Pro Football 101

Must Starts

1. Brian Westbrook vs. Washington Redskins

The Skins are reeling and the Eagles are fighting for a playoff spot. Westbrook might be the most dynamic offensive player in the game when healthy. Look for No. 36’s number to be called a lot on Sunday and for Westbrook to eclipse the 100-yard mark and put a few balls into the end zone.

2. Steve Slaton vs. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders boast one of the worst run defenses in football and apparently pass defenses too after last week’s manhandling by the Patriots. Slaton has shown himself to be a 20+ carry kind of back this year and look for him to continue his hot running when the Texans head out to Oakland.

3. MarShawn Lynch vs. Denver Broncos

One of the lone bright spots for the fading Bills last week was RB MarShawn Lynch. He ran with power, with purpose, and finished with over 120 yards in the game. This week, he gets the Broncos, and their 29th ranked defense. Although the Bills are out of the AFC East Playoff race, they haven’t rolled over and died, so expect a big fantasy effort from Lynch on Sunday.

4. Thomas Jones vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Jets are desperate for a win this Sunday at Seattle and the best way to get it is to stick with what has worked: running the football. Jones has emerged as a big time threat this season on the ground and look for that to continue this weekend as he gets to face the 26th ranked defense in the Seahawks.

Sleepers:

1. Mwelde Moore vs. Tennessee Titans

Moore gets a lot of the goal line carries for Pittsburgh and in this big match-up on Sunday to decide the AFC’s top seed, the Titans will be without Vanden Bosch and Haynesworth. That is two massive losses to the line. Look for the Steelers to employ a heavy run oriented game plan and for Moore to score at least once by the goal line.

2. Kevin Smith vs. New Orleans Saints

Aside from Calvin Johnson, there’s few bright spots on this Lions’ team, but Smith is becoming one of them. The rookie has been running hard of late and appears to have a nice future ahead of him. Look for a strong fantasy effort out of him Sunday when the Saints, and their unimpressive defense, come to town.

Others with favorable match-ups:

1. Ronnie Brown vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Brown is having a wonderful year for the 9-5 Dolphins and now gets a bit of a breather against the Chiefs. Look for Miami to run all over Kansas City and for Brown to have a solid day on the ground.

2. Pierre Thomas vs. Detroit Lions

The Saints appear to have found a running back and his name isn’t Reggie Bush; it’s Pierre Thomas. The kid runs hard, is elusive, and has shown that he can take it to the house. Look for him to eat up the Lions defense as New Orleans should be playing with the lead.

3. Steven Jackson vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners are playing much more competitively under Mike Singletary, but Jackson’s as dangerous as they come in the NFL. Look for a solid effort from No. 39 as he cuts and slashes his way through the Niners’ D.

Must Starts

1. Peyton Manning vs. Jacksonville Jaguars. As long as the AFC East teams keep winning, the Colts must do so, too. At least for one more week. And there’s nothing that Peyton and his teammates want more than to bury their rival in the process. Look for a big effort on Thursday night and at least 250 yards and 2TDs. Great fantasy start.

2. Drew Brees vs. Detroit Lions. The Lions are just two games away from immortality, and one thing we know about them is that if they are going to pull off a win during the season, it won’t be because of their defense. Look for Brees to go gangbusters in this one and locate Colston, Moore, and Shockey throughout the game.

3. Matt Cassel vs. Arizona Cardinals. Tarvaris Jackson just tossed four TDs against the Cardinals in the desert; I can’t imagine what Cassel will do. Arizona is very vulnerable against the pass and right now Moss and Welker are just having their way with defensive backs. Look for that to continue on Sunday.

4. Kurt Warner vs. New England Patriots. Regardless of whatever wrinkle Belichick will have in store for Warner and this offense, Warner will get his yards and TDs passing against an injury depleted defense. Unless it’s a cold, windy day in Foxborough, count on No. 13 eclipsing the 250-yard mark and putting at least two into the end zone.

Sleepers

1. Dan Orlovsky vs. New Orleans Saints. Orlovsky has actually performed admirably in his starts this season. On Sunday vs. the Colts, he eclipsed the 225 yard mark and put a ball into the end zone.

That TD is pretty automatic though when you have a receiver named Calvin Johnson. Look for the QB to hook up with Johnson once again for one or two scores and and for Orlovsky to eclipse the 200-yard mark for the second consecutive game.

2. Chad Pennington vs. Kansas City Chiefs. Pennington is hardly a must start in fantasy football, but he has quietly had a solid year for the Fins. And the Chiefs, well they can’t stop anyone. Look for Pennington to have a solid game in Kansas City and for his Fins to force a crucial do or die game in New York the following week.

Others we like

1. Matt Schaub vs. Oakland Raiders. I used to champion the Raiders secondary, but after getting torched by Phillip Rivers for three TDs and again Sunday for four TDs by Cassel, I just can’t do it anymore.

And Schaub and Johnson are en fuego. Look for Schaub to continue his hot hand as the Texans continue to play towards their first winning season in franchise history.

2. Brett Favre vs. Seattle Seahawks. This is most likely Favre’s final football game against Holmgren. And this time it’s probably true as Holmgren has stated that he’s stepping away for at least one year.

The Seahawks haven’t stopped anybody of late and don’t expect that to change this Sunday. The Jets, while inconsistent, should be able to move the ball with ease through the air.

3. Shaun Hill vs. St. Louis Rams. Shaun Hill has been playing well since becoming the starter and look for that to continue when the team heads to St. Louis on Sunday. Without a strong pass rush or pass coverage, the Rams are vulnerable in a lot of ways. And we think Hill will have ample time to target Bruce, Hill, and Davis in what should be a solid fantasy day.