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| Have you seen me lately? |
Start these guys or else:
- QB, Eli Manning, NY Giants: this week at home Manning and his 280 ypg, 8 touchdowns, faces off against the 26th ranked passing defense in Detroit giving up 235 ypg. Normally I would be against playing Eli because of his turnover problems, however, this matchup looks so good on paper you have to play Eli. A changed NY defense will keep a Calvin Johnson-less Lions offense off the field, and give Eli more chances to score.
- QB, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben is coming off a 4 week break/hiatus from all things Steelers football, plus throw in a bye week, and looks to take the reigns of a team QBed by Dennis Dixon and Charlie Bath to a 3-1 record. He will be welcomed back at Heinz Field to a steady receiving core, one of the top RB's in the league, and an opposing defense that has given up 8 touchdowns through the air while only picking off opposing QB's three times.
- RB, Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins: despite rushing for 40 yards the Redskins showed their trust in Torain by handing off to him 16 times. This week, on Sunday night, Torain faces a banged up Indy defense giving up 142 yards and a score per game to opposing RB's.
- RB, LaDainian Tomlison, NY Jets: against a good Minnesota D LT ran the ball 20 times for 94 yards, however, this week he faces off against the 26th ranked rushing defense in Denver giving up on average 127 ypg and a touchdown. For the season LT has been given the ball 14 more times then Shonne Green, 76-62, and the trend should continue as Rex Ryan looks to use his running game to keep Kyle Orton off the field.
- WR, Malcolm Floyd: San Diego Chargers: in the pick 'em world you have to take the Rams because the Chargers have no idea how to win on the road this year no matter how badly the opponent tries to let them back into the game. However, individual wise Floyd is a great play as he has cemented himself as Rivers #1 WR option. With touchdowns in 3 of his 5 games this year, and playing against a Rams defense that was roasted by Shaun Hill last week, not to mention giving up 231 ypg and 6 scores, bodes well for the Rivers to Floyd combination.
- WR, Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos: a guy who has been so inconsistent throughout his playing career is finally showing some consistency; thanks in part to his QB Kyle Orton. Floyd has caught for more then 100 yards in 4 of 5 games this year, and should have a repeat performance against a Jets defense that has given up 9 touchdowns and 235 ypg. With stats like that Kyle Orton looks like an amazing play, but with the year he has had it should be a no brainer to play him.
- TE, Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders: it doesn't matter who his QB is; Gradkowski or Campbell both have looked early and often to Zach. He has scored a touchdown in each of his last 3 games and caught for 82 ypg, and plays against a 49ers defense that has given up at least 40 ypg and 3 touchdowns to opposing TE's.
- D-ST, TB Buccaneers: most people know about QB Josh Freeman, and most people know about WR Mike Williams. However, most people don't know how well their defense has been performing this year. Save their game against Pittsburgh; the TB defense has scored double digit points in 2 out of their 3 games. This week they play against a shaky NO offense with little to no running game, and a QB who is probable for Sunday who just went for 3 interceptions and a fumble against the Cardinals. Digest this last morsel as well; for the season TB is ranked 5th against the pass.
Unless you want to lose this Sunday keep these guys on the bench:
- QB, Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams: he just lost his favorite target in Mark Clayton, his "new" favorite target will be double teamed beyond belief, and his running back is finally healthy.
- RB, Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns: still recovering from a thigh injury, ran for just 28 yards last week, runs for a rookie QB who will be looking for his TE Ben Watson (also a nice play if you need a TE), and runs against a Steelers defense that has only given up 2 rushing touchdowns and 80 ypg.
- WR, Greg Jennings, GB Packers: in his last 4 games he is averaging 25 ypg with only 2 touchdowns. His QB may not play Sunday, and the opposing Miami defense only gives up 182 ypg through the air. He will continue to be a 2nd/3rd round disappointment.
- TE, John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks: the Seahawks stink on the road, he is averaging 40 ypg on 4 rpg with only 1 touchdown in those 4 games, the Bears defense has yet to give up a touchdown to an opponents TE, and on top of that he is probable. This late round sleeper will continue to sleep.
- D-ST, Oakland Raiders: don't expect another performance from the Raiders like we witnessed last week against the Chargers. In 2 of their previous 4 games they had actually had negative scores. Coincidentally against teams with good running games. This week a hungry SF team comes to town looking for their first win along with a running back, Frank Gore, looking for his 2nd touchdown of the season. You may get a handful of points from Oakland's D, but hamper your expectations. Especially after the Chargers gave them three turnovers that resulted in immediate scores.
