By the Troll
Before we get down to business, I’d like to thank Jetnation.com for giving me this opportunity. As for my picks, don’t expect to see any mega-stars here. If you need someone to tell you to start Peyton Manning or Shaun Alexander, then you have probably been out of the playoff race for longer than the Jets.
Quarterbacks
Drew Brees, San Diego – Coming off a career game against Buffalo, Brees will go against a Redskins defense that has been lit up by Kerry Collins and Chris Simms the past two weeks.
Steve McNair, Tennessee – After having a very solid game against a Jaguars “D” that is first against the pass, McNair now faces the 49ers, who are dead last against it.
Running Backs
Kevin Jones, Detroit – If Jones is unable to drop a dime and score a touchdown against the Falcons’ pathetic rush defense, then perhaps he’s another Reggie Brooks.
Rueben Droughns, Cleveland – This “system back” has proved to be better than former counterpart Clinton Portis. He has a touchdown in consecutive weeks, and has 537 yards over his past five games. Ride him until the wheels fall off.
Lamont Jordan, Oakland – Jordan will be running against the same Dolphins defense that gave up 166 yards to Droughns. Except Lamont won’t have Zach Thomas to worry about. Look for Jordan to be doing his chainsaw dance for the first time since week eight.
Wide Recievers
Eric Parker, San Diego- Parker will benefit from being covered by Walt Harris, who may very well be the worst starting cornerback in football. In the past few weeks, Jerry Porter, Reggie Brown, and Edell Shepherd(!!) have made toast of Harris.
Donte Stallworth, New Orleans – Stallworth has been the Saints’ top reciever this season while Joe Horn has battled injuries. Coming off a two score game, expect the speedy Stallworth to give David Barrett/Justin Miller fits.
Tight Ends
Ben Watson, New England – Watson has finally begun to live up to the hype. Tom Brady is looking his way increasingly more often, and so should you.
Quarterbacks
Jake Delhomme, Carolina – Delhomme has been terrible in recent weeks and don’t expect things to suddenly get better against Buffalo’s sixth-ranked pass defense. Before you say to yourself that Drew Brees just lit them up in a career performance, consider that the Panthers do not have Ladainian Tomlinson lining up in the back field.
Brad Johnson, Minnesota – Johnson is winning actual games, but he won’t win you any fantasy games. Johnson hasn’t thrown a touchdown in the past two weeks, and points will be tough to come by against the improving Browns’ defense.
Kurt Warner, Arizona – Warner has been partying like it’s 1999 since returning to his job as Cardinals starter. Expect a major let-down this week as he goes up against the league’s #1 pass defense.
Running Backs
Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay – After suddenly coming alive against the Falcons, Carnell gets to run wild against the Bears defense. Or not.
Fred Taylor, Jacksonville – Taylor returned from injury last week to treat fantasy owners to a thrilling 6 carries for -8 yards. He was replaced by Greg Jones, who is likely to vulture touchdowns whether or not Fast Freddy returns full-time or not.
Samkon Gado, Green Bay – The honeymoon is over. Gado followed his 100 yards and 3 touchdowns against Atlanta with 10 carries for 7 yards against the Vikings’ 25-th ranked rush defense. After a third quarter fumble, he was replaced by Tony Fisher and didn’t see another touch the rest of the way.
Wide Recievers
Donald Driver, Green Bay – Brett Favre might get away with targeting Driver 45 times against the Minnesota’s and Atlanta’s of the world, but expect Jim Johnson and Sheldon Brown to force Robert Ferguson into a go-to role.
Eric Moulds, Buffalo – Unless Kelly Holcomb returns to the starting lineup, there is no use in using Moulds for your fantasy team. In the six games with Losman under center, Moulds has caught 20 passes for 144 yards, with no touchdowns. If you must start a Buffalo reciever, go with Lee Evans.
Tight Ends
Doug Jolley, New York Jets – Need I say more?