Love

Michael Vick, QB, PHI – The Eagles face off against the Redskins this coming Monday night who have the league’s 31st ranked pass defense.  Vick is such a nightmare to defend against that he should have little trouble moving the ball effectively throughout the entire game. Given all the elite QB’s on BYE this week, Vick came in at number two in my rankings… so don’t make a mistake and leave him on your bench!

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT - With the Patriots defense not being able to stop the Cleveland Browns, they are set to have their hands full when they visit the Steelers this week.  Mendenhall has been a stud for fantasy owners this year, even after the return of Big Ben.  The balance in the Steelers’ attack has been good for Mendenhall thus far this season and you can expect that to continue against the league’s 21st ranked run defense.

Andre Johnson, WR, HOU - Have I mentioned lately how terrible the Jaguars’ secondary is? With all the production from the Texans passing game going to Andre, he is as close to a sure thing as you can get for a big game this weekend.

Matt Schaub, QB, HOU – Despite all of the struggles that the Texans offense has endured this season, they head to Jacksonville this week to face the Jaguars.  Jack Del Rio and his secondary have been abysmal this season, allowing an average of over 18 points per game to the opposing QB.

Mike Wallace, WR, PIT - The Patriots and their VERY inexperienced secondary come into town this week and with how well Wallace has been settling into his role as Big Ben’s deep threat, he is a must start as your WR2.  There will be games where he does not produce, but you can expect 3 to 5 deep shots in his direction every week and that’s enough for me!

LeGarrette Blount, RB, TB – Fantasy owners were brought back down to earth with their expectations of this rookie.  Given his situation, he won’t be the most consistent back you have ever owned, but more often than not he will produce enough to be started as a number 2 RB.  Especially this week against the Panthers who are in the middle of a game of musical quarterbacks and rank 25th against the run.

Steve Johnson, WR, BUF – The TD streak finally ended… but Johnson was still a key part of the Bills offense and managed over 100 yards receiving. Now that they face the Lions, who are missing their franchise QB again, the Bills are actually a favorite to win this game.  This is the first time he has cracked the top 20 in my rankings!

Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG – With the Cowboy’s as opponents this week, it should be a big week for the offensive players on the Giants.  Particularly Manning, Nicks and the rest of the receivers that will help dismantle a team that was once a super bowl favorite of many.

Hate

Tom Brady, QB, NE – The Patriots passing attack is in shambles.  They don’t have a deep threat and Welker hasn’t been able to shake the double teams to  get open down the field. Going against the Steelers and their best defense in the NFL… you should lower your expectations.  You will likely need to start him anyways though.

Peyton Hillis, RB, CLE – He has earned the right to be started, even against the Jets defense… but don’t expect a 100 yard game!

Ryan Torain, RB, WAS - The Eagles are good at stopping the run and with Portis looking to be a game time decision this week I would try my best to avoid using any of the Redskins’ running backs.

Miles Austin, WR, DAL - It sucks to lose your #1 WR, but it appears like that is the case for Austin owners.   He will still be the best fantasy option on the Cowboys for a little while longer, but if they are still able to use Bryant so effectively as a substitute for their non-existent running game… that may change soon.

Tony Gonzalez, TE, BAL – The Ravens have an excellent line-backing corp. and are only allowing an average of  3.4 points per game to the opposing TE.  Even with all the injuries to the position… you can probably find a better option this week.

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*Game is being played in Toronto

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*Game is being played in Toronto

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*Game is being played in London

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*Game is being played in London

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Love

Peyton Manning, QB, IND - How can you NOT love Manning, especially against the leagues worst overall defense? With the running game being so banged and the Texans pass defense being absolutely abysmal, Manning could easily top 400 yards in his effort to avenge their Week 1 loss.

Calvin Johnson, WR, DET - Matthew Stafford is a MUCH better QB than Shaun Hill and Megatron was able to keep his value up in the absence of the team’s franchise quarterback.  Lions fans should be excited to see what they can do with Stafford back in the lineup… and fantasy owners should also be excited about the increase in upside for all their Lions players.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, CAR – The Panthers have a pretty nice schedule coming up and that has me excited to see how their offense is able to rebound.  But, if Williams can’t get it done this week against the Rams then I will get very nervous very quickly.

Thomas Jones, RB, KC – I don’t understand why Todd Haley is so invested in using Jones extensively in the running game when Jamaal Charles is clearly a much more dynamic play maker that would make the most of the additional carries.  With that said, it is not my job to understand it… just to analyze it.  As long as Jones is looking to get 15 carries against the Bills’ terrible run defense, then I love his chances at having a very productive game as a #2 RB for his fantasy owners.

Arian Foster, RB, HOU – Foster has lit the league on fire thus far this season.  This week he will be going against a Colts defense allowing an average of 20 fantasy points per game and he is a must start for your #1 RB spot this week.  This is the same match up that led to Foster putting up 231 yards and three TDs (41 fantasy points) in Week 1.

Hines Ward, WR, PIT - In the past two games with their starting QB back, the Steelers receivers have been on fire.  Ward is a possession receiver so his upside is less than his teammate Mike Wallace, but he will prove to be much more consistent throughout the season.

Miles Austin, WR, DAL - Who has two thumbs and isn’t worried about Jon Kitna for this week? THIS GUY!  I love every WR when they play against the Jaguars and until Kitna proves to be completely inept, I am going to assume that he is not.  A veteran QB should have very little issue hitting an elite receiver that is wide-open all day.  Austin may no longer be a top 10 WR, but with this match up he still is.

Wes Welker, WR, NE – If its a PPR league, you should still be using Welker as a top 15 option and a must-start… but even in standard leagues it is not time to panic yet.  Minnesota’s secondary is banged up and the offense will not be the same even if Favre continues his consecutive start streak this week.  With two fractures in his ankle, there is little chance Favre will be able to push off as firmly on his throws and pick up the long 3rd down conversions he usually can.  This will lead to more time on the field for the Patriots offense and opportunities for their receivers.

Tony Moeaki, TE, KC - The Bills are allowing an average of 13 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and Moeaki has made some great catches this year.

Jahvid Best, RB, DET - I like him for the same reason that I liked Matt Forte last week.  That prediction backfired, but the Redskins still allow a lot of yardage and are currently ranked 31st in overall defense.  With Best being involved in both the running and passing game the stage is set for a big game like we have not seen since week two… which was the last time he found the end zone.

Hate

Owen Daniels, TE, HOU – The Colts are so bad at defending the run that teams tend to focus on that in order to keep Peyton Manning off the field.

Danny Woodhead, RB, NE - The front seven of the Vikings is among the best in the NFL and I don’t see the Patriots trusting Woodhead with the ball in the red zone.  Given he is in a committee situation there is a better option for this week on your team somewhere.

Vince Young, QB, TEN – The Chargers allow just over 7 fantasy points per week to opposing Quarterbacks and even if active Young will not be 100%.  Stay away if possible this week.

Sam Bradford, QB, STL – The Panthers rank 24th against the run and 4th against the pass. You tell me what your game plan would be against the Panthers, but I am guessing it would include a lot of Steven Jackson.

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Studs

Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI - With DeSean Jackson about to miss at least one game Maclin will be the top receiver on the field.  Given that he is going against the Titans, I don’t see raising his value that much.  Last week was a huge game from his fantasy owners and Maclin is fast developing into one of the better second WRs in fantasy football.  You can count on him down the stretch, regardless of which QB is playing.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC – I was big on this guy going into the year and he has been a HUGE disappointment for myself and any fantasy owners still clinging to him.  One good game is not enough to count on him, but he has an even better match-up against the Jaguars next week.  Feel comfortable starting him for at least one more week this season.

Ryan Torain, RB, WAS – He got banged up a bit at the end of this game and he won’t be better than a bye-week or injury plug-in in most weeks… However, apparently he is trust-worthy if there is a squishy match-up on the horizon. Don’t take a chance on him next week.

Calvin Johnson, WR, DET - You were worried about his injury weren’t you? Me too!  He is thankfully one of the guys you start when he is active… so let’s hope you stuck to that!  If not, let this be the last “start your studs” lesson you have to endure.

Andre Johnson, WR, HOU – I saw a question on Twitter on Sunday… “Andre Johnson or Brandon Lloyd?” I almost died inside.  Huge game for fantasy owners and Texans fans alike this week from Johnson and if I were to draft a new team today he would still be my number 1 receiver.

Greg Jennings, WR, GB - It came almost completely from one big play, but that is what Jennings does.  He will need to be started next week because the absence of Finley will lead to more looks deep to Jennings.

Matt Schaub, QB, HOU – Owners of Schaub have been getting restless.  They drafted one of the elite seven QBs and have not gotten that in return. Finally a strong outing from Schaub and he will hopefully stay closer to the stats he has been able to put up the past two seasons.

Frank Gore, RB, SF – He didn’t find the end zone, but over 140 yards rushing is impressive.  I had him as my number 3 overall RB in the pre-season and after watching him remain productive through the struggles of his team, I would keep his value the same today.

Duds

Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG – Just when it looked like we could trust him… He had a great match-up and was still not able to get fantasy owners a single point.  Manning used Steve Smith as his favorite weapon on Sunday, but the running game was effective and passing was not a high priority.  I still like Nicks as the best fantasy receiver in New York, but the love for him has gotten a bit out of hand and should be scaled back.

Miles Austin, WR, DAL - The Cowboys are in trouble, they have talent and no leaders in the locker room.  Austin is consistently productive and had it not been for a costly penalty he would be on the other list!

Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, MIN – 0 receptions, 0 targets.  That is not how I saw Randy Moss impacting Shiancoe’s role in this offense.  In my defense, I don’t think that is why he had no targets!  The Vikings had issues protecting Favre and relied on the TE position as a blocker rather than a receiver.  TDs will go down from last season, but this guy could have some big passing plays come his way this season.

Santonio Holmes, WR, NYJ – It looked like Holmes was out of sync with the offense this week, he had an opening on a reverse and couldn’t find it among other things. He will develop into a better deep threat with each week and will eventually kill the value of Braylon Edwards.

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1. Miles Austin                               @ MIN
2. Reggie Wayne                           @ WAS
3. Andre Johnson                         vs. KC
4. Roddy White                              @ PHI
5. Hakeem Nicks                           vs. DET
6. Randy Moss                               vs. DAL
7. Anquan Boldin                          @ NE
8. Brandon Marshall                    @ GB
9. Wes Welker                               vs. BAL
10. Calvin Johnson                          vs. NYG
11. Malcom Floyd                            @ STL
12. DeSean Jackson                        vs. ATL
13. Marques Colston                     @ TB
14. Mike Wallace                             vs. CLE
15. Greg Jennings                           vs. MIA
16. Steve Smith (NYG)                  vs. DET
17. Santana Moss                            vs. IND
18. Brandon Lloyd                           vs. NYJ
19. Percy Harvin                               vs. DAL
20. Hines Ward                                 vs. CLE
21. Austin Collie                               @ WAS
22. Kenny Britt                                 @ JAC
23. Santonio Holmes                      @ DEN
24. Jeremy Maclin                           vs. ATL
25. Donald Driver                            vs. MIA
26. Michael Crabtree                     vs. OAK
27. Dwayne Bowe                           @ HOU
28. Mike Williams (TB)                   vs. NO
29. Johnny Knox                              vs. SEA
30. Braylon Edwards                      @ DEN
31. Derrick Mason                           @ NE
32. Pierre Garcon                            @ WAS
33. Danny Amendola                     vs. SD
34. Eddie Royal                                 vs. NYJ
35. Dez Bryant                                  @ MIN
36. Nate Washington                     @ JAC
37. Louis Murphy                            @ SF
38. Brandon Tate                             vs. BAL
39. Davone Bess                              @ GB
40. Mike Sims-Walker                   @ATL
41. Roy Williams                               @ MIN
42. Jabar Gaffney                            vs. NYJ
43. Kevin Walter                              vs. KC
44. Lance Moore                             @ TB
45. Deion Branch                             vs. BAL
46. Devin Hester                              vs. SEA
47. Dexter McCluster                    @ HOU
48. Mike Thomas                             vs. TEN
49. Robert Meachem                    @ TB
50. Nate Burleson                           @ NYG

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