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coach Dennis Green has named Kurt Warner as his starting quarterback for
the second straight week. Warner had over 300 yards passing last weekend
with a TD, but turned the ball over several times. I actually like Warner
in this game to find WR Larry Fitzgerald for huge yardage and at least one
score. Joey Harrington will start again for injured Jeff Garcia and the
Lions. Detroit get back WRs Roy Williams and Charles Rogers (along with
TE Marcus Pollard) against a struggling Cardinal defense, but Harrington
and his receivers are risky starts until he proves he's capable of getting
them the ball. Expect the Lions to hit the ground game heavy with RB Kevin Jones, who is a nice fantasy start against Arizona. |
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| Chicago
has won four games in a row and been somewhat impressive doing so. The Bears
are tied with Indy for the league's top ranked defense in total yards allowed
(98) and face a weak Niner offense. Watch the status of Thomas Jones closer
to game time, but I expect him to sit this one out. If he is healthy enough
to start, he is again a great fantasy play for owners fortunate enough to
have him on their roster. If Jones can't go, I like Cedric Benson to have
a big game. Rookie QB Kyle Orton may have his best game as a pro, but he
will again have limited success and should only be used as a bye week replacement.
For the Niners, stay away from them as fantasy starters with this tough
match-up. |
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| Miami
has owned the Patriots in Florida the last several years, but I like the
Pats here. QB Tom Brady and WR Deion Branch are recommended fantasy starters.
The New England running game has a nice match-up here, but Corey Dillon
and Patrick Pass are questionable and could both miss the game...giving
way to Mike Cloud as starter (monitor this situation closely). For the Fins,
I like RB Ronnie Brown. I also like WR Chris Chambers and TE Randy McMichael
against the injury riddled Patriot secondary. |
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What a difference a year makes! The New York Giants have turned into
an offensive juggernaut and have coach Tom Coughlin poised for coach of
the year. Yet, the Vikings are in the tank and without top quarterback
Daunte Culpepper. I like QB Eli Manning, WR Plaxico Burress, and stud
TE Jeremy Shockey against a porous Minnesota pass defense. RB Tiki Barber
will also light it up with his versatility. For the Vikings, QB Brad Johnson
may have some effectiveness, but their turnstyle of wide receivers make
selection of a fantasy starter at WR difficult. The same inconsistency
can be mentioned of Minny's running game. As of this writing, it is unclear
whether Mewelde Moore's wrist will keep him from action. Regardless, coach
Mike Tice could opt to go with Michael Bennett (making both Moore and
Bennett fantasy risks).
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| This
game will be much closer than the records indicate. Chiefs' RB Larry Johnson
will run all over the Bills' 31st ranked rushing defense. I also like Trent Green and TE Tony Gonzalez to have nice games. The Bills are coming off
a bye week, which should help. RB Willis McGahee will continue to be the
key to their offense and has accululated 907 yards from scrimmage (790 rush)
to date. But the Chiefs' passing defense ranks next to last, making Buffalo
QB Kelly Holcomb a decent bye week replacement. WR Eric Moulds will be Holcomb's
favorite target as the Bills go more to the air than in recent weeks. |
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| Neither
team walks into this game as an offensive powerhouse, but both have talented
defenses. Expect a low scoring contest with multiple punts. Jamal Lewis
may be the best play for the Ravens, but he is not a strong recommended
fantasy starter against Jacksonville. Jags QB Byron Leftwich will be limited,
but will throw a few tosses to big WR Ernest Wilford. RB Fred Taylor is
listed as doubtful, making replacement Greg Jones a decent start as the
Jags try to grind it out on the ground. |
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| Denver's
Jake Plummer is having a remarkable season and is mentioned in some MVP
discussions. Plummer is a solid start against the Raiders and will find
TE Jeb Putzier and WR Rod Smith as this game progresses. But, I look for
the Broncos to pound the ball against the Raiders...making Mike Anderson
a great fantasy start. Tatum Bell is also a decent play. But due to lack
of touches, Bell will need a big play to have a strong fantasy game. The
Raiders' LaMont Jordan has found a home in Oakland and will try to run on
the stout Broncos' run defense with limited success. If unsuccessful, look
for QB Kerry Collins to go to the air against a beatable Denver secondary.
Randy Moss practiced and should do well for fantasy owners, even though
he is still banged up and hurting. |
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| After
a shaky early start, the Panthers appear to have it together on both sides
of the ball. Last week's domination of the Buccaneers was impressive. I
like QB Jake Delhomme, RB Stephen Davis (a touchdown machine), and WR Steve Smith. The Jets had a bye week to recover, but it won't be enough to recommend
any of their offense weapons as fantasy starters. If you absolutely have
to play a Jet, then start Laveranues Coles...but the Panther defense will
be a hazard for Jet QB Brooks Bollinger. |
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| Samkon
Gado. Yes, the Packers may start Sam Gado at running back. With the injuries
to Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, and now Tony Fisher,...the Pack is down
to RB Sam Gado. Gado, a Nigerian born rookie from Liberty, is not a top
fantasy start...but is an interesting pick-up nonetheless. This game should
be all Falcons. Play Michael Vick, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Brian Finneran,
and T.J. Duckett at home for Atlanta. For Green Bay, go ahead and play Brett Favre. He still has his gun and is among fantasy QB leaders. The Pack will
certainly have every reason to throw the ball against the Falcons. |
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| Even
though Jake Delhomme and the Panthers picked apart the Bucs last weekend,
I expect their defense to rebound against the Skins. In fact, this should
be a low scoring game. I typically like the Mark Brunell to Santana Moss
combination (and maybe TE Chris Cooley), but Brunell is banged up and becomes
a tough start against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay should also keep Clinton Portis and the Washington running game in check. For the Buc offense, Joey Galloway has been the man this season and is the best fantasy play here. |
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| Cleveland
hasn't mustered much on offense this season and is contemplating a quarterback
change. RB Reuben Droughns is the best of the Browns, but Pittsburgh should
limit his production. The Steelers are a run-first team, and should be able
to run all over Cleveland's poor run defense. Check closer to gametime,
but I like both Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis here (Willie Parker will likely
sit out with an injury while Bettis, listed as questionable, plays in short
yardage and goal line situations). WR Hines Ward is also a nice fantasy
play. |
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The Terrell Owens saga has the Eagles reeling, but this game is on Monday
Night Football and may be the motivation needed for Philadelphia (who
usually plays well against Dallas...esp. on MNF). I actually like Donovan McNabb in this game and look for him to find WR Reggie Brown with several
down field strikes. RB Brian Westbrook will see his touches increase for
the Eagles, but will continue to gain more in the passing game than with
his rushing production...his versatility continues to make him a quality
fantasy start. TE L.J. Smith is injured and most likely won't play, but
check closer to game time for his status. For the Cowboys, QB Drew Bledsoe
will make some big plays to WRs Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson. I also
believe this will be the week for RB Julius Jones to bounce back and have
a nice game. This week's MNF match-up has the potential to be high scoring
and should be very entertaining to watch with both teams having much at
stake.
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BYE WEEKS - Bengals, Chargers, Saints, Titans
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