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Must Start:
Marshawn
Lynch @ MIA: This one is simple. Any running back that is
guaranteed 25 touches against the horrendous Miami defense is
a must start. The Dolphins are one of the few teams that have
given up more than ten rushing touchdowns already this year and
are also allowing over 160 yards per game on the ground.
Cedric Benson @ OAK: This is a tough pick to make for two reasons.
First, the Oakland defense is pretty good. Second, Cedric Benson
is one of the worst starting running backs I have ever seen. However,
did you know Oakland has given up more rushing touchdowns than
any other team? Even Benson and his plodding 3.1 yards per carry
average should be able to punch one or two touchdowns in.
Justin Fargas v. CHI: On the other side of the field will be
Fargas, newly anointed starting running back for the Raiders.
The Bears mighty defense has fallen on very hard times and are
currently ranked at 26th in rush defense. They aren’t as
bad as Oakland, but Fargas looks to have more talent than Benson,
so he will have at least as much success.
Willis McGahee v. CIN: After taking a knee to the helmet, McGahee
and his concussion are not a lock to start this week. If he can
go, the universe is aligned for him to do extremely well over
the next couple weeks. He now has three straight games with a
touchdown and plays the Bengals and Browns over the next two weeks.
It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Going Out On a Limb:
Priest
Holmes v. DEN: Although the full extent of Larry Johnson’s
injury is not yet known, we do know he won’t be playing this week,
leaving Holmes and rookie Kolby Smith to hammer out who gets to
carry the rock against the league’s worst run defense. At one
time, Holmes had skills. It will be interesting to see if they
are still around. Holmes is a better bet to get the starter touches
than the rookie so, if you have to start one, go with Holmes.
Grab A Gatorade:
Jamal Lewis
@ PIT: Don’t expect another four touchdown explosion from Lewis
this week (or this century). Pittsburgh has only allowed two rushing
TDs all season. From a game standpoint, expect the Steelers to
score at will against a porous Cleveland defense, forcing Derek
Anderson to pass the ball constantly. And, by the way, Lewis is
averaging 2.6 yards per rush over the last two games.
Shaun Alexander
v. SF: Alexander hasn’t gone over 100 yards or scored a touchdown
since Week Three. With Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver both
cutting into Alexander’s playing time, Mike Holmgren plans on
passing the ball more. Catching the ball out of the backfield
is not Alexander’s strength, implying that his touches each game
will continue to decrease.
Travis
Henry @ KC: Held to 65 yards or less each game since Week
5, Henry plays a tough Kansas City rush defense that has yielded
only three rushing scores all year. Add in his propensity to get
nicked up, the threat of Selvin Young stealing carries, a pending
drug suspension, and the standard Mike Shanahan convolutions and
Henry isn’t worth the headache.
Rudi Johnson
@ BAL: Against the Bills, Rudi had ten touches for 17 yards. Against
the freaking Bills! The wheels are falling off the Ravens’ entire
team, but they can still stop the run, making Kenny Watson the
most likely running back to see significant action this week.
The Bengals aren’t doing any better than Baltimore so expecting
real production out of either back may be wishful thinking.
LenDale
White v. JAX: Two of the stingiest defenses in the NFL get
to play this week in what promises to be a defensive snooze-fest.
White has had a few solid games recently against less than stellar
defenses. Even though Jacksonville will be without Marcus Stroud,
White will have a difficult time finding any running room.
Wide Receivers
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