Fantasy Football Week Eight: Start ‘Em or Sit ’Em

Oh, goodness, another weekend is here. It’s time for the old Doc to analyze the matchups and pontificate like a, well, some sort of pontificator. Hut sut ralston on the rilla rah and a bralla bralla suet. Let’s see what the old 12-sided dice come up with this week, shall we?

Start ‘Em!
Tony Romo: He seems to have his confidence back after that Atlanta win. This week he’s still at home and while the Seahawks pass defense is ranked #12, they’ve been giving up 220 yards/game and opposing QBs have a 93.0 passer rating. They still don’t have Trufant back, and LB Lofa Tatupu is out and LB Leroy Hill is dinged up.
Jay Cutler: Yeah, he was disappointing last week, but this week they play the Browns in Chicago. The Browns, I tell ya! ‘Nuff said.
Steve Slaton: The Bills have the worst rushing defense in the NFL, and they’ve given up over 800 total yards their last two games
Kevin Smith: They’re playing the Rams. It’s not clear who the Lions QB will be but with Calvin Johnson hurt, it doesn’t matter. With questions at RB and QB, they’ll be running the ball a lot.
LeSean McCoy: Reid has been shifty about Westbrook’s status, but if they want to keep him alive, literally, McCoy’s going to get his chance to show his stuff.
Devin Hester: A holdover from last week. Like I said about Cutler, they’re playing the Browns!
Mike Sims-Walker: Granted he’s got Garrard as his QB and DG has been stinking it up, but they’re playing the Titans and Sims-Walker is their best receiver.
Dennis Northcutt: Megatron is wounded, and while the Lions will be running a lot, they will need to throw it from time to time against the Rams, just to keep Spagnuolo’s defense honest and he’s their best threat if Johnson is out or limited.
Austin Collie: Another holdover from last week. Reggie Wayne is nursing a groin injury and Collie’s earned Peyton’s confidence. He should have a good day against the Niners.
Lee Evans: I may kick myself later, but they are playing the Texans and their pass D isn’t anything to write home about.
Vernon Davis: Crabtree is not ready to be The Man quite yet, so Davis is their most consistent weapon in the passing game, which will have to be relied on to keep up with the Colts. He’s not Dallas Clark, but he’ll do.
Owen Daniels.: The Bills defense can be had, Andre Johnson has a bruised lung and Kevin Walter has been a huge disappointment. Guess who Matt Schaub will be looking for?

Sit ‘Em!
Donovan McNabb: In their wins and their losses, he’s done horribly against the blitz, even against the ‘Skins. I think Tom Coughlin’s noticed and while the Giants secondary is their weakness, the defensive front seven is their strength and they’ll be seeking to avoid three straight losses by making frequent visits to Mr. McNabb’s backfield. I’d hate to be his ribs.
Matt Hasselbeck: I’ll grant you the Cowboys pass defense has been suspect this season, but last week they finally learned how to apply pressure. Given Seattle’s shaky o-line play, especially at the tackle position, I think he’s going to take a beating this week. He may get some yards and completions on the quick short passes of that West Coast offense, but he’s going to get hit and I don’t think he’s going to score via the air this week, not on his back.
Marion Barber: The Seattle defense is tempting, but last week all three Dallas RBs played and nobody got good numbers. I think they’ll do the same this week since Barber and Jones are still on the mend. They want them to keep the rust off, but they don’t want them to aggravate their injuries. I think the Cowboys will rotate them heavily and put the game in Romo’s hands.
Knowshon Moreno: The Ravens defense isn’t what it used to be but it’s not the rush defense that’s been lagging. Plus, Buckhalter’s back and he’s going to be poaching some carries. Neither one should rack up many points
Shonn Greene: His performance and the loss of Washington makes him tempting, but Miami’s run defense is formidable.
Greg Jennings: I’m tired of waiting for him to produce. Donald Driver is a better start.
Bernard Berrian: Favre will likely be winging it against his old team in Lambeau, but I’m thinking it’ll be Sidney Rice on the other end of those passes.
Steve (NYG) Smith: Three factors here; Eli has not been playing up to snuff, Hakeem Nicks is getting targeted a lot more, and Philly may be going through the scrap heap for LBs, but their CBs are top-notch.
Kevin Walter: I don’t care that he’s facing the Bills. He’s stunk it up this year. I’m sorry I ever drafted him.
Derrick Mason: He’s cagey, but at his age, I just don’t see how he can shake an equally cagey Champ Bailey.
John Carlson: With the way the Cowboys rushed Matt Ryan, he’s going to be pass blocking a lot to keep Matt Hasselbeck in one piece.
Dustin Keller: The well seems to have run dry as the Jets try and limit Sanchez’s growing pains in the passing game.

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