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: Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger

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

David Garrard @ TEN
Garrard hasn’t thrown a TD pass since October 4 – the last time he faced the Titans. Easily his best game of the season, Garrard torched Tennessee for 323 yards and 3 TDs in Week 4. 11 of his 56 career TD passes have come at the expense of the Titans, the most versus any NFL team. Jeff Fisher’s pass defense is utterly atrocious. They are the only unit in the NFL allowing more than 300 passing YPG (310.7) and they have served up an obscene 19 aerial scores in just 6 games, worst in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers vs. MIN
Rodgers has quickly developed into a top-tier fantasy QB in less than two seasons being a starter. His 110.8 QB rating this season is second only to Peyton Manning. You have to continue to roll him out there even in a less than desirable match up against the Vikings this week. He threw for a career-high 384 yards and 2 TDs against Minnesota on MNF in Week 4. Rodgers has thrown a TD in every game this season (13 straight dating to last year!) and has 2+ passing TDs in four straight games.

Tony Romo vs. SEA
Romo is finally heating up; he’s had back-to-back 300+ yard games which includes 5 TDs and 0 INTs. The Seahawks apparently decent pass defense has bolstered its numbers - 220 passing YPG allowed and 7 TDs – by playing the Rams and the 49ers in their first 2 games. Both Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner threw 2 TDs against Seattle and it would be surprising if Romo doesn’t match them. His last game against the Seahawks (11.27.08) he threw for 331 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT.

Jay Cutler vs. CLE
Cutler has thrown at least one TD pass in every game this season, alas his Achilles heel has been his penchant for throwing interceptions. He’s got 11 TDs and 10 INTs on the season, but there is reason to believe that will improve on those totals this week. The Browns have just 3 interceptions this season, which ties them for last in the league. Cleveland allows an average of 244.3 passing YPG and has allowed 10 aerials scores. This game presents a perfect match up for Cutler to get back on track.

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

Matt Ryan @ NO
Ryan has thrown multiple TDs in 5 of his 6 games this year, which is impressive, but in his last 3 games he’s had 5 INTs to go along with his 6 TDs. Furthermore, he has been held under 199 yards passing in 3 of his last 4 games. He is certainly not a bad option, but you should consider that in 6 games this season, the Saints have given up only 5 passing TDs and they are tied for the NFL-lead (Buffalo) with 13 INTs. Opponents have passed for 214.3 YPG against New Orleans, mostly while playing catch up.

Joe Flacco vs. DEN
Joe Flacco is averaging nearly 2 TD passes per game this season after averaging less than 1 per game in ’08. He’s now thrown a TD pass in 6 straight games to start 2009. This week he faces a Broncos unit that is allowing a mere 11 points per game, best in the NFL. Opponents have managed an average of only 182.8 passing YPG against Denver; the Broncos have given up just 3 aerial TDs (2 to Tom Brady) in 6 games. Flacco has come a long way but you shouldn’t expect a big game this week.

Arizona may take this opportunity to work on their running game.

Kurt Warner vs. CAR
Despite Carolina’s inability to pick off passes (only 3 INTs), they have been pretty tough against the pass this year, holding opposing QBs under 150 passing YPG. They have not faced an aerial attack like that of the Cardinals, but they held Tony Romo scoreless, who incidentally had the most passing yards against the Panthers this season (255 yards). There is good chance that the Cards will try to get their abysmal running game going against a soft Carolina run D, which could further water down Warner’s numbers.

Alex Smith @ IND
Which Alex Smith do you remember - the one who threw for 206 yards and 3 TDs in the second half against the Texans last week? Or the one who threw 1 TD and 11 INTs in 9 games a rookie? I would love to see Smith rebound from his early career woes and succeed, but I just don’t see it happening this week as the Colts defense is too good. Indy has allowed an average of 12.8 points per game and 2 TD passes in 6 contests, holding opposing QBs to 179.9 passing YPG. Grab Smith and stash him if you like, but don’t use him as a fill-in this week.

Running Backs