By Derick Moss
Atlanta at Carolina
1 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE FALCONS
Suit ’em up: Warrick Dunn rushed for 100 yards last week, and with Jerious Norwood hurting, he could be in for extra carries again this week. Roddy White has become the go-to receiver for Joey Harrington and could find a seam on Sunday.
Sit ’em down: Even though Harrington passed for 362 yards in the first matchup between these two teams, Carolina’s defense is playing much better. And even if Norwood plays, the team will be careful with him.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Suit ’em up: DeShaun Foster’s best game this season (122 yards, TD) came against Atlanta in Week 3. He will get plenty of chances considering the team’s sorry state at quarterback. DeAngelo Williams might even be worth a bye week flier, though he’s been disappointing so far.
Sit ’em down: No matter who starts at quarterback – and Vinny Testaverde is likely – the passing game is in shambles. Steve Smith’s upside is too big to ignore, but don’t waste your time with the other receivers.
Minnesota at Green Bay
1 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Suit ’em up: As usual, Adrian Peterson is the only sure thing. But those truly desperate might take a shot at rookie Sidney Rice, who’s coming off his best game of the season and could have Brooks Bollinger throwing passes his way.
Sit ’em down: Bollinger might actually be the Vikings’ best quarterback, but he’s not a recommended option if he starts against a good pass defense. Chester Taylor has lost almost all his fantasy value these days.
SCOUTING THE PACKERS
Suit ’em up: The Vikings are great against the run, but awful against the pass. That plays into the Packers’ hands perfectly – start Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Donald Lee and probably even James Jones.
Sit ’em down: Ryan Grant, still recovering from a concussion, won’t get many carries, and he’ll see even fewer holes to run through. Koren Robinson is a kick returner and fifth receiver, but not a fantasy option.
Denver at Kansas City
1 p.m., CBS
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
Suit ’em up: Brandon Marshall doesn’t have the best hands, but he’s the team’s No. 1 target while Javon Walker is out. Travis Henry will get plenty of chances to break through against a mediocre run defense.
Sit ’em down: It looks like Jay Cutler will play, but he’s got a tough matchup against a strong pass defense. Brandon Stokley is out of position as an outside receiver, and the Chiefs’ big corners should hold him in check.
SCOUTING THE CHIEFS
Suit ’em up: With Larry Johnson out, Priest Holmes will get enough touches (15 or so) to make him a No. 2 RB option, but Kolby Smith might get almost as many and will be worth a look in deep leagues.
Sit ’em down: Dwayne Bowe is having a nice rookie season, but the combination of a balky hamstring and Champ Bailey defending him makes him a risky play. Eddie Kennison will finally see the field, but he’s not a recommended option, either.
Buffalo at Miami
1 p.m., CBS
SCOUTING THE BILLS
Suit ’em up: Lee Evans is hot again, and in six games against Miami he has 19 catches for 410 yards and six touchdowns. Even take a shot at J.P. Losman if you need a bye-week quarterback, and Marshawn Lynch is a good bet for consecutive 100-yard games.
Sit ’em down: Even though Josh Reed has 10 catches in his last two games, he’s still without a touchdown this season.
SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS
Sit ’em down: It’s somewhat surprising that Cleo Lemon is starting ahead of John Beck, but he shouldn’t be starting for you.
St. Louis at New Orleans
1 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Suit ’em up: Take a chance on Marc Bulger and Torry Holt against a lax pass defense and on the familiar artificial turf.
Sit ’em down: Steven Jackson says he’s ready to go, but the Saints are much improved against the run, and St. Louis might fall behind too early for Jackson, who's nursing a bad hamstring, to really be effective in the running game. Consider him a flex option or low-end running-back option this week.
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
Suit ’em up: Suddenly, the New Orleans offense is back to last year’s levels. Since they're facing one of the worst defenses in the league, Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and the streaking David Patten are top-tier options.
Sit ’em down: How can the Saints rack up nearly 435 yards passing and Devery Henderson get one catch? That’s a warning. With the wide receivers getting deep into the defense, Eric Johnson is running the ultra-short bail-out routes and is barely a No. 2 tight end these days.
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
1 p.m., CBS
SCOUTING THE BROWNS
Suit ’em up: Even against a stout defense, Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards are must-starts.
Sit ’em down: Yes, Jamal Lewis scored four touchdowns last week. But he rushed 20 times for 37 yards, so it’s not like he’s suddenly finding holes to run through. He won’t get four scores in Pittsburgh.
SCOUTING THE STEELERS
Suit ’em up: The Steelers put up 38 on the league’s second-best defense. What will they do against the league’s worst? Start all the usual suspects – Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, Heath Miller, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Even Najeh Davenport is a flex option because Parker’s a little banged up.
Jacksonville at Tennessee
1 p.m., CBS
SCOUTING THE JAGUARS
Suit ’em up: Tough matchup for the Jags, who look a little lost without David Garrard. Jacksonville wants to run the ball, but the Titans are very, very good against the run. Maurice Jones-Drew, because he can break the big play, is the one guy to look at. Because Tennessee is also offensively challenged, the Jags defense is a decent play.
Sit ’em down: There’s a chance Garrard will start, but he’s a gametime decision. Quinn Gray should not be an option.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Suit ’em up: Even against a stout defense, ride the hot streak of LenDale White, who has three consecutive 100-yard games and is becoming a solid second-tier running back. Chris Henry is still going to get carries, however, and is a flex option in deep leagues. The Titans defense is ferocious and is an excellent fantasy option this week.
Sit ’em down: Vince Young is not throwing the ball very well. Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones are simply not getting enough chances to justify a fantasy start.
Philadelphia at Washington
1 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Suit ’em up: The Redskins defense is talented, but a little inconsistent. But Brian Westbrook is a sure-fire fantasy stud and is on pace for 2,000 total yards this season. The drama in Philly surrounds Donovan McNabb: Will he be fired up to play well amid all the criticism or go in the tank? Here’s a hunch that he’ll step up this week with a big game – good news for Kevin Curtis.
Sit ’em down: Reggie Brown has been a little better lately, but still hasn’t scored this season.
SCOUTING THE REDSKINS
Suit ’em up: The Eagles struggle against good tight ends and face one of the best in Chris Cooley. No Redskins wide receiver has a touchdown catch this season, but that has to change at some point, doesn’t it? Take a shot at Antwaan Randle El, who’ll be targeted more than usual with Santana Moss dealing with a bad hamstring.
Sit ’em down: Check Moss’ status, as he looks a questionable heading into the game. Jason Campbell isn’t the worst choice.
Cincinnati at Baltimore
4:05 p.m., CBS
SCOUTING THE BENGALS
Suit ’em up: Carson Palmer isn’t throwing downfield as much as he used to, but he and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have great chemistry.
Sit ’em down: Check Chad Johnson’s status coming off a scary neck injury. This team’s biggest problem – outside of a putrid defense – is an offensive line that’s playing poorly. Neither Rudi Johnson nor Kenny Watson could find holes to run through against an average Bills defense, and it’s doubtful the Ravens will provide many more.
SCOUTING THE RAVENS
Suit ’em up: You’ve got to believe the Ravens defense is embarrassed after the debacle in Pittsburgh. Willis McGahee has scored in three straight games and gets a great matchup this week.
Sit ’em down: Steve McNair is a tough guy and great leader, but he’s a bad quarterback. If Kyle Boller starts, he might be a bye-week option, but McNair is hurting the team with his play. If he starts, Ravens receivers take a big hit.
Detroit at Arizona
4:05 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Suit ’em up: Jon Kitna is playing well and spreading the ball around – great for real-life games, but tough for fantasy players to pick which Lions receiver to start. Roy Williams seems like the best bet. Kevin Jones is playing very well and should have room to run this week.
Sit ’em down: Although T.J. Duckett had 47 yards and a score last week, it was in garbage time so don’t get your hopes up. Calvin Johnson is making plays, but he’s really the fourth receiver.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Suit ’em up: Edgerrin James is coming off a terrible game in which he rushed for 15 yards on nine carries, but with Kurt Warner struggling, he’ll get chances this week. Larry Fitzgerald is making plays and getting the ball thrown his way, but has one touchdown all year. This is a good chance to break that drought.
Sit ’em down: Kurt Warner is worth a No. 2 quarterback, but he’s clearly struggling with his left arm being so immobile. And the Cardinals defense, a decent play some weeks, is a bad one this Sunday.
Dallas at New York Giants
4:15 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE COWBOYS
Suit ’em up: Big game in the NFC East. Of course, play Dallas' big dogs – Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Terrell Owens.
Sit ’em down: Patrick Crayton did not have a catch last week has been up-and-down all year. Likewise, Julius Jones was pretty good last week but averages less than 45 yards per game on the ground and has just two touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE GIANTS
Suit ’em up: Plaxico Burress has a touchdown in three consecutive games against Dallas, and Eli Manning will have a shot at a mediocre defense. The Giants will want to play keep-away, so Brandon Jacobs will probably get at least 20 carries and should excel.
Sit ’em down: The Giants defense is playing extremely well, but this Dallas offense is too potent to shut down completely. Check the status of Derrick Ward, who is nursing a bad hamstring, but really isn’t worth playing anyway.
Chicago at Oakland
4:15 p.m., FOX
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Suit ’em up: If Cedric Benson can’t have a big game against the poor Raiders rushing defense, he’s never going to have one. That said, Adrian Peterson (the Bears’ version) has been almost as valuable as Benson in spite of getting half the playing time. Tight end Greg Olsen is the best bet in the passing game.
Sit ’em down: Oakland is decent against the pass, and Brian Griese has been about as bad as Rex Grossman in recent weeks. If the Bears go conservative on offense, which they probably will, take Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian down a peg.
SCOUTING THE RAIDERS
Suit ’em up: Justin Fargas is super-quick getting to the line, and the Bears are not as good as in recent years on defense. Jerry Porter has nine catches in the last two weeks, and he’s actually a top target since Ronald Curry (foot) is hurting.
Sit ’em down: Josh McCown will start, but he’s not a good option. Lamont Jordan is a backup now, Zach Miller is not a threat just yet and check Curry’s status before starting him.
Indianapolis at San Diego
8:15 p.m., ESPN
SCOUTING THE COLTS
Suit ’em up: The Colts are banged up, but Peyton Manning isn’t likely to suffer a hangover after last week’s loss to New England, and against a suspect secondary this week he’s a good bet to hook up with Reggie Wayne more than a few times. Joseph Addai is a must-start, as usual. With so many injuries, it’s possible Aaron Moorehead might have a career game.
Sit ’em down: Check Marvin Harrison’s status, but don’t expect much even if he plays. Dallas Clark has a concussion and also might be a gametime decision, and Anthony Gonzalez is definitely out.
SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
Suit ’em up: LaDainian Tomlinson will get plenty of chances, but this defense has been good against the run. Chris Chambers has stepped into the Chargers offense and is the No. 1 receiver, though Antonio Gates is still the most valuable tight end in the game.
Sit ’em down: Philip Rivers is inconsistent, as evidenced by his terrible game against the Vikings last week. With all the injuries the Colts have on offense, this game could be a defensive struggle, which would mean fewer opportunities for Chargers receivers Vincent Jackson, Craig Davis and Legedu Naane.
San Francisco at Seattle
8:30 p.m., ESPN
SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Suit ’em up: Frank Gore might not play, so Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks have about equal value as the tandem that would replace him. Vernon Davis is also beginning to fulfill his vast potential.
Sit ’em down: Alex Smith is just not going to be a very good quarterback in this league, it appears, and he’s not enabling his receivers to have any fantasy value, either. The 49ers defense, once considered an up-and-coming unit, is also disappointing.
SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS
Suit ’em up: Matt Hasselbeck is chugging right along toward a 4,000-yard season, and Bobby Engram is a man on fire with 29 catches over the last three weeks with Deion Branch out. This might be a good week to start the Seattle defense, as well.
Sit ’em down: Branch might still play this week, but check his status. Shawn Alexander won’t practice this week and is a gametime decision. Maurice Morris will start if Alexander can't go.
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