We introduce our positional player analysis for the 2008 season. In past years, KFFL always evaluated each game matchup to explore the value of players to make your life easier. This year, we are launching a new format that we feel will be easier for fantasy owners. Instead of having to view many different team report articles, you can come to a one-stop shop for your positional questions.
Editor's note: All statistics in this article are from Week 2 to Week 5 of the 2008 season, unless otherwise noted. Statistics appearing in each table are per-game averages.
Last Sunday, Rodgers (shoulder) played through a painful shoulder sprain, but it didn't seem it affect his performance as he threw for more than 300 passing yards and three touchdowns for the second time in four weeks.
Rodgers may not practice until late in the week but is still expected to play.
The Seahawks' soft pass defense has recorded only one interception and eight of their 11 sacks came against the San Francisco 49ers, which has allowed the most sacks in the league.
Rodgers has completed at least one pass of more than 40 yards in each of his five starts. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have allowed a pass completion of 41 or more yards in all four games they've played. Rodgers is a strong play against a hapless defense that is prone to the big play.
Against the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills, Warner bounced back from a six-turnover meltdown in Week 4 with a turnover-free victory. He finished the game with 250 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Receiver Anquan Boldin (head) did not play last Sunday and may not be able to return in Week 6. The Cardinals are off in Week 7, which could give Boldin additional time to heal. In Boldin's absence, Warner has gotten a boost from second-year receiver Steve Breaston.
The Cowboys defense is stocked with solid pass rushers, but they've registered only one pick on the season.
Warner is always a high-turnover risk, but he has yet to throw an interception at home. He is a strong play against the Cowboys.
Last week, Romo completed just 14 passes for 176 yards, both of which were season lows. Despite those bland numbers, he did match his season high with three passing touchdowns.
Romo has a streak of eight consecutive regular season games with an interception. The Cardinals defense has recorded only three interceptions this season, so perhaps Romo may find some relief in that department.
Romo last faced the Cardinals in 2006, completing 20 of 29 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Even if the Cowboys gunslinger puts a ball in the hands of the defense he could very well get several into the end zone. The Cardinals defense has allowed nine passing touchdowns in the past month, tied for most in the league. Consider Romo a strong play.
Cutler had trouble with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense last Sunday. He had to settle for a lot of short, underneath passes, and finished with a season-low 227 passing yards and one touchdown.
The Jaguars defense has allowed more than 300 passing yards in two consecutive games and 267.8 per game in the last month, which is fifth-most in the league.
The Broncos may be without two of Cutler's favorite targets as rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal's (ankle) status is up in the air and tight end Tony Scheffler (groin) is out for Week 6. If Royal is unable to go, either wideout Darrell Jackson (calf), who has not played this season, or receiver Brandon Stokley may get the start. Tailback Selvin Young (groin) is also out.
While Denver may be shorthanded, the Jaguars pass defense appears very much on the ropes. Cutler remains a strong play and a must-start.
Prior to the bye week, Favre threw for a season-high 289 passing yards and a career-high six touchdowns. The performance helped earn Favre the league lead in passing touchdowns on the season. Favre also leads the NFL in completion percentage (70.2).
Favre (ankle) showed no signs of the reported ankle injury during his domination of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 and is slated to keep his consecutive games streak alive.
Favre has been sacked at least twice in each of his four starts. He may be able to stay upright against a Bengals defense that has recorded only three sacks on the season, which is tied for the fewest in the league.
Thus far, Favre has been a high percentage passer and now faces a defense with a weak pass rush and a secondary that is not forcing many turnovers. Favre, an occasional turnover risk, is safe to deploy in this matchup.
Last week, Manning was without top receiver Plaxico Burress (team suspension) but didn't seem to miss him. Manning completed a season-high 76 percent of his passes.
Manning has been an equal-opportunity passer as each of his six touchdown passes this season has gone to different receivers.
This start will be only the second for Manning on the road this season. The Browns have forced turnovers of late and had an extra week to prepare for Manning, who has had some letdowns against seemingly weak opponents. Consider Manning a weak play in what could be a trap game.
Last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Campbell was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season.
Things appear to be much easier this week as the Redskins return home to face the winless Rams, who have only one interception on the season.
Campbell remains the only quarterback with more than 20 passing attempts to not throw an interception this season. After losing a league-high eight fumbles last season, Campbell has yet to fumble this year.
As a second-year player, Campbell faced the Rams in his sixth career start, throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown.
This season, the Rams have allowed at least one passing touchdown to every quarterback they've faced and more than 190 passing yards to three of the four. Campbell is a safe play against this soft defense.
Last week against the Detroit Lions, Orton set career highs in completions and passing yards. He went 24-for-34 for 334 yards, two touchdowns and didn't throw an interception after tossing four the previous two weeks.
A game manager no more, Orton has 34 pass attempts in three consecutive games.
In a season full of surprises, the solid play of Orton has certainly been among the biggest. He has navigated his team to impressive victories and is someone to consider acquiring as a No. 2 fantasy quarterback that can start in the right matchup.
Schaub (illness) spent last Saturday night in the hospital with a viral infection, and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels started in his place last Sunday. Schaub is expected to start in Week 6.
Prior to falling ill, Schaub broke out in Week 4 for 307 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Schaub faced the Dolphins last season in Week 5 and threw for 294 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.
In two road games this season, Miami has surrendered an average of 266 passing yards, two touchdowns and 0.5 interceptions per game. Assuming Schaub is healthy, he's a strong play in this matchup.
Last week against the New England Patriots, O'Sullivan threw a career-high three touchdown passes, but he was also intercepted three times and finished with a season-low 130 passing yards.
The 49ers will play host to an Eagles pass defense that has struggled on the road. In their two away games this season, the Eagles have allowed 255.5 passing yards, three touchdowns and 1.5 interceptions per game.
O'Sullivan, who has been taken down 20 times, is currently the most sacked quarterback in the league. The Eagles own a share of the league lead in sacks with 18 on the season.
The Eagles pass rush poses a threat to O'Sullivan, who needs time to make the long throws in the playbook of offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Consider him a potentially high-risk, high-reward start against a pass defense that has struggled on the road.
Rivers threw three touchdown passes in each of his first three games but has struggled lately, throwing for a combined 339 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games.
Rivers (ribs) sustained bruised ribs last Sunday but should be able to play in the team's Week 6 game.
Rivers faced the Patriots twice last year, once in the regular season and again in the playoffs. He averaged 195 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions per game.
The game is the Chargers' third contest at Qualcomm Stadium, where Rivers is averaging 233.5 passing yards and three touchdowns per game. However, Rivers is considered a weak play in this matchup against a still formidable Patriots D.
For the first time since his rookie year, it took Manning four starts to throw for multiple touchdowns in a game. Both touchdowns came with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter in a frantic come-from-behind victory against the Houston Texans.
Last season in Week 14, Manning dismantled the Ravens for 249 passing yards and four touchdowns on only 13 completions before leaving early in the second half.
The Ravens have allowed the fewest passing yards per game this season, though they rank third in that department in the last month. They've yet to allow an opposing quarterback to throw for 200 yards against them and have also registered an interception in each of their four games.
Despite what he did against the Ravens a season ago, regard Manning as a weak play. He has struggled behind a banged up offensive line and faces a Ravens defense that is giving opposing offenses headaches.
Garrard has been showing improvement after averaging 0.33 touchdowns and 1.33 interceptions per game during the first three weeks of the year. He has not thrown an interception in consecutive starts, while accounting for three total touchdowns (two passing, one running) in that span.
Garrard totaled 154 passing yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions against the Broncos last season. He added 52 rushing yards.
The Broncos' underperforming secondary has recorded only two interceptions and their 284.8 passing yards allowed per game over the last month is third-worst in the NFL.
Garrard may find success against the Broncos defense this Sunday, making him a strong play.
Palmer (elbow) missed Week 4 with an elbow injury but returned to action in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. He threw for 217 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis recently said Palmer's elbow is feeling "fine," and he is expected to play this week.
Troubled wide receiver Chris Henry (league suspension) has been added to the active roster, though it's unclear as to how much playing time he may receive.
Prior to their bye week, the Jets were torched by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner for 472 passing yards and two touchdowns. Palmer has the arm and the receivers to do some damage if the Bengals can open up the vertical passing attack; consider Palmer a strong play.
Last week, the Washington Redskins prevented McNabb (chest) from throwing a touchdown pass for the first time this season. His 196 passing yards tied a season-low.
McNabb has been bothered by a chest injury the past few weeks but is expected to play in the team's Week 6 game.
Running back Brian Westbrook (ankle, ribs) appeared to be running well on the bad ankle that kept him out in Week 4. However, Westbrook broke two ribs, and his status for Week 6 is uncertain. Westbrook is the centerpiece of the Eagles offense and a big component in the passing game, so his absence could weaken McNabb's value this week.
McNabb last faced the 49ers in 2006, completing 18 of 33 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. While the 49ers defense is improved, they have allowed an average of 311 passing yards and two touchdowns per game in back-to-back losses.
Last week against the San Francisco 49ers, Cassel set career highs in yards, completions, attempts and interceptions. He finished 22 of 32 for 259 yards, one touchdown and two picks.
Protection has been an issue as Cassel has been sacked four or more times in each of his three starts. The Chargers currently have a dozen sacks, half of them coming in one game against the Oakland Raiders.
The Chargers defense ranks either last or second-to-last in most completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed per game in the last month.
Cassel is a strong play and a potential one-week option as playmaking receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker could run wild against a secondary that has allowed gaudy numbers against the pass.
Against the San Diego Chargers last week, Pennington was smart, efficient and guided his team to another upset victory. He finished the game 22-for-29 with 228 passing yards and one touchdown.
Pennington last faced the Texans back in 2006, when he was a member of the New York Jets. Pennington threw for 286 yards and a touchdown.
Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans gave up 81 yards on five receptions to tight end Dallas Clark. While Pennington may not have anyone of that caliber on his side, tight ends Anthony Fasano and David Martin are both heavily involved in the offense, and they have accounted for three of Pennington's four touchdown passes on the season.
Considered a strong play, Pennington could take average of the Texans and dink-and-dunk his way to another solid performance, making him a worthwhile one-week option if your current starter is hurt, on bye or has an exceptionally poor matchup.
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Eric McClung is a FSWA member and has been a KFFL contributor in addition to fantasy NASCAR consultant since 2008. His work has been published on several prominent NASCAR websites, and McClung is one of KFFL's featured fantasy NASCAR experts.
