This week’s bye teams: New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Tampa
BayNFC EAST
Arizona — Michael Pittman is suspended for this game, so make sure you
don’t have him in your lineup. This might be a good time to try out RB Thomas
Jones. … WR Rob Moore is currently the Cardinals’ No. 3 receiver, and
will likely miss this game with a high hamstring problem.
Dallas — It appears as if QB Quincy Carter’s wrist injury is going to
keep him out of the lineup this week. Not that you would have actually considered starting
him.
N.Y. Giants — The Giants will be starting rookie Will Allen at one cornerback spot
(in place of Dave Thomas) this week. Allen was a first-round pick, but as a rookie, you
can count on him making some mistakes. You may want to try to play a Chiefs wide receiver
this week in an attempt to take advantage of Allen. … WR Ike Hilliard is still
at least a week of way from being able to step into the starting lineup.
Philadelphia — WR Todd Pinkston followed up his very impressive training
camp with a very solid regular-season debut in Week One, when he caught seven passes for
99 yards. While he may not be ready for superstardom, he could have a very successful week
taking advantage of Seattle’s banged up secondary.
Washington — Be wary of starting Washington receivers until QB Jeff George
proves he can be productive in this offense. He had a horrendous debut, which led this
benching in the second half. While Marty Schottenheimer has said George will start this
week, it is doubtful that his understanding of the offense has improved drastically since
the first game.
NFC CENTRAL
Chicago — WR Marcus Robinson returns to the Bears’ starting lineup
after undergoing back surgery early in training camp. Robinson’s return comes just in
time for the Vikings, who have had a hard time defending the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder. In
four career meetings, Robinson has three touchdowns and a 100-yard game, in addition to
three performances of 80-plus yards. Robinson replaces Dez White in the lineup.
White, who dropped three passes in the season opener, falls to fourth on the depth chart
behind rookie David Terrell. White will still see some action in three-WR sets. Marty
Booker, who caught nine passes in Week One, will start opposite Robinson and has
garnered praise from head coach Dick Jauron for his play.
Detroit — Is Johnnie Morton becoming the Lions’ top fantasy threat?
Maybe. In Week One, Morton recorded his first 100-yard receiving game since the final week
of the 1999 season. However, with a new quarterback in charge, it’s best to wait and
see how Morton is affected. This much is for sure: With Herman Moore hobbled and Germane
Crowell struggling, Morton is Detroit’s No. 1 fantasy wideout. … QB Ty
Detmer makes his first start for the Lions against his old team, the Browns, in
Cleveland. Detmer isn’t starting fantasy material just yet, but if he takes to the
offense the way the Lions hope he will, he could become a much better backup option than
the now-benched Charlie Batch. Detmer is very familiar with the Lions’ West
Coast offense.
Minnesota — Fear not, Vikings owners. The team used the extra practice time it
gained from the postponement of last week’s games to take apart and rebuild its
offense. And who better to try it against than the Bears, who the Vikings have owned the
last five years. If Minnesota continues to struggle Sunday, then we have reason to worry.
… In the final three road games of 2000, QB Daunte Culpepper passed for 523
yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. In two games against the Bears, he’s
rushed for 88 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns. … WR Randy Moss has
38 catches for 592 yards and five touchdowns in six career games against Chicago.
NFC WEST
Atlanta —RB Jamal Anderson would appear to be a very solid fantasy weapon
this weekend vs. Carolina. He scored a TD in each of the Falcons’ wins over the
Panthers last year and ran very effectively. A sleeper fantasy weapon could be QB Michael
Vick, whom the Falcons might try to employ in a couple of tricky ways vs. a very
inexperienced Carolina defense.
Carolina — The game vs. Atlanta could very well be RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka’s
last shot to strut his stuff in a starting role. Even though Biakabutuka is expected to
start, Nick Goings will get more than a few carries after performing so well in the
opener vs. Minnesota. Richard Huntley, meanwhile, could possibly see some action,
but he’s still a week away from being counted on as a key contributor — at which
point Carolina starts a string of six straight games on grass fields that won’t put
as much pressure on his tender hamstring. Look for rookie Steve Smith to possibly
be a threat in spot situations as a running back or wide receiver. He is very dangerous.
St. Louis — If the Rams’ offense performs like it did last year in its two
wins over the 49ers, scoring a combined 75 points and gaining 976 total yards, a lot of
their skill guys could be in for huge fantasy days. At the top of the list, not
surprisingly, is RB Marshall Faulk, who ran for five scores and caught two TD
passes in the games vs. Frisco in 2000. You should also pay special attention to WR Isaac
Bruce, who has averaged eight catches for 136 yards and caught six TD passes in the
last four games vs. San Francisco. QB Kurt Warner had a sore thumb following the
season opener, but he was throwing his usual bullets in practice late this week without
any tape on his thumb.
San Francisco — It was in the 49ers’ first game last year that QB Jeff
Garcia might have come of age with an impressive three-TD performance in defeat.
Garcia could be productive vs. a Rams secondary that is a little bit undermanned right
now. Also keep an eye on WR Terrell Owens (14-233-2 in games vs. Rams last year)
and rookie TE Eric Johnson, a guy 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci has indicated
could be a force before too long. Also look for rookie RB Kevan Barlow to probably
see a bit more action this weekend.
AFC EAST
Buffalo — You might consider shying away from starting RB Travis Henry this
week against a revamped Colts’ defense. The Colts held Jets RB Curtis Martin
to 79 yards rushing and a touchdown — a good day by most standards. But, consider
this: Martin rushed for 296 yards and two touchdowns against the Colts last season and has
averaged 121.5 yards per game against the Colts since 1997. … On the flip side of
that, starting WR Eric Moulds might be a good idea, considering the Colts’
secondary is on the inexperienced side and the Colts’ pass rush is lacking.
Don’t fret Moulds’ lackluster performance in Week One, in which he caught only
one pass for 34 yards.
Indianapolis — RB Edgerrin James could have a banner day against a Bills
defense that seems to be falling apart. Without MLB Sam Cowart in the middle, the
Bills will likely have a tough time keeping James in check.
Miami — WR James McKnight is probable for the game this week after getting
nine stitches in the webbing between two of his fingers on his right hand. Given the
nature of this injury and McKnight’s position, it might be wise to sit McKnight this
week. If the hand hurts McKnight too much or he reopens the wound, he could hit the bench.
New England — The Patriots RB situation looks a bit clearer, though with little
good news for fantasy owners. There’s still no bona fide No. 1 starter. But it looks
as though Antowain Smith will get the most carries of any back. Smith should be the
Pats’ first- and second-down back, and J.R. Redmond has been relegated to a
third-down role. Kevin Faulk is out of the picture, especially after he was put on
the inactive list for Week One’s game.
N.Y. Jets — Another Jets receiver, Laveranues Coles, was injured this week
in practice. Coles sprained his ankle in Thursday’s practice and limped off the
field. It seems as though Coles’ status will be a gametime decision, so if you can
wait until then to submit your lineup, do so. If not, Coles may not be worth the risk of
starting him and then losing him to injury.
AFC CENTRAL
Baltimore — QB Elvis Grbac really looks like the only fantasy performer you
can hang your hat on — aside from PK Matt Stover and the Ravens’
defense. Grbac should have success vs. a Bengals defense that gave up 64 points in its
losses to Baltimore last season, but it looks like the Ravens are pushing a
spread-the-wealth philosophy in which particularly heavy hitters could be few and far
between from a fantasy standpoint.
Cincinnati — As tough as it may be to bench Corey Dillon, this may be the
one time it sounds like a decent idea. He carried 28 times for 32 yards in the two games
against the Ravens last season.
Cleveland — Neither of the Browns’ top two running backs should be considered
a sure thing to start in your fantasy lineup because their roles remain undefined. While
it appears that James Jackson will start this week and be used on running downs,
and that Jamel White will come in on passing downs and for a change of pace, head
coach Butch Davis can change that plan at any time. It might be wise to watch how the
situation develops for a few more weeks before playing either of those players.
Tennessee — Don’t expect QB Steve McNair (shoulder) to start Sunday
against Jacksonville. Though the team hadn’t made a decision as of this writing,
McNair hasn’t thrown since the Sept. 9 season opener. He’s been treating the
swelling with ice and rehab and is planning to be ready for the Oct. 7 game at Baltimore.
Tennessee is off next week. Look for Neil O’Donnell to start Sunday, conjuring
up images of his 1999 outing against the Jaguars when he threw for 204 yards and two
touchdowns. (That is not a recommendation for starting him in your league.)
AFC WEST
Denver – RB Mike Anderson definitely should be in your lineup this weekend.
The Cardinals’ defense has a lot of new faces, and with Terrell Davis out of
commission, Anderson takes the lead in the Broncos’ impressive ground game. He ran
for 1,487 yards and 15 touchdowns last year despite not playing in two games and splitting
time in a handful of others.
Kansas City — If you’re thinking of starting WR Derrick Alexander vs.
the Giants Sunday, don’t. His sore Achilles tendon hasn’t been able to heal and
likely will keep him out of action this weekend. Chris Thomas will replace him in
the lineup, but Marvin Minnis is the only wide receiver worth playing in Week Two,
as the Chiefs figure to use a lot of two-TE sets.
Oakland — Veteran Raiders WRs Tim Brown and Jerry Rice showed they
could coexist last week, as they caught eight passes a piece vs. the Chiefs. The
Dolphins’ secondary, however, is considered by many to be the best in the business,
led by CBs Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison.
San Diego — The Chargers’ defense will be without the services of DE Marcellus
Wiley and CB Alex Molden this weekend. Wiley should return from a stress
fracture in his leg next week, while Molden is probably out at least two weeks after
arthroscopic knee surgery.
Seattle — It may be a good idea to sit the Seahawks’ young wide receivers
this week vs. the Eagles’ defense. Philadelphia’s secondary helped the Eagles
finish third in the league last season in average gain per pass play, and QB Matt
Hasselbeck may not have much time to throw in the face of the Eagles’ pass rush. |
