Week 2

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The first week of the season is in the books, leaving many fantasy owners with some burning questions. Will Drew Brees bounce back? Can Randy Moss continue his dominance? How much longer can the Browns avoid playing Brady Quinn? Week 2 should start to give us some answers to these and many other questions. Look over our Start and Sit rankings, and good luck either staying undefeated or avoiding that dreaded 0-2 start!

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
Peyton Manning – IND	at TEN	17.8	1.58	9.33
Carson Palmer – CIN	at CLE	16.2	2.42	8.58
Drew Brees – NO	at TB	15.3	3.17	8.42
Tony Romo – DAL	at MIA	14.4	3.50	7.92
Marc Bulger – STL	vs SF	13.9	4.08	8.00
Tom Brady – NE	vs SD	13.8	4.08	7.92
Donovan McNabb – PHI	vs WAS	13.8	4.17	7.92
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	vs BUF	13.7	3.92	7.58
Jay Cutler – DEN	vs OAK	13.3	4.00	7.33
Jon Kitna – DET	vs MIN	13.0	5.17	8.17
Brett Favre – GB	at NYG	12.7	4.50	7.17
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	at ARI	12.4	4.50	6.92
Jake Delhomme – CAR	vs HOU	11.9	4.50	6.42
Matt Schaub – HOU	at CAR	11.8	5.08	6.92
Alex Smith – SF	at STL	11.8	4.83	6.58
Philip Rivers – SD	at NE	11.8	5.00	6.75
Matt Leinart – ARI	vs SEA	11.3	5.58	6.92
Tarvaris Jackson – MIN	at DET	10.8	5.17	6.00
Vince Young – TEN	vs IND	10.6	5.92	6.50
Rex Grossman – CHI	vs KC	10.5	6.00	6.50
David Garrard – JAC	vs ATL	10.3	5.17	5.42
JP Losman – BUF	at PIT	10.1	6.17	6.25
Jeff Garcia – TB	vs NO	10.0	5.92	5.92
Trent Green – MIA	vs DAL	9.7	5.92	5.58
Steve McNair – BAL	vs NYJ	8.8	6.50	5.33
Jason Campbell – WAS	at PHI	8.8	6.42	5.17
Daunte Culpepper – OAK	at DEN	8.7	6.75	5.42
Joey Harrington – ATL	at JAC	6.7	7.50	4.17
Derek Anderson – CLE	vs CIN	6.5	7.42	3.92
Jared Lorenzen – NYG	vs GB	6.5	7.83	4.33
Kellen Clemens – NYJ	at BAL	6.0	8.08	4.08
Damon Huard – KC	at CHI	5.5	7.92	3.42

 
Start:
Tony Romo, DAL (14.4 rating): Romo and the rest of the Cowboys’ offense proved last week that the loss of Terry Glenn was not going to hold them back. Romo tossed four touchdowns, hooking up with TO, as well as his tight end Jason Witten, and backup wide receiver Sam Hurd. The Dolphins’ secondary did not look too bad against the Redskins last week, but they did lose starting safety Yeremiah Bell for the season with an achilles injury. Romo is in a rhythm right now and is a must-start this weekend.

Sit:
Matt Leinart, ARI (11.3 rating): The young Cardinal quarterback has a lot of expectations on his shoulders this season, but his first game was a tough one. Both offenses looked inept in the 49ers 20-17 win over Arizona last Monday night. Leinart was able to connect on a late touchdown pass with Anquan Boldin, but still only managed 102 yards on 14-28 passing. It is probably a good idea to sit him this week if you can, and give Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals a chance to work out the kinks in their new offense.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Joseph Addai – IND	at TEN	16.9	2.0	8.9
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	at NE	16.8	2.5	9.3
Willie Parker – PIT	vs BUF	16.2	2.5	8.7
Rudi Johnson – CIN	at CLE	16.0	2.1	8.1
Steven Jackson – STL	vs SF	16.0	2.8	8.8
Brian Westbrook – PHI	vs WAS	15.5	2.9	8.4
Frank Gore – SF	at STL	15.5	2.9	8.4
Shaun Alexander – SEA	at ARI	15.3	2.9	8.3
Travis Henry – DEN	vs OAK	15.3	3.0	8.3
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at DET	14.9	3.3	8.2
Reggie Bush – NO	at TB	14.1	3.8	7.9
Deuce McAllister – NO	at TB	13.6	3.8	7.4
Willis McGahee – BAL	vs NYJ	13.3	3.9	7.2
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	vs ATL	13.1	4.1	7.2
Edgerrin James – ARI	vs SEA	13.1	3.8	6.8
Cedric Benson – CHI	vs KC	12.8	4.3	7.2
Marion Barber – DAL	at MIA	12.7	4.6	7.3
Clinton Portis – WAS	at PHI	12.5	4.8	7.3
Fred Taylor – JAC	vs ATL	12.3	4.4	6.7
Brandon Jackson – GB	at NYG	12.3	4.5	6.8
Ahman Green – HOU	at CAR	12.1	4.3	6.4
Laurence Maroney – NE	vs SD	11.8	4.8	6.6
Julius Jones – DAL	at MIA	11.8	4.9	6.7
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	at PIT	11.6	5.1	6.7
Derrick Ward – NYG	vs GB	11.6	4.9	6.5
Larry Johnson – KC	at CHI	11.6	5.7	7.3
DeShaun Foster – CAR	vs HOU	11.5	4.8	6.3
LaMont Jordan – OAK	at DEN	11.5	5.2	6.7
Chris Brown – TEN	vs IND	11.4	4.8	6.3
Tatum Bell – DET	vs MIN	11.3	4.9	6.2
Ronnie Brown – MIA	vs DAL	11.3	5.1	6.3
Ladell Betts – WAS	at PHI	10.9	5.1	6.0
Warrick Dunn – ATL	at JAC	10.8	5.1	5.9
Jamal Lewis – CLE	vs CIN	10.8	5.2	5.9
Thomas Jones – NYJ	at BAL	10.7	5.3	6.0
Jerious Norwood – ATL	at JAC	10.5	5.3	5.8
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	vs HOU	10.4	5.4	5.8
Cadillac Williams – TB	vs NO	9.9	6.0	5.9
Adrian Peterson – CHI	vs KC	8.9	5.9	4.8
LenDale White – TEN	vs IND	8.8	5.8	4.7
Ron Dayne – HOU	at CAR	7.2	6.5	3.7
Jesse Chatman – MIA	vs DAL	7.2	6.8	3.9
Vernand Morency – GB	at NYG	7.1	6.7	3.8
Chris Henry – TEN	vs IND	7.0	6.6	3.6
Reuben Droughns – NYG	vs GB	6.8	7.1	3.9
Najeh Davenport – PIT	vs BUF	6.7	6.6	3.3
Chester Taylor – MIN	at DET	6.7	7.4	4.1
Musa Smith – BAL	vs NYJ	6.4	6.4	2.8
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	vs WAS	6.4	6.8	3.2
Sammy Morris – NE	vs SD	6.3	6.8	3.2
Michael Turner – SD	at NE	6.3	7.3	3.6
Maurice Morris – SEA	at ARI	6.3	6.8	3.0
Mike Anderson – BAL	vs NYJ	6.3	7.0	3.3
Anthony Thomas – BUF	at PIT	6.2	7.3	3.4
Leon Washington – NYJ	at BAL	5.8	7.3	3.2
Kenneth Darby – TB	vs NO	5.8	7.5	3.3
Marcel Shipp – ARI	vs SEA	5.8	7.2	3.0
Selvin Young – DEN	vs OAK	5.6	7.3	2.8
Kenton Keith – IND	at TEN	5.4	7.3	2.7
Brian Leonard – STL	vs SF	5.1	7.3	2.4
Greg Jones – JAC	vs ATL	5.0	7.6	2.6
Jerome Harrison – CLE	vs CIN	4.9	7.5	2.4
Michael Robinson – SF	at STL	4.8	7.7	2.4
Tony Hunt – PHI	vs WAS	4.5	8.0	2.5
Kevin Faulk – NE	vs SD	4.1	8.1	2.2
Kevin Jones – DET	vs MIN	2.1	9.4	1.5

 
Start:
Adrian Peterson, MIN (14.9 rating): The dynamic rookie removed any doubts of his ability to contribute right away at the NFL level with his performance against the Falcons in Week 1. Peterson ran for over 100 yards, and added an impressive 60 yard reception for a touchdown. Chester Taylor will certainly not be able to keep him off the field now, as he carried only three times before leaving with an injury that has him questionable for Week 2.

Sit:
Thomas Jones, NYJ (10.7 rating): If you’re Thomas Jones, you cannot be happy that after playing that tough Patriots’ defense in Week 1, you have to travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens the following week. Even Chad Johnson, who does not dish out compliments to opposing defenses lightly, gave praise to the Ravens’ defense after a close win in Cincy on Monday night. OH, and for the record, I considered choosing Larry Johnson here, but I just couldn’t get myself to type it. Proceed with caution with both backs.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Chad Johnson – CIN	at CLE	17.6	1.7	9.3
Reggie Wayne – IND	at TEN	17.5	1.7	9.2
Marvin Harrison – IND	at TEN	17.3	1.8	9.1
Steve Smith – CAR	vs HOU	17.1	2.1	9.2
Terrell Owens – DAL	at MIA	16.2	2.5	8.7
Torry Holt – STL	vs SF	16.2	2.5	8.7
Randy Moss – NE	vs SD	15.4	3.4	8.8
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	at CLE	15.3	2.9	8.3
Roy Williams – DET	vs MIN	15.3	2.8	8.2
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	vs SEA	15.0	2.9	7.9
Anquan Boldin – ARI	vs SEA	14.9	2.9	7.8
Andre Johnson – HOU	at CAR	14.8	3.1	7.8
Javon Walker – DEN	vs OAK	14.8	3.3	8.0
Marques Colston – NO	at TB	14.4	3.5	7.9
Donald Driver – GB	at NYG	14.3	3.8	8.1
Hines Ward – PIT	vs BUF	13.9	3.2	7.1
Plaxico Burress – NYG	vs GB	13.7	4.1	7.8
Lee Evans – BUF	at PIT	13.4	3.8	7.3
Santonio Holmes – PIT	vs BUF	13.1	4.0	7.1
Chris Chambers – MIA	vs DAL	12.8	3.9	6.7
Calvin Johnson – DET	vs MIN	12.5	4.4	6.9
Darrell Jackson – SF	at STL	12.4	4.4	6.8
Bernard Berrian – CHI	vs KC	12.3	4.5	6.8
Santana Moss – WAS	at PHI	12.1	4.6	6.7
Joey Galloway – TB	vs NO	12.0	4.6	6.6
Isaac Bruce – STL	vs SF	11.9	4.3	6.3
Devery Henderson – NO	at TB	11.9	4.7	6.6
Ronald Curry – OAK	at DEN	11.8	4.8	6.6
Reggie Brown – PHI	vs WAS	11.8	4.9	6.8
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	at PHI	11.6	4.8	6.4
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	at BAL	11.4	4.9	6.3
Deion Branch – SEA	at ARI	11.3	5.2	6.4
Kevin Curtis – PHI	vs WAS	10.9	4.8	5.8
Vincent Jackson – SD	at NE	10.9	4.8	5.8
Derrick Mason – BAL	vs NYJ	10.9	5.1	6.0
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	vs KC	10.8	5.1	5.8
Patrick Crayton – DAL	at MIA	10.7	5.3	6.0
Donte Stallworth – NE	vs SD	10.6	5.4	6.0
Braylon Edwards – CLE	vs CIN	10.5	5.7	6.2
Amani Toomer – NYG	vs GB	10.4	5.4	5.8
Drew Carter – CAR	vs HOU	10.3	5.5	5.8
Mike Furrey – DET	vs MIN	10.2	5.2	5.3
Brandon Marshall – DEN	vs OAK	10.2	5.4	5.6
Wes Welker – NE	vs SD	10.2	5.7	5.8
Mark Clayton – BAL	vs NYJ	10.1	5.7	5.8
Greg Jennings – GB	at NYG	9.9	6.1	6.0
Troy Williamson – MIN	at DET	9.8	5.8	5.6
Arnaz Battle – SF	at STL	9.7	5.6	5.3
Marty Booker – MIA	vs DAL	9.6	5.2	4.8
Demetrius Williams – BAL	vs NYJ	9.4	5.8	5.3
Jerry Porter – OAK	at DEN	9.3	5.6	4.9
James Jones – GB	at NYG	9.1	6.0	5.1
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	at BAL	9.1	6.0	5.1
Brandon Stokely – DEN	vs OAK	9.0	5.8	4.8
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	at PIT	8.9	6.1	5.0
Joe Horn – ATL	at JAC	8.9	5.9	4.8
Drew Bennett – STL	vs SF	8.8	5.8	4.6
Bobby Wade – MIN	at DET	8.8	6.0	4.8
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	at PHI	8.7	6.1	4.8
Tab Perry – CIN	at CLE	8.5	5.8	4.3
Nate Burleson – SEA	at ARI	8.5	6.0	4.5
Reggie Williams – JAC	vs ATL	8.5	6.2	4.7
Matt Jones – JAC	vs ATL	8.5	6.3	4.8
Brandon Jones – TEN	vs IND	8.4	6.7	5.1
Michael Clayton – TB	vs NO	8.3	6.3	4.6
Bryant Johnson – ARI	vs SEA	8.3	6.1	4.3
Shaun McDonald – DET	vs MIN	8.3	6.5	4.8
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at TEN	8.2	6.0	4.2
Kevin Walter – HOU	at CAR	8.2	6.5	4.7
DJ Hackett – SEA	at ARI	8.0	6.8	4.8
Nate Washington – PIT	vs BUF	7.9	6.2	4.1
Bobby Engram – SEA	at ARI	7.8	6.4	4.2
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	vs CIN	7.8	6.7	4.4
Craig Davis – SD	at NE	7.7	6.5	4.2
Michael Jenkins – ATL	at JAC	7.3	6.7	4.0
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	vs BUF	7.2	6.6	3.8
Sidney Rice – MIN	at DET	7.1	6.7	3.8
Eric Moulds – TEN	vs IND	7.0	6.9	3.9
Sammie Parker – KC	at CHI	6.8	6.8	3.7
Ernest Wilford – JAC	vs ATL	6.8	6.9	3.8
Rashied Davis – CHI	vs KC	6.8	6.7	3.4
Roddy White – ATL	at JAC	6.7	6.7	3.3
Steve Smith – NYG	vs GB	6.4	7.3	3.8
Derek Hagan – MIA	vs DAL	6.3	6.8	3.1
Maurice Stovall – TB	vs NO	6.3	7.2	3.5
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	vs HOU	6.3	7.3	3.6
Dwayne Bowe – KC	at CHI	6.0	7.3	3.3
Robert Meachum – NO	at TB	5.8	7.5	3.3
Terrance Copper – NO	at TB	5.8	7.6	3.3
Sam Aiken – BUF	at PIT	4.9	7.7	2.6

 
Start:
TJ Houshmandzadeh, CIN (15.3 rating): Cleveland allowed four receiving touchdowns to the Steelers last week, so it would not surprise me at all to see TJ pull down at least one against them this week. Houshyomomma recorded nine catches and a touchdown last week against a much stingier Ravens defense. Make sure he is in your lineup this week.

Sit:
Donte Stallworth, NE (10.6 rating): With one catch last week, Stallworth was the Patriots’ distant third receiver in terms of targets, behind Randy Moss (nine catches) and Wes Welker (six catches). I would not expect too much from him next week against a better defense in San Diego. Not to mention, the Patriots won’t have video of the defense’s signals this week. (I kid…. sort of…).
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Antonio Gates – SD	at NE	16.8	2.4	9.3
Jason Witten – DAL	at MIA	15.0	3.0	8.0
Todd Heap – BAL	vs NYJ	14.7	2.9	7.6
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	vs GB	14.7	3.2	7.8
Kellen Winslow – CLE	vs CIN	14.2	3.7	7.8
Vernon Davis – SF	at STL	13.4	4.0	7.4
Tony Gonzalez – KC	at CHI	13.3	3.9	7.3
Dallas Clark – IND	at TEN	13.3	3.3	6.6
Heath Miller – PIT	vs BUF	13.3	3.8	7.1
Chris Cooley – WAS	at PHI	13.2	3.8	7.0
Ben Watson – NE	vs SD	12.9	3.9	6.8
Eric Johnson – NO	at TB	12.8	4.1	6.8
Alge Crumpler – ATL	at JAC	11.9	4.7	6.6
LJ Smith – PHI	vs WAS	11.6	4.9	6.5
Owen Daniels – HOU	at CAR	11.0	4.6	5.6
Randy McMichael – STL	vs SF	10.8	4.8	5.6
Desmond Clark – CHI	vs KC	10.5	5.3	5.8
Bo Scaife – TEN	vs IND	10.1	5.0	5.1
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at DET	9.2	5.8	5.0
Daniel Graham – DEN	vs OAK	8.8	5.6	4.3
Zach Miller – OAK	at DEN	8.6	6.0	4.6
Tony Scheffler – DEN	vs OAK	8.5	5.8	4.3
Ben Troupe – TEN	vs IND	8.4	5.5	3.9
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	vs ATL	8.3	5.9	4.2
David Martin – MIA	vs DAL	8.3	6.0	4.3
Marcus Pollard – SEA	at ARI	8.3	6.3	4.5
Chris Baker – NYJ	at BAL	7.9	6.0	3.9
Bubba Franks – GB	at NYG	7.6	6.3	3.8
Reggie Kelly – CIN	at CLE	7.6	6.2	3.8
George Wrighster – JAC	vs ATL	7.3	6.3	3.6
Dan Campbell – DET	vs MIN	7.3	6.5	3.8
Ben Utecht – IND	at TEN	7.3	6.2	3.5
Leonard Pope – ARI	vs SEA	7.2	6.7	3.8
Alex Smith – TB	vs NO	7.0	6.3	3.3
Jeff King – CAR	vs HOU	6.7	6.8	3.4
David Lee – GB	at NYG	6.5	6.9	3.4
Robert Royal – BUF	at PIT	6.3	6.9	3.3
Kyle Brady – NE	vs SD	6.1	6.9	3.0
Jeb Putzier – HOU	at CAR	6.0	6.5	2.5
Anthony Becht – TB	vs NO	6.0	6.8	2.8
Matt Schobel – PHI	vs WAS	5.8	6.9	2.8
Itula Mili – SEA	at ARI	5.8	7.3	3.1
Mike Sellers – WAS	at PHI	4.6	7.8	2.3

 
Start:
Tony Gonzalez, KC (13.3 rating): OK, so maybe Gonzalez isn’t the strongest start against the Bears, but I do expect him to have a solid game. A struggling quarterback will look often to his tight end, but in the Chief’s case, Gonzalez is also one of their only reliable receivers. The Chiefs are also likely to be behind in this game, leading to more opportunities for Kansas City to try to move the ball through the air. In any case, if you have Tony Gonzalez on your team, you probably don’t have any better options anyway.

Sit:
Randy McMichael, STL (10.8 rating): McMichael was a hard guy to project this offseason, as he moved to a new team with many other offensive options. Randy had two catches for 24 yards in his first game. Not too bad, but it certainly does not make him a must-start either. He would not be in my top 12 starters this week, as the Rams’ offense looked a little slow to start last week, while the 49ers defense more than held their own against Arizona.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at TEN	15.9	2.3	8.2
Jeff Wilkins – STL	vs SF	14.8	2.8	7.6
Jason Elam – DEN	vs OAK	14.7	3.0	7.7
Neil Rackers – ARI	vs SEA	14.2	3.3	7.5
Robbie Gould – CHI	vs KC	13.9	3.5	7.4
Olindo Mare – NO	at TB	13.8	3.5	7.3
Nate Kaeding – SD	at NE	13.8	3.6	7.4
Jason Hanson – DET	vs MIN	13.7	3.6	7.3
Matt Stover – BAL	vs NYJ	13.6	3.5	7.1
Shayne Graham – CIN	at CLE	13.4	4.3	7.7
Josh Brown – SEA	at ARI	13.3	3.7	6.9
David Akers – PHI	vs WAS	12.9	3.8	6.8
Jeff Reed – PIT	vs BUF	12.6	4.0	6.6
Joe Nedney – SF	at STL	12.6	4.0	6.6
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	vs SD	12.6	4.3	6.8
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at DET	12.4	4.3	6.7
Mason Crosby – GB	at NYG	12.3	4.7	7.0
John Kasay – CAR	vs HOU	11.9	4.3	6.3
Nick Folk – DAL	at MIA	11.2	4.8	5.9
Jay Feely – MIA	vs DAL	11.1	4.8	5.8
Kris Brown – HOU	at CAR	10.5	5.2	5.7
Rian Lindell – BUF	at PIT	9.9	5.1	5.0
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	at DEN	9.9	5.6	5.5
Shaun Suisham – WAS	at PHI	9.7	5.3	4.9
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	vs GB	9.7	5.6	5.3
Matt Bryant – TB	vs NO	9.5	5.3	4.8
Mike Nugent – NYJ	at BAL	9.3	5.8	5.1
Rob Bironas – TEN	vs IND	9.3	5.8	5.1
Phil Dawson – CLE	vs CIN	8.7	5.6	4.3
Matt Prater – ATL	at JAC	8.6	6.1	4.7
Dave Rayner – KC	at CHI	8.1	6.4	4.5
Josh Scobee – JAC	vs ATL	6.7	7.2	3.8

 
Start:
Jason Hanson, DET (13.7 rating): Hanson remains one of the most underrated kickers in the NFL. He knocked through three field goals last week against the Raiders, as the Lions offense put up 36 points. The Vikings defense looked great last week, so I would not expect the Lions to score that many points this week, but it could also mean some touchdown opportunities will be converted into field goals for Hanson.

Sit:
Rian Lindell, BUF(9.9 rating): Pittsburgh only allowed 7 points last week, while the Bills only put up 14 themselves (with no help from a missed field goal by Lindell). There will probably be a few better options on your waiver wire if you need a kicker.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Chicago	vs KC	17.2	1.9	9.1
Baltimore	vs NYJ	17.0	2.0	9.0
Cincinnati	at CLE	16.2	2.3	8.4
Pittsburgh	vs BUF	14.9	2.8	7.8
Denver	vs OAK	14.1	3.1	7.2
Jacksonville	vs ATL	13.9	3.4	7.3
Green Bay	at NYG	13.6	3.4	7.0
Indianapolis	at TEN	13.2	3.8	6.9
Dallas	at MIA	12.7	4.3	7.0
Minnesota	at DET	12.4	4.3	6.8
Carolina	vs HOU	12.3	4.1	6.4
Philadelphia	vs WAS	12.0	4.1	6.1
San Diego	at NE	11.8	5.0	6.8
New Orleans	at TB	11.3	4.5	5.8
New England	vs SD	10.9	5.0	5.9
Seattle	at ARI	10.8	4.8	5.6
St. Louis	vs SF	10.8	4.9	5.8
San Francisco	at STL	10.7	5.3	5.9
Houston	at CAR	10.5	5.0	5.5
Detroit	vs MIN	10.3	5.1	5.3
Arizona	vs SEA	10.2	5.2	5.3
Oakland	at DEN	9.9	5.1	5.0
New York Jets	at BAL	9.8	5.2	5.0
Miami	vs DAL	9.7	5.9	5.6
Washington	at PHI	9.5	5.7	5.2
New York Giants	vs GB	9.3	5.8	5.0
Atlanta	at JAC	8.4	6.3	4.8
Kansas City	at CHI	8.1	6.4	4.5
Buffalo	at PIT	7.3	6.7	4.0
Tampa Bay	vs NO	6.8	6.6	3.4
Cleveland	vs CIN	5.3	7.8	3.1
Tennessee	vs IND	5.0	7.8	2.8

 
Start:
Green Bay (13.6 rating): The Giants are already missing their starting runningback Brandon Jacobs, and it seems likely that quarterback Eli Manning will be out this week as well. At the very least, Manning will still be bothered by that right shoulder injury he suffered against Dallas. The Packers’ defense is much better than most people give them credit for. They held the Eagles to only 13 points last week. Playmakers like Cullen Jenkins, Aaron Kampman, AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson, and Al Harris will cause the Giants all kinds of trouble if they are forced to start Jared Lorenzen at quarterback.

Sit:
Arizona (10.2 rating): The Cardinals’ defense showed some promise in their nationally televised game on Monday night, so it might be tempting to pick them up if you need help at defense. I don’t think they are the best play against Seattle this weekend though. The Seahawks didn’t light up the scoreboard against Tampa last week, but both Hasselbeck (17-24, 222 yards) and Shaun Alexander (27 carries, 105 yards) had effective games as Seattle wore down the Buccaneers. Arizona is a defense to watch this year, but not to start just yet.
 

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, madaslives911, bobbing_headz, treat24, Dan Lambskin, Leber, joelamosobadiah, dream_017, knapplc, PMoneyTKE, MoDee, and Whodey#9 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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