We’re almost through with the bye week nonsense, as only the Giants and Texans are out of commission this week. However, starting with tonight’s Bears-49ers’ game, we’ll now have Thursday night games to deal with, so be sure to set your lineups early. Here are my recommendations for Week 10:
Chicago at San Francisco - It’s easy to take shots at Chicago’s defense these days. Having been blown out in two of their last three games by the Bengals and Cardinals, they’ve now been dissed by 49ers’ TE Vernon Davis. Davis singled out the Bears’ defensive line, which may be playing tonight without Tommie Harris, who’s getting a head start on his future career as an MMA fighter. Bears to start in what could well be a shootout include QB Jay Cutler, RB Matt Forte, TE Greg Olsen, WR Devin Hester, and K Robbie Gould. Those in deeper leagues may also start WR Earl Bennett, but leave WR Johnny Knox on your bench. The lucky 49ers who get to face the Bears’ defense, and therefore should be in starting lineups, include QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, Davis (Probable-shoulder), WRs Michael Crabtree & Josh Morgan, and K Joe Nedney. Leave WR Jason Hill on the bench in spite of his two-touchdown performance last Sunday. WR Isaac Bruce (Questionable-ankle) should also be left out of starting lineups.
Atlanta at Carolina - Carolina WR Steve Smith, not content with merely playing wide receiver, apparently wants to be an Offensive Coordinator in his next life. I’m always amazed by how often insubordination is tolerated in professional sports. How many other professions are there where you can get angry at your boss in public, yet still have a job (don’t try this at work)? Then again, how many other professions are there where the “worker” gets paid many times what the “boss” makes? Falcons to start this week include QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Roddy White (Questionable-knee), and K Jason Elam. Those in deeper leagues can also start WR Michael Jenkins. RB Jerious Norwood (Questionable-hip) should once again be left out of starting lineups. Panthers to start include RBs DeAngelo Williams (Questionable-knee) & Jonathan Stewart (Questionable-Achilles’), Smith, and K John Kasay. QB Jake Delhomme and WR Muhsin Muhammad (Questionable-knee) can be started in deeper leagues.
Denver at Washington - Halt the presses - in an effort to single-handedly halt the Broncos’ two-game losing streak without even setting foot on the field, QB Kyle Orton has shaved off his beard and moustache. Denver fans, book your trip to Miami for the Stupor Super Bowl now to beat the rush. Fortunately for the Broncos, a game against a Redskins team in disarray is likely just what the doctor ordered. Broncos to start include RB Knowshon Moreno, QB Brandon Marshall (Questionable-back), and the Defense. RB Correll Buckhalter can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave Orton and WR Eddie Royal out of your lineup. Redskins to start are TE Fred Davis and the Defense. Leave QB Jason Campbell (Questionable-ankle), RB Clinton Portis (Questionable-concussion), RB Ladell Betts, and WR Santana Moss on the bench. TE Chris Cooley (Out-ankle) will miss at least several more games.
Jacksonville at New York Jets - You probably know that Jets’ CB Darrelle Revis is good. But you may not know just how good he is unless you’ve read the modest bio on his Twitter page. Jaguars’ RB Maurice Jones-Drew is on a roll, but he’s the only Jaguar who’s a must-start this weekend. I wouldn’t start WR Mike Sims-Walker this week if I had other options with more favorable matchups - he’s likely to be covered a good deal of the time by the aforementioned Revis. Stay away from QB David Garrard, TE Marcedes Lewis, and WR Torry Holt. Jets to start following their bye week include RB Thomas Jones, TE Dustin Keller, WR Braylon Edwards, K Jay Feely, and the Defense. QB Mark Sanchez, RB Shon Greene, and WR Jerricho Cotchery may also be started in deeper leagues.
Detroit at Minnesota - Another week, another controversy involving a quarterback and a wide receiver from the same team. Last week it was Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo and WR Roy Williams. This week it’s Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson. Even if everything were peaches and cream for the hapless Lions, this week’s game against a Vikings team coming off their bye week would be a tall order. Lions to start include RB Kevin Smith (because he figures to be involved in the passing game), TE Brandon Pettigrew, and Johnson. Stafford (Questionable-knee) and WR Bryant Johnson can also be started in deeper leagues. Vikings to start include QB Brett Favre (Questionable-groin), RB Adrian Peterson, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, WRs Bernard Berrian (Questionable-hamstring), Sidney Rice, & Percy Harvin, and K Ryan Longwell. Those in deeper leagues may also start RB Chester Taylor.
Tampa Bay at Miami - Tampa Bay rookie WR Sammie Stroughter has overcome a lot just to make it to the NFL, so it’s uplifting to see him getting a chance to showcase his ability. Now that former backup QB Josh Freeman has been elevated to the starting role, there may be even more opportunities for “Sergeant Stroughter” to shine. Bucs to start in this week’s intrastate matchup with the ‘Fins include Freeman, TE Kellen Winslow, and WRs Stroughter & Maurice Stovall. I’d leave RBs Cadillac Williams & Derrick Ward, and WRs Antonio Bryant (Questionable-knee) & Michael Clayton (Questionable-knee) on the bench. The only Dolphins I’d definitely start are RBs Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams, although those in deeper leagues should also consider QB Chad Henne, TE Anthony Fasano (Questionable-hip), and WR Greg Camarillo. Leave TE Joey Haynos and WRs Ted Ginn, Davone Bess, & Brian Hartline out of your lineup.
New Orleans at St. Louis - Say this for Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo - he knows how to enjoy his bye week. Unfortunately for Spagnuolo and the rest of the Rams, their back-to-work week culminates with a visit from the Saints’ high-octane offense. Saints to start in this matchup include QB Drew Brees, RB Pierre Thomas, TE Jeremy Shockey, WR Marques Colston, K John Carney, and the Defense. RB Mike Bell and WRs Devery Henderson & Robert Meachem can also be started in deeper leagues. WR Lance Moore (Questionable-ankle) should be kept out of starting lineups. The only Ram worth starting, as usual, is RB Steven Jackson, although those in deeper leagues can start TE Randy McMichael and WR Donnie Avery. I’d recommend leaving QB Marc Bulger and WR Keenan Burton out of lineups this week (and most other weeks).
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis has little tolerance for the antics of WR Chad Ochocinco, and he demonstrated that again this week. Fortunately, Ochocinco has chosen to do most of his talking on the field this season, and he’s a big part of the reason the Bengals are tied with the Steelers atop the AFC North standings heading into this week’s showdown. Bengals worth starting are QB Chad Palmer and Ochocinco. WRs Laveranues Coles & Andre Caldwell may also be started in deeper leagues. I’d recommend leaving RB Cedric Benson out of your lineup this week if you have other running backs on your roster with more favorable matchups - I just don’t see him doing much against the Steelers’ run defense. Steelers to start include QB Ben Roethlisberger, TE Heath Miller, WRs Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, & Mike Wallace, K Jeff Reed, and the Defense. In spite of his great performance Monday night against the Broncos’ vaunted run defense, I’d recommend sitting RB Rashard Mendenhall for this unfavorable matchup. RB Willie Parker should be left out of fantasy lineups unless he regains at least a share of the carries, and at this point I don’t foresee that happening.
Buffalo at Tennessee - Although he’s slightly more popular in Buffalo than Panthers’ QB Jake Delhomme is in Charlotte, Bills’ QB Trent Edwards doesn’t enjoy a great deal of fan support either. The only Bills worth starting this week are RB Marshawn Lynch and the Defense. WRs Lee Evans & Terrell Owens (Questionable-hip) may also be started in deeper leagues. Edwards (Probable-concussion) and RB Fred Jackson should not be in starting lineups. The news is just as bleak for the Titans - RB Chris Johnson and the Defense are the only worthwhile fantasy starters. Avoid starting QB Vince Young, RB LenDale White, TE Bo Scaife, and WRs Justin Gage (Questionable-back) & Nate Washington.
Kansas City at Oakland - Teams are tripping over themselves in the race to deny that they have any interest in former Chiefs’ RB Larry Johnson. It’s easy to make comparisons with the Michael Vick experience, but my hunch is that NFL teams will have a much easier time overlooking insubordination than dog-fighting, and Johnson will sign with another team within a week. Meanwhile, opportunity is knocking loudly for Chief RBs Jamaal Charles & Kolby Smith. Charles, WR Dwayne Bowe, and the Defense are worth starting. Expand the list to include Smith and TE Sean Ryan if you play in a deeper league. Keep QB Matt Cassel, WRs Chris Chambers (Questionable-foot), Bobby Wade, & Lance Long out of your lineup. Raiders to start include RB Justin Fargas, TE Zach Miller, and the Defense. RB Michael Bush and WR Louis Murphy may also be started by those in deeper leagues. QB JaMarcus Russell, RB Darren McFadden, and WR Chaz Schilens (Probable-foot) should remain on the fantasy bench.
Philadelphia at San Diego - Speaking of tripping over yourself, pundits are tripping over themselves in a race to declare Chargers’ RB LaDainian Tomlinson’s career over. While I was one of Tomlinson’s biggest supporters before the season began and expected a big rebound season for him, I finally have to admit that it just isn’t going to happen. Accordingly, Tomlinson (Questionable-hip) should be left out of your fantasy lineup this week for this unfavorable matchup with the Eagles’ defense. The only Eagles who should definitely be in lineups this week are RB LeSean McCoy and TE Brent “Captain Morgan” Celek. QB Donovan McNabb and WRs DeSean Jackson (Probable-foot) & Jeremy Maclin can also be started in deeper leagues. As with Tomlinson, I’d leave RB Brian Westbrook (Questionable-concussion, ankle) on the bench. Chargers to start include QB Philip Rivers, TE Antonio Gates (Questionable-foot), and WRs Vincent Jackson & Malcom Floyd. Add RB Darren Sproles to the list in deeper leagues.
Dallas at Green Bay - Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo is enjoying an experience that’s completely different from LaDainian Tomlinson’s. Romo has been ripped in the press frequently since taking over the starting quarterback job in Dallas. Now, however, people are revising history on the fly and annointing Romo a star. The truth probably lies somewhere in between these two extremes, but Romo, RBs Marion Barber (Questionable-thumb), TE Jason Witten, and WRs Miles Austin & Roy Williams are all worth starting this week. Add RBs Tashard Choice & Felix Jones to the list if you play in a deeper league. Packers worth starting include QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Ryan Grant, WRs Donald Driver & Greg Jennings, and K Mason Crosby. Add WR James Jones to the list in deeper leagues. I’d leave TE Jermichael Finley (Questionable-knee) and Donald Lee out of starting lineups, regardless of how much (or little) Finley is able to play this week.
Seattle at Arizona - What a difference a week makes. Two weeks ago Cardinals’ QB Kurt Warner threw 5 interceptions during his team’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Last week Warner rebounded against the Bears, throwing 5 touchdown passes in a game for the first time in over a decade and earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in the process. Fellow “old pro” QB Matt Hasselbeck leads the Seahawks into town for what figures to be a Punt, Pass, & Kick Pass, Pass, & Pass competition. Seahawks to start include Hasselbeck (Questionable-shoulder), TE John Carlson, and WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh & Nate Burleson. Leave RBs Julius Jones & Justin Forsett on the bench. Cardinals to start include Warner, RB Tim Hightower, TE Ben Patrick (Questionable-knee), WRs Larry Fitzgerald & Steve Breaston (Questionable-knee), and K Neil Rackers. Add RB Chris Wells to the list if you’re in a deeper league. I’d leave WR Anquan Boldin (Probable-ankle) out of your starting lineup this week even if he is able to play.
New England at Indianapolis - This week brings the latest installment of the NFL’s best quarterback rivalry. It’s hard to determine the better signal-caller on the field, but when it comes to Saturday Night Live appearances, Colts’ QB Peyton Manning wins easily against Patriots’ QB Tom Brady. Fortunately for Brady (and his teammates), this week’s competition will take place on a football field. Patriots to start include Brady (Probable-here we go again shoulder), RB Laurence Maroney, TE Ben Watson (Probable-back), WRs Randy Moss & Wes Welker, and K Stephen Gostkowski. Expect RBs Sammy Morris (Questionable-knee) & Fred Taylor (Questionable-ankle) to remain sidelined this week. Colts to start include Manning, RB Joseph Addai, TE Dallas Clark, and WR Reggie Wayne. I would recommend against starting RB Donald Brown and WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie. WR Anthony Gonzalez (Questionable-knee) will likely be out at least another week.
Baltimore at Cleveland - If he is to be believed, Browns’ RB Jamal Lewis will face his former team for the last time Monday night. Lewis claims to have made up his mind prior to the start of the season that he would retire at the end of this year; Browns’ fans can be forgiven for wondering if Lewis hasn’t already retired on the job. Ravens to start in this matchup include QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, TE Todd Heap, WRs Derrick Mason & Mark Clayton, K Steven Hauschka, and the Defense. Once again, I’d leave RB Willis McGahee on the bench until further notice. There are no Browns worth starting this week - that includes QB Brady Quinn (who starts the second half of his Grover Cleveland act this week), Lewis, and WR Mohamed Massaquoi.
Good luck to your teams this weekend!
Until next time,
The Sherpa
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