Fantasy Football Corner

Start ’Em

QB: Matt Hasselbeck (TEN)- The longtime Seahawk and first year Titan was fantastic through the first four games of his 2011 campaign, but has tailed off in his last two contests. However, there’s no better way to get back on track than to face the abysmal Indianapolis secondary that will oppose Hasselbeck this week. The Colts rank 25th in pass defense and have given up the most passing touchdowns (14) in the league while getting the second fewest interceptions (three).

RB: DeMarco Murray (DAL)- Allow me to quell the fears of those who think last week’s Murray explosion was a one-hit-wonder. Felix Jones is still out, Tashard Choice has fumbled away his opportunities to get carries, and Phillip Tanner didn’t have an NFL carry until last week. That means Murray is going to be the main Cowboys workhorse yet again in Week 9, where he’ll face an Eagles defense that allows the 23rd most rushing yards per game (123.8) to opposing running backs.

WR: Brandon Lloyd (STL)- Lloyd alleviated concerns that his midseason transition to the Rams would hurt his fantasy value. He was able to put up respectable numbers (six catches for 74 yards on 12 targets) in his first game in a St. Louis uniform, and that was against a solid Cowboys pass defense with AJ Feeley throwing him the ball. Things should get easier in Week 9, as even though Feeley may still be at the helm, the Saints defense that will try to stop Lloyd ranks 22nd in pass defense and has allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season (26th in the league).

RB: Daniel Thomas (MIA)
WR: Mario Manningham (NYG)
TE: Fred Davis (WAS)
K: Ryan Longwell (MIN)
DEF: Seattle Seahawks

Sit ’Em

QB: Philip Rivers (SD)- After being touted as an MVP candidate before the season, Rivers has been one of the more disappointing players in 2011. The Chargers quarterback currently sits 17th among fantasy signal callers and hasn’t finished in the top-10 in a week among his position all year. This week San Diego travels to Kansas City, a team that stymied Rivers earlier this season (8.44 points) and whose defense is coming a game where they got six interceptions.

RB: LaSean McCoy (PHI)- McCoy’s been great in all but one game this season, but that clunker came against the 49ers 2nd ranked run defense. The only team that’s been better against the run in 2011 happens to be on the slate for the Eagles this week: Dallas. The Cowboys have allowed just 69.7 rushing yards to opposing running backs and surrendered just two rushing touchdowns this season.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ)- The good news for Fitzgerald owners is that his numbers are up from his mediocre 2010 season. Unfortunately, this week the Cardinals travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens and their third ranked pass defense. Baltimore has allowed the least number of passing touchdowns this season (four) and they hold opposing quarterbacks to the second lowest passer rating (65.8). Kevin Kolb is a long ways from Tom Brady, so I expect him to struggle against this tout defense and that will hinder Fitzgerald’s effectiveness.

RB: Peyton Hillis (CLE)
WR: Stevie Johnson (BUF)
TE: Owen Daniels (HOU)
K: Josh Scobee (JAX)
DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers

Add ’Em

QB: Tim Tebow (DEN)
RB: Maurice Morris (DET)
WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey (OAK)
RB: Knowshon Moreno (DEN)
WR: Antonio Brown (PIT)
TE: Ed Dickson (BAL)
K: Graham Gano (WAS)
DEF: Tennessee Titans

Last Week: 5-10-1
Overall: 37-40-3