Chris F.

Chris Fries

QB
 
Stud -- Donovan McNabb (PHI @ MIN): The Vikings have the #4 rushing defense, but are dead last in the league in passing yards allowed.  This week they will be focused again on the run, leaving McNabb free to beat them with the pass.  He should be able to -- He's been improving and looked decent against the Bears last week.

Dud -- David Carr (CAR vs. IND):  At this point, it looks likely that Carr will be back behind center for the Panthers, who are coming off a bye.  He will have a tough welcome back -- the Colts lead the league in passing defense, giving up only 162.2 yards per game. Expect Carolina to try and establish the run, and for Carr to have minimal passing plays or success.

RB:

Stud -- LaDainian Tomlinson (SDC vs. HOU): Tomlinson has regained his elite form and had a huge game last week against the Raiders, amassing 198 yards and 4 TDs.  Against the erratic Texans, he could easily have another big day, making this a no-brainer call. The biggest questions are when and where the game will be, following all the fires in the San Diego area.

Dud -- Clinton Portis (WAS @ NEP):  Portis has struggled with both injuries and production this year, not rushing for over 100 yards once yet. With an injured line, facing a tough New England at home, and probably playing against a Patriots lead most of the day, means Portis should have a very rough day.

WR

Stud -- Santonio Holmes (PIT @ CIN): The Bengals let Laveranues Coles get 8 catches and 133 yards last week.  This week Cincinnati's #28 passing defense faces Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.  Holmes is over his injury and is Pittsburgh's deep threat and should have a great day.

Dud -- Dennis Northcutt (CLE @ STL): or any other Jags receiver (JAC @ TBB):  The Bucs have the league's #5 passing defense.  David Garrard is out, and Quinn Gray floundered against Indy, and won't have a much easier time this week against Tampa Bay.  This is not the week to play any Jacksonville receiver, if you still have any on your roster.

TE

Stud -- Jeremy Shockey (NYG vs. MIA, London):  The no-brainer stud choice TE is Gates.  But Shockey also has a great match-up against the woeful Dolphins, especially with LB Zach Taylor out. 

Dud -- Chris Cooley (WAS @ NEP):  See Portis above.  Cooley will likely be called on to help shore up the O-line more than he'll get opportunities as a receiver, and when he does get targeted, a swarming Patriots defense will make things tough for him.

Tom D.

Tom Dugan

QB

Stud – Brian Griese (CHI vs. DET): Not your typical "stud," but Griese is a good play in Week Eight. He has thrown for four touchdowns and 701 yards in his last two starts. He’s got the hot hand and he’s facing one of the worst passing defenses in the league.

Dud – Jason Campbell (WAS @ NEP): Don’t expect him to rebound from his Week Seven performance while facing the Patriots. He’s likely to be playing from behind, so he’ll have a slew of attempts. But he’s not likely to have much success.
RB

Stud – Lendale White (TEN vs. OAK): Oakland’s run defense has been weak against the run, and White has shown a knack for getting into the end zone.

Dud – Kenny Watson (CIN vs. PIT): Watson racked up 130 rushing yards and three scores against the Jets, but the potential return of Rudi Johnson may push him to the bench. Even if Watson gets the start, Cincinnati faces the Steelers’ defense.

WR

Stud - Tory Holt (STL vs. CLE): The Rams have been terrible, but they’ve still got a tremendous amount of talent. The Browns defense ought to help out all of the Rams’ offensive players.

Dud – Ike Hilliard (TBB vs. JAC): Hilliard’s revival has been fun to watch, but both Jacksonville and Tampa will struggle to move the ball in this one. Expect a defensive battle.

TE

Stud – Dallas Clark (IND @ CAR): He’s become a favorite target of Peyton Manning and an every week fantasy starter.

Dud – Kyle Brady (NEP vs. WAS): Don’t buy the hype. He’s an occasional red zone target, but he’s not catching many passes.

James B.

James Bebermeyer Jr.

QB

Stud – Ben Roethlisberger (PIT @ CIN): Big Ben doesn’t have a great fantasy record when he plays Cincinnati.  He only averages 1.3 TDs, while averaging 1.3 INTs per game at the same time against them.  This is not the same match-up. Ben throws for over 250 yards and 2-3 TDs.

Dud – Eli Manning (NYG vs. MIA in London): I know I am out on a limb here. But with Zach Thomas out, I believe that Coughlin is going to control the clock and the game by giving a heavy dose of Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns to one of the worst run defenses in the league.

RB

Stud – Marshawn Lynch (BUF @ NYJ): As many probably know…or not know, Lynch has yet to put together a 100+ yard rushing game this season.  Well, that is all about to change.  Vilma is gone…the Jets rush defense is ranked #22 out of the 26 teams playing this weekend and allow 138 rushing yards and 1.29 rushing touchdowns per game.  I believe that the math from there should be easy enough.

Dud – Clinton Portis (WAS @ NEP): I own Portis in one league this season, an expert’s league that I am 1-6 in at the moment. He is facing the Patriots in their backyard, where they only allow 92.7 rushing yards and less than a touchdown per game. Put in the fact that he will likely give some carries away to Betts and you have Dud written all over this game for Clinton. Unless he has a costume that changes his identity to Flash, he won’t be doing much this weekend.

WR:

Stud – Chris Chambers (SDC vs. HOU): Yeah, you heard…err…read it right.  Chambers is going to have a nice game this weekend against a porous Texans secondary that got humiliated last weekend by Kerry Collins.  With LT2 finally getting the gears running, Houston is going to have to account for him, which will allow the passing game to open up.  Chambers is already familiar with the offensive scheme, had two weeks to get acclimated and should become the premier receiver the Bolts were looking for.

Dud – Randy Moss (NEP vs. WAS): OK, hear me out on this one. The Patriots are going to have one of their biggest tests of the season this weekend against a guy that is very familiar with them…Gregg Williams…remember Buffalo. Anyway, the secondary for the ‘Skins is no slouch and they have the players to keep Moss corralled for most of the day. I see a game much like Week 5 against the Browns for Moss…a few catches for less than 70 yards and likely no touchdowns.

TE:

Stud – Desmond Clark (CHI vs. DET): Clark has once again become the tight end of choice in Chicago. Since Griese took over the starting role for the Bears, Desmond has put together 186 of his 311 receiving yards, 18 of his 27 receptions and all his touchdowns. I know that the Chicago front office wants Greg Olsen to be the guy, but the Griese-Clark connection is a solid one for this weekend.

Dud – Randy McMichael (STL vs. CLE): McMichael’s mediocre season will continue this weekend, even against a very questionable Browns secondary. Bulger does not throw to tight ends often, which borders on once in a blue moon scenario. The return of Steven Jackson will hurt the number of throws that come Randy’s way. So, the Week 5 surge with Frerotte was just an anomaly that does not carry much weight.

Eric C.

Eric Cunningham

QB

Stud - Derek Anderson (CLE @ STL): There is no reason whatsoever to think that Anderson would fail to put up ridiculous numbers against the 0-7 Rams. As weird as it sounds, Cleveland actually has an explosive offense with big time pass catchers. This will be the highest scoring game of the week.

Dud - Vince Young (TEN vs. OAK): Coming off of an injury isn't easy. Doing it with the Madden Curse looming over you makes it that much harder.

RB

Stud - Marshawn Lynch (BUF @ NYJ): In his second attempt against the Jets, look for Lynch to eclipse the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career. Scoring shouldn't be a problem.

Dud - Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC @ TB): I won't be expecting much when he faces 8 in the box on every carry (that he is still sharing with Fred Taylor). Quinn Gray won't do him any favors.

WR

Stud - Plaxico Burress (NYG vs. MIA London): In Miami, across the pond, or on another planet, Plaxico Burress will light up the depleted Dolphins secondary. Insert generic London joke here.

Dud - Roy Williams (DET @ CHI): Since breaking out against Philadelphia, Williams has been virtually useless. Now, with Calvin Johnson back, he has to share those 3-5 targets per game.

TE

Stud - Kellen Winslow, Jr. (CLE @ STL): One of Anderson's favorite targets, it would be shocking to see him come out of this week without at least one score and yardage approaching the century mark.

Dud - Vernon Davis (SF vs. NOS): Even when healthy he hasn't given us any sign that he should be on a roster. Why would anyone play him this week?

Jim D.

Jim Day

QB

Stud – Brian Griese (CHI vs. DET): Griese is an excellent start against a very suspect Detroit secondary.  They give up on average almost 270 yards and 2 TDs a game.

Dud – Vince Young (TEN vs. OAK): Not only is he coming off an injury, he is not getting any chances to air it out anyway. He is dinking and dunking and killing all of his fantasy owners.

RB

Stud – Marshawn Lynch (BUF vs. NYJ): Lynch will have his first 100 yard effort of the season against a soft Jets defense that will most likely be without Jonathan Vilma. There is a better than average chance he will score too.  (also watch Stephen Jackson)

Dud – Kenny Watson (CIN vs. PIT): With Rudi Johnson missing practice so far this week, Watson maybe called upon once again. Don’t jump on the Watson bandwagon just yet. This week he gets Pittsburgh, who is third against the run and have only given up 1 rushing TD this season.

WR

Stud – Braylon Edwards (CLE vs. STL): Edwards is finally hitting the mark everyone thought he could, and he will continue that trend against a very soft St Louis defense, especially in St Louis. Edwards is averaging a TD in every 4.1 receptions.

Dud – Joey Galloway (TBB vs. JAC): Galloway is a feast or famine player and this week will be famine against a tough Jacksonville secondary.  

TE

Stud – Randy McMichael (MIA vs. NYG London): This is likely the only skill player for Miami who could have a good game. Lemon won’t have a lot of time to throw and the Giants are bad against TEs.

Dud – Jeff King (CAR vs. IND): After a hot start King has slowed down with only 5 catches for 59 yards and no TDs in his last 3 games.  Add that to the fact that he is facing a very tough Indianapolis passing defense which is ranked #1 in the NFL.  Mr. King may I introduce Mr. Sanders.

Bill C

Bill Cervi

QB

Stud - John Kitna (DET @ CHI): The Bears secondary... well they... are struggling with injuries right now, to put it as nicely as possible. The Bears are being beaten week in and week out by average QBs and Kitna and crew will be way too much firepower for the Bears. Kitna throws for  2-3 TDs in this one.

Dud - Jason Campbell (WAS @ NEP): He will face a tough afternoon going into NE without several starters on the O Line. I think the Pats wreak havoc in this one and sack Campbell numerous times, cause several turnovers and there is a good chance for the Pats D to score.

RB

Stud - Ladanian Tomlinson (SDC vs. HOU): LT will run wild vs. the Houston Texans this week. Their run defense has collapsed recently and the Texans overall are giving up the second most points to RBs this year. I also like Frank Gore vs. NO; Willie Parker vs. Cincy and M Lynch vs. NYJ but we can only pick 1.

Dud: Ahman Green (GBP @ DEN): The Chargers front seven does an excellent job shutting down the run, in fact they have not given up a rushing TD to an RB in three weeks.

WR

Stud - Plaxico Burress (NYG vs. MIA London): I will start by saying I hate this guy. His work ethic and offseason work regiments are a joke, but when he plays in games he flat out produces and that's just what he will do this week vs. the Dolphins on the other side of the pond. Jet lag or not, baby Manning will be staring down Burress all day and he should easily have 100+ yds and at least one TD by the time it is over in London.

Dud - Joey Galloway (TB vs. JAC): Another inconsistent player. This guy will either win the week for you when you start him or lose the week, he has no middle ground. This week I say he is way too risky to start against Jville. Garcia will be running for his life and will be almost completely shut down by the Jag secondary and the revitalized Jaguar pass rush led by Spicer.

TE

Stud - Kellen Winslow (CLE @STL): Freshly rested off the bye week and what does the schedule serve up? How about the 0-7 Rams. Winslow will be all over the place in this one and he should crack the century mark in yards and find his way into the end zone for at least one score.

Dud - Chris Cooley (WAS @ NEP): Last week he was asked to help out with blocking due to the fact that the O Line was ravaged by injury and this week should be the same when they travel to New England to face an aggressive Pats D. The only hope for Cooley this week is some cheap garbage time points and maybe a short score.

Adam L.

Adam Lasik

I decided to take a little different tack with Stud and Dud, focusing more on those sleepers that aren't in your lineup, but maybe should be, and the guys you are starting but possibly should reconsider.

QB

Stud (Sleeper) - Brian Griese (CHI) - Yes, I said it. We're starting off with a sleeper who not only isn't likely to be in your starting lineup, but may not even be on a roster in your more "standard" leagues. Griese has a hot hand, and has the pleasure of playing what is arguably the most pathetic defensive backfield in the entire league. The Bears have struggled to run the ball, but they won't have to on Sunday. I expect Griese to post some solid numbers on the order of a third-straight 300+ yard game, and another 3 TDs. Not bad for a scrub that a lot of people wrote off a long time ago. Oh, an in case you missed it - in four games, Griese has 1,203 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also has too many interceptions (6), and Detroit has been surprisingly effective at takeaways with 9 interceptions, but Griese's offensive production should be good enough to be worth a start. Some others to consider as startable sleepers might be Chad Pennington and Jason Campbell.

Dud (Bust) - Okay, you're going to roll your eyes, but hear me out. My "bust" for this week isn't so much a "bench him" guy as he is a guy that I think is primed to disappoint compared to the start he has had this year - Tom Brady (NEP). He's still a definite starter, don't get me wrong, and he will still post some decent fantasy numbers for you - but I don't see another 5+ TD performance in store for him this week. The Washington defense is easily the best he has faced thus far this year (yes, Dallas fans, I am putting the Cowboys in there with the Jets, Chargers, Bills, Bengals, Browns, and Dolphins). I expect Brady to still get 200+ yards and a few touchdowns, but he isn't going to singlehandedly win your fantasy matchup this week.

RB

Stud (Sleeper) - DeShawn Wynn (GBP) - the Packers' run game has been pretty ineffective, but the Pack hasn't really tried very hard to make it work. Believe it or not, if you look at the numbers - they have been improving. Wynn was finally labeled the #1 back, and will step it up with Denver rolling everything around to stop the Packer passing attack. Green Bay will still be a bit pass-heavy, but look for an improved run game with Wynn to post some decent fantasy numbers.

Dud (Bust) - Brian Westbrook (PHI) - It's a good thing that Westbrook can catch, because that may be the best chance he has to score you points any significant fantasy points against a Vikings' defense under head coach Brad Childress that will see this game against Childress' former team as a major statement game.

WR

Stud (Sleeper) - Ted Ginn Jr (MIA) - Someone has to catch the ball in Miami now other than Marty Booker. Between his work as a returner and the Dolphins' need for him to step up, and considering the fact that the team will likely be throwing a heck of a lot on Sunday, look for Ginn to get more than his share of looks, and perform fairly well... this week.

Dud (Bust) - Roy Williams (DET) - The consistency of Detroit's inconsistency this year has been remarkable. Chicago is getting healthy again, and will put some serious effort into making sure that Roy Williams doesn't burn them.

TE

Stud (Sleeper) - Donald Lee (GBP) - Even with the Packers' run game coming on, as I believe it will, on Monday night, Favre will throw the ball. Quietly, Lee has gained 22 receptions already this season while Bubba Franks has tacked on 14. Franks isn't playing, so the Packers' West Coast Offense can be expected to look at Lee often on Monday night, including in the red zone.

Dud (Bust) - This is a tough week to find a bust at tight end. The better fantasy tight ends are either playing defenses that I don't think can stop them, on a bye, or are already out injured. That leaves us with some pretty slim pickings. I considered Chris Cooley against the Patriots' defense, but I am expecting him to do fairly well underneath, and remain a primary red zone target against a Patriots' team that has been giving up a fair number of points and receiving touchdowns. Instead, I think we'll go with Desmond Clark (CHI). I know that, stats-wise he's only a little ahead of my sleeper for the week, but it is what it is. I expect that Clark will find himself used more for blocking than receiving as Greg Olsen continues to emerge as a threat in the passing game. Detroit has a ton of sacks this year, which is the only thing keeping their defensive backfield from looking even more like swiss cheese, so I'm expecting Clark to stay in on Sunday.

Chris H.

Chris Hester

QB

Stud: Tom Brady New England Patriots: The NFL’s “Golden Boy” is on a pace to have one of, if not THE greatest seasons in NFL history. With a 27 to 2-touchdown to interception ratio and explosive wide receivers all around, Brady has been the #1 rated fantasy player so far this year.

Dud: Rex Grossman Chicago Bears: Last year Rex Grossman helped lead the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl in what was a roller-coaster season to say the least! This year it took all of three games and a 45.2 QB Rating to find himself on the bench in favor of veteran Brian Griese. Rex was once looked at as the future of the Bears franchise; now he looks to have one foot out the door with the hopes of starting over somewhere else.

RB

Stud: Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings: Even with Chester Taylor stealing some of his carries, Peterson has definitely shown the world why many people thought he was the steal of the 2007 draft. His play making ability has him rapidly moving his way toward Elite Status in the fantasy football world.

Dud: Steven Jackson St. Louis Rams: I know it’s hard to view someone as a dud when they’ve missed over half of the season due to injury, but in this case I think it’s justified. A popular #2 or #3 selection in the majority of your fantasy drafts this season, Jackson has been a huge letdown rushing for just 233 yards and 0 scores. He comes back from injury this week but with a banged up QB and a patchwork offensive line things may not get better anytime soon.

WR

Stud: Randy Moss New England Patriots: Randy has quickly made people forget about the dreadful player he was in Oakland and remember the great talent he showed while with the Vikings. With QB Tom Brady and the Patriots throwing the ball all over the field Moss has managed to catch 44 balls and score 10 touchdowns in just seven games this season.

Dud: Lee Evans Buffalo Bills: Evans was viewed as a “bust out” player by many “draft experts” heading into the 2007 season. Up until now he has been a major disappointment. Hopefully his 5 catch 98 yard game against the Baltimore defense is a step in the right direction for the explosive Evans. We have seen flashes of brilliance during his career and everyone is waiting for him to put it together and make that leap into Fantasy stardom.

TE

Stud: Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys: The Dallas Cowboy offense has been nearly unstoppable this season and Jason is one of the main reasons. He ranks second in receiving yards and third in touchdowns for the TE position so far this season. With Tony Romo showing he can shoulder the load in Dallas expect Witten to continue putting up solid numbers for the remainder of 07 and for many years to come.

Dud: Vernon Davis San Francisco 49ers: Another season of disappointment for Vernon Davis. One of the most hyped TE’s in recent memory coming out college, Davis has yet to live up to his “potential”. His inability to stay healthy mixed with the atrocious 49er QB situation has led to Vernon being almost obsolete in the fantasy world to date.