Week Four fantasy football

Matchups to exploit or avoid

By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001

Matchups to exploit

Giants RB Ron Dayne could continue his hot streak against a Redskins defense that has allowed three straight 100-yard rushers. Keep in mind, as of this writing, Tiki Barber was questionable with a hamstring injury.

In his last four games against the 49ers, Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad has three 100-yard games and five touchdowns. His other game was a 96-yarder. Muhammad would have scored last week if not for a penalty.

Stick with Steelers RB Jerome Bettis, whose last touchdown came against his Week Four opponent, the Bengals. Last week Cincinnati allowed 107 and three TDs on 21 carries to Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson.

Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith is always a good play, but this week, so is his pass-catching mate, Keenan McCardell. Jacksonville will face a Seahawks defense that has been torched of late, allowing five TD passes in the last two games.

Matchups to avoid

Packers QB Brett Favre’s pace could slow down this week. In two meetings vs. the Buccaneers last season, Favre was held below 200 passing yards and threw for nary a touchdown.

Titans RB Eddie George hasn’t fared well vs. the Ravens, scoring one touchdown and failing to break 55 rushing yards in his last four meetings. He carried just once in one game before suffering a knee injury.

It’s time to look at RB options other than the Redskins’ Stephen Davis, who will face a Giants defense that has clamped down on the run since Week One. Davis is scoreless through three games, while the Giants have held their last two opponents without a rushing touchdown.

Everybody may be excited about Falcons RB Maurice Smith today, but he doesn’t matchup well against a Bears defense that has allowed an average of 79.0 rushing yards in two games and is brimming with confidence.

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