HE SAID

Detroit at Seattle

Stud: Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Johnson hasn’t played in a few weeks because of injury, but when he returns this week you still should consider him a top receiver. Don’t be afraid of using him against the Seahawks.

Dud: Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: At the beginning of the season there was some thought that Jones could have the same impact as Cedric Benson this season. It hasn’t happened and Seattle’s offensive line is a mess.

Sleeper: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions: With the return of Johnson, the middle of the field should open up and the tight end is always the best friend of a rookie quarterback.

Carolina at New Orleans

Stud: Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers: Delhomme has 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 career games against his former team.

Dud: Devery Henderson, WR, Saints: Henderson hasn’t scored a touchdown since the first week of the season and only has nine receptions in the past three weeks.

Sleeper: John Kasay, K, Panthers: The Panthers have had great success against the Saints and Kasay made seven field goals in two games against New Orleans.

San Diego at New York Giants

Stud: Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Manning has struggled with three touchdowns and six interceptions in the past three weeks, but the game against San Diego could be high scoring.

Dud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Tomlinson should not improve on his 3.4 yards per carry.

Sleeper: Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers: With the release of Chris Chambers - Floyd will now settle into his role at receiver and have more opportunity.

Tennessee at San Francisco

Stud: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: The Titans are too banged up in the secondary to hang with the 49ers.

Dud: Vince Young, QB, Titans: Don’t let the Titans victory with Young at quarterback cloud your fantasy vision. Until Young starts running more, he is not worth starting in fantasy.

Sleeper: Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: As noted above, the Titans are terrible on pass defense and Vernon Davis and Crabtree could have big games.

Dallas at Philadelphia

Stud: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles:  If you combine what McNabb has done with what Kevin Kolb did when McNabb was injured - the Eagles are the top quarterback in fantasy. Never bench McNabb in decent weather.

Dud: Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys: So Williams came out this week and declared himself the No. 1 receiver in Dallas despite not leading the team in any statistical categories. Williams is in a fantasy of his own.

Sleeper: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles: Just because Brian Westbrook is coming back, don’t instantly bench McCoy. Westbrook should see a reduced role.

Pittsburgh at Denver

Stud: Defense, Both teams: I wouldn’t expect any huge fantasy numbers in this game.

Dud: Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: Ward has never scored a touchdown against Denver and his former Georgia teammate Champ Bailey.

Sleeper: Willie Parker, RB, Steelers: Teams can’t grind down the Broncos’ defense with the run. It is the fast, change of pace runner who can hurt Denver. Parker has been a dud all season, but could factor into Monday’s game.

Matt Wiley, The Gazette

SHE SAID

Washington at Atlanta

Stud: Michael Turner, RB, Falcons – After a disappointing start, Turner came alive against the Saints on Monday night, finishing with 151 yards on 20 carries. And he has a good matchup against a 22nd-ranked Redskins run defense.

Dud: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons – He threw three interceptions last week against the Saints, his third consecutive game with at least two picks. And Washington is allowing just 164.9 yards per game (second in the league).

Sleeper: Santana Moss, WR, Redskins – Despite a struggling Jason Campbell, Moss is 11th among NFC receivers and Atlanta has the second-worst pass defense in the league.

Arizona at Chicago

Stud: Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals – He has scored a touchdown in four straight games and is the team’s second-leading receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald.

Dud: Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals – Besides being day-to-day with an ankle injury, Boldin doesn’t have a touchdown since Week 3, hasn’t had more than 83 yards in a game all season and had just three catches each of the past two weeks.

Sleeper: Matt Forte, RB, Bears – He had 90 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Browns. He faces a Cardinals run defense that is ranked ninth in the league but allowed 270 yards last week against Carolina. Textbook definition of a sleeper case.

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Stud: Ray Rice, RB, Ravens – He has scored four touchdowns the last three games and his the team’s leading receiving with 38 catches.

Dud: Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals – He had 120 yards in the teams’ first meeting this season. I don’t see a Ravens defense letting that happen again.

Sleeper: Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens – He had 175 yards and touchdown last week against Denver, his worst performance of the season. But he has a favorable matchup against a Bengals pass defense allowing 253.3 yards per game (30th in league).

Houston at Indianapolis

Stud: Ryan Moats, RB, Texans – Moats had 23 carries for 126 yards and three TDs last week in place of Steve Slaton and could again get the majority of carries over the suddenly fumble-prone Slaton. Plus, the Colts are allowing 112 rushing yards per game.

Dud: Kevin Walter, WR, Texans – A lot of signs point to Walter getting more looks with tight end Owen Daniels’ season-ending knee injury. But Walter was inconsistent last season, and I think it’s best to wait and see what he does before starting him.

Sleeper: Austin Collie, WR, Colts – He had a streak of three straight games with a touchdown snapped last week, but he’s the team’s No. 3 target after Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Not too shabby in an offense with Peyton Manning.

Kansas City at Jacksonville

Stud: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars – He had just two catches for 9 yards against a bad Tennessee pass defense, but it was the only game he hasn’t gotten at least 80 yards this season. And he has a good matchup against Kansas City (252.1 pass yards per game).

Dud: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs – His only 100-yard game was against Washington, which has the league’s second-best pass defense. He’s too inconsistent.

Sleeper: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs – Charles will be the feature back with Larry Johnson out with a suspension. Although Charles probably should have been starting the whole time. He averages 4.8 yards per carry, and Jacksonville is allowing 128.3 yards per game (25th in the league).

Miami at New England

Stud: Wes Welker, WR, Patriots – He has 343 yards and four touchdowns the past three weeks against mostly decent pass defenses, and Miami ranks 21st in the league.

Dud: Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots – He’s New England’s best (and healthiest) back, but Miami ranks No. 4 in run defense.

Sleeper: Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins – He’s averaging just over 60 rushing yards per game behind Ronnie Brown. But he has more potential for a breakout game with 5.4 yards per carry and 12.3 yards per catch.

Green Bay at Tampa Bay

Stud: Donald Driver, WR, Packers – Driver still leads the team in catches (33), yards (542) and receiving touchdowns (three) even though Greg Jennings look to be coming out of his slump.

Dud: Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers – He seemed like a sleeper back early in the season, but even as his carries have increased his production hasn’t. Plus, Green Bay has a good run defense.

Sleeper: Ryan Grant, RB, Packers – He was brought back down to Earth last week (30 yards) after a stellar game (148 yards). But he could have another breakout game against a Bucs run defense allowing 162.4 (30th) yards per game.

- Angie DiSalvo

HE SAID
Miami at N.Y. Jets
Stud: Dolphins’ defense: Miami has started to pressure the quarterback in recent weeks with 17 sacks and Mark Sanchez has 12 turnovers.
Dud: Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets: Edwards had 64 yards and a touchdown when the teams met earlier this season in his first game with the Jets, but Miami should key on Edwards this time.
Sleeper: Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins: It appears that Ted Ginn Jr. has been benched and Hartline will be given chances to succeed.

Cleveland at Chicago
Stud: Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Forte has been the biggest bust in fantasy, but he does have 472 total yards and faces the second worst run defense in the league (170.6 yards per game)
Dud: Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: In the Browns’ one win this season Lewis had over 15 carries (31 carries for 117 yards). It seems like a simple formula but he just doesn’t get the ball enough.
Sleeper: Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: Cleveland hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in four weeks, but Anderson is facing a defense that gave up five touchdown passes last week.

Houston at Buffalo
Stud: Terrell Owens, WR, Bills: Every week I wait for Owens to have a breakout game - it is this week or I am done with him. If he doesn’t produce against the Texans’ I am going to release him. I expect 80 yards and a touchdown.
Dud: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: Lynch is averaging 2.9 yards per carry while Fred Jackson is at 4.1. The Bills should rely on Jackson.
Sleeper: Andre Davis, WR, Texans: The former Bill could see more targets with Andre Johnson possibly being limited by a lung injury.

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
Stud: Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants: Has scored a touchdown in four straight games and  that is on only 14 receptions. The guy is a playmaker and will likely get the ball more.
Dud: Kevin Boss, TE, Giants: Hasn’t scored a touchdown this season, and the Giants top three receivers all have six.
Sleeper: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles: McCoy leads the Eagles in rushing and should see any increase in production with Brian Westbrook likely out.

Seattle at Dallas
Stud: Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: Jones could do to Dallas (his former team) what Ricky Williams did to the Saints (his former team) last week. Gaining 80 yards and reaching the end zone should be expected.
Dud: Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys: Williams hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1 against Tampa Bay and he is fourth on the Cowboys in receiving yards.
Sleeper: Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks: Seattle’s leader in receiving yards and touchdowns is overlooked in too many fantasy leagues.

Denver at Baltimore
Stud: Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: The all-around back has 776 total yards and his emergence has been key for the Ravens/
Dud: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Baltimore’s defense should be feisty after having a bye week to think about allowing 100 yard rusher in its last game.
Sleeper: Brandon Stokley, WR, Broncos: Do you see a theme here? I love using players against their former teams. Baltimore has been brutal against the pass and Denver should exploit former Bronco Domonique Foxworth.

St. Louis at Detroit
Stud: Donnie Avery, WR, Rams: The speedster has scored a touchdown in two of the past three games.
Dud: Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: After a fast start, Smith hasn’t scored in the past two games and his longest run of the year is just 20 yards.
Sleeper: Any fan who watches this game start to finish will likely fall asleep.

- Matt Wiley

SHE SAID
San Francisco at Indianapolis
Stud: Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers - Davis leads the team in receptions (29), receiving yards (355) and receiving TDs (6).
Dud: Glen Coffee, RB, 49ers - In Frank Gore’s return last week, Coffee got just two carries.
Sleeper: Austin Collie, WR, Colts - Collie has scored four TDs in the past three games.

Oakland at San Diego
Stud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers - Fantasy owners are probably just as frustrated as LT is at his lack of goal line efficiency. But he has a great matchup against the Raiders (30th against the run).
Dud: Any player in Raiders passing offense - JaMarcus Russell’s struggles make everyone too risky of a start.
Sleeper: Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders - The Chargers’ run defense ranks 28th (137.7 yards allowed per game) and Fargas has gotten more carries and more yards than Michael Bush the past two weeks.

Jacksonville at Tennessee
Stud: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars - Tennessee’s pass defense is last in the league and Sims-Walker had 91 yards and 2 TDs against the Titans earlier in the month.
Dud: LenDale White, RB, Titans - He’s not getting many opportunities and when he does he doesn’t do much (3.8 yards per carry).
Sleeper: Kenny Britt, WR, Titans - Jacksonville’s pass defense is ranked 31st and Britt had 105 yards against the Jaguars on Oct. 4. He also leads the team in catches (19), yards (289) and yards per catch (15.2).

Minnesota at Green Bay
Stud: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings - He had 3 TDs against his former team earlier this month. And he could be even more fired up in his return to Green Bay.
Dud: Ryan Grant, RB, Packers - Grant has had two really weeks (238 yards, 1 TD) after struggling early on. But Minnesota has the 10th-ranked run defense.
Sleeper: Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings - He’s becoming more of a stud after consecutive 100-yard games against good defenses (Baltimore and Pittsburgh).

Carolina at Arizona
Stud: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers - Arizona’s pass defense is 29th and Smith is Carolina’s leading receiver.
Dud: Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals - Boldin, who has just one TD this season, is nursing an injured ankle and Carolina has the league’s best pass defense.
Sleeper: Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals - The rookie is getting more and more carries every game. And has a good matchup against Carolina’s 26th-ranked run defense.

Atlanta at New Orleans
Stud: Saints defense - Tied for league lead with interceptions (13) and has scored five TDs.
Dud: Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints - He had great games when Bell was out, but hasn’t since his return.
Sleeper: Mike Bell, RB, Saints - Bell has either reached 80 yards or scored a TD in every game he’s played in this season.

- Angie DiSalvo

Actually, I learned a ton after Week 7 - of last season.  A year ago, DeAngelo Williams had two rushing touchdowns.  As you probably know if you play fantasy football - he finished with 18 rushing touchdowns and put any owner who had him into contention. The point is, all is not last no matter how bad your team has done up to this point - but it is time for your players to pick it up. Here are some likely candidates …

Carson Palmer has a few tough games, but a lot of favorable matchups the rest of the season.

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals - His five-touchdown performance against the Bears  was more likely a preview of things to come than a fluke. Palmer faces Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City in the second half of the season.

Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants - He has scored a touchdown in four-straight games and, as predicted on this blog, emerged as the Giants’ top fantasy receiver over Mario Manningham and Steve Smith.

Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders - He ran hard when he got into the game.  He had 67 yards on eight carries and 23 receiving yards on three receptions.

Who are some players you recommend going forward? Who are players you are ready to get rid of?

SHE SAID
Green Bay at Cleveland
Stud: Donald Driver, WR, Packers – He leads the team in yards, receptions and TD catches.
Dud: Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns – He had a great performance (117 yards on 31 carries) against Buffalo but has stunk in his other three games. He’s too inconsistent and hasn’t found the end zone.
Sleeper: Ryan Grant, RB, Packers – Although he hasn’t scored since Week 2, Grant’s carries and receptions have picked up. Plus, the Browns are ranked 30th in the league against the run.

San Francisco at Houston
Stud: Frank Gore, RB, 49ers – Glen Coffee only was decent as a fill-in, and Gore has practiced in full this week so he will get most, if not all, of the carries.
Dud: Steve Slaton, RB, Texans – After a sensational rookie season, he’s averaging just 46 yards rushing per game and has five fumbles. He’s not likely to get back on track against the 49ers, who have the seventh-best run defense in the league.
Sleeper: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers – The rookie finally signed and now has been named a starter.

San Diego at Kansas City
Stud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers – He had 70 yards against a good Broncos run defense Monday night and now he faces a Chiefs defense ranked 25th.
Dud: Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs – You may need a QB because of the byes, but pick someone else. He’s averaging just 5.6 yards per pass and the Chargers are 13th against the pass.
Sleeper: Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs – He’s only averaging 2.7 yards per carry, but he had a season-best 83 yards against Washington last week and San Diego’s run defense is even worse.

Minnesota at Pittsburgh
Stud: Hines Ward, WR, Steelers – Ward leads the league in receiving yards and is tied for first in receptions. And Minnesota’s defense is 24th in the league.
Dud: Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings – The rookie aggravated his shoulder injury and it doesn’t look like his status will be decided until late in the week.
Sleeper: Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings – Obviously, he’s on everyone’s radar after last week’s performance, but he’s not quite a stud yet. He will again be the best deep threat for the Vikings, who will have a better chance against the Steelers’ pass defense (12th) than their run defense (second).

Indianapolis at St. Louis
Stud: Colts defense – Perhaps the only non-obvious must-start. St. Louis is 27th in total offense and the Colts have 13 sacks and may have Bob Sanders back this week.
Dud: Donnie Avery, WR, Rams – He expects to play despite a bruised hip, and the Rams will likely have to pass to keep up. But the Colts are ninth in the league against the pass.
Sleeper: Austin Collie, WR, Colts – He has three touchdowns and 162 yards the past two weeks.

New England at Tampa Bay
Stud: Wes Welker, WR, Patriots – He has 189 catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns the past two weeks.
Dud: Kellen Winslow, TE, Buccaneers – He’s been very inconsistent and the Patriots’ pass defense is sixth in the league.
Sleeper: Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots – Fred Taylor is still out and Sammy Morris hasn’t practiced yet, so Maroney should be the go-to back. And the Bucs are 31st against the run.

- Angie DiSalvo, The Gazette

HE SAID
Buffalo at Carolina
Stud: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers - Since the bye week, Stewart has averaged 14 touches per game and scored both of his touchdowns. It is obvious he has become a bigger part of the offense.
Dud: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills - The injury to Trent Edwards makes Fitzpatrick tempting, but no player with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in their career will turn your season around.
Sleeper: Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers - It is Muhammad, not Steve Smith, who leads the Panthers with 22 receptions.

N.Y. Jets at Oakland
Stud: Thomas Jones, RB, Jets - Jones and Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson are the only players averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry and have scored six or more touchdowns.
Dud: Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets - It isn’t a coincidence that Mark Sanchez has thrown one touchdown and five interceptions in the past two games since the team acquired Edwards. Look for the Jets to simplify the offense.
Sleeper: Michael Bush, RB, Raiders - The Jets’ defense isn’t as good as I thought it would be and it is allowing 115.7 rushing yards per game.

Atlanta at Dallas
Stud: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons - Ryan is on pace for 28 touchdowns in just his second season.
Dud: Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys - Witten has not had a pass thrown toward him in the red zone in the past three games according to the Dallas Morning News.
Sleeper: Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys - The runner has emerged with 5.1 yards per carry and has 12 receptions for five first downs.

New Orleans at Miami
Stud: Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints - It was a little disappointing that Mike Bell got the goal-line carries last week, but Thomas is averaging 5.9 yards per carry and the touchdowns will come.
Dud: Anthony Fasano, TE, Dolphins - Fasano is averaging only 11.2 yards per game and has only one touchdown.
Sleeper: Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins - The former Saint has 448 combined yards and three touchdowns in five games.

Chicago at Cincinnati
Stud: Devin Hester, WR, Bears - Hester tied his career-high with six receptions last week, and there is no reason to think he shouldn’t continue to be featured.
Dud: Laveranues Coles, WR, Bengals - It doesn’t look like Coles is going to recapture the form he had as a member of the Jets.
Sleeper: Andre Caldwell, WR, Bengals - The rookie has emerged as the Bengals’ second-best receiver.

Arizona at N.Y. Giants
Stud: Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals - Warner is completing 68.7 percent of his passes and the Cardinals shouldn’t be afraid to pass after watching the Saints carve up the Giants last week.
Dud: Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants -  Anyone who drafted Jacobs was expecting more than 3.6 yards per carry and one rushing touchdown this deep into the season.
Sleeper: Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals - With Anquan Boldin a game-time decision, Breaston (who leads the team at 80 yards receiving per game) should see an increased role.

Philadelphia at Washington
Stud: Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles - It seems like Philadelphia has been saving Westbrook, but the Eagles must get going after losing to the Raiders. Westbrook averages 104 total yards and has scored seven touchdowns in 12 games against Washington.
Dud: Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins - He actually has decent fantasy numbers, but if things go badly I wouldn’t be surprised if he is benched at home.
Sleeper: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Redskins - With coach Jim Zorn no longer calling plays, you have to think a new player will emerge on offense. The 6′4″ Kelly needs a breakout game to remain a starter.

- Matt Wiley, The Gazette

Maurice Jones-Drew asked for the ball, and produced when he got it.

It’s about time. I was begining to think that was just a crazy year. But Sunday, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, DeAngelo Williams, Drew Brees and Maurice Jones-Drew all finally played well during the same weekend. Dwayne Bowe and Clinton Portis even showed signs of life getting over 100 yards each. It’s nice to see that all the predictions and time spent in the offseason projecting statistics wasn’t a waste. I expect owners of all these players to be happy going forward.

The biggest disappointments at each position:

QB - Tony Romo - Six touchdowns and four interceptions is unacceptable for a QB who was likely your first choice in fantasy. Other QBs are putting up monster numbers.

RB - Matt Forte   -  One touchdown this deep into the season wasn’t projected.

WR - Greg Jennings and Terrell Owens - Again, each guy has only reached the endzone once after eached averaged over 10 TD receptions in each of the past two years.

Biggest pleasent surprises:

QB - Joe Flacco - After throwing 14 touchdowns in 16 games last season, Flacco has 11 TDs in six games this year.

RB - Cedric Benson -We all new he would be the featured running back, but we didn’t

WR - Steve Smith (Giants) - He is on pace for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns.

HE SAID
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
Stud: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers - Big Ben is second in the NFL in passing yards and he is one of two AFC quarterbacks with a rating over 100. Peyton Manning is the other.
Dud: Browns’ offense - It is hard to guess who the leading rusher or receiver will be for the Browns this weekend. If you have any inside tips - post a comment below.
Sleeper: Willie Parker, RB, Steelers - For some reason, Pittsburgh still hasn’t officially given the starting running back job to Rashard Mendenhall and Parker will see his share of carries against the Browns. He needs a big performance to stay in the mix.

Kansas City at Washington
Stud: Santana Moss, WR, Redskins - The perception is that the Redskins offense is dreadful, but Moss actual is 13th in the NFL with 337 yards receiving.
Dud: Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs - Washington held DeAngelo Williams to 40 yards on 18 carries last week because the Panthers kept pounding the ball up the middle. That is exactly the same thing the Chiefs try to do with Johnson.
Sleeper: Jamal Charles, RB, Chiefs - Sooner or later Kansas City has to notice that Charles is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and Johnson is getting 2.4. Look for the explosive Charles to make a big play against Washington.

Detroit at Green Bay
Stud: Greg Jennings, WR, Packers - Jennings averages 86.8 yards in the five games he’s faced the Lions, and he has been complaining about his role in the offense this season. Expect big things.
Dud: Mason Crosby, K, Packers - After the bye week, I fully expect the Packers to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals.
Sleeper: Dennis Northcutt, WR, Lions - With Calvin Johnson hobbled with a leg injury - Northcutt might be counted on to catch deep passes. Doesn’t you see this game as a track meet?

St. Louis at Jacksonville
Stud: Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars - Don’t you get the feeling that Holt will be featured going against his old team?
Dud: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars - His alleged curfew violation because of a “lady friend” has him squarely in the doghouse. Being that he is a rookie, I expect the Jags to make an example out of him.
Sleeper: Donnie Avery, WR, Rams - It appears that Avery is over his fumbling problems and could be a factor again. Trust that he will start playing like a solid No. 2 receiver going forward.

N.Y. Giants at New Orleans
Stud: Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants - Jacobs’ grind-it-out style should help the Giants keep the Saints’ offense off the field. I expect Jacobs, not Bradshaw, to be the featured runner.
Dud: Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints - I am usually big on guys facing their old teams, see Holt above, but I don’t think the Giants’ linebackers will let Shockey loose.
Sleeper:  Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants - Nicks led the team in receptions last week. It wasn’t Steve Smith or Mario Manningham.

Carolina at Tampa Bay
Stud: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers - The Buccaneers’ defense has had a hard time adjusting to the new scheme and Smith should exploit them.
Dud: Kellen Winslow, TE, Buccaneers - It’s hard to go against a guy who had 102 yards receiving and two touchdowns a week ago - but the strength of the Panthers is their linebackers.
Sleeper: Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers - Admit it, you were like me and you didn’t think Delhomme would still be the Panthers’ starter after his disastrous start. Well, he is still there and he should do well this week.

Houston at Cincinnati
Stud: Matt Schaub, QB, Texans - Peyton Manning is the only quarterback with more touchdown passes than Schaub this season.
Dud: The first quarter - Neither of these teams, with high-powered offenses, have been getting off to great starts on a consistent basis.
Sleeper: Chris Henry, WR, Bengals - The star of the preseason could have a breakout game against the Texans’ defense.

Matt Wiley, The Gazette

SHE SAID
Baltimore at Minnesota
Stud: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings - The Ravens’ run defense is fourth in the league but their pass defense is 26th. Plus, Favre has a TD pass in every game this season and multiple TDs in three out of the five.
Dud: Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens - After scoring six TDs in the first three games, McGahee has just 10 touches the past two weeks. He has no value anymore with Ray Rice on a tear.
Sleeper: Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings - If the Vikings are forced to pass, Rice will be a big factor. He averages 13.7 yards per catch and is the best deep threat on the team.

Philadelphia at Oakland
Stud: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles - Eli Manning lit up the Raiders last week, and McNabb looked to be back in form last week against Tampa Bay. With the bye weeks, he’s a must-start.
Dud: Any Raider - The Eagles have the fourth best pass defense and are 13th against the run. And they’re in the top 10 in both interceptions and sacks.
Sleeper: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles - He will split carries with Brian Westbrook. Plus, the Raiders are second-worst against the run, and with the game most likely headed toward a blowout, the Eagles will be running a lot.

Arizona at Seattle
Stud: Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks - He has 17 catches for 218 yards and three TDs in the three games Matt Hasselbeck (who played well in his return last week) has started. Arizona has the league’s worst pass defense.
Dud: Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks - Hasn’t scored a rushing TD since Week 1 and hasn’t reached 35 yards in three of the five games. And Arizona is the league’s best against the run.
Sleeper: Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals - Coach Ken Whisenhunt, who also calls the team’s plays, has said he wants to call more running plays and specifically mentioned Wells by name. Wells had more carries than Tim Hightower for the first time last week.

Tennessee at New England
Stud: Wes Welker, WR, Patriots - Welker had a team-high eight catches and scored his first TD of the season last week against Denver. Plus, Tennessee is ranked 31st in pass defense.
Dud: LenDale White, RB, Titans - White averaged 5.1 yards per carry last week against the Colts. But the Patriots are 11th in the league against the run and White doesn’t have the numbers (133 yards, 1 TD) to back a fantasy start.
Sleeper:

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets
Stud: Thomas Jones, RB, Jets - Jones didn’t have a lot of carries (13) last week, but had two TDs. So his goal-line play makes him a must-start. Plus, the Bills are 29th in the league in run defense.
Dud: Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets - He’s been steady for most of the season - a TD pass in four of five games - but his numbers aren’t big enough to help fantasy-wise. And Buffaloe is sixth in the league against the pass. If you need a QB for the bye week, there are better ones out there.
Sleeper: Fred Jackson, RB, Bills - His numbers have dropped since Marshawn Lynch has come back, but he’s still the Bills’ leading receiver.

Chicago at Atlanta
Stud: Matt Forte, RB, Bears - Forte came alive last week vs. Detroit with 121 yards and a TD. Atlanta is 24th against the run, so he should have another chance at a big game.
Dud: Defenses - Both defenses are mediocre at best and aren’t very good at takeaways or sacks.
Sleeper: Devin Hester, WR, Bears - The Falcons are 22nd in the league against the pass and Jay Cutler has to throw to somebody. Plus, Hester is great if you get return yards.

Denver at San Diego
Stud: Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos - He’s thrown multiple TDs the past two games and had 330 yards last week against a pretty good Patriots defense.
Dud: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers - He’s healthy but he had just 15 yards on seven carries last week against Pittsburgh (No. 2 vs. the run). And Denver’s run defense is sixth against the run.
Sleeper: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos - He’s had trouble holding onto the ball, but Correll Buckhalter is still banged up and the Chargers are 27th against the run.

Angie DiSalvo, The Gazette

Falcons running back Michael Turner should never be benched.

I should never doubt Michael Turner. The guy is going to get 20 rushes or a touchdown in every game. His 3.7 average is not going to last.

The Seahawks are a different team when Matt Hasselbeck plays. Nate Burleson becomes a great fantasy receiver with Hasselbeck. All three of Burleson’s touchdowns have come in games that Hasselbeck has played.

Mike Sims-Walker plays a bigger factor on Jacksonville’s offense than I thought. The Jags were shutout after he was suspended for violating team rules.

The Eagles have a great offense - and maybe too many weapons - to know who to use. Philadelphia’s quarterbacks have combined to be near the top of the fantasy rankings.

Don’t track the fantasy numbers of the Texans in the first half, they get all their numbers when the game is already decided.

The one thing I already knew

Always give talent a second chance.  It would be great if the sports world was filled with high-class citizens and ideally players would never get in trouble with the law or have contract squabbles - but that isn’t reality. The one thing you can’t do in fantasy sports is let a player’s behavior alter his fantasy value. If you passed on Brandon Marshall (17 receptions and four touchdowns in the past three games) or Cedric Benson (leads the NFL with 487 yards rushing) because they were not solid citizens in the past - your fantasy team deserves to suffer.

HE SAID

Cincinnati  at Baltimore
Stud: Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals - The Ravens have allowed big plays in the passing game to the Chargers and Steelers so the Bengals could counter by going to the air.
Dud: Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals - The schedule gets a lot tougher for Benson with two games against the Ravens and one remaining with the Steelers. It might be time to trade him while his stock is high.
Sleeper: Bengals’ defense - I think they will play inspired after the death of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife and could hold the Ravens in check.

Atlanta  at San Francisco
Stud: Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons - Gonzalez always seemed to play even better when matched up against another solid tight end. Some of his best games came against San Diego’s Antonio Gates. With all the hype around San Francisco’s Vernon Davis, expect Gonzalez to have a big game.
Dud: Michael Turner, RB, Falcons - San Francisco’s linebackers should shadow Turner all day and make life tough on him.
Sleeper: Glen Coffee, RB, 49ers - Coffee didn’t give the offense the boost that was expected last week, but don’t give up on him as long as Frank Gore is sidelined.

Houston at Arizona
Stud: Andre Johnson, WR, Texans - With Larry Fitzgerald on the other side of the field, Johnson could try to make a statement as to who is the best receiver in the NFL.
Dud: Either defense - This could easily be the shootout of the week.
Sleeper: Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals - The week off last week should help Boldin recover from a hamstring injury.

New England at Denver
Stud: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos - An injury has given Moreno an opportunity to start earlier than expected and he probably won’t start a game on the bench again this season.
Dud: Tony Scheffler, TE, Broncos - It is time to realize this is a new offense and drop Scheffler in fantasy leagues.
Sleeper: Sammy Morris, RB, Patriots - The Patriots offense should look a lot more like 2007 with Fred Taylor’s injury. Morris should start getting all the goal-line carries.

Jacksonville  at Seattle
Stud: David Garrard, QB, Jaguars - The Seahawks’ defense has been bad and Garrard could capitalize on screen passes to Maurice Jones-Drew.
Dud: Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars - Mike Sims-Walker is the go-to guy in Jacksonville. Holt, who I was really high on coming into the season, has not lived up to expectations.
Sleeper: Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks -When Matt Hasselbeck plays, Seattle is a different team and Burleson is a solid fantasy option.

Indianapolis  at Tennessee
Stud: Dallas Clark, TE, Colts - The Titans have allowed opposing starting tight ends to amass 20 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Clark is averaging 91 yards per game.
Dud:  Rob Bironas, K, Titans - Field goals are not going to get it done against the Colts.
Sleeper: Vince Young, QB, Titans - If you think the Titans are going to lose this week to the Colts and next week to the Patriots - as I do - and enter the bye week at 0-6 - a quarterback change is imminent. Might as well pick up Young before someone else does. If you want a guy for this week take Titans reciever Kenny Britt.

N.Y. Jets  at Miami
Stud: Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins - Only player in the NFL with more than 70 carries who is averaging 5 yards per rush (5.1). He is the Dolphins offense.
Dud: Thomas Jones, RB, Jets - Not only has he not been able to get it going on the ground (3.8 per carry), he has two catches for 1 yard this season.
Sleeper: Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets - Expect to see a motivated player in Edwards after he was cast aside by the Browns.

BYES: Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Diego

SHE SAID
Cleveland at Buffalo
Stud: Fred Jackson, RB, Bills - His carries were reduced last week when Marshawn Lynch was reinstated, but he still had 4.7 yards per carry. And he has a good matchup this week.
Dud: Defenses - The teams are tied for 21st in passing defense. Buffalo is 27th against the run and Cleveland is 31st. Neither team is particularly good at takeaways, although Buffalo has 11 sacks.
Sleeper: Josh Cribbs, WR, Browns - A must-start if you get points per return yards, and now with Braylon Edwards gone he could step up as a receiver as well.

Dallas at Kansas City
Stud: Cowboys running backs - Marion Barber ran well last week before his quad started bothering him and he’ll likely have a good chance to get back to form against Kansas City. But Tashard Choice is still likely to get the bulk of the carries, and, therefore, remains a good option as well.
Dud: Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys - Williams (ribs) hasn’t practiced this week and he’s not been very productive. Bad combination.
Sleeper: Bobby Wade, WR, Chiefs - Wade has seen increased playing time each week and Matt Cassel seems to be comfortable throwing to him. Plus, the Chiefs will have to throw to keep up.

Minnesota at St. Louis
Stud: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings - He won’t have extra motivation this week, but he’s thrown for eight TDs with just one INT.
Dud: Any Rams player - Except Steven Jackson (even though he has yet to find the end zone) and including the defense.
Sleeper: Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings - Minnesota will likely runaway with this game, and Taylor should have much of a chance at keeping the clock going as Adrian Peterson. And if for some reason it’s closer, he’s the Viking’s leading receiver.

Oakland at N.Y. Giants
Stud: Eli Manning, QB, Giants - Has already thrown for over 1,000 yards and eight TDs, making him a must-start despite Oakland’s pass defense being much better than its run defense.
Dud: Louis Murphy, WR, Raiders - Had a great Week 1, but has done nothing since. Plus, the Giants have the best pass defense in the league.
Sleeper: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants - He’s still hurting a bit, but he was last week also and still had 12 carries. Plus, Oakland’s run defense is 26th in the league, so Bradshaw should rack up a lot of yards despite Brandon Jacobs.

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia
Stud: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles - He’s still got some lingering pain from a fractured rib, but is still going to start. And with the bye weeks, he’s an even better option.
Dud: Derrick Ward, RB, Buccaneers - Reports say the Bucs are going with Cadillac Williams as it’s every down back, and Ward has had some knee trouble.
Sleeper: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles - Brian Westbrook is nursing a bad ankle and the Tampa Bay defense is 30th against the run.

Pittsburgh at Detroit
Stud: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers - With Willie Parker (turf toe) still likely out, Mendenhall will make his second straight start. Detroit is allowing 121.2 yards per game.
Dud: Kevin Smith, RB, Lions - He’s averaging just 3.2 yards per game and the Steelers have the league’s third-best run defense.
Sleeper: Hines Ward, WR, Steelers - Ward is sixth in the league with 355 yards, although he has yet to score a TD.

Washington at Carolina
Stud: Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins - He’s got a sore calf and ankles, but he’ll be facing the league’s worst run defense.
Dud: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers - Washington is ranked fourth in pass defense and Smith hasn’t been doing much (190 yards, no TDs).
Sleeper: Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins - With the bye weeks, Campbell is actually a pretty good option, especially if you don’t get penalized for interceptions. He’s thrown for four TDs the past two weeks.