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Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is a weekly look at the best and worst
matchups around the NFL and how they might affect your Fantasy team.
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Bye Weeks: Denver, New England, New Orleans, San Francisco.
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S T A R T O F T H E W E E K
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 | | | Kerry Collins has 11 touchdown passes in eight games.(Getty Images) | |
Kerry Collins, QB, N.Y. Giants: Collins was a very
inconsistent Fantasy player through the first six games, but he has
turned things around 180 degrees the past two weeks. He is averaging
339 passing yards with four touchdowns during that span and has
helped the Giants offense finally find its stride. The G-Men
averaged 30 points in recent victories over Minnesota and the Jets,
and that trend of explosive offensive production should continue
against Atlanta. The Falcons defense is arguably the worst in the
league, surrendering an average of 418.2 total yards and 30.4
points. Their secondary has allowed 14 passing touchdowns in eight
games, so look for Giants coach Jim Fassel to exploit that weakness
in his offensive game plan. Collins could be on the verge of posting
300-plus yards and two to three touchdowns against the hapless
Falcons, so Fantasy owners should get him active in what should be a
high-scoring game.
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S T A R T ' E M -- Q u a r t e r b a c k s
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Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia: McNabb finally broke out of his
extended slump Sunday, throwing for 312 yards and one touchdown in a
23-16 victory over Atlanta. The versatile signal-caller has a great
chance to turn that performance into consecutive productive weeks
against Green Bay on Monday Night Football. The Packers
have been downright horrid against the pass, allowing an average of
240.6 yards with 12 touchdowns. The past three quarterbacks to face
Green Bay (Trent Green, Marc Bulger, Daunte Culpepper) have
all posted at least 200-plus passing yards and two touchdowns, so
McNabb should have little trouble compiling a healthy stat line in
this NFC showdown.
Other quarterbacks to start: Jon Kitna
should throw for 200-plus yards and two touchdowns against a Texans
defense that has given up 15 passing scores in eight games. ...
Chad Pennington is a solid starting option against a Raiders
defense that is surrendering an average of 23 points per game.
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S I T ' E M -- Q u a r t e r b a c k s
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 | | | Drew Bledsoe(Getty Images) | |
Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo: Bledsoe began the season with solid
performances against New England and Jacksonville, but things have
gone downhill in his past six games. The veteran quarterback has
thrown three touchdowns and seven interceptions during that span and
has only one game with 250-plus passing yards. Bledsoe appears to
miss the presence of wide receiver Peerless Price, and his
numbers have suffered. He won't have much luck at Texas Stadium
against a formidable Cowboys defense that is allowing a league-low
157.5 passing yards per game. Coach Bill Parcells will know how to
game plan against his former protege, who he drafted out of
Washington State while with the Patriots. This should be a
low-scoring defensive battle, so don't expect Bledsoe to produce
great numbers.
Patrick Ramsey, Washington: Ramsey was
lucky to get out of Dallas in one piece; he endured countless
blitzes and quarterback pressures in a 21-14 loss. He is clearly not
playing at 100 percent, and one big hit could land him on the
sidelines. Seahawks defensive Ray Rhodes is certain to bring the
house against what has become a vulnerable Redskins offensive line,
so Ramsey could find himself with very little time to make his
reads. The Seahawks pass defense is much improved over last season's
unit, especially with rookies Marcus Trufant and Ken Hamlin
manning the defensive backfield, so Ramsey could be in for a long afternoon.
Other quarterbacks to sit: Starting Byron Leftwich is a gamble
against a Colts defense that is allowing only 186 passing yards per
game. ... Jake Delhomme threw for 96 yards with no touchdowns
and two interceptions in his last regular-season game against Tampa
Bay (9/14/03).
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S T A R T ' E M -- R u n n i n g b a c k s
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 | | | Anthony Thomas(Getty Images) | |
Anthony Thomas, Chicago: The A-Train is rolling again after a
poor sophomore season, re-emerging as a solid No. 2 Fantasy running
back in most leagues. He has gained 100-plus yards in three of his
past four games, and has found the end zone three times during that
span. Thomas should continue to post solid Fantasy numbers against a
Lions defense that has struggled to consistently stop the run,
allowing an average of 117.4 yards with seven rushing touchdowns in
eight games. The past three featured running backs to face Detroit (
Troy Hambrick, Brock Forsey, Charlie Garner) have all found the end zone,
which makes Thomas an even more appealing option as a Fantasy
starter in this NFC North contest.
Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets:
Martin appears to have turned around his early-season misfortunes, topping the
100-yard mark in his each of his past two games. The veteran running
back is finally playing a more prominent role in the Jets offense,
and that should expand further against Oakland. The Raiders are in
disarray, losing four consecutive games to dismal teams like
Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit. The Silver and Black have one of the
worst run defenses in the league, allowing a lofty 153.1 yards with
10 rushing touchdowns in eight games. Jets offensive coordinator
Paul Hackett is almost certain to give Martin 20-25 carries, so
expect a healthy stat line.
Other running backs to start:
Marcel Shipp should find the end zone for the first time this
season against a Steelers defense that has surrendered nine rushing
scores in eight games. ... Charlie Garner is a good starting
option against a Jets defense that is allowing a league-worst 153.4
rushing yards per game.
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S I T ' E M -- R u n n i n g b a c k
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 | | | Marshall Faulk(Getty Images) | |
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis: Faulk is expected to start for the
first time since breaking bones in his hand in Week 3, but his
matchup against the Baltimore Ravens makes him a risky Fantasy
starter. The Ravens have one of the more stingy run defenses in the
league, allowing an average of just 99.5 yards with only three
rushing touchdowns in eight games. Linebacker Ray Lewis has
been integral to this unit's success, especially in keeping
Clinton Portis and Fred Taylor in check the past two
games. Faulk wasn't terribly productive before injuring the hand,
and there's a chance coach Mike Martz could limit his carries and
spell him regularly with Arlen Harris. Owners who have good
running back depth should reserve Faulk, who could be in for a
less-than-productive game.
Eddie George, Tennessee: George
is coming off a solid 88-yard, two-touchdown performance before
Tennessee's bye week, but he'll likely see a drop in production
against the Miami Dolphins. The 'Fins have one of the more
formidable run defenses in the league, surrendering an average of 79
yards with only four rushing touchdowns in eight games. The Dolphins
haven't allowed an opposing running back a 100-yard rushing game
since Week 13 of last season, when Travis Henry ran for 151
in a 38-21 Buffalo victory. George has been inconsistent and mostly
unproductive this season, so Fantasy owners shouldn't expect great
numbers from the veteran tailback.
Other running backs to sit:
Corey Dillon continues to struggle with a nagging groin injury,
which makes starting him a major gamble for Fantasy owners. ...
Michael Pittman rushed for only 38 yards on 10 carries in his
last regular-season game against Carolina (9/14/03).
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S T A R T ' E M -- W i d e r e c e i v e r s
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 | | | Chad Johnson(Getty Images) | |
Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Johnson has emerged as a solid
starting option for Fantasy owners, and his Week 10 matchup against
the Houston Texans bodes well for his chances of posting monster
numbers. The Texans have a difficult time defending the pass,
allowing an average of 250.8 yards with 15 receiving touchdowns in
eight games. They have surrendered four receiving touchdowns in
their past two games, and six opposing receivers have passed the
100-yard mark. Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski will
look to exploit Houston's vulnerable secondary with his most lethal
offensive weapon, so expect several Kitna-to-Johnson strikes as
Cincinnati looks to avenge last weekend's embarrassing loss to
Arizona and climb closer to .500.
Chris Chambers, Miami:
Chambers has quietly been a very consistent Fantasy player, catching
a touchdown pass in each of his past three games. With six
touchdowns, he has already doubled his total from last season at the
midway point and is on pace to post career highs in virtually every
statistical category. Chambers should build on his numbers even
further against Tennessee in a game that could be a preview of the
AFC postseason. The Titans have trouble defending the pass, allowing
an average of 268.8 yards with 11 receiving touchdowns in eight
games, so look for Chambers to be heavily involved in offensive
coordinator Norv Turner's game plan.
Other wide receivers to
start: Darrell Jackson should post solid numbers against a
Redskins defense that has is allowing 209 passing yards with 14
receiving touchdowns in eight games. ... Anquan Boldin should
find the end zone against a Steelers defense that has surrendered 12
receiving touchdowns in eight games.
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S I T ' E M -- W i d e r e c e i v e r s
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 | | | Joey Galloway(Getty Images) | |
Joey Galloway, Dallas: Galloway looked like his old self
early in the season, posting 100-yard performances in two of his
first three games. But the Ohio State product has fallen on hard
times in recent weeks. The veteran hasn't had more than two
receptions or 60 yards in each of his past five games and is
averaging a measly 28.4 yards during that span. He continues to see
the majority of the attention from opposing defenses, which has
opened up opportunities for both Terry Glenn and Antonio
Bryant. Facing cornerback Nate Clement and a tough Bills
defense that is allowing just 180.1 receiving yards per game is
another reason to reserve Galloway on Fantasy teams.
Johnnie
Morton, Kansas City: Morton has seen an increase in Fantasy
value, but he's still an unreliable starter. He has posted two or
fewer receptions in three of his past four games, including three
catches for 28 yards with no touchdowns in his past two combined.
Despite a 3-5 record, the Cleveland Browns have actually been very
tough against the pass. Defensive coordinator Dave Campo's crew is
allowing an average of only 170.1 receiving yards and four
touchdowns in eight games. In fact, the Browns haven't allowed an
opposing receiver to find the end zone since Chad Johnson scored
twice back in Week 4. Morton's recent struggles should continue, so
Fantasy owners should look to other options.
Other wide
receivers to sit: Derrick Mason is a risky starting option
against a Dolphins defense that has allowed just five receiving
touchdowns in eight games. ... Josh Reed will struggle to
post quality numbers against a Cowboys defense that is allowing just
169.8 receiving yards per game.
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T i g h t e n d s
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Jeremy Shockey should have a monster game against a Falcons
defense allowing a league-worst 30.4 points per game. ... Billy
Miller has posted eight receptions for 95 yards with two
touchdowns in his past two games combined. ... Dallas Clark
continues to deal with a hamstring injury and could be playing at
less than 100 percent. ... Byron Chamberlain has just three
receptions for 23 yards with no touchdowns since signing with the
Redskins.
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Ki c k e r s
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Gary Anderson has scored 12-plus points in three of his past
four games and has converted on 13 of 14 field-goal attempts since
signing with the Titans. ... John Kasay was a perfect 4-of-4,
including a 47-yard field goal, in his last regular-season game
against Tampa Bay (9/14/03). ... Kris Brown has attempted
only one field goal in his past four games and has scored a mere 12
points during that span. ... John Hall has no field-goal
attempts in his past two games and is averaging just 2.6 points in
his past three games combined.
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D e f e n s e s
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The Steelers defense is a good starting option against a Cardinals
offense that has 20 giveaways and is averaging just 14.4 points per
game. ... The Vikings defense ranks second in the league in
takeaways, and should force several turnovers against the hapless
Chargers. ... The Redskins defense is a risky starting option
against a Seahawks team that has only 11 giveaways and is averaging
24.1 points per game. ... Starting the Browns defense is a major
gamble against a Chiefs squad that is averaging a league-best 30.8
points per game.
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Michael Fabiano
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