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Must Start:
Santonio
Holmes @ STL: Even though he didn’t have huge numbers last
week versus Jacksonville, he looked good. With another week to
work out his ankle issues and the Rams accommodating secondary
up next, expect a return to Holmes’ pre-injury form, including
a score or two.
Anthony
Gonzalez v. HOU: He caught seven balls for 86 yards and a
score last week in Oakland, so the Texans’ secondary shouldn’t
scare anyone. While Coach Dungy claims he won’t be resting his
players, sometime in the third quarter we will see the likes of
Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Joseph Addai heading to the
bench. The rookie may get some additional playing time; especially
with Marvin Harrison hoping to be back next week.
Dwayne
Bowe @ DET: If Brodie Croyle is a good play, his #1 receiver
should be as well. Tony Gonzalez has seen a lot of action in run
blocking, limiting his catches and moving Bowe closer to actually
being the top receiver on his team. The rookie is averaging almost
five catches per game and is set to go over the 1,000-yard mark.
Not too bad on a run-first team with no real quarterbacks.
Bobby Engram
v. BAL: Engram has been the man this season. With all the other
Seattle receivers injured (D.J. Hackett and Deion Branch) or sucky
(Nate Burleson), he has stepped up to record his first 1,000-yard
effort after 12 years in the league. That is what persistence
and a complete lack of a run game can get you.
Going Out On a Limb:
Reggie
Brown @ NO: Once the forgotten man in Philadelphia, he has
three touchdowns in the last six games. Not necessarily scintillating,
but at least serviceable. He is expected to draw coverage from
Saint cornerback Jason David, which is a virtual guarantee that
Brown will have his best game of the season.
Grab Some Pine:
Derrick
Mason @ SEA: Mason has been consistent, if not spectacular
in all but PPR leagues. This week he gets a double-whammy. First,
he has to play the Seahawks, who have allowed a league-low ten
TD passes this year. Second, Kyle Boller is still suffering from
concussion after-effects. Rookie Troy Smith has looked good in
limited time, but I don’t want to hitch my Super Bowl wagon to
him.
Lee Evans v. NYG: Diminutive speed receivers and poor weather
conditions are a bad combination. Last week’s match up versus
the Brownies seemed ideal until the Sunday weather outlook was
posted. Rain, snow, and wind made those 40-yard bombs dance all
over the place. Playing in Buffalo this week, conditions may be
worse as forecasters are predicting freezing rain, snow, and 20
mph winds.
Roddy White @ ARI: After a great run, White was finally undone
by his craptastic teammates. He had a three game scoring streak
harshly snapped by a one catch, four yard performance last week,
shocking owners who thought they had grabbed a steal weeks back
off the waiver wire. When your quarterback only completes four
passes for 34 yards, expectations must be lowered.
Bernard
Berrian v. GB: Another receiver decimated by his quarterback,
Berrian has seen his fantasy value plummet with Kyle Orton trying
to get him the ball. When speed is your main weapon and your QB
can’t throw the long ball, something has to give. With the Packers
coming to town and bringing their stingy pass defense with them,
Berrian needs to be sitting on your bench, along with every other
Chicago player you are unfortunate enough to own.
Ronald
Curry @ JAX: The possibility of JaMarcus Russell starting
for the Raiders should be more than enough to convince everyone
to sit Curry. If you need any more encouragement, I will point
out that Curry’s touchdown catch last week was his first since
Week Seven and he has been held to less than 40 yards in three
of his last four games.
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