Green Bay Packers vs Cleveland Browns
Packers: Last week, it was the Lions. This week, it'll be the Brownies. Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings and even the Packers D/ST are ready to roll in Cleveland.
Browns: At least the Browns are getting creative on offense, using Josh Cribbs in the Wildcat offense is interesting and may give Cribbs some fantasy value down the line, but not this week.
Fantasy Factors: Aaron Rodgers (9), Josh Cribbs (6)
San Francisco 49ers vs Houston Texans
49ers: The Niners get their battering ram back with Frank Gore. The Texans have been bad against the run this year and their small front four could get manhandled by San Fran's big o-line.
Texans: The Niners defense was gashed two weeks ago by the Falcons. The Texans offense shouldn't be any different. Andre Johnson will have a tough matchup with Nate Clements, but he'll still get plenty of passes his way and if not, Slaton, Walter and Daniels will go wild.
Fantasy Factors: Frank Gore (9), Matt Schaub (8)
San Diego Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs
Chargers: San Diego is in trouble and they need to win. LT is mad that he's not getting the ball. None of this is good news for the Chiefs who eeked out their first win of the season last week. LT should see plenty of carries and have around 100 yards this week, but Philip Rivers will be their most deadly weapon.
Chiefs: Larry Johnson showed some signs of life last week against the Redskins and could have another fine day against a Chargers defense that's allowing an average of 141 yards on the ground. I wouldn't get too excited though, every time he looks like he's making a comeback, he disappoints.
Fantasy Factors: Philip Rivers (9), Larry Johnson (7)
Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Vikings: This will be a big test for the Vikes. They proved that they could run against the Ravens last week, but I don't see them repeating that success against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Once again, Minnesota will have to rely on Favre for the offense. The Steelers have been having trouble getting pressure on the QB this year and against this offensive line, it'll be even tougher. 40 years old or not, if Favre gets time he'll have a big day.
Steelers: The Vikings defense hasn't been as tough this year as it was last and the Steelers should have some success on the ground, but Pittsburgh should just keep going with what works, passing. Ben Roethlisberger is looking at another 300+ yard game. That is as long as he can avoid the Vikings relentless pass rush.
Fantasy Factors: Brett Favre (8), Ben Roethlisberger (9)
Indianapolis Colts vs St. Louis Rams
Colts: Coming out of the bye week fresh and ready for the second half, the Colts should have no problem steamrolling the Rams. Peyton Manning will have no problem passing for over 300 yards for his 6th straight game.
Rams: The team is hoping that Donnie Avery's injury isn't too serious and that he'll play this Sunday. If not, Steven Jackson should have another big day both rushing and receiving. Jackson led the team in receptions last week in their loss to Jacksonville.
Fantasy Factors: Peyton Manning (10), Steven Jackson (7)
New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Patriots: If you thought what the Patriots did to the Titans last week was bad, wait till you see what they have in store for the Bucs this week. Brady, Moss and Welker will all have huge days while decimating the Bucs secondary. How is it that the Patriots get two winless teams in a row?
Buccaneers: They're 0-6 and showing no signs of hope. Their goal for this Sunday should be to keep the Patriots under 60 points. If they do that, it'll be the only victory of the year... a moral one.
Fantasy Factors: Tom Brady (10)
Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers
Bills: Their may actually be some hope for Terrell Owens this week as the Bills have switched quarterbacks. Now granted Ryan Fitzpatrick probably isn't what TO had in mind, but anyone has to be better than Trent Edwards. Unfortunately, the Panthers are really good against the pass and really good in general at home.
Panthers: DeAngelo Williams returned to his '08 form last week against the Bucs and should keep it rolling against a Bills team that gave up 318 yards on the ground last week to the Jets. Williams and Jonathan Stewart are both strong plays.
Fantasy Factors: Marshawn Lynch (7), DeAngelo Williams (10)
New York Jets vs Oakland Raiders
Jets: Last week they ran for over 300 yards and lost because Mark Sanchez didn't understand he's not supposed to give the ball to the guys in the other jerseys. This week, he'll be handing off to Thomas Jones and Leon Washington and seeing similar results. Now if he just stops himself from "sharing" with the other team...
Raiders: Coming off what will probably be their biggest win of the year, the Raiders will get the first crack at playing a full game against a Jets defense that is significantly weaker against the run than it was at this time last week with the injury to Kris Jenkins. Justin Fargas, you're up!
Fantasy Factors: Thomas Jones (9), Justin Fargas (7)
Chicago Bears vs Cincinnati Bengals
Bears: During the bye week, the Bears said they wanted to throw to the TE more often. Last week, they threw 8 passes to their TEs. The Bengals were killed last week by Owen Daniels and the week before by Todd Heap. Cmon guys, do I have to draw you a diagram? The Bengals have also lost their top pass rusher, so Jay Cutler will have all day to pick this defense apart.
Bengals: Its funny how everything changes in one week. The Bengals were in first place and an "up and coming" team. They lose to the Texans and they're the Bungles again. Cedric Benson will be running extra hard for this one and is probably their best option this week.
Fantasy Factors: Jay Cutler (8), Cedric Benson (7)
Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys
Falcons: They're proving that last year wasn't a fluke, but now they have a tough couple of games coming up. This week they'll get a rested Cowboys team that has been preparing for them for two weeks. Next week they have a first place showdown with the Saints. Dallas hasn't been good against the run or the pass this season so it'll be interesting to see what they do.
Cowboys: Injured receiver Roy Williams is back to 100% percent, but Tony Romo may have found a new favorite WR in Miles Austin. As I mentioned in my notes earlier this week, Marion Barber is still the starter, but Tashard Choice should see an increase in touches as the coaching staff has been impressed with his explosiveness.
Fantasy Factors: Matt Ryan (7), Tony Romo (8)
New Orleans Saints vs Miami Dolphins
Saints: Sitting at 5-0, they head to the city with the only undefeated team in league history. The Phins have been a little soft against the pass this year and after this Sunday, they'll look really vulnerable against the pass. Brees and company will have another all out aerial assault as long as they don't get caught looking back or ahead.
Dolphins: If the Dolphins are going to be successful, they'll need to keep Drew Brees off the field. To do that, they'll need to run the football. With Chad Pennington gone for the season, they're relying on Ronnie Brown a lot and will have him running the Wildcat a lot more than usual.
Fantasy Factors: Drew Brees (9), Ronnie Brown (8)
Arizona Cardinals vs New York Giants
Cardinals: Kurt Warner will need to get some tips from Drew Brees on how he sliced and diced the NY secondary last week and he'll most likely have to do it without Anquan Boldin, who is a game time decision, but if he's that bad, how effective will he be. This will be a Larry Fitzgerald game.
Giants: With the exception of last week, the Cards have been awful against the pass. Eli Manning with his young group rising star receivers should be salivating with this matchup.
Fantasy Factors: Larry Fitzgerald (8), Eli Manning (9)
Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Redskins
Eagles: The media is on Donovan McNabb's back again after his loss to the Raiders last week. How many times have we seen this before? McNabb has a bad game, media says McNabb stinks, he comes out the next week and lights the world on fire. As long as Michael Vick doesn't steal red zone plays from him, he'll be an "MVP candidate" again after this one.
Redskins: The Redskins have been very sketchy this year having lost games to the Lions and Chiefs. I don't see things getting much easier or any better. The offense is a disaster right now. Portis is playing like he's hurt, Campbell isn't playing like a starter and the receivers simply are not making many plays.
Fantasy Factors: Donovan McNabb (8), Clinton Portis (6)
Bye Week: Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens
Posted
Oct 23 2009, 11:28 AM
by
Nick Fruscello