Fantasy Football MADHOUSE A-GO-GO

October 02, 2010

OutofmyHead Knowledge for Good and Not Evil #6 from Stan Lisowski

Injuries share the spotlight this week, with several prominent players either out, doubtful, or questionable. In several cases, like in the Steven Jackson situation, some are urging you to grab his backup Kenneth Darby. Why though? Is he going to improve the Rams run offense, currently ranked 20th in the league with only 2 TDs? Jackson himself has been able to generate just over 70 yards rushing per game and he's considered a top tier runner, so it's highly doubtful that Darby will improve upon those numbers. Is Darby better than someone on your bench? Probably not. So why reach and drop a player when you probably have a replacement already on your roster? Just think before you knee jerk, because there are a lot of reasons why guys like Darby, and Chris Ivory, and Maurice Morris are probably available on your waivers.

Laurence Maroney steps to the forefront of the Bronco ground game this week with Knowshon Moreno still ailing with his hamstring. Maroney, a one-time starter, had a huge game vs. Tennessee when he was with the Pats last year, putting up 123 yards rushing in the 59-0 pounding. The Broncos have the #1 passing offense with 350 yards per game. Trouble is one never knows who is going to be the recipient of the targets. One week it's Eddie Royal, then it's Jabar Gaffney, and then it could be Brandon Lloyd or Demaryius Thomas getting the looks. If we were to venture a guess what to do vs. the Titans, one may consider Royal this week, with even a possible peek at Daniel Graham at TE, as Tennessee allows more targets towards the tight end and #2 wide receivers than the #1s.

Joe Flacco has 6 interceptions vs. Pittsburgh, but the Steelers are allowing over 200 yards passing. Derrick Mason had 2, 7-catch efforts against the Steelers last season while averaging 5 receptions per game against them for his career. Ray Rice had a 141 yard game rushing the last time they played. The Ravens have the best defense in the league against the pass, so don't expect Charlie Batch to put up any sort of significant numbers again this week. Stopping the run is another story and given the way Peyton Hillis shredded them last Sunday, Rashard Mendenhall should see a healthy portion of touches.

Carson Palmer has 10 straight games throwing a TD pass vs. Cleveland. His 23-14 touchdown to interception ratio when playing the Browns is stellar too. T.O. has 21 catches in 4 lifetime games against Cleveland, but Palmer still has to get him the ball, which hasn't happened with the regularity that many expected.

Those that have Packers on your rosters should be excited about seeing the matchup with Detroit this week. Donald Driver in particular has feasted on the Lions with 6 straight games of at least 6 catches and 3 consecutive games of 100+ yards receiving. Aaron Rodgers completed 75% of his passes plus had 5 TDs in the 2 games vs. the Detroit secondary last season. On the other side, Calvin Johnson has 6 touchdowns in 5 games against the Packers. But without Nate Burlson to take some of the double-team off of him and Jahvid Best being less than 100%, Johnson may have a tough go of it.

Owners of DeAngelo Williams are hoping this is the week for the bust out, and it could happen for him as the Saints are ranked 30th in the league vs. the run. And the last 2 times Carolina visited the French Quarter, Williams went off, carrying 21 and 25 times for 149 and 178 yards rushing respectfully. Another waiting to see some type of output is Steve Smith, who has 10 straight games in this series of having at least 4 catches. Drew Brees has thrown for at least 21 completions and hit at least 61% in 7 of his 8 career games against the Panthers. With Pierre Thomas a possible scratch, an interesting prop might be to look Lance Moore's way, as he had a monster game this past week and had 8 catches for 91 yards plus 2 scores in his last meeting with Carolina.

In 2 career games against the Falcons, Vernon Davis has 12 catches for 129 yards. Michael Turner rushed for 3 scores against SF last season, while Roddy White went for 2 TDs himself, along with 8 receptions good for 210 yards in the same game. A new offensive coordinator may help the slumbering 49er offense.

Matt Hasselbeck has 8 straight wins when playing St. Louis; while he has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 of 15 career games against them. Last November, Justin Forsett went for 130 yards rushing and 2 TDs on this field.

Last season, Mark Sanchez threw for just 38% completions against Buffalo, plus had 5 interceptions, albeit, in one game. The Bills however, don't have an interception yet this year while they are allowing 68% success rate of throws by opposing QBs. Jerricho Cotchery has 6 consecutive games against Buffalo catching at least 4 balls. For the Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 19 of 48 in 2 games against the Jets last season and that's just 39% for those of you without calculators.

MJD owners are also waiting for the monster game from Pocket Hercules, as he has yet to break out amongst a terrible Jaguar offense. Jones-Drew has had at least 90 yards rushing in 4 straight games against the Colts, while averaging 105 yards on the ground, on this field for his career vs. Indy. The Colts are allowing 140 yards per game rushing, so maybe a day for MJD. Peyton Manning has thrown for 34 touchdowns lifetime against Jacksonville. Reggie Wayne has had at least 105 yards receiving in 6 of his past 7 games of this series. With Donald Brown out and Joseph Addaii not 100%, the ball should be in flight a lot when the Colts have possession.

With the Houston pass defense ranked last in the NFL, allowing 368 yards thru the air per game, Bruce Gradkowski and his pass catchers deserve a look. Problem is, the top guys at WR that you'd like to use, Louis Murphy and Darrius Hayward-Bey are banged up. So Zach Miller becomes your go-to guy this week for the Raiders. Given how much that Matt Schaub has been sacked, combined with the Raider run defense giving up 130+ yards on the ground, one should expect a lot of Adrian Foster for the Texans.

Beanie Wells gets back to being somewhat healthy, which should be a relief for his patient owners. Now however, the receiver spot becomes even more problematic with Steve Breaston now out with yet another injury. With the terrible quarterback situation, they can not afford to get into a shootout with San Diego, the top offensive club in the league. The Chargers too, get their top running back returning to action as Ryan Mathews comes back off of an ankle issue.

The last time Clinton Portis was in Philly, he rushed for 145 yards. Santana Moss has 4 straight games catching at least 4 passes in this series. Desean Jackson had a touchdown in each game last year vs. Washington. With the Redskins ranking dwead last in the NFL in overall team defense and 31st in the league in pass D, Jackson should find pay dirt again. And who knows, maybe Michael Vick will recall he has a bonafide option at tight end in Brent Celek as well.

In what could be an aerial show, Chicago and their 28th ranked passing defense come to New York to face Eli Manning and the Giants. NY won't be able to run on the Bear defense as they are holding opponents to just 39 yards per game. Given that strength and the weakness thru the air, look for Steve Smith to be the recipient of most of the offensive attention. Chicago's passing attack is ranked 5th in the league and may not face the pass pressure they originally expected as 2 of NY's top pass rushers are likely to be out for the Sunday nighter.

17 of Tom Brady's 28 lifetime TD passes against the Dolphins have come in Miami. It should be noted though that New England is just 3-5 in those games. Randy Moss has a touchdown reception in 3 straight games vs. Miami, while Wes Welker has 33 receptions in the last 4 of this series. Davone Bess is the one to own for the Fins as he has 10 catches for 117 yards at home against them.

Stan Lisowski has been writing articles on Fantasy Football for the last 6 years and is an avid fan and participant. His insights and other news that you can use will be featured here on these pages. For those wanting his sporting selections; please refer to both the FREE and PAY portions of www.Playbook.com