NFL Week 8: Start or Sit?
October 25, 2007
By
Chuck Ludwig
START
Quarterback
Derek Anderson, CLE (@ STL) – Still not considered a weekly, start by most, Anderson boasts a 89.0 passer rating and 14 touchdown passes this season. Oh, and he is matching up with the Rams’ defense that has allowed the second-most TDs through the air (9).
Brian Griese, CHI (@ DET) – As noted earlier in the week, Griese has average 300 yards and 2 scores in the four game since ascending into the starting role. This week, he takes on the league’s 30th ranked passing defense.
Alex Smith, SF (vs. NOR) – This pick is questionable, seeing how Smith is starting his first game since an injury knocked him out in week 4. But right now any quarterback is a must start against the Saints, who don’t do much to stop opposing passers (244 yards per game in the air, -9 TO ratio).
Runningback
Stephen Jackson, STL (vs. CLE) – Normally you would be nervous about a back returning from injury after a lengthy absence. But not this week, as Jackson, one of the top picks in fantasy drafts across the land, faces a weak Brown rush defense (149.5 yards allowed per game, good for 30th in the league).
Marshawn Lynch, BUF (@ NYJ) – Last week, the little regarded Kenny Watson torn up the Jet defense (130 yards, 3 TDs). Lynch, a much more talented back, should at least equal the yardage total and toss in a few scores as well.
Brandon Jacobs, NYG (vs. MIA) – The ultimate strength versus weakness matchup is what you have right here. Jacobs is averaging 97.7 rushing yards in his last three games. The Dolphins, in the same span, are allowing 99.3. See the similarities? And remember, now Jacobs is getting healthy…
Jesse Chatman, MIA (vs. NYG) – Another reach, but as mentioned earlier this week in our NFL recap, with Ronnie Brown out for the year, Chatman should assume the bulk of the workload for the ‘Phins. He has a tough matchup against the Giants’ now impressive D, but if Miami has proven to be adequate at anything this year, it is running the ball (15th in the NFL, 114.7 yards per game).
Wide Receiver
Kevin Walter, HOU (@ SD) – Andre Johnson again looks to be out, and in the last four games, Walter has 33 receptions for 435 yards and a score. In fact, in the five games Johnson has missed with a sprained knee, the Texans have completed more passes (132) than any team in the NFL and their 1,426 yards passing in that span rank second in the league.
Ronald Curry, OAK (@ TEN) – Yes, the Raiders feature a tepid offense at best. But Curry has proven to be the team’s most reliable option on the field. And against a top-ranked Titans rush defense (59.7 yards per game), the Raiders will have to throw a ton to stay competitive.
Lee Evans, BUF (vs. NYJ) – Evans has no doubt been a major league disappointment this year, but this week he and quarterback Trent Edwards face a dreadful Jet defense. And Evans has more career receptions (27) and yards (419) against the green than he does against any other team.
Arnaz Battle, SF (vs. NOR) – If Alex Smith is a start at quarterback, then Battle, quickly proving himself as the 49ers top receiving threat, has to be as well. While the Saints has played improved overall defense during their short two-game win streak, opposing quarterbacks are still having their way with the team’s slow, unathletic defensive backfield.
Tight Ends
Eric Johnson, NO (@ SF) – Johnson, a sleeper pick before the season, is showing his worth now. The former 49er standout is the Saints’ second leading receiver (behind Reggie Bush) with 28 catches. More redzone opportunities could be in the works.
Vernon Davis, SF (vs. NO) – See a pattern developing with the Saints’ defense? Davis, the 49ers most athletic playmaker, should see his fair share of balls this weekend. And with the Saints’ subpar linebacker corps, most of those will be completions. Seven catches and a score is a realistic projection.
Kickers
Rob Bironas (TEN) – Kickers are a tough position to make projections on, but no one is hotter than Bironas right now. Even before his 8-for-8 record performance last week, he was converting 80 percent of his field goal chances. Against a bend-but-don’t-break Raider defense, several more opportunities should come his way.
Defenses
Detroit Lions – Another strength versus weakness… While the Lions are one of the NFL’s best in takeaways (16), the Bears are giving the ball away like it is Christmas season (19). But beware – the Bears offense should be able to march up and down the field, so yardage and point totals could be high.
Philadelphia Eagles – Adrian Peterson will be a tough one to bring down this weekend against the Vikings, but the Minnesota shaky quarterback situation will allow the Eagles to focus their gameplan on stopping the rush and collecting turnovers.
SIT
Quarterback
Jason Campbell, WAS (@ NE) – Campbell has become a popular pickup in recent weeks, but the numbers just aren’t there yet. In the last four weeks, he has a 4-2 TD-to-Interception ratio, and he has only surpassed 220 yard once. And things will not be any easier against the Patriots, that’s for sure.
Matt Schaub, HOU (@ SD) – No one is yet quite sure where this game will be played, but one thing has already been determined: The Bolts’ D has been much improved over their last three games. Oh, and Schaub isn’t exactly a walking, talking bill of health right now.
Chad Pennington, NYJ (@BUF) – Some, especially those in a positional bind, will be tempted to start the seemingly resurrected quarterback. Please don’t. The Bills will provide a far tougher test for the Jets, and Pennington’s numbers will suffer. Kellen Clemens will still be the man there by the end of the season.
Runningback
Laurence Maroney, NE (@WASH) – Here’s another player that fantasy owners might feel compelled to stick back in their lineups just because he is healthy. Once again, don’t. Things working fine for the Patriots right now, so there’s no reason to think that Bill Belicheck will all of a sudden start running the ball 60 percent of the time. And it’s not like the Redskin defense is a pushover.
Lamont Jordan, OAK (@TEN) – Covered earlier was the Titans’ penchant for stopping the run (as reminder, they are number one in the NFL). Enough said.
Earnest Graham, TB (@ JAC) – Playing an embarrassed Jaguar defense on the road? Not a good recipe for Graham to repeat last week’s gaudy numbers.
Kenny Watson, CIN (vs. PIT) – Unfortunately, not many owners benefited Watson’s big game against the Jets last week. It currently looks like he’ll start again for Rudi Johnson Sunday, but the Steelers (75.5 yards per game) are decades ahead of the Jets. It’ll be a busy day for him, but he won’t run wild.
Wide Receivers
Marvin Harrison, IND (@ CAR) – It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Harrison makes this list, but here it is. With injury problems hampering him, Reggie Wayne has become the Colts’ number one receiver for the moment. Please don’t misunderstand us, Harrison may come through with a big game, but you can’t rely on him right now.
Santana Moss, WASH (@ NE) – Moss, the Redskins’ true big play threat, will just have too many problems against a Patriots defense that ranks among the NFL’s best. Between his battling the New England defensive backs and the problems Jason Campbell will have with the opposing pass rush, this is not the week to roll with Moss... at least not this Moss.
Ike Hilliard, TB (@ JAC) – He’s been a popular free agent pickup this season, but just like teammate Earnest Graham, playing the Jaguar defensive unit will not suit him near as well as playing the Lions. It’s time for this satellite to come crashing back to earth.
Chris Chambers, SD (vs. HOU) – Chambers will eventually become a big part of the San Diego offense. For now, though, give him a few weeks to adjust to his teammates.
Tight Ends
Chris Cooley, WASH (vs. NE) – Cooley is the Redskins’ top red zone threat. They know that. We know that. And most importantly, the Patriot defenders know that.
Kyle Brady, NE (@ WASH) – He’s filled in admirably for Ben Watson, but is it worth starting him on the off chance he catches another touchdown? If he doesn’t, you final line will look something like this: 2 catches, 20 yards. Not the kind of production you want from a starter, that’s for sure.
Kickers
Shaun Suisham, WASH (vs. NE) – Three in a row from this game, huh? Interesting. Suisham will suffer from a lack of opportunities in this game. But that’s what happens when you play a dominating opponent with a shoddy offense.
Defenses
Washington (@ NE) – Why not one more from this game? Washington boasts one of the top defenses in the NFL, but against the Patriots? No thanks.
Carolina (vs. IND) – Ditto for the Panthers… not one of the best in the league, but no one is stopping the Colts this week.
Feature Articles 
I am in a bit of a "bind" with my WR position. I drafted 4 WR's, one of which was Darrell Jackson (who has subsequently been dropped). The other 3? Marvin Harrison, TJ Housh, and Chris Chambers. Harrison and Housh have been no-doubt starters when active up to this point.
Herein lies the question: Is Harrison healthy enough to start? He almost cost me a W this past weekend by only catching 3 passes for 18 yards (I won by 1 point). The waiver wire is very thin, as we have deep benches. Or should I go with Chambers, knowing he still needs to get used to his surroundings?
You know, I thought so too (I've been starting in one league over Drew BRees for several weeks now), but in talking with my close circle of fantasy gamers here in Oklahoma, I was surprised how many people said they wouldn't start him in fear of a "falling back to earth." Regardless, he is a must-play, as you and I have both said.
I am in a bit of a "bind" with my WR position. I drafted 4 WR's, one of which was Darrell Jackson (who has subsequently been dropped). The other 3? Marvin Harrison, TJ Housh, and Chris Chambers. Harrison and Housh have been no-doubt starters when active up to this point.
Herein lies the question: Is Harrison healthy enough to start? He almost cost me a W this past weekend by only catching 3 passes for 18 yards (I won by 1 point). The waiver wire is very thin, as we have deep benches. Or should I go with Chambers, knowing he still needs to get used to his surroundings?
Well, as you can see, I don't really like either one of them this weekend, but if you have to choose between the two, I would go with Harrison. Even with the nagging injuries, you just never know when Manning will decide that it's Marvin's week... I think Chambers will be the top receiver on the Chargers from now until the end of the year, but with the trade and everything going on with San Diego the last week, I think asking him to be your lead receiver right now may be a little much to ask.
Did you add anyone else when dropping Jackson?
Feedback is always appreciated, especially positive :) Thanks
I am in a bit of a "bind" with my WR position. I drafted 4 WR's, one of which was Darrell Jackson (who has subsequently been dropped). The other 3? Marvin Harrison, TJ Housh, and Chris Chambers. Harrison and Housh have been no-doubt starters when active up to this point.
Herein lies the question: Is Harrison healthy enough to start? He almost cost me a W this past weekend by only catching 3 passes for 18 yards (I won by 1 point). The waiver wire is very thin, as we have deep benches. Or should I go with Chambers, knowing he still needs to get used to his surroundings?
Well, as you can see, I don't really like either one of them this weekend, but if you have to choose between the two, I would go with Harrison. Even with the nagging injuries, you just never know when Manning will decide that it's Marvin's week... I think Chambers will be the top receiver on the Chargers from now until the end of the year, but with the trade and everything going on with San Diego the last week, I think asking him to be your lead receiver right now may be a little much to ask.
Did you add anyone else when dropping Jackson?
Thanks for the input Chuck. You are confirming what I was already thinking.
When I dropped Jackson, I added DeShawn Wynn (this was back in Week 2 or 3). My 2 starting RB's are Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs, and both have been shaky plays up to this point. So as a result, I've been working the wire for potential replacements - picking up guys like Kenny Watson (who came up HUGE for me last week), Kenton Keith (crossing my fingers hoping that Addai gets injured) and Wynn. I have basically taken a calculated risk that my WR's will stay healthy and have left most of my bench spots to these backup RB's (also have Michael Turner still sitting there, lurking and waiting for the chance....).
The best options on the wire for WR's are Jerry Porter, Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard. Joey Galloway was out there after being dropped last week, but my waiver priority was not high enough to snag him.
Just to correct your stats....Campbell has a 4-2 TD/INT ratio over his last 4 games
The game is being played in NE.
Just to correct your stats....Campbell has a 4-2 TD/INT ratio over his last 4 games
The game is being played in NE.
I stand corrected... Campbell has a 5-5 ratio on the season, not over the last four games, and the game is definitely being played in New England. However, it's just all the more reason to NOT start Campbell or the Washington D.
And thanks for calling that out in such a public forum
Not sure exactly how I flubbed those