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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Marion Barber has rushed for 311 yards and four touchdowns this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Dallas Cowboys Marion Barber Running back Barber saw a mere eight carries last week in a loss to Washington. That won't happen again against Cincinnati. The Bengals are allowing an average of 173.0 rushing yards per game on the road, so Barber should see a very prominent role in the offense. He's a good bet to find the end zone at least once in this battle at Texas Stadium. Quarterbacks -- Start 'Em Team Player Analysis Denver Broncos Jay Cutler Cutler took a bit of a step back in his rise to fantasy stardom last week in a shocking loss to Kansas City, but he'll bounce back in what could be a barnburner against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have surrendered an average of 292.0 passing yards per game on the road, so Cutler and Brandon Marshall should post solid numbers. Team Player Analysis Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb The Redskins might have beaten the Cowboys last week, but their defense did allow Tony Romo to throw for 300 yards and three scores. That's good news for fantasy owners who have McNabb. The veteran quarterback has also owned the Skins in recent seasons, averaging 249 yards and two touchdowns in his last three starts against them. More quarterbacks with favorable matchups Drew Brees vs. Minnesota (Mon.), Brian Griese at Denver, Eli Manning vs. Seattle, Peyton Manning at Houston, Philip Rivers at Miami. Sleeper alert: Kyle Orton at Detroit. Quarterbacks -- Sit 'Em Team Player Analysis Washington Redskins Jason Campbell Campbell has been a real find in fantasy circles this season, but his fortunes will turn for the worse at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are allowing an average of 4.5 points and a miniscule 138.5 passing yards per game on their home turf, so Campbell and his Redskin teammates could be in for a very difficult afternoon. Team Player Analysis San Francisco 49ers J.T. O'Sullivan O'Sullivan has been a viable fantasy sleeper over the past two weeks, but he's not a great option against New England. The Patriots will be fresh coming off a bye week, not to mention an embarrassing loss to Miami, so coach Bill Belichick will have his team ready to play. In fact, no 49ers outside of Frank Gore should be active in most formats. More quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups Matt Cassel at San Francisco, Kerry Collins at Baltimore, David Garrard vs. Pittsburgh,Nike Roshe Run Sale Dames, Matt Hasselbeck at N.Y. Giants,Black Cyan Nike Roshe Run Mens Pattern Shoes, Matt Schaub vs. Indianapolis. Owners beware: Ben Roethlisberger at Jacksonville. Running backs -- Start 'Em Team Player Analysis Chicago Bears Matt Forte Forte reminds me a lot of Brian Westbrook because of his skills as a runner and receiver out of the backfield, and he should record Westbrook-type numbers in Detroit. The Lions rank dead last in the league against the run, allowing an average of 207.7 yards per game, so Forte has a chance to post his best stat line of the season. More running backs with favorable matchups Joseph Addai at Houston, Earnest Graham at Denver, Ryan Grant vs. Atlanta,Nike Roshe Run Baratas Espa?a, Michael Turner at Green Bay, Steve Slaton vs. Indianapolis. Sleeper alert: Jonathan Stewart vs. Kansas City. Running backs -- Sit 'Em Team Player Analysis Baltimore Ravens Willis McGahee McGahee has dealt with eye and chest injuries in recent weeks, and now he's losing carries to Le'Ron McClain in the Ravens offensive attack. Now he'll face a Tennessee defense that's ranks eighth against the run and is allowing an average of just 88.0 rushing yard per game on the road. These factors make McGahee a serious risk. Team Player Analysis Tennessee Titans LenDale White White has scored five touchdowns this season (that's more than LaDainian Tomlinson), but he's fast becoming the new Jerome Bettis. He's averaging 2.7 yards per carry and would have far less value if he weren't seeing goal-line work. White might score, but his overall numbers against Baltimore this week won't be very attractive. More running backs with unfavorable matchups Reggie Bush vs. Minnesota (Mon.), Rudi Johnson vs. Chicago, Julius Jones at N.Y. Giants, Chris Perry at Dallas, Fred Taylor vs. Pittsburgh. Owners beware: Clinton Portis at Philadelphia. Wide receivers -- Start 'Em Team Player Analysis Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson The fact that Jon Kitna (knee) isn't on the injury report this week makes Johnson a must-start wideout in most fantasy leagues. The Georgia Tech product is a solid option against Chicago, which ranks an unimpressive 28th against the pass this season. The Lions should throw a lot in this contest, so look for Johnson to shine. Team Player Analysis San Diego Chargers Chris Chambers Chambers doesn't always post attractive reception and yardage totals, but he's certainly a magnet for the end zone. He'll be motivated this week to face his former team, the Miami Dolphins, who rank an unimpressive 26th in pass defense. The Chargers should put some points on the board, so Chambers is a nice option in fantasy play. More wide receivers with favorable matchups Antonio Bryant at Denver, DeSean Jackson vs. Washington, Greg Jennings vs. Atlanta, Brandon Marshall vs. Tampa Bay, Steve Smith vs. Kansas City. Sleeper alert: Lance Moore vs. Minnesota (Mon.). Wide receivers -- Sit 'Em Team Player Analysis Cincinnati Bengals Chad Johnson Johnson's numbers have been dreadful this season, and now he's talking trash about scoring a touchdown and kissing the Dallas star. Think he'll have a big, red bullseye on his back this week? And if Carson Palmer (elbow) is out and Ryan Fitzpatrick is called on to run the offense, Johnson will become an even less attractive option. Team Player Analysis Atlanta Falcons Roddy White The Packers might rank a middle-of-the-road 15th in pass defense, but the opposition's No. 1 wideout has been held in check in three of their four contests. That list includes Terrell Owens, who mustered a mere two catches against CB Charles Woodson and the Green Bay defensive backs. These facts make White a real risk in fantasy land. More wide receivers with unfavorable matchups Dwayne Bowe at Carolina, Deion Branch at N.Y. Giants, Isaac Bruce vs. New England, Derrick Mason vs. Tennessee, Santana Moss at Philadelphia. Owners beware: Andre Johnson vs. Indianapolis. Tight ends -- Start 'Em Team Player Analysis Indianapolis Colts Dallas Clark Reliable tight ends have been very hard to find this season, and Clark's numbers (five catches, 55 yards, no touchdowns) aren't at all attractive. But the veteran out of Iowa has scored more touchdowns (7) against this week's opponent, the Houston Texans,Alex Galchenyuk Jersey Canada, than any other team in his career. That alone makes Clark a definite fantasy starter. Team Player Analysis Miami Dolphins Anthony Fasano Did you know that Fasano currently ranks fifth in fantasy points among tight ends on NFL.com? In fact, he's only one point behind Tony Gonzalez despite already having his bye week! He's fast become a popular target for Chad Pennington, who will look to Fasano often against a San Diego defense that's dead last in pass defense. More tight ends with favorable matchups Antonio Gates at Miami, Greg Olsen at Detroit, Tony Scheffler vs. Tampa Bay, Visanthe Shiancoe vs. New Orleans (Mon.), Jason Witten vs. Cincinnati. Sleeper alert: Kevin Boss vs. Seattle. Tight ends -- Sit 'Em Team Player Analysis San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis The addition of OC Mike Martz has been a statistical death sentence for Davis. After four weeks, he has fewer targets than Reggie Kelly, Daniel Graham and David Martin! None of those three tight ends have any fantasy relevance. If Davis continues to see more time as a blocker than a receiver, he'll have no starting value in fantasy land. Team Player Analysis Seattle Seahawks John Carlson Carlson has been a nice fantasy option in his rookie season, but his number of targets is almost certain to fall with the expected returns of Deion Branch and Bobby Engram. What's more, Carlson will face a Giants defense that ranks fifth against the pass. He's still a low-end fantasy starter, but don't expect Carlson to have huge numbers. More tight ends with unfavorable matchups Alge Crumpler at Baltimore, Todd Heap vs. Tennessee, Marcedes Lewis vs. Pittsburgh, Dante Rosario vs. Kansas City,Nike Air Max 90 Dames Outlet, Benjamin Watson at San Francisco. Owners beware: Owen Daniels vs. Indianapolis. Kickers -- Start 'Em Team Player Analysis Atlanta Falcons Jason Elam Elam's move from Denver to Atlanta has actually improved his value, based on what it was in 2007. But despite the fact that he's currently third in fantasy points among kickers on NFL.com, Elam is owned in only 35 percent of leagues. The Packers have allowed 10 field goals this season,NFL Jerseys UK, so Elam has some real starting value in Week 5. More kickers with favorable matchups Matt Bryant at Denver, Nick Folk vs. Cincinnati, Ryan Longwell at New Orleans (Mon.), John Kasay vs. Kansas City, Matt Prater vs. Tampa Bay. Sleeper alert: Dan Carpenter vs. San Diego. Kickers -- Sit 'Em Team Player Analysis Pittsburgh Steelers Jeff Reed Reed has been a borderline No. 1 fantasy kicker this season, averaging close to nine fantasy points per game, but this week's matchup in Jacksonville isn't favorable. The Jaguars defense has allowed just five field-goal conversions and are a much tougher unit on their home field, so Reed's stat line could be mediocre this week. More kickers with unfavorable matchups Rob Bironas at Baltimore, Joe Nedney vs. New England,Nike Air Max 90 Baratas, Josh Scobee vs. Pittsburgh, Matt Stover vs. Tennessee, Shaun Suisham at Philadelphia. Owners beware: Olindo Mare at N.Y. Giants. Defenses -- Start 'Em Team Player New York Giants Despite the retirement of DE Michael Strahan and loss to DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) for the season, the Giants defense has remained one of the most valuable units in fantasy football. They've allowed an average of just 15 points per game on their home field, and only two teams have more sacks this season. The G-Men should find continued success against a Seattle team that has been inconsistent on offense. More defenses with favorable matchups Chargers defense at Miami, Eagles defense vs. Washington, Packers defense vs. Atlanta,Nike Free Flyknit Aanbieding, Patriots defense at San Francisco, Titans defense at Baltimore. Sleeper alert: Panthers defense vs. Kansas City. Defenses -- Sit 'Em Team Player Minnesota Vikings The Vikings were considered the top defense in fantasy football heading into this season. But after four weeks, this unit has been an incredible disappointment. In fact, the Raiders, Browns and 49ers defenses all have more fantasy points on NFL.com. The Vikes must now travel to New Orleans to face an explosive Saints offense, so it could be another difficult week for this season's version of the Purple People Eaters. More defenses with unfavorable matchups Bills defense at Arizona, Broncos defense vs. Tampa Bay,cheap nfl jerseys online, Redskins defense at Philadelphia, Seahawks defense at N.Y. Giants, Texans defense vs. Indianapolis. Owners beware: Buccaneers defense at Denver. Have a burning question for Michael Fabiano on anything fantasy football related? Send it to AskFabiano@nfl.com, and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com! |
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