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I’ve uncovered some guys you can plug in if you are dealing with an injury or tough matchups.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Hasselbeck has the good fortune of facing Detroit’s 27th ranked passing defense. What’s worse is they have allowed 18 passing TDs, which is one behind Tennessee for the league lead.
David Garrard, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Garrard squares off with Kansas City’s 28th ranked pass defense at home. In three home starts, Garrard has averaged 313.3 passing yards and 32 rushing yards. He also has five passing TDs. On the road he’s averaging just 165.8 passing yards and 16.5 rushing yards. His lone rushing TD came on the road, but all of his passing TDs came at home.
Julius Jones, RB, Seattle Seahawks
I don’t love JJ this week, but he does face the 21st ranked Detroit run D at home. Jones averages a respectable 78.3 total yards in four home games with two TDs versus a 44 total yards and one TD in road games.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal faces the 25th ranked Jacksonville rushing defense this week. Charles also contributes in the passing game, so he could be a sneaky source for total yardage this week.
Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Despite T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s big contract in the offseason, it’s Burleson who has been the Seahawks’ primary receiving threat. With Detroit on the docket, Nate makes a very intriguing play this week.
Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
The Titans’ M.O. this year was to get burned by No. 1 WRs. However, that changed last week as their secondary got healthier over the bye. They shut down Sims-Walker last week. I will give Crabtree the nod here, but I hesitate a bit to do so, in case last week was the new norm.
Devin Hester, WR, Chicago Bears
The Cardinals are 20th against the pass, and Hester has really started to play well the last few weeks. He’s clearly Jay Cutler’s primary target so he’ll be very active once again.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
I have to warn you that this is somewhat of a “hunch” pick, but I can see Maclin burning the Cowboys’ 22nd ranked pass defense for a long score. So much attention will go to DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, LeSean McCoy, and Brian Westbrook that they would forget to account for Maclin. That’s when McNabb will burn them.
Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans
This is another one of those hunches. With Owen Daniels out for the year, I’m expecting Walter to work the middle of the field and get a lot of looks. You can’t throw to Andre Johnson every down.
Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals
With Anquan Boldin likely out, Breaston slides into the starting lineup, moving him from a decent fantasy play to a very good one.
Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
Floyd slid into the Chargers’ starting lineup last week, and with the release of Chris Chambers, Floyd’s stock went even higher. He’s a big play threat with the good size and leaping ability in the red zone. Plus, he plays for one of the game’s best QBs.
John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks
It’s getting a bit much picking on the Lions, but when you have their track record it should come with the territory. Carlson could be in line for a big game this week.
Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins
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