by Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning – After his uncharacteristically bad performance against the San Diego Chargers last week, look for Manning to redeem himself against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Cowboys rank 25^th in passing defense, and 30^th in points allowed. Also, Manning isn’t going to have two bad games in a row.

David Garrard – Look for Garrard to have a good game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He struggled against the New York Giants last week, but should put up good numbers against the Titans’ defense, which gives up almost 250 passing yards per game.

Don’t Do It: Carson Palmer – Palmer and the Bengals play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a team that has a stingy defense that is ranked third in pass defense, seventh in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed. Also, Palmer has thrown at least two interceptions in his last three games.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson – Jackson has been performing well the whole year, and he should have another big day against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are ranked fifth in rushing defense, but Jackson is great a great receiver as well. He had 104 receiving yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, so he is a threat in both the ground and passing game.

Steven Jackson – Jackson and the St. Louis Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, who rank 31^st in rushing defense. Jackson hasn’t had great games recently, so he’s due for a strong performance. Look for that to happen this Sunday.

Don’t Do It: BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Green-Ellis hasn’t been putting up pro-bowl numbers, but he’s had three touchdowns in the past two games. Look for his yardage and touchdown total to fall this weekend when the New England Patriots take on the New York Jets on Sunday, who rank fourth in the NFL in rushing defense.

Receivers

Dustin Keller – The last time the Jets played the Patriots, Keller had his best game of the year, with seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Keller should have a similar performance when the two teams play again. He hasn’t caught a touchdown since week four, but that should change this weekend.

Lance Moore – Throughout the season, Moore has been one of the New Orleans Saints’ leading receivers. He leads the team in touchdown catches, and should be worth a starting spot this weekend when he and the Saints play the Bengals, who have a below-average defense.

Don’t Do It: Roddy White – The last time the Atlanta Falcons played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we told you not to start White, and he only had four catches for 49 yards that game. The Falcons play the Buccaneers again this week, so don’t expect White to have a good game. He’s been averaging less than 10 yards per catch his last two games, so even if he does catch a lot of passes, they may not be for very many yards.

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.