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NFC West Fantasy Outlook

September 20, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Herija C. Green
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

NFC West

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams: Bulger took a pounding in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers as he was sacked six times during their 17-16 loss. It's been a rough couple of weeks overall for the Pro Bowl quarterback as his completion percentage stands at just 55.4 percent, which is well under his previous career low of 62.9 percent. He plays at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, and they are coming off a big win over the New Orleans Saints where they held the Saints' offense in check. Bulger's grip on "do not bench" status has become a bit tenuous, but the time hasn't arrived to cut bait just yet. Keep him active this Sunday.
Running Back Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers: Despite playing with a heavy heart in Week 2 after the passing of his mother, Gore still gashed the Rams run defense for 81 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the season Gore's rushing yardage totals are actually quite pedestrian, but he has shown the ability to get the ball into the end zone. Even a potentially tough matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers isn't a good enough reason to keep Gore out of your lineup this week.
Running Back Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: Jackson's plan to set a new NFL record for yards from scrimmage isn't off to the booming start both he and his fantasy owners hoped for. He has also shockingly been almost a complete non-factor in the passing game (four receptions, 39 yards) after hauling in 90 balls a season ago. The one positive is that he keeps getting the rock, and as long as that continues you need to keep him in one of your running back slots against the Buccaneers.
Running Back Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks: While he may not look like his record-breaking 2005 self, Alexander has punched the ball into the end zone in each of his first two games and is averaging just fewer than 80 yards per contest. Seattle hosts a Cincinnati Bengals club that has yielded nearly 200 total yards per game to the position so view Alexander as a No. 1 back with a strong play in Week 3.
Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald was much more involved in Week 2 with seven catches for 87 yards after a forgettable performance in the season opener. The physically imposing receiver still hasn't found the end zone, but he is a strong play this week against a Baltimore Ravens secondary that has been surprisingly vulnerable in 2007.
Wide Receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams: Seventy-three yards and a touchdown in Week 1... 74 and a score in Week 2. Even operating at less than 100 percent Holt is still money when it comes to producing fantasy numbers. "Big Game" is considered a weak play as a No. 2 receiver this week, but he still deserves a spot in your starting lineup.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Matt Leinart	Arizona Cardinals	2	200.5	1.00	1.50	15.5	0.00
Alex D. Smith	San Francisco 49ers	2	126.0	0.00	0.00	17.5	0.00
Matt Hasselbeck	Seattle Seahawks	2	251.5	1.00	0.00	6.5	0.00

Leinart - After a Week 1 that featured just 102 passing yards from Leinart, the Arizona quarterback fell just one yard shy of a 300-yard passing game in Week 2. The team still isn't airing it out the way some thought they would as their running game has been quite effective thus far. This week they face a tough Ravens defense that can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. View Leinart as a decent flex option.

Smith - Anyone expecting a breakout season by Smith has to be disappointed to this point. The former No. 1 pick has yet to pass or run for a touchdown, and he has thrown for exactly 126 yards in each of his first two games. It may not be time to release him yet but you'll want to bench him as a weak play against the Steelers.

Hasselbeck - The senior member of the NFC West quarterbacking fraternity has pretty much fallen in line with the three junior members in regards to falling short of expectations. Hasselbeck has posted decent yardage totals, but he has thrown just one touchdown in each game. He draws the best matchup of the bunch this week as he faces the Bengals on the heels of their undressing at the hands of Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. This could be a big week for Hasselbeck. Start him as a No. 1 signal-caller with a strong play.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Edgerrin James	Arizona Cardinals	2	27.50 (38.62)	2.00 (44.44)	110.0	1.00	2.00	21.0	0.00
Brian Leonard	St. Louis Rams	2	3.50 (4.93)	0.00 (0.00)	0.0	0.00	2.50	17.5	0.00

James - James is looking like he did during his days with the Indianapolis Colts, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 110 yards per game. On top of that he's already scored a pair of touchdowns. A couple more games like that, and he'll be on that "do not bench" list at the top of the column. This week will certainly be a challenge against Baltimore, but keep him in as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2, although he is a weak play.

Leonard - He hasn't garnered his first carry yet, and he is getting minimal work in the passing game. He has no weekly value at this point.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Anquan Boldin	Arizona Cardinals	2	8.00 (11.24)	1.00 (22.22)	4.00	52.5	0.50
Darrell Jackson	San Francisco 49ers	2	7.50 (14.70)	0.50 (7.69)	3.50	48.5	0.00
Deion Branch	Seattle Seahawks	2	8.00 (13.23)	1.50 (19.90)	3.50	61.0	0.00
Nate Burleson	Seattle Seahawks	2	4.50 (7.44)	0.50 (6.63)	2.00	40.0	0.50
Isaac Bruce	St. Louis Rams	2	11.50 (16.19)	0.50 (5.60)	5.50	82.5	0.00
Drew Bennett	St. Louis Rams	1	8.00 (5.63)	2.00 (11.20)	3.00	42.0	0.00

Boldin - Boldin had four catches for 83 yards last week (a respectable 20.8 yards per catch average) but has yet to have a big impact on a game this season. He could have his chance this week as the Ravens have allowed 192.5 yards on 14.5 receptions per game to opposing wideouts. Play Boldin as a low-end No. 2 or solid No. 3 with a strong play in Week 3.

Jackson - D-Jax hasn't really stepped up after being traded the way some thought he would with just seven catches for 97 yards combined on the season. Much of it can be traced to the way the 49ers are structuring their offense, but Jackson has not done enough when given the opportunities. He's an injury replacement option only this week, and he should ideally be benched as a weak play.

Branch - The man who took over for Jackson as Seattle's No. 1 receiver bounced back from being blanked in Week 1 with a seven-catch, 122-yard performance in Week 2. He has a great matchup this week against a Cincinnati secondary yielding two touchdowns per game to the position. Play him as a solid No. 3 option with a strong play this Sunday.

Burleson - Stepping in for injured wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle), Burleson caught his first touchdown of the year on a 24-yarder late in the first half. He had only one other catch during the game, though, so no one should be thinking that the 2004 version of Burleson is back just yet. He gets the same strong play tag as Branch, but he is a weaker No. 3 or injury replacement.

Bruce - The ageless one silenced critics with 145 yards receiving in Week 2 after chalking up just 20 yards in the opener. Surprisingly, Bruce is seeing more targets than Holt, which is probably the result of the double-teaming Holt receives. A little red zone love would help Bruce's value even more, but for this week he's a decent No. 3 receiver with a weak play.

Bennett - Bennett was solid in his Rams debut with three catches for 42 yards. More encouraging were the two red zone targets he received. It's still too early to put him in your lineup unless you have injury issues to cover.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Leonard Pope	Arizona Cardinals	2	2.50 (3.51)	0.50 (11.11)	2.00	26.0	0.50
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	2	3.50 (6.86)	0.50 (7.69)	2.00	13.5	0.00
Marcus Pollard	Seattle Seahawks	2	3.50 (5.79)	1.00 (13.27)	2.50	21.5	0.00
Randy McMichael	St. Louis Rams	2	4.00 (5.63)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	32.0	0.00

Pope - The towering tight end hauled in his first NFL touchdown on a beautiful play-action pass that covered 30 yards last Sunday. It was his lone catch in the game. This week Pope ranks as a weak No. 1 or flex option against the Ravens.

Davis - With just four catches for 27 yards this season it is pretty safe to say the highly touted Davis is not living up to expectations. There is still a lot of season to be played though, so don't be too hasty in banishing him to the waiver wire. You can even use him this week as a low-end No. 1 tight end or flex with a strong play versus Pittsburgh.

Pollard - Pollard has a great matchup against the Bengals in Week 3 as Cincinnati has allowed 78 yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game to opposing tight ends. Now granted those tight ends were the Ravens' Todd Heap and the Browns' Kellen Winslow, but if you're desperate to roll the dice on a one-week play Pollard could be your man.

McMichael - Outside of a nice yards-per-reception average (16.0) there hasn't been much to like about the way McMichael is performing in St. Louis thus far. He's a weak flex option but should be benched with a weak play this Sunday.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Neil Rackers	Arizona Cardinals	2	2.00	2.00	2.50	2.00	8.0
Joe Nedney	San Francisco 49ers	2	2.00	2.00	1.50	1.50	6.5
Josh Brown	Seattle Seahawks	2	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00	8.0
Jeff Wilkins	St. Louis Rams	2	1.00	1.00	3.00	2.50	8.5

Rackers - Rackers converted three of his four field goal attempts in Week 2, including the game-winner with just a few ticks left. He makes a solid No. 1 kicker with a strong play this week against a Baltimore team allowing three field goal attempts per game.

Nedney - Nedney has made every kick this season, but his 6.5 points per game average is the lowest among the NFC West kickers. Bench him until the 49ers offense starts putting more points on the board.

Brown - The steady Seattle kicker just keeps chugging along with his second straight week of two field goals and two extra points. He's yet another Seahawk with a great matchup on paper against the Bengals so play him as a decent No. 1 option with a strong play.

Wilkins - "The Greatest Show on Turf" is scarcely recognizable this season, and even when that offense was at its best it had some trouble outside of the dome. This week the Rams travel to Tampa Bay, which makes Wilkins a shaky No. 1 or bench fodder with a weak play.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Arizona Cardinals	2	20.0	0.00	2.0	1.00	0.00
San Francisco 49ers	2	16.5	1.00	3.5	1.00	0.00
Seattle Seahawks	2	14.5	0.50	2.5	1.00	0.00
St. Louis Rams	2	22.0	0.00	2.0	2.00	0.00

Cardinals - Arizona's defense has played pretty well overall despite their mental lapse late in the San Francisco loss on a fumble in the end zone. However, they are not making many big plays and as a result are not racking up the fantasy points. Bench them this week.

49ers - San Francisco is much improved defensively as they have done a nice job pressuring the quarterback (3.5 sacks per game) as well as forcing turnovers (two per game). However, they face a Pittsburgh club that has steamrolled their opponents the first two weeks. Keep the San Francisco defense on the bench this week if you can.

Seahawks - Whatever shortcomings the Bengals have defensively they still feature one of the NFL's most dangerous offenses. Therefore, despite Seattle's all-around good play defensively they need to be benched against Cincinnati this Sunday.

Rams - After scoring just six points in Week 1, Tampa Bay exploded for 31 last week in a game that featured a lot of big plays from the Buccaneers. On paper this doesn't look like a bad matchup for the Rams but there is definitely some uncertainty. You can play them as a decent No. 1, but keep in mind that they are a weak play.