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Week 10 in the NFL saw some huge performances from several players, leaving some fantasy owners overjoyed, and some left picking up the pieces. Ocho-Cinco finally broke out in Cincinnati, hooking up with Carson Palmer for over 200 yards and a couple of scores. Donald Driver and Steve Smith also represented the wide receivers well, with 191 and 149 yards respectively. Willie Parker put on a show at Heinz field. And the great LaDainian Tomlinson continued to be a touchdown machine, recording his 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th touchdowns of the year! Hopefully you were not the poor soul caught matched up against one (or more) of these guys last week. Unfortunately, you can’t control who you line up against, but you can control who makes it into your own lineup. Without further adieu, the Cafe offers its own humble lineup advice, with this week’s Start & Sit.
Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.
Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.
Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.
The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:
Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.
| Quarterbacks | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Donovan McNabb – PHI | vs TEN | 16.3 | 2.0 | 8.3 |
| Peyton Manning – IND | at DAL | 15.7 | 3.0 | 8.7 |
| Carson Palmer – CIN | at NO | 15.0 | 3.3 | 8.3 |
| Drew Brees – NO | vs CIN | 14.7 | 2.7 | 7.3 |
| Rex Grossman – CHI | at NYJ | 14.0 | 3.3 | 7.3 |
| Tom Brady – NE | at GB | 13.7 | 3.3 | 7.0 |
| Marc Bulger – STL | at CAR | 13.3 | 4.7 | 8.0 |
| Jake Delhomme – CAR | vs STL | 13.0 | 4.3 | 7.3 |
| Brett Favre – GB | vs NE | 12.7 | 5.0 | 7.7 |
| Philip Rivers – SD | at DEN | 12.3 | 4.0 | 6.3 |
| Matt Leinart – ARI | vs DET | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Jon Kitna – DET | at ARI | 12.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 |
| Ben Roethlisberger – PIT | at CLE | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Tony Romo – DAL | vs IND | 12.0 | 4.7 | 6.7 |
| Eli Manning – NYG | at JAC | 11.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| Bruce Gradkowski – TB | vs WAS | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Seneca Wallace – SEA | at PHI | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Steve McNair – BAL | vs ATL | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Jake Plummer – DEN | vs SD | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Joey Harrington – MIA | vs MIN | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Brad Johnson – MIN | at MIA | 9.7 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Michael Vick – ATL | at BAL | 9.7 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
| David Carr – HOU | vs BUF | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Alex Smith – SF | vs SEA | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Trent Green – KC | vs OAK | 9.3 | 6.7 | 6.0 |
| David Garrard – JAC | vs NYG | 9.0 | 6.3 | 5.3 |
| Matt Hasselbeck – SEA | at SF | 9.0 | 6.3 | 5.3 |
| Vince Young – TEN | at PHI | 8.7 | 6.3 | 5.0 |
| JP Losman – BUF | at HOU | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Charlie Frye – CLE | vs PIT | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Andrew Walter – OAK | at KC | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Chad Pennington – NYJ | vs CHI | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 |
| Aaron Brooks – OAK | at KC | 6.7 | 7.0 | 3.7 |
| Jason Campbell – WAS | at TB | 6.3 | 7.7 | 4.0 |
| Mark Brunell – WAS | at TB | 2.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 |
Start:
Drew Brees, NO (14.7 rating): Brees has to be licking his chops after seeing what his former team was able to do to the Cincinnati Bengals defense last week. Sensational rookie Marques Colston has picked up the slack for New Orleans while Joe Horn has been out with an injury, but if Horn is able to play this week, Brees becomes an even better start. In his last 5 games, Brees has tossed 12 touchdown passes while only throwing 5 interceptions. Look for his success to continue against the Bengals’ 28th ranked passing defense.
Sit:
Michael Vick, ATL (9.7 rating): The Michael Vick bandwagon has quickly come to a halt after two straight weeks in which the Falcons quarterback has really struggled throwing the ball. Not surprisingly, Atlanta lost both of those games… to Detroit and Cleveland. The thing that allowed Vick to remain a viable fantasy player during this time was his running ability, as he racked up 154 yards on the ground in those two games. However, I expect finding running room will be a bit more difficult against Baltimore this week, so if he can’t get the passing game together, #7 could be in for a long day.
| Running Backs | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Larry Johnson – KC | vs OAK | 18.0 | 1.3 | 9.3 |
| LaDainian Tomlinson – SD | at DEN | 16.3 | 3.3 | 9.7 |
| Brian Westbrook – PHI | vs TEN | 15.7 | 2.7 | 8.3 |
| Willie Parker – PIT | at CLE | 15.7 | 2.7 | 8.3 |
| Julius Jones – DAL | vs IND | 14.3 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| Kevin Jones – DET | at ARI | 14.0 | 3.3 | 7.3 |
| Thomas Jones – CHI | at NYJ | 13.7 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| Rudi Johnson – CIN | at NO | 13.7 | 4.3 | 8.0 |
| Steven Jackson – STL | at CAR | 13.3 | 4.0 | 7.3 |
| Deuce McAllister – NO | vs CIN | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Tiki Barber – NYG | at JAC | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Marion Barber – DAL | vs IND | 12.7 | 4.3 | 7.0 |
| Edgerrin James – ARI | vs DET | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Frank Gore – SF | vs SEA | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| DeShaun Foster – CAR | vs STL | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Ahman Green – GB | vs NE | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Fred Taylor – JAC | vs NYG | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Ladell Betts – WAS | at TB | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Joseph Addai – IND | at DAL | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Warrick Dunn – ATL | at BAL | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Anthony Thomas – BUF | at HOU | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Reggie Bush – NO | vs CIN | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Shaun Alexander – SEA | at SF | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Corey Dillon – NE | at GB | 11.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Brandon Jacobs – NYG | at JAC | 10.7 | 5.0 | 5.7 |
| Ronnie Brown – MIA | vs MIN | 10.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Cadillac Williams – TB | vs WAS | 10.3 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
| Wali Lundy – HOU | vs BUF | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Tatum Bell – DEN | vs SD | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Travis Henry – TEN | at PHI | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Jamal Lewis – BAL | vs ATL | 10.0 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Laurence Maroney – NE | at GB | 10.0 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Chester Taylor – MIN | at MIA | 9.7 | 5.7 | 5.3 |
| LaMont Jordan – OAK | at KC | 9.7 | 5.7 | 5.3 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC | vs NYG | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Maurice Morris – SEA | at SF | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Chris Perry – CIN | at NO | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Reuben Droughns – CLE | vs PIT | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dominic Rhodes – IND | at DAL | 8.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Cedric Benson – CHI | at NYJ | 8.3 | 5.7 | 4.0 |
| Najeh Davenport – PIT | at CLE | 8.3 | 5.7 | 4.0 |
| Mike Bell – DEN | vs SD | 8.3 | 6.7 | 5.0 |
| Michael Turner – SD | at DEN | 7.3 | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| DeAngelo Williams – CAR | vs STL | 7.3 | 6.3 | 3.7 |
| Ron Dayne – HOU | vs BUF | 7.3 | 6.3 | 3.7 |
| Samkon Gado – HOU | vs BUF | 7.3 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Kevan Barlow – NYJ | vs CHI | 7.3 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Correll Buckhalter – PHI | vs TEN | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 |
| Leon Washington – NYJ | vs CHI | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Musa Smith – BAL | vs ATL | 6.7 | 7.0 | 3.7 |
| Jerious Norwood – ATL | at BAL | 6.3 | 7.0 | 3.3 |
| Mike Anderson – BAL | vs ATL | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.7 |
| Jerome Harrison – CLE | vs PIT | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Justin Fargas – OAK | at KC | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Lendale White – TEN | at PHI | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Chris Brown – TEN | at PHI | 5.7 | 7.3 | 3.0 |
| Vernand Morency – GB | vs NE | 5.7 | 7.7 | 3.3 |
| Noah Herron – GB | vs NE | 5.7 | 7.7 | 3.3 |
| Michael Robinson – SF | vs SEA | 5.7 | 7.7 | 3.3 |
| Cedric Houston – NYJ | vs CHI | 5.0 | 7.7 | 2.7 |
Start:
Willie Parker, PIT (15.7 rating): It should be no secret that Willie Parker should be starting in pretty much every fantasy league this week. Fast Willie has left no doubt that he can be the featured back in the Steelers’ run-first offense, after gashing the Saints for 213 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Parker will face a Cleveland defense that is in the bottom three in the league against the run, as the Steelers fight to get back to respectability.
Sit:
Jamal Lewis, BAL (10.0 rating): Lewis has struggled mightily for Baltimore this season, perhaps holding back what could have been the Ravens’ break-out year offensively. He has only eclipsed the 20 carry mark three times this season, while averaging a meager 3.4 yards per carry. The Ravens will probably look to attack Atlanta more through the air, where they have had problems, as opposed to with the running game, which the Falcons have been above average at defending.
| Wide Receivers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Steve Smith – CAR | vs STL | 16.3 | 2.3 | 8.7 |
| Chad Johnson – CIN | at NO | 15.7 | 3.0 | 8.7 |
| Marques Colston – NO | vs CIN | 15.3 | 3.0 | 8.3 |
| Javon Walker – DEN | vs SD | 15.0 | 3.3 | 8.3 |
| Terrell Owens – DAL | vs IND | 14.7 | 3.7 | 8.3 |
| Darrell Jackson – SEA | at SF | 14.3 | 3.3 | 7.7 |
| Donte’ Stallworth – PHI | vs TEN | 14.3 | 3.7 | 8.0 |
| Andre Johnson – HOU | vs BUF | 14.0 | 3.3 | 7.3 |
| Anquan Boldin – ARI | vs DET | 14.0 | 3.7 | 7.7 |
| Marvin Harrison – IND | at DAL | 14.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| Torry Holt – STL | at CAR | 14.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| Reggie Wayne – IND | at DAL | 14.0 | 4.3 | 8.3 |
| Roy Williams – DET | at ARI | 13.7 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| Donald Driver – GB | vs NE | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Deion Branch – SEA | at SF | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Hines Ward – PIT | at CLE | 13.0 | 4.3 | 7.3 |
| Keyshawn Johnson – CAR | vs STL | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Larry Fitzgerald – ARI | vs DET | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Joey Galloway – TB | vs WAS | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Muhsin Muhammad – CHI | at NYJ | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Reche Caldwell – NE | at GB | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Isaac Bruce – STL | at CAR | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Mark Clayton – BAL | vs ATL | 11.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN | at NO | 11.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| Plaxico Burress – NYG | at JAC | 11.7 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Eddie Kennison – KC | vs OAK | 11.3 | 4.3 | 5.7 |
| Lee Evans – BUF | at HOU | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Chris Henry – CIN | at NO | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Reggie Brown – PHI | vs TEN | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Mike Furrey – DET | at ARI | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Braylon Edwards – CLE | vs PIT | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Ernest Wilford – JAC | vs NYG | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Laveranues Coles – NYJ | vs CHI | 11.0 | 5.7 | 6.7 |
| Derrick Mason – BAL | vs ATL | 10.7 | 4.7 | 5.3 |
| Joe Horn – NO | vs CIN | 10.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Chris Chambers – MIA | vs MIN | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Troy Brown – NE | at GB | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Antonio Bryant – SF | vs SEA | 10.3 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
| Greg Jennings – GB | vs NE | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Reggie Williams – JAC | vs NYG | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Rod Smith – DEN | vs SD | 9.7 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Doug Gabriel – NE | at GB | 9.7 | 6.0 | 5.7 |
| Randy Moss – OAK | at KC | 9.7 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
| Michael Clayton – TB | vs WAS | 9.7 | 5.7 | 5.3 |
| Drew Bennett – TEN | at PHI | 9.7 | 5.7 | 5.3 |
| Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ | vs CHI | 9.3 | 6.3 | 5.7 |
| Michael Jenkins – ATL | at BAL | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Terry Glenn – DAL | vs IND | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Santana Moss – WAS | at TB | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Eric Parker – SD | at DEN | 9.0 | 5.3 | 4.3 |
| Troy Williamson – MIN | at MIA | 9.0 | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| Chad Jackson – NE | at GB | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Keenan McCardell – SD | at DEN | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Matt Jones – JAC | vs NYG | 9.0 | 6.3 | 5.3 |
| Bryant Johnson – ARI | vs DET | 8.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Marty Booker – MIA | vs MIN | 8.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Hank Baskett – PHI | vs TEN | 8.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Arnaz Battle – SF | vs SEA | 8.7 | 6.3 | 5.0 |
| Kevin Curtis – STL | at CAR | 8.7 | 6.3 | 5.0 |
| Bernard Berrian – CHI | at NYJ | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.7 |
| Nate Washington – PIT | at CLE | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.7 |
| Eric Moulds – HOU | vs BUF | 8.3 | 6.7 | 5.0 |
| Santonio Holmes – PIT | at CLE | 8.3 | 6.7 | 5.0 |
| Travis Taylor – MIN | at MIA | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Roscoe Parrish – BUF | at HOU | 8.0 | 6.7 | 4.7 |
| Joe Jurevicius – CLE | vs PIT | 8.0 | 6.7 | 4.7 |
| Josh Reed – BUF | at HOU | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Samie Parker – KC | vs OAK | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Nate Burleson – SEA | at SF | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Marcus Robinson – MIN | at MIA | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 |
| Brandon Lloyd – WAS | at TB | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 |
| Wes Welker – MIA | vs MIN | 7.0 | 6.7 | 3.7 |
| Roddy White – ATL | at BAL | 6.7 | 7.3 | 4.0 |
| Brandon Stokely – IND | at DAL | 6.7 | 7.3 | 4.0 |
| Ashley Lelie – ATL | at BAL | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.7 |
| Justin McCareins – NYJ | vs CHI | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.7 |
| Antwaan Randle El – WAS | at TB | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Dennis Northcutt – CLE | vs PIT | 4.7 | 8.0 | 2.7 |
| Bobby Engram – SEA | at SF | 3.7 | 8.0 | 1.7 |
Start:
Donte’ Stallworth, PHI (14.3 rating): It’s been a while since Donte’ has been active in any fantasy lineups, but with a strong showing against the Redskins in week 10, he has officially arrived back on the scene. Good news for Stallworth and Mcnabb owners, not so good for Reggie Brown owners (like myself). Stallworth makes a very good start against the Titans.
Sit:
Santana Moss, WAS (9.3 rating): Moss has the potential to make any game a huge game, but this week he has several things working against him. He is still nursing a hamstring injury that severely hampered him last week. He is going to be covered this week by one of the NFL’s better corners in Ronde Barber. On top of that, quarterback Jason Campbell will be making his first start for the Redskins, and it may take a game or two for the young QB to get in sync with his wide receivers.
| Tight Ends | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Desmond Clark – CHI | at NYJ | 14.0 | 3.7 | 7.7 |
| Antonio Gates – SD | at DEN | 14.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| Todd Heap – BAL | vs ATL | 13.7 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| LJ Smith – PHI | vs TEN | 13.3 | 3.7 | 7.0 |
| Heath Miller – PIT | at CLE | 13.0 | 3.7 | 6.7 |
| Jason Witten – DAL | vs IND | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Jeremy Shockey – NYG | at JAC | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Kellen Winslow – CLE | vs PIT | 12.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 |
| Ben Watson – NE | at GB | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Dallas Clark – IND | at DAL | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Alge Crumpler – ATL | at BAL | 12.0 | 4.7 | 6.7 |
| Chris Cooley – WAS | at TB | 11.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| Randy McMichael – MIA | vs MIN | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Jeremy Stevens – SEA | at SF | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Owen Daniels – HOU | vs BUF | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Bubba Franks – GB | vs NE | 9.3 | 5.3 | 4.7 |
| Stephen Alexander – DEN | vs SD | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| George Wrighster – JAC | vs NYG | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| David Martin – GB | vs NE | 9.0 | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| Jermaine Wiggins – MIN | at MIA | 9.0 | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| Marcus Pollard – DET | at ARI | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Alex Smith – TB | vs WAS | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Ben Utecht – IND | at DAL | 8.7 | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Bo Scaife – TEN | at PHI | 8.7 | 5.7 | 4.3 |
| Mike Sellers – WAS | at TB | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.7 |
| Daniel Graham – NE | at GB | 8.3 | 5.7 | 4.0 |
| Kris Mangum – CAR | vs STL | 8.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 |
| Eric Johnson – SF | vs SEA | 8.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 |
| Courtney Anderson – OAK | at KC | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Adam Bergen – ARI | vs DET | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Reggie Kelly – CIN | at NO | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Itula Mili – SEA | at SF | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Ben Troupe – TEN | at PHI | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| John Gilmore – CHI | at NYJ | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Kris Wilson – KC | vs OAK | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 |
| Jeb Putzier – HOU | vs BUF | 7.3 | 6.3 | 3.7 |
| Anthony Becht – TB | vs WAS | 7.3 | 7.0 | 4.3 |
| Chris Baker – NYJ | vs CHI | 6.3 | 7.0 | 3.3 |
| Bryan Fletcher – IND | at DAL | 6.3 | 6.7 | 3.0 |
| Jason Dunn – KC | vs OAK | 5.7 | 7.7 | 3.3 |
| Dan Campbell – DET | at ARI | 5.3 | 7.7 | 3.0 |
Start:
Heath Miller, PIT (13.0 rating): The entire Pittsburgh offense looked better last week against New Orleans. Miller scored his third touchdown of the season. Perhaps Heath is finally getting more involved in the offense? This week against a weak Browns defense, Miller will have another good opportunity to contribute.
Sit:
Randy McMichael, MIA (11.3 rating): McMichael has yet to score this season, and has only logged 6 catches in his last two games. At this point McMichael is only worth playing against the right matchup. Minnesota is probably not a very favorable matchup, so sit him if you have other solid options available.
| Kickers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Robbie Gould – CHI | at NYJ | 15.7 | 2.7 | 8.3 |
| Josh Brown – SEA | at SF | 14.7 | 2.7 | 7.3 |
| Adam Vinatieri – IND | at DAL | 14.3 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| Nate Kaeding – SD | at DEN | 14.3 | 3.3 | 7.7 |
| John Carney – NO | vs CIN | 14.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 |
| Shayne Graham – CIN | at NO | 14.0 | 3.3 | 7.3 |
| David Akers – PHI | vs TEN | 13.7 | 3.3 | 7.0 |
| Jason Elam – DEN | vs SD | 13.7 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| Jeff Wilkins – STL | at CAR | 13.7 | 3.7 | 7.3 |
| John Kasay – CAR | vs STL | 13.0 | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| Jeff Reed – PIT | at CLE | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Neil Rackers – ARI | vs DET | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Lawrence Tynes – KC | vs OAK | 12.3 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
| Jason Hanson – DET | at ARI | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Stephen Gostkowski – NE | at GB | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.3 |
| Mike Vanderjagt – DAL | vs IND | 12.0 | 4.7 | 6.7 |
| Matt Stover – BAL | vs ATL | 11.7 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| Dave Rayner – GB | vs NE | 11.7 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Jay Feely – NYG | at JAC | 11.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Morten Andersen – ATL | at BAL | 11.3 | 5.3 | 6.7 |
| Matt Bryant – TB | vs WAS | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Ryan Longwell – MIN | at MIA | 11.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Rian Lindell – BUF | at HOU | 10.7 | 4.7 | 5.3 |
| Nick Novak – WAS | at TB | 10.7 | 4.7 | 5.3 |
| Josh Scobee – JAC | vs NYG | 10.7 | 5.0 | 5.7 |
| Joe Nedney – SF | vs SEA | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Phil Dawson – CLE | vs PIT | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Kris Brown – HOU | vs BUF | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Sebastian Janikowski – OAK | at KC | 9.3 | 6.3 | 5.7 |
| Rob Bironas – TEN | at PHI | 9.0 | 5.3 | 4.3 |
| Olindo Mare – MIA | vs MIN | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Mike Nugent – NYJ | vs CHI | 8.7 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Michael Koenen – ATL | at BAL | 3.0 | 8.3 | 1.3 |
Start:
Shayne Graham, CIN (14.0): The Bengals offense is clicking again which is always good news for the kicker. The Chargers looked a little lost on defense last week without Shawne Merriman. There is a very good chance this Bengals-Saints matchup will be a shoot-out, allowing for some great numbers from the kickers.
Sit:
Jay Feely, NYG (11.3 rating): Feely missed a pair of field goals last week, including a 33 yarder, and a 52 yarder that was returned for a touchdown by Devin Hester. The Jaguars have only allowed 10 field goals this season, the 4th fewest in the league.
| Team Defense | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Chicago | at NYJ | 17.0 | 2.0 | 9.0 |
| Baltimore | vs ATL | 14.7 | 3.3 | 8.0 |
| Philadelphia | vs TEN | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| Kansas City | vs OAK | 13.3 | 3.7 | 7.0 |
| Seattle | at SF | 13.0 | 3.7 | 6.7 |
| Pittsburgh | at CLE | 13.0 | 4.3 | 7.3 |
| New England | at GB | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| San Diego | at DEN | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Tampa Bay | vs WAS | 12.0 | 3.7 | 5.7 |
| Carolina | vs STL | 11.7 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Jacksonville | vs NYG | 11.7 | 4.7 | 6.3 |
| Minnesota | at MIA | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Miami | vs MIN | 11.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Indianapolis | at DAL | 10.7 | 5.0 | 5.7 |
| New York Giants | at JAC | 10.7 | 5.0 | 5.7 |
| Atlanta | at BAL | 10.7 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Denver | vs SD | 10.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Buffalo | at HOU | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| St. Louis | at CAR | 10.3 | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| Arizona | vs DET | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Washington | at TB | 9.7 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Detroit | at ARI | 9.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| New Orleans | vs CIN | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Cincinnati | at NO | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dallas | vs IND | 8.7 | 5.7 | 4.3 |
| Houston | vs BUF | 8.7 | 5.7 | 4.3 |
| Cleveland | vs PIT | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Green Bay | vs NE | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Tennessee | at PHI | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Oakland | at KC | 7.7 | 6.7 | 4.3 |
| San Francisco | vs SEA | 7.3 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| New York Jets | vs CHI | 7.0 | 6.7 | 3.7 |
Start:
Kansas City (13.3 rating): I hate to pick on the Raiders, but that offense is just not any good. Sacks and turnovers galore. A fantasy player’s dream matchup. Oakland averages fewer than 12 points per game, so if you are looking for a solid defense this week and the Chiefs are available, make sure you pick them up.
Sit:
Denver (11.3 rating): Can anyone stop LaDainian Tomlinson right now? LT recently broke the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a five game span, so I would not bet on any defense slowing him down, not even the usually dependable Broncos. Look elsewhere if you can.
Special thanks to dream_017, Kilroy1872, knapplc, madaslives911, mattb47 and SwiperNoSwiping for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
Questions or comments for Nick? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section! |
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