Week Nine Start or Sit: Devin Hester vs. Steve Smith

Early on, the Giants’ Steve Smith appeared to be the breakout player of the season.  By Week Four he had already amassed 34 catches and four touchdowns including a pair of 134-yard performances.

In his last four games, just as the Giants have begun to fade, Smith has fallen off to 19 catches and has had no more than 70 yards in a game.  He also has been kept out of the end zone, while Hakeem Nicks has three touchdowns over that span.

Maybe the problems have not been his and his alone, as Eli Manning has certainly struggled, especially over the past three weeks when he has posted completion percentages of 45.2, 51.4, and 51.3.  It makes it difficult for your receivers to have big games, now doesn’t it?

Smith faces a stingy Chargers defense, allowing just 178.4 yards per game through the air.  On the flip side, they are the sixth worst rushing defense, so it would not be a surprise to see the Giants attempt to allow Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw run roughshod, limiting their attempts in the passing game.

Throw that in to his recent struggles and it doesn’t seem like Smith is such a good bet.

Devin Hester, meanwhile, appears to be getting better with time.  He’s had 80 or more yards in each of his last three games, including a 101-yard, 1 TD performance against the Bengals in Week Seven.

This week he takes on the Arizona Cardinals, a team allowing 233 yards per game passing the ball, as well as more than a touchdown per game (11).  While there were concerns over his health, missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday and being limited on Friday, he is expected to take the field on Sunday.

With the matchup and his recent string of strong outings, you have to like his potential to exploit another defense.  He and Jay Cutler have clearly developed a tremendous rapport, which certainly should help, despite the lack of practice time.

It would not be surprising to see the duo break off a big play, as the Cardinals have allowed the sixth most 40-plus yard passing plays.  If I had to guess I’d put Hester at six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.  Smith, meanwhile, appears to be back to being more of a possession receiver, so seeing him at 4 catches for 60 yards, or, more or less, exactly what he’s been doing, would not be very surprising.

What do you think?  Which player would you rather have?  Who do you see having the biggest day?

Previous Week Nine Start or Sit:

• Knowshown Moreno vs. Jamaal Charles

Need help in trying to decide who to start this week, check out our weekly rankings by clicking here .

This article is also featured on www.rotoprofessor.com/football.