Run to the playoffs starts now!

You know how this works by now. I give you guys you may not normally play that you should look at putting in your lineups this week, and also guys who you normally have playing, who you might want to sit because of a bad matchup.

QB

JP Losman, Buffalo- Got the starting gig back, and has a great opportunity to succeed against the pathetic Bengals. He hit a long TD pass to Lee Evans last week too, waking Evans from his slumber.

Jason Campbell, Washington- Actually put up decent numbers in a blowout loss to the Pats last week…things will be much easier this week agains the Jets.

RB

Kevin Jones, Detroit- Lions are leaning heavily on him and will do so again versus a weak defense in Denver.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay- Looked solid last week, and gets the starting job now with DeShaun Wynn going down for the year.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo- If you have him on the bench, get him up and in this week. He’s been impressive this season exceeding any expectations I had for him and is a legit RB2 any given week.

Michael Robinson, San Francisco- He runs with power and has better than average speed and quickness. He’ll replace Frank Gore if Gore sits and has a nice matchup versus Atlanta.

WR

Mike Furrery, Detroit- Look for him to get a lot of looks out of the slot this week against the Broncos so as not to challenge their perimeter corners.

Sidney Rice, Minnesota- Longer shot, but with Bobby Wade dinged, he could be the top target against a questionable secondary in San Diego. Not to mention the Chargers will likely force them into passing situations.

Santana Moss, Washington- He’s been a collosal bust this year, but at some point he has to be given a greater role in this sputtering offense where no WR is yet to score a TD!!

Think about sitting these guys this week.

QB

John Kitna, Detroit- Don’t replace him with just anyone, but the Lions are likely to attempt to attack the Denver pourous run defense thus cutting down on Kitna’s yards.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh- I hate when you have to hope for a couple short TD passes out of my quarterback for a good week…and that’s what you’d be doing this week against Baltimore.

RB

Edgerrin James, Arizona- Bucs run defense is solid, he’ll get his carries, but I am not sure it will add up to many yards for Edge.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans- The Jags will punish him. This will not be a good week for Reggie and his ribs.

WR

Chris Chambers, San Diego- Still breaking in with new team, and despite a touchdown last week, he’ll be seeing a lot of Antoine Winfield on Sunday.

Andre Johnson, Houston- Not yet. He isn’t expected to play.

Darrell Jackson, San Francisco- Really close to just telling you to cut bait on him. He can’t stay healthy.

And of course don’t play anyone on Chicago, St. Louis, Miami, and NY Giants.

Good luck!

Tags: 2007, Fantasy, Football, Mike Tuck, QB, Quarterback, RB, Running Back, Wide Receiver, WR

A lot of byes causing havok!!

It’s another tough week, the 2nd and final time that six teams have off which can make it very difficult to set your lineups. Here are some guys that you may not normally play, but you might want to stick in there this week.

QB

Brian Griese, Chicago- The guy keeps putting up average weeks and then has adds about 100 yards and a touchdown in the last 2 minutes of the game and his stat line looks great. He was solid 3 weeks ago against the Lions, he’ll do it again.

Derek Anderson, Cleveland- I don’t know if I need to tell you to start him, but please do until further notice.

Marc Bulger, St. Louis- If he doesn’t put up some numbers against the Browns suspect secondary then you may as well reserve him the remainder of the year.

Eli Manning, NY Giants- I’d assume in most leagues he is a starter, but if not, he needs to be in this week against Miami.

RB

Clinton Portis, Washington- A large dose of Portis is the Skins only shot to keep it close against the Pats.

Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants- This is a great play, especially if Zach Thomas doesn’t play because the Fins run defense is helpless without him.

LenDale White, Tennessee- He’s been very good lately and with the injury to Chris Brown, and taking on a struggling Raiders defense he’s become a solid play almost every week.

WR

Calvin Johnson, Detroit- He’s almost ready to be a regular WR2 if he can get more touches. He’s scoring one out of every five touches.

Andre Davis, Houston- He’s become a go-to guy with Andre Johnson out of the lineup.

Joe Jurivicious, Cleveland- He’s finally healthy and practicing full-time coming off a buy and his scraps in this offense should result in a solid week against the weekling Rams.

Arnez Battle, San Francisco- Alex Smith comes back this week and with D-Jax looking doubtful, Battle again becomes a worthy WR3 this week with six teams on bye.

Roydell Williams, Tennessee- In the absence of Brandon Jones he had a huge game last week, and will be the go-to guy again this week.

Hard to bench guys on a week where six teams are off, but here are a few.

QB

Daunte Culpepper, Oakland- I know it might be tempting, and if you’ve been playing him then your team must not be doing to well, but trade him if you can because his time as starter is running short.

Jason Campbell, Washington- I wouldn’t recommend it against New England. The Redskins only managed 95 yards passing against Arizona.

RB

Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati- Coming back (maybe?) from a hamstring injury against the Steelers. Only if you absolutely have no other option should you play Rudi.

DeShaun Foster, Carolina- He’s hurt, going against the Colts (who’d have guessed a year ago that that would be an argument to bench someone?), and his job is slipping away.

WR

Laverneous Coles, NY Jets- He’s a little gimpy, and will have a tougher go of it this week going head-to-head with Terrence McGee.

Marques Colston, New Orleans- What a disappointment, eh? Don’t expect a bounce-back against Nate Clements who slowed down Plaxico and held him without a touchdown for the first time all season last week.

And of course, a reminder to not play anyone on Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Arizona, Seattle, and Baltimore. Good luck!

Tags: 2007, Advice, Fantasy, Football, Mike Tuck, QB, Quarterback, RB, Running Back, Wide Receiver, WR

Who should you play?

Less teams on bye this week, so more players in the pot, but still issues to look at with your lineups this week. If you need help, or just aren’t sure of a match-up, look at using the following guys who could surprise and be productive this week.

QB

Kyle Boller, Baltimore- He’s actually been pretty steady as a starter over the last couple years filling in, so if you have to, against Buffalo isn’t a bad spot to do it.

Chad Pennington, NY Jets- He is still starting, and has a great opportunity for success this week against Cincinnati.

RB

Thomas Jones, NY Jets- Had a nice game last week and the Jets look ready to hand it to him more as the season rolls along. Expect a big game this week.

Maurice Drew, Jacksonville- He has awoken in the last couple games, and the Jaguars are starting to realize they are at their best when he gets touches. The Jags stampeded the Colts last year, MoDrew is definitely a must play this week.

LenDale White, Tennessee- Vince Young may not play so the Titans will look to rely on the running game more. White has scored in three of his last four games.

Jerious Norwood, Atlanta- He’s still only getting about 10 touches a game, but as the season continues that number should rise as his home run ability needs to be more on display.

WR

Lee Evans, Buffalo- You may have him buried on your bench, but coming off a bye, the Bills have discussed throwing it his way more, and with Chris McAllister out for the Ravens, look for a big score this week.

Marty Booker, Miami- He’ll be the early beneficiary of the Chris Chambers trade, and with a blowout on the horizon this Sunday, Miami will be passing often.

Bobby Engram, Seattle- The Rams come to town and the Seahawks are coming off a butt kicking. When you struggle, you lean on those you trust. Matt Hasselbeck’s #1 guy will be Engram on Sunday afternoon.

Amani Toomer, NY Giants- As you saw last week, with a stud corner on one side, he was targeted more. Ditto this week against the Niners.

You might want to avoid the following guys this week, if you can come up with a suitable replacement.

QB

Donavon McNabb, Philadelphia- Struggled last week against a pathetic Jets team, so I am not expecting much against the Bears.

Jay Cutler, Denver- I’d rather not against the Steelers. Pittsburgh saw how the blitz-happy scheme of the Chargers attacked him two weeks ago.

RB

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota- Almost sounds blasphemous after last weeks incredible performance to have him here, but the Dallas run defense is solid and they will focus all their attention on AD. By the way, barring injury this guy is already a top 5 RB talent in the league.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo- Not a good week for the rookie runners. I wouldn’t play him if I didn’t have to against the Ravens.

WR

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh- Coming off an injury and going against Champ Bailey.

Marques Colston, New Orleans- Got into the endzone last week, but had only a couple yards. Really unacceptable for a guy with his draft status this season.

And remember not to play Green Bay, San Diego, Cleveland, or Carolina players this week…it’s their bye!

Good luck this week!

Tags: 2007, Advice, Fantasy, Mike Tuck, QB, Quarterback, RB, Running Back, Wide Receiver, WR

Set your lineup the right way!

Don’t let the bye week throw a monkey wrench in your lineup. These are some guys you need to get into your lineup somehow if you can.

QB

Steve McNair, Baltimore- He’s been putting the ball up a lot this year, and with 6 teams off this week, he’s definitely a must play against the sorry-a$$ Rams defense.

Damon Huard, Kansas City- Appears he’ll start, and if he does you have to consider him against the Bengals secondary minus a starting corner.

RB

Jason Wright and/or Jerome Harrison, Cleveland- They are likely to split carries if Jamal Lewis can’t play, but they go against Miami so they should have an opportunity to put up numbers.

Monitor situations with Kenny Watson (Cin), Sammy Morris (NE), Dominic Rhodes (Oak), and Derrick Ward (NYG) with the injury status of the starters ahead of them.

WR

Jerry Porter, Oakland- I have a feeling the Raiders are going to have to put it up early and often to keep up with the Chargers and Porter’s size will benefit him against the San Diego corners, who are on the small-side.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City- He is actually in the top 15 for all WR right now and gets a great match-up versus Cincy.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland- I mention his name because if you have him and haven’t been starting him, you must be either loaded at WR or dumb. Get him in and leave him in.

The Jets and Eagles starting wide-outs are all good plays. Also strongly consider Derrick Mason is collecting a ton of catches (great for reception leagues) and even look at Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams of Baltimore.

Andre Davis, Houston- He is getting a ton of looks over the last couple weeks and he actually resembles the talented player he was at Virginia Tech. He isn’t a bad play until Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones return from injury.

If you are desperate, consider Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram who will start of the Seahawks this week.

There aren’t many top shelf guys to recommend benching on a week where six teams are on their bye, but here are a few to think about benching if you have a suitable replacement.

QB

Gus Frerotte, St. Louis- Wouldn’t suggest playing him with a beat up offensive line, and no Issac Bruce against the Ravens.

Vince Young, Tennessee- He really struggled last week, and I think he’ll be fine over the season, but the Bucs in Tampa wouldn’t be a good spot for him to bounce back.

RB

Ahman Green, Houston- He’s coming back this week, but you might want to keep him on your bench.

LaMont Jordan, Oakland- He may play, he may not, but based on Larry Johnson’s 12 yard effort last week, you might want to keep him reserved.

WR

Brandon Jones, Tennessee- See Vince Young.

Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El, Washington- Moss is coming back from injury, and Randle-El had an amazing first half last week before getting hurt, but the Packers corners are pretty good.

And of course, don’t forget not to play anyone on Buffalo, Denver, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, or San Francisco.

Good Luck!

Tags: 2007, Fantasy, Mike Tuck, QB, Quarterback, RB, Running Back, Sleepers, Wide Receiver, WR

I was aces last week, hope you were reading. Let’s make it happen again!

These are some guys you should look at playing this week with bye weeks still rolling in.

QB

Joey Harrington, Atlanta- Talk about lighting a fire under someone. That’s what the signing of Byron Leftwich did in this case. Two straight solid starts and a chance to make it three against the Titans.

Jason Campbell, Washington- The Lions have been opportunistic if not good defensively which is good for the quarterbacks they face, and good for their defense in fantasy football as well.

RB

Michael Pittman, Tampa Bay- If the Bucs keep it close, they’ll have to grind it out on the ground. The Colts are without Rob Morris, and possibly Bob Sanders.

Ladell Betts, Washington- If you are in a pinch, or have Portis, you have to monitor this situation into the weekend, and Betts may end up a good play despite his slow start.

Keep an eye on Ron Dayne, Kenton Keith, and Selvin Young who may end up as nice plays this week because of injuries to starters.

WR

Antwaan Randle-El, Washington- With Santana Moss banged up with a groin problem; he’ll get a lot more looks this weekend.

Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis- If Harrison can’t go, he’ll step into the starting lineup. All he has to do is get open, Manning will find him.

Marty Booker, Miami- The Texans have issues at safety and with Dunta Robinson getting the job on Chris Chambers, Booker could be in for a good week.

Brandon Marshall, Denver- If you haven’t caught on yet, he’s pretty good and gets another favorable matchup this week.

Mark Clayton, Baltimore- He’s been battling an ankle injury all year and is just now getting back healthy and can breakout this week as Nate Clements clings to Derrick Mason.

You might want to look at benching these guys this week if you can find a better matchup on your bench.

QB

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle- The Steelers have a great pass defense, and have enough team speed to contain Shaun Alexander with their front seven.

Phillip Rivers, San Diego- Just not what most people expected to see out of a guy who was a Pro-Bowler last year, and going against Champ Bailey and company won’t help.
And don’t play Marc Bulger, Alex Smith, or Jake Delhomme (all are hurt) and don’t mess with the either Cardinals QB until they figure out who that is.

RB

Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants- Don’t get all excited just yet that he is back. I wouldn’t expect too much yardage-wise in this one against the Jets.

Clinton Portis, Washington- A sprained knee? Really. They just now figured this out and the Skins were coming off a bye-week. Sounds fishy to me.

Cedric Benson, Chicago- He is actually slowly, but surely phasing himself out in the windy city by his girly running style and the fact he keeps putting the ball on the ground.

WR

Derrick Mason, Baltimore- Off to a good start, but Nate Clements will eat his lunch Sunday.

Vincent Jackson, San Diego- He has dropped a couple of touchdowns this year or his stats wouldn’t look so busted, but he isn’t going to bounce back and the Bronco’s secondary.

Darrell Jackson, San Francisco- The only 49er’s player that you are allowed to play this week is Frank Gore, and even that would cause some pause against Baltimore.

And of course don’t play anyone on Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Oakland, and Minnesota.
Good luck to all this week!

Tags: 2007, Advice, Fantasy, Mike Tuck, QB, Quarterback, RB, Running Back, Wide Receiver, WR