Week 11: Automatic/Don’t Do It
By Vidur Malik
David Garrard – Fresh from his game-winning hail-Mary throw to Mike Thomas against the Houston Texans in week 10, Garrard should have another good game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Browns are 24th in the league in pass defense, and Garrard has been on a roll in recent weeks, with a four-touchdown game against the Dallas Cowboys in week eight, and his game against Houston, which came after a bye week.
Matt Cassel – Cassel’s highest single-game passing total during the first nine weeks was a modest 250 yards, but against the Denver Broncos in week 10, he put 469 yards and four touchdowns. Those are rare numbers, but look for Cassel to continue producing against the Arizona Cardinals, who are 27th in the league in pass defense, and last in scoring defense, giving up 29 points per game.
Don’t Do It: Ryan Fitzpatrick – Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, who held Peyton Manning to only 185 yards and no touchdowns. Fitzpatrick put up similar numbers last week with 146 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ first win of the season. The combination of a Bengals’ pass defense coming off of a good week and Fitzpatrick coming off of a bad one should be enough for you to bench him.
Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall should have a big game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, who give up almost 125 rushing yards per game. The Raiders are also second in pass defense, so Mendenhall could be a big contributor.
Peyton Hillis – Hillis and the Cleveland Browns should have a productive day against a weak Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense. The Jags give up almost 115 rushing yards per game, and Hillis is also second the Browns in receptions, increasing his potential for fantasy points on Sunday.
Don’t Do It: Darren McFadden – McFadden is having a great season, and should continue that for the rest of the year, just not on Sunday against the Steelers. They are first in rushing defense, but 26th in pass defense, which means the Raiders should get move the ball through the air on Sunday.
DeSean Jackson – Anytime Michael Vick is starting at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, you should start Jackson. Vick’s arm strength and Jackson’s speed can combine for a big play at any moment. Jackson has a 21.5 yards per catch average, and though the Eagles play the New York Giants, who have a great pass defense, Jackson and Vick are too dangerous of a duo right now.
Reggie Wayne – The Indianapolis Colts face the New England Patriots, in what has been the NFL’s best rivalry for years. Manning should have no trouble throwing the ball against the Patriots, who are 30th in pass defense. As Manning’s most dependable target, look for Wayne to get a good chunk of the numbers Manning puts up.
Don’t Do It: Michael Crabtree – Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that opposing wideouts have struggled against recently. Atlanta Falcons’ receiver Roddy White had a tough game against them in week nine, as did receiver Steve Smith and the Carolina Panthers in week ten. Don’t expect Crabtree to put up many points on Sunday.
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