Everybody have a good Week 3? I did, somewhat, but regardless; this is the first week of the year with bye weeks. Use them accordingly when setting your lineups this week.
Byes: Arizona, Carolina, Philadelphia, Atlanta
Start of the Week:
My brand new section for this week, and it should help, considering bye weeks.
Cedric Benson (CIN) vs. CLE: Anybody against the Browns is a good start, yet Benson is the best. With the Browns sporting the league’s worst run D, and Benson averaging 4.4 yards a carry, he is gold against the Browns this week. With the game likely being out of hand early, you’ll see plenty of Benson gashing the Browns front 4.
Who to Start:
QB Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. DET: He’s been on the sit list for awhile, but he’s graduated this week. With Detroit having the 3rd to worst pass D, and giving up plenty of yards to Jason Campbell, I think Jay Cutler will have a great week.
RB Brandon Jacobs (NYG) vs. KC: The Chiefs don’t have an alarmingly bad run D, but the fact that they get down quickly, means that Brandon Jacobs will be seeing the ball plenty in garbage time. And, the Chiefs have given 5 rush TD’s already. This adds up to a nice week for Jacobs’ owners.
WR Vincent Jackson (SD) vs. PIT: Yeah, it’s very hard to recommend somebody against the Steelers D. But, with the way that Jackson has played, and the fact that the Champs D, has lost a step without Troy Polomalu, it equates to a favorable matchup for him.
WR Devin Hester (CHI) vs. DET: I know I shouldn’t recommend to start two players of the same team, but with Devin Hester facing the 30th ranked pass D, and have allowed 10 receiving TD’s so far, Hester could have a monster week against a Lions team, which is due for a hangover (I said it).
TE Vernon Davis (SF) vs. STL: He had a big week last game against the Vikings. He may not be the best start, but with the Rams giving up 22 catches for 186 yards against tight ends this season, Davis should have a good week. Also, being Shaun Hill’s favorite target may help.
DEF Washington vs. TB: Yeah, a great reach here. But, with Josh Johnson making his first career start, and the ‘Skins due for a bounce back game, this equates to a great matchup for Albert Haynesworth and the rest of the Dan Snyder gang. Also, the Bucs had only 86 total yards of offense last week.
Who to Sit:
QB Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. NE: Hard to bench him after how well he is doing, but with the Pats 6th in the league in pass D, I find it hard to recommend him to be started. Matt Ryan struggled last week, so Flacco, the other super sophomore may struggle too.
RB Ryan Grant (GB) vs. MIN (MON): In 2 games last year, he averaged 83.7 yards against the Vikes. And, with the Vikings run D being as good as ever (only 12th in the league), I don’t expect much.
WR Derrick Mason (BAL) vs. NE: Wow, I made the same mistake twice. Oh well. Anyway, the Pats have only given up 52.3 yards a game and no TD’s to opposing teams number 1 wide outs, so he may struggle against a pretty underrated Pats pass D on Sunday.
WR Dwayne Bowe (KC) vs. NYG: He still has a nagging hamstring problem and even if he does play, he is facing the best pass D in the league. And Matt Cassel threw for 90 yards last week without him. Enough said.
TE Zach Miller (OAK) vs. HOU: Until JaMarcus Russell starts playing better; Miller will be in flux until then. He had 6 catches in the first game, he has had 2 since. He may be a target of Russell, but until JaMarcus plays better, Miller should be benched.
DEF New York Jets vs. NO: Yes, I know they have played very well. But they haven’t played an offense of the Saints caliber. The Saints won’t score 40, but they may well score in the 30’s. Be very careful if you do start them.
Sleepers:
QB David Garrard (JAX) vs. TEN: Looked a lot like 2007 David Garrard last week, and against a bad Titans pass D, he should be a good start off the bench for you.
RB Julius Jones (SEA) vs. IND: The Colts give up plenty of rushing yards in the first 3 weeks, and even though he isn’t a great start, if you have bye week backs, he may come in handy.
WR Nate Washington (TEN) vs. JAX: He faces the worst pass D in the NFL, and Kerry Collins should have a good week, for once.
WR Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ) vs. NO: The Saints have an average pass D, and even though it is Mark Sanchez, Cotchery should have a good, yet surprising week.
TE Marcedes Lewis (JAX) vs. TEN: Big sleeper here, as he seems to have good weeks out of nowhere, and Tennessee has allowed 193 yards to tight ends this year.
DEF Houston vs. OAK: Wow. They aren’t very good, but yet, Oakland isn’t either. I would take a bad D over bad O any day. Oakland is 31st in total offense
Waiver Wire Pickups:
WR Johnny Knox (CHI): Watch out for this guy. He and Earl Bennett are looking like great waiver wire wide-outs. Knox is a big deep threat, and I know Jay Cutler loves to throw deep. Knox will get huge chunks over yards, and maybe a few TD’s.
RB Glen Coffee (SF): With Frank Gore out, and San Francisco not playing too many great defenses of late, Coffee is a good pick up if you have backs on bye weeks. San Francisco has a bye in week 6, but in the next 2 weeks, watch out for Glen Coffee.
Good Luck in Week 4!