Washington +10 at Atlanta
We all know that the Redskins are a mess, but if you’re looking for short term help at the tight end position than Fred Davis may be the guy for you. He will play for the next month or so with Chris Cooley out with a broken ankle. Davis is not big on blocking, but he is a pretty good receiver. The Falcons have come back down to earth the past two weeks with losses to both Dallas and New Orleans. Their defense has been a mess and has a difficult time stopping the pass, but Washington doesn’t have much of a passing game to challenge their secondary. Atlanta lost for the first time Monday night when running back Michael Turner rushes for more than 100 yards.
Fantasy Impact: The Redskins may be offensively challenged, but defensively they are quite good, so don’t be expecting a ton of points out of your Falcons.
Prediction: Atlanta
Arizona +3 at Chicago
Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner had a terrible game last week versus Carolina, turning the ball over six times. No one is going to win a game turning the ball over that many times. Might the Cardinals actually try and establish a running game this week? Chicago has been sort of an enigma. The addition of Quarterback Jay Cutler has not opened running lanes for Matt Forte and he has suffered this season because of this. Forte finally had a good game in Week 8, but that was against Cleveland, not exactly a big accomplishment. Let’s see what he does against a professional team this week.
Fantasy Impact: Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin admits that his ankle won’t get better unless he is rested. He won’t be anywhere near 100% for this game.
Prediction: Arizona
Baltimore -3 at Cincinnati
Baltimore’s defense came up big last week against Denver and now they need to do so once again against a running back in Cedric Benson who was the first back to rush for over 100 yards against them in over 40 games. This game could be a slugfest and the problem with that is Baltimore took three personal foul penalties against the Bengals in the fourth quarter of their last meeting that led directly to their loss. They need to keep their aggressiveness in check. As for the Bengals, they seem to be a team that is only going to play better especially when you consider the quarterback Carson Palmer hasn’t hit his full stride yet.
Fantasy Impact: Hard to see either team scoring a ton of points here, but if you have Ray Rice or Cedric Benson you’re going to have to start them.
Prediction: Baltimore
Houston +10 at Indianapolis
This is quite possibly the biggest game in the Texans short history. A win here and they could possibly challenge for the division title, not to mention a possible wildcard berth. The Texans come in a bit banged up as they have lost tight end Owen Daniels for the season. He was having a great year and now they need to find a secondary receiver to take off some of the pressure from Andre Johnson. The Colts have just been cruising along all season, but they have some injury concerns also. WR Anthony Gonzalez is still not ready to play and has sought a second opinion on his knee, never a good thing, and rookie running back Donald Brown is doubtful for the game with a shoulder injury.
Fantasy Impact: Kevin Walter owners are hoping with the loss of Daniels that he will be the player who picks up his targets, if not Jacoby Jones may be worth a try. Although Texans RB Steve Slaton was benches last week for fumbling, one has to believe he will get the ball here. That being said, I would still want to grab Ryan Moats as a handcuff.
Prediction: Houston
Miami +11 at New England
The Dolphins beat the Jets last week despite having less than 200 yards total offense. I get the feeling that won’t do this week. The Dolphins offense revolves around their running game and the wildcat offense. If that is not working, then the Dolphins aren’t going to score much. Their receivers are nothing to get excited about and quarterback Chad Henne is still basically just a rookie. The Patriots passing offense was hitting on all cylinders before their bye. Will the momentum they gathered keep up, I believe it will. QB Tom Brady looks like he is finally getting close to 100%. The running game still leaves much to be desired but that was to be expected from a Bill Belichick run offense.
Fantasy Impact: The Dolphins defense has played well at times, especially in the first half of games, but there is no way I’m sitting Tom Brady, Randy Moss, or Wes Welker.
Prediction: New England
Green Bay -10 at Tampa Bay
The battle of the bays, not all that much to get excited about here. The Packers have the offense to score points on anyone. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having a fantastic fantasy season. He holds the ball too long at times looking to hit the big play; this will lead to unnecessary hits and sacks, but will also lead to the home run. Tampa Bay will try Josh Freeman at QB. He’s just a rookie and will certainly have his ups and downs, but let’s face it, he can’t do any worst than the other QBs Tampa has tried.
Fantasy Impact: Everyone on Green Bay starts here, I hold off on Kellen Winslow and Antonio Bryant of the Bucs until I see if Freeman has any chemistry with them.
Prediction: Green Bay
Kansas City +7 at Jacksonville
Jamaal Charles gets his shot at the starting running back job for the Chiefs with the suspension of Larry Johnson. Those of you who watched Titans RB Chris Johnson run for over 200 yards last week against Jacksonville have to like they’re chances with Charles this week. The Chiefs also claimed wide receiver Chris Chambers off waivers from the Chargers this week, hoping a change of scenery would do him good. Jaguars QB David Garrard has been up and down all season, but his big games have come at home for what that’s worth.
Fantasy Impact: I certainly wouldn’t be going out of my way to pick up Chambers. Even if a change of scenery is what he needed, the Chiefs first passing option is still Dwayne Bowe, and he rarely has enough time in the pocket to look for a second read.
Prediction: Kansas City
Detroit +10 at Seattle
What can you say about the Lions? They lost to the winless Rams last week. That has to hurt. Well at least they won’t go winless themselves. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is still questionable with a knee injury, but he should play. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has stated that he didn’t think about his own knee injury once last week, so that’s a good sign. The Seahawks are a pretty one dimensional offense as they can only throw the ball. Running back Edgerrin James was released earlier this week leaving the heavy lifting to Julius Jones and Justin Forsett. That being said the Seahawks will score points through the passing game. Quarterback Matt Hasselback is having a solid season despite missing a couple of games with a fractured rib. Nate Burleson has been his favorite target to date.
Fantasy Impact: If Calvin Johnson plays, I start him, but I wouldn’t be expecting a big game out of him.
Prediction: Seattle
Carolina +13 at New Orleans
The Panthers found their running game in Arizona last week as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both had big games. Quarterback Jake Delhomme also discovered what it’s like not to throw an interception. Delhomme is living on borrowed time as another multiple turnover game will surely see him hit the bench. The Saints are running on all cylinders. They really don’t play a tough game until November 30 against New England. I’m not sure it’s possible to beat this team in the dome right now.
Fantasy Impact: The Panthers will surely try to run after watching Falcons RB Michael Turner light up the Saints last week, problem is the Saints can score almost at will and you’re starting everyone you can from them.
Prediction: Carolina
San Diego +5 at Giants
This is an interesting game. The Chargers need to keep winning to have any chance at securing another AFC West title. The passing game has been great with quarterback Phillip Rivers leading the way and wide receiver Vincent Jackson being his favorite target. The release of Chambers gives wide receiver Malcolm Floyd a chance to contribute. The Giants just haven’t been the same team since quarterback Eli Manning hurt his foot a few weeks back. The Giants and Eli swear he’s ok, and maybe it’s just a coincidence, but Eli’s passes have been a little off which makes one think it’s a mechanical problem.
Fantasy Impact: The Giants are sure to key their defensive attack against the Chargers passing game which may lead to some running lanes for Ladainian Tomlinson.
Prediction: San Diego
Tennessee +5 at San Francisco
Vince Young won his first start of the season for Tennessee last week, but he gets a much tougher opponent this week. I still don’t trust him as a quarterback and wouldn’t start him or any Titan receivers for the time being. The 49ers also have a young quarterback who is trying to regain the trust of the team in Alex Smith. Smith should be able to help his receivers more than his predecessor did as he has a stronger arm and can throw all the routes.
Fantasy Impact: Both teams are going to try and stop the opposing teams running game. That being said I’m still starting Frank Gore and Chris Johnson.
Prediction: San Francisco
Dallas +3 at Philadelphia
The game of the week. The winner of this game will have sole possession of first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys are hot, winners of three straight. Their offense has proven to be explosive ever since Miles Austin was named a starting receiver. The Cowboys have multiple ways to beat you, either through the air or on the ground. If WR Roy Williams ever gets his act together, they may be unstoppable. The Eagles have also been hot of late. They defeated the Giants last week without running back Brian Westbrook. WR Desean Jackson has proven to be the big play receiver the Eagles needed. Their only Achilles heel is their offensive line. If QB Donovan McNabb can be forced to hold onto the ball, he will take his share of hits.
Fantasy Impact: RB Brian Westbrook will play against the Cowboys. He’d be a risky play as he is coming off a concussion and Dallas has been solid against the run this season.
Prediction: Philadelphia
Pittsburgh -3 at Denver
The Steelers should be a fresh unit coming off their bye. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had a great season to date and if the running game with Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker can continue to take the pressure off, his second half could be even better then the first. Denver suffered their first loss of the season last week in Baltimore. The Ravens showed the blueprint to beating Denver. Keep the receivers in front of you limiting the damage they can do after the catch. The Steelers will attempt to do the same.
Fantasy Impact: Not sure which running backs I would start here. Parker has stated that this is the best he has felt all season, so he may be in for a bigger role.
Prediction: Pittsburgh
LAST WEEK
6-7
OVERALL
71-44-1
