Week 7 Fantasy Football Matchups

Editor's note: Dave Richard breaks down every game from a Fantasy perspective each week with the help of CBSSports.com NFL Insider Pat Kirwan, who will provide his unique take to assist owners in their lineup management.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers -- Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Candlestick Park
Seattle Seahawks
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Russell Wilson		Niners have allowed one passing TD over last three with no more than 193 yards passing per game.
RB	Marshawn Lynch		Tough matchup. Lynch had success in most recent game vs. SF but has struggled in last two games & Niners will key in on him.
WR	Sidney Rice		Same logic applies as last week: Seahawks will have to throw. But Niners have allowd 139.8 yards to WRs this year.
WR	Golden Tate		Desperation sleeper. Last week he had chances to make plays vs. NE. Niners are a tougher challenge.
TE	Zach Miller		Desperation sleeper. Niners have given up four TDs to tight ends so far.
DST	Seahawks		Should be OK though four of six DSTs Niners have faced have scored 10 Fantasy points or less.

San Francisco 49ers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Alex Smith		Had zero touchdowns in two games vs. SEA last year. Only Tom Brady has posted over 20 Fantasy points on Seahawks.
RB	Frank Gore		No RB has topped 60 rush yards or 74 total yards vs. Seahawks this season. Gore could change that.
RB	Kendall Hunter		Can't use him this week but did total 84 yards in last meeting at Seattle.
WR	Michael Crabtree		Only 4 TDs have been scored by WRs vs. Seahawks' defense. Crabtree has never scored on them.
WR	Mario Manningham		Had season-high 72 yards last week, remains involved in offense. Low-end consideration only.
TE	Vernon Davis		You'll start him but Seahawks have done well vs. traditional tight ends, limited Davis to 101 yards in two games last year.
DST	49ers		Notched nine sacks, an interception and two special-teams scores vs. Seahawks last year.

Both the Seahawks and 49ers have excellent run defenses -- both are ranked in the Top 10. But neither coach will abandon the run. They know their quarterbacks aren't built to throw 45 to 50 times. The Seahawks are going to watch the tape of the Giants' 34 carries for 151 yards by their running backs and come to some conclusions on how to attack the Niners' front. I expect Marshawn Lynch to get close to the workload and numbers he had the last time they met: 21 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco will also run the ball with left tackle Joe Staley a question mark. Without him, Alex Smith isn't as well protected. -- Pat Kirwan

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Mall of America Field
Arizona Cardinals
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	John Skelton		Too risky to start but he played better on the road last year. Vikies have allowed 3 pass TDs in last 4.
RB	William Powell		Low-end option. Clearly the best RB for Cards right now but Vikes have held RBs to under 75 total yards over last five.
WR	Larry Fitzgerald		Should be fine. Typically plays big vs. MIN (his hometown team) & has good history with Skelton.
WR	Andre Roberts		Has 7 catches for 57 yards, no TDs in last two games. Comparable WRs have been slammed by Vikings.
DST	Cardinals		Ponder's been starting to turn the ball over but Vikings offense has become fairly explosive. Cards a DST worth settling for.

Minnesota Vikings
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Christian Ponder		No QB has had 20 Fantasy points against the Cards this year. Ponder better off left on the bench.
RB	Adrian Peterson		Bills cracked the code on Cardinals last week, totaling 141 rush yards & 2 TDs. Peterson's a must.
WR	Percy Harvin		Despite containing Bills WRs last week, Cardinals are susceptible to the deep ball and speedy receivers.
TE	Kyle Rudolph		Tough matchup. Cards have allowed one TE to score more than 6 Fantasy points so far this year. You'll still probably start him.
DST	Vikings		Must start. Arizona's offensive issues run deep. Each of the last 3 opposing DSTs vs. ARI have posted 15+ Fantasy points.

The Cardinals need their defense to not only create turnovers but to score, which they are capable of in a game like this one. The Vikings pass rush at home is always tough and should be able to get to John Skelton four or five times at a minimum. The Cards offense has to settle for a short game and hope for yards after the catch. Any attempt to wait for downfield routes could wind up in a sack and Minnesota has 35 sacks in its last 11 home games. If Larry Fitzgerald is going to have a good game, he'll need to catch at least six or seven passes. -- Pat Kirwan

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Reliant Stadium
Baltimore Ravens
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Joe Flacco		Sure, HOU D just let Aaron Rodgers sling six TDs last week, but Flacco isn't Rodgers. Flacco has 2 games w/ 20+ Fantasy points in last 12 road games.
RB	Ray Rice		You'll still start him but Rice had just 80 total yards in playoff win vs. HOU in January. Texans still have yet to allow rush TD to RB.
WR	Torrey Smith		Smith is the Ravens' best threat to score on Texans defense fresh off of getting slammed by the Packers. Worth starting.
WR	Anquan Boldin		Texans have allowed three receivers to top 90 yards in their last two games. Boldin has topped 90 in two of his last three.
TE	Dennis Pitta		After 31 targets in first three games Pitta's had 11 in his last three. HOU has allowed a TD to TE in each of last four. Tough call.
DST	Ravens		No DST has posted more than 11 Fantasy points against the Texans. Without Lewis & Webb it will be hard for Ravens to do well.

Houston Texans
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matt Schaub		Whole new world for opposing QBs vs. BAL with secondary, pass rush depleted. Schaub's not bad.
RB	Arian Foster		Has at least 100 total yards in each of three career games vs. BAL. Ravens have been awful vs. run.
WR	Andre Johnson		Caught 8 of 12 passes thrown his way last week, will eventually get going. Dez lit up the Ravens pass D last week.
TE	Owen Daniels		No tight ends have scored on the Ravens this year, Daniels has never scored on Ravens in his career (one game w/ over 30 receiving yards).
DST	Texans		Decent starting option. Ravens have allowed 14 sacks, 4 INTs this season.

The lesson learned from the Packers offense for the Ravens is to get in three-receiver formations and force the Texans into a sub-package defense. Brian Cushing is missed most in those sub defenses and the Packers took advantage of the situation. Flacco has an excellent no-huddle attack and if Glover Quin gets up in the box in the sub defense, Ray Rice will run for some big yards. Flacco's road woes aren't as big of an issue for me here -- he has three 300-yard passing games this season and is capable of it again. The Ravens like what they saw when the Texans had to play from behind last week and I would not be surprised to see them come out early with the passing game.-- Pat Kirwan

Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium
Cleveland Browns
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Brandon Weeden		4 of 5 QBs vs. IND have thrown at least 2 TDs, three have 240+ yards. Weeden should hit those numbers, albeit with some turnovers.
RB	Trent Richardson		Sounds like he'll play vs. a run D that's allowed 8 rush TDs & 141.0 rush yards per game. Must start.
RB	Montario Hardesty		Desperation option. Might get a handful of carries in effort to ease Richardson into workload.
WR	Josh Gordon		Colts have allowed 5 TDs to WRs in their last three, though no WR has topped 90 yards vs. IND since Week 2.
DST	Browns		Desperation option. Might pick up a couple of turnovers and a sack vs. Luck but could also yield some big numbers.

Indianapolis Colts
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Andrew Luck		4 of last 5 QBs vs. CLE have thrown 3 TDs! That's enough to make Luck a good rebound candidate after Week 6 nightmare.
RB	Vick Ballard		Browns allowing 144.2 rush yards per game to RBs. Ballard should have more than 8 carries this week.
WR	Reggie Wayne		Should see a lot of CB Joe Haden but so did A.J. Green last week & he did amazing. Plenty of targets headed his way.
WR	Donnie Avery		Last 3 games: 29 targets, 9 catches for 110 yards and no scores. So he plays a lot but just isn't doing a lot with it.
DST	Colts		Can't use them. Browns offense is perking up & Indy pass rush is deflated.

The two rookie quarterbacks in this game are not afraid to throw 40 times each, so they are both capable of 300-yard games. It really is more about which pass defense presents the biggest problems. The Browns defense has given up 15 touchdown passes but also has 10 interceptions. Cornerback Joe Haden has knocked off the rust following his first game back from suspension and will match up with Reggie Wayne. Indianapolis has played one less game, but only has two interceptions on defense. Six of Andrew Luck's seven touchdown passes are at home so I give him a slight edge over Weeden as far as numbers go. Look for Luck to throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns.-- Pat Kirwan

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium
Dallas Cowboys
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Tony Romo		Each of last 7 QBs with 36+ pass attempts vs. CAR have topped 270 yards w/ multiple TDs. Romo has had 36+ pass attempts in 4 of 5 games this year.
RB	Felix Jones		In 10 career games with 15+ carries has 4 100-yard games and 3 TDs. Matchup is good: Panthers allowing 197.4 total yards to RBs this season.
RB	Phillip Tanner		Desperation starter. Could get 5-10 carries behind Felix (more if Jones gets hurt).
WR	Dez Bryant		Must-start. Caught all but 2 targeted passes last week, faces another weak secondary this week.
WR	Miles Austin		Panthers allowing 137.2 yards to receivers per game. If the Panthers hone in on Dez, Austin will explode.
TE	Jason Witten		Has caught 19 of 21 targets over last 3 for 200 yards and a TD, making him a Top 5 TE in that span.
DST	Cowboys		Not worth the gamble. They should struggle to pressure Newton; have just 10 sacks on the year.

Carolina Panthers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Cam Newton		When pressured, Newton struggles. But even with O-line tattered he should evade Cowboys' suspect pass rush. I think he'll play well.
RB	DeAngelo Williams		Fine as a one-week guy. Dallas is averaging 124.0 total yards to RBs per week.
RB	Jonathan Stewart		No RB has caught more than 2 passes vs. DAL this year, Cowboys have only allowed 4 total TDs to RBs.
WR	Steve Smith		Defenses have bracketed Smith to contain him, and the Cowboys have done well vs. WRs in 4 of 5 games.
TE	Greg Olsen		Expect him to get more involved after just two catches in Week 5. Cowboys have allowed 3 TDs to TEs this year.
DST	Panthers		Major sleeper. Unit has 14 sacks, five INTs and two TDs, plus they're getting some starters back.

Every quarterback suffers when they lose their starting center. From the line calls, to the snap, to blocking the midline to pass, it is all different. What makes matters worse is that I believe Kalil is the best center in the NFL. As for good Cam vs. bad Cam, give the defenses some credit for his slow start. In his first five games last year he had seven touchdown passes, nine interceptions, 10 sacks and five rushing touchdowns. This year in his first five games he has four touchdown passes, five interceptions, 13 sacks and three rushing touchdowns. Dallas will study how defenses have contained him and reduce his red zone running threat. That's enough of a factor to make his numbers shrink. -- Pat Kirwan

Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Edward Jones Dome
Green Bay Packers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Aaron Rodgers		Rams pass D is dangerous but Dolphins stung them for 2 pass TDs last week. You're starting Rodgers.
RB	Alex Green		St. Louis run D has come around, allowing 74.0 rush yards per game over last three with 1 TD. Green's OK as a flex.
WR	Jordy Nelson		Rams have yet to allow a 100-yard receiver and have only yielded 2 TDs to wideouts. That could change.
WR	James Jones		Eight red zone targets, eight catches, seven touchdowns. Sit this guy at your own risk.
WR	Randall Cobb		Think he's just getting started. In 3 games where Packers didn't have CedBen rolling Cobb has 20 catches for 261 yards and a TD.
TE	Jermichael Finley		Rams allowed first TD of the year to a TE last week (Anthony Fasano). Finley has 4 or fewer catches in five straight games.
DST	Packers		Good choice for Week 7. Rams struggling to run, weak at receiver. DSTs vs. Rams have 9+ Fantasy points in each of last four.

St. Louis Rams
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Sam Bradford		Packers had been awful vs. pass until they jammed Matt Schaub in Week 6. Bradford will take shots but can't be trusted.
RB	Steven Jackson		Packers have held RBs to three rush TD this year, Jackson has zero. Try to sit him.
RB	Daryl Richardson		Long-term sleeper. Has some explosiveness and will keep getting chances with Jackson declining.
WR	Chris Givens		Desperation option. Packers have allowed 5 TDs to WRs in last four weeks. Maybe he can catch a bomb.
WR	Brandon Gibson		Deep sleeper. Seven WRs have had at least 4 catches vs. GB this year. 5 have had at least 7 Fantasy points.
DST	Rams		The 49ers, Bears and Texans DST have totaled 11 or fewer Fantasy points vs. the Packers. Rams can't be trusted.

Jermichael Finley gets his opportunities, but he doesn't hold on to the ball or always run the right route. He does find time to criticize his quarterback, which is a big mistake. The Rams have pass rushers and cover corners and the place to attack is the middle of the field. Finley and the slot receiver (Randall Cobb) will get targets, but only one of them is playing at a high level right now. I like Cobb to have more production than Finley -- leave the tight end on your bench. -- Pat Kirwan

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium
New Orleans Saints
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Drew Brees		Bucs have been surprisingly good vs. the pass but Brees is a must. History vs. Bucs is prolific.
RB	Darren Sproles		Had 99 total yards & TD in last game vs. TB but hasn't had a game that strong yet this year. Bucs have done well vs. RBs catching the ball.
RB	Pierre Thomas		Desperation starter. I don't buy the Bucs' run defense as strong, but I don't buy the Saints as a running team.
RB	Mark Ingram		Of the three rush TDs allowed by the Bucs, none have come from inside the 5-yard line.
WR	Marques Colston		The good: Has 5+ catches in each of last 5 vs. NO. The bad: Has 1 TD in that span, TB hasn't allowed a TD to WR in three games.
WR	Lance Moore		Super cool! Moore has 3 TDs in last 5 vs. Bucs including two in Tampa Bay. Call him a low-end option.
WR	Devery Henderson		History vs. Bucs stinks, history playing outdoors (1 TD in last 18 games outside) is worse.
TE	Jimmy Graham		Has TD or 100+ yards in 2 of last 3 vs. TB but Bucs are much improved vs. tight ends. Ankle could limit him but you'll still start him.
DST	Saints		Can't use them. Saints have yet to score 12+ points in a week, Bucs have allowed 12+ Fantasy points to DST once all year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Josh Freeman		Gotta love him. Saints' pass D is awful, yielding 298.8 pass yards per game with 10 total TDs to QBs. Freeman has 250+ yards in each of last 3 vs. NO.
RB	Doug Martin		Saints allowing 197.4 total yards to RBs per week, have allowed a 100+ total yard RB in each of last 3. Martin should roll.
RB	LeGarrette Blount		Saints have allowed 5 rush TDs inside the 5-yard line. Blount could get involved there.
WR	Vincent Jackson		Must start. New Orleans has given up 8 TDs to WRs with five 90+ yard games allowed.
WR	Mike Williams		Williams has yet to top 4 catches in a game but has 7+ Fantasy points in 4 of 5 games. Should stay involved.
DST	Buccaneers		Probably the only bad Fantasy play amongst the prominent Buccaneers.

I would love to see more no-huddle from the Bucs and let them turn Josh Freeman loose, but they have the fewest no-huddle plays in the league. In the last two weeks Freeman has thrown for 627 yards and four touchdowns. Freeman is 2-2 in his last four games against New Orleans with six touchdowns and no interceptions, averaging 37 attempts. The Saints pass rush improved in their last game, but they can still be thrown on. I could see Freeman throwing for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns.-- Pat Kirwan

Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Ralph Wilson Stadium
Tennessee Titans
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matt Hasselbeck		Deep sleeper. 4 of 6 QBs vs. BUF have had 250+ yards and 2+ TDs. He went touchdownless at BUF last year.
RB	Chris Johnson		Five RBs have had 10+ Fantasy points vs. BUF including four starters. Johnson's best 2011 game came at Buffalo (153 rush yards, 2 TDs).
WR	Kenny Britt		Receivers have 11 TDs in six games vs. Bills. BUF has allowed 90+ yards to WR in three straight.
WR	Kendall Wright		Has 26 catches in last four games, making him a PPR stud. Weird: Only 5 WRs have 5+ catches vs. Bills this year.
WR	Nate Washington		Becoming the forgotten man in the Titans offense. Probably shouldn't be used except in desperate situations.
TE	Jared Cook		Bills have allowed 10+ Fantasy points to Gronk and V. Davis, the remaining TEs they've faced have 4 Fantasy points or less.
DST	Titans		Titans DST remains among the worst in the NFL, Bills offense could clean up with them.

Buffalo Bills
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick		Titans have given up 13 pass TDs (at least 2 per week), four 250+ yard passers. Fitzpatrick might not need to throw a ton here but is still serviceable.
RB	C.J. Spiller		Expect big numbers here. Titans run D has allowed 173.5 total yards to RBs per game. Spiller had 102 yards & a TD vs. TEN last year.
RB	Fred Jackson		Wouldn't be a shock to see him score. Titans have allowed a TD to a RB in each of last four games.
WR	Steve Johnson		Titans have allowed four 90-yard receivers in last five games. Johnson scored on them in '11.
TE	Scott Chandler		Worth considering. Tennessee has allowed 6+ Fantasy points to six TEs in 6 games.
DST	Bills		Worth a gamble. 4 of 6 DSTs vs. TEN have had 12+ Fantasy points. Bills defense came alive last week.

The running backs are the hot topic in this game, but all three have some challenging variables. I just can't get excited about the Titans running game with Chris Johnson. He has been too inconsistent this season. He has four games this year with 24 or fewer yards, and that makes him difficult to trust. The problem with the Bills' run game is that they split the carries between Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. I believe the Bills at home will have better rushing numbers and should get 30 carries and 130 yards from their top two backs. How that breaks down is a guessing game. -- Pat Kirwan

Washington Redskins at New York Giants -- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium
Washington Redskins
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Robert Griffin III		Every team has thrown for 240+ pass yards vs. NYG, three have 2+ TDs. RG3 can't be benched.
RB	Alfred Morris		Each of the 4 RBs with 17+ carries vs. NYG this year have had double-digit Fantasy points. Morris has 17+ carries in 4 of 6 games (16 in other two).
WR	Leonard Hankerson		Was in on WR-best 81 pct. Of Redskins plays in Week 6. If there's a deep sleeper among this group, it's him.
TE	Fred Davis		Davis has 8+ Fantasy points in 3 of last 4 vs. NYG but matchup is tough. Giants have yet to allow a TD to a TE this year, only one has had more than 60 yards receiving.
DST	Redskins		The last four DSTs to take on the Giants have averaged 3.5 Fantasy points. That's a likely projection for the Redskins.

New York Giants
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Eli Manning		Eli's last four vs. WAS: One pass TD, one rush TD, no 300-yard games, six interceptions. But the Redskins' pass D is so poor that it shouldn't matter this time.
RB	Ahmad Bradshaw		WAS run D has limited RBs to 99.3 total yards per game, 4 total TDs on the year. But red-hot Bradshaw has 6 TDs in his last 5 vs. WAS.
RB	David Wilson		Still worth stashing on benches. Had season-high seven carries last week.
WR	Victor Cruz		Cruz had 44 yards & no TD in only game he participated in vs. WAS last year. He'll make up for it vs. league's bottom-ranked pass D.
WR	Hakeem Nicks		Did not look full speed last week vs. SF, might be more of a possession guy until he can regain his speed.
TE	Martellus Bennett		Make or break week for Bennett. Redskins have allowed 5 TDs to TEs in six games. Problem: He has 9 targets (2 in red zone) in last three games.
DST	Giants		Only one defense has contained RG3 (Atlanta) and it's the only one to post 10+ Fantasy points vs. WAS. Giants a little risky.

Playing an athletic quarterback with real run skills always presents a problem for any team. My guess would be that the Giants will contain rush Robert Griffin III and try and keep him in the pocket and not trigger his escape skills. St. Louis and Cincinnati beat the Redskins even though RG3 ran more than 10 times in each game. The Giants will need a separate game plan for RG3, but it starts with minimizing Alfred Morris and the run game first. Keep in mind RG3 has only thrown for 273 yards and one touchdown in the last two weeks. -- Pat Kirwan

Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, O.co Coliseum
Jacksonville Jaguars
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Blaine Gabbert		Desperation starter because of the matchup. Raiders allowing 323.7 pass yards to QBs over their last three.
RB	Maurice Jones-Drew		Oakland-born kid playing his first game back home ever! Has scored in previous two games vs. OAK. Raiders run D allowing 111.8 rush yards per game.
WR	Justin Blackmon		Raiders allowing 182.2 pass yards to WRs through five games. Blackmon has a chance as a one-week starter.
WR	Cecil Shorts		Deep sleeper. Jags coaches have been talking him up, Raiders pass defense pretty shaky.
TE	Marcedes Lewis		Raiders have allowed four TDs to TEs in their last four games. Lewis a deep sleeper.
DST	Jaguars		Desperation option. Raiders have exceeded 20 points once this year, but Jaguars allowing 27.6 points per game.

Oakland Raiders
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Carson Palmer		Great starting choice. Jags have allowed 240+ yards & 2 TDs in each of last three games. Palmer is averaging 286.8 pass yards per game with 6 TDs.
RB	Darren McFadden		Should be a huge day for McFadden. Jags have allowed six rush TDs, 185.0 total yards per game to RBs.
RB	Mike Goodson		Desperation option. Has earned about 5-7 touches per game, could get more based on favorable matchup.
WR	Denarius Moore		Jaguars have allowed 3 TDs, 190.5 yards to WRs in last two games. Moore should flatten them.
WR	Darrius Heyward-Bey		Can't trust him yet, though if there was ever a game for him to get going in, this is it.
TE	Brandon Myers		Jaguars have been surprisingly good vs. tight ends but are down a starting safety. Myers not a bad one-week option.
DST	Raiders		Very solid one-week replacement. DSTs vs. Jaguars have posted 19+ Fantasy points in 3 of last 4.

The running back is always tied to the quarterback and with that in mind Darren McFadden should have a better day at home than Maurice Jones-Drew. Carson Palmer knows how to get the ball in McFadden's hands better than Blaine Gabbert can for MJD. McFadden the receiver is the difference and could be the target of 10 passes to go along with 20-25 carries. McFadden hasn't had big numbers yet but this is a game where that could turn around.-- Pat Kirwan

New York Jets at New England Patriots -- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium
New York Jets
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Mark Sanchez		Pats' secondary is suspect & Sanchez threw two TDs last week but it would take major stones to roll with him.
RB	Shonn Greene		Coming off a monster but has never had consecutive 100-yard games, has 1 TD in career vs. NE. Pats have allowed just one 100-yard game & 2 TD to RBs.
WR	Stephen Hill		Rookie is a good deep-ball threat for Jets to attack Patriots with. He's a sleeper.
WR	Jeremy Kerley		Desperation sleeper. Has 130 yards and no scores in his last three games.
TE	Dustin Keller		Four TEs have scored on the Pats over the last four weeks but Keller is a risk given his legs. He has 2 TDs in 8 career games vs. NE
DST	Jets		There isn't a DST yet to exceed 10 Fantasy points vs. the Pats and the Jets aren't expected to be the first.

New England Patriots
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Tom Brady		You're starting Brady but Jets have allowed just one pass TD since Revis' injury. Brady had 300+ yards in two meetings vs. NYJ last year with 4 TDs.
RB	Stevan Ridley		Jets' stomping of Vick Ballard last week doesn't mean their run D is strong. They've allowed 7 TDs to RBs this season.
RB	Danny Woodhead		Not sure he'll see as much work given the matchup. Pats could run with Ridley and throw downfield with their receiving threats.
WR	Wes Welker		We'll see if they stick Cromartie on him, but you'll start him anyway. Has posted 9+ Fantasy points in 4 of last 6 vs. Jets.
WR	Brandon Lloyd		Jets' pass D is solid vs. WRs. No TDs since Week 2, no 100-yard wideouts allowed all year.
TE	Aaron Hernandez		Jets kept him under wraps last year (97 total yards, no TDs in 2 games) but will have trouble trying to cover him with secondary depleted.
TE	Rob Gronkowski		Jets signed LaRon Landry specifically for this matchup. Gronk's been off for three straight games but expectations remain high.
DST	Patriots		Jets QBs have been picked off six times, sacked 11 times, scored under 24 points four times. Patriots a decent option.

Last week the Jets played a porous Colts defense without their leading pass rusher, Robert Mathis (five sacks). With the offense jumping out to a lead it was academic for Shonn Greene to have a big game and Mark Sanchez lead the Jets to their third win. But playing against the Colts at home is not the same as playing the Patriots on the road. In the last three weeks no team has rushed for 100 yards, averaged 4.0 yards per carry or scored a rushing touchdown on the Patriots. Shonn Greene will probably have a mediocre day and Sanchez will have to throw a lot more than the Jets would like. In the past Sanchez is 3-4 against the Patriots averaging 192 yards per game, completing 57 percent of his passes with one or two touchdowns and an interception. I see Sanchez having that kind of day in Foxboro.-- Pat Kirwan

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals -- Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Ben Roethlisberger		Bengals' recent pass stats look good but 3 of last 4 opposing QBs have been rookies. Ben struggled vs. CIN last year but expectations higher this time.
RB	Jonathan Dwyer		Cincy's run defense has struggled over last two games (3 rush TDs, 146 rush yards) but Dwyer has shown nothing this season to inspire confidence.
WR	Mike Wallace		A must start even though the Bengals secondary has allowed just four WRs to get at least 9 Fantasy points. Wallace has 8+ Fantasy points in each of last four vs. CIN.
WR	Antonio Brown		Has never scored on the Bengals in three tries. Does have 7 catches in 3 of last 4 games. Still worth starting.
TE	Heath Miller		Tight ends have scored in Bengals in 2 of last 3 games. Miller hasn't scored on Cincy since 2008. Maybe he's due.
DST	Steelers		Good enough to start but a risk nonetheless. Unit has posted 10+ Fantasy points just twice all season.

Cincinnati Bengals
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Andy Dalton		3 of 5 QBs vs. PIT have posted 2+ TDs, something Dalton's done in 4 of 6 games. Not the best QB this week but still start-worthy.
RB	BenJarvus Green-Ellis		Has averaged 3.0 yards per carry over last five games. Steelers should hold him down but opposing RBs have posted 11+ Fantasy points in each of last 3 vs. PIT.
WR	A.J. Green		Obvious must-start. Steelers have allowed 5 pass TDs to WRs so far this year; Green scored in both games vs. PIT in '11.
TE	Jermaine Gresham		Has been hot, worth starting. Steelers have allowed TD to TE in 3 of 5 games; Gresham has yet to exceed 40 yards in a game vs. PIT.
DST	Bengals		Each of the last four DSTs vs. PIT have posted 5 Fantasy points or fewer. Not a good week for the Bengals DST.

When did you ever hear of a Steelers defense giving up 100 yards per game on the ground? That has been the case over the last 22 games. Furthermore, cornerback Ike Taylor has struggled in coverage and teams are not afraid to go after him anymore. He is targeted 10 times a game and he can't hold up. Without Troy Polamalu this team has produced a .500 record, and age and injury has really hurt the Steelers as well. With all that being said the offense is strong enough and there is still enough fight in the defense to win the division, but they aren't the Steel Curtain right now. The Bengals' offense has a chance. -- Pat Kirwan

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears -- Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, Soldier Field
Detroit Lions
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Matthew Stafford		Hard to trust. Needed overtime to post first big game of 2012 last week and has never posted 20+ Fantasy points vs. CHI.
RB	Mikel Leshoure		Tough matchup. Bears haven't allowed a rush TD to a RB since Week 1, haven't allowed a 100+ total-yard RB since Week 2.
RB	Joique Bell		Desperation option. Lions could very well fall behind and use Bell to supplement hurry-up offense.
WR	Calvin Johnson		Obvious must-start but matchup is tough. Bears have allowed WRs to score three times, land 100+ yards just twice through five games.
WR	Nate Burleson		Risky one-week option. Might score but Bears have allowed one WR per team to over 60 yards. Don't like Burleson's chances.
TE	Brandon Pettigrew		Only tight end to score on Bears defense was Jason Witten, and he scorched them. Perrigrew hasn't topped 40 yards in last 4 vs. CHI with one TD in that span.
DST	Lions		Last three DSTs to face Bears didn't top 10 Fantasy points, but they weren't great DSTs. Lions aren't great either (one game with over 10 Fantasy points).

Chicago Bears
Pos.	Name	Rating	Comment
QB	Jay Cutler		Only 3 QBs have attempted 30+ passes vs. DET, all had 2 TDs & 21+ Fantasy points. Cutler's last 3 vs. DET stinks but the matchup can't be denied.
RB	Matt Forte		Obvious must-start. Lions have allowed 10+ Fantasy points to 3 of last 4 starting RBs.
RB	Michael Bush		Risky option. Lions have only allowed one rush TD this season. Not sure Bush can land a goal-line plunge.
WR	Brandon Marshall		Lions allowing 158.6 yards per game to receivers so far, though with three TDs. Marshall should be productive.
WR	Devin Hester		Should be given a chance to do some damage, but still can't be trusted outside of return-yardage leagues.
TE	Kellen Davis		Sneaky sleeper this week. Lions nearly allowed TDs to Brent Celek last week, have been iffy vs. tight ends overall.
DST	Bears		4 of 5 DSTs vs. Lions have posted double-digit Fantasy points. Bears' DST the hottest unit in Fantasy.

Matthew Stafford may have looked 'rusty' last week, but he turned it up a notch when the game was on the line. Down 13 points in the fourth quarter he went 12 for 18 for 161 yards and a touchdown. Stafford wasn't sacked once in 45 pass attempts on the road in Philadelphia. He knows the Bears defense well with their 'mug' looks and Tampa 2 coverage schemes. Last year he called 92 pass plays in two games with mixed results: Three touchdowns and five interceptions but only three sacks. Mikel Leshoure should help reduce the number of pass plays Stafford will have to run, but he will still go to Calvin Johnson a lot. Last year he was targeted 25 times with 12 receptions and 211 yards, but only one touchdown in the two games against the Bears. The uncertainty around Stafford could make him someone to consider depending on what other quarterbacks are at your disposal. -- Pat Kirwan

Stay in touch with the most passionate Fantasy staff in the business by following us via Twitter @CBSFantasyFB . You can also follow Dave at @daverichard and on Facebook .