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
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NFL SPORTSBOOKS FANTASY
FOOTBALL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK
Kevan Barlow, RB,
San Francisco: Barlow has been an enigma in his first
three games of the regular season. He opened with a mediocre
76-yard game against Atlanta, came back the next week
to smoke New Orleans for 114 yards and two touchdowns,
then ran for a mere 22 yards in a loss to Seattle. Based
on his alternating level of production, it should be back
to the gold mine for this talented back against St. Louis.
The Rams have not been good against the run, allowing
an average of 164.7 yards with four touchdowns, so expect
49ers coach Dennis Erickson to call on Barlow to make
an impact. The versatile back should receive support from
QB Tim Rattay (shoulder, probable) and the pass, which
will keep the defense honest and force the Rams to abandon
regular eight-man fronts. In the first game played at
the newly named Monster Park, expect Barlow to put up
some scary numbers in this NFC West contest.
ST. LOUIS RAMS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET. Weather: Mostly sunny,
high 67, low 56. The Sunday night game features two teams
with questions on defense, so there should be a lot of
points put on the board. Rams QB Marc Bulger should thrive
against a 49ers pass defense that allows an average of
215 yards and has surrendered six touchdowns, so look
for coach Mike Martz to allow his field general free rein
in the vertical attack. WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce
should find seams in the defensive backfield and post
nice numbers. RB Marshall Faulk won't have an enormous
game on grass, but he should find the end zone and remains
a good option. Rattay will get the call for San Francisco,
and should get enough support from Barlow and the run
to produce decent numbers. TE Eric Johnson, who is on
pace to post 96 receptions, will be a main contributor.
WR Cedric Wilson will also receive some looks and is a
decent option for owners who need a No. 3 or 4 starter.
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: sunny, high 63, low 42. Bengals
QB Carson Palmer's streak of mediocre performances will
continue at Heinz Field, though he should do enough to
make WR Chad Johnson a solid option. RB Rudi Johnson will
have a difficult time against a solid Steelers front seven
that allows fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. Rookie
QB Ben Roethlisberger will have great support from RB
Duce Staley, who should thrive against a Bengals defense
that has given up an average of 165.6 rushing yards to
the featured back of its past three road opponents. WR
Hines Ward will be too much for CBs Tory James and Deltha
O'Neal, and will be Roethlisberger's first option in the
pass. WR Plaxico Burress has been terrible, but his past
success against Cincinnati makes him a serviceable No.
3 or 4 option.
NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET. Weather: isolated thunderstorms,
high 87, low 73. This age-old rivalry could turn into
a massacre in South Florida. Jets QB Chad Pennington should
thrive against a Dolphins defense that has five players,
including LB Zach Thomas (shoulder), listed on the injury
report. RB Curtis Martin will have another nice performance,
and WRs Santana Moss should find success against a spread-out
defensive backfield. Dolphins QB Jay Fielder will get
the start, but expect the Jets to pressure him with different
blitz packages. RB Leonard Henry won't give Fiedler much
support on the ground, and without WR Chris Chambers (knee,
out) he will need to lean on WR Marty Booker and TE Randy
McMichael. The Dolphins won't score much, so take a chance
on the Jets DST.
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: partly cloudy, high 90, low
68. This game marks the first start for QB Kerry Collins
in silver and black, and he couldn't have a more favorable
opponent in the Houston Texans. Coach Dom Capers' team
has been ineffective against the pass this season, allowing
a league-high eight touchdowns through three games, so
expect Collins to utilize his cannon arm with downfield
strikes to WRs Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel. RB Tyrone
Wheatley should find little resistance on the ground and
is a good flex option. Texans QB David Carr could be in
for a difficult afternoon, especially if RB Domanick Davis
(ankle, questionable) is out of action. WR Andre Johnson
will have his hands full against CB Charles Woodson, so
look for the Texans to move him around the line of scrimmage
in an effort to create better matchups.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: partly cloudy, high 67, low
35. In a game that features two quarterbacks with Super
Bowl rings, there should be a lot of production for both
of these old-school teams. Giants offensive coordinator
John Hufnagel will look to exploit a Packers defense that
can't contain the pass, so look for QB Kurt Warner to
take several chances down the field to WRs Amani Toomer
and Ike Hilliard. RB Tiki Barber will also be in the mix,
and remains a nice start with Ron Dayne (calf, questionable)
at less than 100 percent. Packers QB Brett Favre will
pick apart a Giants pass defense that will miss S Shaun
Williams (knee, out) and has had little success overall.
RB Ahman Green will shred a New York run unit that allows
an average of 124.3 yards, which will open the play-action
pass and allow WR Javon Walker to have another nice game.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: mostly sunny, high 62, low
45. This game should be a defensive battle and will lack
a glut of solid performances. Patriots RB Corey Dillon
could struggle to make an impact against a formidable
front seven, which will force the team to lean on QB Tom
Brady and the pass. WR Deion Branch (knee, doubtful) could
be out, so expect David Givens and TE Daniel Graham to
see more action. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe will have added
motivation against his former team, but he's no better
than a last-resort option. RB Travis Henry should find
room to roam and have a nice output against a Patriots
defense that misses DT Ted Washington (Raiders). WR Eric
Moulds will have a battle on his hands against CB Ty Law,
but he remains a decent No. 2 or 3 receiver.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: isolated thunderstorms, high
88, low 72. This AFC South contest could have an impact
on the eventual division winner. QB Peyton Manning won't
have a five-touchdown performance against the formidable
Jaguars defense, but he should find WR Marvin Harrison
for a score. RB Edgerrin James did little against Jacksonville
last season, but it's difficult to reserve a back of his
caliber. WR Reggie Wayne should find moderate success,
but expect Brandon Stokley to be quieted by SS Darius
Donovan and a solid defensive backfield. Jaguars RB Fred
Taylor rushed for 278 yards in two games against the Colts
last season and should rush for 100 yards and one score.
QB Byron Leftwich won't have an impressive stat line,
but he will find WR Jimmy Smith> on a regular basis
in the pass attack.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: sunny, high 65, low 52. This
game features two teams that have lost consecutive games
after impressive wins to open the season. QB Mark Brunell
had a nice performance in a loss to Dallas, but his main
task this weekend will be to hand the ball to RB Clinton
Portis, who should produce against a patchwork Browns
defensive line. WRs Rod Gardner and Laveranues Coles remain
good starts, but won't thrive against a pass defense that
has surrendered only one score. Browns QB Jeff Garcia
should have RB Lee Suggs (neck, questionable) for the
first time, but both remain a gamble as starters. The
'Skins will be without LBs Lavar Arrington (knee, out)
and likely Micheal Barrow (knee, questionable), but the
unit remains solid against the run (47.3 YPG). WR Quincy
Morgan is a decent option, but his inconsistent numbers
are a concern.
ATLANTA FALCONS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET. Weather: mostly sunny, high 77,
low 57. This NFC South battle could have an impact on
the eventual division winner. QB Michael Vick has been
solid in the past against Carolina -- including a 141-yard,
one-touchdown rushing performance last season -- and will
look to TE Alge Crumpler often. RB Warrick Dunn has become
a featured back in coach Jim Mora's offense and should
receive 20-25 looks, which makes T.J. Duckett a gamble.
WR Peerless Price continues to stumble, and will be blanketed
by CB Ricky Manning. Panthers QB Jake Delhomme should
do well in this game, and will find WR Keary Colbert in
the vertical pass attack. RB DeShaun Foster will have
a difficult task against a Falcons defense ranked second
against the run. Expect Ks Jay Feely and John Kasay to
make an impact.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT CHICAGO BEARS
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET. Weather: sunny, high 66, low 48. A
game that will bring back memories of the 1988 Fog Bowl,
the Eagles and Bears battle in what should be a one-sided
contest. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb should have little trouble
against a questionable pass defense and will find WR Terrell
Owens for a touchdown. RB Brian Westbrook will have success
with LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring, doubtful) expected
to sit, and is a nice option as a No. 2 or flex option.
Chicago will be without QB Rex Grossman, who is out for
the remainder of the season, so Jonathan Quinn will get
the call. The Eagles will blitz Quinn in an attempt to
rattle him, so look for Bears coach Lovie Smith to counter
with RB Thomas Jones. Beware of the Chicago wide receivers,
who have been inconsistent all season.
TENNESSEE TITANS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET. Weather: sunny, high 80, low 61.
The Titans expect to be without QB Steve McNair (sternum,
questionable). Billy Volek will get the call in his absence.
A productive reserve and nice insurance for McNair, he
warrants consideration in leagues with 12-plus teams.
When asked to throw, Volek will look to WR Derrick Mason
in the intermediate to downfield pass attack. RB Chris
Brown ran for 101 yards against one of the best run defenses
in the league last weekend, and should continue to produce
against the Chargers front seven. With few reliable options,
the Chargers will lean on RB LaDainian Tomlinson to establish
the run and open the pass for QB Drew Brees. When allowed
time in the pocket, he will look to WR Reche Caldwell
and TE Antonio Gates against a Titans pass defense that
can be vulnerable at times.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET. Weather: sunny, high 96, low 70.
There won't be much national interest in this contest,
but owners should still expect a nice level of production.
The Saints will exploit one of the worst run defenses
in the leagues with 15-20 carries from Aaron Stecker,
who should have another successful afternoon. QB Aaron
Brooks will feed off the run and look to WRs Joe Horn
(knee, questionable) and Donté Stallworth in intermediate
and downfield routes. Cardinals RB Emmitt Smith is a sleeper
start at the flex position against a Saints defense that
has surrendered seven touchdowns on the ground, but QB
Josh McCown should remain reserved. WR Larry Fitzgerald
continues to be haunted by a sore ankle, but he still
has some appeal as a No. 3 receiver in leagues with 12-plus
teams.
DENVER BRONCOS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET. Weather: isolated thunderstorms,
high 89, low 71. In a battle of two of the past six Super
Bowl champions, owners shouldn't expect too much in terms
of offensive production. Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson will
have little success against a Broncos defense that allows
a mere 129.7 passing yards per game, and his wide receivers
will also have a difficult chore in the defensive backfield.
RB Michael Pittman will start in his first game back from
a suspension, and is a decent flex option in leagues with
12-plus teams. Broncos QB Jake Plummer has been mediocre
on the road in recent games, so expect a no-frills stat
line. RB Quentin Griffin could lose carries to Garrison
Hearst and Tatum Bell, and will have to avoid fumbles
to have a chance at some success. WR Rod Smith will have
a battle on his hands with CB Ronde Barber, who should
stifle the veteran. K Jason Elam has been hot and should
receive a few chances inside the 30-yard line.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET. Weather: mostly clear, high 75, low
56. The winless Chiefs have a tough row to hoe in Monday
night against Baltimore, which has won eight consecutive
games at M & T Bank Stadium. RB Priest Holmes is a
must-start, and has to thrive for his team to have a chance
in this one. QB Trent Green will need a solid performance
from LT William Roaf and his offensive line in order to
have success in the passing game. WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring,
questionable) isn't 100 percent, so look for TE Tony Gonzalez
to have a nice game. Ravens RB Jamal Lewis will outshine
Holmes and post huge stats against a Chiefs defense that
has been ineffective against the run. With TE Todd Heap
(ankle, out) and WR Travis Taylor (thigh, out) on the
sidelines, Randy Hymes might warrant consideration as
a starter in large leagues.
More Weeks 1 .
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