NFL fantasy football weekly

Each week play your best lineup, that may include benching a stud for an above average player against a weak defense. This week’s top starts are…

QB 1. Donovan McNabb (PHI) vs. SF – Great QB vs. young defense, lights out. 2. Carson Palmer (CIN) vs. PIT – He’s back, offensive shootout here. 3. Eli Manning (NYG) vs. SEA – After last week, he’s no longer known as Peyton’s little brother. 4. Peyton Manning (IND) vs. JAC – Tough match-up but he’s still Peyton. 5. Daunte Culpepper (MIA) vs. HOU – If he doesn’t do it against TEN, it won’t look good the rest of the year. 6. Kurt Warner (ARI) vs. STL – He should be good for 250 and a couple scores. 7. Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) vs. NYG – Has 2 stud WRs now and NYG secondary has issues. 8. Brett Favre (GB) vs. DET – He should have to throw a lot if the Packers are going to win. 9. Marc Bulger (STL) vs. ARI – Struggling in new offense, but ARI doesn’t match-up with Holt and the bunch. 10. Byron Leftwich (JAC) vs. IND – Jaguars will have to throw a lot to keep up with high powered Colts. Top Reach: Michael Vick (ATL) vs. NO – Mora is turning Vick loose and it’s showing in his stats.

RB 1. Steven Jackson (STL) vs. ARI – The only bright spot so far for the Rams. 2. Ronnie Brown (MIA) vs. TEN – Should see a steady workload vs. iffy Titans. 3. Shaun Alexander (SEA) vs. NYG – He’ll be very active in this offensive shootout. 4. Tiki Barber (NYG) vs. SEA – Always a must start. 5. Clinton Portis (WAS) vs. HOU – He should be big in his first start of the year. 6. Edgerrin James (ARI) vs. STL – Gore lit up the Rams D last week, good news for James. 7. Rudi Johnson (CIN) vs. PIT – Will be relied on heavily and he’s been a stud thus far. 8. Brian Westbrook (PHI) vs. SF – He’d be ranked higher if he didn’t have a new injury issue. 9. Willie Parker (PIT) vs. CIN – Parker will need to step up to take pressure off of Big Ben. 10 Frank Gore (SF) vs. PHI – Eagles are tough, but Gore is looking like the real deal. Top Reach: Willis McGahee (BUF) vs. NYJ – He’s not consistent, but this week he’s a viable option.

WR 1. Torry Holt (STL) vs. ARI – Fantasy’s most consistent WR against a weak Cards pass defense. 2. Chad Johnson (CIN) vs. PIT – Tough match-up but he’s a stud. 3. Plaxico Burress (NYG) vs. SEA – He’s been a beast so far, look for the same this week. 4. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) vs. STL – It could get ugly for the Rams secondary. 5. Marvin Harrison (IND) vs. JAC – Peyton’s go to guy, always an excellent start. 6. Donte Stallworth (PHI) vs. SF – His hot streak will continue this week. 7. Chris Chambers (MIA) vs. TEN – He got a TD late last week, but this week’s match-up is much better. 8. Donald Driver (GB) vs. DET – Looks like the old Driver so far this year. 9. Anquan Boldin (ARI) vs. STL – Hard to sit him, so don’t. 10. Darrell Jackson (SEA) vs. NYG – We’ll find out this week if Branch’s presence hurts/helps his production. Top Reach: Antonio Bryant (SF) vs. PHI – Has big play ability and the Eagles were lit up last week vs. Plaxico Burress.

TE 1. LJ Smith (PHI) vs. SF – In case you didn’t notice, anyone wearing an Eagles jersey this week is a must start. 2. Todd Heap (BAL) vs. CLE – He’s scored a TD in both games and CLE will have a tough time covering him. 3. Alge Crumpler (ATL) vs. NO – Vick’s favorite target and NO defense is soft. 4. Chris Cooley (WAS) vs. HOU – Should finally get it going this week. 5. Randy McMichael (MIA) vs. TEN – Great match-up at home for McMichael.

K 1. David Akers (PHI) vs. SF 2. Shayne Graham (CIN) vs. PIT 3. Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs. JAC 4. Neil Rackers (ARI) vs. STL 5. Jeff Wilkins (STL) vs. ARI

Defense/Special Teams 1. Baltimore Ravens vs. CLE 2. Chicago Bears vs. MIN 3. Carolina Panthers vs. TB 4. Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF 5. Miami Dolphins vs. TEN

Waiver Wire/Free Agents 1. QB Rex Grossman, CHI 2a. QB Chad Pennington, NYJ 2b. RB Joseph Addai, IND 3. WR Troy Williamson 4. WR Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ 5. WR Marques Coltson, NO 6. WR Bernard Berrian, CHI (from Fresno St) 7. RB DeAngelo Williams, CAR8. WR Chris Henry, CIN 9. WR Reggie Williams, JAC 10. RB Michael Turner SD

Always remember YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!

You can email John with questions on your team, trades or wire moves at [email protected]. Submit your e-mail to John by 5 p.m. Saturday for help on this weekend's plays.

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