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NFC West Fantasy Outlook

September 27, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Greg Elyea
Edited by Herija C. Green

NFC West

NOTE: All stats are from the past four weeks (three or four games) unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers: Gore had a quiet performance in Week 3, but the blame can't all be placed on his shoulders. First, the 49ers were playing a tough defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers, and second, they were playing catch up almost the entire game. With the passing game being extremely limited in San Francisco, Gore should be relied upon heavily in most games. That's not necessarily a good thing though, as defenses will be anticipating the run. Nonetheless, Gore is a stud, and should fare much better this week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Running Back Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks: Alexander may have an injured wrist but based on his performance to date you wouldn't know it. Alexander is back to top tier form after missing substantial time last season with foot problems. In the Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Alexander racked up 100 yards on 21 carries for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Although he didn't find the end zone last week, he could in Week 3, as the Seahawks fake the 49ers who are giving up an average of 118.7 rushing yards per game to opposing backs. He belongs in your lineup this week and every week to follow.
Wide Receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams: Holt is an amazing athlete who always finds a way to make plays. With running back Steven Jackson (groin) likely to miss two or more games with a partially torn groin, Holt will probably be relied upon a lot more. Holt should have plenty of opportunities in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, so if he's on your roster, he needs to be in your lineup.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Matt Leinart	Arizona Cardinals	3	151.3	0.67	1.00	11.0	0.00
Marc Bulger	St. Louis Rams	3	217.0	0.67	1.00	6.0	0.00
Alex D. Smith	San Francisco 49ers	3	153.7	0.33	0.33	22.3	0.00
Matt Hasselbeck	Seattle Seahawks	3	250.3	1.67	0.67	4.0	0.00

Leinart - Leinart has disappointed through the first three weeks of the season. So much so that he was pulled in the third quarter of the Week 3 matchup against the Ravens. Leinart sat and watched from the sidelines as Warner nearly led the Cardinals to a win. The job is still officially Leinart's, but the benching couldn't have done much for his confidence. Leinart should remain on your bench until he can show he belongs in your lineup.

Bulger - Bulger is bruised, battered and broken. It was learned earlier this week, that Bulger is dealing with two broken ribs. He's a tough, scrappy veteran, who will do everything humanly possibly to stay in the game. He posted horrible numbers in Week 3 and with the injuries to himself and Jackson, things don't figure to get much better this week. The best place for Bulger this week would be on your bench, though he could serve as a weak Bye week replacement.

Smith - Like Leinart, Smith has been a disappointment. He needs to improve his production before he deserves a spot on your starting roster. Smith should be on your bench, or better yet, in your free agent pool.

Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck is off to one of his typical starts. Consistency is the key as there are only a handful of quarterbacks who are better. He's surrounded by a talented group of receivers, and his numbers should remain on par for the rest of the season. This week, he makes a decent No. 1 play against the 49ers.

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	3	22.00 (33.63)	1.33 (30.77)	92.3	0.67	1.67	17.3	0.00
Brian Leonard	St. Louis Rams	3	4.33 (6.53)	0.00 (0.00)	7.0	0.00	2.00	13.7	0.00

James - Edge had a tough outing last week against the Ravens. Then again, so would most running backs. It's not going to get any easier this weekend, as James faces the Steelers, who only give up 53.7 yards rushing per game to opposing backs. You can't bench him if you own him, but temper your expectations this week when you play him as a decent No. 2 with a weak play.

Leonard - Here we go! With Jackson out for two or more weeks due to a partially torn groin, Leonard is set to fill in and should be seeing the bulk of the carries in the St. Louis backfield. Leonard is a versatile player and can be efficient when need be. He's a terrific receiver out of the backfield, but has never shouldered a full load. For now Leonard should be on your bench, but if he hasn't been claimed by someone in your league go and grab him immediately.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Anquan Boldin	Arizona Cardinals	3	11.00 (16.81)	1.33 (30.77)	7.33	95.3	1.00
Larry Fitzgerald	Arizona Cardinals	3	11.00 (16.81)	0.67 (15.38)	5.00	64.0	0.00
Darrell Jackson	San Francisco 49ers	3	7.67 (14.46)	0.33 (5.27)	3.67	55.3	0.00
Deion Branch	Seattle Seahawks	3	7.67 (12.58)	1.00 (14.94)	4.33	66.3	0.33
Nate Burleson	Seattle Seahawks	3	7.00 (11.48)	1.00 (14.94)	3.33	52.0	0.67
Bobby Engram	Seattle Seahawks	3	5.67 (9.30)	0.67 (9.96)	4.33	65.7	0.33
Isaac Bruce	St. Louis Rams	3	9.00 (13.56)	0.33 (4.58)	4.67	59.7	0.00
Drew Bennett	St. Louis Rams	2	6.00 (6.03)	2.00 (18.3)	2.00	21.0	0.00

Boldin - Boldin had an incredible game in the Week 3 matchup against the Ravens, hauling in 14 passes for 181 yards and two scores. Most of that production came in the third and fourth quarters, when Leinart was benched in favor of Warner. Leinart is still the starter, so games such as last week could be few and far between. Boldin appears to have a tough game ahead of him in Week 4 against the tough Steelers defense. A top tier receiver, but this week, he makes no better than a solid No. 2 with a weak play.

Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald's numbers weren't anywhere near fellow receiver Anquan Boldin's, but they were admirable for any fantasy owner. Five receptions for 85 yards and no scores. Early in the third quarter of the Week 3 game, quarterback Matt Leinart was benched in favor of backup quarterback Kurt Warner, who led the Cardinals to score 17 unanswered points against the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has said that Leinart is still the starter, although Fitzgerald and Boldin's numbers might be better off with Warner at the helm. Still, if you own Fitzgerald, you have to play him regardless of who's throwing the ball.

Jackson - He's still not posting the numbers his fantasy owners were hoping for when they drafted him. It doesn't help when your quarterback has only thrown for one touchdown through three games. Jackson gets his looks and his catches, but his numbers may not approach where they were when Hasselbeck was throwing to him. Not yet, at least. He only makes an injury or Bye week replacement against his former club this week.

Branch - After failing to come away with a single catch in Week 1, Branch has come on strong over the last two weeks to record 13 receptions for 199 yards and a score. San Francisco has played relatively well against the pass, so view Branch as a solid No. 3 with a weak play this week.

Burleson - Surprisingly, Burleson leads all receivers in Seattle with two touchdowns. A talented receiver who never quite panned out with the Minnesota Vikings, Burleson now has a chance to shine due to the injury to wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle). Dropped passes have been a problem for Burleson in the past, but it looks as though his confidence has grown as he recorded the game winning catch/touchdown last week against the Bengals. With the defense focusing most of their attention on Branch, look for Burleson to have plenty of opportunities this week when they play the 49ers. View Burleson as a quality No. 2 receiver but with a weak play.

Engram - The third option in Seattle, Engram has quietly posted respectable numbers through the first three games of the season, coming away with 13 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown. Hasselbeck loves to spread the ball around so Engram should remain consistent throughout the rest of the season. Play him this week as a decent No. 3 with a weak play this Sunday.

Bruce - Believe it or not, Bruce has actually been targeted more than Torry Holt! That doesn't necessarily mean anything but it's worth noting. Bruce has had two sub-par games and one monster game through the first three weeks. That's the type of production one should expect from the aging vet. Against Dallas, Bruce should be played as a low-end No. 3 receiver with a strong play.

Bennett - He's still not running at 100 percent, but Bennett is coming along nicely. He's a favorite target of Bulger's in the red zone and could carry more value in the coming weeks. For now though, he's better suited to be on your bench.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Leonard Pope	Arizona Cardinals	3	1.67 (2.55)	0.33 (7.69)	1.33	17.3	0.33
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	3	5.00 (9.43)	1.00 (15.80)	2.67	27.7	0.00
Marcus Pollard	Seattle Seahawks	3	3.00 (4.92)	0.67 (4.92)	2.00	15.7	0.00
Randy McMichael	St. Louis Rams	3	4.00 (6.03)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	25.7	0.00

Pope - Pope had a touchdown in Week 2 (the first of his career), but he came back in Week 3 to not record a single catch. He clearly doesn't have consistent value at this point, but he could be played as a weak No. 1 or Bye week fill-in if you're in need.

Davis - Davis (knee) suffered a sprained right knee in the Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh. It's a shame, because the big guy was expected to be an integral part of the 49ers passing attack. He's expected to miss the next two weeks, and then San Francisco will be on their bye. This should give Davis plenty of time to hopefully heal fully. Obviously, keep him on your bench until further notice.

Pollard - Pollard had some productive seasons during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, but he is more of a blocking end now and carries no consistent value. The best place for Pollard would be your bench or your free agent pool.

McMichael - Another tight end that had many good years, McMichael is virtually worthless these days from a fantasy perspective. Through three games, he has a whopping 6 catches for 77 yards and no touchdowns. McMichael should only be played if you are in desperate need of a Bye week replacement at tight end. He is a weak play this Sunday as well.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XP/G	XPA/G	FG/G	FGA/G	Kick Pnts/G
Neil Rackers	Arizona Cardinals	3	2.00	2.00	2.33	3.00	9.0
Joe Nedney	San Francisco 49ers	3	1.67	1.67	2.00	2.00	7.7
Josh Brown	Seattle Seahawks	3	2.33	2.33	1.67	1.67	7.3
Jeff Wilkins	St. Louis Rams	3	0.67	0.67	2.00	3.00	6.7

Rackers - Week 4 against the Steelers could be a challenge for Rackers, as well as the entire offense. The Steelers are only giving up single digit scores to their opponents, so don't expect much from Rackers. Play him as a weak No. 1 or Bye-week replacement this week and hope for the best.

Nedney - Nedney should see some scoring chances against a Seattle defense that is allowing an average of 8.0 points per game to opposing kickers. View him as a decent No. 1 play this week.

Brown - The 49ers have allowed 9.3 points per game to opposing kickers through the first three games. Brown should be able to add to that total a few times during the Week 4 matchup. You should be comfortable playing him as a solid No. 1 this week.

Wilkins - Week 4 poses problems not only for Wilkins, but the entire St. Louis offense. Bulger has broken ribs, Jackson is out with a torn groin and injury upon injury has decimated the Rams offense. Against Dallas on the road, Wilkins is a weak No. 1 or Bye week replacement at best.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Arizona Cardinals	3	20.0	0.00	2.7	1.00	0.00
San Francisco 49ers	3	19.3	0.67	3.0	1.00	0.00
Seattle Seahawks	3	16.0	1.00	2.3	1.33	0.00
St. Louis Rams	3	22.7	0.00	1.7	1.67	0.00

Cardinals - Arizona's defense has been better than most expected, helping to keep games close. This week, you want nothing to do with their defense, as the Steelers could make life difficult on both sides of the ball. Arizona's defense should be on your bench this week.

49ers - Their offense is going to have to control this one and it just doesn't look possible. There appear to be too many weapons on Seattle for the defense to control the pace of this game. San Francisco is no better than a weak No. 1 play or Bye week replacement against the Seahawks this week.

Seahawks - They may not see the field too much this week, but when they do, they could create havoc for San Francisco's offense. Smith doesn't look ready for a game like this, and Gore can't pound the ball 30-plus times this week if they're playing catch up all game. Seattle makes a solid No. 1 defense with a strong play this week.

Rams - The Rams defense is downright ugly this season. Besides a close Week 2 game against the marginal 49ers offense, the Rams defense has allowed 51 points combined from Weeks 1 and 3. It's going to be hard to stop Romo and the high octane offense of the Cowboys in Dallas this week. They should not be the team defense you play this week. Keep them on your bench.