After the abundance of games that took place in the early slot last week, this week's numbers are back to normal. That puts more balance in the schedule, and allows for fantasy owners to not have their entire day ruined by 4:15 PM, when the early games are all over. It's always better to prolong defeats as much as possible. Let's get to it.
New York Jets at Buffalo
Who to Start: Trent Edwards, Robert Royal, Jerricho Cotchery
Who to Sit: Marshawn Lynch, Brett Favre
What to Expect: AFC East matchups, especially between two teams that don't like each other, tend to yield more defense than offense.
Lynch is down here as a sit, but only if you have better options. With so many teams on bye this week, that might not be the case. Just keep in mind that the Jets give up just 82 yards per game on the ground, and Lynch hasn't been good for a 100-yard game yet this season.
The Bills are committed to running the football with him, and he continues to get the goal-line carries, but this is a tough defense to run against.
Trent Edwards should be in for an easier day than he had last week. The Jets are susceptible to the play-action pass, and that's what Kansas City used against them last week. If they can establish Lynch early, Edwards will be free to find Royal and Evans in the end zone. Edwards should have three touchdown tosses to go with 260 yards.
Brett Favre is feast or famine. Half of his throws last week looked like he had no clue as to what was going on in the Jets offense at all. He lucked into that win, and I wouldn't want to start him against any defense, let alone on the road for this one. He probably finds Cotchery for a touchdown, but he could easily throw another three picks. Too much risk for me here. His receivers are both solid starts, though.
Jones was second fiddle to Washington last week, but that's not always going to be the case. He has value, and should crack 90 yards with a score. Keep him active. Washington is the wild card in the equation. Don't look for him to duplicate the total yards he put up last week, but expect him to be used often in the offense. As said before, if your league counts return yards, Washington still makes a solid flex play.
Sleeper Pickup: Leon Washington. He seems to find a way to score every week, and I think he will this week as well.
Detroit at Chicago
Who to Start: Kyle Orton, Rashied Davis, Devin Hester (if healthy), Greg Olsen, Calvin Johnson
Who to Sit: Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith
What to Expect: We've learned that Detroit is bad and cannot defend the pass.
Who to Sit: Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith
What to Expect: We've learned that Detroit is bad and cannot defend the pass.
Kyle Orton should be able to step back and torch this defense for some major yards and touchdowns. If he doesn't crack 275 yards, I'll be surprised. It's just that bad of a secondary. Rashied Davis, Olsen, and potentially Marty Booker could all be beneficiaries here. I like Orton to throw for three total on the day.
Matt Forte should certainly be started, because the Lions can't defend the run, either. He'll be good for two touchdowns and 130 yards in total, some will be through the air. Remember, he's also the Bears' leading receiver.
On the Detroit side, this game may not be as lost for them as you might think. The Chicago secondary is decidedly average. While Orlovski doesn't exactly scare teams, he should be able to throw for two touchdowns in this one, regardless of his overall ability. Calvin Johnson is obviously the primary target. Don't be surprised, though, to see Mike Furrey grab one as well. Just a feeling.
The Bears defend the run too well to ask much of Johnson or Smith. If they combine for 60 yards, that's going to be a good day. One will score, and my bet is that it ends up being Smith. They'll see what the rookie can do after Johnson averages two yards a carry in the first half. Not enough to warrant attention, though.
Sleeper Pickup: Davis. He's being targeted more frequently, and has been a good red-zone threat. Sneaky play if you're stuck in a bye week.
Jacksonville at Cincinnati
Who to Start: David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Jones (if not suspended), Reggie Williams
Who to Sit: Any Bengal not named Cedric Benson
Who to Sit: Any Bengal not named Cedric Benson
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete