Week Nine fantasy football

Matchups to exploit or avoid

By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001

Matchups to exploit

Buccaneers FB Mike Alstott was disappointing last week, but if he carries the load, he has a great matchup against the defensively challenged Lions this week. Detroit ranks second to last in the league in rushing defense.

Dolphins RB Lamar Smith hasn’t put up great yardage numbers of late, but he could do so against a very suspect Colts defense. Smith owned Indy last season (62 carries, 306 yards, three TDs, including playoffs).

Patriots RB Antowain Smith is coming off a big game (23 carries, 117 yards), and you know he’d love to duplicate it against his former team, the Bills, who rank 26^th in the league in run defense.

Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson has scored twice in two games, and this week he’ll face a Raiders defense he lit up for 125 yards in Week Three. Jackson leads the Seahawks with 25 catches for 404 yards.

Matchups to avoid

Browns RB James Jackson hasn’t put up a lot rushing yards this season, and that probably will be the case this week against the Steelers, who rank third in the league in run defense.

Don’t start Titans RB Eddie George against the Ravens, who have now held opposing running backs below 100 yards in 45 straight games (including playoffs). George is averaging 2.7 yards per carry.

If Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander decides to play this week, you might want to keep him benched. This week he’ll face a Jets defense that ranks sixth in the league in passing yards allowed and has 11 interceptions.

Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad has been very unproductive this season, and that doesn’t figure to change against CB Aeneas Williams and a tough Rams defense.

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