Week 7

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In Week 6, the Patriots continued their dominance, “All Day” Peterson ran all over the Bears, and Santana Moss forgot how to catch (still a sore subject for me…). Anyway, among this week’s matchups are the undefeated Patriots taking on the winless Dolphins, as Miami continues its quest to avoid fielding the league’s first ever 0-16 team to go with their 1972 undefeated team. Week 7’s bye weeks should be a bit less damaging than last week’s, with only four teams (Green Bay, Cleveland, San Diego, and Carolina) taking the week off. Thanks again to our helpful rankers, here is the Cafe’s Week 7 Start & Sit for all your lineup decision needs!

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
Tom Brady – NE	at MIA	17.8	1.5	9.3
Peyton Manning – IND	at JAC	16.8	2.2	9.0
Tony Romo – DAL	vs MIN	16.6	2.3	8.9
Carson Palmer – CIN	vs NYJ	16.4	2.2	8.6
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	vs STL	14.9	3.1	8.0
Eli Manning – NYG	vs SF	14.6	3.4	8.0
Drew Brees – NO	vs ATL	14.2	3.6	7.8
Jon Kitna – DET	vs TB	13.8	4.0	7.8
Jeff Garcia – TB	at DET	13.5	3.8	7.3
Donovan McNabb – PHI	vs CHI	13.3	3.8	7.2
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	at DEN	13.3	4.0	7.3
Jason Campbell – WAS	vs ARI	13.2	3.8	7.0
Matt Schaub – HOU	vs TEN	12.3	4.4	6.7
David Garrard – JAC	vs IND	11.7	4.7	6.3
Vince Young – TEN	at HOU	11.2	5.8	6.9
Chad Pennington – NYJ	at CIN	11.1	5.4	6.5
Jay Cutler – DEN	vs PIT	10.6	5.3	5.9
Damon Huard – KC	at OAK	10.4	5.5	5.9
Brian Griese – CHI	at PHI	10.0	6.6	6.6
Kyle Boller – BAL	at BUF	9.9	5.7	5.6
Daunte Culpepper – OAK	vs KC	9.8	5.9	5.8
Byron Leftwich – ATL	at NO	9.8	6.2	6.0
Cleo Lemon – MIA	vs NE	9.5	6.5	6.0
Gus Frerotte – STL	at SEA	8.8	6.0	4.8
Trent Edwards – BUF	vs BAL	8.7	6.4	5.2
Trent Dilfer – SF	at NYG	8.3	6.1	4.4
Tim Rattay – ARI	at WAS	8.2	6.6	4.8
Tarvaris Jackson – MIN	at DAL	8.0	6.6	4.6
Steve McNair – BAL	at BUF	7.7	6.5	4.2
Marc Bulger – STL	at SEA	7.1	7.3	4.3
Brodie Croyle – KC	at OAK	6.3	7.1	3.4
Kurt Warner – ARI	at WAS	5.2	7.2	2.4
Josh McCown – OAK	vs KC	4.8	7.2	2.0
Kelly Holcomb – MIN	at DAL	4.3	7.4	1.8
Joey Harrington – ATL	at NO	3.2	7.7	0.9

 
Start:
Jason Campbell, WAS (13.2 rating): Washington’s young QB has been impressive with his poise and decision making in his first season as the starter. He does not always put up big numbers in the Redskins’ run-oriented offense, and he has not had much help from his receivers outside of Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle-El, but Campbell has scored a touchdown in four straight games, including two each of the last two weeks. Once again, Campbell is unlikely to put up eye-popping numbers against Arizona, but he is in a good position to have a solid game and could fill in nicely as a fantasy starter this week. Cardinals’ standout safety Adrian Wilson and linebacker Karlos Dansby have been limited in practice and could miss the game, making Campbell a sneaky start in week 7.

Sit:
Cleo Lemon, MIA (9.5 rating): I’m going to assume this one is a bit of a no-brainer, even though Cleo did put up some decent numbers in his second game with the Dolphins. Even Cleo Lemon’s mother can’t feel good about her son’s chances after the winless Fins traded away their best wide receiver going into a game against the NFL’s best team. Resist the temptation to start Lemon, even if he does have one of the NFL’s most… interesting names.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Larry Johnson – KC	at OAK	16.2	2.6	8.7
Brian Westbrook – PHI	vs CHI	16.1	2.3	8.3
Reggie Bush – NO	vs ATL	15.6	2.4	8.0
Willis McGahee – BAL	at BUF	15.6	2.4	8.0
Willie Parker – PIT	at DEN	15.3	2.4	7.8
Frank Gore – SF	at NYG	15.2	2.8	8.0
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at DAL	15.2	2.8	8.0
Ronnie Brown – MIA	vs NE	14.4	3.5	7.9
Joseph Addai – IND	at JAC	14.3	3.3	7.6
LaMont Jordan – OAK	vs KC	13.9	3.2	7.2
Edgerrin James – ARI	at WAS	13.9	3.3	7.2
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	vs IND	13.8	3.6	7.4
Shaun Alexander – SEA	vs STL	13.6	3.7	7.3
Clinton Portis – WAS	vs ARI	13.2	3.9	7.1
Thomas Jones – NYJ	at CIN	12.9	3.8	6.8
Travis Henry – DEN	vs PIT	12.0	4.2	6.2
Kevin Jones – DET	vs TB	11.9	4.6	6.4
Marion Barber – DAL	vs MIN	11.8	4.4	6.2
LenDale White – TEN	at HOU	11.3	4.7	6.1
Cedric Benson – CHI	at PHI	10.9	4.7	5.7
Earnest Graham – TB	at DET	10.9	4.9	5.8
Brandon Jacobs – NYG	vs SF	10.8	5.1	5.9
Rudi Johnson – CIN	vs NYJ	10.7	5.3	6.0
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	vs BAL	10.5	5.2	5.7
Jerious Norwood – ATL	at NO	10.3	5.5	5.8
Brian Leonard – STL	at SEA	9.7	5.7	5.4
Kevin Faulk – NE	at MIA	9.6	5.4	5.0
Warrick Dunn – ATL	at NO	9.3	5.4	4.7
Chester Taylor – MIN	at DAL	9.1	5.7	4.7
Fred Taylor – JAC	vs IND	9.0	5.9	4.9
Ahman Green – HOU	vs TEN	8.9	6.1	5.1
Laurence Maroney – NE	at MIA	8.4	6.3	4.8
Ladell Betts – WAS	vs ARI	8.3	6.1	4.4
Derrick Ward – NYG	vs SF	8.2	6.3	4.5
Michael Bennett – TB	at DET	7.8	4.4	2.2
Najeh Davenport – PIT	at DEN	7.6	6.3	3.9
Julius Jones – DAL	vs MIN	7.4	6.5	3.9
Kenny Watson – CIN	vs NYJ	7.3	6.7	3.9
Chris Brown – TEN	at HOU	7.2	6.3	3.6
Mike Anderson – BAL	at BUF	6.9	4.6	1.5
Reuben Droughns – NYG	vs SF	6.8	6.8	3.6
Samkon Gado – HOU	vs TEN	6.7	5.1	1.7
Kenton Keith – IND	at JAC	6.7	7.1	3.7
TJ Duckett – DET	vs TB	6.4	5.1	1.5
Selvin Young – DEN	vs PIT	6.4	6.9	3.3
Leon Washington – NYJ	at CIN	6.2	6.9	3.1
Justin Fargas – OAK	vs KC	6.1	7.2	3.3
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	vs CHI	6.1	7.4	3.5
Tatum Bell – DET	vs TB	6.0	7.3	3.3
Aaron Stecker – NO	vs ATL	6.0	7.3	3.3
Maurice Morris – SEA	vs STL	5.8	7.5	3.3
Ron Dayne – HOU	vs TEN	5.7	7.4	3.2
Steven Jackson – STL	at SEA	5.4	5.4	0.9
Adrian Peterson – CHI	at PHI	5.2	7.5	2.7
Tony Hunt – PHI	vs CHI	4.9	6.8	1.7
Marcel Shipp – ARI	at WAS	4.7	7.7	2.3
Musa Smith – BAL	at BUF	4.6	7.7	2.3
Chris Henry – TEN	at HOU	4.5	8.1	2.6
Sammy Morris – NE	at MIA	4.3	5.9	0.2
Greg Jones – JAC	vs IND	3.8	8.1	1.9
Michael Robinson – SF	at NYG	3.8	8.1	1.9
Anthony Thomas – BUF	vs BAL	3.3	8.3	1.7
Jesse Chatman – MIA	vs NE	3.3	8.3	1.7

 
Start:
Ronnie Brown, MIA (14.4 rating): I know I just said to sit Miami’s quarterback, and certainly the Patriots are a tough matchup for any offensive player, but Ronnie Brown is on fire right now. It seems like the Dolphins are getting him the ball any way they can, and they should be counting on him even more with Chris Chambers leaving for San Diego. Brown has run for over 100 yards and caught at least five passes in each of his last four games. Even against the Patriots, it would not surprise me to see another good game from the former Auburn star.

Sit:
Julius Jones, DAL (7.4 rating): Splitting with Marion Barber has made it tough for Julius Jones to be a big fantasy factor this year, despite the Cowboys’ explosive offense. Barber also gets most of the work near the goal line, and it shows as Jones has only scored one touchdown on the year. Julius does not have a good matchup this week in Minnesota. Expect the Cowboys to air it out and try to take advantage of the Vikings’ pass D, much like the Bears did last week when Brian Griese passed for 381 yards.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Randy Moss – NE	at MIA	17.4	1.3	8.7
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	vs NYJ	17.1	1.7	8.7
Terrell Owens – DAL	vs MIN	16.5	2.1	8.6
Plaxico Burress – NYG	vs SF	16.3	2.1	8.3
Chad Johnson – CIN	vs NYJ	15.8	2.1	7.9
Reggie Wayne – IND	at JAC	15.3	2.2	7.6
Derrick Mason – BAL	at BUF	13.5	3.4	6.9
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	at CIN	13.5	3.4	6.9
Joey Galloway – TB	at DET	13.4	3.5	6.9
Patrick Crayton – DAL	vs MIN	13.4	3.6	7.0
Roy Williams – DET	vs TB	13.4	3.8	7.2
Kevin Curtis – PHI	vs CHI	13.2	3.9	7.1
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	at CIN	12.9	3.6	6.6
Dwayne Bowe – KC	at OAK	12.9	4.1	6.9
Wes Welker – NE	at MIA	12.6	3.8	6.4
Marvin Harrison – IND	at JAC	12.6	4.6	7.2
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	at WAS	12.6	4.2	6.8
Bobby Engram – SEA	vs STL	12.3	4.0	6.3
Torry Holt – STL	at SEA	12.2	4.8	7.0
Donte Stallworth – NE	at MIA	12.2	4.0	6.2
Santonio Holmes – PIT	at DEN	12.1	4.7	6.8
Bernard Berrian – CHI	at PHI	11.6	4.8	6.4
Marques Colston – NO	vs ATL	10.8	5.2	6.0
Anquan Boldin – ARI	at WAS	10.7	5.6	6.3
Javon Walker – DEN	vs PIT	10.7	5.3	6.0
Roddy White – ATL	at NO	10.7	5.2	5.8
Brandon Marshall – DEN	vs PIT	10.4	4.8	5.2
Ronald Curry – OAK	vs KC	10.4	5.4	5.8
Amani Toomer – NYG	vs SF	10.1	5.2	5.2
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	vs ARI	9.9	5.8	5.7
Hines Ward – PIT	at DEN	9.8	6.4	6.2
Brandon Jones – TEN	at HOU	9.8	4.4	4.2
Lee Evans – BUF	vs BAL	9.8	5.6	5.4
Calvin Johnson – DET	vs TB	9.7	5.6	5.3
Nate Burleson – SEA	vs STL	9.6	5.4	5.0
Kevin Walter – HOU	vs TEN	9.3	5.9	5.2
Shaun McDonald – DET	vs TB	9.1	5.4	4.5
Drew Bennett – STL	at SEA	9.1	4.9	4.0
Jerry Porter – OAK	vs KC	9.0	5.7	4.7
Dennis Northcutt – JAC	vs IND	8.7	5.9	4.7
Darrell Jackson – SF	at NYG	8.7	5.9	4.7
Andre Davis – HOU	vs TEN	8.7	5.8	4.6
Mike Furrey – DET	vs TB	8.6	5.5	4.1
Marty Booker – MIA	vs NE	8.5	5.9	4.4
Reggie Brown – PHI	vs CHI	8.5	6.6	5.1
David Patten – NO	vs ATL	8.3	6.1	4.4
Santana Moss – WAS	vs ARI	8.2	6.6	4.8
Ike Hilliard – TB	at DET	7.9	6.0	3.9
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	at PHI	7.9	6.3	4.3
Michael Jenkins – ATL	at NO	7.9	6.5	4.4
Lance Moore – NO	vs ATL	7.9	6.7	4.7
Devin Hester – CHI	at PHI	7.8	7.1	4.9
Roydell Williams – TEN	at HOU	7.7	6.4	4.2
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at JAC	7.4	6.5	3.9
Isaac Bruce – STL	at SEA	7.1	6.8	3.9
Andre Johnson – HOU	vs TEN	7.1	6.9	4.0
Brandon Stokely – DEN	vs PIT	6.9	6.5	3.4
Troy Williamson – MIN	at DAL	6.9	6.9	3.9
Joe Horn – ATL	at NO	6.9	6.9	3.8
Eric Moulds – TEN	at HOU	6.8	6.8	3.6
Demetrius Williams – BAL	at BUF	6.8	6.6	3.4
Reggie Williams – JAC	vs IND	6.7	6.7	3.4
Derek Hagan – MIA	vs NE	6.7	5.9	2.6
Arnaz Battle – SF	at NYG	6.6	6.8	3.4
Michael Clayton – TB	at DET	6.3	6.9	3.2
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	vs BAL	6.2	6.7	2.9
Sidney Rice – MIN	at DAL	6.1	7.4	3.6
Ben Obomanu – SEA	vs STL	6.1	7.2	3.3
Mark Clayton – BAL	at BUF	6.1	7.1	3.1
Bobby Wade – MIN	at DAL	5.9	7.2	3.2
Antonio Chatman – CIN	vs NYJ	5.8	6.4	2.2
Sammie Parker – KC	at OAK	5.8	6.4	2.2
DJ Hackett – SEA	vs STL	5.7	7.3	3.0
Jabar Gaffney – NE	at MIA	5.6	7.3	2.9
Matt Jones – JAC	vs IND	5.6	7.4	3.0
Steve Smith – NYG	vs SF	5.6	6.6	2.2
Nate Washington – PIT	at DEN	5.6	7.0	2.6
Devery Henderson – NO	vs ATL	5.4	7.3	2.7
Jerheme Urban – ARI	at WAS	5.3	6.6	1.9
Sam Aiken – BUF	vs BAL	5.3	6.6	1.9
Bryant Johnson – ARI	at WAS	5.2	7.5	2.7
Terrance Copper – NO	vs ATL	4.9	6.6	1.5
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	vs ARI	4.8	7.7	2.5
Jacoby Jones – HOU	vs TEN	4.8	7.0	1.8
Sam Hurd – DAL	vs MIN	4.7	7.7	2.4
Ernest Wilford – JAC	vs IND	4.7	7.7	2.3
Deion Branch – SEA	vs STL	4.3	7.0	1.3
Rashied Davis – CHI	at PHI	3.8	8.1	1.9
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	at DEN	3.8	8.1	1.9

 
Start:
Derrick Mason, BAL (13.5 rating): Derrick Mason continues to have a quiet, but very good season for the Ravens. Mark Clayton has been a disappointment, but Mason has stepped up in his place. The veteran wide out is on pace for 1200 yards and an impressive 130 catches. The Bills’ pass defense is 31st in the league, so Mason should get some opportunities down the field, no matter who the Ravens have at quarterback.

Sit:
Calvin Johnson, DET (9.7 rating): Calvin Johnson started the season off strong, catching a touchdown in each of his first two games. Then he got hurt, and didn’t quite look like his old self in his return against Washington. He has had a bye week to rest up, but he will probably need at least one more week to get back into the swing of things, especially considering that the Lions do have other solid options at wide receiver. Not to mention the Buccaneers are 8th in league in passing defense.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Jason Witten – DAL	vs MIN	16.9	1.7	8.6
Tony Gonzalez – KC	at OAK	15.7	2.4	8.2
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	vs SF	14.6	2.8	7.4
Chris Cooley – WAS	vs ARI	13.6	3.4	7.0
Dallas Clark – IND	at JAC	13.1	3.7	6.7
Todd Heap – BAL	at BUF	11.8	5.1	6.8
Heath Miller – PIT	at DEN	11.7	4.4	6.2
Alge Crumpler – ATL	at NO	11.0	4.6	5.6
Desmond Clark – CHI	at PHI	11.0	4.6	5.6
Greg Olsen – CHI	at PHI	10.8	5.0	5.8
Owen Daniels – HOU	vs TEN	10.7	5.8	6.5
Ben Watson – NE	at MIA	9.7	4.6	4.2
Eric Johnson – NO	vs ATL	9.3	5.7	5.0
Zach Miller – OAK	vs KC	8.3	6.3	4.6
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	vs IND	8.3	6.1	4.3
Randy McMichael – STL	at SEA	8.2	6.3	4.5
Chris Baker – NYJ	at CIN	7.9	6.1	4.1
LJ Smith – PHI	vs CHI	7.7	6.7	4.4
David Martin – MIA	vs NE	7.6	6.5	4.1
Bo Scaife – TEN	at HOU	7.4	6.6	4.0
Marcus Pollard – SEA	vs STL	7.4	6.5	3.9
Reggie Kelly – CIN	vs NYJ	7.2	6.5	3.7
Daniel Graham – DEN	vs PIT	6.9	6.7	3.7
Anthony Becht – TB	at DET	6.9	5.8	2.7
Dan Campbell – DET	vs TB	6.7	5.8	2.5
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at DAL	6.7	6.6	3.2
Alex Smith – TB	at DET	6.6	6.9	3.5
Vernon Davis – SF	at NYG	6.4	7.3	3.7
Ben Utecht – IND	at JAC	6.3	6.0	2.3
George Wrighster – JAC	vs IND	6.2	6.9	3.2
Tony Scheffler – DEN	vs PIT	6.2	6.9	3.1
Robert Royal – BUF	vs BAL	6.1	7.2	3.2
Jeb Putzier – HOU	vs TEN	6.0	6.2	2.2
Itula Mili – SEA	vs STL	6.0	6.4	2.4
Kyle Brady – NE	at MIA	6.0	7.2	3.2
Matt Spaeth – PIT	at DEN	5.6	6.6	2.2
Ben Troupe – TEN	at HOU	5.4	7.3	2.7
Quinn Sypniewski – BAL	at BUF	5.3	7.6	2.9
Anthony Fasano – DAL	vs MIN	4.9	7.5	2.4
Matt Schobel – PHI	vs CHI	4.7	7.9	2.7
Leonard Pope – ARI	at WAS	4.5	7.9	2.4
Justin Peelle – MIA	vs NE	4.4	7.9	2.3

 
Start:
Tony Gonzalez, KC (15.7 rating): Gonzo is on a roll with 100 yard games in two consecutive weeks. At this rate Gonzalez would finish the year with over 100 catches and 1100 yards. He should have another good game this week against the Raiders, as he has really seemed to find a rhythm with Chiefs’ quarterback Damon Huard.

Sit:
LJ Smith, PHI (7.7 rating): LJ is battling injury issues once again. Although he made his return to the field last week in the Eagles win over the Jets, he only had one catch for eight yards. He is being held out of practice again this week, and if even if he does see the field he won’t be worth starting except in the most dire of circumstances.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Matt Stover – BAL	at BUF	15.7	2.0	7.7
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	at MIA	15.0	2.5	7.5
Nick Folk – DAL	vs MIN	15.0	2.8	7.8
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at JAC	14.8	2.6	7.4
Shayne Graham – CIN	vs NYJ	14.1	3.1	7.2
Kris Brown – HOU	vs TEN	14.0	3.0	7.0
Josh Brown – SEA	vs STL	13.6	3.0	6.6
Jeff Reed – PIT	at DEN	13.5	3.1	6.6
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	vs SF	13.1	3.3	6.4
David Akers – PHI	vs CHI	12.7	3.6	6.2
Matt Bryant – TB	at DET	12.3	3.7	6.0
Olindo Mare – NO	vs ATL	12.3	3.9	6.2
Robbie Gould – CHI	at PHI	12.2	4.1	6.3
Shaun Suisham – WAS	vs ARI	12.1	3.7	5.8
Neil Rackers – ARI	at WAS	11.9	4.2	6.1
Jason Hanson – DET	vs TB	11.9	4.3	6.2
John Carney – JAC	vs IND	11.7	4.1	5.8
Dave Rayner – KC	at OAK	11.4	4.2	5.7
Jason Elam – DEN	vs PIT	11.4	4.4	5.9
Mike Nugent – NYJ	at CIN	11.4	4.1	5.4
Morten Andersen – ATL	at NO	11.3	4.2	5.5
Rian Lindell – BUF	vs BAL	11.1	4.2	5.3
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at DAL	11.0	4.5	5.5
Rob Bironas – TEN	at HOU	10.9	4.3	5.2
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	vs KC	10.9	4.7	5.7
Jeff Wilkins – STL	at SEA	10.4	4.7	5.1
Jay Feely – MIA	vs NE	10.1	4.9	5.1
Joe Nedney – SF	at NYG	9.7	5.1	4.8

 
Start:
Kris Brown, HOU (14.0 rating): You can’t ask much more of a kicker than what Kris Brown is doing right now. Brown is now 16/17 on the season, including a perfect 3/3 from beyond 50 yards. He has made at least three field goals in each of his last three games. Brown has gone from a bye week fill-in to an every week starter in most leagues.

Sit:
Neil Rackers, ARI (11.9 rating): Arizona’s offense is banged up heading into Washington to take on the NFC’s top defense, in both yards and points allowed per game. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin may return to the field, but the Cardinals will most likely have third string quarterback Tim Rattay under center in relief of Kurt Warner. A backup quarterback against a top defense on the road is not a recipe for the success of a fantasy kicker.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
New England	at MIA	15.6	3.2	8.7
Baltimore	at BUF	15.3	2.9	8.2
Pittsburgh	at DEN	13.9	4.0	7.9
New York Giants	vs SF	13.9	3.3	7.2
Washington	vs ARI	13.8	3.7	7.6
Seattle	vs STL	12.9	3.4	6.3
Chicago	at PHI	12.6	4.3	6.9
Dallas	vs MIN	12.5	4.4	6.9
Philadelphia	vs CHI	11.9	4.7	6.6
Kansas City	at OAK	11.6	3.9	5.6
Houston	vs TEN	11.5	4.2	5.7
Tennessee	at HOU	11.2	5.2	6.4
Tampa Bay	at DET	11.1	5.6	6.6
Oakland	vs KC	10.8	5.2	6.0
Minnesota	at DAL	10.8	5.9	6.7
Indianapolis	at JAC	10.7	5.4	6.1
Buffalo	vs BAL	10.5	4.9	5.4
New Orleans	vs ATL	10.4	4.6	5.0
Cincinnati	vs NYJ	9.9	4.4	4.4
Jacksonville	vs IND	9.7	6.2	5.9
Arizona	at WAS	9.6	5.7	5.3
Denver	vs PIT	9.4	6.0	5.4
San Francisco	at NYG	9.3	5.4	4.7
Atlanta	at NO	7.8	6.2	4.0
New York Jets	at CIN	7.5	6.4	3.9
Detroit	vs TB	7.2	6.4	3.6
St. Louis	at SEA	6.6	6.3	2.9
Miami	vs NE	4.7	7.6	2.2

 
Start:
Baltimore (15.3 rating): The Ravens are riding their defense once again, and although they might not be the dominating unit they were back in their Superbowl year, they can still get the job done. The Ravens’ next opponent, Buffalo, has scored the third lowest points per game in the NFL this year. In their last game against Dallas their offense could only manage three points, and the Bills lost the game despite scoring three times on defense and special teams. The Ravens should be able to capitalize on this offense by holding them under 14 points with several big defensive plays.

Sit:
Minnesota (10.8 rating): Despite winning the game against Chicago last week, Minnesota had trouble stopping Brian Griese and the Bears’ passing attack. If they cannot stop the Bears’ passing game I fear for what Dallas may do to them. These Vikes are a scrappy bunch, and they are capable of some big defensive plays (they lead the league in defensive touchdowns) but I cannot recommend them this week against Dallas.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, treat24, dream_017, Jimboozie, WaCougMBS, and MoDee 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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