Week 5 was arguably the most unpredictable week of the 2009 NFL season to date. Chris Johnson does nothing, Matt Hasselbeck explodes with two cracked ribs and the Broncos are still undefeated after beating the Patriots.

Lets try to make sense of what’s to come in Week 6!

Fantasy Flash Podcast – Week 6

Fantasy Football Lineup Advice with Jerod and Kurt

Week 5 Recap

If you followed PFI last week, you benefited from starting Rashard Mendenhall (93 total yards with a touchdown), and a bottom-of-the-bucket waiver wire steal in Mike Wallace (52 yards and a touchdown). PFI, as well as the rest of the fantasy world, missed the boat on Jerome Harrison (21 total yards) which reaffirmed my theory of “Do Not Start Cleveland Browns!”

This week my format of my weekly “NFL Fantasy Football Sleepers; Waiver Wire Steals” will change from weeks past. The format will be set to correspond with our weekly podcast “Fantasy Flash” which is brought to you courtesy of MidwestSportsFans.com.

The new format will lay out the upcoming week’s top performer, start em’s/sit em’s, plus our weekly sleepers and waiver wire steals.

The Week 6 top performer will be Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers. In his last start in and versus Minnesota, Rodgers threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns! Imagine what Aaron will do against the Detroit Lions.

This week’s Start Em’s are:

1. Matt Hasselbeck-QB-Seahawks. Playing through pain was no problem for Hasselbeck last week, as he exploded for 241 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Jags. This week I like his match up at home versus Arizona.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew-RB-Jaguars. Jones-Drew, currently 4th among running backs, is facing the Rams, who will get any offense back on track. A much invited match up for Jacksonville, who struggled against Seattle.

3. Cedric Benson-RB-Bengals. Benson is for real! Currently ranked 5th among fantasy RB’s, Benson had great games this year against the Steelers and the Ravens, and now he draws the Texans who lead the league in giving up rushing touchdowns. Benson is a great play here.

Sit Em’s

1. Philip Rivers-QB-Chargers. Rivers has been a fantasy monster to this point. With that said, the Chargers are facing the Broncos this week. The Broncos have only allowed 17 points against once this year, and that was to the Patriots. They held every other opponent to 10 points or less. If you have another option, roll with them!

2. Any Cleveland Browns. They could not produce scores against Buffalo. I do not like their chances against an under performing Steelers Defense, who is looking to get back on head coach Mike Tomlin’s good side. Eric Mangini gave his team off until Wednesday this week due to their win. They are facing the Steelers, not a good time to reward horrible offensive play.

3. Brandon Jacobs-RB-Giants. The Giants are facing the improved defense of the Saints this week. Worse than that, Jacobs has only found the endzone once this season. Jacobs will pound between the tackles, but teammate Ahmed Bradshaw has the big play potential.

Onto This weeks sleepers;

1.  Leon Washington-RB-Jets.  Washington has had double digit carries in all but one game this season.  He draws the Buffalo Bills that were gashed by Jamal Lewis last week.  I like Leon’s chances to break one against this defense.

2.  Donnie Avery-WR-Rams.  The Rams are facing the Jag’s 30th ranked pass defense, and who else does St. Louis have to catch passes?  If the Rams want to move the ball, it will be done through the air, and I look for Avery to get his.

3.  Sammy Morris-RB-Patriots.  With Fred Taylor down, the Pats will rely on old faithful, Sammy Morris to get their lead back responsibilities.  Keep in mind that some games the Pats act like they are not allowed to run, but Morris will get his opportunities.

Now onto this week’ss waiver wire steal.  This weeks waiver wire steal is… Click here to go to Pro Football Insight for the rest of the story!

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight
Senior Writer-MidwestSportsFans
Kurt@ProFootballinsight.net

**********

* – Donnie Avery photo credit: Brad Loper / DMN Photo Staff via Dallas Morning News

It’s that time of the week again: time for your early look at Week 3 of the 2009 fantasy football season with this week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em post.

As usual before we begin, it’s accountability time. Let’s see how I did in last week’s start ‘em, sit ‘em post:

• Start ‘Em Hits: QB Jay Cutler (236 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT); WR Terrell Owens (3 rec, 52 yards, TD); Green Bay Packers D/ST (31 pts allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, Defensive TD)
• Start ‘Em Misses: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (37 yards rushing, 2 rec, 8 yards receiving); TE Robert Royal (1 rec, 13 yards)
• Sit ‘Em Hits: RB Julius Jones (11 yards rushing, 3 rec, -2 yards receiving, 1 TD); TE Jeremy Shockey (4 rec, 49 yards); Philadelphia D/ST (42 pts allowed, 2 sacks, 1 safety)
• Sit ‘Em Misses: QB Peyton Manning (303 yards passing, 2 TDs); Dwayne Bowe (5 rec, 56 yards, TD)
• Sleeper Hits: RB Correll Buckhalter (76 yards rushing, 1 rec, 30 yards receiving, 1 TD); Washington Redskins D/ST (7 pts allowed, 1 sack, 1 TO)
• Sleeper Misses: QB Shaun Hill (144 yards passing, 0 TD); WR Robert Meachem (1 rec, 11 yards); TE Vernon Davis (2 rec, 32 yards)

Obviously I am proud of my Cutler recommendation when everyone else was telling you to sit him, but there are a few valuable lessons that I was reminded of last week:

1. Don’t ever sit Peyton Manning, especially against a suspect pass defense like Miami. In hindsight, this pick was more with my heart (as a Dolphins fan) than with my head. With less than 15 minutes of possession, Manning still had a great night. Stars typically play well on the biggest stages, and I should have looked elsewhere for a top-line QB who might not have a great day rather than telling you to sit an all-time great.
2. Don’t pick any Browns offensive players until they show some semblance of competence on offense.
3. Perhaps Vernon Davis isn’t going to explode and become a superstar this year. Either way, Brent Celek is the other guy I was considering last week and he is quickly a becoming a weekly must start TE. Amends are made below.

All in all, slightly more hits than misses, but still work to be done. I take these recommendations very seriously and want to steer you in the right direction.

I’m mainly trying to get tuned up for the bye weeks, because that’s where start ‘em, sit ‘em advice and sleeper picks really become important. But let’s see if I can build on my Week 2 improvement and have closer to a perfect week in Week 3.

As always, the comment section is yours. Post any lineup or waiver wire question and I’ll answer it as soon as I’m able up until kickoff.

Now onto the start ‘em, sit ‘em picks for Week 3. 

Fantasy Football

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Lineup Advice

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em: Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills (vs New Orleans)

I was high on Trent Edwards as a sleeper coming into the season and a lot of people laughed at me. Well after two games, who’s laughing now? 

Edwards has been solid so far: 221 passing yards per game, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. This week, he gets to go up against a defense that has given up a lot of passing yards this year (288 per game) but also gotten its fair share of turnovers (6 INTs).

Trent Edwards though, unlike Matthew Stafford and Kevin Kolb, will not be making his first career start against the Saints.

We know that New Orleans can and will score, and that the Bills will have to keep pace to have a chance. I already predicted that the Bills will cover the 5.5 point spread at home in this week’s TV schedule and point spreads post, so obviously I think they will do just that.

With Fred Jackson providing a solid rushing complement to Edwards’ sound decision making and outside playmakers (T.O. and Lee Evans), this Buffalo offense has been one of the more underrated units in the NFL through two weeks. 

Look for Edwards to get into a bit of a shootout with Drew Brees. He won’t win it — either in real life or fantasy — but he will put up points worthy of a starting spot in most leagues.

Trent Edwards Week 3 projection: 285 yards passing, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Others I like in Week 3: Philip Rivers (vs Miami); Matt Schaub (vs Jacksonville); Eli Manning (at Tampa Bay); Joe Flacco (vs Cleveland)

Sit ‘Em: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (vs Pittsburgh)

So far in 2009, Carson Palmer has been pretty ho-hum. He threw for 247 yards, 0 TDs, and 2 INTs in Week 1 against Denver, then rebounded somewhat with a 2 TD performance this past Sunday (but with only 185 yards and 2 INTs).

Many people expected Palmer to reassert himself as a top-10 or even top-5 fantasy quarterback this year. So far it hasn’t happened, despite the reemergence of the Bengals’ running game. 

This will be Carson Palmer’s first game against the Steelers since December of 2007 after missing most of last year with an injury. And though Troy Polamalu will still not be in the lineup for Pittsburgh — and Jay Cutler had a good day against the Steelers last Sunday — I’d like to see a little more consistency from the Bengals passing game before I throw Palmer out there against such a great defense.

Palmer may have a decent day, and I would not sit Chad Ochocinco, but there are other 2nd-tier QBs that you might also have that I like better, including: Matt Schaub (vs JAX), Aaron Rodgers (vs STL), Eli Manning (at TB), Trent Edwards (vs New Orleans).

Carson Palmer Week 3 projection: 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Others I don’t like in Week 3: Kerry Collins (at New York Jets); Brett Favre (vs San Francisco); Kyle Orton (at Oakland)

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Running Backs

Start ‘Em: Steve Slaton, Houston (vs Jackonsville)

There are some easy RB choices this week (look below in Others I Like) but I’m not taking the easy way out. I am a Steve Slaton owner, and others like me are probably wondering whether sitting Slaton is a good idea after watching him rush for 51 yards and not get into the end zone through the season’s first two games.

Start him. I am. And here’s why:

• Last year in two games against Jacksonville, Slaton rushed for 166 yards, had 135 yards receiving, and scored 3 TDs.
• Jacksonville’s defense has been overrated against the run for a few years now. They have already given up two rushing TDs in two games this year against the two worst rushing attacks in the NFL from 2008 (Indy, Arizona). Last year, they were 13th in the NFL against the run and gave up 14 TDs. Decent but not great, and I don’t think they are even that good this year.
• Slaton is due.

Houston knows they have to run the ball to be successful this year. Last week, they got their passing game going against Tennessee. This week, it will be all about the run. Slaton had tough matchups in Weeks 1 and 2 (Jets, Titans) but should find plenty more room to run this week.

Steve Slaton Week 3 projection: 95 yards rushing, 1 TD, 5 rec, 55 yards receiving

Other RBs — specifically, good ones who have struggled so far in 2009 — I like in Week 3: Steven Jackson (vs Green Bay); Clinton Portis (vs Detroit); Matt Forte (at Seattle)

Sit ‘Em: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati (vs Pittsburgh)

Can you tell that I think it’s going to be a tough day for the Bengals at home against Pittsburgh?

Look, I’m a card-carrying member of the I Hate Cedric Benson Club, but even I can’t deny that he has been very good this year. He’s run for 217 yards through two games and has scored a TD. But Pittsburgh has one of the NFL’s best rushing defenses week in and week out, and they have already shut down fantasy studs Chris Johnson and Matt Forte in back-to-back weeks.

Why in the hell would a perennial fantasy stiff like Benson do what those two could not?

You want numbers? Here you go: Last year, Pittsburgh gave up 80.2 yards per game on the ground and allowed only seven rushing TDs all year. This year, they are giving up only 64.5 yards per game and have yet to give up a rushing score. Cedric Benson has a career average of 3.7 yards per carry and has scored a grand total of 13 TDs in 49 games.

No thank you. That was easy.

Cedric Benson Week 3 projection: 41 yards, 0 TDs

Other RBs I don’t like in Week 3: Thomas Jones (vs Tennessee); LenDale White (at New York Jets); Willie Parker (at Cincinnati); Larry Johnson (at Philadelphia)

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em: Derrick Mason, Baltimore (vs Cleveland)

Cleveland’s defense has actually not been as bad as you might think. It is the offense that has truly been putrid. The problem is that the offense’s inability to stay in the field has led to tired legs in the second half and big plays for the opposition.

With Hank Poteat looking absolutely incompetent covering the slot, Derrick Mason could have another good game against the Browns. Here are his last four outings against Cleveland, the first two of which were with Joe Flacco at QB last season: 9 rec, 136 yards, TD; 4 rec, 42 yards; 6 rec, 83 yards; 10 rec, 78 yards.

Not too shabby.

Mason is hit or miss in terms of touchdowns, but makes an especially solid play this week in PPR leagues. The Browns will give up a lot of underneath receptions, which is exactly where Mason likes to operate. Plus, Baltimore should get up early and be salting away a win in the second half, which means they probably won’t be going deep too often after the first couple of quarters.

Derrick Mason Week 3 projection: 7 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

Other WRs I like in Week 3: Torry Holt (at Houston); Braylon Edwards (at Baltimore); Lee Evans (vs New Orleans); Mario Manningham and Steve Smith (at Tampa Bay); Desean Jackson (vs Kansas City); Johnny Knox (at Seattle)

Sit ‘Em: Donnie Avery, St. Louis (vs Green Bay)

A lot of fantasy owners had high hopes for Donnie Avery on the heels of his breakout rookie campaign during which he caught 53 balls or 674 yards and 3 TDs. Through two games in 2009, however, Avery has only 7 catches for 50 yards.

This week, the Rams play a Green Bay defense that was shredded by the Bengals last week at home. Green Bay’s primary problem on D is their inability to stop the run, but they do have two solid cornerbacks in Charles Woodson and Al Harris that will make life difficult for Avery and Laurent Robinson.

For St. Louis to win on Sunday, Steven Jackson will need to be the first, second, and third options in the offense. I think Avery will see limited targets, especially with Robinson’s emergence (11 receptions, 141 yards, 1 TD on the season).

Donnie Avery Week 3 projection: 3 rec, 35 yards, 0 TD

Other WRs I don’t like in Week 3: Nate Washington (at New York Jets); Laveraneus Coles (vs Pittsburgh); Nate Burleson (vs Chicago)

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Tight Ends

Start ‘Em: Brent Celek, Philadelphia (vs Kansas City)

I should have listed Brent Celek here last week and taken advantage of his 8 catch, 104-yard performance. Alas, I did not; but I am righting that wrong this week.

Celek has been outstanding so far this year, catching no fewer than six passes through the Eagles’ first two games. Kevin Kolb, the likely starter for this Sunday’s game against Kansas City, clearly likes Celek and will throw the ball his way often.

And guess what? Kansas City sucks, which makes this a really solid matchup for Celek and his owners.

Brent Celek Week 3 projection: 8 rec, 79 yards, 1 TD

Other TEs I like in Week 3: Todd Heap (vs Cleveland); Dustin Keller (vs Tennessee)

Sit ‘Em: Benjamin Watson, New England (vs Atlanta)

I’m afraid fantasy owners are going to overrate Ben Watson for at least the first few weeks of the season. His Week 1 numbers will skew his cumulative totals and make otherwise sensible owners forget that he has caught only 58 passes over the past two seasons.

Watson was tremendous in Week 1, catching six balls for 77 yards and 2 TDs, but that was more of a fluky function of that game’s situation and a specific defense Buffalo had been employing that Tom Brady took advantage of in the waning moments of the game.

I expect Tom Brady to look deep early and often against the Falcons. Watson may catch a few balls, but there are plenty of better options who are probably available, but may not have the gaudy and misleading two week stats that Watson has put up so far.

Ben Watson Week 3 projection: 3 rec, 24 yards, 0 TD

Other TEs I don’t like in Week 3: Zach Miller (vs Denver)

Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Defense / Special Teams Units

Start ‘Em: Denver Broncos at Oakland

Denver’s D was a much-maligned unit heading the 2009 season, but thus far is the #2 ranked defense in fantasy. Granted, they played the Browns last week to help prop up the numbers, but they also held a pretty potent Cincinnati offense in check the week prior.

What I like about Denver’s D is their ability to pressure the quarterback. Elvis Dumervil alone sacked Brady Quinn four times last week. Sacks are a good way to balance out giving up a few points…but giving up lots of points shouldn’t be a problem this week for Denver.

Denver faces Oakland and JaMarcus Russell — the same JaMarcus Russell who went 7-24 last week against Kansas City. The Raiders are also without starting guard Robert Gallery, who is injured.

This should be an ugly, low-scoring game between two underrated defenses. Considering the Raiders’ porous QB play and Denver should be a solid start for at least one more week.

Denver D/ST Week 3 projection: 13 points or less given up, 4 sacks, 2 INTs

Other team defense units I like in Week 3: Philadelphia (vs Kansas City); Green Bay (vs St. Louis); Washington (vs Detroit); Baltimore (vs Cleveland)

Sit ‘Em: Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina

Dallas’ defense has been very disappointing so far this year. They have yet to force a fumble or record a sack. And while you might say that they are due, I’d rather not take my chances against an offense that has DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Steve Smith, no matter how much Jake Delhomme has struggled.

Truthfully, I came close to putting Jake Delhomme in the start ‘em column for this week. Dallas’ D is very susceptible to big pass plays, and Delhomme-Smith is still a lethal downfield combo that is searching for its first TD connection of the year. Delhomme played better last week, and has perhaps put his ungodly INT problems behind him.

Either way, you have better options than the Cowboys’ D in what will probably end up being a shootout this coming Monday night.

Dallas D/ST Week 3 projection: 27 or more points given up, 1 sack, 1 INT

Other team defense units I don’t like in Week 3: Buffalo (vs New Orleans); Indianapolis (at Arizona); Arizona (vs Indianapolis); New England (vs Atlanta); Atlanta (at New England)

Can you tell that I think you should take the over in the Indy-Arizona and Atlanta-New England games?

I’m going to try something new this week and let you the readers chime in with some thoughts regarding my start ‘em, sit ‘em predictions. If nothing else, this should give other readers more insight into what the majority opinions are, rather than just my own.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

That’s it for this week’s start ‘em, sit ‘em lineup advice and projections column. As I mentioned above, use the comment section to its full extent. Let’s get some good fantasy tips, Q&A, and discussion going and help everyone get prepared for their Week 3 matchups.

**********

* – Carson Palmer photo credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images via DayLife

* – Brent Celek photo credit: 2 Minuted to Midnight Green

I want to send a special thanks to Chad Thompson in Canada. Chad, thank you for your support, and tell those around you the same. I think it’s time that the NFL gives Canada two teams, since they have no problem flying players all over the world to play regular season games. And as I told you, you should feel comfortable not only having both Titans running backs, but starting them as well, I would.

The Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus has generated so much traffic for questions over the last week, that I am going to dedicate this week to answering those questions, as I see that a lot of owners have the same concerns.

When you submit a question, I would greatly appreciate it if you can tell me where you are from, so I have an idea of what markets I am reaching. Thanks in advance.

Dave writes:

Thanks again for the great TE advice last week, H. Miller helped me out as I won by 3 points. I have another tough question for week 9. I have Drew Brees on bye as well as Steve Smith and Colston. I have dropped Miller and picked up Chad Pennington over both Jeff Garcia and Matt Ryan who were both available on waivers. Do you agree with that move? I have also dropped Jeremy Shockey and picked up Ted Ginn Jr. I dropped Minnesota’s defense as I also have Buffalo which should have a favorable schedule coming up and potential suspensions in MN scare me. I have picked up Donnie Avery. My rambling question is this: I will be starting DeSean Jackson this week and have an open WR spot to fill with one of Ginn, Avery, or Lavernous Coles. Who do you go with?

I’m glad that my Heath Miller advice pushed you over the top for a win last week, that’s fantastic! What’s funny is all of the experts are jumping all over the Chad Pennington and Ted Ginn Jr. kick. I am not in such a hurry to anoint Chad Pennington as the save-all QB, and here is why: Chad Pennington has crippled me in previous years, and after being burned by him so many times, I would like to see him produce consistently. That is what wins fantasy football championships: consistency.

Without consistency, you are bobbling three or four players with average talent into your lineup with difficult starting decisions, and if you luck is like mine, you have the top performer looking up off of the bench, just like David Garrard last week. Speaking of consistency, Garrard has been just like the David Garrard of 2007 again. If this guy had an average receiver to throw to, he would be lights out.

I like Jeff Garcia’s match up this week against the Chiefs, and if you are in a keeper league, I love Matt Ryan. This rookie looked like a veteran against two great pass rush defenses, those being the Bears and the Eagles. Matt Ryan faces the Raiders this week. His only drawback would be if the Falcons open up a 14 point lead and pound the ground game at them to close it out. I have a feeling though that they may let Ryan air it out to continue his development, we will see. Chad Pennington has a plethora of lousy pass defenses he is about to face, I just have a hard time trusting him.

Your WR issue is even more difficult. Donnie Avery is on fire, but he is playing a good Cardinals “D.” Despite that, he is obviously Marc Bulger’s favorite target, this year’s Issac Bruce if you will. If Chad Pennington does not fail you, Ted Ginn is worthy of a start, and Laveraneus Coles is “consistent”, but has only had one monster game this year. If you are comfortable with Pennington, Ted Ginn would be a good start against the Broncos defense that made Matt Cassel look like a carbon copy of Tom Brady.

Fantasy Football Operating Tip #1

As a side note, when you, all of you make your lineup for the week, look at your opponents when you make your decision. If it appears that you are going to get throttled, you have to take chances on what players on your team can produce the most points, or as I say, has the highest ceiling. If you are the heavy favorite, you can play a conservative, or consistent lineup, to ensure your win. Scout your opponent, it will make your decisions easier.

Molly writes:

I have Washington Def for week 9 against Pit. The current available Def on Waiver are: NE, Dal, Jac, Sea, Ari, Den, Cle, Mia, Oak, Atl, Kc, Stl, Det, Cin. I’m thinking Jac against Cin. Thoughts?

I think that is a great idea. Jacksonville has a great D line which can dominate a game. They are coming off of a difficult loss to the Browns and this is a must win for them to stay in the wild card race. Automatic NO WAYS are the Patriots, Cowboys, Seattle, Arizona, Denver, Oakland, KC, Detroit and the Bengals because of who they are playing or how lousy their defense is, or both.

The Cleveland Browns have a good match up at home versus the Ravens, they just have to stop the run. The downside to the Browns is that the Ravens defense can score touchdowns, which will hurt the Browns D score.

Atlanta is playing a lousy Raiders team with their running back crew looking like a local Emergency Room, but this team did score on the Ravens, which I thought would never happen. At any rate, the Raiders are a mess. Miami’s defense is good, but so is the Broncos offense, so I would not start them either.

To answer your question, I like the Jags or the Falcons out of this group.

There are a ton of difficult decisions this week as far as matchups are concerned. Get your questions in to me by posting your questions on this site in the comments below, or you can reach me at profootballinsight@live.com. Again, please list where you are from.

I will leave you with this brain teaser for the week…. Clinton Portis is the NFL’s leading rusher. He is playing the Steelers #3 run defense this week on Monday night. Do you start Clinton Portis or bench him? Why or why not? I am looking forward to the debate.

Thanks again for the growing support, and feel free to head on over to the Week 9 Fire and Ice Fantasy Football Forum for additional advice and discussion.

Kurt Fraschetti

To opt-in for email updates regarding Fantasy Football content, or general updates from Midwest Sports Fans, please use the form below. Your updates will begin immediately:

Controversy in the Desert

The Cardinals have some incredible talent in the desert. Kurt Warner prayed that his team wouldn’t suck after he got Anquan Boldin rocked by the Jets and his prayers were answered by Steve Breaston. Breaston proved to fill the spot well and has averaged 98 YPG since week 4. Everyone saw his value hitting the floor, though, when Anquan Boldin bounced back. It didn’t. This week against the Panthers he had 91 yards and made it clear that he was still considered a key part of the offense. Not to mention, sticky contract negotiations with Boldin have Steve Breaston in the front office looking to ink a deal with the Cards.

Even with Anquan Boldin back, look for his value to even out slightly, and Steve Breaston’s to stay consistent. Remember the Cardinals throw the ball 60% of the time and Breaston is a primary kick returner, too. (Even with that, Tim Hightower has been the touchdown hawk for the Cards, so don’t count on blowup numbers for Breaston.)

There are some other key dudes back from injury that will change value around the league:

Brandon Stokely looks set to take the field in Denver after a concussion and has been seen as “the best slot receiver in the game” according to teammates. Trouble is with the return of Tony Scheffler and Eddie Royal as well, Stokely won’t get the lovely looks you want. He should be solid coming off the bye week, though, and look for Cutler to light it up against the Dolphins after an embarrassing loss to the Pats. (Jay Cutler has a huge ego…shhh, don’t tell him I told you, even though he wants you to know.)

Brandon Lloyd hit the practice field this week for the Bears. After a knee injury in the Philly game, Kyle Orton lost his most talented prospect. With Orton on the rise, the Bears coming off the bye and looking at Detroit at home, anyone on the Bears might be a good pickup. Keep your eye on his status though; if the knee goes south he will likely wait another week, then Rasheid Davis is probably your best bet in Chicago.

Joey Galloway, back in the Bay. This is great news for a Bucs’ team that has yet to establish an offensive identity. Galloway has not made much noise yet, because he is still splitting time with Antonio Bryant and even Ike Hillard. Joey Galloway is a beast though and has wheels, when his timing returns with Garcia he will find big gains for a Bucs’ team that really can’t run the ball consistently.

Sidney Rice looks like he will be back and healthy for the Vikings this week after struggling to get to 100% with a knee injury. He is the number two wide receiver in Minnesota and will be in the game this week against Houston.

Blow ups in Week 8

If someone in your league hasn’t found Donnie Avery, yet. Get him. I think that goes without saying. The Rams, it turns out, know how to play football and Donnie Avery is a beast.

Ted Ginn Jr. might be more likely to still be floating around in some leagues. The Ohio State alum proved that Chad Pennington has a target on the rise in Miami. He’s still a risk for a big start but will certainly start to show up more, so get him while you can.

Finally, David Garrard might have a target. Reggie Williams might be the go-to in Jacksonville after starting the season with an injury. Plus, Matt Jones can’t stay off the white horse and is looking at a suspension and looking skinnier, I might add.

Be wary of your “studs”

T.O. is losing value with every snap Brad Johnson takes and every move Jerry Jones makes. It’s like a bad Sting ballad. His fantasy stud status is real questionable with this team struggling like it has. Don’t be afraid to sit him if you have a viable option to back him up. On the road in New York won’t be a trip the boys want to remember on Monday morning.

Plaxico Burress is a virus, a virus that Tom Coughlin hates and Eli Manning can avoid. The Giants want to keep this guy as distant from the core of their team as possible and with other receiving options for Eli – Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Kevin Boss and even Derrick Ward – he can find someone else open to do the job who likes playing there. Plaxico Burress had 3 catches for 15 yards last week against the Steelers, and while he gets looks in the red zone, the Giants are good enough to stay away from him if they need to.

Questions? Thoughts? Leave them in the comment thread below and let’s discuss.

(For additional Fantasy Football Week 9 information, also check out the Week 9 Fire and Ice Fantasy Football Forum and the Week 9 Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus.)

To opt-in for email updates regarding Fantasy Football content, or general updates from Midwest Sports Fans, please use the form below. Your updates will begin immediately:

The interim coach is now 2-0 and obviously has the minds and ear’s open from his over achieving players. Though we have all seen this offense be potent in the past it is really the defense that is now overachieving. “It was short and sweet,” quarterback Marc Bulger said of Haslett’s pre-game speech when he thought his team was too nervous. “But it was full of explicit words.”

Scott Linehan got his first shot at head coach and failed even worse than his predecessor Mike Martz. I hated Martz but at least Martz failed in the Super Bowl once. Even more stunning is the St. Louis Haslett’s won consecutive games for the first time since Mike Martz (2004). So not to over analyze how big of a loser Linehan was I’ll leave it to Steven Jackson, “We’re having fun now.

Haslett history shows Mike Ditka left a 3-13 New Orleans team in 2000 to Haslett and he turned it around to a 10-6 playoff team the following year. Haslett lasted 5 years in New Orleans and was kind of disenfranchised when he was fired after the crazy Hurricane Katrina team went 3-13 that played without a home stadium.

The changed attitude on the Rams doesn’t surprise me considering Jim Haslett doesn’t understand the notion of pressure as evident from his pre-game speech (chairs were thrown). Apparently in the fourth quarter after a FG gave them 34 points Haslett was running up and down the sidelines yelling “40!” over and over again. I love that mentality (coming from the guy who loves to tell the Woody Hayes “because I couldn’t go for three” story). A fresh feeling from the first four games in which the Rams lost by a 26 point average.

Another good feeling is Issac Bruce’s replacement is now a rookie WR coming into his own, Donnie Avery. The speedster from Houston had a 42 yard TD catch and ended up with 5 catches for 65 yards. He also had a clutch long ball catch at Washington the previous week which set up the game winning FG.

And now? One week at a time so all I can say is, bring on the Patriots. Or as Haslett will probably put it, bring on the f*cking Patriots.

Side note: Steven Jackson (with T Orlando Pace out) had 25 carries for 160 yards and 3 TD’s while playing with a deep thigh bruise. An MRI today will confirm if he must miss any games.

[tags]st. louis rams, jim haslett, dallas cowboys, nfl, football[/tags]