Week 4, Your Starters Are Hurt, Now What?

You really have to feel for the guy who was second in MVP voting last season throwing 3,653 yards and 19 TDs and just 7 INTs. He turned the Dolphins around to help them earn their first division title since 2001 and an 11-5 record after a 1-15 season.

Chad Pennington out for the season after third shoulder injury since '05, is by far the most unfortunate incident on this list.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Derrick Mason (12 receptions for 96 yards, TD) was limited in practice with an illness and his status for Sunday is unknown. If out, the surprisingly second ranked offense in yards in the NFL has plenty other options at receiver with Kelley Washington (12 for 167 yards, TD) and Mark Clayton (9 for 132 yards, TD) just below his production. Don’t forget about Todd Heap either, the consistent tight end has 10 catches for 124 yards and two TDs.

They face arguably their toughest test yet against the Patriots sixth-ranked pass defense, but the Pats young secondary could be suspect.

Keep this in mind, if you have any of the Ravens running backs, PLAY THEM. Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo did not practice all week and if they do play, they will be limited. Mayo practiced Friday for the first time since the Week 1 knee injury and is listed as doubtful.

Big news from New England is Wes Welker practicing again after hurting his knee Week 1 against the Bills. He was limited all week, but you can never tell with Bill Belichick’s deceiving ways if he will play or not. If he’s out you may want to gamble with Julian Edelman, who has yet to get in the end zone, but caught eight passes for 98 yards in his first appearance against the Jets. That was when he was under the radar. The Falcons shut him down last week (3 REC for 20 yards).

Aside from Randy Moss, TE Benjamin Watson (10 for 123 yards, two TDs) is the most consistent target for Tom Brady, but Chris Baker (4 REC for 50 yards, TD) made his way into the end zone last week too.

BUFFALO BILLS at MIAMI DOLPHINS

Oh Buffalo, Buffalo, Buffalo. Always presenting a problem for fantasy owners. With arguably the best WR tandem in the league they put a big fat 0 on the offensive end at home vs. the Saints. Fred Jackson (61 for 291 yards) runs for 71 yards on 18 carries and catches 4 passes for 26 yards in week three. “Captain Checkdown” Trent Edwards (56 for 91, 598 yards, four TDs, 2 INT.) gets another receiving RB back with Marshawn Lynch back for his first game. The Bills will likely start Jackson and work Lynch in. On the ground both may be effective as LB Joey Porter did not practice all week and is questionable with a hamstring injury.

The problem is Buffalo’s inexperienced O-line lost another man last week in T Demetrius Bell