Start'em of Sit'em - Week 7

Byes: Cardinals, Falcons, Jaguars, Eagles

Start’em

Brett Favre, Jets. Favre had a tough Fantasy game this week against the Bengals, but expect him to bounce back with a great match up against the Raiders. The Raiders’ defense is giving up 234 yards passing per game to opposing quarterbacks. The main key for Favre is to avoid turning the football ball over. Favre should be fired up going into Oakland and playing in front of that hostile crowd.

Matt Schaub, Texans. The Texans are playing the Lions this week. That fact should be all that you need to know, but here are two others: the Lions’ defense gives up 250 yards passing per game; secondly, opposing teams have scored 9 passing touchdowns and been intercepted only once. Start any Texans’ players that you have in Week 7.

Steven Jackson, Rams. Fantasy owners have been burned by Jackson for a season and a half. He was probably a first round draft pick in your league, but in reality, he is a number 2 option at running back. However, I like the way Jackson is playing and he is coming off a solid game against the Redskins. The forecast is for Jackson to gain over 100 yards rushing and receiving with at least one touchdown.

Jamal Lewis, Browns. My modus operandi this season has been to fall for whoever plays well on Monday Night Football. Lewis also played well in Cleveland’s game against Cincinnati before the bye week. The best thing about Lewis is that in an NFL dominated by the two running back system, he is the Browns’ main option in short yardage situations. If they get close to the end zone, Lewis gets the football.

Calvin Johnson, Lions. I know Johnson suffered a concussion in the game against Minnesota. I know Roy Williams was traded to Dallas this week. I know Jon Kitna is out for the year. But, someone on the Lions has to have plays called for them and to score touchdowns. Expect Johnson to play and expect his targets to increase, because the Lions literally have no one else on offense.

Sit’em

Jay Cutler, Broncos. Cutler’s play has leveled off after a couple of big early season games. In the Broncos’ last road game against Kansas City, he was intercepted twice. This week the Broncos play at New England against a wounded, embarrassed Patriots’ defense

Adrian Peterson, Vikings. Conventional Fantasy wisdom is that you always start your star players. But, if you take a hard look at Peterson’s numbers this year, he is producing like a 2nd level running back. Everyone keeps waiting for him to have a monster game, but the Bears will stop him this week on the grass of Soldier Field. I watched the Bears against the Falcons in Week 6. The Bears’ defense stops the run and makes Gus Frerotte beat them.

Julius Jones, Seahawks. I was one of the first people to recommend starting Julius Jones last month. Jones is now off the must start list and on the bench. Maurice Morris should be back for the Seahawks. Plus, the Tampa Bay defense is getting stronger by the week. Monte Kiffin’s “Tampa 2” is 9th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. They give up under 90 yards per game on the ground.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Houshmandzadeh twisted his ankle in the Bengals’ loss to the Jets. He came back into the game and probably will play this week. Keep an eye on his status, because he might be a game time decision. He would have a tough statistical week going against the Steelers, but his value is lowered even more by the Bengals starting Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. The Steelers are 2nd in the NFL in total defense.

Bernard Berrian, Vikings. I just read one Fantasy column that said that Berrian is red hot and a must start this week. Berrian has killed my teams in the past. Right when you start believing he is going to consistently have good games, he disappears. Two above average games in a row is his maximum. Give Berrian a week off if you have another option at wide receiver.

My Picks

@Dolphins -3 Ravens - Dolphins
Cowboys -7 @Rams - Cowboys
@Bears -3 Vikings - Bears
@Panthers -3 Saints - Saints
Steelers -9.5 @Bengals - Steelers
@Bills -1 Chargers - Chargers
@Giants -10.5 Niners - Niners
Titans -9 @Chiefs - Titans
@Texans -9.5 Lions - Texans
@Redskins -7.5 Browns - Redskins
@Packers -1.5 Colts - Packers
Jets -3 @Raiders - Jets
@Buccaneers -10.5 Seahawks - Buccaneers
@Patriots -3.5 Broncos - Patriots

State of The Hills. I just finished watching three episodes of The Hills during the third debate between Senators Obama and McCain. I have been into this political race since last year at this time, and frankly I am tired. I am ready for November. The pundits, talking heads, political spin doctors (I used to like the Spin Doctors) are driving me crazy. Maybe I am wrong about this, but I would just like for someone smart to run this country--someone that is going to at least in public act like they believe in the basic tenets that America was founded on. I just caught McCain saying that we need a change from the last eight years. His party, the Republican Party, has been in power! As soon as Cheney is out of the White House, we will be better off in this country. Now, the good stuff. When Audrina took off her bikini top, guys all over this country stood up and cheered. The Hills girls are going to Cabo. Nothing good can come of a trip to Cabo. These trips always end badly for LC—remember the first season of Laguna Beach.