DeMange and I are taking different stances on who to start during each week of the NFL Fantasy Football Season. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take a look. Hopefully we can help you out.
1. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD @ NO) or Thomas Jones (NYJ @ KC)
| DeMange - LaDainian Tomlinson |
Phlipot - Thomas Jones |
| Welcome to London! Maybe LT and the Chargers can find their groove thousands of miles away from the US. San Diego is in desperate need of a win and even though Brees and the high powered Saints stand in their way this game is basically on neutral turf which should bode well for LT and the Chargers. LT has been in a funk all season with his toe injury but has shown glimmers of greatness in 2008 followed by many 2 yard carries. The inconsistencies of the offense is definitely frustrating for LT but the Chargers will stay composed find a way to get LT the ball and in doing so will win games. This came could be a shootout and with LT's pass catching abilities he should benefit mightily. |
During most seasons, this would be considered blasphemis. Choosing to start another RB over LT? A guy who has been, arguably, the best fantasy RB for the last 5-6 years? Well, it is 2008 and LT has been slowed by a toe injury and a coach who refuses to give him the ball 25-30 times a game like in years past. Heading to London doesn't exactly help either. This, along wit the fact that Thomas Jones might have the best fantasy matchup of EVERYONE in the league, makes him a must start. He is going against a Kansas City defense that has been horrid against the run. Last week they gave up over 330 yds on the ground to Tennessee. They also were on the receiving end of the most humiliating play of 2008 by letting the fat-man LenDale White score from 80 yards out. 80 yards. Start Jones over everyone and succeed. |
2. Peyton Manning (IND @ TEN) or Eli Manning (NYG @ PIT)
| DeMange - Peyton Manning |
Phlipot - Eli Manning |
| What an terrible performance in Week 7 by Manning and the Colts. No way he does anything remotely close to that again, right? Well the undefeated Titans come into town for a divisional game.This is MUST WIN for the Colts so look for Peyton to give what the defense gives him in this one. I doubt there will be any 50 yard bombs to Reggie Wayne, but Gonzalez should be busy underneath to keep the chains moving. With Addai out again this week Rhoades will step in again and try to stymie the brick wall Titans front line. If this game becomes one that Peyton is forced throw 50 times it could be a bad game for the Colts, but if they can move the chains in short chunks and control the clock they can exhaust the Titans defense and hand them their first loss of 2008. |
Wow. Manning v. Manning. Both are on the road against the top defenses in the NFL. Tennessee's defense has been absolutely outstanding while Pittsburgh's does have some weaknesses. If (and this is a big if) the Giants defense can keep Eli clean, Burress and company will have the opportunities to win the deep game. With the Steeler ability to stop the run and pass, the Giants will have to take advantage of the mistakes that the Steelers defense will make. Something the Bengals could not do with a backup QB last week. |
3. Derrick Mason (BAL vs OAK) or Dwayne Bowe (KC vs NYJ)
| DeMange - Derrick Mason |
Phlipot - Dwayne Bowe |
| A rookie QB usually spells trouble for veteran receivers but the Delaware product has shown he can manage the game and use the team strengths to win each week. Mason is a workhorse that gets open and has slowly gained a nice chemistry with Flacco. Oakland comes into town this week and this is a winnable game given Oakland's problems in finding the endzone. Baltimore's defense will shut down "fat-man" Russell and Flacco should have the lead and the confidence to find Mason all day against a mediocre Oakland secondary. |
Bowe has been getting his looks and 6-8 catches per game but is having a rough time getting into the endzone. I expect him to get his 80-90 yards this week too but getting into the endzone against Revis will be tough. Still, with RB Larry Johnson busy spitting in woman's faces, he is their only weapon except for Gonzalez at tight end. He should out produce Mason, who seems to be rookie QB Joe Flacco's favorite. |