Fantasy Football: Week 10 Preview, Part Two

Alright, let's quickly cover last night's game.

Brady Quinn looked solid. Regardless as to the win or loss, or that last drive, Quinn showed a presence in the pocket that the Browns are going to need. He was able to avoid the rush, didn't make unnecessary movements, and showed a strong arm.

Starting him in his debut would have been a risk, so I'm still fine with that call. Keeper-league owners, though, should get on this guy now. We'll call him a matchup play moving forward.

On the Broncos' side, the Cutler performance we called just about right, except for the fact he put up nearly 500 yards. That's a sick display. He needed it, though, and hopefully can build on an outing like that over the next several weeks.

Nice to see Brandon Marshall AND Eddie Royal back as well. The Broncos are going to do some throwing, since they now have no running backs.

Let's get to the rest of the games.

St. Louis at New York Jets

Who to Start: Marc Bulger, Jerricho Cotchery, Donnie Avery, Thomas Jones, Leon Washington

Who to Sit: Brett Favre, Antonio Pittman

What to Expect: I'm really not sold on this matchup for either team. The Rams can't stop the run, but Mangini hasn't shown a dedication to it, even against the worst teams. The Jets can't stop the pass, but the Rams are inconsistent through the air.

You would have thought the Jets would make a living on the ground against teams like the Chiefs. Instead, they continue to allow Brett Favre to make mistakes. Last week against Buffalo, you could have made the case that Jones and Washington both deserved more carries again, especially later in the game. Yet, they still let Favre sling the ball around.

The Rams are 30th against the run. Jones and Washington should both be in for superb days. Basing it on that fact, I'd recommend Jones as an RB2 and Washington as an RB3/Flex play, especially in leagues that count return yards. The concern is that Mangini won't go to it enough. If they stick with it (like they should), Jones should end the day with 90 and a score, while Washington cracks 100-total yards and a score as well.

I won't start Favre, regardless of the defense or matchup. He's too much of a risk for me, and I feel there are plenty of solid alternatives. His receiving group should be fine. No problem starting Coles or Cotchery this week, and both should be good for scores. I don't feel either breaks 100 yards.

The Rams should look to exploit the 24th-ranked secondary through the air. As long as they give Bulger time, he should be able to throw for two touchdowns in this one and 250 yards. I like Avery and Holt big in this one, and both should be active. Expect Avery to hit 100 yards with a score and Holt to break 70 with a score as well.

The Jets are very tough against the run, and if you can avoid the matchup, I would. Steven Jackson has been in and out of practice all week. If he's good to go, you have to play him. This isn't the week to experiment with Antonio Pittman, though. In addition to the Jets allowing just 80 yards a game on the ground, Pittman has been dealing with a groin injury.

Sleeper Pickup: Washington. He gets yards every way possible.

Baltimore at Houston

Who to Start: Derrick Mason, Joe Flacco (deep leagues), Owen Daniels
 
Who to Sit: Kevin Walter, Sage Rosenfels, Baltimore Running Backs
 
What to Expect: I wouldn't look for Houston to put up some crazy numbers on offense here. Just not against the Ravens.

The Ravens' defense is one of the best in football, and the matchup doesn't look good on either side of the football for the Texans. With Schaub out, the Ravens are going to force Rosenfels to beat them through the air, ganging up on any type of run game the Texans may try to muster.

There are great matchups for Slaton, but this isn't one of them. If Rosenfels gets the passing game going early, they'll back off. I think that this is a 60 yard day for Slaton, maybe a score.

You have to start Andre Johnson in any league. Just don't go reaching for Kevin Walter this week. Getting Rolle back in the Baltimore secondary has only made them stronger. They've given everyone fits, and this won't be an exception.

Rosenfels did seem to have solid chemistry last week with Owen Daniels. I feel he grabs a touchdown in this one to go with six catches and 50 yards.

On offense for the Ravens, you'll likely want to avoid the running game. We don't know who will get the bulk of the carries. Last week, McGahee dressed, but saw no work. It all went to Ray Rice. This week, we still don't know.

If you're stuck, Rice has the most upside this week. He ran effectively and Cam Cameron tends to stick with hot hands. If it were my team, I'd rather look on waivers than play this game. It's like dealing with Denver right now.

Joe Flacco continues to become more confident in the offense. He hasn't thrown an interception in his last three games and has cracked 230 yards in three of his last four. The Texans give up 1.5 passing touchdowns a game, and over 200 yards. They're a middle of the pack team in that regard. I like Flacco for 230 and two touchdowns.

Derrick Mason has been the primary target for Flacco, so let's give him one of those touchdowns and 70 yards. I like Mark Clayton for the other. Clayton is getting increased targets each game, so 60 yards from him wouldn't be entirely unexpected here.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Mason. As Flacco gets better, so do Mason's numbers. He's available in 40 percent of leagues right now.

Carolina at Oakland

Who to Start: DeAngelo Williams, Justin Fargas, Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad
 
Who to Sit: Jonathan Stewart, Javon Walker, JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden
 
What to Expect: Expect that the Panthers will take advantage of a team that is slowly splitting.

Jonathan Stewart has been in a boot for two days and hasn't practiced to this point. That likely means a big dose of DeAngelo Williams against one of the worst run defenses in football. Great matchup for the running back. Look for him to break 110 yards and score twice. I just don't think we'll see enough of Stewart to eat in to Williams' carries. It's going to be a big day for him.

On top of that, Jake Delhomme should be able to do some throwing as well. Without DeAngelo Hall, the Raiders will be stuck with just one decent corner. That should free up Muhammad for a touchdown pass and 80 yards on the day.

Steve Smith always finds a way to score, and we like him for 90 yards and a score as well. Delhomme keeps his touchdown total at two, but puts up 260 yards on the day.

In case you can't tell, we don't like the Raiders defense.

What does that leave for their offense? Well, if you don't have Justin Fargas, I wouldn't touch this one at all. Carolina isn't much for giving up rushing touchdowns, but they do give up 100 yards a game.

Fargas is the most healthy back the Raiders can put out there, and he should come close to 75 yards with a score. Not great numbers, but there if you need them.

Zach Miller's targets have dropped each week and now there are reports out that his quarterback has tendinitis. I'm not touching the passing game here this week. Keep all of them reserved, simply because the options just aren't that good overall. It's a mess in Oakland right now, and this isn't the week that they right the ship.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Fargas. Hey, someone has to do something for them, right?

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh

Who to Start: Willie Parker/Mewelde Moore, Pitt Defense, Nate Washington
 
Who to Sit: Anthony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison, Dominic Rhodes, Byron Leftwich
 
What to Expect: I think this is a defensive battle. Could be wrong, but that's what I think.

The Steelers have the best total defense in football, they just don't give up yards. The Colts have been consistently inconsistent all season long. In the passing game, start the guys you have to start. Those include Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Peyton Manning. That's really about it though.

The Colts are going against a team that has given up less than a touchdown a game through the air. Add to that, the Steelers hold opponents under 170 yards passing and have picked off eight passes. Given how even Manning has played, if you have a better matchup play, I would look to use it here. Not what I thought I would be saying about Manning.

The Steelers' secondary is more experienced than the Patriots. The crossing routes and picks won't confuse the Steelers in the same way.

The story on the ground doesn't get any better. The Steelers give up 70 yards a game and have allowed just three touchdowns rushing this season. Keep Rhodes entirely reserved, and I wouldn't expect more than 50 yards from Addai with a score. Remember, this game is in Pittsburgh.

Byron Leftwich likely gets the start for the Steelers, but that doesn't make him fantasy worthy. He has a gun, no doubt about that, but the Colts give up only 180 yards a game and have allowed only two passing touchdowns all season. While Leftwich is likely good for one, that likely does it for him. My bet is that it goes to Washington, who has had three straight games with a big play of some sort.

You beat the Colts by running the football. The only question is who does it for the Steelers this week? Willie Parker has missed practice with a shoulder injury, and Mewelde Moore has been perfectly healthy to this point. Moore, regardless, should garner enough carries and receptions to make a valuable flex play in PPR leagues. Watch the reports on Parker today. If he practices, he's worth the start.

UPDATE: ProFootballTalk.com is reporting Willie Parker will not play against the Colts. Upgrade Mewelde Moore accordingly.

Sleeper Pickup: Washington. He continues to make big plays.

Kansas City at San Diego

Who to Start: Tyler Thigpen, Mark Bradley, Jamaal Charles, Vincent Jackson, Darren Sproles
 
Who to Sit: Chris Chambers
 
What to Expect: This is going to be the opposite of the Steelers-Colts game. Offense likely rules the day.

I've been hard on Thigpen to this point, but he really does make a decent matchup play, especially in this one. The AFC West is bad, and the teams just all seem to enjoy giving up points. Thigpen has had a couple decent outings in a row, and I don't think that gets changed against the Chargers.

Something about this matchup wants me to make Thigpen my sleeper call of the week here. Look for him to crack 250 yards and throw for two, while running for another.

Mark Bradley has been one of Thigpen's favorite targets. Bradley hauls in a touchdown to go with 70 yards. I like the other to go to Gonzalez, just because he's been held out of the end zone a bit more than usual. Bowe is a fine start and should be a solid play in all leagues.

Jamaal Charles is going to be the back of choice for the Chiefs. You can run on the Chargers, and Charles should have himself a day of 100 yards and a score. Have to love this guy.

You're starting all your Chargers in this one, too. Rivers is the top-ranked quarterback, Tomlinson is slowly getting healthier, and the Chiefs are awful against the run, and Vincent Jackson gets to go against some short corners. Add to that, Gates works the middle of the field better than any tight end in football.

Sproles should be a flex play in deeper leagues. Most teams secondary runners have even had decent days against the Chiefs.

You might say, I like the over in this one.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Bradley. In deeper leagues, he's worth looking at in this one.

New York Giants at Philadelphia

Who to Start: Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Kevin Boss (questionable)
 
Who to Sit: Eli Manning, Steve Smith, Domenick Hixon, Hank Baskett
 
What to Expect: I don't expect this to be Eli Manning's day.

Manning hasn't broken 200 yards in a month and hasn't done much to find the end zone in that time either. If you're looking for a part of the passing game to like, stick with Kevin Boss. He's about it. Boss has scored in the last couple games and seems to be the most consistent presence in that part of the offense. If you're in a deeper league, go this route.

As for the rest of the passing game, avoid every single one of them. Manning is going to be facing a myriad (SAT word right there) of blitzes from the Eagles. He's struggled against teams with a worse defense than this one. 

I do, though, like Brandon Jacobs. He's a must-start every week.

I like a lot of what the Eagles have done recently, and they've been getting help back in the form of their wide receivers. Kevin Curtis should have some fun going against third corners, and the field will open up simply because of the presence of Brian Westbrook.

Even Reggie Brown should catch a touchdown pass in this one. Look for Curtis to break 80 with a score and Brown to be about the same.

McNabb should throw for three, with the third going to Westbrook. DeSean Jackson is a start as well, he's just not going to find the end zone. I still like him to break 100 yards. Shouldn't have to tell you to start Westbrook in this one, that's a given.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Curtis. More widely available than you would expect, and you have to like the fact that the Eagles offense was clicking last week.

San Francisco at Arizona

Who to Start: Steve Breaston, Tim Hightower, Isaac Bruce, Cardinals Defense
 
Who to Sit: Edgerrin James, Shaun Hill
 
What to Expect: Not much of a Monday night game here, but you play the hand you're dealt.

The Cardinals' offense has been deadly, led by a guy who is a top-five fantasy quarterback that most owners didn't even think would start. Warner has turned himself into an every-week play, and that doesn't change against the challenged 49ers.

Warner throws for three touchdowns in this one, giving Anquan Boldin two of them and the third to Breaston. Just have a feeling this week.

That doesn't mean I don't like Larry Fitzgerald, but something says this is going to be Breaston's time to steal the show. Tim Hightower should be in for a solid day as well. It wasn't a one-week deal when he took over last week. It's Hightower's gig for the rest of the season. He should be over 100 yards with a touchdown here.

This sentence should tell you all you need to know about the 49ers this week: Shaun Hill is starting at quarterback. Read that one again. One more time. Ok, we got that out of the way. Outside of Frank Gore, and Isaac Bruce in deeper leagues, avoid this one like the plague. 

Look, the Cardinals' defense does give up touchdowns, and Hill probably hangs one on them as well. I just don't see this being a pretty night for San Francisco. A touchdown for Gore and a touchdown for Bruce probably does all the scoring in this one. Nedney may chip in a field goal.

You have to feel bad for Mike Singletary here. The entire country will get to see what he's trying to deal with. Think Steve Young or Joe Montana could step in for a few plays?
 
Sleeper Pickup: Breaston. Sometimes, you go with your gut.

Enjoy the games!