Who's Hot and Who's Not for Week 11

It's week 11, and there are no byes this week or any weeks going forward!  We're closing in on the playoffs, so start checking out your matchups for weeks 14-16, dependent on when your playoffs lie, especially focusing on the championship game.

Due to time restrictions these days (if only I could write this blog for a living), the entries may not be as long as they used to be, but the advice is just as sound!


Start 'Em!

Quarterback:

Matthew Stafford (DET) vs. Cleveland

All that really needs to be known here is that Stafford is facing the Cleveland Browns.  That team is bad mix of sad, pathetic and confused.  In addition, Stafford's chemistry with star receiver Calvin Johnson seems to be back in play after last week's great outing between the rookie and Megatron.  Expect Stafford to post better numbers than the below-mentioned David Garrard, Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler this week at the very least.

The Line: 34 attempts, 25 completions, 246 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns


Running Backs:

Brandon Jacobs (NYG) vs. Atlanta

The Giants Big Bad Bruiser should enjoy a grand day against the not-so-great Falcons defense.  Once touted as an up-and-coming threat defensively, the Falcons have failed to live up to such ideals.  Though he'll still be sharing time with Ahmad Bradshaw, Jacobs should still punish the Atlanta defensive line and grab a touchdown to boot.

The Line: 15 carries, 62 yards rushing, 2 rushing touchdowns

Beanie Wells (ARI) vs. St. Louis

This talented rookie should be more widely owned.  He's clearly the more talented back for Arizona, who is capable of breaking tackles and bouncing around like a human pinball to get the score.  With the dreamiest of matchups against St. Louis, Wells should be used extensively once the game gets to its later stages.  He is certainly better at clock control football than Tim Hightower and continues to improve in the passing game, though that is definitely where he loses touches to Hightower.  I would play Wells over any back who has a scary matchup this week, such as the ones listed below as sits.

The Line: 17 carries, 103 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 receptions, 20 yards receiving

Ricky Williams (MIA) vs. Carolina

Bye-bye Ronnie Brown.  We will miss you.  Hello Ricky!  Moving forward from the season-ending injury to Brown, the Dolphins will likely be looking to Williams as their primary ball-carrier, with Lex Hillard stealing some of the work.  It will be a different ball game without the pass threat of Ronnie Brown, but ol' Ricky has proven himself a more than capable feature back this season.  His matchup against Carolina this week is a good one, especially since Miami will have to avoid passing even more than usual against the surprisingly tough Panthers pass defense.  This week will determine if Williams is a top-10 back going forward, so pay attention if you own him.

The Line: 22 carries, 96 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown


Wide Receivers:

Steve Breaston (ARI) vs. St. Louis

Though everyone talks about Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, Breaston is creeping up the ranks as an unbelievably strong third option.  Fantasy players have gotten some great outings from him and should feel free to play Breaston against St. Louis.  While the Rams are busy trying to blanket Fitzgerald and Boldin, Breaston will be running free.  It wouldn't be surprising at all if Breaston posted 70+ yards and a touchdown.

The Line: 5 receptions, 72 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown

Nate Burleson (SEA) vs. Minnesota

The Minnesota defense may crush the run, but that means there is some sacrifice through the air, as teams are forced to throw the ball.  Expect that to be advantageous towards Burleson who has become a definite second option to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  He should post playable numbers this week and should overtake other number two options on the boards who have tougher matchups.

The Line: 6 receptions, 87 yards receiving


Tight End:

Brent Celek (PHI) vs. Chicago

The experts certainly called it right when they said Celek was the major sleeper at tight end this year.  He's been a consistent producer who has a few big games here and there to further his value.  There's no good reason not to play Celek over big names such as Antonio Gates and Jason Witten.  To top it all off, the Bears have trouble with tight ends, further increasing Celek's value and placing him in must-start territory for the tight end position.

The Line: 8 receptions, 91 yards receiving


Sit 'Em...

Quarterback:

David Garrard (JAC) vs. Buffalo

A lot of players have got Garrard sitting on their team and use him for matchup play.  I want to officially put an end to this idea.  I've purged Garrard from all my team due to his striking inconsistencies.  The Jaguars offense will have to keep it on the ground against an interception heavy Bills defense.  Garrard may see the end zone once, but his chances of throwing picks are much stronger, especially with the ball-hunting rookie Jairus Byrd in the secondary for Buffalo.

The Line: 29 attempts, 14 completions, 184 yards passing, 3 interceptions, 3 carries, 10 yards rushing


Running Backs:

Marshawn Lynch (BUF) vs. Jacksonville

While the Jaguars defense can be picked on from time to time, at home they can be a tough unit, especially on the ground.  It seems that Fred Jackson is the more exciting back for Buffalo, while Lynch is simply the higher-paid option.  Though Lynch may be seeing a heftier workload in traditional forms, Jackson is the go-to back for the Wildcat formation, which should be a bigger factor for the Bills going forward.  This week, Lynch will look even more mortal than usual between losing touches and facing a stout front seven.

The Line: 12 carries, 35 yards rushing

Ryan Grant (GB) vs. San Francisco

The Packers offense is obviously pass-centric with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.  Though Grant is the obvious starter for them, he is losing touches to Ahman Green and Brandon Jackson.  In the red zone, things are rather unpredictable and San Francisco is a tough team to run against.  This week, bench Grant in favor of a better matchup play or strong second-stringer, such as Jonathon Stewart or Ahmad Bradshaw.

The Line: 18 carries, 67 yards rushing, 2 receptions, 9 yards receiving

Joseph Addai (IND) vs. Baltimore

Addai is a tough back to play already, due to his unpredictability, but this week you can lean on the stingy Ravens defense to put a stopper on the back.  It's unlikely that Addai will see significant gains against Baltimore and the Colts will have to keep the ball in the hands of their holiest treasure, Peyton Manning, in order to secure their 11th win.  Unless Addai suddenly becomes the front man for a Wildcat formation, only play him in tasty matchups.

The Line: 11 carries, 38 yards rushing, 1 reception, 16 yards receiving


Wide Receivers:

Roy Williams (DAL) vs. Washington

This receiver just puts a bad taste on the tongue of every fantasy football player.  Though he did offer up some surprises, there is no good reason to gamble on Williams against the stalwart Washington pass defense.  Williams will have a rough day against the divisional rival and could be shut down entirely, even with Miles Austin suffering double-coverage.  Don't gamble on the Dallas Diva.

The Line: 2 receptions, 30 yards receiving

Devin Hester (CHI) vs. Philadelphia

One of the main reasons to bench Hester is due to his quarterback this week.  Cutler is coming off of a horrendous performance and now has to face the Eagles defense.  The likelihood of him forcing passes and throwing interceptions is the same likelihood that Adrian Peterson has yet another successful fantasy outing for owners.  It's going to happen, with his receiving corps suffering along with him.  Hester should be very limited in his unfavorable matchup versus Asante Samuel.  There are better options out there, so sit Hester.

The Line: 3 receptions, 42 yards receiving


Tight End:

Kellen Winslow (TB) vs. New Orleans

Sure he's a star and all that good stuff, but the going will be tough for the Bucs against the Saints this week.  While the Saints seem to fluctuate from week to week, they won't underestimate Josh Freeman and company, which means bad things for Winslow.  Though he'll still likely see some targets and receptions, his day won't be as productive as most others, making him a flex play at best.

 The Line: 4 receptions, 33 yards receiving

See Them Run, Oh How They Run!

This Sunday featured eleven 100+ yard rushers.  Not all of them grabbed a touchdown, but all were worth plenty of points in most standard leagues.  Let's take a look at their stats.

Name (Team): Carries - Yards - Yards per carry - Touchdown(s)

Adrian Peterson (MIN): 18 - 133 - 7.4 - 2

Chris Johnson (TEN): 26 - 132 - 5.1 - 2

Steven Jackson (STL): 26 - 131 - 5.0 - 1

Justin Forsett (SEA): 17 - 123 - 7.2 - 1

Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC): 24 - 123 - 5.1 - 1

Michael Bush (OAK): 14 - 119 - 8.5 - 0

Ladell Betts (WAS): 26 - 114 - 4.4 - 1

Michael Turner (ATL): 9 - 111 - 12.3 - 0

Frank Gore (SF): 25 - 104 - 4.2 - 1

Jamaal Charles (KC): 18 - 103 - 5.7 - 1

Ricky Williams (MIA): 20 - 102 - 5.1 - 0

At least half of the above running backs should be started by 80% of teams.  Every week there are surprises and players that will be swept up off the waiver wire.  Some you should avoid, some are worthwhile.  From the above, take a good hard look at Jamaal Charles and a lighter look at Justin Forsett.  Julius Jones left the game with an injury, leaving Forsett to very ably fill in for him.  Against the tough Arizona run defense, Forsett excelled and there may be some turnover for the Seahawks in the backfield, but Jamaal Charles should have solidified his starting role this week.  There will be a couple duds going forward, but he's a worthwhile flex option in most leagues.

Always start a few of the above; namely Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Michael Turner.  They will rarely disappoint you.

Week 10 (2009) Sunday Happenings

First Matchups of Sunday:
Atlanta vs. Carolina
Tampa Bay vs. Miami
Detroit vs. Minnesota
Jacksonville vs. New York Jets
Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh
New Orleans vs. St. Louis
Buffalo vs. Tennessee
Denver vs. Washington

Second Matchups of Sunday:
Kansas City vs. Oakland
Seattle vs. Arizona
Dallas vs. Green Bay
Philadelphia vs. San Diego

Pre-game:

• As always, check http://www.nfl.com/injuries for full injury listings.
• Game to Watch: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh
• Everyone is scared of whether or not to start the injured DeAngelo Williams.  Will he rebound from the injury or will the ball be in the hands of Jake Delhomme and Jonathon Stewart?  Update: Williams is active for the game, but I would favor Stewart in production this week.

First Matchups:

•  First Blood: Kyle Orton to a wide open Brandon Marshall for a huge touchdown.  Washington's pass defense doesn't look so tough now.  It's the first opening drive touchdown for Denver this year.  They want this one.
• Maurice Jones-Drew does all te work on Jacksonville's opening drive, capping it with a 33-yard touchdown run.
• Atlanta will have to do it on the ground, which is fine after watching Michael Turner break a 40-yard run, though the Falcons have to settle for a field goal in the end.
• The Lions holdoff the downfield march, leaving the Vikings with three points on the board.
• The Play No One Saw Coming: Direct snap to Fred Jackson who airs it out 27 yards to Lee Evans for a touchdown.  I'm confused.  Really, really confused.  There's no predicting some things and this was definitely one of them.
• Why do you start Ronnie Brown every week?  'Cause he breaks 45-yard runs and caps off that drive with a touchdown.
• Jason Campbell has a touchdown today after a pummeling drive, connecting with tight end Todd Yoder.  It doesn't do any good for those folks who picked up and started Fred Davis.  When did this year's Denver defense get subbed out by last year's?
• Today, the Carolina run game belongs to Jonathon Stewart.  He gets the one-yard touchdown.
• Marc Bulger had his offense in the red zone...and threw an interception.  No one even blink an eye.  It was bound to happen.  The only good news for Bulger?
• Chris Johnson gets his first touchdown on he day on a nearly 30 yard dash to the end zone.
• How do you beat the Steelers?  Get kickoff returns for touchdowns.  It's their greatest weakness.  Bernard Scott isn't even a particularly fast player, but he still manages to take it the needed 96 yards.
• AGAIN!  AGAIN?!  Brandon Marshall was wide open for an even deeper touchdown pass.  That's two between Orton and Marshall.  The 'Skins are just lost...horribly, horribly lost.
• Weirdest Play: Adrian Peterson lateralling to Percy Harvin.  It results in a fumble turnover.  Why does a team with just normal weapons like AP and Favre need to run trick plays?
• Mark Sanchez to Jericho Cotchery: 7-yard touchdown pass.  The Jaguars are a good team to pick on in matchup play.
• Again, there's no predicting the goal line back for the Saints.  This time, the touchdown goes to Reggie Bush.
• Vince Young looks...well, good.  He's got six completions for 101 yards and a 14-yard touchdown to Nate Washington.  Can we start considering starting Titans receivers these days?
• DeAngelo Williams wants us all to know that he's just fine.  He breaks a 28-yard run, just to prove it.
• Everyone who took a chance on Carolina's Steve Smith this week is finally happy.  Jake Delhomme connects with him for a short pass touchdown.
• Hello?  New Orleans, you there?  You just let Marc Bulger throw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, tying the game at seven points.
• Reggie Bush, we should have played you.  He now has a receiving touchdown on the day.  That's one through the air and one on the ground.
• The Vikings offense is back on track.  Adrian Peterson has his weekly touchdown and Sidney Rice has 93 yards receiving on four catches.
• Sadly, Turner doesn't get the goal line touch for the Falcons.  It goes to Jason Snelling, who slams it in.
• Mark Sanchez has only three completions on ten attempts.  That just doesn't seem right against the Jags.
• Two touchdowns to Lee Evans.  It seems the Titans are back to being their vulnerable selves.
• TRICK PLAY ALERT!: The Redskins move from field goal formation to punt formation and then have Hunter Smith throw the ball downfield to a wide open Mike Sellers.  That may be the play of the day.  It was the bold move that Washington needed to keep their heads high.
• Mike Sims-Walker overcomes the questions about his matchup Darrelle Revis by getting a deep touchdown for himself.
• Steven Jackson IS the St. Louis Rams.  His touchdown was well-earned.
• Two four-yard pass touchdowns to Steve Smith on the day.

Halftime

•  Chris Simms has taken over for Kyle Orton after the half when Orton limped off the field prior to halftime.
• Michael Turner has a sprained ankle.  Not good for owners who wanted a touchdown on his 111 yards.
• AP has two touchdowns.  No surprise there.
• Reggie Bush is the lead rusher this week for the Saints.  Just when you thought Pierre Thomas had a hold on the job, it starts acting like New England in how cryptic the division will be.
• Marques Colston fumbles on the one-yard line, it bounces out of bounds in the end zone and is declared a touchback in favor of St. Louis.  This is increasingly weird.
• Matthew Stafford's mini-feud with Megatron seems over.  They've connected six times for 72 yards.
• Matt Ryan finally gets a touchdown.
• Ladell Betts may not have a touchdown, but he's got 83 yards so far, finding big holes and making big plays.  The Redskins look tough and are wearing down Denver's defense.
• Fantasy owners are having a hard time figuring out who to play from the Saints offense.  Robert Meachem gets a touchdown.
• Sidenote: Shaun Suisham has drilled two kickoffs out of bounds, giving the Broncos great field position.
• Chris Johnson has his usual 100+ yards and two touchdowns.  Fantasy owners rejoice.
• Chris Simms throws deep to the end zone for Brandon Marshall and is intercepted by DeAngelo Hall.
• There may need to be a fantasy "welcome home" party for Terrell Owens, who has topped 80 yards today.
• Cedric Benson is out with a hip injury.
• Thomas Jones has a touchdown in the one-point Jets/Jags game.
• Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh has been a game of field goals.
• Sidney Rice has 201 yards receiving against the meak Lions defense.
• Jonathon Stewart has no problem breaking the big runs himself, going 45 yards for a touchdown.
• Marc Bulger doesn't look too shabby with two touchdown passes to Donnie Avery, but that's bound to happen time to time.  Don't put any stock in this performance.
• Josh Scobee gets the game-winning field goal as time expires.

Malcom Floyd Ready for the Big Gains

The Inve$tment Corner!

Malcom Floyd (Wide Receiver - San Diego Chargers)

Notable Matchups: Week 12 vs. Kansas City, Week 13 vs. Cleveland, Week 15 (playoffs) vs. Cincinnati, Week 16 (championship) vs. Tennessee

Floyd, despite being all the rage of the fantasy world after Chris Chambers was formally released by the Chargers, is currently underowned in many formats.  Consider adding Floyd to help out your wide receivers who are struggling this season or who have a rather tough schedule during the fantasy playoffs.  I would definitely recommend Floyd to owners of Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, as Anthony Gonzalez should be back in the lineup by the playoff weeks.  The 6-foot-5 Floyd is yet another gargantuan target in the hefty Chargers air attack, headed by quarterback Philip Rivers.  With his 21.5 yards per catch average, Floyd is certainly a deep threat, much like his equally behemoth peer, Vincent Jackson.  Though Jackson should see more looks in the end zone, Floyd seems a likely candidate going forward for a few touchdowns in good matchups, especially when opponents are forced into double coverage on Jackson.  During weeks six through eight, Floyd was especially active in division matchups, pulling in at least 50 yards or a touchdown.  The Giants were able to harass Floyd a little more in one of his first major starts, but Floyd will be more than able to carry his weight during the second half of the season.  Expect a comforting level of consistency from V-Jax Lite and owners in deeper formats should be able to rely heavily on outings from the Chargers' second banana in the receiving game.

Weekly Podcast: Your Running Backs and You

Check out The Mann Report every week for some NFL and fantasy football insight from me, Charley Mann.  Don't forget to check out the material below as well for more advice throughout the week!  Just click below to go!

Also, let me take a moment to plug this site!  I'm going to start having a column every day for my readers out there.  So check back every day for something new!  Also, always feel free to leave comments and give me feedback with what I'm doing.  If you all demand something, I'll do my best to make it happen!

THE MANN REPORT PODCAST!

Who's Hot and Who's Not for Week 10

It's week 10 of the regular season and only two teams have a bye this week, the Houston Texans and New York Giants. While it is only two teams on bye, the number of players you might be missing could be pretty long: Matt Schaub, Eli Manning, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and possibly Kevin Walter. Check out below to see who you can replace them with for this week.

General Note: These recommendations don't necessarily mean you should bench your studs like Maurice Jones-Drew and Drew Brees in favor of them. It just means that if you are looking to cover your bye week deficencies or want to play someone else in place of a poor matchup, you should consider the players below. Also, I'm changing the format this week due to only two quarterbacks missing. This week you're getting one quarterback and three running backs for each section. Hope it helps! Good luck!



Start 'Em!

Quarterback:

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) vs. Jacksonville

Sanchez started this season by being voted Rookie of the Week for the first three weeks of the regular season and then his prolific start suddenly came to a halt until week seven against Oakland. Though he only had 16 pass attempts in that game, he made the most of them, throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown, with another score on the ground, bring his rushing touchdown total to three on the year. Sanchez then followed up that game with his week eight performance against Miami, throwing for two touchdowns and over 250 yards, again adding a touchdown on the ground. Though he does have 10 interceptions this year, eight of them came in two games against extremely stingy pass defenses. This week, Sanchez has the fortune of facing the miserable Jags defense, who are allowing the 7th most yards through the air (242.2 per game) and 9th most points to the opposition. This looks like prime pickings for the rookie who will look to help raise the Jets potential contention for a playoff spot. Though his team certainly favors the run (they're first place in yards per game on the ground), Sanchez's efficiency in the air will be a great boon, especially in the red zone. Expect a solid game from the quarterback, especially with Jacksonville having to concern themselves with the powerful Jets run duo of Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene.

The Line: 25 attempts, 16 completions, 190 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, 4 carries, 16 yards rushing


Running Backs:

Jonathon Stewart (CAR) vs. Atlanta

Carolina is on a role. Finally they are preventing errors in their offense simply by keeping the ball in the hands of their deadliest weapons, DeAngelo Williams and Stewart. This week they face a defense that ranks 24th against the pass, allowing an average of 123.5 rushing yards per game. The Panthers have the 3rd best ground game in the league, courtesy of their dual-headed attack. This week, Stewart should be featured more in the run game after having an "off" week against the crushing defense of the Saints. While Williams was able to break it big, Stewart had a tough time crushing through the tacklers for those extra yards. Now that he gets to go against a much weaker defense, he should see some more touches and some goal line work as the Panthers look to going for 4-5 this season, as they slowly pick themselves back up after stumbling through the early season.

The Line: 10 carries, 45 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown

LeSean McCoy (PHI) vs. San Diego

Brian Westbrook sitting out this past Sunday had people scrambling to start his replacement and he gave them 115 yards from scrimmage in return. While he didn't find pay dirt, McCoy showed that he is an ample replacement for Westbrook both on the ground and in the receiving game, pulling in five receptions for 61 yards. Though Westbrook may be back this week, McCoy should still be the more explosive option, especially if the Eagles intend on looking forward with McCoy as the foundation of next year's running game. Even if he is held to the same number of touches as Westbrook (which would be very unwise of Andy Reid), McCoy will still be a strong starter against the 7th worst rushing defense in the league, with a lot of his value coming in the passing game. Expect solid numbers that make McCoy a worthwhile starting option as a flex player and in deeper formats.

The Line: 13 carries, 52 yards rushing, 7 receptions, 65 yards receiving

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) vs. Washington

Monday night's game against the Steelers was a tough one for the rookie rusher, gaining only three yards on five carries. He had a hard time gaining any momentum, evidenced by his longest run going for a measly four yards. This week the Broncos should be ready to rebound against the horribly confused Redskins, who are 25th in the league against the run. Moreno will hopefully see some work in Denver's "Wild Horses" formation, which served him well against the Patriots earlier this year. If the Broncos want to break their two-game losing spell, it will have to be done on ground level, as the Redskins currently have the No.1 ranked pass defense. Look for Moreno to run with fervor, trying to prove he deserves the starting role opposite Buckhalter, who was clearly more productive on Monday, being given runs to the outside. Moreno's explosive qualities should also play a factor in the passing game, though he needs to improve his blocking on passing downs. He's a good flex option and starter in 14+ team leagues.

The Line: 12 carries, 51 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 receptions, 22 yards receiving


Wide Receivers:

Percy Harvin (MIN) vs. Detroit

Harvin is the fourth rookie on the list this week and deservedly so. He has risen after lackluster outings to become one of Brett Favre's go-to receivers, running opposite the behemoth Sidney Rice. The greatest advantage this week is Harvin's matchup against the Ford Kittens, who are allowing the second most yards in the air and the second most points per game. Expect Favre to have another banner day, benefiting Harvin greatly. The Minnesota defense should ensure plenty on playing time for their offense and the divisional matchup is bound to become another nail in the coffin for Detroit. Watch for Harvin to run wild downfield, with big plays and incredible speed equating to strong yardage and a likely visit to the end zone.  Feel free to play Harvin in all formats this week.

The Line: 7 receptions, 98 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown


Tight End:

Zach Miller (OAK) vs. Kansas City

There's almost no arguing that Miller is the only receiving threat for Oakland, despite the attention paid to rookie receivers Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Kansas City ranks even lower than the Raiders in their division, so this matchup doesn't mean much other than the Raiders finally not being last place.  Though it's not much in terms of glory, it's certainly better than last place.  Maybe this is the year that the Raiders are not the worst team in football.  If that is to be the case, Jamarcus Russell has got to feed the ball to the talented tight end.  While he won't post amazing numbers in a far-too-pathetic-to-be-worthwhile offense, his potential to rein in some start-worthy numbers is certainly tempting, especially in such a good matchup.

The Line: 4 receptions, 34 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown



The Risky Play

Reggie Bush (NO) vs. St. Louis

In 2006, Bush was lined up to be the future back for the Saints, but since then he has averaged an overall 3.7 yards per carry and no more than six rushing touchdowns in a season, which was his rookie year.  However, all during the past four years, Bush's name has been synonymous with the Saints organization and he has still managed to rack up four touchdowns on the ground this year on 49 attempts.  This week he ought to see some decent action against one of the worst defenses in the league, especially with Lance Moore dealing with ankle issues.  This means that Bush should line up in the slot, taking in a few catches as he goes.  It wouldn't be surprising if he broke the goal line on a carry or reception this week and will be valuable in PPR leagues.  Play him as such or in deeper formats.

The Line: 7 carries, 22 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown, 5 receptions, 40 yards receiving



Sit 'Em...

Quarterback:

Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. Carolina

Ryan's slump has come as the Falcons have faced a number of tough pass defenses, namely those of New Orleans and Washington.  This week he's up against the 6th ranked Panthers defense.  In week two, Ryan passed for three touchdowns and only one pick, but expect things to look a little different this week since Carolina has been winning games and finding a rhythm.  In addition, the Falcons will likely lean on running back Michael Turner to do most of the damage.  Though Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are strong receivers, the Carolina defense can surprise if they're motivated, which they will be.  The last meeting left the Panthers with a loss of 28-20; this week should be a whole new beast - after all, the Panthers were able to challenge the dominant Saints last week.  It might be worth sitting Ryan just this week in favor of a stronger matchup, though he is still certainly playable in larger leagues.

The Line: 28 attempts, 15 completions, 201 yards passing, 1 passing touchdown, 2 interceptions


Running Backs:

Cedric Benson (CIN) vs. Pittsburgh

There's no denying that Benson's productivity has been a major story line in the NFL this year after his disappointing seasons with the Chicago Bears.  Now, with the Bengals, Benson has been a fantasy beast, but the Steelers are the one team that may be most bestial than the prodigious running back.  The Steelers rank number one against the run and have allowed only two rushing touchdowns this year, all while holding opposing backs to an average of 3.7 yards per carry.  Though in their week three matchup Benson carried the ball 16 times for 76 yards, giving him a 4.8 yards per carry average, the Steelers will come prepared this time.  In week three, the Bengals were just beginning to gain momentum and teams were unprepared for their offense.  This time around, the Steelers should be more than ready to crush the ground game, especially with Troy Polamalu in the mix.  You may not be interested in benching Benson this week after all he has done for you, but just don't be surprised if he comes up with merely pedestrian numbers.

The Line: 20 carries, 71 yards rushing, 1 reception, 14 yards receiving

Kevin Smith (DET) vs. Minnesota

I've tried so hard to spin a positive light on the Lions' "workhorse," but there's just no hope at this point.  With the Vikings hosting the Lions this week, you've just got to bench Smith for a better matchup.  Like the Steelers, the Vikes have allowed only two touchdowns on the ground with the 6th best rush defense in the league.  That opposite the 20th ranked rush offense of the Lions just does not bode well for Smith. In their last meeting, Smith averaged 3.5 yards per carry, carrying the rock 24 times for 83 yards.  Unless Smith carries the ball over 30 times (which let's be realistic, would never happen), he's not going to produce a useful fantasy day, especially considering the number of other options out there.  Go ahead and universally sit Smith this week in favor of a stronger matchup back, such as the above Bush or other secondary back in a more prolific offense.

The Line: 17 carries, 33 yards rushing, 1 reception, -2 yards receiving

Matt Forte (CHI) vs. San Francisco

The stat to worry you: San Francisco is allowing an average of 3.4 yards per carry.  This has given the Niners the 4th ranked run defense and this week they are going to be swarming all over Forte, who is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry.  In addition, Forte's only truly productive outings came against the pathetic defenses of Denver and Cleveland.  Owners are exhausted with the sophomore, who continues to pull in terribly meager numbers.  There was a spark of something special last week against Arizona, but he was most useful in the passing game, where San Francisco is slightly more vulnerable.  Like the above Smith, Forte should only be started in larger formats or as a flex option, but unless Jay Cutler wants to give Forte the pigskin through the air, chances are that the running back will have a very grounded day.

The Line: 13 carries, 44 yards rushing, 3 receptions, 21 yards receiving


Wide Receivers:

Dwayne Bowe (KC) vs. Oakland

We all know by now how pathetic the Raiders are on offense, with a run defense to match, but their best kept secret is the strength of the pass defense.  After all, no one expects much of anything from Oakland these days, though fantasy owners are fond of picking on the defense for matchups.  Oakland has some strength in its secondary, which has given it a top 15 pass defense that allows an average of only one touchdown through the air per game.  They held Andre Johnson to a merely human 66 yards in week four and have had similar performances against star wideouts in other weeks.  Bowe does have the previous matchup in his favor, during which he totaled 56 yards and a touchdown on five catches when the Raiders bested the Chiefs in week two.  This time, with Chambers in the mix, Cassel should be spreading the wealth and coverage should catch up with Bowe.  Still start Bowe in most formats if you must, but don't be surprised if his day is less than stellar.

The Line: 4 receptions, 47 yards receiving

Calvin Johnson (DET) vs. Minnesota

Fantasy Fact: It's been a tough year for Megatron.  The monstrous Detroit star wideout has suffered from a knee injury and things has started to come apart between him and rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford.  The Vikings are not the best team to be up against when you've just spent the last weekend in a spat with the man who feeds you the ball.  Look for another week of paltry numbers from a receiver you probably spent a round three pick on.  It may be worth exploring matchup options, but sometimes it's difficult to bench a star like Johnson.  If you're one of those people, prepare to lament as you have over Megatron's last few matchups.

The Line: 2 receptions, 41 yards receiving

Backfield Confusion

There have been some pretty wild moves in a few backfields recently, not the least of which is the official dropping of Larry Johnson by the Kansas City Chiefs.  Let's take a look at some of the fantasy backfield issues for a few teams.

1) Houston Texans - A lot of us spent a first round draft pick on Steve Slaton, who was recently ousted from his starting job by Ryan Moats due to ball control issues.  Yesterday, however, both backs had touchdowns, Moats through the air and Slaton on the ground.  After being swept up by a lot of owners this week, Moats was a solid start, but Slaton was equally effective.  What does this mean going forward?  Well, it could mean a variety of things, but I think Gary Kubiak is going to start dividing carries between the two backs.  Slaton obviously has the big play potential, while Moats is the gruntwork back.  Expect both to be seeing nearly equal touches in the weeks moving forward, unless one really outdoes the other.  I would recommend starting Moats over Slaton, who saw equal work in the passing game (both had three receptions) and nearly triple the number of carries as Slaton (16 for Moats, 6 for Slaton).

2) Arizona Cardinals - Many owners thought that rookie Beanie Wells was going to explode coming out the gate and drafted him far earlier than they should have, as early as the 6th round in some cases.  Obviously that hasn't been the case, with Tim Hightower still being the leader of the pack, though not by much.  While Wells is the future of the team on the ground, Hightower is being more heavily utilized this year while the rookie earns his stripes.  It is possible by the end of the season that Wells will be seeing more work than Hightower, for now Hightower is the better start, though that could change if Wells has another game like he did against the Giants.  For now, play Hightower in deeper leagues and keep Wells riding the pine (he may be an asset in keeper leagues, so keep an eye out).

3) Miami Dolphins - First off, the Miami rushing offense is easily the most exciting ground game in the league.  It's just plain fun to watch thanks to the prevalent use of the Wildcat formation, which seems to be here to stay.  Updates to it included using rookie Pat White to increase the pass threat, though he's not a player that you'll be picking up.  Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are simply phenomenal and impress every week.  With Williams adding yet another touchdown performance this week against the Patriots, he is now a top 10 running back in fantasy points.  Guess what you're doing if you've got Williams on your bench?  You're starting him now, as if the past few weeks didn't clue you in enough.  Ronnie Brown is also a must-start, as he above Ricky in the top 10 backs list.  Start 'em both if you've got them.  Miami's offense likes to score and does it on the ground, often.

I hope this helps going forward.  I'll be addressing more running back issues on this week's podcast, so tune in this Thursday!

Week 9 (2009) Sunday Happenings

First Matchups of Sunday:
Washington vs. Atlanta
Arizona vs. Chicago
Baltimore vs. Cincinnati
Houston vs. Indianapolis
Kansas City vs. Jacksonville
Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay

Second Matchups of Sunday:
Carolina vs. New Orleans
Detroit vs. Seattle
San Diego vs. New York Giants
Tennessee vs. San Francisco

Final Matchup of Sunday:
Philadelphia vs. Dallas

Pre-game:

• As always, check out http://www.nfl.com/injuries for the injury listings that you may not have noticed.  Especially check out injuries on the opposing defenses for your players.
• Wondering which games will be worth watching?  Check out Indianapolis versus Houston, as the Texans look to hand a loss to the mighty Colts.  Can't watch that game?  Baltimore versus Cincinnati should be a fun showdown between two emotionally charged teams looking to seal their chances at a playoff berth.
• All you Steve Slaton owners out there should mourn together (that includes me) now that Ryan Moats has stolen his starting slot; however, you can expect Slaton to make the big plays he has before in order to win back his starting position.  I'm betting coach Gary Kubiak wants to make Slaton work harder, and the youngster is certainly going to meet the challenge.
• Anquan Boldin and Brian Westbrook are out.  Replace with Steve Breaston and LeSean McCoy respectively.
  
  
  
  
  

First Matchups:

•  Lots of scoring early on this week.
• Tony Gonzalez nabs a touchdown from Matt Ryan.
• Larry Fitzgerald and Greg Olsen have touchdowns in their game.
• Andre Caldwell has a touchdown for Cincinnati on a short pass.
• Rashad Jennings, the backup to Maurice Jones-Drew, steals a touchdown from the must-start running back.  It comes on a 28-yard run.
• Laurence Maroney, killing my predictions, has four carries for 25 yards and a touchdown.
• James Jones hauls in a pass and dashes to the end zone.  Yardage total?  74 yards on the catch.  Ryan Grant also has a touchdown on a goal line run.
• IDP Update: Ty Hill of the Falcons intercepts Jason Campbell and runs it back 62 yards for a touchdown.  No one should really be all that surprised.
• Joseph Addai has a touchdown, but not on the ground.  It comes from a Peyton Manning pass.
• Kurt Warner now has two touchdown passes in the first quarter.  He's definitely making the point that he is still a powerful quarterback.
• Clinton Portis is sitting out with a head contusion.  His return is questionable.  On another note, the Redskins' receivers can't hang on to the rock at all.
• Tampa Bay actually scores!  It's Josh Freeman to backup running back Derrick Ward for the touchdown.
• Cedric Benson scores on the one-yard run.  He's his usually firey self so far.
• If for some insane, ungodly reason you sat Larry Fitzgerald, go ahead and proceed to slamming your head on the desk.  He's go two touchdowns...so far.
• IDP Update: Ronde Barber, corner for the Bucs, returns a blocked punt 31 yards for a touchdown.  Tampa Bay has made it a game with the score timed up at 14.  No one saw this cmoing.
• Greg Jennings may have more receptions, but Donald Driver has the touchdown.
• If you doubted the power of the Indianapolis defense due to the injuries, you doubted the wrong team.  The Texans are being held to nearly nothing offensively.
• Michael Turner, though known as being a stout back, can blow past secondaries, as he did on his touchdown run against the Redskins.  Never underestimate his speed.  He's said numerous times that he prefers running to the outside.  He is showing off why.
• Evidently Kurt Warner wants to throw as many touchdowns this weeks as he had turnovers last week.  He's killing, just killing.
• Jason Campbell is getting pummeled by the Falcons defense.  Five sacks so far.  He's headed to the bench.  That puts Cooley, Campbell and Portis on the sidelines, in addition to star tackles Randy Thomas and Chris Samuels.  Heads are hung low on their sidelines.  The argument could easily be made that the Skins are the worst team in the NFL at this point.
• Ricky Williams seems to be just as, if not more, playable as Ronnie Brown in that Miami offense.
• Mike Sims-Walker hauls it for the 61-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
• Ryan Moats just fumbled it in the red zone after a pass from Matt Schaub.  Who can the Texans trust with ball safety these days?
• I feel like it's crazy that tight end Dallas Clark has 11 receptions...in the first half.

Halftime

•  A HUGE pass by Joe Flacco ends up in the hands of Bengals cornerback Jonathon Joseph.
• Jason Campbell is back in the game for the Skins for the second half.
• Ronnie Brown finally has a touchdown...a passing touchdown of one-yard to tight end Joey Haynos.  It just goes to show that the Wildcat is here to stay.  The Dolphins are absolutely unpredicatable and that's their greatest strength.
• MJD is having a tough day, with 20 carries for only 57 yards.  The Chiefs aren't letting him get the big gains he had last week.
• Things have slowed down significantly in this second half.
• Bam-BOOM!  Tom Brady to Randy Moss for the huge touchdown.  It was bound to happen.
• Playing Ryan Moats paid off with his 1-yard touchdown catch.
• Andre Johnson is injured...again.  But he's already got seven catches for 63 yards, so don't fret too much AJ owners.
• Why aren't the Chiefs giving the ball to Jamaal Charles more often?  Matt Cassel doesn't look too sharp, while Charles is averaging over six yards per carry.
• The Ravens have nearly enough penalty yards to negate their offensive yards.
• Greg Olsen has two touchdowns today.
• Now both Moats and Steve Slaton have a touchdown.  Not sure what it means going forward, but many experts will discuss it this week, trying to figure it out.
• The Skins have likely lost all hope with Michael Turner's 58-yard touchdown run.  Now Jason Campbell is on the ground and will likely come off with an ankle injury, in addition to an offensive lineman for the Skins walking off with an ankle injury.  It's just a bad situation.
• Greg Olsen has three touchdowns.  This man wants it and is getting it.
• How often is Matt Cassel going to be throwing deep on a lengthy third down after a sack?  The Chiefs need to keep it on the ground.
• Why do you have to start Aaron Rodgers every week?  He gets you points on the ground.  He rushes 12 yards for the touchdown.  Even with injuries, he can scramble in the red zone.
• Philosophical question: At what point does the injury situation for the Redskins actually become comical?
• MJD has his weekly rushing touchdown.  It was bound to happen.
• Addai has a touchdown on the ground.  He is making his way back up the starting charts in fantasyland.
• It shouldn't be a surprise that rookie quarterback Josh Freeman hooked up with Kellen Winslow for a 7-yard touchdown.  Rookies will always look toward the star players to help them make big plays, this one being no exception.
• The Beanie Wells/Tim Hightower situation is going to be all the more confusing after this week.  Hightower's stock may lower while Wells' rises.
• Chris Chambers just had his "eat it" moment towards the Chargers after being released and picked up by the Chiefs.  He had a 54-yard touchdown hookup from Matt Cassel.  Is he a potential fantasy asset now that he could be a star in a weaker offense?
• Congrats Kurt Warner.  You win.  Five touchdowns, the most recent to Steve Breaston, makes up for last week and then some.
• TURN OF FATE: The Chiefs kicker, Ryan Succop, recovers a muffed recovery on his onside kick attempt.  What will the Chiefs do with under three minutes to play?
• Campbell comes back into the game.  No such thing as offensive momentum for the Skins this week.
• Lance Long of the Chiefs has eight catches for 74 yards.  He may see some adds this week for owners looking deep on the waiver wire.
• Two touchdowns for Chris Chambers!  He has got to be glowing on the inside.  Jamaal Charles gets the two-point conversion catch.
• You have to consider adding Sammie Stroughter.  He's looking to be one of the most dangerous threats on the Tampa Bay offense.  Josh Freeman may be more of a "better lucky than good" with less than a 50 percent completion rating.  Don't be too hasty on the add for him.  The question should be asked: "Can the Bucs upset the Packers?"  They do it with a 35-yard pick six.

Second Matchups:

• DeAngelo Williams has this stat line to start the game for him: 1 carry, 66 yards rushing, 1 touchdown.  Never ever sit Williams, or he will make you feel dumb.  It happend on the second play off the game.
• It wouldn't be a Lions game if there wasn't something to laugh about, such as the missed 34-yard field goal.  They almost drew first blood.  They failed.
• Matt Hasselbeck's first pass attempt is an interception that is returned to the Seahawks 2-yard line by Delmas.
• The Lions do get first blood!  It's a short touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
• DeAngelo Williams' stat line now: 6 carries, 83 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns.
• Stafford makes it two touchdowns, this one a 29-yard pass to Bryant Johnson.  This game is weird.  Go Lions?
• Detroit now also has a fumble recovery and stopped the Seahawks on fourth down.  I guess Seattle wants it to be a fair game and is giving the Lions unbelievably good field position on purpose?  I don't know why else this would be happening.
• Vincent Jackson has an excellent touchdown from Philip Rivers.  It should be the start of a high-scoring affair.
• Drew Brees throws a red zone interception.  The Panthers are certainly doing a great job of containing the elite quarterback.
• In other interception news, Alex Smith is intercepted by the Titans defense.
• Kevin Boss just took a huge hit.  Not sure what kind of injury, if any, or how bad.
• Julius Jones has a goal line touchdown run.  Seattle is finally back in the game.
• Any concerns about Eli Manning's mobility should be erased.  He's darting left and right to keep the play alive.
• Frank Gore pounds in the touchdown.
• Steve Smith, yes the Giants Smith, gets his first touchdown of the day.  He's looking to be in fantastic form.

The Inve$tment Corner: Alex in the Championship Seat

The Inve$tment Corner

The Inve$tment Corner has moved from its normal position at the bottom of the Sit/Start column to its very own section on Fridays.  Enjoy!

Alex Smith (QB-SF)

Notable Matchups: Week 9 vs. Tennessee, Week 12 vs. Jacksonville, Week 13 vs. Seattle, Week 16 (Fantasy Championship) vs. Detroit

Smith has a spectacular story to motivate him as the recrowned starter for the 49ers.  After Shaun Hill was benched in week seven against Houston, Smith came in to the game to throw for three touchdowns and no interceptions.  Certainly this was a respectable outing for the previous No.1 overall draft pick, and last week he went up against a steely Colts defense with non-spectacular numbers, but few mistakes.  This was a sure contrast to his first two seasons in which he threw for a grand total of 17 touchdowns and 27 interceptions.  Now he has shown off poise and confidence, with a lot less pressure to be the next Joe Montana.  His chemistry with tight end Vernon Davis is very evident and rookie receiver Michael Crabtree adds a strong pass-catcher to the depth chart.  With better weapons at his disposal, Smith could see some extremely relevant fantasy outings in good matchups.  Though he may not be an immediate starter in 8-team leagues, he is certainly a strong choice in 14+ team formats, at least as a backup or matchup play.  In week 16, which is traditionally the championship game in fantasy football, Smith lines up against one of the weakest defenses in the league.  If he can take advantage of the Titans defense this week, he should solidify his status as a potential starter down the line if owners are scrounging around for a player to aid in their victory.  Pick him up if you don't have a strong backup right now or if you have any of the following quarterbacks as your starters, all of whom will see tough matchups in the championship week: Matt Ryan, Donovan McNabb, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco, and Eli Manning.

The Line for Week 16: 37 attempts, 26 completions, 289 yards passing, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception

Weekly Podcast: Rushing in Carolina, Ravens' Receivers, and the Vikings

Check out The Mann Report every week for some NFL and fantasy football insight from me, Charley Mann.  Don't forget to check out the material below as well for more advice throughout the week!  Just click below to go!

Also, let me take a moment to plug this site!  I'm going to start having a column every day for my readers out there.  So check back every day for something new!  Also, always feel free to leave comments and give me feedback with what I'm doing.  If you all demand something, I'll do my best to make it happen!


THE MANN REPORT PODCAST!

Who's Hot and Who's Not for Week 9

It's week 9 of the NFL regular season and the following teams have a bye: Buffalo, Cleveland, Minnesota, New York Jets, Oakland, St. Louis.  This may be the most irrelevant grouping of teams for a bye week.  You may be down Brett Favre, Sidney Rice, Thomas Jones, and Steven Jackson, but there aren't many others to really mourn over.  If you've been relying on players from Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland and St. Louis to lead your offense, chances are it's been a rough season.


Start 'Em!

Quarterbacks:

Matt Cassel (KC) vs. Jacksonville

Not to be rude, but if Vince Young can throw as well as he did against the Jaguars, then Matt Cassel should look like Tom Brady against a team ranked 26th against the pass.  Sure, he doesn't have the same receiving corps to aid him, but the Jacksonville secondary is ripe for the picking and the Jags allow the 8th most points per game, leaving scoring opportunities ripe for the picking.  Coming off of a victory and a bye week, the Chiefs should be well-prepared for the game and could finally put up some numbers to bring them out of their scoring slump.  Cassel should be in determinedly in charge with Larry Johnson out due to misconduct.  Refocusing their efforts, the Chiefs will be aiming for their second victory and this game could be the one, if Cassel and Dwayne Bowe continue to find chemistry between them.  Expect at least a couple of touchdowns from Cassel, with few mistakes made.

The Line: 33 attempts, 23 completions, 230 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 carries,

Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. Cincinnati

Flacco and the Ravens are ready to go on a roll after their victory this past weekend against Denver.  This week they are competing against a much more generous defense in Cincinnati, who have struggled against the pass the past few weeks after losing pass rusher Antwan Odom.  Receivers Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason proved themselves valuable assets against Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman.  In addition, the Blackbirds are playing with fire in their bellies to earn a spot in the playoffs, which seems very likely if they play like they did coming out of their bye week.  Flacco is in charge of this multi-dimensional offense, and he should have some highlights to go with a multi-touchdown performance this week.

The Line: 27 attempts, 19 completions, 272 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns


Running Backs:

Jamaal Charles (KC) vs. Jacksonville

It may seem foolish to put down two Chiefs on the starting column, but this week is their next best chance at a victory and they should stop at no costs.  Charles may not have the talents of Larry Johnson, but he is likely going to be the feature back for Kansas City now.  Two solid statistics in favor of Charles are his 5.0 yards per carry average this season and his involvement in the passing game, equating to 14 catches for 120 yards receiving.  Given the starting job, Charles could be a poor man's Steve Slaton, without the fumbling issue.  He should be a strong target for Cassel on passing downs and could have a showcase day against the surprisingly porous Jacksonville defense.  The shootout in Florida should mean strong numbers for both teams, but Charles is an excellent replacement who could be a strong investment later in the year.

The Line: 14 carries, 71 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown, 3 receptions, 26 yards receiving

Pierre Thomas (NO) vs. Carolina

It's back to the front for the PT Bruiser, who reclaimed his first-stringer status with a two touchdown performance against Atlanta, in addition to 91 yards rushing.  He did all this with fewer carries than Mike Bell, so Thomas should now be the main ball-carrier in the contest against Carolina.  Once the Saints take over the game, they should be keeping the ball on the ground in order to keep things under control, which benefits all three backs (don't forget Reggie Bush).  Prior to that, Thomas should be relied upon to make some big plays for a major offense.  If he sees similar passing usage as during the past week, his value should further increase.  Expect at least one touchdown from the stout running back.

The Line: 16 carries, 87 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown


Wide Receivers:

Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. Tennessee

So far, he's living up to his hype, but this is the week that could make Crabtree a true starter in fantasy leagues.  Against one of the weakest pass defenses in the league and with Alex Smith in the gun, Crabtree is poised to earn his first trip to pay dirt.  Though last week the Titans shut down Mike Sims-Walker, expect things to be different for the extremely talented rookie, who should be able to exploit a usually weak pass defense that ranks absolute last in the league.  It's especially nice to note that Alex Smith can be relied on more than Shaun Hill, making the Niners No.1 wideout a strong asset to those who held out for him to sign.

The Line: 5 receptions, 65 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown

Kenny Britt (TEN) vs. San Francisco

Like his opposition's first-round draft pick, Michael Crabtree (highlighted above), Britt is poised for a strong outing in San Francisco on Sunday.  Vince Young at quarterback should benefit the proficient rookie, who will continue splitting time with Nate Washington.  His double-move capabilities should be sufficient to evade an injured secondary that may be missing Nate Clements.  Though he may not touch paydirt, his yardage totals should make him a starter in deeper formats, as Young's arm is ultilized more after his mistake-free performance in week eight.

The Line: 6 receptions, 85 yards receiving


Tight End:

Kevin Boss (NYG) vs. San Diego

Eli Manning has been having a tough time ever since the big matchup of undefeated teams against New Orleans, with confidence shaken.  His receivers have seen some injuries, namely Mario Manningham, and Steve Smith can no longer pretend he's just an average threat, with teams watching him closely.  Defenses have wised up to Manning's weapons.  In the wake of all this, Boss has remained as capable as ever.  His touchdown catch last week must be a reminder to Manning why Boss is their starting tight end.  This week, in what should be a high-scoring game, Boss is a strong candidate to nab a touchdown.  After all, the Chargers give up the 12th most points per game in the league, meaning you are playing strong odds with Boss this week.

The Line: 3 receptions, 27 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown



The Risky Play

Maurice Morris (DET) vs. Seattle

With Kevin Smith giving away most of his workload with a shoulder injury, Morris could be a strong plug-n-play this week against the weakened Seattle defense.  He showed that he can handle a large number of carries and can be a breakaway receiver when thrown the ball.  Expect him to be tested more by the Detroit coaching staff against the 'Hawks come Sunday.  His potential numbers may not be the greatest, but he could be a strong risk/reward play in larger formats.

The Line: 12 carries, 48 yards rushing, 4 receptions, 35 yards receiving, 1 receiving touchdown


Sit 'Em...

Quarterbacks:

Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. Arizona

Though Arizona lost week, they didn't lose through the air.  This week, they will put the stop on Cannon-Arm Cutler and his receivers.  Being more than proficient at stopping the run, the secondary has been put through the ringer until finding a rhythm.  Without Forte producing much of anything this year, Cutler has had to handle most all of the pressure, which has not boded well for a team that is creating a new offensive identity.  This week Cutler will have to throw in pressured situations and is always a strong candidate to toss a pick or two in any contest, with 11 interceptions to his name already this year.

The Line: 35 attempts, 20 completions, 223 yards passing, 1 passing touchdown, 3 interceptions

Jason Campbell (WAS) vs. Atlanta

There's just no relying on the gunning of Campbell, who is part of an organization that has officially entered the reorganizing zone for this season.  Against a strong pass rush led by John Abraham, the newly minted offensive line of the 'Skins should cave in around Campbell, who will be forced into his usual unwise tosses.  He should also be unable to find the end zone with the collapsing chemistry on the road.

The Line: 28 attempts, 16 completions, 198 yards passing, 1 interception


Running Backs:

Laurence Maroney (NE) vs. Miami

Miami has proven itself to be a ground-oriented team, with a stout run defense and incredible running game.  Maroney won't see much luck against the defense and if Miami can play clock control football against New England, it will leave the Patriots to rely on the monumental talents of Tom Brady.  Kevin Faulk, the third-down specialist, will likely see more action than Maroney, who even when given the excellent matchup against Tampa Bay barely made himself relevant to the fantasy community.

The Line: 8 carries, 23 yards rushing, 1 reception, 7 yards receiving

Julius Jones (SEA) vs. Detroit

Many owners will want to play Jones in the matchup play against Detroit, but just say no.  He's a rather dull running back who lacks the explosive abilities necessary to break it big, even against a meager defense.  While he looked like a waiver wire gem earlier in the year, many owners have held on to Seattle first-stringer through past weeks.  Ultimately, you would be better off dropping him.  The Lions are ranked 21st against the run and are allowing the 2nd most points to opposing teams, but don't expect Jones to be part of this.  Hasselbeck will be chucking the ball for solid mileage and most all of the points.

The Line: 13 carries, 42 yards rushing, 2 receptions, 17 yards receiving


Wide Receivers:

Anquan Boldin (ARI) vs. Chicago

Though Chicago is no longer the top-five defense it once was, it is still a strong force, ranking 12th against the pass and showing improvement.  Boldin has been running on an injury that needs to be rested, all while Breaston is stepping up and averaging more yards per catch.  There's no reason for the Cardinals to not give Breaston the ball more while Boldin is busy recuperating.  Boldin will definitely see action on the field this week, but he may not be in the best form against a strong defense, limiting opportunities for Kurt Warner to get him the ball.

The Line: 3 receptions, 37 yards receiving


Tight End:

Bo Scaife (TEN) vs. San Francisco

Sure, everyone has been talking about how Scaife and Vince Young were college sweethearts on the field, but things change.  Though last week they managed to find some of their old connection, this week will be different when the Titans need to make big plays; this week, they will have to look further down the field and let Young loose a little to make plays.  Scaife may be called on more as a blocker for Chris Johnson and on quarterback draws.  Expect this week for him to be used a little in the first half, and a lot less when the Titans are playing from behind.

The Line: 3 receptions, 21 yards receiving

Ryan Moats and Brett Favre

Yesterday was a big day for a number of players, as Sunday always is, but two players in particular made huge impacts when given the ball, and one of them wasn't even a starter.  Here are their stats lines.

Ryan Moats (RB-HOU): 23 carries, 126 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns, 2 receptions, 25 yards receiving

Brett Favre (QB-MIN): 28 attempts, 17 completions, 244 yards passing, 4 passing touchdowns

What do these lines mean?  In the case of Moats, who took over for starter Steve Slaton after Slaton's fifth fumble this season, it means that there are going to be changes in Houston, and those changes may not be welcome by those folks who drafted Slaton in a high spot.  After finally finding a rhythm with the passing game, Slaton fumbled after a 7-yard reception.  Moats looked strong after taking over and was certainly key in the Houston victory.  Now coach Gary Kubiak must give some consideration to letting Moats handle the ball more often, creating a running back by committee approach possibly.  Keep on the lookout for more news on this subject.

Brett Favre has elevated himself from strong start to must-start in my book.  His exemplary play is now just as key to the Vikings' success as Adrian Peterson's powerful ground work.  With the passing game solidified, the Vikes look like a strong contender down the stretch and investments in Percy Harvin should pay off this year.

Also, let me take a moment to plug this site!  I'm going to start having a column every day for my readers out there.  So check back every day for something new!  Also, always feel free to leave comments and give me feedback with what I'm doing.  If you all demand something, I'll do my best to make it happen!

Week 8 (2009) Sunday Happenings

First Matchups of Sunday:
Denver vs. Baltimore
Houston vs. Buffalo
Cleveland vs. Chicago
Seattle vs. Dallas
Miami vs. New York Jets
San Francisco vs. Indianapolis
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia
St. Louis vs. Detroit

Second Matchups of Sunday:
Oakland vs. San Diego
Jacksonville vs. Tennessee
Minnesota vs. Green Bay
Carolina vs. Arizona

Pre-game:

• As always, check out http://www.nfl.com/injuries for the official injury reports.

First Matchups:

• First blood of the day drawn by Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia's fullback, on a 41-yard run to the end zone.
• Eli Manning has his first interception of the day against Philly, putting the Eagles on the New York 10-yard line.  Three plays later, Donovan McNabb tosses a touchdown to Brent Celek.
• Frank Gore breaks a 64-yard touchdown run against the Colts.  He is showing some signs of being himself.
• Terrell Owens just ran an end-around for 29 yards...and a touchdown.  Is T.O. relevant again?
• Derek Anderson has been picked off by the Bears.  Not exactly a surprise in that game.
• Marion Barber nabs himself a 2-yard touchdown.  The score could get out of hand in favor of Dallas.
• Detroit gets a safety.  That game really has to be the joke of the season.  The best part?  It happened on an interception by St. Louis, and the end zone tackle was made by Kevin Smith. 
• Welcome back Deion Branch.  He grabs a 23-yard touchdown reception.
• Baltimore has committed two unnecessary penalties.  It probably won't cost them the game, but it's making a major difference.
• Matt Schaub has two interceptions today.  Buffalo's pass defense seems to be for real.
• There don't seem to be any shootouts today.  Lots of field goals and short-yardage plays.
• Kevin Boss gets a touchdown for the Giants, putting the score at 16-7 in favor of Philly.
• FAKE FIELD GOAL!  The Rams pull a trick play and Josh Brown tosses the pigskin to fullback Daniel Fells, who runs the last 30 yards for the touchdown.  That game is pure hilarity.
• DeSean Jackson hauls in a deep pass and sprints into the end zone, making it a 54-yard completion and a 23-7 ball game in Philadelphia.
• McNabb is spreading the ball and has three touchdowns, the third to Jeremy Maclin.  McNabb may be one of the most hot/cold passers in the NFL.
• Matt Forte has a goal line touchdown, making him a worthwhile play this week for anyone who trusted him.
• Roy Williams has a touchdown pass from Tony Romo.  Miles Austin surely must be seething with jealousy.
• Vernon Davis obviously has strong chemistry with Alex Smith and has a touchdown today.  San Francisco is up 14-9 at the half, a rather unexpected turn of events.

Halftime

•  Baltimore returns the kickoff for a touchdown, putting them up 13-0.
• Ted Ginn, Jr., returns a kickoff for Miami for a touchdown.  He may not be the receiver needed for the 'Fins, but his speed is unrivaled.
• Knowshon Moreno notches up a touchdown on a 1-yard run.  Baltimore is racking up penalties and it's definitely costing them.
• Reggie Wayne has 100 yards receiving on the day, but the Colts are still down.
• IDP Update: Shonn Greene fumbles the ball, which is picked up and run 48 yards for a touchdown by Miami's Jason Taylor.  His value just dropped significantly.
• Never has a quarterback been so untouched on a touchdown run from the 1-yard line as Mark Sanchez.  That will be a fun replay this week.
• Ginn has, count'em, TWO TOUCHDOWN KICKOFF RETURNS.  Speedy Gonzalez.  The disadvantage is that the Miami offense hasn't seen much play in the second half.
• Miles Austin notches his fifth touchdown in three weeks of play.  He's definitely proving himself to be Romo's best weapon and a must-play every week.
• Matthew Stafford, not to be outdone by Sanchez, runs in a 4-yarder touchdown.
• After a quick march down the field, Sanchez finds Braylon Edwards for a 19-yard touchdown.
• It's a touchdown for Derrick Mason in Baltimore.
• Forte now has two touchdowns on the day, with a 10-yarder for his second.
• Patrick Crayton has a punt-return touchdown for the second week in a row.  Dallas looks like the team it was supposed to be.
• LeSean McCoy proves he can be the starter after scoring on a lengthy touchdown run.
• Weirdest stat of the day.  Joseph Addai passes 22 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.  Reggie Wayne was the receiver.  Peyton Manning owners are not a happy bunch.

Saturday Lineups!

I'll go ahead and post a couple of the teams I'm fielding this week as a way to offer advice.  If some of the choices seem questionable, I'll explain my reasoning.  Maybe my league is shallow on bye week replacement wide receivers or my star running back collapsed on the field last week.  Whatever it is, I'm taking the risks with all of you!

Team #1

QB: Kurt Warner
WR: Andre Johnson
WR: Lee Evans (After the past few weeks, it's clear that Evans can be a valuable player, as long as Trent Edwards is sidelined.)
WR: Calvin Johnson (Waiting on my bench to replace him in the event he is out with the knee injury is a receiver I highlighted in this week's Start or Sit column, San Diego's Malcolm Floyd.)
RB: Ronnie Brown
RB: Kevin Smith
TE: Visanthe Shiancoe
K: John Carney
DEF: Denver

Team #2

QB: Aaron Rodgers
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Mike Sims-Walker
WR: Lee Evans
RB: Matt Forte
RB: Beanie Wells (I'm playing one of the guys from my Start or Sit column mentioned above.  It's a 10-team league and lots of other teams have been covetous of waiver wire running backs, so I invested in Wells.)
TE: Brent Celek
K: John Carney
DEF: Green Bay

Expect a new couple of lineups from a couple different teams each week.  Being the fantasy football fanatic that I am, I've got quite a number of teams to pick from.  They will mostly come from Yahoo! standard leagues with lineups like those above.

Also, let me take a moment to plug this site!  I'm going to start having a column every day for my readers out there.  So check back every day for something new!  Also, always feel free to leave comments and give me feedback with what I'm doing.  If you all demand something, I'll do my best to make it happen!

The Friday Injury Lineup

Here's the latest weekly segment to hit my blog.  Every Friday I'll take a look at the injury reports and give you an analysis of what they could mean for you as a fantasy owner.

Andre Johnson (WR-HOU-chest): This injury may be one of the most significant this week and has many owners looking left and right for a strong replacement.  If Johnson does not play, expect Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter to see an increase in targets, along with Steve Slaton increasing his role against Buffalo.  Chris Brown may be called upon more as well.  However, Johnson insists that he will be in the lineup come Sunday, and what this man wants, he will likely get.  Even if he is spitting up blood on the field.  Update: Johnson will definitely be active for Sunday's game.  Play him.

Calvin Johnson (WR-DET-knee): Again, a big bit of news for Johnson owners who have been waiting for his recovery.  After not participating in practice most of this week, it's certainly questionable whether he will see any snaps on Sunday, but there's always hope.  Check as vigorously as possible for both Andre and Calvin Johnson this weekend.  A feasible replacement could be Bryant Johnson or Dennis Northcutt, who will both benefit from Johnson's absence.  Update: Johnson practiced and should be out on the field against a vulnerable Rams defense.  Play him.

Matthew Stafford (QB-DET-knee): There seems to be a divide as to whether or not Stafford will play on Sunday.  I'm of the opinion that he probably won't against the Rams.  There's no reason for the rookie to be put out on the field with the possibility of him exacerbating the injury.  Even with the possible strong matchup play, don't play Stafford.

Trent Edwards (QB-BUF-head): Lee Evans owners should breath a sigh of relief, as Ryan Fitzpatrick should be starting for the Bills with Edwards on the sidelines.  Fitzpatrick definitely has better chemistry with Evans and it showed the past week.

Chicago's Defense: The list is pretty long, with starting linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa already being declared out with a knee injury for this weekend's game.  Lance Briggs (LB) is still having shoulder troubles and Adewale Ogunleye (DE) has sat out at least part of this week with an ankle injury.  You still can't expect Cleveland to put up any numbers that are start-worthy, but stranger things have happened.

Matt Hasselbeck (QB-SEA-rib): Hasselbeck has had a litany of injuries to deal with in the past.  Don't consider starting baldie unless your only other quarterback options are Jake Delhomme, JaMarcus Russel and Derek Anderson.  I'm praying that's not the case for any poor soul out there.

Chad Clifton (T-GB-ankle) and Mark Tauscher (T-GB-knee): Both have been limited in practice.  The Vikings pass rush could cave in the pocket around Aaron Rodgers constantly during this match at Lambeau if the tackles are not at full health.  Rodgers himself has a foot injury and may not be able to dodge defenders too aptly.  Expect pressure on the pocket for Rodgers and think about replacing him with a stronger matchup play.

Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR-achilles): With Stewart injured, Deangelo Williams and Jake Delhomme will see an increased workload, which is no good for the offense.  In the first segment on this week's podcast I discuss the Panthers' offensive woes.  Listen for more info.  In the meantime, you may want to reconsider starting Williams this week without Stewart to counterbalance the backfield.

DeSean Jackson (WR-PHI-foot) and Brian Westbrook (RB-PHI-concussion): These two starters of the Eagles offense have been held out of practice this week.  Jackson will be needed if Philly intends on beating the Giants, especially with Kevin Curtis declared out this week.  Westbrook may not be as necessary with LeSean McCoy waiting to take over.  The Eagles could have a tough week and their offense will certainly be hampered.  Prepare replacements.

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Weekly Podcast!

Every Thursday I'll be putting up a podcast dealing with 3 to 5 things, be them players, teams, or coaches, in the NFL that hold fantasy relevance or are just driving me nuts.  So check out The Mann Report every Thursday for a dose of football podcasting.

Click on the link below (just click where it says The Mann Report Podcast) to hear what I have to say about the Carolina Panthers' offense, Larry Johnson and his fantasy downfall, and what's currently wrong with the Washington Redskins.

THE MANN REPORT PODCAST!