Week Four Match-ups
September 29, 2006
Bye Weeks: Denver, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Brett Favre, GB – It’s nice to see Mr. Favre back on this list. After an understandably poor performance against Chicago in Week One, Favre has bounced back the last two weeks against poor secondaries, posting identical 340-yard, 3-TD performances, with a single INT between the two games. This week, the Pack faces another poor secondary – that of the Eagles, which is ranked 26th against the pass (253 ypg). Philly totaled 13 sacks in the first two games of the season, but managed just three against the weak SF OL, so that shouldn’t be much more than an average threat. Favre continues to be a solid play against weak opponents.
Marc Bulger, STL – Bulger has gotten off to a slow start, but he had a solid performance last week against Arizona. He hasn’t thrown an INT this season, and he faces a Detroit squad that hasn’t made an INT thus far. The Lions are ranked 29th in the league against the pass (269 ypg) and they have only managed five sacks so far. Bulger used Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce very efficiently last week and they should continue to connect this week against Detroit.
Chad Penington, NYJ – This is a tough pick, since it involves a suspect QB and a more puzzlingly average Indy defense than usual. Pennington, who got off to a great start this season, had a more typical performance against Buffalo last week. Meanwhile, the mediocre Colts defense (181 ypg, 10th ranked, almost 20 ppg allowed) had a good performance against Jacksonville last week. I’m giving the edge to Pennington, thinking that if David Carr can throw for three TDs against the Colts, Pennington should be able to punch a couple in.
Negative Play:
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA – Despite coming off a five-TD performance, the Seahawk offense will have its work cut out this week. Not only are they facing a team that is allowing less than eight points per game and a defense that hasn’t allowed a passing TD and hasn’t allowed an offensive TD to two opponents this season, they will be without Shaun Alexander, killing the Seahawks’ play-action abilities. It will be virtually impossible for a fantasy team to sit Hasselbeck, so this is just a warning to watch for a below-average performance.
Drew Brees, NO – Brees has played reasonably well so far this year (63%, 720 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT), and the Saints are coming off an emotional victory on Monday night. The Saints will face a Carolina squad that’s already scrambling for their playoff lives. The Panther defense is sixth against the pass (168 ypg) and have one spleen recovery to their credit, but they have allowed 20 ppg this season. With the game in Carolina, and the Panther offense showing life, I’m giving the nod to Carolina in this one, as the Saints will have a bit of a let down and Brees will have nothing more than an average performance (200 yards, one TD).
Philip Rivers – Rivers has done okay in his first two starts of the season (72%, 343 yards, two TD, no INTs), but he faces the Ravens this week. Baltimore is fourth against the pass (163 ypg), leads the league in INTs (7), is tied for first in sacks (16), and is third in fumble recoveries (4). There is no way you can start Rivers this week.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
QBs that are OUT: Trent Green, KC; Aaron Brooks, OAK
1 Donovan McNabb, PHI
2 Peyton Manning, IND
3 Carson Palmer, CIN
4 Brett Favre, GB
5 Marc Bulger, STL
6 Michael Vick, ATL
7 Tom Brady, NE P
8 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
9 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
10 Daunte Culpepper, MIA
11 Jake Delhomme, CAR
12 Alex Smith, SF
13 Kurt Warner, ARI
14 Jon Kitna, DET
15 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
16 Rex Grossman, CHI
17 David Carr, HOU
18 Charlie Frye, CLE
19 Byron Leftwich, JAX
20 Drew Brees, NO
21 Brad Johnson, MIN
22 Steve McNair, BAL
23 J.P. Losman, BUF
24 Mark Brunell, WAS P
25 Damon Huard, KC
26 Andrew Walter, OAK
27 Philip Rivers, SD
28 Kerry Collins, TEN
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Julius Jones, DAL – Bill Parcells’ claim that he wanted to split the work between Jones and Marion Barber hasn’t been proven, as Jones has a 37-11 advantage in carries. Coming off a bye week, Jones should be in top form going against a poor Tennessee run defense. The Titans are ranked 30th (164 ypg) and has given up over 25 ppg so far this season. Barber seems to be the goal line guy, so he may steal a TD, but Jones is a solid start this week.
Kevin Jones, DET – Jones posted 125 total yards and TD against Green Bay last week, and he should have similar success against St. Louis. The Rams are ranked 23rd in the league against the run (130 ypg) and are only average against the pass.
LaMont Jordan – Jordan has been the fantasy flop of the year so far, thanks to his hideous OL. The opponents’ defenses live in the Raider backfield, giving Jordan no room to work. And whether it’s by design, Jordan has yet to catch a pass this season. Thankfully, Oakland faces Cleveland and its 25th-ranked defense (134 ypg). Jordan is a bye-week possibility this week – something I’m sure that you didn’t draft him for.
Negative Play:
Edgerrin James, ARI – James has played well, but not in his typical dominating manner. It will be tough for him to get going this week as the Cards face Atlanta, which is the eighth-ranked run defense (84 ypg) that has allowed just one TD thus far this season. Atlanta held both Cadillac Williams and DeShaun Foster to less than 55 yards rushing.
Jamal Lewis, BAL -- Lewis has played at a below-average rate of late. He’s barely averaging four ypc, he’s averaging less than 80 ypg and he’s yet to catch a pass. This week, the Ravens face San Diego, which is allowing 71 ypg (fourth in the league) and it hasn’t allowed a rushing TD this season.
Thomas Jones, CHI -- Jones struggled last week against the average run defense of Minnesota (54 yards and no TD). Jones hasn’t been able to crack 3.0 ypg or the end zone in any of his games thus far. This week he faces the second-ranked Seattle defense (59 ypg), which hasn’t allowed a rushing TD so far this season.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
RBs that are OUT: Shaun Alexander, SEA
1 Larry Johnson, KC
2 Brian Westbrook, PHI Q
3 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
4 Ronnie Brown, MIA
5 Steven Jackson, STL
6 Rudi Johnson, CIN
7 Clinton Portis, WAS
8 Julius Jones, DAL
9 Chester Taylor, MIN P
10 Warrick Dunn, ATL
11 Kevin Jones, DET
12 Willis McGahee, BUF
13 Edgerrin James, ARI
14 Frank Gore, SF P
15 Fred Taylor, JAX
16 Ahman Green, GB P
17 LaMont Jordan, OAK
18 Deuce McAllister, NO
19 DeShaun Foster, CAR
20 Jamal Lewis, BAL
21 Thomas Jones, CHI
22 Reggie Bush, NO
23 Dominic Rhodes, IND
24 Laurence Maroney, NE
25 Reuben Droughns, CLE Q
26 Joseph Addai, IND
27 Maurice Morris, SEA
28 Kevan Barlow, NYJ P
29 Corey Dillon, NE
30 Marion Barber III, DAL
31 Ron Dayne, HOU
32 Travis Henry, TEN
33 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
34 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
35 Ladell Betts, WAS
36 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
37 Jerious Norwood, ATL
38 Michael Robinson, SF P
39 Samkon Gado, HOU
40 Michael Turner, SD
41 Chris Brown, TEN Q
42 Jason Wright, CLE
43 Kenny Watson, CIN
44 Kevin Faulk, NE
45 Cedric Houston, NYJ
46 Mewelde Moore, MIN
47 Jerome Harrison, CLE
48 Musa Smith, BAL
49 Tony Fisher, STL
50 Cedric Benson, CHI
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Terry Glenn, DAL – Without Terrell Owens, Glenn will be the passing focus for Drew Bledsoe. This is a great match-up for him, as the Cowboys face the 21st-ranked pass defense of Tennessee (222 ypg). The Titans have allowed over 25 ppg this season and the Cowboys should have a very good performance this week.
Roy Williams, DET – Williams is coming off a great game last week against Green Bay (138 yards and a TD), and will be facing an average St. Louis pass defense. The Rams are 14th-ranked against the pass (192 ypg) and this game should be a shootout. Williams should benefit.
Andre Johnson, HOU – Houston has been playing from behind (as usual) all season, but this year, Johnson has played great, averaging seven receptions and 103 ypg so far. This week, the Texans face Miami, which is good in yardage (172 ypg, eighth), but they have allowed five passing TDs. Expect that Johnson will continue to do well.
Negative Play:
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – Fitzgerald is still a must start, but with the Arizona QB situation in question, and Anquan Boldin being the more productive WR of the two, Fitzgerald has lost a tiny bit of his luster. Both players were targeted 12 times last week; Boldin had 10 receptions for 129 yards, Fitz six receptions for 65 yards (1 TD). This week, the Cards face Atlanta, which has allowed less than 11 points per game and no passing TDs, despite being ranked just 17th in yardage (214 ypg).
Darrell Jackson, SEA – Same here as with Hasselbeck – it’s hard to sit Jackson, but with the match-up with the Bears, without Alexander and with limited play-action ability, Jackson will be a tough play.
Santana Moss, WAS – After the trouble that Jacksonville caused Indy and Peyton Manning last week (45%, 219 yards, one TD), it’s hard to imagine that the Redskins will have much success against the Jags.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 Torry Holt, STL
2 Marvin Harrison, IND
3 Chad Johnson, CIN
4 Anquan Boldin, ARI
5 Steve Smith, CAR P
6 Donald Driver, GB
7 Terry Glenn, DAL
8 Roy Williams, DET
9 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
10 Chris Chambers, MIA
11 Laveranues Coles, NYJ Q
12 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN P
13 Donte Stallworth, PHI Q
14 Andre Johnson, HOU
15 Antonio Bryant, SF
16 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
17 Reggie Wayne, IND
18 Darrell Jackson, SEA
19 Braylon Edwards, CLE
20 Isaac Bruce, STL
21 Santana Moss, WAS
22 Marques Colston, NO
23 Drew Bennett, TEN
24 Randy Moss, OAK
25 Derrick Mason, BAL
26 Troy Williamson, MIN
27 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
28 Lee Evans, BUF
29 Reggie Brown, PHI P
30 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
31 Bernard Berrian, CHI
32 Joe Horn, NO
33 Greg Jennings, GB
34 Eric Moulds, HOU
35 Matt Jones, JAX P
36 Reggie Williams, JAX
37 Marty Booker, MIA
38 Eddie Kennison, KC
39 Michael Jenkins, ATL
40 Wes Welker, MIA
41 Terrell Owens, DAL Q
42 Keenan McCardell, SD Q
43 Travis Taylor, MIN
44 David Givens, TEN
45 Doug Gabriel, NE P
46 Mike Furrey, DET
47 Chris Henry, CIN
48 Deion Branch, SEA
49 Ernest Wilford, JAX
50 Arnaz Battle, SF
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
TEs that are OUT: Jerramy Stevens, SEA; Erron Kinney, TEN; Vernon Davis, SF
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
3 Antonio Gates, SD
4 L.J. Smith, PHI P
5 Ben Watson, NE
6 Todd Heap, BAL P
7 Alge Crumpler, ATL
8 Jason Witten, DAL
9 Dallas Clark, IND
10 Eric Johnson, SF
11 Randy McMichael, MIA
12 Chris Baker, NYJ
13 Ben Troupe, TEN
14 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
15 Bubba Franks, GB
16 Daniel Graham, NE
17 Chris Cooley, WAS
18 Owen Daniels, HOU
19 Bo Scaife, TEN
20 Courtney Anderson, OAK
21 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
22 George Wrighster, JAX
23 Desmond Clark, CHI Q
24 Ben Utecht, IND P
25 Daniel Wilcox, BAL
26 Marcus Pollard, DET
27 David Martin, GB
28 Jeb Putzier, HOU
29 Robert Royal, BUF
30 Adam Bergen, ARI
31 Anthony Fasano, DAL
32 Leonard Pope, ARI
33 Bryan Fletcher, IND
34 Reggie Kelly, CIN P
35 Randal Williams, OAK
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
1 Jeff Wilkins, STL
2 Matt Stover, BAL
3 Shayne Graham, CIN
4 David Akers, PHI
5 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
6 Nate Kaeding, SD
7 Robbie Gould, CHI
8 Neil Rackers, ARI
9 John Kasay, CAR
10 Adam Vinatieri, IND Q
11 John Carney, NO
12 Ryan Longwell, MIN
13 Josh Brown, SEA
14 Lawrence Tynes, KC
15 Joe Nedney, SF
16 Rian Lindell, BUF
17 Olindo Mare, MIA
18 Dave Rayner, GB
19 Jason Hanson, DET
20 Phil Dawson, CLE
21 John Hall, WAS
22 Josh Scobee, JAX
23 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
24 Mike Nugent, NYJ
25 Morten Anderson, ATL
26 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
27 Kris Brown, HOU
28 Rob Bironas, TEN
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 San Diego Chargers
4 Dallas Cowboys
5 Atlanta Falcons
6 Philadelphia Eagles
7 Jacksonville Jaguars
8 Seattle Seahawks
9 Miami Dolphins
10 St. Louis Rams
11 Cleveland Browns
12 Carolina Panthers
13 Buffalo Bills
14 Cincinnati Bengals
15 Indianapolis Colts
16 Washington Redskins
17 Minnesota Vikings
18 Kansas City Chiefs
19 New Orleans Saints
20 New England Patriots
21 San Francisco 49ers
22 Oakland Raiders
23 Arizona Cardinals
24 Detroit Lions
25 Tennessee Titans
26 New York Jets
27 Houston Texans
28 Green Bay Packers
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DBs that are OUT: Terrence Kiel, SD; Bob Sanders, IND; Kenoy Kennedy, GB; Shawn Springs, WAS; Dexter Jackson, CIN
1 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ Q
2 Adam Archuleta, WAS
3 Chris Hope, TEN
4 Adrian Wilson, ARI
5 Madieu Williams, CIN
6 Nick Collins, GB
7 Roy Williams, DAL
8 Michael Boulware, SEA
9 Sean Jones, CLE
10 Antoine Winfield, MIN
11 Dunta Robinson, HOU
12 Michael Lewis, PHI P
13 Rodney Harrison, NE
14 DeAngelo Hall, ATL P
15 Roman Harper, NO
16 Antoine Bethea, IND
17 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
18 Ken Hamlin, SEA
19 Sammy Knight, KC
20 Chris Gamble, CAR
21 Glenn Earl, HOU
22 Brian Russell, CLE
23 Brian Dawkins, PHI Q
24 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
25 Antrel Rolle, ARI
26 Nate Clements, BUF
27 Renaldo Hill, MIA
28 Sean Taylor, WAS
29 Mike Brown, CHI
30 Rashean Mathis, JAX Q
31 Daniel Bullocks, DET
32 C.C. Brown, HOU
33 Ken Lucas, CAR P
34 Corey Chavous, STL
35 Ed Reed, BAL Q
36 Marquand Manuel, GB
37 Charles Tillman, CHI
38 Anthony Henry, DAL
39 Mike Adams, SF
40 Danieal Manning, CHI
41 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
42 Greg Wesley, KC
43 Dwight Smith, NO
44 Deltha ONeal, CIN
45 Terrence McGee, BUF
46 Josh Bullocks, NO
47 Sheldon Brown, PHI
48 Pat Watkins, DAL
49 Walt Harris, SF
50 Michael Doss, IND
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
LBs that are OUT: Dan Morgan, CAR
1 London Fletcher, BUF
2 Ray Lewis, BAL
3 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
4 Brian Urlacher, CHI
5 Mike Peterson, JAX
6 Keith Bulluck, TEN
7 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
8 Gerald Hayes, ARI
9 Andra Davis, CLE
10 Keith Brooking, ATL
11 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
12 Kirk Morrison, OAK
13 Will Witherspoon, STL
14 Zach Thomas, MIA
15 Gary Brackett, IND P
16 Scott Fujita, NO
17 Derek Smith, SF
18 Donnie Edwards, SD
19 Shawne Merriman, SD
20 Brian Simmons, CIN P
21 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
22 Lemar Marshall, WAS
23 A.J. Hawk, GB
24 Cato June, IND
25 Angelo Crowell, BUF
26 Adalius Thomas, BAL
27 Ernie Sims, DET
28 Demarcus Ware, DAL
29 Lance Briggs, CHI
30 Kawika Mitchell, KC
31 Marcus Washington, WAS
32 Thomas Howard, OAK
33 Landon Johnson, CIN
34 Nick Barnett, GB
35 E.J. Henderson, MIN
36 Julian Peterson, SEA
37 Tedy Bruschi, NE
38 Derrick Johnson, KC
39 Bart Scott, BAL P
40 Demorrio Williams, ATL
41 Bradie James, DAL
42 DQwell Jackson, CLE
43 Eric Barton, NYJ
44 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
45 Leroy Hill, SEA
46 Thomas Davis, CAR
47 Channing Crowder, MIA
48 Boss Bailey, DET
49 Daryl Smith, JAX
50 Michael Boley, ATL
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
D = Doubtful
DLs that are OUT: Corey Simon, IND
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Jared Allen, KC
3 Julius Peppers, CAR
4 Terrell Suggs, BAL Q
5 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
6 Charles Grant, NO
7 Will Smith, NO
8 Robert Mathis, IND
9 James Hall, DET
10 Aaron Kampman, GB P
11 Leonard Little, STL
12 Justin Smith, CIN P
13 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
14 Trent Cole, PHI
15 Derrick Burgess, OAK
16 John Henderson, JAX
17 Darren Howard, PHI P
18 Aaron Schobel, BUF
19 Luis Castillo, SD
20 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
21 Richard Seymour, NE
22 Rod Coleman, ATL
23 Bertrand Berry, ARI
24 Kevin Williams, MIN
25 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
26 Bryant Young, SF
27 Robert Geathers, CIN
28 Mike Patterson, PHI
29 Kenechi Udeze, MIN
30 Raheem Brock, IND
31 Greg Ellis, DAL
32 Anthony Weaver, HOU
33 Dwight Freeney, IND
34 Travis Laboy, TEN
35 Chike Okeafor, ARI
36 Mario Williams, HOU
37 John Thornton, CIN
38 Tommy Kelly, OAK
39 Kris Jenkins, CAR
40 Alex Brown, CHI
41 Warren Sapp, OAK
42 Kevin Carter, MIA
43 John Abraham, ATL Q
44 Bryce Fisher, SEA
45 Darryl Tapp, SEA
46 Kalimba Edwards, DET
47 Tyler Brayton, OAK
48 Chris Kelsay, BUF
49 Andre Carter, WAS
50 Damione Lewis, CAR
Fantasy Football 
