
his lack of rapport with WRs Chris Chambers and
Marty Booker makes each no better than a No. 3 option.
RB Lamar Gordon will receive 15-20 carries, but
his numbers will be modest against a formidable
Steelers defense. |
Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis: Once a feared
running back and receiver out of the backfield, Faulk's
value has taken a hit in recent seasons because of countless
injuries. But at 31, he appears to be 100 percent after
his first two regular-season games, and a favorable opponent
this weekend still makes him a threat in Fantasy Football.
Faulk will face New Orleans at the Edward Jones Dome,
where he should find great success in what has the potential
to be a barnburner. The Saints defense has allowed an
average of 174.5 rushing yards and a league-worst five
touchdowns on the ground, which bodes well for Faulk's
chances to produce a solid stat line. Rams coach Mike
Martz will look to establish the run in the first half
in order to reinforce QB Marc Bulger and the pass attack,
so Faulk should receive 20-25 carries and surpass the
100-yard mark for the second time in three games.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: Dome.
These two teams possess great speed and quickness on offense,
so expect a ton of production. Saints QB Aaron Brooks
will need to be effective in the absence of Deuce McAllister,
who is out with an injured ankle and will be replaced
by Aaron Stecker. The former Buccaneer won't make a great
impact, but he's a decent No. 3 or flex option in leagues
with 12-plus teams. WRs Joe Horn (knee, questionable)
and Donté Stallworth will serve in prominent roles
as the Saints look to utilize the pass against a questionable
Rams defensive backfield. TE Boo Williams has become unproductive
with Ernie Conwell in the mix, but remains a decent option.
Bulger and his wide receivers, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce,
should benefit from the effectiveness of Faulk and the
run. Ks Jeff Wilkins and John Carney are both nice starters.
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. Weather: High
72, low 48, partly cloudy. Chargers QB Drew Brees
won't have much success against CB Champ Bailey and the
Broncos pass defense, which has allowed an average of
just 130 yards with one touchdown. WR Reche Caldwell will
be squeezed the entire afternoon, but TE Antonio Gates
(foot, questionable) to receive several chances to produce.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson didn't have great numbers against
his AFC West foe last season, but he's too valuable to
reserve. Broncos QB Jake Plummer should throw for 200
yards and a score, and will look to WR Rod Smith often
against San Diego's questionable defensive backfield.
Expect RB Quentin Griffin to produce at a high level and
be sure to activate K Jason Elam, who had 23 points combined
in two games against the 'Bolts last season.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: Dome.
This battle of undefeated teams has several potential
options for owners. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has experienced
a re-birth with WR Terrell Owens, who should continue
to dominate against a Lions defense that could be without
CBs Dre' Bly (knee, questionable) and Andre Goodman (thigh,
questionable). RB Brian Westbrook should produce nice
totals on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield,
and TE L.J. Smith is a decent starter in leagues with
12-plus teams. Lions QB Joey Harrington won't have much
success against FS Brian Dawkins and the Eagles pass defense,
though WR Roy Williams should find some seams downfield
and is a good No. 2 or 3 option. RB Kevin Jones warrants
consideration at a flex position, but his overall numbers
won't be stellar.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: High
81, low 53, mostly sunny. The absence of Ravens
TETodd Heap (ankle, out) will hinder the pass attack for
QB Kyle Boller, who is not a recommended starter. WRs
Kevin Johnson and Randy Hymes will be the top targets
when Boller throws, but owners should start them with
extreme caution. RB Jamal Lewis will be the centerpiece
of the Ravens attack, which should mean 25-30 carries
and solid stat line against a Bengals defense he dominated
last season. QB Carson Palmer will learn a hard lesson
on what it's like to face LB Ray Lewis, but he should
still look to WR Chad Johnson when given time in the pocket.
RB Rudi Johnson will be less than effective against a
formidable front seven and should be reserved on teams
with solid depth in the backfield.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: High
77, low 51, sunny. The Texans will look to win
their first game on the shoulders of RB Domanick Davis,
who will thrive against a Chiefs defense that hasn't improved
against the run under coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
QB David Carr should utilize the play-action pass to find
WR Andre Johnson for a few big gains downfield, so expect
the skilled receiver to have a solid performance. Chiefs
QB Trent Green might be without RB Priest Holmes (ankle,
questionable), which means an increase in carries for
Derrick Blaylock, who is a decent flex option in leagues
with 12-plus teams. Green should find the end zone for
the first time against CB Aaron Glenn and Houston's questionable
defensive backfield, so give him the start despite a slow
first two games. Also, WRs JohnnieMorton and Dante Hall
warrant consideration as No. 3 or 4 receivers.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: Dome.
Cardinals QB Josh McCown will get little support from
RB Emmitt Smith, who will be held in check on the ground
by the Falcons defense. WR Larry Fitzgerald will be the
first option when McCown throws and should be considered
a good option for owners required to start three or more
wide receivers, and TE Freddie Jones is a nice starter
in leagues that reward one point per reception. QB Michael
Vick should soar past the Cardinals defense and will have
RBs Warrick Dunn (knee, probable) and T.J. Duckett to
keep the opposition honest. Barring setbacks, the elusive
Dunn should find the end zone for the thirdconsecutive
week. TE Alge Crumpler is also a solid option, but unproductive
WR Peerless Price should be activated with extreme caution.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: High
81, low 61, partly cloudy. Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich
has been unimpressive in victories over Buffalo and Denver,
but still warrants consideration as a starter in leagues
with 12-plus teams. When he has time to throw, expect
Leftwich to find WR Jimmy Smith on several occasions.
RB Fred Taylor has also been mediocre and might continue
to struggle against a formidable Titans defense, but it's
difficult to reserve a back of his caliber. Titans QB
Steve McNair (ankle, questionable) has a tall task against
LB Mike Peterson and the Jaguars defense, which has given
up a mere 16 points in two games, so owners with two solid
quarterbacks might consider another option. RB Chris Brown
remains a decent starter regardless of the opponent, but
don't expect another 100-yard first-half performance in
what will be a low-scoring game.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: Dome.
The Bears will lean on RB Thomas Jones to take
some pressure off QB Rex Grossman, who will be faced with
DT Kevin Williams and DE Kenechi Udeze. Given time in
the pocket, Grossman has to re-establish WR David Terrell,
who was held without a reception last weekend. TE Desmond
Clark will also get some chances in the short and intermediate
areas and warrants consideration in leagues with 12-plus
teams. Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper will look to weaken
Chicago's cover-two scheme with downfield throws to WR
Randy Moss, who should beat CB R.W. McQuarters for a touchdown.
RBs Onterrio Smith and Moe Williams will share backfield
duties, though the former has more value as a starter.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. Weather: High
73, low 55, sunny. 49ers QB Tim Rattay (shoulder,
questionable) is expected to miss this game, so Ken Dorsey
will get his second consecutive start. When allowed time
to throw, Dorsey will look to TE Eric Johnson in the short
and intermediate areas. RB Kevan Barlow should be the
centerpiece of the offensive game plan, but it's questionable
whether he can make an impact against a formidable Seahawks
defense. Coach Mike Holmgren will utilize the accurate
arm of QB Matt Hasselbeck with strikes to WRs Darrell
Jackson and Koren Robinson, so expect him to throw for
multiple scores against a questionable 49ers defense.
RB Shaun Alexander is not on the team's injury report
and should improve on his totals from last weekend, so
keep him active.
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. Weather: Dome.
Expect the scoreboard operator to get a lot of work in
a game that features two of the league's best quarterbacks.
Packers RB Ahman Green should have a gigantic performance,
which will give Brett Favre an advantage in the play-action
pass. Packers offensive coordinator Tom Rossley will exploit
a Colts defense that is vulnerable with several looks
to WRs Javon Walker and Donald Driver, who warrant consideration
in leagues with 12-plus teams. Colts QB Peyton Manning
will look to his favorite target, WR Marvin Harrison,
who should top the 100-yard mark. RB Edgerrin James (hamstring,
questionable) will split carries with Dominic Rhodes or
James Mungro even if he starts, which makes the stud back
somewhat of a gamble. Ks Ryan Longwell and Mike Vanderjagt
should both receive several field goal chances and are
must-starts.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Weather: High
80, low 60, partly cloudy. Browns QB Jeff Garcia
didn't sparkle last weekend in a loss to Dallas, but a
favorable opponent makes him a decent option. The Giants
defense has surrendered the most passing touchdowns (6)
in the league, so expect Garcia to test CBs Will Allen
and William Peterson with downfield strikes to WRs Quincy
Morgan and Andre Davis. RB Lee Suggs (neck, questionable)
might miss another game, which means William Green will
see enough carries to be considered a flex option. Giants
QB Kurt Warner won't find much success against an underrated
Browns pass defense, though WR Amani Toomer remains a
decent option. The absence of DE Gerard Warren (pectoral)
and DE Courtney Brown (foot) will create opportunities
for RB Tiki Barber on the ground, so give him the nod
as a No. 2 option.
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. Weather: High 79, low 53, mostly
sunny. The Buccaneers offense has struggled to
produce through two games, which makes QB Brad Johnson
and a real gamble. The veteran was pulled last weekend
in favor of Chris Simms and could find himself in a similar
situation against DE Warren Sapp and the Oakland Raiders.
When Johnson isn't under pressure, he will look to WRs
Michael Clayton and Tim Brown. RB Charlie Garner will
find it difficult to maneuver with DT Ted Washington in
the middle, so start him with caution. Raiders QB Rich
Gannon has a difficult task as well, in part because of
his team's lack of an effective runner to balance the
offense. LB Derrick Brooks and his teammates will stop
RB Tyrone Wheatley and make it tough for Gannon's receivers
to find open spots. WR Jerry Porter will be his first
option in the pass attack, but CB Ronde Barber makes him
less attractive as a starter.
Kickoff: 9 p.m. Weather: High 76, low 61, few
showers. Cowboys QB Vinny Testaverde will be
forced to throw when RB Eddie George fails to establish
the run, and should have time to find WRs Keyshawn Johnson,
Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant. Johnson will be his first
option and should catch at least five passes in the short
to intermediate areas. TE Jason Witten will also receive
chances in certain sets, especially with LB Lavar Arrington
(knee) on the sidelines. Redskins QB Mark Brunell (hamstring,
questionable) is expected to sit, so Patrick Ramsey will
take over the offense. The support of RB Clinton Portis
will keep the Cowboys defense honest and allow him time
to test a questionable backfield with strikes to WRs Laveranues
Coles and Rod Gardner.
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