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AFC East Fantasy Outlook

November 1, 2007 @ 14:40:27

By Richard Garcia
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 5-8, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Brady had another strong outing last week against the Washington Redskins throwing for three touchdowns and adding two rushing scores. He now has a career-high 30 touchdown passes on the season, which is two more than his previous high of 28; and the Patriots are only halfway through the season. In the last two meetings between the Patriots and this week's opponent the Indianapolis Colts, Brady and the Patriots have lost both contests, with Brady throwing three touchdowns and four interceptions during those two games. Despite Brady having a weak play matchup, he ranks as the No. 1 quarterback in our rankings this week.
Wide Receiver Randy Moss, New England Patriots: Moss faced one of the best secondaries in the league last week, but that didn't keep him from scoring a touchdown in his third consecutive game. Moss pulled in only three receptions for 47 yards last week and this week's matchup against the Colts could offer another challenge for the receiver. The Colts defense is allowing just 81 receiving yards per game to opposing receivers and no touchdowns over the last four weeks. Moss is a moderate No. 1 or solid No. 2 option due to his weak play matchup.
Wide Receiver Laveranues Coles, New York Jets: Coles (concussion) matched his dreadful Week 6 performance last week grabbing only one reception in the game for 13 yards. In his defense it wasn't completely his fault. Head coach Eric Mangini replaced starting quarterback Chad Pennington with quarterback Kellen Clemens and neither was able to move the offense. Coles also suffered an injury in the fourth quarter and it was unclear how severe it was. Coles' status for this week remains unclear at this time, but if he plays he should be kept in your lineup.
New England Patriots Defensive/Special Teams: The Patriots defense had another strong showing keeping the Redskins out of the end zone until there were three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Pats defense had three sacks and forced four turnovers, returning a fumble for a touchdown. This week's matchup against quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts should be a challenge. The Colts have allowed only two sacks, while Manning has thrown just two interceptions over the last four weeks. The Pats defense should be looked at as a Bye week fill-in due to their weak play matchup.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Trent Edwards	Buffalo Bills	3	153.0	0.00	1.00	2.7	0.00
Kellen Clemens	New York Jets	1	67.0	0.00	2.00	0.0	0.00

Edwards - Edwards (wrist) left last week's game against the Jets after suffering a sprained wrist. Backup quarterback J.P. Losman replaced Edwards and led the Bills on two scoring drives in his place. Losman is expected to get the start this weekend and is actually a viable one-week play option against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has allowed 255.3 yards and 2.33 touchdowns per game to opposing signal callers over the past month.

Clemens - Clemens was named the starting quarterback for this week's matchup against Washington after coach Mangini proclaimed that he has earned this opportunity. Clemens relieved Pennington in the fourth quarter of last week's game going 5-for-12 for 67 yards and throwing two interceptions. He is set to make his second start this season against a Redskins team that is averaging two takeaways and 2.5 sacks per game over the last four weeks. Clemens should remain on the bench due to his weak play matchup.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Marshawn Lynch	Buffalo Bills	3	25.67 (42.04)	3.67 (44.13)	76.7	0.33	2.00	17.7	0.00
Laurence Maroney	New England Patriots	2	11.00 (7.75)	1.50 (4.36)	53.0	0.00	1.00	18.5	0.00
Thomas Jones	New York Jets	4	20.00 (34.39)	2.25 (36.30)	75.8	0.00	2.00	14.8	0.00
Leon Washington	New York Jets	4	7.50 (12.89)	1.00 (16.13)	14.2	0.00	1.50	8.0	0.00

Lynch - Lynch failed to reach the 100-yard mark for the eighth consecutive week, but he continued to get a full workload carrying the ball 21 times for 80 yards against the Jets last week. Lynch has averaged 20 or more carries over the last six weeks and continues to be their most productive offensive player. Lynch faces Cincinnati this week who are allowing 116.3 yards per game to the position over the last four weeks. Lynch has a strong play matchup and is a moderate No. 1 or solid No. 2 running back option this week.

Maroney - Maroney saw his workload increase in making his second consecutive start since being sidelined with a groin injury. He had 14 carries for 75 yards and made two receptions for 37 yards; his first two catches of the season. Running backs Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans weren't as big of a factor as they were in the previous week against Washington, carrying the ball just five times each. The Colts, who are this week's opponent, have a strong rushing defense and are allowing only 67 yards per game to the position over the last four weeks. Maroney has a weak play matchup and should be looked as no more than a solid No. 3 running option.

Jones - Jones had another productive game last week against the Bills, but he continued to leave fantasy owners wanting more. He carried the ball 16 times for 70 yards and pulled in five reception for 34 yards, but he failed to reach the end zone for an eighth consecutive week. This week's matchup against the Redskins should be a difficult one. They are allowing an average of 82 yards per game rushing to the position over the last four weeks making Jones a solid No. 2 option this week.

Washington - Washington carried the ball five times for 25 yards and pulled in two receptions for seven yards. Although Washington also lost a fumble in this game, his touches increased enough to almost eclipse his totals for Weeks 6 and 7 combined. He continues to be the second option behind Jones and will likely only see his value increase if there is an injury to Jones. Washington should remain on the bench this week.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Lee Evans	Buffalo Bills	3	6.00 (9.83)	0.67 (8.02)	3.67	82.7	0.33
Jerricho Cotchery	New York Jets	4	8.25 (14.18)	0.75 (12.10)	5.00	52.2	0.25
Donte' Stallworth	New England Patriots	4	6.50 (9.16)	0.75 (4.36)	4.50	74.0	0.75
Wes Welker	New England Patriots	4	10.50 (14.80)	2.75 (16.00)	8.25	92.5	1.25

Evans - Evans owners witnessed a blast from the past last week after Losman replaced the injured Edwards to throw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Evans. Evans ended the day with five catches for 138 yards and a score, but most of that came with Losman at the helm. He remains the team's No. 1 receiving option and he faces a Bengals team that is allowing 170.7 yards to the position and over a touchdown per game over the last four weeks. Evans is a solid No. 2 option this week due to his strong play matchup.

Cotchery - Cotchery just might be the receiver who benefits most from the change to Clemens at quarterback. In Clemens only other start of the season, Cotchery made seven receptions for a career-high 165 yards. He continues to lead the team in receptions (46) and receiving yards (592), but is still the second option in the passing game. Coles leads the team with six touchdowns to Cotchery's one, making Cotchery a solid No. 3 option this week.

Stallworth - Stallworth's streak of three consecutive games with a score came to an end last week as he ended up with just four catches for 44 yards in a blowout against the Redskins. Stallworth has a weak play matchup and should be looked at as a moderate No. 1 or solid No. 2 receiving option this week.

Welker - Welker continued his tear against a tough Redskins secondary last week, making nine receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. He has now caught a touchdown in three consecutive games and is currently second in the NFL with 56 receptions. Welker faces another tough matchup this week against the Colts, but despite his weak play, Welker is a solid No. 1 option at receiver this week.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Robert Royal	Buffalo Bills	3	3.33 (5.46)	1.00 (12.04)	2.00	17.7	0.00
Chris Baker	New York Jets	3	3.33 (4.30)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	25.0	0.00
Benjamin Watson	New England Patriots	2	5.00 (3.52)	1.50 (4.36)	3.50	67.5	1.00

Royal - Royal continues to be an afterthought in the Bills offense. He managed just two receptions for 19 yards between Edwards and Losman. For the season he has only 11 receptions for 101 yards and no touchdowns. Royal should be super-glued to any and all fantasy benches this week.

Baker - Baker (back) was listed as questionable heading into last week's matchup against the Bills but was able to start. He wasn't effective making one reception for 11 yards after missing the previous week's game against Cincinnati. Baker has a weak play matchup and should remain benched this week.

Watson - Watson (ankle) missed his second consecutive week, and it is unclear as to whether he will be ready to play this week against the Colts. If he goes he is a quality No. 1 option.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Rian Lindell	Buffalo Bills	3	1.67	1.67	2.67	2.33	8.7
Mike Nugent	New York Jets	4	1.25	1.25	2.50	2.00	7.2
Stephen Gostkowski	New England Patriots	4	6.00	6.00	1.25	1.25	9.8

Lindell - Lindell had another productive week last week accounting for seven of the team's 13 points against the Jets. He made both field goal attempts, including one from 40 yards out, and added an extra point. The Bengals are allowing two field goals per game for 8.7 points over the last four weeks to the kicker position. Lindell has a strong play matchup and is a solid No. 1 option this week.

Nugent - Nugent accounted for all of the Jets scoring last week kicking a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Jets face a tough Redskins defense allowing just 4.8 points per game to the kicker position over the last four weeks. Nugent should be looked at as a moderate No. 1 or Bye week fill-in this Sunday.

Gostkowski - Gostkowski remained perfect in the extra-point category, going 7-for-7 for the second consecutive week. The Pats face arguably their toughest competition to this point and it may create more opportunities from the kicker position. Gostkowski is a solid No. 1 option despite his weak play matchup.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Buffalo Bills	3	14.0	2.33	1.3	1.00	1.0
New York Jets	4	22.5	1.00	1.2	0.25	0.4

Bills - The Bills defense has been toughening up of late allowing 14 points per game and averaging more than three turnovers per game over the last four weeks. They are also allowing more than 100 yards less of total offense to the opposition over that same time, compared to what they allowed through the first four weeks of the season. The Bills are a moderate No. 1 or Bye week fill-in this week against the Bengals.

Jets - The Jets head into this week's matchup against the Redskins after an ugly loss last week against the Bills and with a new quarterback at the helm. The defense is giving up 22.5 points per game over the last four weeks and is averaging just a little more than one sack and one turnover per contest over that same time. The Jets have a weak play matchup and should remain on the bench this week.

Author Bio

Richard Garcia
Garcia served as a managing editor for KFFL. Prior to his time with KFFL, Richard worked in managerial roles with both Frito-Lay Inc. and UPS. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and fulfilled his internship requirements with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey organization in 2001.