Each week when compiling this report, Seth takes into consideration not only the individual players mentioned, but also the state of their teams and their opponents, team schedules, historical player performance, inclement weather (when applicable), and of course, injuries. I will attempt to do the same as I fill in for Seth this week.

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Eli Manning @ ATL
Eli’s QB rating took a big hit in Weeks 6 through 8, but he made a nice comeback in Week 9 (215 yds, 2 TDs) against a solid San Diego pass defense, and he should be able to build on that following New York’s bye week. Mario Manningham should be fully healthy and one would think that Manning and Nicks used the bye to develop a stronger rapport. Atlanta is ranked 28th against the pass, giving up 10 TDs in the past five games. Two of those TDs were to Jake Delhomme last week. Enough said.

Matt Hasselbeck @ MIN
Forsett’s big game last week can take some pressure off Hasselbeck this week. When he’s been healthy, Hasselbeck has only really struggled in Week 6 against the Cardinals defense. Though he had 2 INTs to complement 1 TD in the Arizona rematch last week, he still put up 315 yards. In his full games, he’s thrown for at least 250 yards and one score in each. Expect Hasselbeck to target his wideouts plenty this week, as Seattle will likely have Forsett and Carlson help block the Minnesota DEs in the backfield. There also won’t be much room to run against the massive Viking front. Hasselbeck should be able to improve upon his typical fantasy stats on Sunday.

Joe Flacco vs. IND
Taking my cue from the Indianapolis fireworks last week, I’m guessing that Flacco will be throwing a lot on Sunday. Addai will have little luck against the Ravens’ front seven (he’s averaging less than 50 yards per game this year); and Manning should have plenty of luck against the Ravens’ secondary (who are getting better, but still giving up over 208 yards a game). That means Baltimore will be playing catch-up against the now-suspect Colts secondary, who have given up over 300 yards in each of the last two games. Unlike last week versus the Browns, the Ravens will have to throw the ball against Indy.

Brett Favre's solid fantasy season continues against SEA this week.

Brett Favre vs. SEA
He’s almost a no-brainer at this point—but I’m assuming some of the ire of hearing about him incessantly for the last 4 months (or 3 years, perhaps) is keeping him from some lineups. Others who drafted him late and have another viable starting QB should find interest in trading Favre now that the bye weeks have passed. Trade him to a team that is no threat to you but can pave a cleaner way to your playoff birth by taking out some of your rivals—and pick up a decent player for yourself in the process. For the record, Favre has thrown a mere 3 picks to his 17 TDs while racking up 2,269 yards at a 68.1 completion percentage rate. Also, Seattle is giving up 233 passing yards per game.

Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Matt Cassel vs. PIT
Cassel’s fantasy points really don’t look too bad in some formats, thanks to a bunch of TDs. But those TDs deceive. With two games under 100 yards passing, three games around the 250 mark, four multiple TD games, and four multiple turnover games, Cassel may be the most inconsistent QB in the league. To compound the situation, Larry Johnson has been released and Dwayne Bowe has been suspended. That makes Chris Chambers, Jamaal Charles, and possibly Lance Long the best players around Cassel. It doesn’t really matter who he’s playing this week, but it just happens to be Pittsburgh. Sit him with extreme prejudice.

Alex Smith @ GB
Smith’s strangely impressive three-game streak ended last week when he was held to 118 yards and no scores while tossing a pick. In his two best games this year, Smith has hit Vernon Davis 7 times for 93 yards and 10 times for 102 yards. Though the Packers have allowed a number of TDs to tight ends (5 on the year), they have not allowed a tight end—including Witten, Winslow, and Olsen—any more than 5 catches for 57 yards. Expect both Davis and Smith to struggle to get back on pace once again this week.

Marc Bulger vs. ARI
If you’re in a tight spot and thinking of starting Bulger…don’t. Though he’s looked capable at times this year, like in last week’s game against a solid New Orleans defense (298 yds for 2 TDs with 1 INT), he’s looked equally bad early in the season and against the Colts in Week 7 (140 yrds and 2 INTs). His stats against a great Detroit matchup in Week 8 are really what should give you pause: 35 attempts for only 176 yards and a pick, with no TDs. That’s bad against a great defense, let alone the league’s worst secondary (20 TDs allowed, 6 INTs). Though the Cards are ranked 30th in the NFL against the pass, and Bugler seems to have found a reliable target in Brandon Gibson, the risk of playing him is not worth the slight reward at this point in the season.

Running Backs