Start 'Em & Sit 'Emis our weekly look at the
best and worst matchups from around the NFL and how they might affect
lineup decisions on your Fantasy Football team.
CHASE FANTASY FOOTBALL SERIES!
Jason Horowitz and Senior Fantasy Writer Jamey Eisenberg tell
you what you need to know entering Week 14 of the Fantasy
Football season.
Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay: Green will be a free agent
after this season and is showing he can still be a featured back.
He has 790 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the season, and
last week against the Jets he had 14 carries for 102 yards. In
three career games against the 49ers, Green has 284 yards rushing
and three touchdowns, including 154 yards rushing in their last
meeting. Furthermore, the 49ers run defense has been terrible
recently. Last week against the Saints, Deuce McAllister had 26
carries for 136 yards, and Reggie Bush had three rushing
touchdowns. In Week 12, St. Louis' Steven Jackson had 23 carries
for 121 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco has allowed an
NFL-worst 15 rushing touchdowns this season.
QUARTERBACKS -- START 'EM
Vince Young (at HOU): What's not to like about Young this
week? He's playing great and has scored either a rushing or
passing touchdown in all nine starts he's made this year. Plus,
he's from Houston and is still upset that the Texans passed on him
with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. Young had a
rushing and passing touchdown against Houston in Week 8. Michael
Vick (at TB): Vick loves facing the Bucs. He rushed for 127
yards and a touchdown in their last meeting in Week 2. Vick has
six touchdowns (five passing and one rushing) in his past three
games against Tampa Bay. Jon Kitna (vs. MIN): The Vikings
are 26th in pass defense and have struggled in three of their past
four games against Green Bay, Miami and Arizona. Kitna had one
touchdown and three interceptions in their first meeting in Week 5
and also ran for a score. Jeff Garcia (at WAS): The
Redskins are tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed.
Garcia had his best performance in two years against Carolina last
week with 312 yards passing and three touchdowns. Tony Romo
(vs. NO): The Saints are No. 4 in pass defense, but they are among
the league leaders with 21 passing touchdowns allowed. Romo has
eight touchdowns and six interceptions in four home games this
year. One-week sleeper: Alex Smith (vs. GB). This could be
a breakout game for Smith, who has just three touchdowns and five
interceptions in his past three games. The Packers are 30th in
pass defense and tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed.
QUARTERBACKS -- SIT 'EM
Marc Bulger (vs. CHI): After throwing one interception in
his first eight games, Bulger now has six in his past four. He is
dealing with sore ribs and facing the Bears, who are No. 2 in pass
defense and lead the NFL with 21 interceptions. Joey Harrington
(vs. NE): Harrington made his first start this year against New
England in Week 5 and had two interceptions and no touchdowns. He
has four touchdowns and six interceptions in four home games this
year. Tom Brady (at MIA): Brady has passed for 171 yards or
less in five of his past six games against the Dolphins, and Miami
defensive end Jason Taylor has 8.5 sacks in his past 11 games
against the Patriots. Brady also has eight interceptions in his
past five games against Miami. Brad Johnson (at DET):
Despite the favorable matchup against the Lions, who are 25th in
pass defense, Johnson could be out of a job soon. There are
several Vikings players rumored to want rookie Tarvaris Jackson to
start this week. As of Wednesday, coach Brad Childress had not
decided on his quarterback, but you should make up your mind to
keep Johnson reserved. Jason Campbell (vs. PHI): The Eagles
are No. 7 in pass defense and must be excited about the
opportunity to blitz an inexperienced passer like Campbell, who
has three touchdowns and three interceptions in his past two
games. One-week bust: Trent Green (vs. BAL). Green shook
off the rust last week against Cleveland with 297 yards passing
and four touchdowns. He also has a good history against the Ravens
with 382 yards passing, two touchdowns and no interceptions in two
career starts. But the Ravens still are No. 9 in pass defense, No.
2 in sacks and angry after losing to Cincinnati last week. This
should be a letdown game for Green.
RUNNING BACKS -- START 'EM
Thomas Jones (at STL): Don't be concerned about Jones
losing carries to Cedric Benson because both running backs should
do well in this game. The Rams are 31st in run defense and have
allowed 14 rushing touchdowns. They also have allowed running
backs to rush for over 100 yards in each of their last six games
and in all but three games this season. Frank Gore (vs.
GB): Gore has averaged 136.3 yards in his past four games. And he
likes facing the NFC North this year. Gore had 159 yards rushing
against Detroit and 111 yards rushing against Chicago. Maurice
Jones-Drew (vs. IND): The Colts are last in the NFL in run
defense. In their first meeting in Week 3, Jones-Drew had 13
carries for 103 yards, his only 100-yard game this season, and
four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Jones-Drew has scored a
touchdown in his past four games. Willis McGahee (at NYJ):
The Jets are 27th in run defense and have allowed 13 rushing
touchdowns. McGahee has four consecutive 110-plus rushing yard
games against the Jets, averaging 134.5 yards in those contests.
McGahee has three touchdowns in his past two games. Marion
Barber (vs. NO): The Saints are 26th in run defense, and
Barber has been unstoppable recently. He has a touchdown in nine
of his past 11 games and leads the NFC with 13 touchdowns,
including an NFC-best 11 rushing touchdowns. He has at least two
touchdowns in three straight games, the first Cowboy to accomplish
the feat since Emmitt Smith in 1994. One-week sleeper: Ladell
Betts (vs. PHI). The Eagles are 28th in run defense, and Betts
is coming off a career-high 155 yards rushing last week against
Atlanta. And Betts does well when he gets the ball often. In nine
career games with at least 15 carries, Betts averages 102.7 yards
per game and has scored four rushing touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS -- SIT 'EM
Kevin Jones (vs. MIN): The Vikings are No. 1 in run defense
and are allowing just 2.8 yards per carry. Jones hasn't scored a
touchdown since Week 9 against Atlanta. Joseph Addai (at
JAC): The Jaguars are No. 5 in run defense and held Addai to 28
total yards in Week 3. Addai followed up his 171-yard, four
touchdown performance against Philadelphia in Week 12 with a
56-yard dud against Tennessee last week. Corey Dillon (at
MIA): The Dolphins are No. 7 in run defense and among the league
leaders with six rushing touchdowns allowed. Dillon had 10 carries
for 45 yards against the Dolphins in Week 5. Reuben Droughns
(at PIT): The Steelers are No. 8 in run defense. Droughns missed
the last game with the Steelers in Week 11, and in two games
against Pittsburgh last year, Droughns had 27 carries for 92 yards
and a touchdown. Jamal Lewis (at KC): The Chiefs are No. 14
in run defense but have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 home
games, the best record in the NFL. Lewis hasn't rushed for 100
yards in his past five games. One-week bust: Reggie Bush
(at DAL). Bush had the best game of his rookie season last week
against the 49ers with 168 total yards and four touchdowns. Prior
to that game, he had gone over 100 total yards just twice. The
Cowboys are No. 4 in run defense and No. 7 in total defense and
will make stopping Bush a focal point.
WIDE RECEIVERS -- START 'EM
Roy Williams (vs. MIN): Williams only had one catch for
seven yards against the Vikings in Week 5, but he has been the
only consistent offensive player for Detroit and has a favorable
matchup. For the season, Williams has 63 catches for 1,043 yards
and four touchdowns and should do well this week. Antonio Bryant
(vs. GB): Bryant had his first good game since Week 8 against the
Saints last week with four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers have allowed 23 passing touchdowns this year. Darrell
Jackson (at ARI): Jackson has 40 catches for 769 yards and
four touchdowns in seven games against the Cardinals, with six
100-yard outings. The Cardinals are 29th in pass defense. Terry
Glenn (vs. NO): In three career games against the Saints,
Glenn has 15 catches with 11 going for either a first down or a
touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in five of his last six
games. Donald Driver (at SF): Packers quarterback Brett
Favre has thrown 10 touchdowns in six career games against the
49ers, and Driver is his favorite target. Driver has a touchdown
catch in his past two games. One-week sleeper: Joey Galloway
(vs. ATL). Galloway has just one touchdown in his past four games
and last week against Pittsburgh, he had three catches for 37
yards. But he likes facing the Falcons. In his past two games
against the Falcons, Galloway has 17 catches for 258 yards. He
also is quarterback Bruce Gradkowski's only reliable target with
receiver Michael Clayton (knee) now done for the year.
WIDE RECEIVERS -- SIT 'EM
Javon Walker (at SD): Walker has struggled with the
quarterback situation in Denver. He hasn't scored a touchdown
since Week 8 against Oakland, and last week against Seattle with
new quarterback Jay Cutler, he had just two catches for 17 yards. Isaac
Bruce (vs. CHI): Bruce had five catches for 75 yards and a
touchdown last week against Arizona, but it was his first
touchdown in his past eight games. The Bears are No. 2 in pass
defense, so expect the Rams to struggle. Muhsin Muhammad
(at STL): With the way Rex Grossman is playing right now, can you
trust any of his receivers? Muhammad has only six catches for 61
yards and no touchdowns in his past three games. Reche Caldwell
(at MIA): With Tom Brady's struggles against the Dolphins, expect
his receivers to struggle as well. Caldwell had just one catch for
five yards against the Dolphins in Week 5 and has only two
touchdown catches in five road games this year. Eddie Kennison
(vs. BAL): Kennison had seven catches for 117 yards and a
touchdown last week against Cleveland, but he has not had
back-to-back good games this year. The Ravens are No. 2 with 20
interceptions. One-week bust: Santana Moss (vs. PHI). Moss
had seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown last week against
Atlanta, but it was just the second time this year he's gone over
100 yards receiving. He has not had a touchdown or 100-yard game
in his past three games against the Eagles.
TIGHT ENDS -- START 'EM
Alge Crumpler (at TB): Crumpler had one catch for 22 yards
against the Bucs in Week 2, but he ended a three-game scoreless
streak against Washington last week with a touchdown. Tampa Bay is
tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed. Kellen
Winslow (at PIT): Winslow had four catches for 36 yards
against the Steelers in Week 11, and he hasn't scored a touchdown
in his past five games. But Winslow should be highly targeted with
an inexperienced quarterback in Derek Anderson, who is expected to
start for the injured Charlie Frye (wrist). Heath Miller
(vs. CLE): With no Hines Ward (knee) again, expect quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger to continue to depend on Miller. Last week, Miller
had two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay.
Miller has seven of his 10 career touchdown catches at home. One-week
sleeper: Bo Scaife (at HOU). Like his quarterback, Vince
Young, Scaife played at the University of Texas, so this will be a
homecoming of sorts. Scaife has become a favorite target for
Young, and he has seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in
his past two games against the Giants and Indianapolis.
TIGHT ENDS -- SIT 'EM
Desmond Clark (at STL): What happened to Desmond Clark? He
hasn't scored a touchdown in his past three games and has only
seven catches in his past five games. Randy McMichael (vs.
NE): The Patriots are tied for first with only eight passing
touchdowns allowed. McMichael has scored only one touchdown this
year and has only five catches in his past two games against
Detroit and Jacksonville. George Wrighster (vs. IND):
Wrighster scored a touchdown last week against Miami, but he has
just four catches for 49 yards in his past two games. The Colts
are No. 3 in pass defense. One-week bust: Stephen Alexander
(at SD). Alexander has two touchdowns in his past two games
against Seattle and Kansas City with five catches for 35 yards.
But the Chargers held him to one catch for four yards in Week 11
and will probably be able to keep him out of the end zone again.
KICKERS -- START 'EM
Nate Kaeding (vs. DEN): Kaeding is the No. 3 kicker in most
Fantasy leagues and kicked five extra points in his first meeting
with Denver in Week 11. The Broncos are No. 2 in the NFL with 25
field goals allowed. David Akers (at WAS): The Redskins
have allowed the most field goals in the NFL with 26 and are 26th
in scoring defense. Akers kicked two field goals and three extra
points against the Redskins in Week 10. Jeff Reed (vs.
CLE): Reed is 5-of-6 on field goals in his past three games
against the Browns. Cleveland is 23rd in scoring defense and has
allowed 19 field goals this year. One-week sleeper: Joe Nedney
(vs. GB). Nedney is just 4-for-6 on field goals in his past three
games, but he has a good matchup at home. The Packers are last in
scoring defense and have allowed 21 field goals this year.
KICKERS -- SIT 'EM
Jason Elam (at SD): Coach Mike Shanahan tried to convert
Elam into a running back with a fake field goal attempt against
Seattle, and Elam strained his left, non-kicking, hamstring. He is
expected to play, but take precaution despite Elam being 7-for-7
on field goals in his past five games. Jay Feely (at CAR):
Feely only has three field goals in his past three games. Carolina
is No. 6 in scoring defense and has allowed 18 field goals this
year. Stephen Gostkowski (at MIA): Gostkowski is 3-of-5 on
field goals on the road this year, and Dolphins Stadium has not
been kind to kickers all season. The Dolphins also are No. 8 in
scoring defense with 18 field goals allowed. One-week bust:
Jeff Wilkins (vs. CHI). Wilkins is the No. 2 kicker in most
Fantasy leagues behind Chicago's Robbie Gould and is 8-for-8 on
field goals in his past five games. But the Bears are No. 1 in
scoring defense at 12.5 points per game and have allowed just 15
field goals this year.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
START 'EM: The Steelers DST (vs. CLE): Even without
Troy Polamalu (knee), expect the defense to harass Browns
quarterback Derek Anderson, who is expected to make his start for
the injured Charlie Frye (wrist). The Browns are tied for No. 1
with 31 turnovers this year. Bengals DST (vs. OAK): Things
have changed in Cincinnati on defense. Two weeks ago, the Bengals
couldn't stop anybody, and then they shutout Cleveland and held
Baltimore to seven points. Expect another good outing against the
lowly Raiders. The Chargers DST (vs. DEN): Linebacker
Shawne Merriman must be excited about facing rookie quarterback
Jay Cutler. Last week, Cutler had two interceptions in his first
start against Seattle, with one interception returned for a
touchdown. One-week sleeper: The Jets DST (vs. BUF).
The Jets defense has improved in the past two weeks and has six
sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble against Houston and
Green Bay. Buffalo has turned the ball over 21 times this year,
including 10 interceptions from quarterback J.P. Losman.SIT
'EM: The Broncos DST (at SD): The Broncos defense has
been picked apart in their last three games, allowing 77 points
against San Diego, Kansas City and Seattle, all losses. The
Chargers scored 35 points in their last meeting in Week 11, with
running back LaDainian Tomlinson scoring four touchdowns. Cowboys
DST (vs. NO): The Saints are No. 1 in total offense and No. 5
in scoring offense. This should be a high-scoring game, so don't
count on either defense this week. Redskins DST (vs. PHI):
Washington has only generated nine turnovers this year, which is
last in the NFL. The Eagles proved they can still score with Jeff
Garcia at quarterback in last week’s 27-24 victory against
Carolina. One-week bust: The Jaguars DST (vs. IND).
The Jaguars defense is great at home with two shutouts this year,
and they do a good job against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning,
who has just three touchdowns and one interception in his past
three games against Jacksonville. But it's still the Colts, who
are coming off a disappointing loss against Tennessee.
Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay: Green will be a free agent
after this season and is showing he can still be a featured back.
He has 790 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the season, and
last week against the Jets he had 14 carries for 102 yards. In
three career games against the 49ers, Green has 284 yards rushing
and three touchdowns, including 154 yards rushing in their last
meeting. Furthermore, the 49ers run defense has been terrible
recently. Last week against the Saints, Deuce McAllister had 26
carries for 136 yards, and Reggie Bush had three rushing
touchdowns. In Week 12, St. Louis' Steven Jackson had 23 carries
for 121 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco has allowed an
NFL-worst 15 rushing touchdowns this season.
Vince Young (at HOU): What's not to like about Young this
week? He's playing great and has scored either a rushing or
passing touchdown in all nine starts he's made this year. Plus,
he's from Houston and is still upset that the Texans passed on him
with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. Young had a
rushing and passing touchdown against Houston in Week 8. Michael
Vick (at TB): Vick loves facing the Bucs. He rushed for 127
yards and a touchdown in their last meeting in Week 2. Vick has
six touchdowns (five passing and one rushing) in his past three
games against Tampa Bay. Jon Kitna (vs. MIN): The Vikings
are 26th in pass defense and have struggled in three of their past
four games against Green Bay, Miami and Arizona. Kitna had one
touchdown and three interceptions in their first meeting in Week 5
and also ran for a score. Jeff Garcia (at WAS): The
Redskins are tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed.
Garcia had his best performance in two years against Carolina last
week with 312 yards passing and three touchdowns. Tony Romo
(vs. NO): The Saints are No. 4 in pass defense, but they are among
the league leaders with 21 passing touchdowns allowed. Romo has
eight touchdowns and six interceptions in four home games this
year. One-week sleeper: Alex Smith (vs. GB). This could be
a breakout game for Smith, who has just three touchdowns and five
interceptions in his past three games. The Packers are 30th in
pass defense and tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed.
Marc Bulger (vs. CHI): After throwing one interception in
his first eight games, Bulger now has six in his past four. He is
dealing with sore ribs and facing the Bears, who are No. 2 in pass
defense and lead the NFL with 21 interceptions. Joey Harrington
(vs. NE): Harrington made his first start this year against New
England in Week 5 and had two interceptions and no touchdowns. He
has four touchdowns and six interceptions in four home games this
year. Tom Brady (at MIA): Brady has passed for 171 yards or
less in five of his past six games against the Dolphins, and Miami
defensive end Jason Taylor has 8.5 sacks in his past 11 games
against the Patriots. Brady also has eight interceptions in his
past five games against Miami. Brad Johnson (at DET):
Despite the favorable matchup against the Lions, who are 25th in
pass defense, Johnson could be out of a job soon. There are
several Vikings players rumored to want rookie Tarvaris Jackson to
start this week. As of Wednesday, coach Brad Childress had not
decided on his quarterback, but you should make up your mind to
keep Johnson reserved. Jason Campbell (vs. PHI): The Eagles
are No. 7 in pass defense and must be excited about the
opportunity to blitz an inexperienced passer like Campbell, who
has three touchdowns and three interceptions in his past two
games. One-week bust: Trent Green (vs. BAL). Green shook
off the rust last week against Cleveland with 297 yards passing
and four touchdowns. He also has a good history against the Ravens
with 382 yards passing, two touchdowns and no interceptions in two
career starts. But the Ravens still are No. 9 in pass defense, No.
2 in sacks and angry after losing to Cincinnati last week. This
should be a letdown game for Green.
Thomas Jones (at STL): Don't be concerned about Jones
losing carries to Cedric Benson because both running backs should
do well in this game. The Rams are 31st in run defense and have
allowed 14 rushing touchdowns. They also have allowed running
backs to rush for over 100 yards in each of their last six games
and in all but three games this season. Frank Gore (vs.
GB): Gore has averaged 136.3 yards in his past four games. And he
likes facing the NFC North this year. Gore had 159 yards rushing
against Detroit and 111 yards rushing against Chicago. Maurice
Jones-Drew (vs. IND): The Colts are last in the NFL in run
defense. In their first meeting in Week 3, Jones-Drew had 13
carries for 103 yards, his only 100-yard game this season, and
four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Jones-Drew has scored a
touchdown in his past four games. Willis McGahee (at NYJ):
The Jets are 27th in run defense and have allowed 13 rushing
touchdowns. McGahee has four consecutive 110-plus rushing yard
games against the Jets, averaging 134.5 yards in those contests.
McGahee has three touchdowns in his past two games. Marion
Barber (vs. NO): The Saints are 26th in run defense, and
Barber has been unstoppable recently. He has a touchdown in nine
of his past 11 games and leads the NFC with 13 touchdowns,
including an NFC-best 11 rushing touchdowns. He has at least two
touchdowns in three straight games, the first Cowboy to accomplish
the feat since Emmitt Smith in 1994. One-week sleeper: Ladell
Betts (vs. PHI). The Eagles are 28th in run defense, and Betts
is coming off a career-high 155 yards rushing last week against
Atlanta. And Betts does well when he gets the ball often. In nine
career games with at least 15 carries, Betts averages 102.7 yards
per game and has scored four rushing touchdowns.
Kevin Jones (vs. MIN): The Vikings are No. 1 in run defense
and are allowing just 2.8 yards per carry. Jones hasn't scored a
touchdown since Week 9 against Atlanta. Joseph Addai (at
JAC): The Jaguars are No. 5 in run defense and held Addai to 28
total yards in Week 3. Addai followed up his 171-yard, four
touchdown performance against Philadelphia in Week 12 with a
56-yard dud against Tennessee last week. Corey Dillon (at
MIA): The Dolphins are No. 7 in run defense and among the league
leaders with six rushing touchdowns allowed. Dillon had 10 carries
for 45 yards against the Dolphins in Week 5. Reuben Droughns
(at PIT): The Steelers are No. 8 in run defense. Droughns missed
the last game with the Steelers in Week 11, and in two games
against Pittsburgh last year, Droughns had 27 carries for 92 yards
and a touchdown. Jamal Lewis (at KC): The Chiefs are No. 14
in run defense but have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 home
games, the best record in the NFL. Lewis hasn't rushed for 100
yards in his past five games. One-week bust: Reggie Bush
(at DAL). Bush had the best game of his rookie season last week
against the 49ers with 168 total yards and four touchdowns. Prior
to that game, he had gone over 100 total yards just twice. The
Cowboys are No. 4 in run defense and No. 7 in total defense and
will make stopping Bush a focal point.
Roy Williams (vs. MIN): Williams only had one catch for
seven yards against the Vikings in Week 5, but he has been the
only consistent offensive player for Detroit and has a favorable
matchup. For the season, Williams has 63 catches for 1,043 yards
and four touchdowns and should do well this week. Antonio Bryant
(vs. GB): Bryant had his first good game since Week 8 against the
Saints last week with four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers have allowed 23 passing touchdowns this year. Darrell
Jackson (at ARI): Jackson has 40 catches for 769 yards and
four touchdowns in seven games against the Cardinals, with six
100-yard outings. The Cardinals are 29th in pass defense. Terry
Glenn (vs. NO): In three career games against the Saints,
Glenn has 15 catches with 11 going for either a first down or a
touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in five of his last six
games. Donald Driver (at SF): Packers quarterback Brett
Favre has thrown 10 touchdowns in six career games against the
49ers, and Driver is his favorite target. Driver has a touchdown
catch in his past two games. One-week sleeper: Joey Galloway
(vs. ATL). Galloway has just one touchdown in his past four games
and last week against Pittsburgh, he had three catches for 37
yards. But he likes facing the Falcons. In his past two games
against the Falcons, Galloway has 17 catches for 258 yards. He
also is quarterback Bruce Gradkowski's only reliable target with
receiver Michael Clayton (knee) now done for the year.
Javon Walker (at SD): Walker has struggled with the
quarterback situation in Denver. He hasn't scored a touchdown
since Week 8 against Oakland, and last week against Seattle with
new quarterback Jay Cutler, he had just two catches for 17 yards. Isaac
Bruce (vs. CHI): Bruce had five catches for 75 yards and a
touchdown last week against Arizona, but it was his first
touchdown in his past eight games. The Bears are No. 2 in pass
defense, so expect the Rams to struggle. Muhsin Muhammad
(at STL): With the way Rex Grossman is playing right now, can you
trust any of his receivers? Muhammad has only six catches for 61
yards and no touchdowns in his past three games. Reche Caldwell
(at MIA): With Tom Brady's struggles against the Dolphins, expect
his receivers to struggle as well. Caldwell had just one catch for
five yards against the Dolphins in Week 5 and has only two
touchdown catches in five road games this year. Eddie Kennison
(vs. BAL): Kennison had seven catches for 117 yards and a
touchdown last week against Cleveland, but he has not had
back-to-back good games this year. The Ravens are No. 2 with 20
interceptions. One-week bust: Santana Moss (vs. PHI). Moss
had seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown last week against
Atlanta, but it was just the second time this year he's gone over
100 yards receiving. He has not had a touchdown or 100-yard game
in his past three games against the Eagles.
Alge Crumpler (at TB): Crumpler had one catch for 22 yards
against the Bucs in Week 2, but he ended a three-game scoreless
streak against Washington last week with a touchdown. Tampa Bay is
tied for first with 23 passing touchdowns allowed. Kellen
Winslow (at PIT): Winslow had four catches for 36 yards
against the Steelers in Week 11, and he hasn't scored a touchdown
in his past five games. But Winslow should be highly targeted with
an inexperienced quarterback in Derek Anderson, who is expected to
start for the injured Charlie Frye (wrist). Heath Miller
(vs. CLE): With no Hines Ward (knee) again, expect quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger to continue to depend on Miller. Last week, Miller
had two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay.
Miller has seven of his 10 career touchdown catches at home. One-week
sleeper: Bo Scaife (at HOU). Like his quarterback, Vince
Young, Scaife played at the University of Texas, so this will be a
homecoming of sorts. Scaife has become a favorite target for
Young, and he has seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in
his past two games against the Giants and Indianapolis.
Desmond Clark (at STL): What happened to Desmond Clark? He
hasn't scored a touchdown in his past three games and has only
seven catches in his past five games. Randy McMichael (vs.
NE): The Patriots are tied for first with only eight passing
touchdowns allowed. McMichael has scored only one touchdown this
year and has only five catches in his past two games against
Detroit and Jacksonville. George Wrighster (vs. IND):
Wrighster scored a touchdown last week against Miami, but he has
just four catches for 49 yards in his past two games. The Colts
are No. 3 in pass defense. One-week bust: Stephen Alexander
(at SD). Alexander has two touchdowns in his past two games
against Seattle and Kansas City with five catches for 35 yards.
But the Chargers held him to one catch for four yards in Week 11
and will probably be able to keep him out of the end zone again.
Nate Kaeding (vs. DEN): Kaeding is the No. 3 kicker in most
Fantasy leagues and kicked five extra points in his first meeting
with Denver in Week 11. The Broncos are No. 2 in the NFL with 25
field goals allowed. David Akers (at WAS): The Redskins
have allowed the most field goals in the NFL with 26 and are 26th
in scoring defense. Akers kicked two field goals and three extra
points against the Redskins in Week 10. Jeff Reed (vs.
CLE): Reed is 5-of-6 on field goals in his past three games
against the Browns. Cleveland is 23rd in scoring defense and has
allowed 19 field goals this year. One-week sleeper: Joe Nedney
(vs. GB). Nedney is just 4-for-6 on field goals in his past three
games, but he has a good matchup at home. The Packers are last in
scoring defense and have allowed 21 field goals this year.
Jason Elam (at SD): Coach Mike Shanahan tried to convert
Elam into a running back with a fake field goal attempt against
Seattle, and Elam strained his left, non-kicking, hamstring. He is
expected to play, but take precaution despite Elam being 7-for-7
on field goals in his past five games. Jay Feely (at CAR):
Feely only has three field goals in his past three games. Carolina
is No. 6 in scoring defense and has allowed 18 field goals this
year. Stephen Gostkowski (at MIA): Gostkowski is 3-of-5 on
field goals on the road this year, and Dolphins Stadium has not
been kind to kickers all season. The Dolphins also are No. 8 in
scoring defense with 18 field goals allowed. One-week bust:
Jeff Wilkins (vs. CHI). Wilkins is the No. 2 kicker in most
Fantasy leagues behind Chicago's Robbie Gould and is 8-for-8 on
field goals in his past five games. But the Bears are No. 1 in
scoring defense at 12.5 points per game and have allowed just 15
field goals this year.
START 'EM: The Steelers DST (vs. CLE): Even without
Troy Polamalu (knee), expect the defense to harass Browns
quarterback Derek Anderson, who is expected to make his start for
the injured Charlie Frye (wrist). The Browns are tied for No. 1
with 31 turnovers this year. Bengals DST (vs. OAK): Things
have changed in Cincinnati on defense. Two weeks ago, the Bengals
couldn't stop anybody, and then they shutout Cleveland and held
Baltimore to seven points. Expect another good outing against the
lowly Raiders. The Chargers DST (vs. DEN): Linebacker
Shawne Merriman must be excited about facing rookie quarterback
Jay Cutler. Last week, Cutler had two interceptions in his first
start against Seattle, with one interception returned for a
touchdown. One-week sleeper: The Jets DST (vs. BUF).
The Jets defense has improved in the past two weeks and has six
sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble against Houston and
Green Bay. Buffalo has turned the ball over 21 times this year,
including 10 interceptions from quarterback J.P. Losman.