Here’s a look at the top five at QB and RB for this week. WR and TE coming soon (was going to include them in this post, but the baby has other plans for my time).
Quarterback
- Aaron Rodgers (vs CIN): Say what now? Most weeks, Brees or Brady will likely occupy this spot, but both have tough matchups so Rodgers (a top-five QB in 2008 in almost any scoring system) is the best bet for a big game this week with the Bungles in town.
- Tom Brady (@ NYJ): The Jets D shut down Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson in week 1, which is definitely a red flag for this matchup, but by the end of the Buffalo game Brady had shaken off the rust and was back in sync with Moss, Welker and the rest of the gang. Brady’s a big-game threat every week regardless of the matchup.
- Drew Brees (@ PHI): Jake Delhomme is certainly no Drew Brees, and something’s clearly not right with him, but what the Eagles did to him in week 1 was just plain nasty. Brees is playing on a different plane from the rest of the league, though, so this game is going to be pretty fascinating – both Brees and the Eagles D are forces of nature that humiliated the opposition in week 1. It goes without saying that we’ll see some great play on both sides of the ball, and while a six-TD game ain’t happening this week, Brees can put up better numbers than most QBs against any defense in the NFL.
- Matt Hasselbeck (@ SF): He was a top-5 QB last week even though Housh wasn’t all that involved. Expect Houshmanzilly to get back on track in week 2, which will only mean good things for Hasselbeck, whose name I expect to list here pretty frequently this season.
- Brett Favre (@ DET): Sorry Lions fans, but your defense is an embarrassment. Favre’s practically an afterthought in the Vikings AP-powered offense, but there will be plenty of scoring to go around for everyone wearing purple this Sunday.
Notable omissions:
- Tony Romo (vs NYG): Just missed the cut. The ankle doesn’t seem too worrisome, but it certainly doesn’t help. The Giants D is good enough to temper my expectations for him just a tad. If this was a “Top Six” post, he’d be on the list.
- Peyton Manning (@ MIA): Always a big-game threat, of course, but the loss of Anthony Gonzalez hurts.
Running Back
- Adrian Peterson (@ DET): The only thing that could hold him back from having a fantasy performance for the record books would be if the Vikes build up a big lead and Childress decides to use him sparingly. Still, if Peterson doesn’t score at least once this weekend, I’ll eat my sock.
- Michael Turner (vs CAR): The Burner’s line against Carolina in week 11 last year: 24 carries, 117 yards, 4 TD. Last week, the Panthers didn’t appear to be any better against the run than they were last season.
- DeAngelo Williams (@ ATL): Ignore week 1′s disappointing performance – the Eagles are just that good, and Delhomme can’t have a meltdown of that caliber every week.
- Clinton Portis (vs STL): The cat’s out of the bag: St. Louis can’t stop the run. If Julius Jones ran over the Rams for 117 yards, what might a healthy Portis be able to do?
- Chris Johnson (vs Hou): The Texans defense couldn’t contain Thomas Jones last week (107 yard, 2 TD), so Johnson should have some fun with them. (Funny how the success of the Jones brothers makes a decent gauge for how bad a rush defense is.)


Joe 9:13 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I have Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan as my QBs. Who will have a better performance this week?
Matt 11:20 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Start Manning. There are very few weeks when you’d ever have a good reason to bench Peyton Manning.
Brandon 11:47 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Joe, I have that exact same roster decision in the Blogger League that we’re in. I plan on starting Peyton Manning almost every week as long as he’s healthy and against Miami he should have a solid game. I was thinking of trading Ryan for depth at some other position because I have so much faith in Manning, but in the end I decided to keep him just in case.
Squish 12:23 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
I’d definitely go with Manning too.
On another note, I still can’t figure out why everyone is so hyped on Brett Favre this week. I don’t care if he’s playing the Lions! He’s injured and old and he barely threw the ball last game. What makes people think the Lions will even be able to stop AP or Chester Taylor on the ground? If Favre throws more than 20 passes this week I’ll be surprised! I mean sure Brees tore Detroit a new one but Favre is not Brees. He doesn’t have even half the receiving core Brees has. I’lL be benching him in every league regardless of what the projections say (on average he is expected to score more points this week than everyone but Brees and Warner. No freakin’ way!
Anthony 9:42 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I have MJD, Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, and Chester Taylor, which 3 should I start?
Matt 11:22 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
MJD and Brown are the no-brainers here. This week, Taylor might be a sneaky sleeper, since I think there’s a good chance the Vikes will rest Peterson for much of the second half, and just use Taylor to grind down the clock.
Peter 11:53 am on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Thoughts on Percy Harvin vs Antonio Bryant vs Justin Gage in a PPR league where return yds and return TDs count? I’m assuming Harvin in the right play, but Gage has a decent matchup too.
Matt 12:02 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Harvin could be in for a huge game against Detroit. Obviously he’s always a risky play because Minnesota’s been tight-lipped about just how involved he’ll be, but let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to resist putting him into your lineup this week. He’s worth the risk against the Lions.
Bob 12:23 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I’m in a ppr league and have gore, slaton, rice, and moreno at RB. Leaning towards gore and rice this week, what do you think?
Squish 8:30 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Sounds good to me. Slaton will have to prove himself before I start him again. And a game against Tennessee is not the best place to prove yourself. Rice should be fine since he is likely to get more receptions this week.
Brandon 4:29 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I like Rice and Gore as well this week. You might rotate those two and Slaton during the season depending on the matchup.
Bryan 12:42 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
so i need some help. i drafted carson and flacco, and starting carson cost me the win last week. this week they both have bad matchups, so who do i start?
also, for my rb’s i have s.jax, and ray rice starting, and knowshon as a possible flex, with marshawn sitting in the wings I am also starting roddy white as my #1 wr. For my #2 wr and/or flex i have eddie royal, percy harvin, donnie avery and earl bennett. who do i put at wr and who’s my best flex(ppr league). thoughts? thanks!
Squish 8:34 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
You have to play Flacco this week. The GB is likely to demolish Palmer so it’s far too risky to play him. That being said, I don’t consider SD to be too bad matchup for Flacco. That defense isn’t quite what it was last year and they will be kept more honest than Oakland thanks to Baltimore’s solid run game.
Bryan 12:41 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
ok, so i am starting flacco, jamarcus looked ok vs the chargers, so joe should be fine…
my wr/flex spots are the ones really giving me trouble, my current lineup is;
rb-s.jax
rb-ray rice
flex-percy harvin
wr-roddy white
wr-earl bennett
bench-nate burleson, eddie royal, knowshon moreno and james davis
s.jax, roddy and ray rice are “must starts”, but my flex and other wr are up for debate. thoughts?
Squish 1:10 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
My bad, I completely ignored the rest of your question. S jax and rice are indeed must starts at least on your team. White is also a must start.
I don’t consider Moreno worth starting at flex until he proves he’ll get the load. Thus it looks like your WR2 and flex choices will both be WRs. I actually like Burleson at WR2 with Harvin at flex. I can’t see any reason to start Bennett against Pittsburgh no matter how many targets he’s been getting. Burleson has long been one of Hasselbeck’s favorite targets and he should do fine this week with Housh still finding his place. Harvin normally isn’t the best option but against Detroit the throws are all either going to go to him or Shiancoe. I like his chances. Royal still seems a giant question mark with Olson at the helm so stay away from him until he shows us he’ll be reliable again.
Thus I like:
RB Jackson
RB Rice
WR White
WR Burleson
Flex Harvin
No doubt the actual FFnerds will disagree with me though since they seem to have huge man crushes on Bennett but that’s my two cents take it or leave it.
Squish 1:12 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
Woops I meant with Orton at the helm in Denver lol. Goddamn it Greg Olsen get out of my head!
Bryan 12:54 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
oh, also, should i drop james davis and grab michael bush, nate washington, kenny britt or burleson???
Squish 8:35 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I think Burleson is in for the biggest year out of those guys. He has always been one of Hasselbeck’s favorite targets in good times or bad.
Brandon 4:30 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I would keep James Davis for a few weeks if you weren’t going to start any of those other guys anyways. Burleson is never all that consistent and it’s not like he just joined the team and should surprise you. Michael Bush is still a victim of the team having too many running backs.
Sam 1:17 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I have Darren McFadden and Derrick Ward. Who should i start in my third RB position?
Brandon 7:48 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I’d go with Darren McFadden, as his coach just announced that he’s the starter and the other two guys (Bush, Fargas) are the back-ups…plus he’s playing Kansas City. For Tampa Bay, I can’t imagine that Earnest Graham will give up his carries to Ward and Cadillac again this weekend, so that means even less carries for Derrick Ward.
Sam 4:48 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
yeah I thought about the Grahm situation after i posted. Oh and also, I’m in a league where QBs get massive amounts of points and they are definateltly gamebreakers. Who will prove to be more of a gamebreaker for me this season? sophomore Joe Flacco or new place Matt Cassel?
Hatch 2:32 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Who do you think I should start for RB2 this week standard scoring. Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Wells, or Jonathan Stewart?
Brandon 7:52 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I like Jonathan Stewart this weekend, as I find it hard to believe that both DeAngelo Williams and Stewart will be held in check two weeks in a row. Atlanta’s defense isn’t as good as the Philly defense and Stewart should end up with at least a touchdown I would think. Bradshaw doesn’t make a bad play either, as he’ll see plenty of action rotating with Brandon Jacobs…I just like Stewart better this week.
Squish 8:38 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink
I’m definitely leaning toward Bradshaw. He’ll get touches pretty much no matter what this week. I can’t say the same for Stewart and Wells. Carolina is likely to be down against Atlanta early and won’t run too much. They also face a tough defense in Atlanta. Also note that Bradshaw notoriously has great games against Dallas.
Lance 5:59 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
who should i play this week cutler or edwards?
Squish 8:41 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
Definitely Edwards in my mind. He looked good on Monday Night and TO was barely even involved. Fred Jackson looks great on the ground which will help give him more time in the pocket. Cutler is facing a stout Pittsburgh defense after a horrible week with a great wide out yet to emerge for his team. Definitely Edwards.
Brandon 4:32 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Call me crazy, but I still like Cutler more than Edwards. Cutler can’t get any worse than he was last weekend and he still put up some decent yards and a score. If you’re up for the high risk, high reward play, go with Cutler. Otherwise, go with Edwards and hope he can get 200 yards and a touchdown.
Lance 5:59 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
who should i start this week for qb cutler or edwards?
Anthony 8:34 pm on 9/16/2009 Permalink |
I have Lance Moore, Kevin Walter, Davone Bess, Devin Hester, Santana Moss. I’m in a 0.25 PPR, if that matters. Which one player should I start for week 2? and should I drop any one of them?
Squish 12:28 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
It’s really a toss up between Bess, Hester, and Moss. I’m leaning towards Bess and Moss simply because the Bears are playing Pittsburgh. The only receiver that will score any points on that team this weekend is Olsen. Bess already looks good and is getting plenty of targets. Moss should get back to his old self this week against the Rams (who make everyone look good). Normally Lance Moore is a reasonable play but against the Eagles, I want no part of those receivers.
So I gotta go with Bess and Moss.
Brandon 4:33 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Go with Santana Moss against the Rams this week, but in the future I think you’re going to want to play Hester as long as he’s not playing a defense like the Steelers.
Cooper 4:11 am on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Hi. Trade help. I can send Steven Jackson and Burleson and to get Forte and Gage. Usuelly I will do it, but now i’m a bit afraid because I lost my first game and Forte will play against PIT this week. What do you think?
Squish 12:32 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Yeah that’s tough. Normally I’d take the offer hands down but you don’t want to start 0-2. I still say you have to take it. Forte should score more points the rest of the year and is less injury prone. He also should be playing in a better offense (at least eventually). The WRs are about equal so it’s really personal preference.
If it’s a PPR league I think I’d take it for sure. Otherwise it’s up to you. I don’t think you lose any value here and there’s a good chance that you gain some so feel free to accept either way. It’s not too big of a risk at all.
Brandon 4:40 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I’d wait a week or so before making a trade of this magnitude (swapping first round picks.) I have a feeling that both players will put up better numbers than last week and in the long run, Jackson should have a solid season even if the rest of the offense isn’t doing anything special. He still put up 4.2 yards per carry and the fact that he had 0 receptions is very un-Jackson like.
norbert wnuk 8:44 am on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Matt, I have cassel and gerard as my qbs. it seems that cassell will play this week, however, if he doesnt, I dont want to get another whooping 3 pt performance from gerard. edwards, pennington, campbell, and russell are all available, any thoughts?
Squish 12:11 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
If you’re looking for a quick fix, Campbell has a pair of great matchups the next two weeks with a game at home against the Rams then an away game at Detroit. He also plays KC in week 6 which is a great matchup. I don’t know that I’d be willing to dump Gerard or Cassel for him but if you have another guy that you are willing to drop for him, I think it would be a wise decision at least for the short term. Edwards is also a great pickup. I’d definitely drop Cassel for him. He doesn’t have the ease of schedule that Campbell does in the next few weeks but he is a better QB that will have to throw more which means he’ll probably score as much.
Don’t get too worked up about the week 1 loss though. Week 1 this year wasn’t the best predictor of how good teams are. The amount of scoring by TEs really threw off all estimates. Hang in there and make sure you keep an eye on the waiver wire and you’ll be fine.
Brandon 4:45 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I almost like the pair of Jason Campbell and Trent Edwards more than Garrard and Cassel. I’d pick up Campbell (or Edwards if you can’t get Campbell) and drop Garrard, who will most likely still be a free agent next week if you wanted to pick him back up.
lax 4:36 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I have Joe Flacco and Philip Rivers this week, who should I start considering they are playing eachother?
Brandon 4:42 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
While Joe Flacco might have played the game of his life last week, it’s not hard to imagine him having the second best game of his life this week. The Chargers pass defense isn’t anything special, while the Ravens defense is pretty awesome. You may have drafted Rivers a heck of a lot earlier than Flacco, but don’t be scared to plug him in this week and hope he repeats last weeks performance.
lax 4:57 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
Thank you, one more question though. I have Reggie Bush, Julius Jones, Willis McGahee. I am starting Steve Slaton this week, but I was wondering which of the other three should be my #2 back this week?
Z 7:33 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Alright, Tomlinson, Ronnie Brow, larry johnson, which two should I start this week?
Matt 8:51 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I’m a little uneasy about Ronnie Brown right now. Larry Johnson’s got a good history against Oakland, so I’d give him the start.
Sona 8:36 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
What’s your pick? Romo or Rivers? Flex position Derrick Ward or Wes Welker?
Matt 8:54 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
It’s a tough call between Romo and Rivers. I honestly don’t have a preference… their matchups are equally tough IMHO. Neither is a top-5 option this week, but they’re not terrible picks either.
I think Welker’s going to get a lot of work this week as the Jets focus on shutting down Moss. He get his catches no matter what, so he’s a solid pick every week. Pretty nice to have him as a flex option…
Sona 9:50 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
Thanks a lot Matt
Matt 9:54 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink
No problem, that’s why we’re here.
lou 9:05 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
I have Reggie Bush, Julius Jones, Willis McGahee. I am starting Steve Slaton this week, but I was wondering which of the other three should be my #2 back this week?
Matt 10:01 pm on 9/17/2009 Permalink |
Definitely not Bush – I’m not planning on starting any borderline players against the Iggles’ scary D this season. Comparing the other two – Julius Jones is the unquestioned starter whereas McGahee practically has to beg for his carries, with Ray Rice getting more touches and McClain getting the goal-line action. Jones is the easy pick here.
Dillon 2:07 am on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
looking for a little depth off waivers at the receiver position. Available names are Bess, Santana Moss, Manningham, Meachem and Micheal Clayton. Have one spot open at the moment maybe 2.
Lastly, Moreno or burleson at flex this week? Thanks a lot.
Brandon 3:29 pm on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
I’d grab Santana Moss ASAP and he makes a great play this week against the Rams. As for Moreno and Burleson, I’d go with Burleson for now until Moreno proves that he can be effective and the team gives him enough carries.
Dillon 3:44 pm on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
One more question, what are your thoughts on Green Bay’s D/ST against the bengals or Tennessee’s against the Texans. Thanks again
Ryan 3:15 pm on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
Should I start Steve Slaton or Hightower? The Tenn D scares me, esp with such a poor showing last week from Slaton, but i am finding it tough to sit someone with such talent and big play ability….
Also Another league I have McFadden & Benson for 1 RB spot and Bowe/Marshall for 1 WR…any thoughts?
Brandon 3:34 pm on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
Keep this in mind…Tim Hightower rushed for 15 yards on 8 carries. I know he had 12 catches for 121 yards, which is more than half the yards he had ALL of last season…so don’t expect that to ever happen again. Slaton is the better play as Houston will get him more involved in all aspects of the game this week and his numbers should be better than they were last week.
In your other leagues, go with McFadden and Marshall.
lou 7:40 pm on 9/18/2009 Permalink |
Would it be smart to pick up Fred Jackson from free agency and drop someone like Darren Mcfadden for the long run?