Fantasy Football Player Rankings

Columnist: Jeff Brown

Week Nine Match-ups

November 05, 2004

Quarterbacks

Plus Play:

Drew Brees, SD -- This is beginning to look like the Drew Brees Fan Club here, but the truth is that he has had a lot of solid match-ups this season, and what will be the result? He will end up being 2005’s Jon Kitna. Nevertheless, regarding the week at hand, the Chargers face the Saints, who are ranked 31st in pass defense, having allowed 275 ypg this season. Over the last four games, Brees has completed 73 percent of his passes, having thrown for eight TDs and just one interception, while having averaged 229 ypg.

Brian Griese, TB -- Tampa Bay is home facing a Kansas City team that is scoring a bunch of points of late, so Griese should have to throw the ball to keep pace. The Chiefs are ranked 22nd in pass defense, having allowed 227 ypg and 14 passing TDs this season.

Negative Play:

Jeff Garcia, Cle -- Garcia has played very well the last two weeks, combining for 546 yards, five passing TDs and another one on the ground. But remember Week 1, when Cleveland faced Baltimore and Garcia only managed to throw for 180 yards and one TD. Expect some, but not a great deal of, improvement from that first game.

Joey Harrington, Det -- Harrington is playing very well of late, but don't expect the same success against Washington this week as the Redskins have held opposing QBs to less than 200 yards passing in three of their last four games and have only given up four passing TDs this year.

1 Peyton Manning, Ind
2 Daunte Culpepper, Min
3 Donovan McNabb, Phi
4 Marc Bulger, StL
5 Drew Brees, SD
6 Tom Brady, NE
7 Aaron Brooks, NO
8 Jake Plummer, Den
9 David Carr, Hou
10 Trent Green, KC
11 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
12 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
13 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
14 Brian Griese, TB
15 Chad Pennington, NYJ
16 Jake Delhomme, Car
17 Tim Rattay, SF
18 Kurt Warner, NYG
19 Carson Palmer, Cin
20 Joey Harrington, Det
21 Jeff Garcia, Cle
22 Kerry Collins, Oak
23 Mark Brunell, Was
24 Josh McCown, Ari
25 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
26 Jay Fiedler, Mia
27 Kyle Boller, Bal
28 Craig Krenzel, Chi

Running Backs

Plus Play:

Emmitt Smith, ARI -- It’s Old Home Week for running backs as Smith follows with a solid start this week as well, as he should get his third 100-yard rushing game this season. .The Dolphins are ranked 30th in run defense and has allowed 148 rushing ypg.

Eddie George, Dal -- Is George back? Well, for the time being, at least. After a 31-carry game last week, the yards will come easier this week against the Bengals, who rank dead last in rushing yards (155 ypg) allowed in the NFL

Negative Play:

Curtis Martin, NYJ -- Expect the Jets to be in for a tough game this week. As a result, the Jets will be forced to throw more than usual. On top of that, Martin had his second-worst game this year when facing the Bills in Week 5; with only 77 yards rushing. He’s a must start, but taper your expectations.

Lee Suggs, Cle -- Since Week 4, Suggs has solid combined yardage and has scored in three of his four games played. So why is he still sharing time with William Green??? Expect more of the same.

1 Priest Holmes, KC
2 Shaun Alexander, Sea
3 Tiki Barber, NYG
4 Edgerrin James, Ind
5 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
6 Jamal Lewis, Bal
7 Deuce McAllister, NO
8 Clinton Portis, Was
9 Reuben Droughns, DEN
10 Curtis Martin, NYJ
11 Corey Dillon, NE
12 Marshall Faulk, StL
13 Rudi Johnson, Cin
14 Willis McGahee, BUF
15 Michael Pittman, TB
16 Duce Staley, Pit
17 Emmitt Smith, ARI
18 Domanick Davis, Hou
19 Eddie George, Dal
20 Mewelde Moore, Min
21 Thomas Jones/Anthony Thomas, Chi
22 Sammy Morris, Mia
23 Lee Suggs, Cle
24 Kevin Jones, Det
25 Kevan Barlow, SF
26 Tyrone Wheatley, Oak
27 William Green, Cle
28 Dorsey Levins, Phi
29 Brad Hoover, CAR
30 Jerome Bettis, Pit
32 Kevin Faulk, NE
33 Stephen Davis, Car
34 Amos Zereoue, OAK
35 Jesse Chatman, SD
36 Richie Anderson, DAL
37 Onterrio Smith, Min
38 Michael Bennett, Min
39 LaMont Jordan, NYJ
40 Brian Westbrook, Phi
41 Jonathan Wells, HOU
42 Travis Henry, Buf
43 Chester TaylorBAL
44 Moe Williams, Min
45 Mike Cloud, NYG

Wide Receivers

Plus Play:

Plaxico Burress, Pit -- Burress and Ben Roethlisberger seem to have a very solid rapport, and they will need to connect again this week against the Eagles. Burress has become the go-to guy on 3rd down and in the red zone.

Nate Burelson, Min -- While it’s Randy Moss and Marcus Robinson that lead the Vikings in TDs (14 combined), it is actually Burleson that leads the team in receiving yards (418) and receptions (31). The Vikings are going to have to put the ball up often to keep up with the potent offense of the Colts, so Burleson has a chance to add to or equal his season total of two TDs.

Negative Play:

Roy Williams, Det -- Williams continues to see limited playing time while he recovers from an injured ankle. Plus, going against a Redskin defense that has held opponents to less than 200 yards passing in three of their last four games, Williams isn't a good play.

Anquan Boldin, Ari -- Boldin will be going up against Miami's Sam Madison this week, and, with an embarassed Dolphin defense waiting for Arizona, it will be ugly watching Josh McCown struggle his way to triple-figures in passing yardage.

1 Terrell Owens, Phi
2 Marvin Harrison, Ind
3 Joe Horn, NO
4 Torry Holt, StL
5 Chad Johnson, Cin
6 Andre Johnson, Hou
7 Reggie Wayne, Ind
8 Darrell Jackson, Sea
9 Hines Ward, Pit
10 Plaxico Burress, Pit
11 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
12 Eric Moulds, Buf
13 Isaac Bruce, StL
14 Marcus Robinson, Min
15 David Givens, NE
16 Michael Clayton, TB
17 Keenan McCardell, SD
18 Nate Burelson, Min
19 Rod Smith, Den
20 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
21 Ashley Lelie, Den
22 Laveranues Coles, Was
23 Brandon Stokley, IND
24 Roy Williams, Det
25 Keary Colbert, Car
26 Rod Gardner, Was
27 Anquan Boldin, Ari
28 Chris Chambers, Mia
29 David Patten, NE
30 Koren Robinson, Sea
31 Johnnie Morton, KC
32 Amani Toomer, NYG
33 Brandon Lloyd, SF
34 Justin McCareins, NYJ
35 Jerry Porter, Oak
36 Eric Parker, SD
37 Donte' Stallworth, NO
38 Andre' Davis, Cle
39 Travis Taylor, Bal
40 Santana Moss, NYJ
41 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
42 Az-Zahir Hakim, DET
43 Eddie Kennison, KC
44 Jabar Gaffney , Hou
45 Randy Moss, Min

Tight Ends

1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Tony Gonzalez, KC
3 Jason Witten, Dal
4 Randy McMichael, Mia
5 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
6 Eric Johnson, SF
7 Daniel Graham, NE
8 Jermaine Wiggins, Min
9 LJ Smith, Phi
10 Marcus Pollard, Ind
11 Dallas Clark, Ind
12 Jeb Putzier, Den
13 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
14 Freddie Jones, Ari
15 Aaron Shea, Cle
16 Doug Jolley, Oak
17 Mark Campbell, Buf
18 Chad Lewis, Phi
19 Boo Williams, NO
20 Ken Dilger, TB
21 Stephen Alexander, Det
22 Chris Cooley, Was
23 Chris Baker, NYJ
24 Desmond Clark, Chi
25 Anthony Becht, NYJ
26 Kris Mangum, Car
27 Ernie Conwell, NO
28 Brandon Manumaleuna, StL

Kickers

1 David Akers, Phi
2 Adam Vinatieri, NE
3 Jason Elam, Den
4 Mike Vanderjagt, Ind
5 Josh Brown, Sea
6 Nate Kaeding, SD
7 Steve Christie, NYG
8 Kris Brown, Hou
9 Matt Stover, Bal
10 Jeff Wilkins, StL
11 Phil Dawson, Cle
12 Shayne Graham, Cin
13 John Carney, NO
14 Jeff Reed, Pit
15 Sebastian Janikowski, Oak
16 Morten Andersen, Min
17 Doug Brien, NYJ
18 Neil Rackers, Ari
19 Lawrence Tynes, KC
20 John Kasay, Car
21 Jason Hanson, Det
22 Billy Cundiff, Dal
23 Martin Gramatica, TB
24 Todd Peterson, SF
25 John Hall, Was
26 Paul Edinger, Chi
27 Rian Lindell, Buf
28 Ola Kimrin, Was

Team Defenses

1 Baltimore Ravens
2 New York Giants
3 New York Jets
4 Detroit Lions
5 Philadelphia Eagles
6 Seattle Seahawks
7 Miami Dolphins
8 Pittsburgh Steelers
9 New England Patriots
10 Arizona Cardinals
11 Denver Broncos
12 Washington Redskins
13 Buffalo Bills
14 Cleveland Browns
15 Carolina Panthers
16 Chicago Bears
17 Cincinnati Bengals
18 Houston Texans
19 San Diego Chargers
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21 Dallas Cowboys
22 Kansas City Chiefs
23 St. Louis Rams
24 Indianapolis Colts
25 Oakland Raiders
26 New Orleans Saints
27 Minnesota Vikings
28 San Francisco 49ers

Defensive Backs

1 Rodney Harrison, NE
2 Ed Reed, Bal
3 Adam Archuleta, StL
4 Tony Parrish, SF
5 Roy Williams, Dal
6 Troy Polamalu, Pit
7 Greg Wesley, KC
8 Michael Lewis, Phi
9 Terrence Kiel, SD
10 Gibril Wilson, NYG
11 Brian Dawkins, Phi
12 Antoine Winfield, Min
13 Adrian Wilson, Ari
14 Mike Green, Chi
15 Robert Griffith, Cle
16 Ronde Barber, TB
17 Lawyer Milloy, Buf
18 Mike Minter, Car
19 Tebucky Jones NO
20 Eugene Wilson, NE
21 Nick Harper, Ind
22 Marcus Coleman, Hou
23 Sammy Knight, Mia
24 Jay Bellamy, NO
25 Ray Buchanan, Oak
26 Bob Sanders Ind
27 Dre' Bly, Det
28 Mike Doss, Ind
29 Kenoy Kennedy, Den
30 Jermaine Phillips, TB
31 Sean Taylor Was
32 Marques Anderson, Oak
33 Kevin Kaesviharn, Cin
34 Chris Crocker, Cle
35 Jerry Wilson, SD
36 Jon McGraw NYJ
37 Corey Chavous, Min
38 Jason David Ind
39 Todd Johnson, Chi
40 Asante Samuel NE
41 Ken Lucas, Sea
42 Eric Brown, Hou
43 Erik Coleman, NYJ
44 Gary Baxter, Bal
45 Chris Gamble, Car
46 Dunta Robinson, Hou
47 Ifeanyi Ohalete, Ari
48 Madieu Williams, Cin
49 Kim Herring, Cin
50 Aeneas Williams, StL

Defensive Linemen

1 John Abraham, NYJ
2 Michael Strahan, NYG
3 Charles Grant, NO
4 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
5 Aaron Schobel, Buf
6 Justin Smith, Cin
7 Jason Taylor, Mia
8 Jevon Kearse, Phi
9 Julius Peppers, Car
10 Chike Okeafor, Sea
11 Richard Seymour, NE
12 Greg Ellis, Dal
13 Bert Berry, Ari
14 Leonard Little, StL
15 Kenard Lang, Cle
16 Shaun Rogers, Det
17 Alex Brown, Chi
18 James Hall, Det
19 Simeon Rice, TB
20 Aaron Smith, Pit
21 Jason Ferguson, NYJ
22 Dwight Freeney, Ind
23 Marques Douglas, Bal
24 Kevin Williams, Min
25 Cornelius Griffin, Was
26 Tyler Brayton, Oak
27 Mike Rucker, Car
28 Will Smith NO
29 Ebenezer Ekuban, Cle
30 Tommie Harris, Chi
31 La'Roi Glover, Dal
32 Ty Warren, NE
33 Eric Hicks, KC
34 Reggie Hayward, Den
35 Kenechi Udeze, Min
36 Vonnie Holliday, KC
37 Pat Williams, Buf
38 Darren Howard, NO
39 Michael Haynes, Chi
40 Greg Spires, TB
41 Robert Mathis, Ind
42 Duane Clemons, Cin
43 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
44 Kalimba Edwards, Det
45 Darnell Dockett, Ari
46 Gerard Warren, Cle
47 Corey Simon, Phi
48 John Browning, KC
49 Ron Edwards, Buf
50 Vince Wilfork, NE

Linebackers

1 Ray Lewis, Bal
2 Jamie Sharper, Hou
3 Brian Urlacher, Chi
4 London Fletcher, Buf
5 Zach Thomas, Mia
6 Donnie Edwards, SD
7 Derrick Brooks, TB
8 Cato June, Ind
9 Jay Foreman, Hou
10 Andra Davis, Cle
11 Tedy Bruschi, NE
12 Takeo Spikes, Buf
13 Derek Smith, SF
14 Danny Clark, Oak
15 Brian Simmons, Cin
16 Lance Briggs, Chi
17 DJ Williams, Den
18 David Thornton, Ind
19 Earl Holmes, Det
20 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
21 Terrell Suggs, Bal
22 Al Wilson, Den
23 Dan Morgan, Car
24 Jamie Winborn, SF
25 Teddy Lehman, Det
26 Chad Brown, Sea
27 Pisa Tinoisamoa, StL
28 EJ Henderson, Min
29 Will witherspoon, Car
30 Marcus Washington, Was
31 Napoleon Harris, Oak
32 Kevin Lewis, NYG
33 Shawn Barber, KC
34 James Farrior, Pit
35 Dat Nguyen, Dal
36 Joey Porter, Pit
37 Steve Foley, SD
38 Tommy Polley, STL
39 James Darling, Ari
40 Mark Simoneau, Phi
41 Kawika Mitchell, KC
42 Isaiah Kacyvenski, Sea
43 Mike Vrabel, NE
44 Eric Barton, NYJ
45 Kevin Bentley, Cle
46 Raonall Smith, Min
47 Nate Wayne, Phi
48 Antonio Pierce, Was
49 Ed Hartwell, Bal
50 Nick Greisen, NYG