Week 10 Fantasy Football Matchups

A long time ago a fellow NFL writer told me "Pick against the Patriots at your own peril." The advice has served me well, especially when it comes to Tom Brady. Obviously, telling you to start him in Fantasy is generally a no-brainer, but this week some people are nervous about doing it in his game against the Jets in New York. Some people will chance it with guys like Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow instead of Brady.

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The statistical evidence against Brady is pretty damning. The Jets haven't allowed multiple touchdowns to anyone since Tony Romo in Week 1 (that includes Brady in Week 5). They've yielded 225 or more passing yards twice all year (Romo in Week 1, Brady in Week 5; both topped 300 yards). In four games at MetLife Stadium the Jets are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 52 percent of their passes for 209 yards per game and nine interceptions.

Brady himself has had trouble against the Jets in New Jersey since Rex Ryan has taken over. In two games Brady has completed 43 of 83 passes for 464 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions and a fumble lost. And in Brady's six career games overall against Ryan's Jets, he's had three with two-plus touchdowns and/or 300-plus yards (and another with 299 yards), but four with at least one interception. Most importantly, in those six games he's hit the 20-point mark in standard Fantasy formats twice. He's fallen below 18 Fantasy points three times, including once already this season.

In fact, Brady's become fairly pedestrian (for him), leveling off to where he's averaged exactly 19 points over his last five games, producing fairly consistently but not at the extreme level you might think. Expecting that kind of result, even against a team he's been hit-or-miss with, especially on the road, is not out of the question.

But there's one more intangible, and it's one we've been accustomed to for a decade with the Patriots: They win a lot. And despite the fact that they're in a three-way tie in their division and have lost two straight games, they're still a prepared, functional team that -- at least offensively -- can find ways to move the chains against anyone. Brady is usually a part of that, and a good run game could help him immensely on Sunday night. If the average he'll give you is 19 points and there's room for more based on what we know and what we've seen from the Patriots when they're in big spots like this, it's hard to consider other second-tier quarterbacks. Pick against him at your own peril.

  Go deeper into the week's matchups with our Interactive Fantasy Matchup Magnifier!

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars -- Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, EverBank Field
Indianapolis Colts
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Andrew Luck		Road games haven't agreed with Luck, but matchup is too good to pass up.
RB	Vick Ballard		Has to be used as at least a flex after the Lions rumbled for four rushing TDs vs. JAC last week.
RB	Donald Brown		Not sure if he'll get a full workload on a short week after his knee bothered him vs. MIA.
WR	Reggie Wayne		Had eight grabs for 88 yards vs. JAC in Week 3, Jags have allowed six TDs to WRs since.
WR	Donnie Avery		Should be a decent third receiver for Fantasy owners assuming he's active. Made some nice plays before getting hurt last week.
WR	TY Hilton		Scorched Jags for 113 yards & TD back in Week 3, should be a big factor if Donnie Avery is out.
TE	Dwayne Allen		Jaguars have been good vs. TEs (zero TDs allowed this year). Only one TE has 60+ yards vs. JAC in 2011.
DST	Colts		Big-time sleeper. Each of last six DSTs to play Jaguars have had 11+ Fantasy points.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Blaine Gabbert		Desperation option. IND has allowed one 275+ yard passer in last seven, 6 pass TDs in last four.
RB	Rashad Jennings		Colts run D has allowed 9 rush TDs & 149.9 total yards per game. Despite limited production, Jennings worth another start.
WR	Cecil Shorts		Seven WRs have had 8+ Fantasy points vs. IND in their last five games. Could be a rebound game for Shorts, who caught an 80-yard TD vs. IND in Week 3.
WR	Justin Blackmon		Scored first TD last week but still had just 32 yards on five catches (nine targets). Would take a lot of guts to start him.
TE	Marcedes Lewis		Colts have allowed just one TD to a TE all year, none to 10 Fantasy points. Lewis had 8-yard catch vs. IND in Week 3.
DST	Jaguars		The Vikings, Dolphins and Packers all failed to land 10+ Fantasy points vs. IND this year. No way are the Jags an option.

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Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Atlanta Falcons
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matt Ryan		Should post big game. 4 of last 5 QBs vs. NO have topped 300 yards, all four also had 2+ TDs. Ryan had 350+ yards in both games vs. NO last year but just 3 total TDs.
RB	Michael Turner		Every NO opponent has had at least one 10+ Fantasy RB, all but one have had 12+ Fantasy points. Turner should roll.
WR	Julio Jones		A must. Saints giving up 223.3 yards to WRs over last three. Eight receivers have 90+ yards against them on the year.
WR	Roddy White		New Orleans has allowed 12 TDs to wideouts in their last five games. White has 10+ Fantasy points in 3 of last 4 vs. NO.
TE	Tony Gonzalez		Tough call here: Obvious potential but Saints have allowed just one TE to get more than 6 Fantasy points all season!
DST	Falcons		Last five DSTs to play the Saints have posted single-digit Fantasy points. Tough to like the Falcons this week.

New Orleans Saints
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Drew Brees		Only one QB has thrown 2 TDs vs. ATL but 2 of last 3 QBs topped 300 yards. Brees has topped 300 yards in last 4 vs. ATL with 2+ TDs in three of them.
RB	Pierre Thomas		Falcons have allowed 127.0 total yards per game to RBs with 3 TDs over last three. Thomas should stay busy.
RB	Mark Ingram		Played on just 18 of 56 snaps last week, has more than 7 carries in just one game this season.
RB	Chris Ivory		Was more of clock-killing back in Week 9, getting 7 of 10 carries in second half. Not sure he'll get much work vs. Falcons.
WR	Marques Colston		Falcons have given up just five TDs to WRs all year, only two No. 1 receivers have scored. But Colston did very well vs. ATL last year (11+ Fantasy points in each game).
WR	Lance Moore		His last three vs. ATL have been duds (no more than 53 yards, no TDs). Only two opponents have produced two WRs with 7+ Fantasy points each vs. ATL all year.
TE	Jimmy Graham		Falcons still might not have answer for him. Has scored in three straight vs. ATL, but the Birds have only allowed 2 TDs to TEs this year.
DST	Saints		No miracle this week. Only two DSTs have posted 10+ Fantasy points against the Falcons.

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Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium
Buffalo Bills
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick		Has 300+ yards, 2+ TDs & 2+ INTs in each of last three vs. NE but has zero TDs in 3 of last 4 overall.
RB	C.J. Spiller		Has second-worst game of season vs. NE in Week 4 but has 100+ total yards in each of last three games.
RB	Fred Jackson		Averaging 15 touches per game over last five but with just 70.2 total yards per game & two TDs.
WR	Steve Johnson		Had just 23 yards vs. NE in Week 4 but scored in 3 of previous 4 against them. Bills will throw a lot.
WR	Donald Jones		Deep sleeper. Pats have allowed 195.0 yards & 6 TDs in last four to WRs. Jones playing a bunch.
TE	Scott Chandler		Scored twice vs. NE in Week 4. Pats have allowed two TDs to TEs in four games since.
DST	Bills		No DST has posted more than 10 Fantasy points vs. NE this year, and that shouldn't change this week.

New England Patriots
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Tom Brady		Has 3+ TDs in each of last five vs. BUF with 325+ yards in each of last three! You better start him!
RB	Stevan Ridley		Had 106 rush yards & 2 TDs vs. BUF in Week 4. Bills have allowed 142.3 rush yards to RBs per game w/ 12 TDs.
RB	Shane Vereen		Desperation option. Has TD in two of last four and 8+ touches in each of his last two.
WR	Wes Welker		Has 10 or fewer Fantasy points in 4 of last 5 vs. NE (and each of last two overall). BUF has allowed 90+ yards to WR in 4 of last 5.
WR	Brandon Lloyd		Scored on Bills in first '12 meeting, one of 12 TDs Bills have allowed to WRs this year.
TE	Rob Gronkowski		Gronk's a Bills killer. In five career games Gronk has 418 yards and eight TDs against them. Obvious must-start.
TE	Aaron Hernandez		If healthy should be a big factor. Had 138 yards & TD in last game vs. BUF (in '11).
DST	Patriots		DSTs vs. BUF have scored 11+ Fantasy points in four of Bills' last five. Pats should be solid.

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Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium
Denver Broncos
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Peyton Manning		You'll start him but Panthers' pass rush has come alive, pass D has allowed just one QB to throw 2+ TDs against them all year.
RB	Willis McGahee		Maybe a little risky. Panthers holding opposing RBs to 78.0 rush yards per game over last three -- but with 2 rush TDs allowed.
WR	Eric Decker		Incredibly hot with 5-game TD streak (7 in that span). Still worth it vs. CAR, who have allowed just 2 TDs to WRs in last five.
WR	Demaryius Thomas		Little nervous about him after he tweaked knee but still has immense potential. CAR hasn't allowed a 100-yard WR since Week 4.
DST	Broncos		Panthers have yielded 10+ Fantasy points to 3 of last 4 DSTs. Broncos have 9+ Fantasy points in each of last three.

Carolina Panthers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Cam Newton		Two of last three QBs vs. DEN have tossed 2 TDs but none have 300+ yards (two over 250 yards). Cam has 2+ total TDs in 3 games this year.
RB	Jonathan Stewart		Broncos giving up 150.5 total yards to RBs over last four with 4 total TDs but Stew has yet to exceed 80 total yards in a game.
RB	DeAngelo Williams		Started to see more playing time last week, especially cutting into Stewart's snaps. Still can't trust to start.
WR	Steve Smith		You'll start him but DEN has held WRs to two 80+ yard games & two TDs over their last five.
TE	Greg Olsen		Another good matchup for Olsen -- DEN has allowed 10+ Fantasy points to the last three TEs they've faced. Can he take advantage?
DST	Panthers		No DST has more than 13 Fantasy points vs. DEN, only three have 10+ points. Can't lean on the Panthers.

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Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Mall of America Field
Detroit Lions
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matthew Stafford		Vikings have allowed three passing touchdowns in back-to-back games. No excuses for Stafford, who has 300+ yards in 2 of last 3 vs. MIN.
RB	Mikel Leshoure		Must start. Vikes have allowed 138.3 rush yards per game over last two with 4 total TDs to RBs.
RB	Joique Bell		MIN has given up 194 receiving yards just to RBs over last three games. Bell should be useful in a pinch.
WR	Calvin Johnson		Vikings have done well vs. No. 1 WRs but Johnson seems healthy after drubbing Jags last week. No way you sit him.
WR	Titus Young		Non-No. 1 WRs have torched the Seahawks with Golden Tate the latest benefactor. Young worth using again.
WR	Ryan Broyles		Still not playing a ton (about 40 pct. of snaps) but productive for a few points, which should continue vs. MIN's weak secondary.
TE	Brandon Pettigrew		Pettigrew had one of his better games vs. MIN in Week 4. Since that game only one TE has scored on Vikings.
DST	Lions		Each of last four DSTs to play Vikings have had 13+ Fantasy points. Lions should keep up its hot streak.

Minnesota Vikings
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Christian Ponder		Lions have allowed 2 pass TDs in 5 of last 7 games but Ponder had no TDs earlier this year against the Lions. Can't trust him.
RB	Adrian Peterson		Has 8 TDs & over 1,100 total yards in 10 games vs. DET. Lions have allowed 10+ Fantasy points to RBs in 4 of last 5.
RB	Percy Harvin		If he plays has the chance to score. Lions have allowed 5 TDs to WRs in last 4.
WR	Jerome Simpson		Can't be trusted even though Lions have allowed 148.7 yards per game to WRs over the last three games.
TE	Kyle Rudolph		Only one TE has scored on DET over last five games. Coaches say they want to get Rudolph more involved but owners might want to see it first.
DST	Vikings		Lions' offense starting to roar: 3 of last 4 DSTs vs. DET posted 4 Fantasy points or less. Lions avg. 410.9 total yards per game.

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New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium
New York Giants
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Eli Manning		He's been abysmal in 4 straight but could perk up vs. CIN. Bengals have allowed 2+ TDs, 250+ yards to QBs in 2 of last 3.
RB	Ahmad Bradshaw		Rush average has been in the tank for last three games (3.4 avg.), CIN has held RBs to 97.3 rush yards over last four.
RB	Andre Brown		Has scored in three straight with 20+ yards per game too. CIN has allowed four rush TDs over last 4 games.
WR	Victor Cruz		Cincy has allowed a 90+ yard receiver in each of last three, gave up 2 TDs to Eric Decker last week.
WR	Hakeem Nicks		Need to see him play well before considering him, even in a matchup vs. 19th-ranked pass defense.
TE	Martellus Bennett		This could be the week. Tight ends have scored in each of last three vs. CIN.
DST	Giants		Dalton has been picked off at least once per game this year, sacked 2+ times in 6 of 8 games. Roll with the Giants.

Cincinnati Bengals
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Andy Dalton		Eight of nine teams have thrown for 240+ pass yards vs. NYG, six have 2+ total TDs. You'd have to be desperate to trust Dalton though.
RB	BenJarvus Green-Ellis		Weird stat: RBs that get 15+ carries have decimated Giants, scored 12+ Fantasy points. Kind of like the Law Firm.
WR	A.J. Green		A must. Giants allowed two WRs to score last week & 12 TDs to WRs on the season.
TE	Jermaine Gresham		Coming off career-high 108-yard game, has scored 10+ Fantasy points in half of his last six games.
DST	Bengals		Giants have scored 28.6 points per game over last five, Bengals allowing 23.2 points per game over last five. Don't do it.

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Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, M&T Bank Stadium
Oakland Raiders
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Carson Palmer		Should throw a ton. Two of last three QBs vs. BAL have thrown for 250+ yards & 2+ TDs. Palmer hasn't topped 20 Fantasy points in four road games.
RB	Marcel Reece		Six RBs have posted 9+ Fantasy points in the Ravens' last five. Reece a physical threat with excellent hands (caught 75.7 pct of targets over last 2 years).
RB	Taiwan Jones		Unreal speed but has just 17 career carries. Ravens have allowed 176.0 rush yards to RBs over last four games.
WR	Denarius Moore		BAL has allowed 133.7 yards to receivers over their last three. Moore has at least 8 targets per game.
WR	Darrius Heyward-Bey		Has 7+ Fantasy points in each of his last three. Ravens have allowed 11 WRs to 7+ Fantasy points this season.
TE	Brandon Myers		Scored 2 TDs last week but Ravens have allowed just one TD to tight ends all year.
DST	Raiders		Don't use them. DSTs have posted 10+ Fantasy points on BAL twice -- when they held them under 13 points. OAK allowing 28.6 points per game.

Baltimore Ravens
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Joe Flacco		Back home against a pass defense that allowed 247 yards & 2 TDs last week. Flacco could match those numbers.
RB	Ray Rice		After Martin racked up four TDs & 272 total yards at OAK last week you can bet on Rice getting a lot of work.
WR	Torrey Smith		Raiders have allowed 565 yards & 5 TDs to WRs over their last four games. Torrey should be solid.
WR	Anquan Boldin		Has 82 or more yards in 3 of last 5 games but hasn't scored since Week 1.
DST	Ravens		Raiders have totaled 340+ yards, scored 20+ points in each of last four games. Ravens DST just an OK option.

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San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium
San Diego Chargers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Philip Rivers		Bucs have allowed 250+ yards to 7 of 8 opposing QBs, 2 of last 3 have thrown four TDs! Rivers has 2 TDs in 4 of last 5.
RB	Ryan Mathews		Tampa Bay has allowed a TD to RB in 6 of last 7 (five rushing) but just four RBs have totaled 90+ yards on the Bucs.
RB	Ronnie Brown		Has 5+ catches in 3 of his last 4 games. TB allowed 17 catches for 151 yards and a TD to OAK last week.
WR	Malcom Floyd		Receivers averaging 200.3 yards per game in last 4 vs. TB with a TD in each. Floyd could be effective again.
WR	Danario Alexander		If Chargers' WRs are still banged up, he's the desperation option for Fantasy. Has good size but brittle knees.
TE	Antonio Gates		No longer a tricky matchup after Brandon Myers scored his first two TDs of the year vs. TB last week.
DST	Chargers		Bucs have scored 28+ points & totaled 400+ yards in each of last four. No magic for the Chargers this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Josh Freeman		No one's been hotter over last four weeks. Bolts allowed four straight 2+ TD passers before shutting out Weeden & Cassel last two weeks.
RB	Doug Martin		You'll start Martin and for good reason: SD has allowed 264 total yards & 2 TDs to RBs over last two weeks.
WR	Vincent Jackson		Big-time revenge game. Ex-Charger faces pass defense that allowed 7 TDs to WRs before shutting out Browns & Chiefs last two weeks. Jackson should shine.
WR	Mike Williams		Nine WRs have posted 8+ Fantasy points on the Bolts this year. Williams has 7+ Fantasy points in 6 of 8 games.
DST	Buccaneers		Chargers have scored 24+ points in 4 of 5 games, though DSTs put up 10+ Fantasy points in 2 of those 4.

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Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sun Life Stadium
Tennessee Titans
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Jake Locker		QBs have topped 250+ yards in 7 of 8 games vs. MIA but only two have 2+ TDs. Locker might have to shake rust off first.
RB	Chris Johnson		Miami hasn't allowed a rush TD since Week 1, only have allowed one 100+ total yard RB. Will he get a big run late again?
WR	Kenny Britt		Tough to trust: Has just one game with more than 7 Fantasy points this season, but MIA has allowed 12 WRs to 7+ Fantasy points this year.
WR	Nate Washington		Leads Titans WRs with four TDs. Dolphins have allowed 9 TDs to WRs on the year including 4 in last four games (two last week).
WR	Kendall Wright		Dolphins allowed two 100-yard receivers last week, giving up on average 213.8 yards per game to WRs over last four.
TE	Jared Cook		No TE has scored on Miami but five have had 60+ yards against them. Cook has under 50 yards in 5 of last 6.
DST	Titans		Titans defense is weak, can't be trusted even though DSTs vs. MIA have posted 10+ Fantasy points in four of last six weeks.

Miami Dolphins
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Ryan Tannehill		Great matchup. Titans have allowed 20 pass TDs, five 250+ yard passers and 8 of 9 QBs have 19+ Fantasy points against them.
RB	Reggie Bush		Titans have allowed 202.3 total yards & 4 TDs to running backs in last three. Wish Bush averaged more than 14.7 touches per game over last three.
RB	Daniel Thomas		Another good matchup for Thomas if you're thin at running back. He played more than Bush for the second week in a row.
WR	Brian Hartline		Might be another sleeper week for him. Titans have allowed 6 TDs to WRs in last four weeks with 5 WRs getting 9+ Fantasy points in that span.
TE	Anthony Fasano		Desperation option. Tennessee has allowed 6+ Fantasy points to seven TEs in nine games.
DST	Dolphins		After Bears pummeled Titans last week, Dolphins should be salivating. Miami's D should be solid.

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New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks -- Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CenturyLink Field
New York Jets
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Mark Sanchez		Could throw for decent amount of yardage but tough to envision him having a good game.
RB	Shonn Greene		After AP blew through the Seahawks there's some optimism for Green who has 9+ Fantasy points in each of his last three.
WR	Jeremy Kerley		Seahawks have struggled with short, shifty receivers but still boast solid secondary. Kerley has 5+ catches in 3 of last 4.
TE	Dustin Keller		Has been huge for Jets' passing game but Seahawks have the defensive backs to limit him. No TE, not even Gronk, has 10+ Fantasy points vs. SEA.
DST	Jets		Three of last four DSTs vs. SEA posted under 9 Fantasy points, but Jets have the defense to make things challenging for Seahawks, even at home.

Seattle Seahawks
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Russell Wilson		Jets have only allowed four passing TDs over last six games, will make it tough on Wilson to have another big game.
RB	Marshawn Lynch		NYJ have given up just 2 rush TDs over last four games along with 108.3 rush yards in that span. Lynch has 100+ rush yards in three straight.
WR	Sidney Rice		Sick: No WR has scored on the Jets since Week 2! None have totaled 100+ yards either.
WR	Golden Tate		After big game last week, expect mediocre numbers here as Jets' secondary should be able to contain him.
DST	Seahawks		Four of the last five DSTs to take on the Jets have posted 13+ Fantasy points. Get the Seahawks active.

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Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field
Dallas Cowboys
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Tony Romo		Five of last six QBs to play PHI have 2+ TDs against them, but Romo has one 2 TD game in his last four overall and in last four vs. PHI.
RB	Felix Jones		Eagles allowing 163.3 total yards per game to running backs. Jones had best start of the season last week, hopefully sees 15 touches this week.
WR	Miles Austin		Terrible recent history vs. Philly, but Eagles pass defense is awful. Five WRs have 9+ Fantasy points against the Eagles in their last three.
WR	Dez Bryant		Hard to trust him with injury & chemistry issues. Has under 20 yards in 2 of last 3 games, has 90 total yards in two career games vs. Eagles.
TE	Jason Witten		Has 6+ catches in each of last five games (80+ yards in three). Both TEs with 6+ catches vs. PHI have at least 6 Fantasy points.
DST	Cowboys		After the Saints sacked Vick seven times, Cowboys should tee off. Eagles have had under 20 points in all but two games this year.

Philadelphia Eagles
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Michael Vick		Cowboys have held all but one QB to 1 pass TD or less including Matt Ryan last week. Only two have 250+ pass yards. I'd sit Vick.
RB	LeSean McCoy		Has 10+ Fantasy points in all but one game this year & 3 of last 4 vs. DAL when he played more than a few snaps.
WR	DeSean Jackson		Four of last five vs. DAL have resulted in single-digit Fantasy point scores. Only four WRs have scored 10+ Fantasy points vs. DAL this season (two last week).
WR	Jeremy Maclin		Maclin has TD in each of last two vs. DAL but has one score in his last five overall with four games under 40 yards.
TE	Brent Celek		Only two TE s have posted 7+ Fantasy points vs. DAL and none since Week 2.
DST	Eagles		Three of the last four DSTs to play DAL have scored under 10 Fantasy points, something the Eagles DST have done in their last seven games.

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St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Candlestick Park
St. Louis Rams
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Sam Bradford		Niners have allowed one passing TD over last five with only one 200+ yard passer in that span.
RB	Steven Jackson		Totaled 95 rush yards, 26 receiving yards and no TDs in two games vs. SF last year. Run defense remains strong.
RB	Daryl Richardson		Has averaged 11.0 touches over last four games with 5+ Fantasy points in three. That's about all you can expect vs. SF.
WR	Danny Amendola		Has 5+ catches in each game he's finished in '12. Only 4 of 10 WRs with 5+ catches vs. SF have had 7+ Fantasy points.
WR	Brandon Gibson		Production could decrease with Amendola coming back, but did score both TDs while Amendola was on the field.
WR	Chris Givens		Niners have allowed just 138.8 yards per game to wideouts. Givens' 50-yd catch streak definitely in jeopardy.
DST	Rams		Six of eight DSTs Niners have faced have scored 10 Fantasy points or less.

San Francisco 49ers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Alex Smith		Risky start. Rams' pass defense has been shattered for 9 TDs over last three games (with no INTs). Smith has two 3 TD games in last four -- and four with 1 or no TDs in last six.
RB	Frank Gore		Rams' three-game streak vs. RBs came to halt when NE totaled 152 rush yards & 2 TDs against them. Gore remains quality starter.
WR	Michael Crabtree		Five of Crabtree's 15 career TDs have come vs. STL including one in each of last four vs. Rams. STL has allowed five TDs to WRs in last two games.
WR	Mario Manningham		Has 4+ catches in 5 of 7 games but 10+ Fantasy points in zero games. Hard to trust, even with a good matchup.
TE	Vernon Davis		Matchup's not bad: STL have allowed TD to TE in 2 of last 3. Davis has to get back into the swing of the Niners offense.
DST	49ers		Every DST vs. STL has posted 9+ Fantasy points over last seven games. Niners have posted at least that much in five games.

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Houston Texans at Chicago Bears -- Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Soldier Field
Houston Texans
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matt Schaub		Hard to trust. No QB has tossed 2 TDs vs. Chicago this year but Schaub has 2+ TDs in 4 of last 6. Has been sacked seven times over last three games.
RB	Arian Foster		No way you're sitting him; he's done well in tough matchups before. CJ2k's garbage-time TD last week ended CHI's streaks vs. RBs.
WR	Andre Johnson		Should be OK. Has 8+ catches in each of last three games. All three WRs with 7+ catches vs. CHI topped 100 yards this season.
WR	Kevin Walter		Bears have allowed 11 WRs to 7+ Fantasy points including three over last two weeks.
TE	Owen Daniels		Bears among toughest vs. TEs (only two have topped 40 yards) but Daniels has shined in tough matchups before.
DST	Texans		Texans should sack Cutler a bunch and that's enough to keep them active. Two of last three DSTs vs. CHI have posted 13+ Fantasy points.

Chicago Bears
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Jay Cutler		Only 2 QBs have 20+ Fantasy points vs. HOU in 2012. And only two have 250+ yards passing. Not a good week for Cutler.
RB	Matt Forte		HOU hasn't allowed a rush TD to a RB all year but they have yielded three 100-total-yard RBs. MIA, BUF did OK vs. HOU passing to RBs.
WR	Brandon Marshall		Can't sit him. Texans have allowed one TD to WRs after the debacle vs. Green Bay. Marshall has 9+ Fantasy points in each of his last five.
DST	Bears		No DST has posted more than 11 Fantasy points against the Texans, but the Bears are too hot to sit.

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Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers -- Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, Heinz Field
Kansas City Chiefs
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matt Cassel		Steelers pass defense has held each of last four QBs to 1 TD or less. Your only hope here is for garbage time stats.
RB	Jamaal Charles		Primary RBs haven't scored on PIT since Week 3 but Steelers have allowed rush TD in 3 of last 4. How much work can we really expect from Charles?
WR	Dwayne Bowe		Steelers have allowed TD to WR in three of last four and 5 of last 7. Bowe could clean up in garbage time.
DST	Chiefs		Six of the last seven DSTs vs. PIT have posted 9 Fantasy points or fewer. You can definitely find a better DST.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Ben Roethlisberger		Seven of eight QBs vs. KC have 2+ TDs, something Big Ben's done in 5 of 8 games. Should let loose against terrible secondary.
RB	Isaac Redman		Chiefs have allowed 181.7 total yards to RBs in their last three. Redman has best chance to lead Steelers in carries.
RB	Jonathan Dwyer		Seems tough to trust for big stats considering how well Redman played last week, but matchup should yield some numbers.
WR	Mike Wallace		Chiefs have allowed 11 TDs to WRs this year including six in their last three games. Wallace should shine.
WR	Emmanuel Sanders		Good sleeper thanks to extended playing time with Brown sidelined. Multiple receivers have scored on Chiefs in two of last three games.
TE	Heath Miller		Eric Berry couldn't keep up with Antonio Gates last week, could get lost in the end zone covering Miller this week.
DST	Steelers		Must start. Every DST vs. KC has posted at least 11 Fantasy points, four have found the end zone.

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