By Vidur Malik
notjustagame23@gmail.com

This Sunday’s games could be opportunities for guys who have disappointed so far to have big games. Several of the players on this week’s list have had sub-par seasons, and should have a chance to take advantage of favorable matchups. Others on the list have had surprisingly good seasons so far, and can continue their solid production this weekend.

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan – The Atlanta Falcons play the winless San Francisco 49ers in Atlanta this weekend, and Ryan should be able to exploit a defense that has been a huge disappointment so far. Ryan has only one interception so far, and should have a great day against a team that gives up 29 points per game, and is last in the league in that category. Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers in week three, and Ryan has the weapons and smarts to record similar numbers.

Sam Bradford – The St. Louis Rams’ rookie quarterback has had a solid season so far. He’s got five interceptions to go along with four touchdowns, but if there’s a defense he can pick apart, it’s that of the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks give up over 300 passing yards a game, and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers three for 455 yards against them last week.

Chad Henne – After last week’s thriller against the New York Jets, the Miami Dolphins play the New England Patriots, another AFC East rival. This should be another nail-biter, and like last week, Henne should have a great game. Henne’s got a great group of wide receivers to throw to, and after Brandon Marshall’s 166 yard, one touchdown game against the Jets, Henne saw what makes him one of the best wideouts in the NFL. Look for Henne to have a big game against a struggling defense.

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss – Moss has become quarterback Donovan McNabb’s favorite target in his first three game as a Washington Redskin. McNabb and the Redskins play the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, and there’s got to be some extra motivation for McNabb to play well against the team that traded him within the division. Moss should get most of McNabb’s production. He’s still got the speed to get big gains, as his 20.4 yards per catch average against St. Louis last week shows.

James Jones – Jones had a key fumble in the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Chicago Bears in week three, and is probably looking for redemption this weekend against the Detroit Lions. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has the talent and weapons to have a huge day against the Lions’ defense, and Jones should have opportunities and good matchups with players like Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley who need to be accounted for. This is a weekend where Jones can become a bigger part of the Packers’ offense.

Roscoe Parrish – The Buffalo Bills are in the midst of a tough season, but could get their first win against the New York Jets. New starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is now the leader, and is going up against a Jets’ defense that has a shaky secondary. The Jets’ cornerbacks have given up big gains, and committed several penalties so far this year.
Parrish should be able to take advantage of that and use his speed to continue leading the Bills in receiving yards.

Running Backs
LaDainian Tomlinson – Tomlinson wasn’t supposed to be the feature back when he got to the New York Jets, but he’s become just that. He leads the team in rushing, and should continue his resurgence against Buffalo. The Bills’ defense gives up 141 rushing yards per game, and Tomlinson should keep up his 5.6 yards per carry average against them.

Ronnie Brown – Brown and the Dolphins should put up a lot of points against the Patriots in week four. Brown may not put up monster rushing numbers, but he can get you a solid amount of yards on the ground and with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s a tough runner with a 5.4 yards per carry average, which means points for fantasy owners.

DeAngelo Williams- The New Orleans Saints had trouble stopping the run in their loss to the Atlanta Falcons in week three, and the Carolina Panthers should put an emphasis on the run when they play the defending champs. With his quickness, Williams has the chance to lead the Panthers, who are playing rookie Jimmy Clausen at quarterback. If the Panthers have a shot against the Saints, Williams needs to be heavily involved.