Week 9 ~ Start'em

Due to the lack of key fantasy players on bye-week and the majority of injuries being recovered and on the field (although a few remain), it is time to focus on teams that are facing key match-ups to determine who best to play this week.

In this week's Start'em, I will focus on big names who should have big games... helping you to decide who amongst your studs you should play.

QUARTERBACKS:

Matt Hasselbeck: Here is a guy that has been consistent for years and is going to run into some fantasy points as the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face a defense that ranks 28th in receiving and 26th in rushing. This means big opportunities for Alexander to break out and Hasselbeck some opportunity to put up TDs.

Jason Campbell: Jason should shine like the sun this week as he has it even better than Hasselbeck. Campbell and the 'Skins go to New Jersey and face the 31st ranked defense in the passing game and the 30th ranked run defense. The Jets are in a constant state of chaos, from the starting quarterback (now Kellen Clemens) to the defensive starters (started the most players in defense so far this year.

Carson Palmer: Not only is he on the verge of getting his no. 3 WR back in Chris Henry, but it is safe to say that the "milking" of Rudi Johnson's knee injury is nearing an end. Palmer faces a defense that has a lot of turnovers but gives up the 3rd most yards per reception in the league. With C.J. & T.J., this means trouble for Buffalo fans and rejoicing for Palmer owners.

Jay Cutler: They are slowly coming out of a funk, mostly due to Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler. Cutler will have plenty of opportunities with the pick-happy, yet abysmal defense of the Detroit Lions (ranked 29th overall in receiving yards).

J.P. Losman: He gets his job back, as I suspected he would ( Week 9 ~ Waiver Wire). It couldn't have come at a better time for Losman and the Bills. They face a defense that ranks 26th in receiving yards given up and 25th in rushing yards. This means Lynch can move the ball and give Losman the time to deliver the pass, all the while remaining balanced to keep the defense honest. They will likely play from behind, meaning more passing than rushing attempts.

RUNNING BACKS:

Kevin Jones: He is looking more and more like the Kevin Jones of two years ago... cutting and slashing his way through defenses, even without an offensive line to speak of. Detroit faces a tough pass defense, but Denver ranks 31st in rushing yardage allowed. This gives owners a chance to look good... at least those who drafted him or picked him up early.

Adimchinobe Echemandu: Huh? How do you say it? This week, you can just say "TD Eche" because Houston faces the 29th ranked team in rushing yards allowed. Like Denver, they are staunch defenders of the pass but porous in the front seven.

Shaun Alexander: Here is a chance to redeem yourself for picking him in the top 5. Seattle rolls into Cleveland with an axe to grind, a full arsenal of receivers and a defense that simply cannot stop the run (ranked 28th overall). The defense of the Browns also gives up a ton of receiving yardage which will open up opportunities for Alexander to look good, fantasy-wise.

Marshawn Lynch: The Buffalo offense should look stout this weekend with Cincinnati unable to get out of their own way, most of the time. Lynch has grown in his position and with Losman at the helm and the Bengals looking more like the "Bungles", it is Lynch's day to shine.

Rudi Johnson: I put him in here, more for hope than anything... I need him to play. I think that all reports indicate he is in, but they are so sketchy... isn't this how Dillon basically lost his role. I expect him to carry the ball at least 20 times, say... 80 YDs and a TD against a poor Buffalo Defense.

Justin Fargas: This week, the "right" Fargas shows up. Oakland faces the 24th ranked rushing defense (and passing for that matter) when they host the Houston Texans. Fargas had nearly 100 all-purpose yards last week and should have a great showing this Sunday.

Joseph Addai: When will he NOT get his? Addai will have a good day, regardless of the fact that he is up against one of the best defensive teams in the game. I expect him to tag 100+ on the Pats and maybe 2 TDs, one in the air, one on the ground.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Laveranues Coles: I am a Cotchery fan but think that Coles wins out this weekend as Clemens will rely on him to be the go to guy as they face the Washington Redskins. The 'Skins are hotter than hell after being flambasted by the Patriots. All things considered though, the Patriots did more than shalack them, they exposed them. Expect Coles to have a great day.

Deion Branch: Back from injury and ready to regain his position as Matt's go-to-guy. They didn't give up a first round draft pick for nothing. Cleveland has holes all over the defense and that is Deion's specialty. I realize that Engram, Burleson, and Hackett are avaiable, but that is exactly why the defense can no longer silence him.

Brandon Marshall: Expect Marshall to have a stellar game as he faces Detroit Lions and their lack of aptitude on the defensive side of the ball. Sure they have a ton of picks...because they are so bad, offenses can simply throw 40 times, get 2 picks and still beat them. They have gotten better in the past three weeks, but not good enough that Denver won't man-handle them.

Vincent Jackson: Is now a threat. With Chambers on the opposite side and Gates roaring up the middle, it is time for VJax "to get his". Chambers will be the short/mid-range guy and Jackson will see 6 - 8 attempts, but should net 80+ YDs and a TD.

Lee Evans: He's back. For all of you that dropped him...two things... shame on you! and thank you. I can't tell you how many leagues I was able to pick this guy up about two weeks ago. He will have matching or better stats than last week, especially since he is facing the Bengals defense.

David Patten: I have been talking about him for three weeks now. He is the best deep threat that Brees has. He is opening opportunities for everyone, including a disappointing first half by Marques Colston. Expect David to have another good day as they face tough Jags defense.

Hines Ward: I was wrong last week to stay away from him... I thought he needed at least one more week... I was dead wrong. He is facing a Baltimore defense that is suspect in it's secondary. He should be able to net more yards but one less TD than last week.

Santana Moss: He earns some points for you this week against the lowly J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS JETS!!!! The Jets rank 30th in run-defense, 31st in pass defense. Jason will rely on Moss, Cooley, and Portis to bring home a win and erase the Patriots from their recent memories.

Reggie Williams: Quinn Gray has to throw to someone and Reggie usually gets the call. Jacksonville has a chance to open the run game with a solid passing performance against the 26th ranked pass defense. I mean...someone has to get the ball thrown to him, right?

TIGHT ENDS:

Antonio Gates: Is this obvious, "Yes"! But the truth is, he should outperform any previous week this year as San Diego plays host to the 24th ranked defense against the pass. The Saints are 3rd in giving up the most yards per pass... this HAS to fair well for Gates.

Tony Scheffler: He is starting to live up to the draft day expectations. Scheffler is having more and more of a role in the offense due to the loss of Javon Walker. He should continue to fair well for the second half and is much a great waiver wire pick-up as he is a starter. Look for Culter to use Scheffler against a weak DET secondary.

Heath Miller: Like the Miller of two years ago, Big Ben is relying more on Heath to get the job done in the red zone. Baltimore has shown a weakness in the secondary, which means the linebackers need to play deeper to keep the game close. Look for Heath and Big Ben, directed by Mike Tomlin to use this to their advantage.

I realize it's a break from the norm, this week's Start'em, but a this point, with only a few key players out for bye weeks and injuries, it made since to go with a more traditional approach to Start'em.

May your roster be healthy and the points many.

Statistocrat