By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco – Flacco has been playing solid lately. He hasn’t put up huge numbers, but he also hasn’t thrown an interception since week 12. He threw two touchdown passes in the Baltimore Ravens’ 30-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in week 15, and he should have similar success against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Sam Bradford – Bradford is going through a slump in which he’s thrown zero touchdowns and five interceptions in the last three games, but with the exception of a week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals, those games have been against quality opponents in the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. On Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, Bradford should turn it around. The 49ers rank 25^th in pass defense, and Bradford has shown that he has the talent to be a great quarterback, so consider starting him on Sunday.

Don’t Do It: Eli Manning – After last weeks’ devastating loss, it might not be smart to play Manning. Also, he’s playing the Green Bay Packers’ defense, which ranks third in pass defense and first in points given up.

Running backs

Fred Jackson –Jackson only had 36 yards on 15 carries in a win against the Miami Dolphins last week, but he should have a big game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Patriots gave up 99 yards to Green Bay Packers’ running back Brandon Jackson last week. The Packers’ Jackson only averages 3.9 yards per carry this year, but had 4.5 yards per carry against the Patriots, so Fred could have opportunities for long runs.

Rashard Mendenhall – After rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets in week 15, Mendenhall will probably do even better against the Carolina Panthers tonight. The Panthers are 23^rd in rushing defense and should give up plenty of big plays to Mendenhall.

Don’t Do It: Cedric Benson – Even though Benson is coming off of his best game of the year, a 150-yard, one-touchdown performance in a win against the Cleveland Browns, he should struggle on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers’ run defense is second in the league and hasn’t given up more than 40 rushing yards to an opposing running back since week 13, so you should bench Benson this week.

Receivers

Brandon Marshall – After struggling for several weeks, Marshall had 106 yards and a touchdown in a week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Miami Dolphins play the Detroit Lions on Sunday, who have an average pass defense which ranks 13^th in the league, but are 21^st in yards given up. Look for Marshall to make some big plays on Sunday.

Dwayne Bowe – Bowe and the Kansas City Chiefs play the Tennessee Titans, who rank 26^th in pass defense. Bowe has 941 receiving yards, and should go over 1,000 Sunday against the Titans. He leads the league in receiving touchdowns with 14, and should add to that total as well.

Don’t Do It: Percy Harvin – The Minnesota Vikings’ play-making receiver caught the team’s only touchdown pass in a 40-14 loss to the Chicago Bears in week 15, but that pass was thrown by Brett Favre, who later suffered a concussion in the game. Harvin probably won’t get many looks on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. If rookie Joe Webb starts at quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday, his lack of experience should cause him to have a tough day, which will make it difficult for Harvin to get you fantasy points.

Source for statistics: nfl.com

By Vidur Malik

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub – After almost leading Houston a comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, Schaub should respond with another great game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Schaub had 393 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Ravens, and the Titans are 26^th in passing defense. Though the interceptions might be an issue, Schaub should more than make up for any turnovers he might commit on Sunday.

Jon Kitna – Kitna has been solid after Tony Romo went down, and though he’s thrown 10 interceptions in eight games, he should play well against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins are 29^th in pass defense and give up almost 261 passing yards per game. He threw two interceptions in a 30-27 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but the Eagles’ defense ranks first in interceptions with 22, and the Redskins’ defense only has 11.

Don’t Do It: Kyle Orton – The last time Orton and the Denver Broncos played the Oakland Raiders, he threw two touchdown passes, but only had passing 198 yards, and also had an interception and lost a fumble. The Raiders rank seventh in pass defense, so don’t count on Orton to have a good game on Sunday.

Runningbacks

Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw and the New York Giants should get some big play opportunities against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. In their 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, the Eagles gave up only 41 rushing yards to Cowboys’ running back Felix Jones last week, but Jones also caught four passes for 42 yards. Bradshaw can be the same dual threat on Sunday.

Steven Jackson –Jackson only had 16 carries in the Rams’ 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week, and though he only averages 3.9 yards per carry on the season, he had 6.0 yards per carry against the Saints. He ran for 102 yards and a touchdown the week before in a 19-6 win against Arizona, so he’s got momentum going into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Don’t Do It: Chris Johnson – Johnson hasn’t been very consistent the past few weeks, and the Texans rank sixth in rushing defense. Johnson can make a game-changing play at any moment, but it’s probably smart to sit him this weekend.

Receivers

Sidney Rice – Rice leads the Minnesota Vikings with 17.2 yards per catch, so he doesn’t need many receptions to make an impact. He caught five passes in his last two games, so look for him to again be a big part of the Vikings’ offense on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Jacoby Ford – Ford is averaging 19.3 yards per catch this year, so if the Oakland Raiders look to make a big play through the air against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, chances are he’ll be involved. The Broncos’ defense is 28^th in total yards, so Ford should have some opportunities.

Don’t Do It: Greg Jennings – According to reports, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable with a concussion, so even though Jennings has been great lately, his numbers may drop because of the problems at quarterback. The Green Bay Packers play the New England Patriots on Sunday, who rank 31^st in pass defense, but haven’t given up a passing touchdown in two weeks.

Eli Manning – Manning will be going up against the Seattle Seahawks, who gave up 310 yards and two touchdowns to Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell in week eight. If Campbell, who has struggled for most of the year, can put up numbers like that, expect Manning to have a great day.

Don’t Do It: Matt Cassel – Cassel had a tough game against the Buffalo Bills in week eight, and is going up against an Oakland Raiders team that is ranked fifth in the league in pass defense. The Kansas City Chiefs have the league’s best rushing attack, so look for that to be the focal point this weekend and for the rest of the season.

Michael Turner – Turner is having a great year and is coming off of a huge games against the Cincinatti Bengals. The Atlanta Falcons take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, who are 30^th in rushing defense and give up 150 rushing yards per game.

LeSean McCoy – Look for McCoy to have a big day against the Indianapolis Colts. He’s struggled recently, but is playing a defense that is 28^th against the run. Also, Michael Vick is making his return on Sunday, and may not be at full strength, in which case the running game would be a bigger factor.

Don’t Do It: Cedric Benson – Benson should be a non-factor against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. The Steelers rank 1^st in the NFL in rushing defense, and give up less than 60 yards on the ground per game. Also, the Bengals are becoming more of a passing offense. That combination means you should bench Benson this week.

Brandon Tate – Tate had a great game in the New England Patriots’ week eight win against the Minnesota Vikings, with 3 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. He’s a deep threat, and is playing a Cleveland Browns’ team that struggles against the pass, so he should get touches.

Hines Ward – Ward had a quiet day in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the New Orleans Saints in week eight, but the Steelers are playing the Bengals on Monday night. Ward had a touchdown in two straight games prior to week eight, and you know he’s going to bring it all against the rival Bengals.

Don’t Do It: Roddy White – White is having a great year, and is definitely an elite receiver, but you should consider benching him for this week. White’s Atlanta Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had four interceptions in a week eight win against the Arizona Cardinals. Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib picked off two by himself, and could shut White down if they’re matched up on Sunday.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel – Look for Cassel to have another big game after good performances against Houston and Jacksonville. The Kansas City Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, who do rank ninth in the NFL in passing defense, but Cassel has had back-to-back games with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions, so he seems to be finding a rhythm.

Jason Campbell – If Campbell and the Oakland Raiders want to show that their week seven win over the Denver Broncos, in which they scored 59 points, wasn’t a fluke, they have a great opportunity to do so this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks give up over 260 passing yards per game, and rank 2nd in rush defense, so Campbell should have the opportunities to put up good numbers, like he did against Denver.

Don’t Do It: Mark Sanchez – After not throwing an interception in his first five games, Sanchez threw two in the New York Jets’ 24-20 win over Denver in week six. The Jets take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, who picked off Brett Favre three times in their week seven win over the Minnesota Vikings. It will be tough for Sanchez to have a mistake-free game against the Pack.

Running Backs

Frank Gore – With the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation again going through changes, Gore will be an even bigger part of an offense in which he is already the main guy. The 49ers play the Denver Broncos, who rank 30th in rush defense, so look for Gore to have a good game on the ground, and a few receptions out of the backfield as well.

Arian Foster – In terms of yards, Foster has struggled in his past two games, but that should change against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts give up over 130 rushing yards a game, so Foster should hit high marks in yards and yards per carry.

Steven Jackson – Jackson and the St. Louis Rams play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, whose defense is stingy through the air but generous on the ground. Look for Jackson to have a big day against a team that ranks fourth in pass defense and 24th in rush defense.

Receivers

Jordan Shipley – Shipley had his breakout game in the Cincinnati Bengals’ week seven loss to the Atlanta Falcons, with six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco also had good games, and Shipley should be able to get plenty of opportunities to become another target for quarterback Carson Palmer.

Mike Williams – Williams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Arizona Cardinals, who give up over 220 passing yards per game. Williams has been a consistent target for the Buccaneers’ offense, and is second on the team in receptions, so look for him to have a good day.

Don’t Do It: Brandon Marshall – There’s no doubt that Marshall is a great receiver, but he hasn’t produced as much in terms of fantasy points as other receivers of his caliber. He’s only got one touchdown catch, which is surprising considering his size, which should make him a huge target in red zone and goal-line situations. It might be best to go for a receiver who is a bigger touchdown threat.

The talk of the NFL recently has been about the Baltimore Ravens picking up wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and their potentially high-scoring offense that will take the field this season.

What people aren’t really talking about is the flipside of that acquisition. In order to sign Houshmandzadeh, the Ravens traded wide receiver Mark Clayton to the St. Louis Rams along with a seventh-round draft pick, and got a sixth-round draft pick from the Rams. Though Clayton may not have had all-pro numbers in his time in Baltimore, he was a dependable receiver who consistently put up solid numbers. While Houshmandzadeh can make an impact in Baltimore, Clayton can do the same in St. Louis.

In his five seasons as a Raven, Clayton recorded over 3,100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Those aren’t impressive numbers, but they show that he’s been a good number two or three receiver for a long time. His best statistical season was in 2006, his second season, when he put up 939 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers could be considered on the verge of number one receiver status, so he’s shown in the past that he can play a big role in an offense.

Going to St. Louis can be a great opportunity for Clayton to establish himself as a crucial part of the offense, and a good target for rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. With last year’s number one receiver Donnie Avery out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason, Clayton has a chance to become the main guy in St. Louis. The other Rams wide receivers are an up and coming group, but they’re young, and lack Clayton’s experience. Laurent Robinson is entering his fourth season, and his second as a Ram, and is coming back from a broken leg in 2009. He should be able to compete for a starting spot this year. Danny Amendola had 43 catches for 326 yards in his rookie year last year after bouncing around practice squads, and should also be involved in the competition at wide receiver. Rookie Mardy Gilyard played well during training camp according to reports, and should be in the mix for playing time as well.

Clayton figures to be the early number one among the receivers because of his experience. If he can build chemistry with Bradford, who has impressed in the preseason, Clayton can become the unquestioned number one receiver in St. Louis, and can up his numbers to the 1,000 yard level. Bradford has the intelligence and ability to be a smart quarterback, and having Clayton to throw to should make things easier for him. Elite running back Steven Jackson is in the backfield, and having a great back can be extremely helpful to young quarterbacks by taking the pressure off of them to win games.

Though the Rams are in a rebuilding phase, Clayton seems to be in a great situation. Don’t be surprised if he records big numbers this season.

It used to be that teams would carry two main tight ends on their roster: one receiving threat, and one blocking tight end. Now that tight ends have become like an extra wide receiver on the field, the number of receiving tight ends on NFL rosters has increased, which means that there are plenty of players at that spot that can produce fantasy points, even if they are backups. Two such players are David Thomas of the New Orleans Saints, and the San Francisco 49ers’ Delanie Walker. They’re worth a look during the beginning of the season, and could be good waiver wire picks if they show promise.

David Thomas- The Saints might be the only team in the NFL that has backup players at every position that could be starting. Tight end David Thomas is no exception. While Jeremy Shockey has been solid as the team’s starting tight end, Thomas showed last year that he could deliver if given playing time. Thomas spent his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, and didn’t record impressive numbers there, but caught 35 passes for 356 yards and a touchdown last year while Shockey was hurt. In an offense with so many weapons, it will be tough for Thomas to get starter-level stats, but he’s shown that he deserves a spot in the Saints’ arsenal, and if any quarterback can get everyone involved, it’s Drew Brees. He may not get much playing time this season, but a few good weeks in a row for him should be enough for you to claim him off waivers.

Delanie Walker- Like Thomas, Delanie Walker is playing behind an elite tight end, but has some skills of his own. Like 49ers starter Vernon Davis, Walker has the speed to stretch the middle of the field and provide another downfield threat. After Davis’s breakout 2009, he figures to be a crucial part of the offense in 2010. That will reduce Walker’s minutes, but in two tight end sets, or when the 49ers put more receivers on the field, Walker can be just as big a threat as anyone else on any given play. His career numbers so far are nothing special, and he may not significantly improve upon them, but it would be smart to keep an eye on him this year. During the preseason, Walker and quarterback Alex Smith have looked like they have good chemistry, which should translate to the regular season. He’s got the quickness to create mismatches, and with the talented players around him, he should get opportunities when he’s on the field.