By Vidur Malik
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Rashard Mendenhall – Though Ben Roethlisberger is back under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mendenhall should still be a crucial part of the offense. He had 27 carries in Roethlisberger’s first game on Sunday, and should continue to get plenty of touches as the team’s feature back.

Ray Rice – It’s been a tough season so far for Rice, but he should help the Baltimore Ravens run wild over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Rice is one of the best running and receiving threats in the game, and the Bills rank last in the league in rushing yards per game with 182.4. Look for Rice to have a big day.

Don’t Do It:
LeSean McCoy – Though the Philadelphia Eagles convincingly beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, McCoy struggled, gaining only three yards per carry. His numbers probably won’t be much better this Sunday, when the Eagles play the physical Tennessee Titans. The Titans rank eighth in rush defense, and after giving up over 100 yards to Felix Jones in week five, they shut down Maurice Jones-Drew on Monday night.

Michael Crabtree – Both Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers seemed to have picked up their game recently. The 49ers get their first win of the season in week six, and Crabtree has caught a touchdown pass in the last two games, after not catching any during the first four games. He only had 57 receiving yards after going over 100 the week before, and even though the 49ers will play a Carolina Panthers team that is fifth in the league in pass defense, Crabtree has become a primary target for the offense, and he should get a good amount of looks on Sunday.

Mike Wallace – It’s not common for your leading receiver to only have 12 catches after six games, but Wallace leads the Pittsburgh Steelers with that many receptions. The key number is Wallace’s 25.1 yards per catch average. With that kind of production, Wallace only needs a few catches a game to have a huge impact. That should be much of an issue with Roethlisberger’s strong arm.

Don’t Do It:
Marques Colston – Colston leads the New Orleans Saints in receptions and receiving yards, but doesn’t have any touchdowns this year. The Saints will always have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, and any one of their weapons can have a huge game, so don’t leave him on your bench for too long, but as Saints quarterback Drew Brees distributes touches to all his weapons, it looks like Colston’s numbers might fall a bit.

Matt Hasselbeck – Hasselbeck is coming off of a solid, but not impressive day in the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but he should have a more productive day this weekend, when he and the Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona ranks 26th in pass defense, giving up over 240 yards per game. A smart, veteran quarterback like Hasselbeck knows how to exploit a defense’s weak spots. Look for him to do that against the Cardinals.

Aaron Rodgers – The Green Bay Packers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and Rodgers should build off of his 300+ yard performance against Miami in week six. He only threw for one touchdown in that game, but he’ll be at home and against a team that gave up three touchdowns to Tony Romo in week six. The Vikings rank sixth in pass defense, but Rodgers should also be able to throw for a few touchdowns against his archrival.

Don’t Do It :
Donovan McNabb – McNabb hasn’t thrown for more than one touchdown pass in a game so far this year, and that’s probably not going to change this week against the Chicago Bears, who are third in the league in points per game with 16.2. The Redskins are ninth in passing yards per game with 244.2, but one touchdown a game isn’t going to cut it in fantasy.

Listen in on Week Seven’s Podcast

Joe Lopat, Zack Cimini, and Jabbar Harris return once again to talk football hot topics, as well as their usual fantasy football segments. They’ll tell you who to start/sit and provide spread picks for week seven.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Every year as the injuries pile up teams find a gem buried on their roster. We’ve seen flashes from some of the guys mentioned below already this year. More than likely most of them are available on your waiver wire. We profile eight guys that have little fantasy relevance right now but may have an opportunity to shine and save your fantasy season.

Brandon Jacobs- He is not in any way shape or form a fantasy stud, but the Giants have a prolific offense. They move the ball up and down the field with ease, and lately Jacobs has been capitalizing on it. He has scored touchdowns in each of the last three weeks and has been ticking off Ahmad Bradshaw owners.

Chris Ivory- Word is even if Pierre Thomas returns, Ivory has played his way into a complimentary role with Thomas. Will have to see if Thomas can stay away from the injury bug and how this plays out overall. With the amount of throws Drew Brees has per game, the Saints crowded backfield could be detrimental for any type of reliable fantasy numbers.

Derrick Ward- Steve Slaton is completely out of the picture with the Texans. It’s astonishing to see that with the way his rookie season went. Ward has solidified the backup role and has done a swell job. If you’re an Arian Foster owner make sure you take note. Handcuffing Foster with Ward is a must.

Mike Hart- Colts are on a bye week with a plethora of injury issues. At running back Joseph Addai has been dinged up continuously this year, and Donald Brown’s had a tough go with a hamstring injury. Hart’s scored a touchdown this year and might have to start a few games for the Colts.

Danny Woodhead- An emergency filler for fantasy teams. Woodhead is filling Kevin Faulk’s old role and may keep it. New England loves to throw the short dink and dump throws to all their players. Woodhead keeps getting involved more and more each week and is becoming a main threat for the Patriots. He poses a mismatch for opposing linebackers. With all the Patriots receivers running short routes it’s too difficult for teams to shackle everyone.

James Starks- Jackson has done little with his starting role and the Packers need someone to alleviate the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers. Starks just came off the PUP list and will likely not be used for a week or so. Remember Starks had a second round grade by NFL scouts before sustaining an MCL injury his senior year.

Javon Ringer- We’ve talked about the worries of Chris Johnson in previous articles. He is roughly 200 pounds and has been getting pounded thus far. Teams are stacking the box with eight or nine guys and laying tough licks on him. It’s just bound to happen that Ringer either gets more involved, or Johnson gets hurt.

LeGarrette Blount- Blount was inactive this past week but that should not happen again. Kareem Huggins was lost for the season, and the Buccaneers have been awful running the ball. They may split carries all around for a few weeks, but Blount should separate himself to be the number one guy. Going into the off-season he will be their clear cut fantasy starter.

Joe Lopat, Zack Cimini, and Jabbar Harris return once again to talk football hot topics, as well as their usual fantasy football segments. They’ll tell you who to start/sit and provide spread picks for week seven.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Last week should have been one of our best weeks to date. We started the morning games red hot going 7-2. Then the afternoon games came and we took a beating like everyone else. Games that looked like blowouts on paper took a reverse fortune as all underdogs covered and some won outright. It just goes to show the mediocrity of NFL teams this year and makes for a fun filled rest of the season. Still we have yet to have a week below .500 and are glad to keep providing winners for everyone.

Overall Record: 40-34-2
Last Week: 7-7

San Diego -8- They’ve disappointed versus the spread besides for a blowout against the Cardinals. Even though this is yet another road game, the Rams are what the doctor ordered. They’re banged up all over offensively and just gave up forty four points to a previously winless Detroit Lions.

Kansas City +4.5- Houston seems to be regressing from their impressive fast start. Offensively with Andre Johnson not 100 percent they’ve had a tough time moving the football. Kansas City has got nothing out of Matt Cassel. If ever a week that he needs to step up it’s this.

Baltimore +2.5- Baltimore’s pass defense had their roughest outing against Kyle Orton last week, but they’re still number one in pass defense overall. Tom Brady will be able to dink and dump against them, but the Ravens have too much fire power offensively.

Tampa Bay +4- The Saints just look dismal offensively. Without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, Drew Brees has struggled to find the balance to blend with an air attack. It should be a low scoring affair decided in the fourth.

Atlanta +2.5- We’re real high on the Falcons currently. Their defense is playing strong and offensively they’re imposing with the amount of talent they have. Matt Ryan seems to be finding that groove back as well as Michael Turner.

NY Giants -10- Teams favored by seven or more this year haven’t done so well in covering spreads. Scratch that by the wayside and lay it heavy on the Giants. Three weeks ago it looked like Tom Coughlin was out. Now the Giants look like they can take the NFC East.

Seattle +6- Seattle’s been atrocious on the road but we just don’t trust Jay Cutler. Coming back from a concussion and an outing that is still replaying in Vegas minds, will take the points here. Marshawn Lynch should give Seattle enough to stem a double digit loss.

Miami- Aaron Rodgers will likely play but they’ve got too many injuries to compete with a team fresh off a bye week. Miami will regroup from their Monday Night loss and get their second win against an NFC North team this year.

Pittsburgh -13.5- Colt McCoy starting? Did any of you catch him in preseason action. This could be worse than Jimmy Clausen’s debut. No it will be.

Denver +3- Look for the Broncos to draw out long drives to keep the Jets offense off the field. That dink and dump style works, and worked to perfection against the Titans a few weeks ago. The play calling of the Jets just doesn’t seem to have patience, as witnessed by them almost blowing a lead by mismanagement last week.

San Francisco -6.5- It’s time for the first win to happen for the 49ers. The battle of the bay will have this crowd rowdy and pumped.

Minnesota -1.5- One team is going to come out this game 1-4. Minnesota seems to slowly be rounding and showing flashes that they’re on the comeback. Dallas on the other hand continues to meltdown and find ways to lose every week.

Washington +3- Washington could easily be 4-1 right now. The team has bought in to Mike Shanahan and is virtually winning with the same talent as last year. In some areas you could say they’re weaker. Donovan McNabb keeps making the plays when he has to, and will in this matchup against Peyton Manning.

Jacksonville +2.5- Talk about a quarterback that’s held his composure and fought off bench rumors extremely well. David Garrard ignored newspapers and the media and got two tough victories for his team. This will be a great Monday Night battle for first place in the division. We think that Vince Young’s weaknesses will be exposed more than Garrard’s.

Listen in on Week Six’s Podcast

Former All American from Kentucky Wesleyan Jabbar Harris and Zack Cimini break down and preview week six from a fantasy perspective.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

With all of the underdogs that covered last week, we are just happy to deliver another week of over .500 picks. Each and every week we’ve done that thus far and will try to continue that pattern heading into week five.

Last Weeks Record: 8-6
Overall Record: 33-27-2

Baltimore -7- The Ravens will make the necessary adjustments and halt the Broncos dink and dump offense. It’s amazing they’ve put together this many wins without a running game.

Jacksonville- Pick- If David Garrard manages a game properly like he did against the Colts this should be a smooth breeze. The problem with Jacksonville is Garrard has a hard time with his consistency. We’d expect him to be able to win this matchup against Fitzpatrick. Look for Buffalo to run it a lot with Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller, but be left in the dust.

Kansas City +8- Here’s a line that’s moved considerably since opening around 8.5-9 points depending on the sports book. Indianapolis has a plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball and just isn’t near the dominating team were use to seeing. Kansas City has a new demeanor as a team and will have the physicality edge against the Colts. That may not be enough to win the game but will take the points easily.

Detroit- -3- St. Louis’s defense has been underrated this year. Their play has helped to protect rookie Sam Bradford from having to force and generate points. Detroit is a tough team to stop offensively. This week should be the first that we see a lot of Bradford mistakes.

Atlanta -3- Cleveland almost let one slip away in the fourth after outplaying the Bengals for most of the game. Atlanta is a disciplined team that has too many difference makers than the Browns.

Cincinnati -7- The lines this high for a reason. We don’t necessarily like it but sometimes you have to study the line and think why did the odds makers set it so high. Tampa Bay was a fortunate 2-0 team that made Charlie Batch look like a legit veteran.

Chicago -3- Even with Todd Collins starting the Bears can do enough offensively to put pressure on Jimmy Clausen. Plus Clausen has little weapons to utilize with Steve Smith out and receiver Dwayne Jarret cut. The Giants did wear the Bears defense down eventually with the run game. Backs such as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have the capabilities but how much will they be down by the fourth this game?

Washington +2.5- The Redskins jumped on the Eagles early and controlled the game the rest of it. Green Bay has quietly side stepped issues they have had barely winning games. The injury bug has hit them rough and this won’t be a game they can escape narrowly.

NY Giants +3- Andre Johnson’s dinged up and Arian Foster should come back to Earth this game. Matt Schaub has always struggled against pressure. After what New York did last week it’ll already be in his head mentally.

New Orleans -7- This line hasn’t been moving much for some reason. Even if the Saints do not score a ton offensively the points they convert off turnovers will be enough.

San Diego -6- The Raiders will be looking to run the football extensively with Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. Three of their receivers are hurt in Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, and Derrius Hayward-Bey. San Diego got that clinching win last week against the Cardinals that should propel them against their divisional rivals.

Dallas -6.5- Tennessee is in trouble with Chris Johnson getting drilled and having difficulty getting in the open field. Vince Young doesn’t have the arm to win a game and may see himself seated on the bench once again.

San Francisco -3.5- 49ers just keep losing the close ones. You’ve got to feel bad for them. Kevin Kolb gets a chance to put his stamp on the starting job. He didn’t handle the pressure to well the first time. After losing to McNabb and answering questions all week, we see him handling this in a poor outing.

Minnesota +4- If the Vikings would of started the year on the right foot the way people expected, this would be a pick em game. Take the points and watch the Vikings come out with the swagger that’s been missing their first three weeks. Traveling to New York in a prime time game coming off a bye week with an addition of Randy Moss, sounds like an adrenaline boost.

Tune in to this weeks new pod cast. Features fantasy segments and spread picks analysis to help you for week five.