QB’s
Matt Leinart
He’s the new starter for the 7-3 potent Houston offense. They may go more run first than before, but the passing game here includes the running backs that can get big gains on roll outs and screens. Just know that they are on bye this week. And guess who may come back after that? Andre Johnson. Leinart still just a QB2.
Vince Young
A must add for all Vick owners. Others who take a flier on Vick missing the game this week or any future action should note that the offense really wasn’t clicking on all cylinders when Vick was in the game and DeSean is still just a “decoy” right?
John Skelton
Any Qb who has Larry Fitzergerald and a decent running game has a chance to be serviceable. Skelton faces a SF defense that is very stingy against the run and that would require throwing to move the ball. Kolb may or may not be back, but with a big victory out east against the top corners in the game last week, perhaps Skelton will give Kolb all the time he needs to get healed.
Sam Bradford
He and playmaker Brandon Lloyd are beginning to develop some timing and that’s a good thing considering the targets that Lloyd is getting. If he and Lloyd start clicking like Lloyd and Orton/Tebow did late last year in Daniels offense then with the Sjax in the back field, Bradford could find success against the NFC West.
Tyler Palko
With Cassel’s significant hand injury, next up is Tyler. This offense has potential in the passing game with three viable receiving threats, but with no real running game to help them or Tyler out, you may be better served looking elsewhere. Besides, how many people were starting Matt Cassel before the injury?
RB’s
Kendall Hunter
A must add hand cuff for all Gore owners if you haven’t gotten him already. Hopefully someone else won’t beat you to him. SF is going to continue to pound the ball and going into last weeks game, Gore was on pace for close to 300 carries, so will he hold up? They are only going to run the ball more as the weather changes so look for Hunter to get more touches. A positive for a Hunter owner is that SF may lock up the division before December and Hunter could be flex material with the Niners choosing to rest Gore and thus he may be of service in fantasy playoffs.
Lance Ball
Moreno is out for the year, so Lance becomes number two on the depth chart of a team that rushed the ball 50+ times last week. McGahee was cleared to come back and play last week but was held out so he could be ready to go on this short week. But how much health is left in those legs. In a run heavy offense Ball is worth the handcuff for McGahee owners or those looking for another McGahee set back.
Joe McKnight
Another waiver RB benefitting from the short week, with a Thursday night game. LT has a sprained MCL and probably won’t be rushed back. That moves Joe up to number 2 and a decent add in PPR with his third down role and speed. In a game sure to not be high scoring, there should be plenty of RB touches to be split amongst two running backs this Thursday night. Oh and if your league rewards for return yards too, perhaps they keep McKnight on returns despite his expanded offensive role.
Washington RB’s
Pick one, any one. Since the Hightower injury it has been Torain, then Helu and then Torain again. Now with Dallas coming up, newly acquired and self-declared ready to roll Tashard Choice could be up next! Problem is, you had a Shanny problem the last few weeks when it was just two backs, and now without clear starter material like Hightower, there is no way to know that the starting running back will end up with the most touches. It’s a situation to avoid, but a keen gambler would bet that Choice gets touches against his old team this week. But are they the first or the last touches for him?
WR’s
Harry Douglas
With Julio exiting early last week against the Saints it was the Harry Douglas show, catching 8 balls for 133 yards. With hamstrings you just don’t know if Julio will be rushed back this week. Word is Julio was begging to come back in the game last week, but trainers held him out as precaution; a sign he may be back this week. Harry is a slot receiver in 3 wide sets and wasn’t doing much before in Julio’s role when he missed time before with his other hammy, so don’t get too excited. But in a good offense, the second and third options do have a good chance to produce.
Jacoby Ford/Denarious Moore/DHB
Welcome back Carson. Ford is entrenched as the playmaker, but many people forgot about Denarious Moore and possibly dropped him after a couple big weeks earlier in the season. Denarious saw a lot of targets with Jacoby hobbled and even though DHB was on the field for most all snaps, it was Denarious who got the deep ball love. With this corps of playmakers consistency may be a problem, but no doubt with the run first mentality either with Bush or DMC, that the play action deep ball is there. Jacoby offers upside in return yardage leagues. DHB has PPR potential.
Earl Bennett
Earl of Vandy Clan is back on the PPR radar. He and Cutler just know what to do. Cutler knows where he will be and Earl knows where Cutler is going to put the ball. In a division that requires points to win and potential shoot outs you want the gun slinging Cutler’s favorite option. Ignore Knox and Roy.
TE’s
Ed Dickson
Obvious considering his stat line last week, but not so obvious going in to this week. Owned in less than a third to half of leagues Ed is facing a Cinn defense this week that just lost their best corner. So instead of allowing Leon Hall to take away a man or zone, the whole defense will have to adjust which could mean more lanes for this TE to travel. And with a huge offensive line and the best FB in the league (Leach) he isn’t demanded to block a whole lot.
Jacob Tamme
Welcome back to Fall of last year’s favorite and darling wire claim Jacob Tamme. Everyone knows the success he had when Dallas went down last year. Well Dallas is down and even without Manning, Tamme was able to find success. Now even Dallas wasn’t having the best year with Painter, in fact who on the Colts is…. But a team that is inching closer to being on the clock can still afford to win a game or two and get the number 1 pick so desperation for a win and not going 0 for the season may cause some panic. Facing tough run defenses with no running game may force Painter to look to his new check down.