LeSean McCoy PHI at CHI- Brian Westbrook he is not, we know this, but with Westy out for an indefinite time with yet another concussion, the floor is now McCoy’s. He has a very big game tonight for the Eagles, and with the Giants and Cowboys both looking at win-able games, McCoy and the Birds can ill-afford another loss. Andy Reid must learn to lean on his running game, and McCoy could help him out with that against a Bears defense that can only call itself the league’s 21st best. McCoy could reach cult status in Philly with a few big-time weeks, and this is a heckuva week to start that process. Get him in as your flex and hope for solid No. 2 numbers.
Kevin Smith DET vs. CLE- Well, this may be the only week this season, and perhaps next season where I utter these words: “Start all your Lions.” Seriously, they draw Cleveland this week, in what could end up being the No. 1 Draft Pick Bowl. Regardless of the fact that the loser may reap more of a benefit in this one, NFL players still play to win, and Detroit just may be the lesser of two evils in this contest. Smith is facing a Browns’ defense which gives up an average of 165.8 yards per game on the ground, and with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, he makes for a top-10 potential RB this week. He is a no-brainer start this weekend.
Bernard Scott CIN at OAK- OK, fine… I know everyone and their grandmothers are starting Scott this week, as he was the waiver wire darling of Week 11, but I am just here to point out some facts. Fact 1- Oakland is miserable against the run (29th in the league) Fact 2- See Fact 1. Scott should provide a score and at least 80 yards as Cincy rolls over Da Raiders. His home-run ability if he gets to the outside makes him a potential stud this week, so if you burned through a lot of your FA bidding dollars, don’t worry- the payout is coming.
Beanie Wells ARI at STL- Fantasy Phenom frequent flyers know our affinity with Mr. Wells. A few weeks back, when Beanie was still in “ease him in mode” we suggested you buy him quickly before the value sky-rockets. Since then, he has had his four best days in terms of yardage, and he as scored three times. Wells still has Tim Hightower in front of him, but with a cake-walk schedule, and the Cardinals preparing for another play-off run, the fresh legs of Wells could be seeing plenty of touches from here on out. If you thought last week was his “breakout game,” just watch today’s contest.
Steve Slaton HOU vs. TEN- We hit this one dead on in recent articles and radio hours. Never losing confidence in him, we had a feeling he’d get his job back after losing it briefly to Ryan Moats due to a bout with fumblitis. That being said, I can only assume that he worked on and fixed that issue and perhaps got “coached-up” in a way much like former Giant RB Tiki Barber did in the early stages of his career. Barber completely changed the way he held the ball, and if by any chance you notice a difference in Slaton’s fundamentals on Monday night, be very confident in a big game versus Tennessee’s mediocre rush defense.
Sits
Jamaal Charles KC vs. PIT- Sure we loved Charles last week against Oakland, but this week against Pittsburgh…resist the urge. Pittsburgh is the leagues’ numero uno rush defense and only gives up an absurdly low 69.3 yards on the ground per game. We are also talking about a blow out in the making here, so it’ll be passing the majority of the day for the Chiefs in an imminently failed comeback attempt.
Ryan Grant SB vs. SF- Grant hasn’t done a whole lot to inspire confidence for his owners to play him regularly this season. He has had basically two big weeks, and that was against Cleveland and Tampa Bay. He has been nothing but average in his other seven games. San Francisco is a top-3 rush defense, and it’ll be all Aaron Rodgers and his weapons through the air in Lambeau this afternoon.
Joseph Addai IND at BAL- Quietly, a very productive fantasy season so far, but this week scares me if I own Addai. The Ravens 5th ranked rushing defense and Ray Lewis is the main reason why, and Peyton Manning and his air attack is another. This is a very tough game for the Colts to stay undefeated and if they win, it will be because of Manning. Of course lets not forgot the Baltimore hates Indy factor here. Did you catch that ESPN Film- The Band That Never Died? If not, I highly recommend it.
Oakland Raiders Running Backs- A few of us here have already said this, but sit your Raider backs this week. The Three-Headed Monstrosity that is this backfield makes it simply this week to sit them all against the leagues second best defense against the run. The Bengals should claw the Raiders easily, and Michael Bush, Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden all should be benched this weekend.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Brett Favre MIN vs. SEA- The old man just keeps getting it done. This week looks pretty good as the Vikes face a beatable Seattle team with a struggling secondary. Look for Favre to take advantage of his deep receiving corp. He should be a solid start in week eleven and is in my top five this week.
Eli Manning NYG vs. ATL - If you have a two QB rotation, this may be a week to get Archie’s youngest into your lineup. Atlanta is ripe for the taking and Manning’s young receivers are coming into their own. I like him as a fringe QB1 this week.
Jay Cutler CHI vs. PHI- You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk? Are you in need of a big game? This could be a week for risk takers to play Crazy Jay. He could go either way, but sometimes that’s better than a safe play with no upside.
Matt Hasselbeck SEA at MIN- He’s got only a decent to good matchup, but he’s going to be behind and will have to pass the ball all the way through. This should lead to solid stats as he has very productive weapons against a Viking secondary that can be beat.
Sits
David Garrard JAX vs. BUF- The Bills give it away on the ground and are tough to pass on. The Jags love to run it, so I expect the game to be a ground it out kind of deal. The Bills’ offense is unlikely to jump out and force the Jags to the air. Unless you are short at QB, it’s a bad week to play Garrard, who is a light QB2.
Matt Ryan ATL at NYG- It’s tough to play him at this point. His top receiver is less than 100% and he is struggling on the whole. He’s having trouble standing in against a good pass rush, which the hosting Giants certainly have. Avoid unless you have a really weak back-up.
Wide Reciever
Starts
Vincent Jackson SD at DEN- Don’t do it. Champ Bailey is great and V-Jax is coming off his worst week, but he scores with too much regularity to ever be on your bench. He can score against anybody. He’s just a decent WR2 this week, but that’s still pretty good.
Anquan Boldin ARI at STL- He’s finally getting his real stride back and he’s due for the endzone. He’s ratcheted up the receptions last week, so scoring is the next step on his way back to stud status. He’s a strong WR2 or better this week.
Calvin Johnson DET vs. CLE- You probably have him in there, but he’s looking ready to burst. Like Boldin, his next score could open up the floodgates. If this guy gets hot, look out. As he’s the clear top target on his team, he’ll be a WR1 going forward. Get him in there.
Sidney Rice MIN vs. SEA- See Favre. He’s the top target right now and the most likely to go off. He’s a good play this week with the Vikes hosting the Seahawks. Look for high end WR2 production.
Miles Austin DAL vs. WAS- Stick with him this week as he’s got a good matchup and he’s a playmaker. He’s not what people thought he was, but he can still be a strong WR3 going forward and is a good bet to make a big play this week.
Hakeem Nicks NYG vs. ATL- I like him this week if you are in need. He’s talented and can make some plays against a weak defensive backfield. I like him as a decent WR3 this week.
Sits
Michael CrabtreeSF at GB- I love his game, but it’s a tougher matchup and he’s yet to score. He’s a very light WR3 at best this week.
Eddie Royal DEN vs. SD- It’s sad, but this guy is just lost. Now he has to find his way out with Chris Simms? It might be tempting to play him with Marshall banged up, but I’d resist the urge.
Santana Moss WAS at DAL- This team is such a mess. He’s been a thorn in the Cowboy’s side at times, but it’s hard to envision that type of outburst right now. Sit him if you can. Hope for a WR3 type day if you start him.
Torry Holt JAX vs. BUF- He’s really been slipping. At this point, you want no part of him. Look hard for better options and pray for WR3 numbers if you must play him.
James Jones GB vs. SF- He’s probably not in many lineups, but in case you were hoping for another big game, be aware that he’s back to sharing time with Jordy Nelson. Jermichael Finley’s return is also a non-plus. Jones is less likely to thrill you these days.
Tight Ends
Starts
Kevin Boss NYG vs. ATL- Atlanta’s lousy defense versus the pass makes Eli Manning a great play this afternoon and Kevin Boss has been getting more involved lately in the passing game. He has scored in two straight games, and I think he is a solid bet for a third straight game with a score and a few catches for a couple of dozen yards.
Kellen Winslow TB vs. NO- It’ll be a lot of Freeman to Winslow in this game since it’ll be a come from way behind effort most likely from the second quarter on. Winslow has been a fine fantasy option this season, and that’ll continue now that he can start to build a rapport with his new rookie QB.
Sits
Zach Miller OAK vs. CIN- This is a shame, because Miller is so talented yet on such terrible team. On a play-off caliber team with a quarterback who knows how to play the position, he is the next Dallas Clark, but for now, he is stuck with JaMarcus Russell so he should stick on your bench. His few big games a season isn’t worth a weekly start, especially against a top end defense like the Bengals have.
Dustin Keller NYJ at NE- I do like Keller overall, I think he is a talent, but the Jets are heading into the Lions Den in Foxboro, and they are out for blood this week. The Pats and Bill Belichick are playing with revenge and redemption in their minds because of the Jets victory early in the season for the former and last week’s 4th and 2-gate for the latter. In short, sit most of your Jets against an angry New England team…and coach.
