Washington Redskins vs Atlanta Falcons
Redskins: Coming fresh off a bashing by their owner the Redskins being the second half of their season against the Falcons. Clinton Portis should be 100% after coming off a bye week, but that could last till half time with his injury history. The Falcons are looking to get back on track while the Skins are struggling against bad teams.
Falcons: Having lost two in a row, the Falcons will get back in the win column this week. Matt Ryan has struggled as of late and the Redskins pass defense won't help, but Michael Turner seems to have returned to form.
Fantasy Factors: Clinton Portis (6), Michael Turner (8)
Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears
Cardinals: The Cards still live and die by the pass and unfortunately their passing attack takes a hit with the absence of Anquan Boldin. This will probably mean more targets for Larry Fitzgerald, however, Chicago isn't stupid. They'll have two guys on him all day. Not saying that'll work, but his chances for a good game are lessened with Boldin out.
Bears: Chicago's franchise QB, Jay Cutler, 3 TDs and 6 INT since their bye week three weeks ago. Arizona's secondary hasn't been great, but neither have the Bears' receivers. Matt Forte has shown signs of life, but he was playing Cleveland last week.
Fantasy Factors: Kurt Warner (7), Jay Cutler (7)
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals
Ravens: After an embarrassing home loss to the Bengals, the Ravens will be looking for revenge. Ray Rice has become Mr Everything for the Ravens now and he is very close to being matchup proof every week. I expect big numbers this Sunday. Todd Heap caught 7 passes the last time these two hooked up.
Bengals: In their previous matchup, Cedric Benson ran all over the Baltimore defense. Don't expect it to happen again. Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco showed a lot of chemistry in their game versus the Bears. I'm thinking it'll be the start of something big for these two.
Fantasy Factors: Ray Rice (9), Chad Ochocinco (8)
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts
Texans: I have some good news for Steve Slaton owners. He's not going to be benched. The bad news is Ryan Moats' performance last week was enough to create a timeshare situation. Slaton, Moats, and Chris Brown will all get carries now. Brown will probably remain the goaline back, but Slaton and Moats will split carries between the 20's with Slaton most likely playing 3rd downs.
Colts: Last week, Joseph Addai threw more TD passes than Peyton Manning. I expect the football universe to correct itself this weekend. Manning is good for 300 yards and at least 2 TDs in this one. This, however, could be a game where he tries to make up for not throwing any last week and throws for 5 TDs. It turns out that Donald Brown will be able to play this Sunday, hurting Joseph Addai's value once again.
Fantasy Factors: Ryan Moats (7), Peyton Manning (10)
Kansas City Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Chiefs: Life without LJ begins this week and Jamaal Charles will start in the backfield. I think this a great move for the Chiefs all around because they don't need Johnson's attitude (or lack of production) and Charles is a hungry player that is a much better pass receiver than Johnson. This move may add a new dimension to the KC attack.
Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew has been pretty hit or miss from week to week this year. You better believe that this will be a big hit. KC's defense can't really stop anyone, so I wouldn't be surprised to see David Garrard or Mike Sims-Walker be a top star this week either.
Fantasy Factors: Matt Cassel (8), Maurice Jones-Drew (10)
Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots
Dolphins: I've been hearing all week about how the Wildcat offense isn't going to catch them off guard again this time. While that may be true, but Miami is 3rd in rushing offense and New England is 15th in run defense. Knowing is one thing, but actually physically stopping them is another. Expect a big workload from Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
Patriots: The Dolphins pass defense has been horrendous this year and Tom Brady is starting to heat up. I would be amazed if Brady finishes with less than 370 yards passing and 3 TDs. Their is no one on the Dolphins capable of covering Randy Moss.
Fantasy Factors: Ronnie Brown (7), Tom Brady (10)
Green Bay Packers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Packers: Aaron Rodgers limped off Lambeau field last Sunday when losing to Brett Favre's Vikings, but don't worry too much. Rodgers is expected to play this Sunday in a tasty matchup with the Bucs. If Rodgers can stay in the game, I expect a big game for him, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver.
Buccaneers: As predicted, the Bucs have once again changed QBs and now first rounder Josh Freeman will take the helm. Going up against a Dom Capers zone blitzing Packers defense probably isn't a good first matchup for the rookie. Talk about trial by fire. Just call it a gut feeling, but I think Derrick Ward will have a much better game than he has all season.
Fantasy Factors: Greg Jennings (9), Derrick Ward (6)
Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints
Panthers: Finally the Panthers listened to me and pretty much everyone else that knows anything about football and just stuck with their running game. It was kind of unsettling for DeAngelo Williams owners to watch him give way to Jonathan Stewart at the goaline last week though. Michael Turner tore up the Saints defense last week. I don't see why this tandem can't do the same.
Saints: This will be a really tough test for Drew Brees. Carolina has the top pass defense in the league and tortured Kurt Warner just last week. The Saints will need to rely on Pierre Thomas and that's not really a bad option. He was strong last Monday against the Falcons and he should do well against a Panthers defense that is surrendering 127 yards per game on the ground.
Fantasy Factors: DeAngelo Williams (8), Pierre Thomas (9)
Detroit Lions vs Seattle Seahawks
Lions: Matt Stafford is back and Calvin Johnson is ALMOST back. He'll be another game time decision this Sunday in a matchup that looks very favorable. Kevin Smith has been up and down all year, mostly down and the Seahawks are usually tough at home.
Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck owners, this is your game. He's a little banged up right now, but as bad as the Seattle o-line is, he won't even need to wear pads this Sunday. One cause for concern however is that its supposed to rain in Seattle that day. Passing games always suffer in the rain.
Fantasy Factors: Kevin Smith (6), Matt Hasselbeck (9)
San Diego Chargers vs New York Giants
Chargers: Week after week LT gets his chance and week after week, he lets everyone down. The Chargers are Philip Rivers' team now. The Giants are soft against the big play and Vincent Jackson and new starter Malcom Floyd know how to take advantage.
Giants: Despite rushing for more than 4 yards per carry in each of the last three weeks, Brandon Jacobs has not hit 100 yards. That will change this weekend. The Chargers are good against the run as long as they're playing a dysfunctional offense. Don't forget about what Rashard Mendenhall did to them. Brandon Jacobs will be a star this week.
Fantasy Factors: Philip Rivers (8), Brandon Jacobs (9)
Tennessee Titans vs San Francisco 49ers
Titans: The Titans are undefeated with Vince Young at QB this year. Okay, so it was just one game against the Jaguars, but it broke the season long losing streak. Young will have a much tougher test this week in San Fran and will have to do more than manage the game to be considered for starting in fantasy. Chris Johnson ran for over 200 yards last week. Don't think for a second that the 49ers won't be keying on him this Sunday.
49ers: With the emergence of Alex Smith, the Niners offense looks much different and by different I mean better. Frank Gore won't have to face 8 man fronts anymore, although both starting tackles for the Niners are out with injuries. The Titans defense has been lousy all season and there's no reason to believe Smith, Gore and Vernon Davis won't put up nice numbers.
Fantasy Factors: Chris Johnson (7), Vernon Davis (8)
Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
Cowboys: With first place on the line, the Cowboys offense has never looked better. Most of the credit belongs to Miles Austin who came out of nowhere to become the number one receiver in Dallas. He'll have a tough assignment this week though with Asante Samuel. Last time Romo was in Philly, he was awful and the Cowboys lost 44-6.
Eagles: Last week, the Eagles stomped a mud hole in the first place Giants and walked it dry. This week, they'll battle another first place team and try to do the same. The Cowboys secondary has been vulnerable and Donovan McNabb appears to have regained his old form last week, but the Eagles offensive line is questionable and the Cowboys bring a lot of heat.
Fantasy Factors: Tony Romo (6), Donovan McNabb (8)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos
Steelers: After a week off, the Steelers are back! This is being built up to be a big game between the 6-1 Broncos versus the defending champs, but despite their record, I still don't see the Broncos as a threat. Not against the Steelers anyways. The Steelers passing attack is probably the strongest its ever looked in its 77 year history. Rashard Mendenhall is looking more and more like a first rounder every week and the defense is in championship form. Just ask Brett Favre. Roll your Steelers as you normally would.
Broncos: They suffered their first loss of the season last week when they were blown out by Baltimore. Now they're going to get beaten by the team that owns Baltimore. Kyle Orton has been pretty good this year and Brandon Marshall will make a lot grabs in this game, but that's about it for this week. Knowshon Moreno isn't going anywhere.
Fantasy Factors: Ben Roethlisberger (9), Brandon Marshall (9)
Bye Week: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets
Posted
Nov 06 2009, 10:32 AM
by
Nick Fruscello