Week 10: Game Previews
The final weekly byes take place this week and then the stretch run of the fantasy season begins in Week 11.
There is one gripe that I want to state before next week so that it doesn't interfere with more important information: If you are in the basement of your fantasy league or it's looking as though you won't be participating in your playoffs, do everyone in the league a favor and continue to actively participate with lineup changes and waiver moves.
I know it is difficult to care when your season has sort of imploded on you, but it is really unfair to those teams still in the running for a playoff spot when a competitor gets a "free win" because some owner started Tom Brady on his off week or kept some other schlub in his lineup because he didn't take the time to find out that the guy is grabbing pine. You wouldn't want it to happen to you, so don't be the guy that everyone berates over e-mail about his slacker attitude.
Other than that, enjoy this weekend of football.
Atlanta at Carolina
The first game between these two in Week Three offered up Joey Harrington's best fantasy game of 2007 by far. He threw for 361 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions. The Panthers have given up 51 points in the past two games, so their defense is struggling. On the other side of the ball, Carolina has scored just a combined two TDs in the past two losses, and neither David Carr nor Vinny Testaverde is the answer at QB.
Atlanta
Must start: None
Favorable situation: I know, I know, it's Joey Harrington but he gets one last chance; if Jerrious Norwood sits out to nurse his injured ankle, then Warrick Dunn will go back to seeing the vast majority of touches (although FB Ovie Mughelli stole a TD from him for those of you in scoring-heavy leagues); Roddy White
Unfavorable situation: If Norwood is cleared to play, the dreaded RBBC comes back into play and both RBs would be less desirable.
Don't start: Any other player
Carolina
Must start: None
Favorable situation: DeShaun Foster faces the 23rd-ranked run defense
Unfavorable situation: Take away his 10-catch, 136-yard performance in Week Six and Steve Smith's totals for his past five games are 15 catches for 122 yards - he really misses Jake Delhomme.
Don't start: Any other player
Buffalo at Miami
I heard the Dolphins had a hard time getting out of London after their last game because the British authorities charged them with impersonating American football players and doing a horrible job of it to boot. With all of this talk surrounding New England's chances of going undefeated this season, wouldn't it be ironic if Miami finished 0-16? By the way, welcome back to fantasy football, Lee Evans.
Buffalo
Must start: Marshawn Lynch is no Adrian Peterson, but he can do some damage against the 31st-ranked run defense; Evans
Favorable situation: J.P. Losman - Miami has fewer interceptions (4) than any other team and its 10 sacks beats out just four other defenses.
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other player
Miami
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Jesse Chatman is the only player even worth mentioning - and only because he faces the 19th-ranked run defense.
Unfavorable situation: Certainly you can find a better QB than Cleo Lemon; his WRs are too inconsistent (which is really just a nice way to say that they are horrible).
Don't start: Any other player
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
This is a great matchup between a surging offense (the Browns) and a bruising defense (the Steelers). Pittsburgh trounced Cleveland in Week One but that was before Derek and his Dominators - Anderson, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards - were all in full mojo mode. The Browns are fourth in overall offense but unfortunately they are also last in overall defense; the Steelers are first in defense and eighth in offense. Defense usually wins out in these situations.
Cleveland
Must start: Edwards; Winslow
Favorable situation: Anderson might not perform the way he has been performing, but hard to sit a guy who is putting up his numbers.
Unfavorable situation: Jamal Lewis had four TDs last week, but just 37 yards (he did add 67 yards receiving) - the Steelers give up 76 rushing yards per game and have allowed just two TDs all season; Joe Jurevicius is not on the same level as Edwards.
Don't start: Any other player
Pittsburgh
Must start: Ben Roethlisberger; Willie Parker; Heath Miller
Favorable situation: Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Nate Washington combined for 11 of the 14 passes Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch completed against Baltimore - Holmes and Ward have been more consistent than Washington.
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other player
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