Week 9

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And there goes another one… No, you are not reading the old column from last week, this is the new one for week 9. But it starts in exactly the same way – with the season-ending injury suffered by Daunte Culpepper, another early pick is gone for the year. And like Ahman Green a week before, a big underachiever is done, and probably leaves room for his replacement to do better. Anyhow, Brad Johnson should be picked up by all who are hurting at QB, just in case he can get the Vikings’ ship back on track. And there is also hope for those Nate Burleson owners, for whom things can only get better. The schedule, at least, will be a big help here: games against the Lions, Giants, Packers, Browns, and Rams are next for Minnesota, all not exactly the top passing defenses of the league. But remember, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, especially when it comes to fantasy production – just look at LaDainan Tomlinson’s stats the last two weeks: a total 76 yards rushing yards and no rushing TDs (although he did pass for a score), and this was not even against the best rushing defenses of the league. Still, you wouldn’t dream of benching him now. What does that mean? Play your studs, no matter what, and play the matchups with the rest of your roster. For those latter decisions, we’ll try to give you some help in our weekly Start & Sit column.

START

QB:

Eli Manning, NYG: After starting the season on top of the world, Eli has come back to earth in his last three games, finishing with an average of 191 yards and a total of four TDs in those three contests. Despite the nice game the 49ers had last week when they stopped the Buccaneers, they are dead last against the pass. And Manning will exploit exactly that, so be sure to have him in your lineup.

Kerry Collins, Oak: Collins was high on everybody’s draft lists heading into the season, thanks mainly to Randy Moss. While he did not live up to the expectations, he still is a useful option when the matchup is right – like last week against the Titans, when he threw for 238 yards and three TDs. This week, he faces and equally weak Chiefs unit that is ranked 31st in the league against the pass – play him!

Others to start:
Steve McNair, Ten
Brett Favre, GB
Byron Leftwich, Jax
Trent Green, KC
Carson Palmer, Cin
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Mark Brunell, Was

No-brainers:
Drew Brees, SD
Donovan McNabb, Phi

RB:

Kevin Jones, Det: Jones has failed to break the 100-yard rushing mark in any game so far, but this could be the week his owners have been waiting for. The Vikings have failed to stop the opposing rush so far, allowing over 137 yards per game. If you’ve suffered through Jones’ struggles through the first eight weeks, be sure to exploit this matchup.

Jamal Lewis, Bal: The Bengals defense is much improved this season, but has still had problems stopping the opposing ground game at times. While Lewis and the entire Ravens offense have struggled this season, he should do well against a team he has owned so far in his career, averaging 135 yards in seven meetings.

Others to start:
Willie Parker, Pit
Chris Brown, Ten
Clinton Portis, Was
LaMont Jordan, Oak
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Rudi Johnson, Cin
Larry Johnson, KC
Thomas Jones, Chi

No-brainers:
LaDainan Tomlinson, SD
Fred Taylor, Jax
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Tiki Barber, NYG
Edgerrin James, Ind
Priest Holmes, KC (if healthy)
Ronnie Brown, Mia
Domanick Davis, Hou

WR:

Amani Toomer, NYG: Toomer may just be the third receiving option on the Giants’ team right now, but the chemistry between him and Eli Manning has improved recently. Against the worst pass defense of the league, he is worth a shot, as he should post useful numbers even behind Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey.

Bobby Engram, Sea: Engram finally is back in the starting lineup for the Seahawks, and should be the top option besides Joe Jurevicius with Darrell Jackson still out. While the Cardinals have not played badly on defense, there still should be enough room for Engram to post solid numbers in his comeback, so do not hesitate to put him back into your starting lineup.

Others to start:
Eddie Kennison, KC
Jerry Porter, Oak
Chris Chambers, Mia
Joe Jurevicius, Sea
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
Derrick Mason, Bal
Antonio Bryant, Cle
Steve Smith, Car

No-brainers:
Terrell Owens, Phi (if healthy)
Chad Johnson, Cin
Randy Moss, Oak (if healthy)
Santana Moss, Was
Marvin Harisson, Ind
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Laveranues Coles, NYJ
Plaxico Burress, NYG
Hines Ward, Pit
Donald Driver, GB
Jimmy Smith, Jax

TE/K/D:

LJ Smith, TE, Phi: After a strong start into the season, Smith has cooled down a bit recently. With Owens likely out for this week, Smith should get more looks than usual, and therefore could be a nice start against a Redskins defense that has struggled of late.

Olindo Mare, K, Mia: The Dolphins play a lot better at home, and should do well against the Falcons this week. This means Mare could get a lot of work behind an offense still not running too well in the red zone.

Carolina Defense: The Panthers defense has struggled at times this season, but should be in for a nice day against a suspect Buccaneers offense. Chris Simms was picked off twice and sacked five times last week by the lowly 49ers, and expecting similar numbers from Carolina doesn’t seem unreasonable.

 
BENCH

QB:

Tom Brady, NE: In a rematch of last year’s AFC Conference Final, the Colts desperately want to avenge that tough loss. They had two weeks to prepare, and this defense, which has just allowed 169 yards per game through the air, will give everything against Brady. On the other side, Brady and the Patriots have not played well recently, so if you have other options, better bench him, as he may struggle against the Colts.

Jake Delhomme, Car: Delhomme played outstanding football last week, throwing for 341 yards and three TDs. However, he has always struggled against the league’s better passing defenses, and one of them lies in wait for the Panthers this week. Tampa Bay is second in the league against the pass, so do not count on Delhomme to repeat last week’s heroics.

RB:

Cadillac Williams, TB: Williams has came back to earth recently after his stellar start into the season. Unfortunately, it might not get any better for him this week, as he faces the second-best rushing defense of the league, the Carolina Panthers. Additionally, he is still bothered by that leg injury a bit, so better sit him and look for other options.

Curtis Martin, NYJ: Martin has put up some nice numbers recently, but still is not the same type of runner he was last year. His overall yardage has not been overwhelming, and he will have trouble finding room against a tough Chargers defense that is ranked third in the league against the run, allowing just 78 yards on the ground.

WR:

Keenan McCardell, SD: McCardell has had a nice season so far, gaining 444 yards and six TDs in eight games. However, he still is only the third option in San Diego and will be relatively quiet against tougher defenses. The Jets have only allowed 163 yards per game through the air so far, but have been vulnerable on the ground. So you can expect a heavy dose of LT, and a quiet passing game – with the only viable option being Antonio Gates – so temper your expectations fpr McCardell.

TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cin: Houshmandzadeh had his second straight solid game since returning from his injury, but things will be very tough this week. The Ravens are second in the league against the pass, and against such strong units, Chad Johnson is usually the only good fantasy option to be found in the Bengals’ passing game.

TE/K/D:

Jermaine Wiggins, TE, Min: Together with the whole Vikings offense, Wiggins has been a total disappointment so far this season. Even if Brad Johnson can change things for the better, Wiggins is not recommended this week, as the Lions defense has owned opposing TEs recently, allowing catches for a whopping total of 24 yards to this position over the last three games.

Adam Vinatieri, K, NE: Vinatieri may be the best clutch kicker in the NFL, but right now he simply is not a good fantasy option because he does not get enough chances. Do not expect this to change this week when the Patriots face the Colts, who are leading the league in fewest points allowed.

Oakland Defense: Games between the Raiders and the Chiefs were often played without much defense in recent years, and while both defense units have improved a bit, we still do not recommend starting the Raiders against the Chiefs’ powerful running attack, especially as Kansas City’s passing game has also been heating up recently.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.