Each week when compiling this report, I take 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. This is a dynamic, stat-driven article that aims to assist you in making the right roster decisions for your fantasy squad. Your feedback is important to me, so please keep the emails coming. Got a specific roster question relative to your team? Fire away.

Quarterbacks

Bye Weeks: Joe Flacco, Kyle Orton, David Garrard, Matt Hasselbeck

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

Eli Manning vs. ARI
Hasselbeck was a complete bust last week against the Cardinals, but they still allow more yards through the air (265.2 YPG) than any NFL team not named the Titans. Eli is coming off his worst game of the season where he only completed 45.2% of his passes, but I expect the Giants to bounce back in a big way this week in the Meadowlands. Arizona has allowed 9 passing TDs in 5 games while picking off just 4 passes. Manning’s last game versus the Cards (11.23.08) produced his best game of 2008 when he tossed 3 scores and threw for 240 yards.

Jay Cutler @ CIN
With the running game still finding its way, Cutler finds himself in a similar position to last season - which is a good thing for fantasy owners. Last week he had his first 300-yard game as a member of the Bears and he has now thrown 2+ TDs in 4 straight games. His penchant for throwing interceptions can’t be ignored, but this week he faces the 28th ranked pass defense of the Bengals who got lit up by Matt Schaub for 392 yards last week. He’ll leave you scratching your head at times, but his upside makes him a strong play this week.

Matt Ryan @ DAL
Ryan had a little trouble finding his rhythm against the Bears last week, but still managed to throw 2 TDs. He has now thrown 2+ TDs in 4 of 5 games this season. His yardage totals are slightly underwhelming, this week he gets to face one of the most overrated defenses in the league in the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have intercepted an NFL-low 2 passes and allow an average of 251.4 YPG through the air. Eli Manning, Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel each threw 2 TD passes with no interceptions against Dallas this year.

Philip Rivers gets healthy against the weak Chiefs pass defense.

Philip Rivers @ KC
Rivers production has been curtailed, to an extent, due to the lackluster running game of the Chargers. He remains a very good QB with lots of potential each week considering his arsenal, albeit on an underachieving team. I like his chances this Sunday in Kansas City when he faces a Chiefs team that has served up 10 aerial scores and 249.5 passing YPG. Last season in 2 games against Kansas City, Rivers had 662 yards passing, 4 TDs and 3 INTs.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Min
The solid run defense (and less than stellar pass defense) of the Vikings should force Roethlisberger to make plenty of plays with his arm this week. Ben has been lighting it up of late, tossing 7 TDs with just 2 interceptions in his last 3 games, while averaging 342 passing YPG in that span. Joe Flacco torched the Vikes for 385 yards and 2 scores last week and Minnesota has now allowed 9 aerial scores and an average of 248.3 YPG.

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

Donovan McNabb @ WAS
McNabb threw for a season-high 269 yards last week but without a TD pass did little to help fantasy owners. As embarrassing as the Redskins are this year, their pass defense has been very good, yielding just 169 YPG and only 5 aerial TDs in 6 games. Washington is 1 of 3 NFL teams (Panthers, Colts) who have not allowed a passing play of 40+ yards this season. In 2 games last season Donovan did not throw a TD pass against the Redskins; this year Washington is allowing just 16 PPG, 5th best in the NFL.

Jason Campbell vs. PHI
Campbell will remain the Redskins starting quarterback against Philadelphia on Monday night despite getting benched at halftime the ‘Skins loss to the Chiefs last week. His confidence may be near an all time low as he has averaged just 134.67 passing YPG over his last three with 3 TDs and 4 INTs in that span. Factor in that the Eagles pass defense allows 179 YPG and have more interceptions (11) than TDs allowed (8). Campbell was a disappointment against the poor defenses of the Rams, Lions, Bucs and Chiefs, so there is no reason to believe he will deliver against the Eagles.

Marc Bulger vs. IND
Bulger has not been a fantasy commodity since 2006, and despite his highest passing yardage total of the season last week, he absolutely should not be considered for deployment, even for the most desperate of owners in the deepest of leagues. He has not had a multiple TD game in almost a year (11.2.08) and has only had 3 multi-TD games in his last 32 starts. Not looking good at all, especially considering that the Colts have allowed just 2 passing TDs this year.

Matt Cassel vs. SD
Cassel is working on an impressive streak and has not thrown an interception in 132 consecutive passes. Unfortunately, he has been sacked 19 times this season, 2nd highest total in the NFL (Aaron Rodgers - 25). The Chargers are allowing 217.2 passing YPG and do a good job of keeping the play in front of them. Their sluggish pass rush has a chance to actually look good against the Chiefs.

Ryan Fitzpatrick @ CAR
Fitzpatrick came in for a concussed Trent Edwards and helped win the game for the Bills over the Jets last week, but his 10 of 25 passing (40%) and 1 TD should not be enough to consider rostering him for this week’s match up in Carolina. Carolina has looked ugly this year, but their pass defense has been a strong point, as they allow just 156.8 passing YPG and 6 aerial scores through 5 games. You really wouldn’t consider Edwards for this game, so no reason to get cute with Fitzpatrick either.

Jake Delhomme vs. BUF
Last time you’ll see this guy’s name here; he should not even remotely be considered for fantasy purposes going forward. 4 TDs and 10 INTs in 5 games and, to make matters worse, he has alienated the best receiver on the team. Stick a fork in him.

Running Backs