Quarterback
The tastiest quarterback matchup of the week has to be Kerry
Collins against the inept Falcons pass defense. Atlanta
is giving up a league worst 271.3 passing yards per game
and they've surrendered three straight 300+ yard games.
If you have Collins on your team, get him in your lineup
this week. He will finish with 320 yards and two touchdowns. - If
Collins has the easiest matchup, Vikings quarterback Daunte
Culpepper is a close runner up. Minnesota travels
to San Diego, where players are giving up touchdowns
in quantities very atypical of a Marty Schottenheimer
coached team. To date, the Chargers have given up 15
passing touchdowns in eight games, tied for worst in
the league with the Texans. Count on Culpepper tossing
three touchdown passes in a game that will see more than
50 points scored. - With a few decent quarterbacks on
bye this week (Jeff Garcia, Aaron Brooks and Tom
Brady), you might be scrambling to acquire a replacement,
I like Doug Flutie if he starts against the Vikings.
He should scramble for at least 40 yards and throw for
190 yards and a touchdown. That's good for 16 or more
points in most leagues. - If his broken thumb holds up, Brett
Favre will likely break Dan Marino's record by throwing
20 or more touchdowns for the tenth consecutive season.
The Green Bay gunslinger needs four touchdowns to reach
20. Favre's durability, longevity and consistency make
him arguably the greatest fantasy football quarterback
ever. While I don't expect him to throw four touchdowns
this week, he should rack up two passing scores Monday
night. Keep him in your lineup. - If you have other options,
it's probably a good idea to bench Trent Green this
week. As average as the Cleveland Browns defense has
been versus the run this year, their secondary has absolutely
shut down opposing quarterbacks, allowing only one passing
touchdown in their last four games. In fact, if you throw
out Jon Kitna's three touchdown performance in
Week 4, the Browns have only allowed one passing touchdown
all year. The Chiefs will likely try to establish the
running game, limiting Green's production to 220 yards
and no more than one touchdown.
This Week's Sleepers: Kerry Collins, Doug Flutie
(assuming he plays), Jon Kitna and David Carr
Running Back
Two weeks ago the Weekly 6-Pack recommended owners
attempt to trade for Jets running back Curtis Martin.
Fantasy owners who heeded that advice have seen Martin
roll off two straight 100-yard games. Unfortunately, the
nine-year veteran hasn't scored a touchdown all year. That
is likely to change this week when the Jets visit Oakland.
The Raiders rank second to last in the league, giving up
153.1 yards per game on the ground (ironically the Jets
are dead last). More importantly for Martin owners, the
silver and black have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns in
eight games. Martin should finish this game with 110 total
yards and a score. - Bengals running back Corey Dillon indicated
this week that he doesn't want to play until his groin
is fully healed. Dillon frustrated fantasy owners by suiting
up for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but returning
to the bench due to tightness to his groin muscle by the
second half. For owners who were shrewd enough to acquire
backup Rudi Johnson, Dillon's proclamation is good
news. There should be no doubting who will be Cincinnati's
starting running back in Week 10 against the Texans. Look
for Johnson to reward owners with 90 yards and a touchdown. - Chargers
workhorse tailback LaDainian Tomlinson had a wisdom
tooth pulled earlier this week. But don't expect his sore
mouth to keep him from chewing up yardage against a Minnesota
Vikings defense that was embarrassed last week by Ahman
Green and his backup running backs. Even if the Vikings
jump out to an early lead, Tomlinson should still play
a major role in this game as a receiver. Expect 150 total
yards and two touchdowns. - Two former fantasy stars made
headlines this week. One said he would likely never take
the field again. The other could suit up by Week 11. In
a television interview, former Broncos running back Terrell
Davis declared, "I'm kind of saying that it's over." Fantasy
owners knew it was over two years ago. Meanwhile, Jamal
Anderson was seen trying out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
this week. Head coach Jon Gruden thinks Anderson would
make a fine short-yardage running back. Fortunately, Michael
Pittman's value is primarily attributed to his yardage
statistics. Pittman has been a worthy starter for the past
several weeks, despite not scoring a single rushing touchdown.
Anderson's tryout shouldn't concern you at this point.
Pittman should net 85 yards this week against the stingy
Carolina Panthers.
This Week's Sleepers: Rudi Johnson, James Jackson
and Moe Williams
Wide Receiver
After a fast start to the season, the Buffalo Bills have
plummeted to 27th in the league in total offense.
Buffalo's struggles can be chalked up in part to missing Eric
Moulds, one of their most dangerous weapons. This week
Moulds returns from a bye week with his partially torn
groin muscle at close to full strength. "It's getting
stronger and I'll be able to get out there and do the things
I normally can without thinking about it," said Moulds.
Get Moulds back in your lineup this week, but lower your
expectations a bit. The Bills face the Dallas Cowboys,
who are the proud owners of the top ranked pass defense
in the NFL. Moulds should post around 75 yards. - Randy
Moss needs just 122 receiving yards to go over 1,000
for the year. Will he do it this week against the Chargers? Without
a doubt. - Kevin Johnson, Cleveland's leading receiver
for the past four years, has been benched by head coach
Butch Davis. Apparently, Davis is unhappy with Johnson's
reluctance to block on outside runs. Keep him on your bench
this week until it's clear how he will react on the field.
If you need an alternative, start his replacement Andre
Davis, who should get plenty of looks this weekend
as the Browns try to keep up with the Chiefs. - Redskins
receiver Laveranues Coles came into the 2003 season
like a lion, but at the midway point he's turning out to
be a lamb. Since opening with three straight 100-yard games,
the former New York Jets star has seen a steady decrease
in production. Last week he had just 27 yards receiving.
The problem is quarterback Patrick Ramsey frequently only
has nanoseconds to get the ball off before a defensive
lineman plants him on his hindquarters. This is negating
Coles' speed and deep route running. He has earned a spot
on your team's bench, but if you don't have better options,
his numbers should improve slightly this week against the
Seahawks. Expect Coles to gain about 80 yards. - Chad Johnson has
an excellent chance to lead all fantasy receivers in Week
10. The Bengals play host to the Houston Texans this week.
Houston has given up a league-worst 15 receiving touchdowns,
including some monster games by Derrick Mason and Santana
Moss. I expect Houston to get a major letdown this
week after Sunday's upset over the Carolina Panthers. Count
on two touchdowns from Johnson in a Cincinnati victory. - If
Doug Flutie starts this week for the Chargers (it's looking
like he will), make every effort to get David Boston in
your starting lineup. Flutie has a knack for making big
plays and should have an easy time finding holes in the
Minnesota Vikings defense. The Vikings seem to have reverted
back to the shaky brand of defense they played during previous
seasons. While most of San Diego's yardage will funnel
through LaDanian Tomlinson, count on Boston and Flutie
hooking up for 80 yards and a touchdown.
This Week's Sleepers: David Boston, Andre Davis,
Marty Booker and Tyrone Calico
Tight End
Word out of Minnesota is the Vikings are planning to use
tight end Jim Kleinsasser more frequently in an
effort to help them move the ball and open up some things
on offense. Kleinsasser scored a touchdown last week against
the Packers, but hasn't been a legitimate threat outside
the redzone. He's averaging less than 15 yards per game
receiving. If you're stuck with Shannon Sharpe, Ernie
Conwell or David Graham on bye, and are looking
for a replacement, it's wise to steer clear of Kleinsasser
until he has a game with more than 30 yards receiving. - Instead,
acquire Billy Miller who has made the highlight
reel two straight weeks with touchdown receptions. Miller
faces a Bengals defense that gave up five receptions to Freddie
Jones last week, including a one-yard touchdown. In
fact, in the last three games, the Bengals have allowed
tight ends to score 22 points, including three touchdowns
and two two-point conversions. - Another acquisition option
is Eagles rookie tight end L.J. Smith. Smith had
a breakout performance last week against the Falcons, leading
all Philadelphia receivers with 97 yards. The Eagles square
off Monday night against the Packers, another team that
has been susceptible to tight ends of late. Look for Smith
to get his first NFL touchdown this week.
This Week's Sleepers: Billy Miller and L.J. Smith
Kicker
The "idiot kicker," Mike Vanderjagt, leads all
other place kickers with 87 points scored. The next closest
player is Jason Elam with 74. And Elam has
played in one more game. It's not too shabby when you're
averaging 10 points per week from a position in which your
opponents frequently score five six. Personally, I have
never considered trying to swing a trade for a kicker,
but maybe I should. Don't laugh. A four or five point advantage
every week in the kicker position makes a huge difference.
If you're an owner who has been struggling to get five
points per week out of your kicker, take a good look at
who owns Vanderjagt in your league. If you have a Jerome
Bettis or Shawn Bryson type player who you haven't started
all year, why not try to swing a deal? The perception in
fantasy football is that kickers don't hold a lot of value,
so there's a fair chance you'll be able to pull it off.
There's no guarantee Vanderjagt will continue to score
at this pace, but there's no guarantee he won't either. - Owners
who have Jason Elam, Adam Vinatieri and John
Carney on bye, might be wondering which kickers' stars
are aligned for a big week. Brett Conway has never
been particularly accurate, but I like his chances this
week against the Falcons, cold weather or not. - The Chicago
Bears have been moving the ball well and should see plenty
of redzone opportunities this week against Detroit. Start Paul
Edinger. - Finally, the Minnesota Vikings travel to
warm-weather San Diego, where they should put up 30 or
more points on the Chargers. Kicker Aaron Elling should
account for at least eight of those points.
This Week's Sleepers: Paul Edinger, Aaron Elling
and Brett Conway
Defense
As Frank Sinatra eloquently crooned, "I'm gonna make
a brand new start of it - in old New York . It's
up to you - New York New York." When it comes to
fantasy defenses this week, I'm taking a cue from Old
Blue Eyes. I've acquired the New York Jets in
one league and the New York Giants in another.
Both teams face highly favorable matchups in Week 10
and have an excellent chance to score a defensive touchdown.
In case you missed it, Rick Mirer is once again a starting
quarterback in the NFL. If your team is in a must-win
situation and can afford to clear a roster spot for the
Jets defense, they will be good for at least three turnovers
against the Raiders. Mirer floated several passes into
the secondary last week against the Lions. Count on more
poor decision making from the former first-round draft
pick. - Meanwhile, back in Gotham . the Giants will roll
out the red carpet for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons,
who are already prone to errors, should be especially
vulnerable this week as they venture outside their domed
stadium into the cold weather.
This Week's Sleepers: New York Giants and New York
Jets
The 6-Pack
Last Week's 6-Pack: Murphy's Irish Stout
Price Paid: $4.99 (sale)
What the Bottle Can Tells Us: "Murphy's
Irish Stout has been brewed to the same unique recipe since
1856." The can also offers explicit instructions on how
to pour the beer properly.
What I Say: My first taste of Murphy's came two
years ago in County Cork in Ireland,
the birthplace of this superb stout. While I sampled at
least a dozen pints of Murphy's while touring the Emerald
Isle, I hadn't tasted it since then. I bought my 4-Pack
of 14.9 ounce cans on Saturday and felt like a seven-year
old on Christmas Eve. I couldn't wait to re-live my enjoyment
of this fine Irish stout. The wife headed out to the mall
Sunday morning armed with our credit card, so I didn't
feel the least bit guilty when I popped open my first Murphy's
during ESPN's pregame show. Nothing like a breakfast beer.
Because of a unique Draught Flow System that releases nitrogen
into the beer, Murphy's puts on a show the second you begin
to pour. It cascades up the side of the glass and has a
rich, milky texture. It actually resembles an iced-coffee
concoction one might buy at Starbucks. After a minute or
so, the beer settles into its traditional stout form - a
bread-colored head perched atop ebony liquid. Murphy's
smells a bit like coffee that has been sitting on your
desk for a couple hours and has gotten a bit stale, not
quite as pungent as a cup of fresh brewed Joe. Although
the canned variety was a bit less flavorful and slightly
more watery than the draught beers I had in Ireland,
it was still quite satisfying. Not unexpectedly coffee
was the dominant flavor, but there were also hints of cocoa
and barley. Murphy's finishes with a subtle black licorice
aftertaste. The beer isn't as heavy as you might expect
and doesn't hit your stomach like a rock. I highly recommend
Murphy's and as the temperatures here in Wisconsin continue
to drop, I plan to keep my fridge stocked with at least
a few cans.
What Readers Say: Tristan Scott of Merriam, Kansas
writes, "Great choice of beers this week! I found Murphy's
one summer when I lived in Chicago . I hope you enjoy it
... personally I think Guinness is overrated (Murphy's
is better). Thank God for beer and football!" Better than
Guinness? Them's fightin' words.
This Week's 6-Pack: Stella Artois
Now that we've pacified our Irish readers, it's time to
continue our journey around the globe. This week, go out
and get yourself a 6-Pack of Stella Artois (pronounced
are-twah) and e-mail me your thoughts at paul.sandy@frontiernet.net.
Here's hoping this Belgian beer tastes as good as a fantasy
victory.
|
