Byes: Buffalo, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, San Francisco Cincinnati at Kansas City Bench:
Rudi Johnson, RB, Bengals: As of mid-week, Rudi has been limited in practice, so keep an eye on this situation until game time. However, we may still be in for another week of job share between Rudi and Kenny Watson. Start:
Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs: Faces a Bengals D that has been vulnerable, to say the least. If LJ doesn’t give you a good week this week, it may be time to give up oh him. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs: Barring Gonzo, who is an every-week start, Bowe has been the Chiefs most consistent offensive weapon. Even when Damon Huard doesn’t complete many passes (often), the majority of those balls go to Bowe. Houston at Jacksonville Bench:
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jags: Take away the 52-yard TD run last week, and it was another ordinary game in what has become a very ordinary season for MJD. He faces a pretty stout run D this week, so don’t expect fireworks. Start:
David Garrard, QB, Jags: Garrard has tossed a TD pass and no picks in all four of his starts, and has gone over 200 yards in three of those games. Not exactly Manning-esque, but not bad on a bye week either. Miami at Cleveland Bench:
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: Has been limited in practice, so backup Jason Wright expects to see the majority of the carries. Start:
Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: Leads the league with an average of 142 yards per game and is now an every-week start. Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: There’s a little bit of a boom or bust quality about this kid, week to week, but his yardage outputs have been solid each week. That said, logic would dictate that he has a good week because he’s playing the Dolphins. Minnesota at Chicago Bench:
Cedric Benson, RB, Bears: There are seldom good reasons to start Benson, and we can’t think of any this week, due to the fact that he faces the Vikings and their stout run defense. Start:
Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings: Rice is the only Viking WR worth getting remotely excited about, and he faces a depleted Bears secondary that has been vulnerable. . Philadelphia at New York Jets Bench:
Chad Pennington, QB, Jets: This Chad is dangling by a very this thread, and is in danger of losing his job to Kellen Clemens, which already seems like a foregone conclusion. Start:
Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: Has the luxury of a returning Westbrook and LJ Smith, and the added luxury of facing the league’s 25th ranked pass defense. St. Louis at Baltimore Bench:
Brian Leonard, RB, Rams: Leonard’s effort in relief of Steven Jackson has been admirable, however, he does face the Ravens this week, without the luxury of a passing game. Start:
Torry Holt, WR, Rams: The only Ram to show any consistency from a fantasy perspective, Holt is usually good for about 60 yards and a score. Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens: Has re-established himself as the #1 receiver in BaltimoreÉmuch to the chagrin of Mark Clayton owners. Tennessee at Tampa Bay Bench:
Vince Young, QB, Titans: VY has 3 TD’s and 5 INT’s on the year, and averages under 150 yards a game. It sounds like sacrilege, but you might be better off with a Joey Harrington type. Start:
Joey Galloway, WR, Bucs: Has been inconsistent this year, but the Bucs figure to lean heavily on the pass this week, with no semblance of a running game. Washington at Green Bay Bench:
James Jones, WR, Packers: Has been a chic waiver wire pickup, but fumbled twice against Chicago, further reinforcing the idea that it is still Greg Jennings and Donald Driver’s show in Green Bay. Start:
Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: His return will only help Jason Campbell, who figures to throw a lot this week against a stout Green Bay run defense. Carolina at Arizona Bench: All of your Panthers: Two words: David Carr. His presence turns Steve Smith into Dennis Northcutt, and renders an already ineffective running game even more ineffective. Start:
Kurt Warner, Edgerrin James, and Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: The Cardinal offense just looks faster and more wide-open under Warner, which should create opportunities for James, and we should continue to see great production from Fitzgerald. New England at Dallas Bench:
Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: I will never again draft a Bill Belichick running backÉthough I said the same thing after the frustration of owning Corey Dillon in years past. How is Maroney’s groin? Will he play, or will the carries go to Sammy Morris again? Perhaps the greater problem is the fact that I’m spending any amount of time worrying about another man’s groin. Start:
Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: Has been a huge part of the Dallas offense this season, as he hasn’t been held out of the end zone, or under 6 catches, since Week 2. Oakland at San Diego Bench:
Ronald Curry, WR, Raiders: Though I still like him long-term, Curry has cooled of late, and faces an improving Chargers secondary as his own team seems to have re-committed to the run game. Start:
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: Has thrown for multiple TD’s in 3 out of 5 starts this year, and seems to finally be settling into Norv Turner’s offense. New Orleans at Seattle Bench:
Reggie Bush, RB, Saints: If you had another back on your roster, not named Reggie Bush, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, would you start him? Start:
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: The Saints secondary has been awful, and Seattle’s receiving corps is banged up. But that said, I still like Hass in this matchup. New York Giants at Atlanta Bench:
Falcon RB’s: Muck like the situations in Carolina and Jacksonville, this is a backfield to avoid indefinitely or at least until Bobby Petrino sees the light and starts Jerious Norwood. Start:
Joey Harrington, QB, Falcons: Came back to earth last week, but faces a bad Giants secondary in what could become another shootout. Hey, it’s a bye week, but I think Joey will put up better numbers than the Brian Grieses and Vince Youngs of the world. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Last week was an encouraging sign for Jacobs owners as he received both a significant amount of carries and red zone opportunities. Sleepers
Jason Wright, RB, Browns: Jamal Lewis (foot) might not go, and the Browns figure to feast on the Dolphins 31st ranked run defense. Wright could be a nice plug-in. Cleo Lemon, QB, Dolphins: In keeping with the horrible defenses theme, Lemon does face Cleveland and its porous pass defense. Though, keep in mind, he is still Cleo Lemon. Earnest Graham, RB, Bucs: Until the Bucs find James Wilder, Graham is the running back by default in Tampa. If injuries have ravaged your roster, he may be worth a start. Ted Kluck is the author of three books, including “Paper Tiger: One Athlete’s Journey to the Underbelly of Pro Football.” Visit him online at www.tedkluck.com. | 
