NFL Fantasy How Kitna, Smith, and Stafford Will Impact Your Fantasy Team

Okay full disclosure...I sat Kenny Britt on my fantasy team last week!  I Know RIGHT?  Statistically I still

believe it was the correct move...however my team's record disagrees slightly.  So for Week 8 I will go

with statistics and that all so powerful gut instincts.  But honestly with the bye weeks, and players

dropping all around, diligence is going to be the key to fantasy victory!  In that spirit here are three

quarterback changes you might want to pay particular attention to.

DeAngelo Hall Defensive Player Of Week 7

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins celebrates an interception in the final minutes of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo

Matthew Stafford versus Washington Redskins

                This will be Stafford’s second start of the year.  In his half action against the Bears, Stafford

completed 11 of 15 passes for 83 yards and attempted only one deep pass to Calvin Johnson.  Stafford

though possessed of deep strength talent seems to like the underneath routes the most. 

                Now Stafford is going against the 31^st ranked total defense.  But this same defense is tied

for second in takeaways (17); and is tied for ninth in the league for points per game allowed (19).  What

 does this mean for your fantasy team?  Calvin Johnson is a stud.  Jahvid Best is leading all rookies in

 yards from scratch.  And DeAngelo Hall is coming off a record game; although Matthew Stafford isn’t

half as reckless as Jay Cutler, Stafford is playing the second game of the year. 

                This leads to Washington Redskins defense START.  Calvin Johnson is a stud although he

may not see the end zone he should get lots of yards.  Jahvid Best did I mention he is leading all

rookies in yards from scratch and that was with a quarterback who likes to throw long.

Troy Smith Getting Ready For London Debut

Julian Finney/Getty Images

HERTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Troy Smith of San Francisco 49ers in a training session at The Grove Hotel on October 27, 2010 in Hertford, England. The San Francisco 49ers will meet the Denver Broncos in the NFL International Series regular-season match

Troy Smith versus Denver Broncos

                This will be Troy Smith’s third start in his NFL career.  But he has Frank Gore, Vernon

Davis, Michael Crabtree and Ted Ginn Jr., yes I said Ted Ginn Jr.  The only reason I mention Ted Ginn

Jr., is that he and Troy Smith played together in high school and college, which doesn’t mean more

passes (or any) but it is someone Troy Smith is comfortable with which could mean extra looks, but

will it be enough to warrant fantasy points?  Let’s talk Frank Gore, so far he has 135 attempts with 573

yards and 1 TD.  Gore is averaging 4.2 yards a carry.  The 49ers have been using him…and using

him...and using him.  There is no reason to believe this Sunday will be any different.  They will be going

against a run defense that ranks 30^th having given up 156.3 yards per game.  Keep in mind these stats

are slightly skewed by last Sunday’s debacle against the Raiders were the Broncos game up 328

yards rushing in a 59-14 loss to Oakland, making Darren McFadden look absolutely studly!   The one

thing to remember is that the Broncos defense is getting back Brian Dawkins and Andre Goodman  

This should help the Broncos defense but will it save it?  Can it be saved?  Bottom line you know Frank

Gore will be getting the ball ALOT!  Vernon Davis has a touchdown in four consecutive games leading

the team with four touchdowns.  Vernon Davis is also suffering from a lingering ankle malady.  If healthy

you cannot sit Vernon Davis. Michael Crabtree will be depended upon a quarterback who is starting his

third NFL game, and has other options than a sometimes shaky Crabtree.

Dez Bryant Part Of a Talented Dallas Team

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jon Kitna versus Jacksonville Jaguars

                On the surface this appears the best match-up for throw –in quarterbacks.  In Jon Kitna’s game

against the Giants he had 16 of 33 in passing with 187 yards 2 touchdowns, 3 sacks and a lost fumble.  

Although the touchdowns came in the last closing minutes Kitna appeared to connect with Dez Bryant.  

Jacksonville Jaguars are the worst team versus the wide receivers with 12 touchdowns allowed in seven

games.  The Jaguars are second in the NFL with 10 rushing touchdowns allowed allowing six running

backs to reach double digits fantasy points.  And Dallas is beyond desperate and talented.  The running

backs Felix Jones and Marion Barber, yes please.  Dez Bryant looks good against a team that has

allowed wide receivers with less talent 12 touchdowns in seven games. 

Brian Dawkins Making a Much Needed Return To Denver's Line-Up

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Imag

Repeat with me... I will remember the byes, look at current injury reports, check the statistics and TRUST

MY INSTINCTS!  Jon Kitna and the talented but under achieving Dallas offense versus Jacksonville

defense.  In London Troy Smith will go against an abysmal Denver defense that was without Brian

Dawkins, his return means the run defense will be better (hope is it cannot get worse).  And first

round pick Matthew Stafford will go against a very confident DeAngelo Hall and Redskins takeaway

defense!