Week 10 fantasy football

Matchups to exploit or avoid

By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001

Matchups to exploit

Giants WR Ike Hilliard has caught a TD pass in four of the last five games, and this week he’ll face a reeling Vikings defense that ranks second to last in the league in yards allowed per game.

Bears RB Anthony Thomas should get back on track against a Buccaneers defense that has struggled against bigger running backs this season (see Eddie George, Ahman Green and Jerome Bettis).

Lions WR Johnnie Morton could recapture his form against the Cardinals, who have given up some big plays through the air. Arizona’s average yards allowed per pass play ranks 27^th in the league.

Chargers WR Curtis Conway, who has come up big yardage-wise of late, could exploit a Raiders defense that has a less-than-100 percent Charles Woodson at cornerback.

Matchups to avoid

Falcons RB Maurice Smith should come back to earth against the Packers, who have displayed a stout run defense this season. Last week Green Bay held the red-hot Anthony Thomas to 45 yards on 22 carries.

The Titans’ run defense has stepped up the last several weeks, surrendering only 69.0 rushing yards in the last five games. Tennessee should have the upper hand this week against Bengals RB Corey Dillon.

Though he threw three TD passes against Pittsburgh in Week One, Jaguars QB Mark Brunell should have a much more difficult time in the rematch. The Steelers have allowed an average of only 9.9 points per game since.

Patriots RB Antowain Smith has been hot of late, but he could be slowed by a Rams defense that ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game and has given up only three rushing touchdowns on the year.

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