NOTE: Our advice, as it does on our FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER weekly program (Thursdays, 9-11 PM EDT on SportsTalkNetwork.com), is based on helping you determine which of your marginal starters are worth a play this week. Hopefully, your initial draft/auction efforts were successful, because frankly, “playing the matchups” is far from an exact science regardless of what you will be told by other advisory services claiming to possess a crystal ball. But our weekly game notes are designed to try to help you maximize the potential of your situation. We will post this preface to the notes every week to remind you of the context of our advice.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Cleveland at St. Louis 1:00 pm Has there ever been a game involving a winless team where we told you to go “all in” with your marginal starters? Probably not, but this would be it given the heinous play of these defenses, the league’s most improved offense in the Browns and a Ram “O” with Bulger and possibly Jackson back. Monitor Jackson’s health as the week goes on.
Detroit at Chicago 1:00 pm WRs Johnson and Berrian should elbow their way into your lineup this week. The Bears will have to throw to keep up with the Lions and with Griese at the helm, this is at least more plausible.
Indianapolis at Carolina 1:00 pm The Colts are the first team in three years to come off a Monday night facing a team coming off of a bye, so the vastly varying degrees of rest make forecasting outcomes especially difficult. Figure on RBs Foster and Williams running effectively, with no other borderline starters worth a go.
N.Y. Giants at Miami (London) 1:00 pm British footy fans will be choking on their fish and chips at the sight of this sorry matchup. Go all-in on Giants (specifically Ward and Jacobs at RB) and don’t start any Dolphins whatsoever now that Chambers is gone and Brown is done. Eyeball Ginn for future use, though, as he gets more playing time.
Oakland at Tennessee 1:00 pm The “Black Hole” meets “Yee Haw” as the Jordan/Rhodes and White/Henry RB combos each merit lineup consideration. Curry is also showing signs of life and is a good play here.
Philadelphia at Minnesota 1:00 pm No marginal Vikes should be started, as the horrific QB Jackson is tainting everyone on offense except Peterson. For the equally stinky Eagles, WRs Curtis and Brown have a good chance to get on track.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 1:00 pm Feel free to go with RB Watson, who gives Rudi Johnson the option of healing slower thanks to great production. Go all-in on the Pittsburgh passing game, which will go wild.
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets 4:05 pm As with Chicago, the Bills are revitalized by a QB change, only in this case rookie Edwards has blown past the hugely overrated Losman. Evans’ value is thus on the rise and he should make his first end zone trip(s) here. Coles and Cotchery merit a play based solely on the terrible Buffalo “D,” but don’t expect much given the miserable Jet passing game.
Houston at San Diego 4:05 pm Chambers should be in your lineup right from the start in San Diego. You probably (hopefully!) have better options than anybody on the Texan offense this week.
Jacksonville at Tampa Bay 4:05 pm The battle of Northern/Mid Florida sees some old faces (Hilliard, Galloway, Taylor) and new faces (Graham, Jones-Drew) worth a spot in the lineup.
New Orleans at San Francisco 4:15 pm What loomed as a great fantasy shootout before the season now is a desperate death-struggle between two teams on the verge of getting reduced to playing for next year. However, the Smith-Jackson battery should revitalize San Fran, with no equivalent borderline Saints justifying a start.
Washington at New England 4:15 pm Stay all-in on the Pats, probably all year long. As has become the norm, go all-in on the passing game players opposing New England, as they will be playing from behind. Campbell, Randle El and (the much lesser) Moss will at least benefit on the stat sheet.
Monday, Oct. 29
Green Bay at Denver, 8:30 pm While the World Series plays down the street from Mile High, a Super Bowl rematch will be waged. Go all-in on both sides for what should be a fun fantasy shootout.
Bye: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle
