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Our very own Eric Cunningham brings you the players that will rock the fantasy world this week, so you better pay attention.
Here are his recommendations for Start or Sit in week 9.
QUARTERBACK
Start ‘Em
Jay Cutler, DEN
Sometimes, a bye week makes all the difference. Since coming out of the week 6 bye, Cutler has already thrown the same amount of TDs that he did in the first 5 weeks of the season (4) and has managed to go a full game without throwing an interception for the first time. Detroit’s defense is boom or bust. They’ve only picked off opposing QBs in 4 of 7 games, but in those 4, they have 13 picks. I fully expect Cutler to turn the ball over at least once, but the rest of his numbers should make up for it. 250 yards and 2 TDs are mild expectations for Cutler in this match up.
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
The Browns may be a fun team to watch offensively, but their defense needs a lot of work. This week, when they travel across the country to Seattle, expect Hasselbeck to be ready to join the list of QBs who had successful fantasy outputs against the Browns. Last week, the 0-8 Rams showed signs of life against Cleveland going up 14-0 out of the gate. I’m sure the Seahawks can manage at least as good an output, likely better. The Browns are one of only two teams allowing more than 2.0 TDs passing per game (2.6 exactly). Hasselbeck should have no problem hitting the mark with 225-250 yards on top.
J.P. Losman, BUF
I’m a much bigger fan of Losman than Edwards and think that the switch (whether it was due to injury or not) had to be made. Losman is a great second half performer, and this week against Cincinnati he could start to break out of his shell. Only once this season (week 1 to Baltimore) did Cincinnati prevent a starting QB from throwing at least 2 TD passes. It didn’t help Baltimore that Steve McNair had to leave with an injury in that one game. Losman to Evans. Expect to see that combo on highlights after the game.
Deep Start ‘Em
Jason Campbell, WSH
Forget last week. Campbell will be ready to come out of the gates to prove the Redskins aren’t as bad as they looked after getting embarrassed by New England. The truth is they aren’t that bad. They’re a playoff team in the NFC, and when they travel to the Meadowlands to take on the 1-7 Jets, they’ll have a field day. They’re a run first team, which puts restrictions on Campbell’s numbers, but he should still be able to crack the 200 yard mark with a score. He may even tack one on with his feet.
Kellen Clemens, NYJ
Ok, the wait is finally over. Clemens will be the man on Sunday for the Jets. I guess I am not fully buying into the hype for this guy, but you all know I was a Pennington supporter. Even I can admit that it was time to make the move. Sometimes, you have to see what you have. What the Jets have is a QB who is 29-59 with 362 yards, 1 TD, and 4 interceptions on the season. So, needless to say, my expectations are pretty low. Against a typically tough, but recently embarrassed Washington defense I’d say the chances are only mediocre. Washington will be looking to make a point, but in deeper leagues, as a bye week replacement, he’s worth giving a shot. It should help that Washington just lost starting CB Carlos Rogers for the season. Be patient in shallow leagues.
Sit ‘Em
Vince Young, TEN
Madden Curse. It’s the only explanation. Ok, well, maybe not the ONLY explanation. It’s definitely the most fun one, though. 49 yards passing? He’s not even throwing to Roydell Williams who looked like a breakout star with Kerry Collins. At this point, if you’re not in a keeper league, there is no reason to even own this guy, let alone play him.
Kurt Warner, ARZ
Despite the news that Warner is feeling better, I don’t recommend you play him this week. First, better doesn’t mean good. Secondly, Tampa Bay has only allowed one passer to get to the 260 yard mark (Drew Brees) and has only allowed one passing TD in the last 3 weeks. Expect the Cardinals to hand the ball to Edgerrin James a lot.
Steve McNair, BAL
I’m not going to fall into the trap. Baltimore needs McNair to return soon, and they need the win over division rival Pittsburgh badly; however, they also need to know that McNair for the long term is better for the franchise. Sending him out against a rabid Steelers’ defense isn’t going to ensure his health. They should give him more time off, so I would stay close to this story if you’re considering starting him, but even if the Ravens put him on the field don’t expect much. The Steelers have only allowed one QB to pass for more than one TD against them.
RUNNING BACK
Start ‘Em
Kevin Jones, DET
Last week, I liked him to improve and thought he would be worth starting. This week, he’s a must start. The Denver defense continues to be porous against the run as Green Bay’s Ryan Grant (104 rushing yards last week) proved on Monday night. Meanwhile, Detroit seems to be committing to the run more and more. Over the first three games this year, QB Jon Kitna averaged 38.3 pass attempts per game while only handing off 14 times per game. Over the past three games, Kitna is only attempting 28 passes a game, while the Lions have steadily increased their rushing opportunities to just over 19 carries per game. Last week, Jones’ 23 carries represented the first time a Lion cracked the 20 carry mark this season. Expect that to continue as Jones should crack the 100-yard mark for the second straight week.
Thomas Jones, NYJ
It’s getting tougher to recommend Jones on a weekly basis, but this is his last chance in my eyes. With Kellen Clemens officially getting the start at QB this week, expect a healthy Jones to get the lions share of the workload. Eric Mangini should be game planning to protect his young QB which means a lot of underneath routes, screen passes, and handoffs. Jones will be the biggest beneficiary. Washington’s defense isn’t the easiest to run on, but give Jones the start one more time before writing him off.
Kenny Watson, CIN
Watson came dangerously close to being the first 100-yard rusher against Pittsburgh since Edgerrin James in 2005. Now, he gets to go on the road and face a Buffalo defense that has allowed 215 rushing yards in the last two weeks. Not to knock the Bills defense, which is better than their record implies, but if Watson could run for 88 yards against Pittsburgh, he could do some serious damage in upstate New York. Watson did suffer a concussion last week, but the word is he’ll be ready to go on Sunday. Keep an eye on him the rest of the week for practice updates. I think he’ll be a go, meaning a line of 100 yards and a score is reachable.
Deep Start ‘Em
Ryan Grant, GB
Green Bay has been begging anyone to take the reigns in the backfield. Last week, Ryan Grant grabbed hold after DeShawn Wynn went down with a season ending knee injury and never looked back. Grant will be the featured tailback for now and you could expect a solid game this week against Kansas City. The Chiefs’ defense has been much better against the run than their portrayal in the media would have you believe; but, they are still allowing over 100 rushing yards per game. Keep expectations limited for now, but Grant should total 70-90 yards on the ground.
Ron Dayne, HOU
Oakland has a horrible run defense. That’s the main reason that I can honestly recommend Dayne. Looking at the RBs that they have had to play it’s not surprising. They have had to play LaDanian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and Ronnie Brown so far, so it’s not overly shocking that there have been some huge rushing totals; however, last week Oakland allowed LenDale White to rush for 133 yards. Do I expect Dayne to rush for 100+ yards? No, but I do think he’ll be a viable option in deeper leagues. 60-80 rushing yards and a score seem to be minimal expectations. He could do more if Adimchinobi Echemandu isn’t able to play due to a hamstring injury.
Shaun Alexander, SEA
I know, your first round RB shouldn’t be in the “deep” play section, but the fact is that he needs to be treated that way. Over the past four weeks, Alexander has TOTALED 185 rushing yards (or 46.25 yards per game) and has failed to find the end zone. He’s no longer a first rounder. However, this week, he gets the Cleveland Browns defense which had allowed a 100-yard rusher every week until last week when Steven Jackson had to leave the game early. If Alexander can’t get it done this week as a match up play his value will drop to sub-zero levels.
Sit ‘Em
Adrian Peterson, MIN
San Diego’s defense has been especially good this season at stopping the run; and, while Peterson looks like he is getting more and more confidence from the coaching staff each week he’s also putting up worse numbers. The QB play in Minnesota is so bad, that he is getting the Larry Johnson treatment. He’ll see 8 in the box from San Diego most of the game when 7 is more than enough from that squad. Expect a let down.
Willis McGahee, BAL
Until someone proves them wrong, we just have to assume that whoever rushes against the Pittsburgh defense will only put up mediocre rushing numbers. McGahee will fall victim to that postulate this week. As long as Pittsburgh can force the ball into the hands of QB Kyle Boller, which they will, expect a poor performance from Baltimore’s lone weapon.
Selvin Young, DEN
Shockingly, the Detroit defense has only allowed a single 100 yard rusher (Brian Westbrook). Maybe it’s because teams think they can throw on them, but either way it makes this a mediocre match up at best. Denver will most likely take the route of every other team and throw a million times. Expecting more than 20 carries for Young is too much. He’s worth a waiver pick up, but I’d wait another week before relying on him.
WIDE RECEIVER
Start ‘Em
Lee Evans, BUF
Wait a minute. Lee Evans is still playing? I thought for sure he had just packed it in for the season. Well, apparently not. Evans is alive and well and has 17 receptions for 320 yards over the past 4 weeks including 5 receptions in each of his past two games. He also scored a TD last week, if you can believe it. Against a weak Cincinnati defense his numbers should continue their revival to respectability. If there is one guy in Buffalo who is happy to see J.P. Losman back at the helm, it’s Lee Evans.
Wes Welker, NE
It’s ridiculous to believe that Welker will continue to perform at the statistical pace he’s been playing at over the past 3 weeks consistently over the rest of the season; however, with Ben Watson out of the lineup, Welker has been free to roam the middle of the field and Tom Brady has certainly looked his way. Against the Colts this week, in the battle of the goliaths, Welker will be the difference maker. He’ll find the end zone at least once with 100 yards.
Hines Ward, PIT
Over the past 5 games against Baltimore, Hines Ward has tallied an average of 8.0 receptions and 83.8 yards per game. This week, I expect nothing less, and maybe a little bit more. Ward looked like himself in his second game returning from injury on Sunday and was clearly Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite receiver. He was targeted more than the rest of the receiving core combined and 3 times more than the TEs. Even against a formidable Baltimore defense, you can expect a solid game.
Deep Start ‘Em
Chris Chambers, SD
Usually, it takes time for a WR to become comfortable with a new offensive system. The difference here is that Chambers already knows Head Coach Norv Turner from Miami when Turner was the Offensive Coordinator in 2002 and 2003. It’s no surprise that Chambers was able to score 11 TDs in a breakout campaign under Turner’s reign. They just had to reunite over the bye week and figure out how to fit him in. While Chambers may not have the same amount of looks as he did in Miami, he’ll certainly have less pressure and will instantly become a red zone threat. In a week where Tomlinson could struggle against a stout Minnesota run defense, Chambers becomes an intriguing option.
Kevin Walter, HOU
Don’t be afraid to put him in your lineups, especially in deeper leagues. Walter is getting all kinds of love with Andre Johnson out of the lineup and he continues to make the most of his opportunities. Oakland has seemed to be better against the pass, but that’s mostly because teams have been able to run at will on them. Right now, Houston can’t run on anyone at all. While I think Ron Dayne is a good option (as mentioned earlier), the best option in Houston is Kevin Walter. He’s pushing the envelope to be used in shallow leagues, which means he should be played in all deep leagues.
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
I am a Cotchery believer. He’s a better value this year in PPR leagues, but the TDs will come. They have to. I’m putting him in the deep section because of the QB change. Chad Pennington and Laveranues Coles had a nice connection, but Cotchery may be Clemens’ guy. We’ll get a chance to see this week since Coles’ status is up in the air. Coles had a concussion last week and the team may just play it safe and keep him out of the lineup on Sunday. Either way, Cotchery looks to be the main target this week, but be careful about expecting too much with a new QB running the show.
Sit ‘Em
Roydell Williams, TEN
Bring back Kerry Collins! No one’s value will suffer more with Vince Young at QB than Williams, who had a breakout game with Collins at the helm. In the five games that Young started, Williams was targeted 16 times. In the two games that Collins played, Williams was targeted 18 times. Message to Vince Young: if you throw it, he will catch it. Until then, he’s has limited to no value.
Santana Moss, WSH
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I don’t care that he’s playing the Jets, until he does something useful he shouldn’t play. 6 receptions last week looks nice, but he only got those because Washington was playing from behind the entire game. Well, except that first drive when it was 0-0.
Jacksonville Receivers
All of them. Not one of these players is worth playing in any format at all: Earnest Wilford, Dennis Northcutt, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, and John Broussard. Quinn Gray threw 16 passes (completing less than half) and handed the ball off 40 times to three different running backs. How can a receiver be productive if he is fighting over 7 completions with 5 other receivers? He can’t. Not against the New Orleans Saints, not even against your local high school’s JV team.
TIGHT END
Start ‘Em
Dallas Clark, IND
You would imagine Belichick will have him covered well, but there are too many other focus points to worry about. Expect Joseph Addai to be the focal point of the Indianapolis offense creating a lot of openings on play-action for Clark.
Vernon Davis, SF
Last week, I was about to write him off. What a difference a week makes. With Frank Gore banged up, he finally looked like the focal point of an offense. Expect more weeks like last one in the future. He’ll really breakout in the match up against Atlanta this week.
Jeff King, CAR
He’s back in the start ‘em section after catching 10 balls last week. In PPR leagues, he’s more valuable, since he seems to have an allergy to the end zone, but he’s a solid play in all formats. Also worth noting, are that 7 of his 10 receptions came in the third quarter or later when Vinny Testeverde was replaced by this week’s starter David Carr.
Deep Start ‘Em
Kyle Brady, NE
He’s highly recommended for TD heavy scoring systems. Last week, he failed to score, but he was injured and left the game in the second quarter. That’s when the likes of Mike Vrabel started taking away his scoring opportunities. Apparently, he was able to play in the second half, but they left him on the sidelines because of the score. See, don’t let it be said that Belichick was running up the score. He left Brady on the bench, just the wrong one. He’s a go this week with Ben Watson’s status still unclear.
Ben Utecht, IND
In keeping with the New England/Indianapolis showdown, expect Utecht to get some red zone looks. This is going to be a game where random players lead the way. Big names are fun, but these coaches are going to use every man on the 53-man roster to find an edge. In the same vein that Kyle Brady will be interesting for New England, Utecht will be useful for Indianapolis. If you can’t get one, get the other.
Eric Johnson, NO
He’s not getting the points we were all expecting, but now that New Orleans is scoring again, Johnson is a respectable play in deeper leagues. Jacksonville has given up some yards to TEs this season, so don’t be shocked if Johnson reaches the 50 yard mark.
Sit ‘Em
Bo Scaife, TEN
If Young isn’t able to throw for 50 yards, then none of his receivers or TEs are playable. There must be better options available.
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