Lines

Sunday Night Football Line

Monday Night Football Line

I’M TAKING

At Minnesota -2.5 Arizona

Minnesota is just plain bad.  Andy Reid looks smarter everyday for jettisoning #5 to the division rival Redskins last season.  We all see how well he worked out in Washington…..so well that Shannahan and Son felt more comfortable going with the always reliable Rex Grossman and Franchise QB to be John Beck.  Ouch.  The only thing Minnesota has going for them besides Adrian Peterson is that Christian Ponder can’t look any worse than an aging, 30 pound overweight, noodle armed McNabb.  Arizona seems to have resurrected their running game with a healthy Beanie Wells who had a monster day this past Sunday.  Although Kolb still hasn’t really found his way yet, I like him better than McNabb who’s top two receivers last week were both tight ends who finished with less than 60 yards each.  I think Arizona wins this game outright and they have the type of team speed that translates well in dome conditions.  I’m taking Arizona +2.5 points.

New Orleans -6.5 At Carolina

Carolina is much improved and with Cam Newton under center they are a threat to go the distance every time they are on the field.  I just don’t think their defense can keep up with the Saints offense enough that the Saints don’t win by at least seven points.  Cam Newton has come down a bit off the cloud he was floating on his first two weeks and now that teams have more film on him and a better idea that his only real target is pocket rocket Steve Smith, I just think they are outmatched on Sunday.  I can easily see this game ending in the 60 total point range or higher but with just -6.5 points to cover I think its safe to take New Orleans.

RUN THE OTHER WAY

Oakland -5 At Houston

Oakland is much better than many people have been giving them credit for.  Darren McFadden is a top running back and Jason Campbell is doing a good job of managing this offense.  Oh yeah, and Al “The Crypt Keeper” Davis has now passed away giving Oakland an added incentive and emotional boost.  Houston is good but they have no Andre Johnson and Arian foster still is not at full strength.  I think Houston may hang on for the win, but I have little faith in them covering -5.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Green Bay -6 At Atlanta

I know all about Atlanta’s insane home record but there are a few things that concern me with the Falcons this year.  Michael Turner has a ton of miles on his legs and seems to be slowing a bit other than his constant threat near the end zone and this team just doesn’t seem to have much in the way of big game wins.  Green Bay would certainly be a big time win for them but with these two teams being essentially composed of the same parts as last year’s squads, Atlanta could be in for a beating.  We all remember the 27 point beating in the divisional round of the playoffs last year (GB 48-ATL 21) and although I don’t see this happening, I think Green Bay easily covers -6 points in a win.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

At Detroit -5.5 At Chicago

Everyone knows about Detroit’s offense by now and its no surprise how good they are with 1^st round picks all over the field but I think the story of this game might be more about Chicago’s pitiful, aging defense.  People have been continuing to give this D credit based on past performance and it is simply no longer warranted.  They are flat out not a good defense anymore.  Detroit can put up points in bunches and I like them to cover -5.5 at home against Da Bears.

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Ravens at Falcons

To me, the biggest game of this week will be finished before the weekend even starts.  With two division leaders meeting in primetime, the Thursday night opener of the season is set to be a very entertaining game.  The Falcons are trying to make a claim for being considered among the best teams in the NFC.  In order to convince anyone, the Falcons must beat the best teams on their schedule and with the boost that Ed Reed has brought to the Ravens D, they have a tough challenge ahead of them.  The biggest weakness of this Falcons team is their lack of depth in the passing game.  Roddy White is banged up going into this game and since he gets the lion’s share of the targets from Matt Ryan, I expect Ed Reed to be part of the double team that follows him all night and limit him to a modest game.  While White has been consistent as the NFL’s #2 receiver and earned the spot in your lineup for any game that he is active in, there is no significant talent at WR after White.  Matt Ryan is still serviceable in his backup role on your team and obviously the running backs in this game (Rice and Turner) are must starts.  As for Flacco and Boldin, the Falcons are the NFL’s 26^th ranked pass defense, so I feel they should be started in this game.  Boldin will be frustrating and have ups and downs throughout the year, but as long as he is being targeted he will have potential for a big game like I expect to see tonight. I think that the Falcons are going to lose Matt Ryan’s 2^nd home game since taking over as the Falcons QB due to too many big plays by the Ravens and their inability to spread the field with 3 and 4 WR sets.

Patriots at Steelers

The Patriots (and their fans) are embarrassed after their week 9 loss to the Colt McCoy led Cleveland Browns.  They will be looking to re-assert themselves as an elite team, despite their offensive struggles since the departure of Randy Moss.  The Pats have not been as dynamic of an offense since Moss was traded and this is largely because no one has been able to step in and fill the role of deep-threat for Brady.  Troy Polamalu and the Steelers are considered by many to be one of the best teams in the league and should prove them right in a tough home win on Sunday night. Sit down your Patriots that are not named Tom Brady this week as no one has been able to produce with any consistency lately and this is not a good match up (to say the least).  If you are desperate and HAVE to use someone in your flex this week, Danny Woodhead is the guy I would lean towards.  His versatility will give the Pats some chances to get him the ball in space and he may even see an increased workload this week.  If you have any Steelers, make sure to find a spot for them as the Patriot defense is young, inexperienced and has been allowing big games from opponents each week.

Seahawks at Cardinals

I know what you’re thinking… Both teams are pretty bad, but that doesn’t mean that one of them won’t win the division.  The NFC West is a mess this year and with two teams tied for the lead in the division at 4-4 (Rams and Seahawks) and the Cardinals just one game behind, this playoff spot is up for grabs.  Every game played between teams in this division has serious implications on the NFC playoff picture… no matter how mediocre we can expect them to play.  With each team having a good match up for fantasy purposes make sure you’ve got all your normal starters in there.  Beanie Wells has yet to have a breakout performance this season and with the Seahawks having the NFLs 19^th ranked run defense, we just may see that this week, so feel free to start him in your flex or as a RB 2 because of bye weeks.  Larry Fitzgerald is hoping to continue his return to fantasy relevance after a 2^nd consecutive good performance with a 3^rd against a Seahawks secondary allowing 270 yards per game.  Marshawn Lynch has struggled in his new home since the trade from Buffalo.  He is worth the risk as a start this week if you need him however, since the Cardinals allow an average of 135 rushing yards per game, but if he can’t get it done this week I will not allow him into my top 20 again until he earns it. Mike Williams owners should wait until him and Hasselbeck have a week to get back in rhythm if you’re able to, but he isn’t a terrible flex choice this week.  I like the Seahawks to win this one, largely because of the mediocre play of Derek Anderson.

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1. 49ers
2. Jets
3. Cowboys
4. Steelers
5. Ravens
6. Packers
7. Chargers
8. Giants
9. Cardinals
10. Bears
11. Broncos
12. Eagles
13. Dolphins
14. Browns
15. Titans
16. Vikings
17. Falcons
18. Saints
19. Patriots
20. Bengals
21. Bills
22. Colts
23. Texans
24. Panthers
25. Buccaneers

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1. Vikings
2. Bengals
3. Packers
4. Cardinals
5. Cowboys
6. Saints
7. Steelers
8. Jets
9. Broncos
10. Ravens
11. 49ers
12. Eagles
13. Chargers
14. Redskins
15. Colts
16. Texans
17. Titans
18. Bills
19. Giants
20. Dolphins

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1. Vikings
2. Bengals
3. Cardinals
4. Packers
5. Saints
6. Steelers
7. Broncos
8. Cowboys
9. Ravens
10. 49ers
11. Jets
12. Eagles
13. Chargers
14. Redskins
15. Colts
16. Texans
17. Titans
18. Bills
19. Giants
20. Dolphins

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Nick

Ok, here is the deal. I’m having a lot of mixed emotions on who I should start this week. I don’t think I can go wrong with my options, but it is the playoffs and I need all I can get. In our league, our roster looks like this. QB WR WR RB RB TE W/T W/R. I’m set at QB with Schaub and my #1 and #2 RB are AP and MJD. My starting TE is Dallas Clark. As of now I have Greg Jennings and Robert Meachem in my WR spots. This is where I don’t know who to play. I have 2 spots to fill (W/T and W/R). I have Antonio Bryant, who I really like this week. Dwayne Bowe who has a good match-up against the Browns. Heath Miller who may see some action with Woodson on Holmes and Ward being banged up. I also have Beanie Wells and Arian Foster who have great match-ups. Which 2 players should I play in my last 2 spots? And I forgot to mention it is a PPR league. PLEASE HELP!

I would put Bryant in as the WR2 and probably play Bowe and Wells this week.  Wells isn’t a PPR threat but he has a great match-up and they seemed to cut out Hightower really early after that fumble last week.

John

gore maroney moreno charles or jacobs which 3 do i start

Gore Moreno Charles for sure Maroney is going to share too much to have a big game

Kolby R

Baltimore vs Chicago or Arizona vs Detroit
I am currently planning on starting Baltimore. They will crush the pocket and force turnovers. What do you think?

Ravens are my number 1 defense this week, good luck bud!

Matthew

hi jim. i decided to bench sims-walker last night (ugh!), and now i’ve got to go with bowe or manningham this week. what do you think?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its definitely Bowe!

Quiet Time

Defense: GREEN BAY vs Steelers or ARIZONA vs Lions this week?

WR PPR league: Calvin Johnson??? or Derrick Mason?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its def Bowe.  And Cardinals Defense is my 3rd, so play them.

Weez

Do I have a better chance starting Boldin/Breaston against the Lions with a banged up Fitzgerald? Or should I start Meachem over Breaston? No way I’m sitting Boldin though. Even after he cost me a win last week….*grumbles*

I like the Boldin Breaston play, and it has nothing to do with Fitz =D

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Actually no changes, these should be all set!

1. Ravens
2. Jets
3. Cardinals
4. Broncos
5. Vikings
6. Titans
7. Eagles
8. Texans
9. Packers
10. Patriots
11. Steelers
12. Giants
13. Bills
14. Saints
15. Seahawks
16. Bengals
17. Chargers
18. Cowboys
19. Bears
20. Browns

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