Week 10

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There were likely a lot of high scoring fantasy games last week due to some big numbers being put up around the league. The first thing that stands out is super-rookie Adrian Peterson’s record-breaking 296 rushing yards and three scores to help the Vikings topple the previously-streaking Chargers. Fellow rookie Marshawn Lynch didn’t have a bad day himself, recording 153 yards on the ground against the Bengals. Clinton Portis got his first 100-yard game in an overtime win against the Jets (196 yards to be precise). Drew Brees continued his hot streak with 445 yards through the air. Derek Anderson, Quinn Gray, and Brett Favre also had over 350 yards passing (Sounds like a game of “one of these things is not like the other”…) And how about Lee Evans and Marques Colston, two stud receivers from last season that were all but left for dead earlier this year, coming through with 165 and 159 yards, respectively? The Cafe’s Week 10 Start & Sit hopes to help you get some big scorers into your lineup this week! (And your weekly reminder: The Patriots, Texans, Jets, and Buccaneers have off in Week 10.)

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
Drew Brees – NO	vs STL	16.8	2.0	8.8
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	vs CLE	16.4	2.3	8.6
Peyton Manning – IND	at SD	15.8	2.9	8.6
Tony Romo – DAL	at NYG	15.6	2.7	8.3
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	vs SF	15.2	2.7	7.9
Brett Favre – GB	vs MIN	14.4	3.4	7.8
Jon Kitna – DET	at ARI	14.2	3.5	7.8
JP Losman – BUF	at MIA	13.6	4.0	7.6
Eli Manning – NYG	vs DAL	13.4	3.7	7.1
Donovan McNabb – PHI	at WAS	12.9	4.2	7.1
Derek Anderson – CLE	at PIT	12.9	4.6	7.5
Carson Palmer – CIN	at BAL	12.5	5.0	7.6
Marc Bulger – STL	at NO	12.0	4.8	6.7
Kurt Warner – ARI	vs DET	11.5	5.1	6.6
Brian Griese – CHI	at OAK	11.3	4.6	5.9
Philip Rivers – SD	vs IND	10.8	5.3	6.1
Damon Huard – KC	vs DEN	10.5	4.8	5.2
Vince Young – TEN	vs JAC	10.2	5.4	5.6
Jay Cutler – DEN	at KC	10.2	5.8	6.0
Jason Campbell – WAS	vs PHI	9.8	5.7	5.5
Cleo Lemon – MIA	vs BUF	9.2	5.8	5.0
Josh McCown – OAK	vs CHI	9.0	5.8	4.8
Vinny Testaverde – CAR	vs ATL	9.0	6.4	5.4
Joey Harrington – ATL	at CAR	8.9	5.7	4.7
Steve McNair – BAL	vs CIN	8.9	6.4	5.3
Alex Smith – SF	at SEA	8.5	6.1	4.5
Quinn Gray – JAC	at TEN	8.3	6.5	4.8
Kyle Boller – BAL	vs CIN	8.0	6.9	4.9
Tarvaris Holcomb – MIN	at GB	7.2	6.2	3.4
Brooks Bollinger – MIN	at GB	6.8	7.1	3.8
Byron Leftwich – ATL	at CAR	5.8	7.1	3.0

 
Start:
Brett Favre, GB (14.4 rating): The Packers keep on winning, and they keep on relying on Brett Favre’s right arm to get them those wins. Favre went over 300 yards passing for the fifth time in eight games last week to help the Pack beat Kansas City. Greg Jennings seems to have really established himself after showing flashes during his rookie season, giving Brett a second big play threat after Donald Driver. Green Bay hosts a weak secondary this week in Minnesota (31st overall against the pass). And with the way Adrian Peterson is running the ball, the Packers may have to throw a lot to keep up.

Sit:
Phillip Rivers, SD (10.8 rating): Rivers’ fantasy production has been hit or miss so far this year. He has four games with two or more touchdown passes, but he had zero touchdown passes in the other four. This week is likely to be another “miss” week, as Phillip and the Chargers are matched up against a Colts’ defense that ranks 3rd in the NFL against the pass. Heck, the Colts even made Tom Brady look human last week, holding him under a 100.0 QB Rating for the first time all year. If you have been platooning Rivers with another QB this season, this might be a good week to sit him.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Willie Parker – PIT	vs CLE	16.8	2.0	8.8
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at GB	16.6	2.6	9.2
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	vs IND	16.2	2.7	8.9
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	at MIA	16.0	2.4	8.4
Brian Westbrook – PHI	at WAS	15.9	2.7	8.6
Joseph Addai – IND	at SD	15.5	3.3	8.8
Reggie Bush – NO	vs STL	15.5	2.6	8.2
Willis McGahee – BAL	vs CIN	14.4	3.5	7.9
Clinton Portis – WAS	vs PHI	14.2	3.6	7.8
Kevin Jones – DET	at ARI	13.9	3.6	7.5
Marion Barber – DAL	at NYG	13.6	4.0	7.6
Edgerrin James – ARI	vs DET	13.4	3.4	6.8
Steven Jackson – STL	at NO	13.2	4.3	7.5
Brandon Jacobs – NYG	vs DAL	13.1	4.2	7.3
Jesse Chatman – MIA	vs BUF	12.7	3.9	6.6
LenDale White – TEN	vs JAC	12.7	4.8	7.5
DeShaun Foster – CAR	vs ATL	12.2	4.2	6.4
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	at TEN	11.9	5.1	7.0
Frank Gore – SF	at SEA	11.9	5.5	7.5
Priest Holmes – KC	vs DEN	11.7	4.8	6.5
Justin Fargas – OAK	vs CHI	11.6	5.1	6.7
Travis Henry – DEN	at KC	11.5	5.5	7.0
Shaun Alexander – SEA	vs SF	11.4	5.1	6.5
Warrick Dunn – ATL	at CAR	11.2	4.7	5.9
Jamal Lewis – CLE	at PIT	11.2	5.4	6.6
Kenny Watson – CIN	at BAL	10.7	5.3	6.1
Cedric Benson – CHI	at OAK	10.6	5.0	5.6
Julius Jones – DAL	at NYG	10.6	4.8	5.4
Jerious Norwood – ATL	at CAR	10.3	5.4	5.7
Ryan Grant – GB	vs MIN	10.3	5.7	6.0
Selvin Young – DEN	at KC	10.3	5.5	5.8
Fred Taylor – JAC	at TEN	10.2	5.3	5.6
Maurice Hicks – SF	at SEA	10.0	5.2	5.2
Rudi Johnson – CIN	at BAL	10.0	5.8	5.8
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	vs ATL	9.9	5.3	5.2
Michael Robinson – SF	at SEA	9.8	5.3	5.2
Najeh Davenport – PIT	vs CLE	9.8	4.5	4.3
Maurice Morris – SEA	vs SF	9.7	5.5	5.2
Chris Henry – TEN	vs JAC	9.3	5.6	4.9
Chester Taylor – MIN	at GB	9.3	5.5	4.7
Ladell Betts – WAS	vs PHI	9.2	5.4	4.6
Kolby Smith – KC	vs DEN	9.0	5.7	4.7
LaMont Jordan – OAK	vs CHI	8.9	6.1	5.0
Derrick Ward – NYG	vs DAL	8.8	5.9	4.8
Brian Leonard – STL	at NO	8.3	5.9	4.3
TJ Duckett – DET	at ARI	8.2	5.8	4.0
Kenton Keith – IND	at SD	8.0	6.1	4.1
Adrian Peterson – CHI	at OAK	7.9	6.2	4.1
Michael Turner – SD	vs IND	7.8	6.5	4.3
Musa Smith – BAL	vs CIN	7.7	6.5	4.2
Aaron Stecker – NO	vs STL	7.6	6.1	3.8
Reuben Droughns – NYG	vs DAL	7.5	6.2	3.6
Jason Wright – CLE	at PIT	7.3	6.5	3.8
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	at WAS	7.2	6.4	3.6
Chris Brown – TEN	vs JAC	7.1	6.8	3.9
Brandon Jackson – GB	vs MIN	6.8	6.7	3.6
Patrick Cobbs – MIA	vs BUF	6.8	6.8	3.5
Anthony Thomas – BUF	at MIA	6.8	6.7	3.5
Vernand Morency – GB	vs MIN	6.7	6.8	3.4
Jerome Harrison – CLE	at PIT	6.2	7.2	3.4
Marcel Shipp – ARI	vs DET	6.1	7.2	3.3
Mike Anderson – BAL	vs CIN	5.9	7.2	3.1
Greg Jones – JAC	at TEN	5.7	7.3	2.9
Tatum Bell – DET	at ARI	5.5	7.3	2.8
Tony Hunt – PHI	at WAS	5.5	7.3	2.8
Larry Johnson – KC	vs DEN	5.4	7.5	2.9

 
Start:
Willis McGahee, BAL (14.4 rating): The Ravens have struggled mightily on offense this season, but you cannot blame Willis McGahee. McGahee is on pace for over 1300 yards rushing in his first year as a Raven, and has scored in each of the last three weeks. He has a good matchup this week at home against the Bengals (28th against the run). Baltimore will be looking for revenge in this game after a close defeat to the Bengals in the season opener.

Sit:
Lamont Jordan, OAK (8.9 rating): Jordan showed so much promise after the first four games, in which he ran for over 70 yards in each contest (and over 120 yards twice). But ever since the Raiders had their bye in Week 5, Lamont has not been the same. In his past four games Jordan has failed to break even 50 yards on the ground and has not scored, with injuries being a major issue. Justin Fargas carried the majority of the load for Oakland last week. Unless something changes, Jordan is not worth starting in most leagues for the foreseeable future.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Lee Evans – BUF	at MIA	15.7	2.6	8.3
Marques Colston – NO	vs STL	15.7	2.5	8.1
Reggie Wayne – IND	at SD	15.6	3.1	8.6
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	at BAL	15.3	3.5	8.8
Plaxico Burress – NYG	vs DAL	14.8	3.3	8.2
Roy Williams – DET	at ARI	14.8	2.8	7.7
Terrell Owens – DAL	at NYG	14.8	3.1	7.9
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	vs DET	14.8	3.2	8.0
Santonio Holmes – PIT	vs CLE	14.8	2.9	7.7
Torry Holt – STL	at NO	14.7	3.0	7.7
Anquan Boldin – ARI	vs DET	14.5	3.2	7.6
Hines Ward – PIT	vs CLE	14.2	3.0	7.1
Braylon Edwards – CLE	at PIT	14.0	4.1	8.1
Greg Jennings – GB	vs MIN	13.9	3.4	7.3
Steve Smith – CAR	vs ATL	13.6	3.9	7.6
Derrick Mason – BAL	vs CIN	13.5	3.3	6.8
Brandon Marshall – DEN	at KC	13.1	3.8	6.9
Donald Driver – GB	vs MIN	13.0	3.6	6.6
Bobby Engram – SEA	vs SF	13.0	3.8	6.8
Calvin Johnson – DET	at ARI	12.3	3.9	6.2
Kevin Curtis – PHI	at WAS	12.2	4.7	6.8
David Patten – NO	vs STL	12.0	4.2	6.2
Bernard Berrian – CHI	at OAK	11.9	4.4	6.3
Isaac Bruce – STL	at NO	11.5	4.5	6.0
Chris Henry – CIN	at BAL	11.5	4.5	6.0
DJ Hackett – SEA	vs SF	11.5	4.5	6.0
Shaun McDonald – DET	at ARI	11.4	4.4	5.8
Amani Toomer – NYG	vs DAL	11.4	4.3	5.7
Chad Johnson – CIN	at BAL	11.3	5.8	7.2
Chris Chambers – SD	vs IND	11.3	5.0	6.3
Mark Clayton – BAL	vs CIN	11.2	4.2	5.3
Brandon Stokely – DEN	at KC	11.1	4.6	5.7
James Jones – GB	vs MIN	11.0	4.5	5.5
Santana Moss – WAS	vs PHI	11.0	4.9	5.9
Dwayne Bowe – KC	vs DEN	11.0	4.9	5.9
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	at OAK	10.9	4.7	5.6
Reggie Brown – PHI	at WAS	10.9	5.0	5.9
Roddy White – ATL	at CAR	10.9	5.1	6.0
Mike Furrey – DET	at ARI	10.8	4.6	5.4
Vincent Jackson – SD	vs IND	10.6	5.0	5.6
Patrick Crayton – DAL	at NYG	10.5	5.5	6.1
Ronald Curry – OAK	vs CHI	10.4	5.0	5.5
Devery Henderson – NO	vs STL	10.4	4.8	5.2
Marty Booker – MIA	vs BUF	10.3	4.5	4.8
Nate Washington – PIT	vs CLE	10.2	4.9	5.1
Devin Hester – CHI	at OAK	10.2	5.7	5.9
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	vs PHI	10.2	5.3	5.5
Sidney Rice – MIN	at GB	9.9	5.5	5.4
Reggie Williams – JAC	at TEN	9.9	5.3	5.2
Lance Moore – NO	vs STL	9.8	5.2	5.0
Drew Carter – CAR	vs ATL	9.8	5.1	4.8
Dennis Northcutt – JAC	at TEN	9.8	5.2	5.0
Ted Ginn – MIA	vs BUF	9.8	5.5	5.2
Nate Burleson – SEA	vs SF	9.7	5.4	5.1
Jerry Porter – OAK	vs CHI	9.7	5.1	4.8
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	at MIA	9.7	5.7	5.4
Roydell Williams – TEN	vs JAC	9.6	5.3	4.8
Drew Bennett – STL	at NO	9.4	5.3	4.7
Darrell Jackson – SF	at SEA	9.2	5.8	4.9
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	at PIT	9.0	5.8	4.8
Arnaz Battle – SF	at SEA	9.0	5.7	4.7
Michael Jenkins – ATL	at CAR	8.9	5.6	4.5
Derek Hagan – MIA	vs BUF	8.8	5.3	4.1
Brandon Jones – TEN	vs JAC	8.7	5.7	4.5
Marvin Harrison – IND	at SD	8.7	6.9	5.6
Sammie Parker – KC	vs DEN	8.4	5.8	4.2
Demetrius Williams – BAL	vs CIN	8.4	5.5	3.9
Bryant Johnson – ARI	vs DET	8.4	6.0	4.4
Deion Branch – SEA	vs SF	8.2	6.2	4.4
Eric Moulds – TEN	vs JAC	7.8	6.1	3.9
Troy Williamson – MIN	at GB	7.8	6.2	4.0
Bobby Wade – MIN	at GB	7.7	6.3	4.0
Ernest Wilford – JAC	at TEN	7.5	6.2	3.7
Matt Jones – JAC	at TEN	7.4	6.3	3.7
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	vs CLE	7.3	6.1	3.4
Joe Horn – ATL	at CAR	7.3	6.5	3.8
Terrance Copper – NO	vs STL	7.3	6.2	3.5
Ashley Lelie – SF	at SEA	7.3	6.3	3.6
Glenn Martinez – DEN	at KC	7.2	6.3	3.5
Rashied Davis – CHI	at OAK	7.1	6.3	3.5
Ben Obomanu – SEA	vs SF	7.1	6.4	3.5
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at SD	7.0	6.7	3.7
Buster Davis – SD	vs IND	7.0	6.5	3.5
Antonio Chatman – CIN	at BAL	6.9	6.5	3.4
Steve Smith – NYG	vs DAL	6.6	6.7	3.3
Sam Hurd – DAL	at NYG	6.5	6.6	3.2
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	vs ATL	6.5	6.7	3.3
James Thrash – WAS	vs PHI	6.4	6.9	3.3
Tim Carter – CLE	at PIT	6.2	7.0	3.2
Jerheme Urban – ARI	vs DET	5.9	7.0	2.9
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	vs PHI	5.9	7.2	3.1
Malcolm Floyd – SD	vs IND	5.8	7.2	3.0
Sam Aiken – BUF	at MIA	5.6	7.2	2.8
Javon Walker – DEN	at KC	2.6	8.3	0.9

 
Start:
TJ Houshmandzadeh, CIN (15.3 rating): TJ always seems to be overshadowed by Chad Johnson, but as far as fantasy players are concerned he has had a far more productive season than Ocho Cinco so far. Housh has scored in EVERY game he has played in this season, with a total of ten touchdowns. That kind of production is hard to ignore. With Chad Johnson a little banged up, Housh may get even more looks than usual this week against Baltimore. Housh usually plays well against the AFC-rival Ravens anyway. He has had more yards against Baltimore than against any other team in each of the three years prior to this season. And to make matters worse for the Ravens: CB Samari Rolle is out and the other starter, Chris McAlister, is also hurt and could be a gametime decision.

Sit:
Jerry Porter, OAK (9.7 rating): Like his teammate, the aforementioned Lamont Jordan, Jerry Porter showed some flashes at the start of the season, scoring three touchdowns in his first four games. However, also like Jordan, Porter has failed to find the endzone since the bye week. The Raiders are struggling overall on offense right now, and quarterback play is at the root of the problem. The struggles of Culpepper and McCown will likely have the calls for rookie JaMarcus Russell growing louder by the minute. The Raiders’ opponent this week, Chicago, has not been dominant on defense this year, but they are rested coming off their bye week, and have a pair of good corners in Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Antonio Gates – SD	vs IND	16.4	2.5	8.9
Jason Witten – DAL	at NYG	15.7	2.8	8.5
Tony Gonzalez – KC	vs DEN	15.4	2.6	8.0
Kellen Winslow – CLE	at PIT	14.5	4.0	8.5
Dallas Clark – IND	at SD	14.2	3.7	7.9
Chris Cooley – WAS	vs PHI	14.2	3.4	7.5
Heath Miller – PIT	vs CLE	14.0	3.3	7.3
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	vs DAL	12.8	4.3	7.1
Vernon Davis – SF	at SEA	12.6	4.4	7.0
Tony Scheffler – DEN	at KC	11.9	4.2	6.2
Greg Olsen – CHI	at OAK	11.5	4.5	6.0
Donald Lee – GB	vs MIN	11.4	4.5	5.9
Todd Heap – BAL	vs CIN	11.1	5.5	6.6
Eric Johnson – NO	vs STL	11.0	4.7	5.7
Jeff King – CAR	vs ATL	10.8	4.5	5.3
Desmond Clark – CHI	at OAK	10.7	4.7	5.4
Robert Royal – BUF	at MIA	10.2	4.9	5.0
Randy McMichael – STL	at NO	10.0	5.0	5.0
Leonard Pope – ARI	vs DET	9.7	5.1	4.8
LJ Smith – PHI	at WAS	9.7	5.8	5.4
David Martin – MIA	vs BUF	9.2	5.1	4.4
Alge Crumpler – ATL	at CAR	9.2	5.9	5.1
Bo Scaife – TEN	vs JAC	8.9	5.6	4.5
Zach Miller – OAK	vs CHI	8.9	5.9	4.8
Will Heller – SEA	vs SF	8.8	5.5	4.3
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at GB	8.4	5.8	4.2
Ben Troupe – TEN	vs JAC	8.2	6.0	4.2
Justin Peelle – MIA	vs BUF	8.1	5.9	3.9
Marcus Pollard – SEA	vs SF	7.9	6.2	4.1
Daniel Graham – DEN	at KC	7.8	6.3	4.1
Ben Utecht – IND	at SD	7.5	6.2	3.7
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	at TEN	7.4	6.5	3.8
Bubba Franks – GB	vs MIN	7.3	6.5	3.9
Dan Campbell – DET	at ARI	7.1	6.5	3.5
Quinn Sypniewski – BAL	vs CIN	6.8	6.5	3.4
Matt Spaeth – PIT	vs CLE	6.8	6.4	3.2
Anthony Fasano – DAL	at NYG	6.7	6.6	3.2
Matt Schobel – PHI	at WAS	6.5	6.9	3.5
George Wrighster – JAC	at TEN	6.3	6.9	3.2
Reggie Kelly – CIN	at BAL	5.9	7.1	3.0
Dwayne Blakley – ATL	at CAR	4.8	7.7	2.5

 
Start:
Tony Gonzalez, KC (15.4 rating): Tony Gonzalez is quietly on pace for one of the best season’s of his decorated career. The perennial pro bowler is on pace for over 1230 yards and 8 TDs. He has recorded 66 yards or more in each of his past six games, an impressive feat for a tight end. He should continue to be a must start every week, especially this week as the Chiefs host a plummeting Denver squad that got pounded 44-7 by the Lions in Week 9.

Sit:
Alge Crumpler, ATL (9.2 rating): Crumpler may finally be ready to return from a knee injury that has kept him out since Week 7, but that does not necessarily mean that he is ready to return to your lineup. Even if he does start he is likely to still be bothered by the injury. And remember that he was not exactly tearing the league up when he was playing earlier in the season. The Falcons’ quarterback issues will make it difficult for Crumpler to put up the kind of numbers fantasy owners were used to when he was Michael Vick’s favorite (and only) target.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Jeff Reed – PIT	vs CLE	15.1	2.6	7.7
Matt Stover – BAL	vs CIN	15.0	2.5	7.5
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at SD	14.8	3.1	8.0
Jason Hanson – DET	at ARI	14.5	2.9	7.4
Nick Folk – DAL	at NYG	13.6	3.6	7.2
Neil Rackers – ARI	vs DET	13.5	3.2	6.7
Olindo Mare – NO	vs STL	13.5	3.6	7.1
Robbie Gould – CHI	at OAK	13.3	3.3	6.6
Josh Brown – SEA	vs SF	13.3	3.3	6.6
Nate Kaeding – SD	vs IND	13.3	3.7	6.9
Shaun Suisham – WAS	vs PHI	13.1	3.6	6.7
Mason Crosby – GB	vs MIN	13.0	3.8	6.8
Shayne Graham – CIN	at BAL	12.7	4.1	6.7
David Akers – PHI	at WAS	12.5	3.9	6.4
John Kasay – CAR	vs ATL	12.3	3.8	6.1
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	vs DAL	12.2	4.2	6.4
Rian Lindell – BUF	at MIA	12.0	4.1	6.1
Rob Bironas – TEN	vs JAC	11.9	4.5	6.4
Jeff Wilkins – STL	at NO	11.8	4.7	6.5
Jason Elam – DEN	at KC	11.8	4.3	6.1
Phil Dawson – CLE	at PIT	11.8	4.6	6.3
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at GB	11.5	4.7	6.2
Dave Rayner – KC	vs DEN	10.7	4.5	5.2
Joe Nedney – SF	at SEA	10.4	4.8	5.3
Morten Andersen – ATL	at CAR	10.3	4.6	4.9
John Carney – JAC	at TEN	10.2	5.1	5.3
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	vs CHI	10.1	5.0	5.1
Jay Feely – MIA	vs BUF	10.0	5.2	5.2

 
Start:
Josh Brown, SEA (13.3 rating): Josh Brown has been very solid this season, making 16 of his 17 field goal attempts, good for a 94% accuracy rating. And he definitely has the leg to make the long kick, even though he has only one attempt from 50+ yards this year (which he made). Brown has had a lot of work recently, going 7/7 in his past two games, and he should have several chances this week against the 49ers as well. The Niners are tied for second in the NFL in field goals allowed (18).

Sit:
Phil Dawson, CLE (11.8 rating): The Browns’ offense has been far more effective this year than most people expected, and Dawson has made the most of his opportunities, making 13 of 14 field goal attempts. But this week the Browns find themselves matched up with a Pittsburgh defense that is playing a lot like the Steel Curtain defense of old. Pittsburgh now leads the league in scoring defense at 12.2 points per game after holding the Ravens’ to 7 points in a blowout win. Not to mention the game is at Heinz Field, where the Steelers will have the home field advantage, and the wind conditions are not usually advantageous for kickers.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Seattle	vs SF	14.4	3.0	7.4
Detroit	at ARI	14.4	3.4	7.8
Chicago	at OAK	14.3	3.0	7.3
Buffalo	at MIA	13.5	3.3	6.8
Pittsburgh	vs CLE	12.8	4.7	7.5
New Orleans	vs STL	12.7	3.8	6.5
Tennessee	vs JAC	12.4	3.9	6.3
Green Bay	vs MIN	11.6	4.6	6.2
Carolina	vs ATL	11.4	4.3	5.7
Washington	vs PHI	11.3	4.9	6.2
Kansas City	vs DEN	11.2	4.5	5.7
Jacksonville	at TEN	11.2	4.8	5.9
Oakland	vs CHI	11.0	4.9	5.8
Philadelphia	at WAS	10.9	4.8	5.7
Cincinnati	at BAL	10.8	4.7	5.5
Dallas	at NYG	10.8	5.1	5.8
Baltimore	vs CIN	10.5	5.9	6.4
Minnesota	at GB	10.3	5.4	5.8
Indianapolis	at SD	9.8	5.8	5.6
New York Giants	vs DAL	9.5	5.9	5.5
Denver	at KC	9.0	5.8	4.8
Atlanta	at CAR	8.8	5.9	4.6
Arizona	vs DET	8.8	6.2	4.9
San Diego	vs IND	8.5	6.3	4.8
Miami	vs BUF	7.8	6.5	4.3
San Francisco	at SEA	7.4	6.3	3.7
Cleveland	at PIT	6.8	6.9	3.6
St. Louis	at NO	5.3	7.5	2.8

 
Start:
Detroit (14.4 rating): Detroit has been a very good fantasy defense this year because they have been great at making big plays. The Lions are 5th in the NFL in sacks with 24, 1st in interceptions with 16, and tied for 2nd in fumble recoveries with 10. They have also taken two interceptions and a fumble recovery back for touchdowns. The defense really flexed their muscles against the Broncos last week, and now they are hoping Kurt Warner returns to his turnover-prone ways in Arizona this week.

Sit:
Baltimore (10.5 rating): Injuries have taken their toll on a Ravens’ defense that has been regarded as one of the best in the league for years. Specifically, their two starting cornerbacks, Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister, are banged up and could both be out this week. Their absence last week led to five first half touchdowns for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. And unfortunately for the Ravens, injuries in the secondary play right into the hands of Carson Palmer and the Bengals, who would love to get into a shootout against a struggling Ravens’ offense. Not only does Palmer have T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson to throw to, but Chris Henry will also be available after returning from his eight game suspension. Needless to say, those three wideouts versus the Ravens’ 3rd, 4th, and 5th corners is a huge mismatch.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, treat24, dream_017, madaslives911, WaCougMBS, knapplc, plantation, suhgamer, Dan Lambskin, codered7, and m16a 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.
 

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