Fantasy Football Corner
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QB- Jay Cutler (Bears): I know, I know, I can’t believe I’m trusting him either. But the fact is that since coming off his bye week, Cutler has been rather reliable, throwing for nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. He dissected a strong Eagles pass defense last week and didn’t force the issue, but instead actually took what the defense gave him en route to throwing four touchdowns. The former Vanderbilt star will get to face the Lions this week, a team that ranks 18th in pass defense and a team that Cutler threw for 372 yards against earlier this season.
RB- Jonathon Stewart (Panthers): The Daily Show was a fantasy savior for many teams last year (1,200 total yards, 5.1 YPC, and 11 touchdowns), but in 2010 he has been a major dud. With just five games remaining, Stewart has only one double-digit fantasy effort and eclipsed 50 rushing yards just once. But Stewart seems to have finally put nagging injuries behind him, as he averaged a robust 8.2 YPC last week, totaling 98 yards on just 12 carries. Even with a timeshare still in place with Goodson also in tow, there should be plenty of yards to go around against a shaky Seattle run defense that ranks 22nd in the league.
RB- Toby Gerhart (Vikings): I’m banking this pick solely on the fact that while Adrian Peterson may appear superhuman, in reality that is not the case. Peterson reportedly told reporters that he was in “unbearable pain” after suffering a high ankle sprain against Washington this past week. I can’t believe that Peterson will be healthy enough nor the Vikings dumb enough to run him out there come Sunday in a season where they are 4-7. That opens the door for Gerhart, who had a solid day in Peterson’s absence (76 yards and a touchdown) and will get to face a rancid Buffalo run defense that ranks worst in the NFL (167.4 rushing yards allowed per game).
WR- DaSean Jackson (Eagles): The flashy Philadelphia receiver with Road Runner like speed has been held in check in recent weeks, totaling just seven catches for 76 yards and no scores in his last two games. But the cure-all for a slumping wideout (unless your QB is Rusty Smith) is to face the dreadful Texans pass defense (31st in pass yards allowed, given up an NFL high 25 passing touchdowns, and surrendered a league high 13 plays of 40+ yards). So fear not Jackson owners, the Road Runner will be set free come Sunday.
WR- Santonio Holmes (Jets)
TE- Kevin Boss (Giants)
K- Nate Kaeding (Chargers)
DEF- New Orleans Saints
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QB- Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers): Big Ben has been impressive since returning from his season opening four game suspension, averaging over 260 passing yards per game while throwing for 12 touchdowns. But don’t expect Roethlisberger to continue his strong season come Sunday, as he will struggle in a defensive battle against AFC North foe Baltimore. Roethlisberger has thrown for just three touchdowns in his last three games against Baltimore, and the Ravens pass defense is stout once again, ranking seventh in the NFL in pass yards allowed and giving up the sixth fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL this season. To complicate matters further, Big Ben was in a walking boot on Tuesday, battling a foot injury. He is expected to play, but there are just too many red flags.
RB- Darren McFadden (Raiders): The former fourth-overall pick finally started to live up to his unlimited potential earlier this season. But his brief dominance over the league seems like a long time ago now, as McFabulous has 18 carries for just 16 yards combined in his last two games, and it’s been four games since he’s found pay dirt. With the Chargers and their third ranked rush defense facing Oakland this week, look for McFadden to be bottled up once again.
WR- Roddy White (Falcons): The dynamic receiver out of UAB has had a stellar season, already eclipsing the 1,000 yard receiving mark with five games still to play. However, White has been held more in check in his last four games, being limited to single-digit fantasy outputs in three of those four contests. One of those games was against the Buccaneers, a team who will again oppose him come Sunday. Tampa Bay ranks ninth in the NFL in pass defense and limited White to 49 yards and 0 touchdowns in their earlier matchup.
RB- Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants)
WR- Wes Welker (Patriots)
TE- Jason Witten (Cowboys)
K- Matt Bryant (Buccaneers)
DEF- Philadelphia Eagles
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QB- Matt Cassel (Chiefs)
RB- Brian Westbrook (49ers)
RB- Tashard Choice (Cowboys)
WR- Jacoby Ford (Raiders)
WR- Ben Obomanu (Seahawks)
TE- Jermaine Gresham (Bengals)
K- Joe Nedney (49ers)
DEF- St. Louis Rams
