By Derick Moss
Sunday
Raiders at Dolphins
1 p.m., CBS
Scouting the Raiders
Suit 'em up: Despite LaMont Jordan's fantastic start to the season, be aware that he's nursing a bit of a bad back. He's still a good play, but be wary. With Daunte Culpepper making his first start, it's hard to know what to make of the passing game. But Ronald Curry is fast becoming a consistent fantasy play.
Sit 'em down: The Raiders defense seemed like a unit on the rise last year, but they've regressed dramatically this season. Also, Mike Williams is dropping or fumbling everything headed his way, so why not drop him?
Scouting the Dolphins
Suit 'em up: Coach Cam Cameron promised he'd finally give Ronnie Brown a chance last week, and he was rewarded with 200 total yards and three touchdowns. Why not go back to the well? And if you were looking for a breakout possibility from a waiver-wire player, this might be the week to nab Ted Ginn.
Sit 'em down: Jesse Chatman is paying the price for Brown's resurgence. And David Martin has yet to make an impact with his new team, and now he's got a bum toe to boot.
Packers at Vikings
1 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Packers
Suit 'em up: Although Brett Favre has struggled in domes throughout his career, and Minnesota has a tremendous defense, he's a must-play because he'll put it in the air 40 times a game. Donald Driver is a solid starter, but Greg Jennings and James Jones are also viable options if you need bye-week help. The Packers defense is a good option, as well.
Sit 'em down: Until the Packers show an ability to run it more than 13 times a game, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn are not good plays, especially against this defense.
Scouting the Vikings
Suit 'em up: Adrian Peterson is virtually the only Viking worth recommending any week. And Mewelde Moore could be a deep sleeper, if only because the Vikings offense goes through its running backs.
Sit 'em down: Whether Tarvaris Jackson or Kelly Holcomb starts, it doesn't matter. This is a bad offense with few fantasy options.
Texans at Falcons
1 p.m., CBS
Scouting the Texans
Suit 'em up: With Ahman Green hurting, Ron Dayne is likely to start (given that he's healthy). Considering what Adrian Peterson and DeShaun Foster accomplished against Atlanta, there's hope that Dayne can break through. And with both Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones out, Owen Daniels and Andre Davis will get more looks.
Sit 'em down: You know Matt Schaub wants a shot at his former team, especially with DeAngelo Hall sitting at a portion of the game. But without his top two wide receivers and a shaky running game, don't expect too many Houston points.
Scouting the Falcons
Suit 'em up: It's hard to know what to expect from Atlanta's offense, but the passing game is remarkably more effective than the running game. Although Roddy White is not a great option, he might be if you've got bye-week problems. Alge Crumpler is a top-tier player, and even Joey Harrington could start in deep leagues.
Sit 'em down: Until the Falcons running game is sorted out, both Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood are risky propositions. And Joe Horn appears to be at the end of his career.
Jets at Bills
Suit 'em up: Chad Pennington's numbers are deceiving -- he has a great quarterback rating of 121.4, but he's thrown only 43 passes. But against a porous Bills defense, he's a nice play. So is Thomas Jones, who'll get plenty of chances on Sunday.
Sit 'em down: Hopefully, Justin McCareins hasn't played at all for you. Now he's losing playing time to Brad Smith. Also, watch Jerricho Cotchery's health -- he's got a bad shoulder.
Scouting the Bills
Suit 'em up: Marshawn Lynch has been pretty good against Denver, Pittsburgh and New England, so New York is a good matchup. And even though Buffalo is starting rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, here's a guess that Lee Evans finally gets free for a big play against a bad pass defense.
Sit 'em down: Even if Evans gets loose, the rest of the Bills offense is of no use. That said, if Edwards is any good these next two games, he could force J.P. Losman to the bench.
Ravens at Browns
Suit 'em up: We still aren't sure who's going to be taking snaps for Baltimore, but this much we know -- Cleveland is awful against the run. So Willis McGahee is a potential No. 1 option this week, and Musa Smith is worth a waiver wire pickup in really (really) deep leagues.
Sit 'em down: With the quarterback situation as sketchy as it is, stay away from the Ravens passing game. Only Todd Heap is a solid start.
Scouting the Browns
Suit 'em up: Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards have combined for 31 catches, 549 yards and four touchdowns this season, so even though it's a bad matchup, take a chance.
Sit 'em down: Jamal Lewis had one tremendous week and two bad ones. Look for another of the latter against the NFL's top rushing defense on Sunday.
Rams at Cowboys
1 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Rams
Suit 'em up: Nothing's gone right for St. Louis this year. But this game, like most Dallas games, will be a shootout. Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and even Randy McMichael are decent plays.
Sit 'em down: Rookie Brian Leonard runs hard and can catch it out of the backfield, but he lacks breakaway speed and doesn't figure to get more than 15 touches this week.
Scouting the Cowboys
Suit 'em up: The Cowboys are much bigger than the Rams along the line and can run it down their throats if they choose. Marion Barber is a must-play every week, and Julius Jones might even have decent numbers this time out. Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason Witten are No. 1 options every week.
Sit 'em down: Dallas figures to try and run it a little more than usual this week, so secondary receivers like Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd are risky plays.
Bears at Lions
1 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Bears
Suit 'em up: Cedric Benson should get plenty of chances this week as Chicago looks to play conservative and control the ball. "The other" Adrian Peterson might also get a few extra chances. Bernard Berrian is the team's best receiver, and Brian Griese may find him more than Rex Grossman did.
Sit 'em down: Even though it's a good matchup, take a long look at Griese before committing. The Bears defense is really hurting with injuries and figures to give up more than its average number of points against a wide-open Detroit offense playing at home on turf.
Scouting the Lions
Suit 'em up: Detroit is going to put it in the air, and Roy Williams is a No. 1 option for most. But Shaun McDonald is becoming a Jon Kitna favorite. With Chicago missing both starting cornerbacks, Detroit should post good passing numbers.
Sit 'em down: Neither Tatum Bell nor Kevin Jones figures to get many yards -- or carries -- against the Bears defense, banged up as it is.
Seahawks at 49ers
4 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Seahawks
Suit 'em up: The Seattle offense has been inconsistent, and it's facing a good young defense. Deion Branch, however, appears to be coming into his own as a Seahawk. But don't expect too much offense in this one. In fact, take a flier on the Seattle defense.
Sit 'em down: Don't sit Shaun Alexander, but don't expect big days until he figures out how to gain first-half yardage. Marcus Pollard is struggling to get targets, so look for another tight end option.
Scouting the 49ers
Suit 'em up: With a passing game stuck in neutral and tight end Vernon Davis out of the lineup, Frank Gore is the team's only option. And he's yet to crack the 100-yard mark. This could be the week.
Sit 'em down: Alex Smith is just not progressing very fast, though he shows good leadership skills and is a tough guy. Don't expect much out of the receivers in this one, either.
Buccaneers at Panthers
4 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Buccaneers
Suit 'em up: Jeff Garcia isn't racking up that many yards, but he's efficient, and he's killed the Panthers in the past (even though the Bucs as a team have lost seven of eight to Carolina). The Panthers have yet to register an interception, and they never defend the tight end well, so Alex Smith is a sneaky play there.
Sit 'em down: Just when Cadillac Williams was turning the corner, he gets in Jon Gruden's doghouse and Earnest Graham emerges. Neither is a good play against a solid run defense this week, however.
Scouting the Panthers
Suit 'em up: Look for Carolina to pound the running game for several reasons: David Carr is likely to make his first start with the team, Tampa Bay is 20th in the NFL against the run and DeShaun Foster is somehow averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Julius Peppers is catching a lot of heat for not showing up in the box scores lately, and he's bound to break out.
Sit 'em down: Outside of Steve Smith, there's no wide receiver worth taking a chance on here, though tight end Jeff King is probably the team's second-best receiver.
Steelers at Cardinals
4 p.m., FOX
Scouting the Steelers
Suit 'em up: The Cardinals are improved on defense, but they're still giving up 118 yards a game on the ground, so Willie Parker is a must-play. And for those in really deep leagues, Najeh Davenport is averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
Sit 'em down: Hines Ward probably won't play this week, but Nate Washington is a risky play as his backup. Santonio Holmes likely will get most of the targets at wideout, and the Steelers like to get the tight ends and running backs involved.
Scouting the Cardinals
Suit 'em up: Even though the Pittsburgh defense has allowed just 24 points in three games, how can you not start Anquan Boldin? He tore up Baltimore's defense, so why not Pittsburgh's? And you know Larry Fitzgerald will score a touchdown eventually, why not this week?
Sit 'em down: If Cardinals coaches are serious about platooning quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner, that's not good for anyone. Edgerrin James might not find much running room this week, much like last Sunday.
Chiefs at Chargers
4:15 p.m., CBS
Scouting the Chiefs
Suit 'em up: This might be the worst offense in the NFL outside of Minneapolis. Even with Larry Johnson in the backfield Kansas City can't run the ball against the Chargers' stout run defense. But their secondary is a bit suspect, so Tony Gonzalez is, as usual, a must-play and rookie Dwayne Bowe might be a fine No. 2 play.
Sit 'em down: He's not the worst play in the league, but Johnson is just not finding room to run. And he won't get any breaks against the Chargers, who allow 88 yards per game on the ground. Plus, he's a little banged up.
Scouting the Chargers
Suit 'em up: LaDainian Tomlinson has had a rough start, but you have to believe getting him going is San Diego's No. 1 priority this week. Antonio Gates is the premier tight end in the league, and Vincent Jackson is improving on the perimeter.
Sit 'em down: Hard not to like any Charger this week, but secondary receivers in this offense are truly secondary -- Malcom Floyd and Craig Davis are afterthoughts, for the most part.
Broncos at Colts
Suit 'em up: Brandon Marshall is emerging as Jay Cutler's top target, and with Javon Walker hurting, he's the top pass-catching threat on the team. Travis Henry will get plenty of carries against a Colts defense that has been inconsistent against the run, though it is playing better this season.
Sit 'em down: Walker might play, but his knee is hurting and he can't get open right now. This is also not the week to play the Denver defense.
Scouting the Colts
Suit 'em up: The Broncos have two outstanding cover corners, so look for Dallas Clark to have a big game lined up against either a safety or linebacker. And Joseph Addai looks to have a big game as the Denver run defense is really bad.
Sit 'em down: You're not going to sit Marvin Harrison, but don't expect great things in his matchup against the great Champ Bailey. Anthony Gonzalez has yet to establish himself in this offense, and this might not be a good week to expect that to change.
Eagles at Giants
Suit 'em up: So, is Kevin Curtis the No. 1 receiver in Philly? Looks like it, and the Giants secondary is pretty dreadful. But don't count out Reggie Brown just yet. Some of the blame for his slow start has to go to Donovan McNabb, who struggled the first two weeks.
Sit 'em down: Brian Westbrook is hurting with neck, rib and abdominal injuries, so monitor that situation, But if he plays, you can't help but start him.
Scouting the Giants
Suit 'em up: Plaxico Burress is hurt every week, yet he seems to catch touchdown passes all the time. Considering what Roy Williams did against Philly last week, you've got to love Burress and Jeremy Shockey this week. Derrick Ward is also having a nice season, but he's not finding the end zone as much as you'd like.
Sit 'em down: Eli Manning might put up decent numbers this week, but he's nursing a sore shoulder and facing a defense that had nine sacks a week ago. If he gets protection, he could be pretty good, but that's a big if.
Patriots at Bengals
8:30 p.m., ESPN
Scouting the Patriots
Suit 'em up: Tom Brady has been nearly perfect this season, and this week he's facing one of the worst defenses in the league. So start all of your Pats, please.
Sit 'em down: The New England defense is usually a good play, but not against this offense, especially on the road.
Scouting the Bengals
Suit 'em up: Carson Palmer will put it in the air an awful lot this week, so he'll get big numbers by default. Same with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who are the only real receiving threats out wide -- all but six of Palmer's 27 completions last week went to those two.
Sit 'em down: Rudi Johnson left last week's game with a hamstring injury, but he wouldn't be a great play this week even if 100 percent healthy. He isn't likely to play Monday night. His backup, Kenny Watson, is a much better bet, but not as a No. 1 option.
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