First and foremost mother nature may make football take a backseat this weekend. Hurricane Rita looks as if its going to be another disaster, and reports will likely be brought in constantly throughout the weekend. It may be hard for football fans to deal with the updates, but please keep in mind a lot of people have family and friends in the areas Rita is expected to hit. At Notjustagame we hope the precautions taken this time around will lead to the overall better safety and quicker response for voluntary help, that may be needed afterwards.
Atlanta vs. Buffalo
Automatic: TJ Duckett, Willis McGahee, Alge Crumpler
This game doesnt present a forecast of fantasy madness. Instead it should be a low scoring and fairly slow managing game. TJ Duckett usually shines in these type of situations, because of bruising style.
Dont Do It: JP Losman, Mike Vick, any WR.
The quarterbacks havent looked effective in two games. There is no reason to see that changing this week.
Cincinnati at Chicago
Automatic: Bengals offensive starters, Thomas Jones, Mushin Muhammed
Marvin Lewis has done an outstanding job. The Bengals are not only a threat to make the playoffs, they may win their division. Their offense is always going to have the green light in starting on fantasy teams.
Dont Do It: Kyle Orton
A time comes when a quarterback is forced out of his shell because of the status of play on the field. Once the Bengals jump on the Bears, the Bears will have to change their game plan with Orton. It may hurt him now, but he seems to be the type of quarterback thatll turn around his fortunes quicker than most inexperienced quarterbacks.
Tampa Bay at Green Bay
Automatic: Brian Griese, Brett Favre, Robert Ferguson, Donald Driver, Michael Clayton
This will be a game of points and a few strange turnovers. Thats expected when Favre and Griese are under center.
Dont Do It: Carnell Williams
Just when the spotlight streaks on a young athlete is when a bad week happens. Every one has turned their heads away from Ronnie Brown to the leagues current overall best back. Green Bay has done a good job in stopping the run, and the Buccaneers dont usually score too many points. Williams yardage may eclipse the 100 yard mark, but may be cut away from the end zone. You just cant expect him to reach the end zone every week, he isnt LT. If the game becomes a passing shootout, Williams carries may slide by the second half.
Cleveland at Indianapolis
Automatic:
Fantasy fans are preying that Trent Dilfers play hasnt been a fluke. If it hasnt then the Browns and Colts may be the best game of the week, highlights wise. Lays should show plenty of commercials, because there are more than one fantasy football players to choose in this one.
Tennessee at St. Louis
Automatic: Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Steve McNair, Travis Henry, Drew Bennett
The rematch of 99s Super Bowl is not a fact to bring up here. The teams are no longer a strong force, and both are up in the air of where they are headed. Certain weeks they look okay and the next they look dismal.
Dont Do It: Chris Brown
Brown seems to be losing his ground to Travis Henry.
Carolina at Miami
Automatic: Jake Delhomme, Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, Gus Frerotte, Chris Chambers, Marty Booker
Here is the type of game Delhomme needs to break out. Miami should be able to stop the run early, and that usually means they can be thrown on. The defense never seems to be able to stop both the rushing and passing game.
Dont Do It: Ronnie Brown
Brown may not get a 100 yard game until one of the last weeks in the season. As soon as Ricky Williams is eligible, hell take away at least five to ten carries.
New Orleans at Minnesota
Automatic: Daunte Culpepper, Marcus Robinson, Aaron Brooks, Joe Horn, Donte Stallworth, Deuce McAllister
Another bad performance by Culpepper and you can kiss the Vikings season good bye. New Orleans cant stop the pass, so that shouldnt be the outcome for Culpepper.
Dont Do It: Michael Bennett
The Vikings need to trade for a RB, or give Bennett an actual chance.
Jacksonville at NY Jets
Automatic: Jimmy Smith
He could get a big play or two.
Dont Do It: Chad Pennington, Curtis Martin, Lavernues Coles
Let the garbage fly. The Jets offense has always ran off of Curtis Martins rushing. With his sore knee and the Jaguars defense thatll be hard to get going. The Jaguars can play press on the receivers all day and let their safeties roam freely to shut down Penningtons short throws. For the Jets to get over two hundred and fifty total yards would be a huge accomplishment.
Oakland at Philadelphia
The only question on this one is will Doug Gabriel, Jerry Porter, or Ronald Curry finally step up with the threat of Randy Moss out there?
Dallas at San Francisco
Automatic: Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn, Julius Jones, Keyshawn Johnson, Patrick Crayton
The drubbing the Eagles did to the 49ers last week will be a downplayed stomp this week.
Dont Do It: Kevan Barlow
Word is Frank Gore is closer to getting a start.
Arizona at Seattle
Automatic: Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, Matt Hasselbeck, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin
Shaun Alexander has had some fantastic numbers in previous years against the Cards.
Dont Do It: JJ Arrington or Marcel Shipp
Dennis Green is contemplating again. Shipp will likely get the start. If word comes on the official starter and its Shipp, start him. If its Arrington than dont.
New England at Pittsburgh
Automatic: Corey Dillon, Hines Ward, Deion Branch, Willie Parker
Expect the teams to enforce running the football.
Dont Do It: Either quarterback
Typically when these two play there have been points put up. It could happen again but dont count on it.
NY Giants at San Diego
Automatic: LT, Drew Brees, Antonio Gates, Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning
The crowd is pumped to let Eli Manning have it. Manning can quiet them down if he shows his maturity, or he can get rattled like he did last year. LT has already made it known that he is frustrated. So a breakout game is due from him.
Dont Do It: Keenan McCardell
Until Brees notices him when Gates is on the field, stay away from him.
Kansas City vs. Denver
Automatic: If its a Monday night game like this, you know to plug in all the stars you can. Keyword, Monday Night Football in the notjustagame search engine to see why its worth having an extra player or two for Monday.