Good Matchups
Kyle Orton, QB, Bears: Orton has been on fire lately, throwing for more than 800 yards and seven touchdowns in his last three games. Look for that trend to continue as Orton has the 22nd-ranked Falcons pass defense this week, and the 24th-ranked Vikings pass defense the following week. Atlanta could be an especially good matchup, as it has allowed the second most passing touchdowns in the NFL. Who would have ever thought that a Bears quarterback could be a consistently good fantasy play?
Antwaan Randle El, WR, Redskins: Randle El is the forgotten man in the Redskins passing game with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, but he does have 21 catches and could be a nice under-the-radar play in the next three weeks. The Redskins entertain the 28th-ranked Rams passing defense this week. St. Louis has given up the fifth most passing touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 114.3, second highest in the league. The Browns rank 10th in yardage allowed, but opponents have completed 67 percent of their passes against them, meaning a lot of underneath routes for Randle El. After that, Washinton faces the Lions, who are 29th in yards allowed, have surrendered the fifth most passing touchdowns and are tops in passer rating allowed at a staggering 122.1.
JaMarcus Russell, QB, Raiders: Team turmoil is back after a bye week and for the next two weeks Russell has matchups that might make him a nice pickup. Russell has done well against poor pass defenses and struggled against better ones. Russell threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns combined against the Broncos and Chargers. The Saints rank 27th in yards allowed and are giving up almost a touchdown and a half per game passing, while the Jets rank 31st in yards allowed and give up completions at a 68.2-percent rate. Russell is far from an every week fantasy starter, but he is good enough to help for a week or two.
Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers: Muhammad is back to being fantasy relevant after three years in Chicago. While he might not get back to the 95-catch season he had with the Panthers in 2004, he has done very well in his second stint with the Panthers. Muhammad has 25 catches for 358 yards and has caught touchdowns in each of his last two games. Muhammad matches up against a Buccaneers defense ranked 21st in yards allowed and tied for fifth most in touchdowns allowed with eight. Muhammad then plays the 27th-ranked Saints pass defense. While Muhammad might not be the No. 1 guy in Carolina, he has the potential in the next two weeks to produce like one.
Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: To say Grant has struggled is like saying the economy is kind of bad. Grant has yet to rush for a touchdown and averages fewer than 54 yards a game rushing. Grant has a chance to resurrect his season in the next two weeks against the Seahawks and Colts. Seattle is 24th in the league in yards allowed, while the Colts rank at the bottom of the NFL, surrendering an astounding 188.5 yards per game. The Seahawks and Colts also surrendered two rushing touchdowns each in their last games. Maybe Grant, like the economy, can get a bailout.
Bad Matchups
Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis: There hasn't been a lot of action in Jackson this season, as he has scored just one touchdown and rushed for more than 100 yards only once. Jackson next faces two tough NFC East opponents in the Redskins and Cowboys. Jackson had just 93 combined rushing yards against the Giants and Eagles and might face a similar fate against these two stalwart run defenses. The Redskins are ninth in the league against the run, while the Cowboys are 10th. Jackson still has value, especially in PPR leagues, but don't expect huge numbers the next two weeks.
Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts: Gonzalez was a chic pick to be the Colts No. 2 receiver behind Reggie Wayne, but has only three catches for 40 yards in the past two weeks. A healthy Dallas Clark along with matchups against Baltimore and Green Bay could again keep Gonzalez on the cool side. The Ravens have allowed only 128.5 yards per game (with a 44.6 passer rating) and the Packers have nine interceptions and a porous run defense that could make Joseph Addai the better play in Green Bay.
NFL.com's Fantasy blog
NFL.com's fantasy blog is dedicated to one thing: Helping you dominate your fantasy league. The NFL.com staff keeps you updated with all of the latest NFL news and how it will affect your team. **More ...**
Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: Anderson likely would make the All Disappointing Team after the first five weeks. He has yet to crack 200 yards, has not thrown for more than one touchdown in any game this season and has a passer rating less than 50. The disappointment should continue with a Giants defense ranked second in passing yards allowed and that has allowed just three touchdown passes in four games. The Redskins rank 20th in yards allowed, but have faced Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb. Look for the disappointment to continue for Anderson for the next two weeks, unless he is pulled for Brady Quinn.
Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets: Both Cotchery and Laveranues Coles have benefited from the arrival of Brett Favre, but the Cardinals aren't coming back on the schedule, and it gets surprisingly tough the next two weeks. The Bengals have been good against the pass, but struggle against the run, meaning that Thomas Jones will be a good play. The Raiders are 18th against the pass, but have given up just five touchdowns in four games through the air and were very good against Phillip Rivers in their last game. Don't bench Cotchery, but temper your enthusiasm.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers: Jackson leads the Chargers in catches and receiving yards, but has had little fantasy impact. He has yet to break 75 receiving yards and only has one touchdown catch this year. Surprising considering Philip Rivers' hot start. The Chargers get the top-10 pass defenses of the Patriots and Bills the next two weeks. Both give up less than 185 yards per game and combined have allowed 10 touchdowns in nine games. Neither defense is nearly as good against the run, so the LT Express may be unleashed. For Jackson owners, this might mean another two frustrating weeks.
Kyle Fisher is a writer for RotoWire. For more information check out rotowire.com.
