Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Matt Ryan vs. DEN
The rookie with two first names gets ‘Start ‘em’ status for the
second straight week. He has thrown TDs in seven of his nine starts
(including five straight) and he has 3 straight games with two
TD passes. He is averaging 261.5 passing YPG over his last four
- as opposed to 167.3 YPG over his first four. HC Mike Smith has
cautiously allowed the steady Ryan open it up some and this week
he should post very good totals against a bad, injury-riddled
Broncos D.
Jake Delhomme vs. DET
Jake was categorically atrocious last week. After back-to-back
games with a QB-rating of 122.3, he posted dismal 12.3 rating
against the Raiders. To be fair, he should bounce back nicely
at home this week against the wretched Lions. He will be eager
to put the bad showing behind him, and that shouldn’t be too difficult
against a Lions squad that has served up 15 aerial scores while
intercepting only two passes. There is no Nnamdi Asomugha to take
Steve Smith out of his game this week.
Aaron Rodgers vs. CHI
Last week Rodgers did not throw a TD pass for only the 2nd time
this season. I really like his chances for redemption this week
against a Bears team that is allowing 251.8 passing YPG. The Bears
let Kerry Collins throw two TDs last week, the first multiple
passing TD game for Collins since 12/31/05 (only his fourth and
fifth TD passes on the season). The Bears should hold down Ryan
Grant, but they won’t have the same luck against Rodgers.
Peyton Manning vs. HOU
Peyton threw 3 TDs and 240 yards last week against the Steelers'
top-ranked defense; no other QB had thrown for more than 1 TD
or 206 yards against Pittsburgh this season. He now has seven
TDs and two INT in his last three games and seems to be picking
up speed. He should again throw multiple TDs against a Texans
D that has surrendered 15 passing TDs on the season. The only
thing that could possibly keep him from 300+ yards is Joseph Addai’s
projected success on the ground.
Tyler Thigpen vs. NO
Last week I didn’t view Thiggy as a viable weekly option,
but his play and his schedule now has me reconsidering. Since
taking the reins to the offense in Week 8, the former Coastal
Carolina Chanticleer (huh?) has been tremendous. He has completed
64.7 % of his passes, tossed 6 TDs and 0 INTs; he now has thrown
124 passes without an interception. The New Orleans “Aints”
have served up 7 TD passes and intercepted only 1 pass in their
last 3 games, while allowing an average of 261 YPG in that span.
Start Tyler Beckham Thigpen with confidence.
Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Joe Flacco @ NYG
Rookie signal-caller Joe Flacco has been a pleasure to watch this
year and he continues to improve each week. However he faces obstacles
that make him a better pine-rider than a QB1 this week. It will
be difficult venue - on the road against the NY Giants who have
one of the top defensive units in the NFL; a daunting test compared
to his last four starts. A dislocated left shoulder could slow
his top receiving option, WR Derrick Mason. Consider that the
Ravens game plan focuses on the legs of McGahee, Rice and McClain,
not the arm of Flacco.
Kyle Orton/Rex Grossman @ GB
Grossman is Grossman, you know what you are going to get –
or what you won’t get – from him. He just cannot be
considered for a start here against the Packers and their NFL-best
16 INTs. If Orton (ankle sprain) is ready to go, it would be wise
to leave him alone, too. His best games have been against weaker
units, not teams like the Pack that allow an average of 179 passing
YPG.
Sage Rosenfels @ IND
On October 5, (Parsley) Sage Rosenfels (& Thyme) somehow managed
to throw one of the two passing TDs that the Colts have allowed
this season. Not a typo – the Colts have allowed only 2
aerial scores – and 191 YPG - in 9 contests, while picking
off 9 passes. Rosenfels does not have the chemistry with the offense
that Schauby possessed as the starting QB, and he is a very shaky
play this week against a defense that is stingy against the pass.
Gus Frerotte @ TB
Take a look at Frerotte’s season: 10 TDs, 11 INTs; and his
last 4 games: 8 TDs, 9 INTs. Basically, you know what you are
getting here. You shouldn’t feel comfortable starting him
against a rested Tampa D that has held opposing quarterbacks to
an average QB rating of 72.4. Expect numbers from Gus similar
to last week’s performance against the Pack; he may toss
a TD but that will be overshadowed by turnovers and low yardage
totals.
Brady Quinn @ BUF
Many fantasy owners grabbed the Medicine Man following his 239-yard,
2-TD / 0-INT effort against the Broncos leaky D. While Quinn has
the tools and the weapons to make some noise, he will find it
much more difficult on Monday night in Orchard Park, NY. The Bills
have only allowed seven passing TDs in nine games (tied for third
best in the NFL); the last two weeks they kept both Matt Cassel
and Brett Favre from throwing any TD passes at all.
Running Backs
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