Last week’s Start/Sit column offered you an average 8-7 record, but also suggested you start Brett Favre, who threw four touchdown passes, and LaDainian Tomlinson, who finally had a big game, and scored two touchdowns. We also wisely suggested you to sit Eli Manning (above), and continue to suggest you to do so.
As for the other solid players, as well as the guys who didn’t live up to our predicted potential, head over to Week Eight’s “Don’t Kill the Messenger” to get some analysis.
Teams on Bye: Bills, Jets, Rams, Vikings, Browns, Raiders
Read on for Week Nine’s Start/Sit advice:
Start
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Hasselbeck wasn’t terrible against the Cowboys last week, but he wasn’t sensational, either. Detroit Lions pass defense to the rescue! As long as the badly suits up and his broken ribs don’t hold him back, he should post a fine stat line against a very weak secondary.
Prediction: 17-24, 240 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Smith was a solid sleeper this week, and with a tasty match-up with the Titans weak pass defense, Week Nine is the week where he shines.
Prediction: 20-28, 274 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers
Grant has had one elite game all season, and it came against extremely weak competition. Good thing Tampa Bay’s defense fits the bill.
Prediction: 15 att, 99 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD
Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has had it rough lately, but a match-up with the lowly Lions can’t hurt their chances at offensive success. His six catches for 89 yards against Dallas last week leave room for optimism against the Lions weak secondary.
Prediction: 8 rec, 107 yds 1 TD
Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens corrected their pass defense woes against the Broncos, but the odds aren’t in their favor of doing it two weeks in a row, let alone against an elite receiver like Ochocinco.
Prediction: 7 rec, 88 yds, 1 TD
Sit
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
Manning has three touchdowns and six interceptions in his last three games, as the Giants are 0-3 in that span. You just can’t trust him right now.
Prediction: 21-35, 284 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
Moreno runs hard and can make some plays, but he will be facing a tough test against a very good Steelers run defense. The Broncos will likely be passing a lot.
Prediction: 14 att, 52 yds, 0 TD, 3 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD
Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins
I love Williams and his ability to spring a positive play every week, but it’s hard to love his potential against a fairly solid Patriots defense. I’m picking Miami to upset New England this week, but look for it to be more by the hands of Ronnie Brown, rather than Williams.
Prediction: 12 att, 45 yds, 0 TD, 3 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook isn’t a guarantee to play, is sharing the ball, and is going up against a solid Dallas defense. He simply isn’t the elite force he used to be, and can no longer be relied upon.
Prediction: 6 att, 28 yds, 0 TD, 2 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD
Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Broncos
The Broncos will try to run the ball on the Steelers, but will eventually go to the air a ton in a tough match-up on Monday Night Football. While the targets bode well for Marshall, Steelers’ corner Ike Taylor should be able to keep him in check enough to keep him from being a stellar fantasy option.
Prediction: 5 rec, 62 yds, 0 TD
Sleeper
Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
Young was very solid in Tennessee’s first win last week, and while I see the Titans having a tough time with the 49ers, I don’t see Young’s success stopping.
Prediction: 17-25, 211 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 4 att, 33 yds, 0 TD
Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m not vouching for Freeman for this week or for the rest of the season. I am merely urging all fantasy owners in need of quarterback help to monitor how he does, and put him on your roster if you’re desperate.
Prediction: 11-19, 147 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Jones had eight rushing attempts for the second straight game since returning, although he hasn’t topped 40 yards rushing. The touches are there. Just be patient, and you will soon see the benefits of having Jones on your roster.
Prediction: 9 att, 77 yds, 1 TD, 2 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD
Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans
Owen Daniels is out for the season with a torn ACL, which should launch Walter back into fantasy relevancy. Matt Schaub loved throwing to Daniels over the middle, and with Walter’s great hands and good play-making ability, he will find his new “second” favorite target.
Prediction: 7 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD
Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bryant is nearing full health, and will be getting passes thrown to him by the strong-armed Josh Freeman. Freeman may not be overly accurate or experienced, but all Bryant needs against a vulnerable Green Bay pass defense is a few chances on some deep balls.
Prediction: 5 rec, 85 yds, 1 TD
