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Must Start:
Earnest
Graham v. ATL: Do I sense a theme here? Yeah, play everyone
against a depressingly bad Falcons team. In his last seven games,
Graham has exceeded 100 yards from scrimmage five times and he
has also scored six touchdowns over that period. Not too bad for
a guy fantasy owners had never heard of at the beginning of the
season.
Adrian
Peterson v. CHI: Peterson’s 14 rushes for three yards was
a disturbing event, even more so because it came in a game versus
the hapless 49ers. Unfortunately, there are risks involved with
starting a rookie running back coming back from a knee injury
and sharing time in the backfield. No matter how much talent Peterson
has, owners were eventually going to get bit. With Chicago up
next, AP should get back on track since the Bears staunch defense
is a thing of the past. Only two teams have allowed more rushing
touchdowns this year.
Willis McGahee @ MIA: One of those teams is Miami. Go figure,
eh? The Colts were able to bottle up McGahee last week after he
had scored in his previous eight games. Pretty consistent stuff
on a team battered by injuries. Expect him to continue embarrassing
Miami just like every other team has. If the Dolphins don’t
win a game this season, does it cancel out the ’72 Dolphins?
It would be a pleasant change of pace to skip the yearly interviews
with the same has-been coach and retired players.
Selvin
Young @ HOU: Welcome to this week’s version of Russian Roulette,
otherwise known as “Why Mike Shanahan Hates Fantasy Football”.
Young has started the last two games and has a nice match up in
Houston, but Shanahan will go with the hot hand. That could be
Young, Travis Henry, Andre Hall, or the guy delivering pizzas
at halftime. The Denver backfield is a huge risk, but the potential
reward is why four Denver running backs get drafted each year.
Going Out On a Limb:
Darius
Walker v. DEN: He filled in admirably for an injured Ron Dayne,
gaining 81 yards last week. Denver is allowing almost 140 yards
on the ground this season. Walker’s upside is limited by both
backup Adimchinobe
Echemandu and his own dubious talent. Being stuck behind both
Ahman Green and Dayne on the depth chart says something about
a player, and it isn’t good. However, he is available and has
a shot at 100 yards and a score.
Grab A Gatorade:
Adrian Peterson
@ MIN: Just to clarify, we are now talking about the Other
AP, formerly the backup to Cedric Benson. While Peterson continues
to see action in the passing game, he has done nothing on the
ground since taking over as the main guy. Factor that tidbit into
the fact that Minnesota sports the best run defense in the league
and the Other AP should be nowhere near starting line ups.
Kolby Smith v. TEN: Hhhmmm…He had a great game against
the Raiders, but has struggled the last couple weeks with the
Chargers and Broncos. Think his initial success was helped just
a little by the woeful Oakland run defense? Smith is also banged
up and the coaching staff is talking about some guy named Gilbert
Smith getting touches this week too. Against the Titans? I will
pass on the whole situation.
Maurice
Jones-Drew @ PIT: MJD has been limited to 13 or less offensive
touches in the last four games. While he is good, no player can
consistently score fantasy points with that few opportunities.
Fred Taylor has seen a corresponding jump in his workload and
numbers. However, neither is an attractive play facing a hungry
Pittsburgh defense in the Steel City.
Justin Fargas v. IND: Fargas looked great taking over for LaMont
Jordan until he got injured last week. He is expected to play,
but it may not matter much. If teams are going to run at Indy,
they do it through a power running game that chews up the clock.
A nicked-up Fargas isn’t a good match this week.
Edgerrin James @ NO: Two problems for Edge this week. First,
he isn’t the best pass catcher in the Arizona backfield.
So, if the Saints catch fire and light up the Arizona secondary,
he will be watching from the sidelines. Second, the Saints have
quietly become a top ten team in shutting down the run, allowing
only six rushing scores all year.
Wide Receivers
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