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 Marc Bulger, StL
4 Donovan McNabb, Phi
5 Drew Brees, SD
6 Tom Brady, NE
7 Jake Plummer, Den
8 Aaron Brooks, NO
9 David Carr, Hou
10 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
11 Trent Green, KC
12 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
13 Brian Griese, TB
14 Jake Delhomme, Car
15 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
16 Chad Pennington, NYJ
17 Kurt Warner, NYG
18 Carson Palmer, Cin
19 Tim Rattay, SF
20 Joey Harrington, Det
21 Jeff Garcia, Cle
22 Jay Fiedler, Mia
23 Josh McCown, Ari
24 Kerry Collins, Oak
25 Mark Brunell, Was
26 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
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 Clinton Portis, Was
8 Deuce McAllister, NO
9 Reuben Droughns, DEN
10 Curtis Martin, NYJ
11 Michael Pittman, TB
12 Rudi Johnson, Cin
13 Willis McGahee, BUF
14 Marshall Faulk, StL
15 Duce Staley, Pit
16 Corey Dillon, NE
17 Eddie George, Dal
18 Domanick Davis, Hou
19 Emmitt Smith, ARI
20 Kevan Barlow, SF
21 Sammy Morris, Mia
22 Kevin Jones, Det
23 Lee Suggs, Cle
24 Anthony Thomas, Chi
25 Onterrio Smith, Min
26 William Green, Cle
27 Tyrone Wheatley, Oak
28 Steven Jackson, StL
29 Kevin Faulk, NE
30 Brad Hoover, CAR
31 Stephen Davis, Car
32 Dorsey Levens, Phi
33 Jerome Bettis, Pit
34 Amos Zereoue, OAK
35 Jesse Chatman, SD
36 Richie Anderson, DAL
37 Michael Bennett, Min
38 LaMont Jordan, NYJ
39 Brian Westbrook, Phi
40 Jonathan Wells, HOU
41 Shawn Bryson, DET
42 Travis Henry, Buf
43 Mike Cloud, NYG
44 Troy Hambrick, Ari
45 Chester TaylorBAL

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 Torry Holt, StL
4 Joe Horn, NO
5 Chad Johnson, Cin
6 Hines Ward, Pit
7 Reggie Wayne, Ind
8 Andre Johnson, Hou
9 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
10 Eric Moulds, Buf
11 Rod Smith, Den
12 Isaac Bruce, StL
13 Plaxico Burress, Pit
14 Marcus Robinson, Min
15 David Givens, NE
16 Michael Clayton, TB
17 Keenan McCardell, SD
18 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
19 Nate Burelson, Min
20 Darrell Jackson, Sea
21 Ashley Lelie, Den
22 Roy Williams, Det
23 Keary Colbert, Car
24 Laveranues Coles, Was
25 Brandon Stokley, IND
26 Anquan Boldin, Ari
27 Koren Robinson, Sea
28 Rod Gardner, Was
29 David Patten, NE
30 Johnnie Morton, KC
31 Chris Chambers, Mia
32 Amani Toomer, NYG
33 Brandon Lloyd, SF
34 Justin McCareins, NYJ
35 Eric Parker, SD
36 Andre' Davis, Cle
37 Donte' Stallworth, NO
38 Jerry Porter, Oak
39 Santana Moss, NYJ
40 Travis Taylor, Bal
41 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
42 Az-Zahir Hakim, DET
43 Eddie Kennison, KC
44 Jabar Gaffney , Hou
45 T.J. Houshmandzadeh,CIN

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 Doug Jolley, Oak
14 Freddie Jones, Ari
15 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
16 Chad Lewis, Phi
17 Aaron Shea, Cle
18 Mark Campbell, Buf
19 Chris Baker, NYJ
20 Ken Dilger, TB
21 Stephen Alexander, Det
22 Chris Cooley, Was
23 Boo Williams, NO
24 Courtney Anderson, Oak
25 Desmond Clark, Chi
26 Kris Mangum, Car
27 Terry Jones, Bal
28 Anthony Becht, NYJ

Kickers

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

Team Defenses

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

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