Week 9 Faceoffs: Is Smitty on the comeback trail?
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
Editor's note: Each week Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg will debate the value of a handful of key Fantasy players heading into a certain week. They not only state their case below, but they also provide owners with some alternatives.
| | |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
 Pressure is something Donovan McNabb doesn't deal with well. Sure, in his last game against the Cowboys he and a hyped Philadelphia offense had their way with a disgruntled Dallas team that had the pressure on them. But in the three games prior he didn't fare as well, and it's been three years since McNabb has had a 300-yard game against the Cowboys. History doesn't help him and neither will the Dallas pass rush, which has 14 sacks in its last four games. The Eagles will protect McNabb as best as they can but expecting him to connect on bombs like he did against the Giants just doesn't seem realistic. Expect the Cowboys to keep it close with the Eagles, and the speed of their secondary will help them defending against DeSean Jackson. It all adds up to McNabb feeling the heat and struggling, as he typically does against the Cowboys.I'd rather start: Matt Hasselbeck (vs. DET), Joe Flacco (at CIN) and Ben Roethlisberger (at DEN) |  McNabb is easily a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback this week. He is coming off an excellent game against the Giants with 240 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He was only sacked twice and his offensive line is getting back to form after a dismal performance at Oakland in Week 6. And now he's facing a Cowboys team that has struggled in pass defense. The Cowboys have allowed at least two passing touchdowns in five of seven games this season and four in a row. They are allowing 237 passing yards per game, and four quarterbacks have been over 20 Fantasy points against Dallas this year ( Eli Manning, Kyle Orton, Matt Cassel and Matt Hasselbeck). With the way DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek and Jeremy Maclin are playing, that's too many weapons for Dallas to stop. And let's not forget that Brian Westbrook (concussion) could return this week. McNabb also has four total touchdowns in his past two games against Dallas and should be excellent in this game.I'd start him over: Ben Roethlisberger (at DEN), Jay Cutler (vs. ARI) and Matt Schaub (at IND) |
| | |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| I like Jamaal Charles, but not as an every-down running back. The reality is that he's a glorified third-down back who is getting a shot at extensive playing time because the starter got in hot water. And sure, he's going up against a Jaguars defense that got run over by Chris Johnson last week, but there are two huge differences: Charles isn't a physical runner at all and his offensive line is a mess. That easily helps Jacksonville. Charles can get the job done as a No. 3 option, especially in a PPR league because he catches so many passes, but I think owners can start someone safer as a starter in standard formats. I'd rather start: Ryan Moats (at IND), Cadillac Williams (vs. GB) and Jonathan Stewart (at NO) | We like Charles' potential, and hopefully he can play well enough to make Larry Johnson go away forever. He also has a great matchup that should make him a serviceable Fantasy option this week. The Jaguars just allowed Chris Johnson to run for 228 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 8, and six times a running back has had at least 70 total yards against Jacksonville this season. The Chiefs don't have a good offensive line, but Charles' speed could be a difference maker compared to Johnson's plodding style. And Charles should do well catching the ball out of the backfield. If you need a running back this week, consider Charles a good sleeper. I'd start him over: Ryan Moats (at IND), Ricky Williams (at NE) and Cadillac Williams (vs. GB) |
| | |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Jamey will tell you that Smith blew up the Saints last year and that he typically plays well against New Orleans, but I'll tell you that this is a whole new year and the Saints of 2009 carry a heck of a defense with a very good secondary. They've schemed well for most of their opponents this season, allowing just six passing touchdowns through seven games. You may also have noticed that Smith has had some quarterback issues that has held back his stats (one 100-yard game in '09). So even though he scored his first TD last week, the guy's not ready to be started in leagues with two wide receiver openings. Three? Maybe. I'd rather start: Santana Moss (at ATL), Steve Breaston (at CHI) and Nate Burleson (vs. DET) | The Saints are giving up some big games to wide receivers. That comes at a good time for Smith, who is starting to come around the past two weeks after a miserable start. Smith had his first touchdown last week at Arizona, and he had 99 yards receiving in Week 7 against Buffalo. The lone concern is Jake Delhomme (chest) being 100 percent, but Smith should still play well against the Saints. Five wide receivers have gone over 90 yards against New Orleans this year ( Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Hakeem Nicks, Brian Hartline and Roddy White). And Smith has four touchdowns in his past five games with New Orleans, and last year he had 11 catches for 259 yards in two games against the Saints. I'd start him over: Devin Hester (vs. ARI), Brandon Marshall (vs. PIT) and Steve Smith (vs. SD) |
| | |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| I actually think the Steelers will find success against the Broncos Monday night, especially because they've had an extra week to prepare and they have the weapons to overpower them. Wallace is one of these weapons -- he's scored in two of his last three games and has made big plays in all but one game this season. I don't think the Broncos have a defensive back with enough speed to keep up with him, or one with the height/verticals to go up for deep balls. If you're looking for a great flier in Week 9, maybe someone to replace Sidney Rice, Wallace is the guy. I think he'll score and even take on a bigger role than normal against the Broncos. I'd start him over: Santonio Holmes (at DEN), Brandon Marshall (vs. PIT) and Hakeem Nicks (vs. SD) | I like the way Wallace has played this year, but there's no chance you should start him as anything more than a No. 3 Fantasy option. The Broncos have only allowed three wide receivers to top double digits in Fantasy points this season in Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson and Derrick Mason, with Welker's 14 points the highest total. That's it, and Wallace is still the No. 3 receiver and No. 4 option in the passing game for the Steelers behind Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller. Use Wallace as a No. 3 option or flex player, but don't overvalue him since he's only averaging three catches per game with two touchdowns on the season. I'd rather start: Austin Collie (at HOU), Michael Crabtree (vs. TEN) and Derrick Mason (at CIN) |
| | |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| We're starting Watson? Granted, Visanthe Shiancoe is on bye, but ... Watson? OK fine, he's scored in two of his last three games but he also has no more than two catches in any of his last five contests. And three of his four touchdowns have come against Cover-2 defenses, which the Dolphins do not employ. It also doesn't help his cause that he's caught exactly one pass in each of his last three against Miami. Unless Randy Moss or Wes Welker are missing in action, Watson won't be worth starting as a low-end No. 1 option. I'd rather start: Todd Heap (at CIN), Heath Miller (at DEN) and Greg Olsen (vs. ARI) | This is for the owners who are missing Owen Daniels (knee) or Chris Cooley (ankle) or have Visanthe Shiancoe on a bye. Watson faces a Dolphins team that has struggled with tight ends all season. Five of the six tight ends they have played this year have gone over 60 yards receiving, with three scoring touchdowns. Only Buffalo did not have a tight end play well against the Dolphins, and Dustin Keller struggled in his first meeting with Miami in Week 5. But Keller (eight catches for 76 yards and a touchdown) shined against the Dolphins last week, and Watson has the chance for double digits in Fantasy points in this matchup. Don't bench a stud tight end for Watson, but he should be considered a sleeper. I'd start him over: Greg Olsen (vs. ARI), Todd Heap (at CIN) and Tony Scheffler (vs. PIT) |
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts or questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
