FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Dilfer gets his fifth start of the season, and if it's anything like his fourth there may be some hope for this horrible offense. But let's be real. The Niners offense is still terrible and Dilfer is still... well, Dilfer. The saving grace for Dilfer and crew this week is that they play a Carolina team that can't stop anyone and are averaging less than a sack per game. If you are desperate and feeling lucky this week then roll with Dilfer. Otherwise, forget it.

Gore is still bothered by the ankle injury at time, but played through the pain last week and blew up for his first monster game of the season. Enjoy it while it lasts and hope that the offensive breakthrough the Niners experienced last week wasn't a one-week event as Carolina is a decent matchup for Gore.

Battle is the most active wideout on the team and has posted 221 yards and a touchdown over the past three games. In what has been a pathetic passing attack that's pretty good. But it's not enough to warrant his consideration for your fantasy lineup.

Davis is the first option in the passing attack now and the Panthers have given up 151 yards and four touchdowns to opposing tight ends in the past three game.

Even with Foster hurting and fumbling, Williams can't get more than 6-8 touches a game.

Smith returned last week and had a decent game, for the 2007 version of Steve Smith. The Niners secondary play is degrading as the season moves forward and allowed almost 400 yards to the Arizona wideouts last week. If the QB play was stable Smith would be a better than S3 starter in this matchup. But if Vinny manages to play this entire game he'll likely put up S2 numbers.

The only Carolina wideout that should be taking up space on your roster is Smith.

King had five catches last week and seems to be much more involved in the passing game when Vinny isn't running the show. Since Testaverde is likely to return this week, King loses what little value he may have had.

Dayne will get another start this week in a matchup that can go either way. With DT Haynesworth in the lineup, through eight games the Titans allowed just 60 YPG on the ground. In the three games without him they're allowing 145 YPG and have given up six touchdowns. It appears to be 50-50 on Haynesworth returning this week. If he does then Dayne is a borderline start (S3) at best. If he does not then Dayne is a very good start (S2).

Starting to see the benefits of having Johnson back to draw double coverage. Had 65 yards and a score last week and posted 97 yards and a score against the Titans in week seven.

As expected Daniels' production has taken off with Schaub back at quarterback. He's posted 12-156 and a TD in the last two games. The Titans rate out as a top defense against the tight end, and even with their struggles over the past three games they've allowed only 129 yards and no scores to the position. Daniels is downgraded to a borderline start this week.

The Titans continue to let Young loose and his numbers over the past three games show for it. He's averaged 270 YPG in that span, nearly twice what he averaged in his previous seven starts this season. This is a favorable matchup, but Young's running bonus may be limited by the slight ankle sprain he suffered last week.

White had a then career high 27 carries against Houston in week seven and had his first 100-yard game of the season. The Texans defense hasn't improved since that matchup and you can bet White will be plenty busy in this rematch.

Scaife is getting plenty of looks from Young and is effectively the team's #2 receiver. He is losing some looks to the backups, but the Texans have consistently struggled against the tight end and Scaife is a decent option in this matchup.

The Rams have been solid against the run lately, allowing under 70 YPG in the past four games. But they also have allowed three scores in that span and Dunn should continue to get just enough production to warrant his standard borderline starter status.

Hasn't been on the plus side of six carries since week four.

White remains the most consistent and startable Falcons receiver. The St. Louis secondary is average at best and there should be enough balls in the air in this matchup to get him another startable outing.

In typical Jenkins fashion, he went from nine catches in week 11 to just one last week. That kind of inconsistency is why you can never turn to him as a fantasy starter, even in this somewhat favorable matchup.

Hasn't had more than three catches since week three and appears pretty much done for fantasy purposes this season.

As of Wednesday Bulger had yet to be cleared to play following last week's concussion. He may play but it seems unlikely at this point. Frerotte will step in as the starter if needed. He's a decent option this week against the Falcons defense, but Bulger would be better if he plays.

Jackson's 53-yard touchdown saved what would have been a disappointing game last week. On his other 22 carries he gained only 37 yards behind an offensive line that continues to struggle. Thankfully for fantasy owners he'll keep getting 20-25 touches a game and has another favorable matchup with the weak Falcons run defense this week.

Holt's 5-54 outing last week was his lowest in five games. He's been the only consistent fantasy factor for the Rams this season and that should continue this week against the visiting Falcons.

Bennett just hasn't been able to stay healthy this season and contribute consistently. He tweaked his bothersome hamstring last week.

If McMichael had shown any signs of being more than a 2-3 catch option in the Rams passing attack, this matchup with Atlanta might warrant a sleeper start. But only once all season has McMichael posted more than three catches. You are in your playoff push and now is not the time to take a flyer on this guy.

The flip-flopping in Buffalo continues. After four Losman starts it's back to Edwards. In his previous three starts, Edwards averaged just 188 YPG and threw only one touchdown. The Redskins secondary has been getting torched without S Taylor, and there's no way to predict how they will react to his death. But I still wouldn't want to be starting Edwards during this critical part of the fantasy season unless I was pretty desperate.

Not expected back this week.

After teasing his fantasy owners for a few weeks, Evans has returned to his frustrating self, catching just 10 balls for 124 yards in the past three games. He's still worth taking a shot on this week however as the Redskins secondary has struggled mightily of late and Evans should hook up with Edwards for at least one big play.

Reed played a bigger role in the passing game over the past month with Losman at quarterback. But even then he wasn't a viable fantasy factor. The switch back to Edwards puts him even further from factor status. Even in this favorable matchup.

Campbell's play has been improving over the last three games as the Redskins have cut him loose in the passing game. This is a great matchup against the terrible Buffalo pass defense, but there will be a black cloud over FedEx Field Sunday and there's no way to predict how the Redskins will respond. My gut says they'll suck it up and play a great game offensively.

The Buffalo defense is as forgiving to the run as it is to the pass. Look for Portis to get another 25-plus touches in this matchup and post a very nice game.

Since Moss' return two weeks ago, Campbell has targeted him 22 times. He continues to struggle to stay healthy and pulled up lame last week with hamstring and heel injuries. He's expected to start Sunday however and has a great matchup with the very suspect Buffalo secondary.

Randle El has yet to score, but has been a fairly consistent producer this season. Like Moss however, he's had injury issues lately and is dealing with a tweaked hamstring right now. He's expected to play this week and has a very favorable matchup with the struggling Bills secondary.

With the constant injury problems at wideout, Cooley is the most consistent part of the Washington passing attack and QB Campbell looks his way often.

The Arizona defense is average in just about every respect and they gave up 256 yards and two touchdowns to Trent Dilfer last week.

Lewis is running hard and is coming off his best two game stretch in a couple of seasons. The Cardinals have given up big games to four of the last six backs they've faced.

Getting tons of looks in the passing game and making big catches every week. His only downside this week is the slight hamstring strain he suffered last week. But the huge mismatch here should make up for that. The Cardinals lost their best corner (Green) this week to a season-ending groin injury.

Filling the possession receiver role to a tee for Cleveland. A consistent 4-5 catches and 50-60 yards each week. Not much upside since he's the third option in the passing attack.

Caught all 10 passes that came his way last week and posted his third 100-yard game of the season. With Cardinals S Wilson now lost for the season, look for another big game this week.

Warner continues to play well and has another great matchup this week. Only two teams give up more yards through the air than Cleveland and no team's allowed more than their 25 passing touchdowns on the year.

Over the last four games James has seen his carry average drop from 22 per game to just 16. In that same four game span the Browns have stiffened against the run, allowing under 100 YPG. Don't expect much more than 80 yards or so, but James has scored in every other game since week two. He didn't score last week.