Deep down everyone probably thinks they could be a head coach or general manager in the NFL, and there really isn’t anything wrong with that. Sure, it was annoying when your buddy that didn’t know who Percy Harvin was during your fantasy draft professed he could run the Colts better than Jim Caldwell would be able to.

You chuckled and moved on with your day.

“Sure, pal … sure you could.”

“You want to bet on it?” said friend barks back, as though his theory will actually be proven right some day. ”I’ll give you Drew Brees for your place kicker if the Colts win more than three games by Week 8!”

“Deal, my friend.”

The rest is history, and your friend undoubtedly feels like a dolt. You win, he loses. It may be unfair, because you saw it coming, or at least recognized his foolishness before he did.

Now that the scene has been painted, I will play the role of the idiot friend that thinks he knows best. After all, isn’t that what I’m paid to do?

Buffalo Bills

Your season is going nowhere fast after it was set up for failure with poor planning and putrid personnel decisions. Your offensive line stinks beyond all belief, which was largely due to atrocious offseason moves (see: Dockery, Derrick and Peters, Jason). You had a shot at signing a respectable left tackle (some fella named Levi Jones) but passed to see how many more sacks Demetrius Bell could allow in an injury-shortened season. Your prized free-agent acquisition and future Hall of Famer has been left to rot since your quarterback hasn’t been able to get the ball to him. Oh, let’s not forget you have fired the head coach and, naturally, replaced him, at least for the interim, with one of his cronies. That usually translates into immediate success, I hear.

The most recent presumed franchise quarterback, Trent Edwards, has thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six) and hasn’t topped the 230 passing yards all year.

His backup, veteran brainiac passer Ryan Fitzpatrick, hasn’t fared much better. He seems to have an improved ability to connect with the receiving corps, but Fitz hasn’t exactly lit the world ablaze. His dazzling 49.4 completion percentage is only accentuated by Fitzpatrick’s lurid 49.8 passer rating (two touchdowns, four interceptions in four appearances).

It’s tough to place all of the blame on the quarterbacks since the O-line blocks oh so effectively.

Fitzgerald has been named the starter by interim head coach Perry Fewell, presumably for the remainder of the season. The Bills signed former Louisville star quarterback Brian Brohm off the Green Bay Packers‘ practice squad. A second-round pick in 2008, Brohm has a strong enough arm to make all of the necessary NFL throws. He’s not going to blow people away it, but his arm isn’t a noodle, either.

You have a player to groom for the future, and while it may not be your regime reaping the potential rewards of his experience, but that is your duty to the player as a coach. The season is lost. You know Fitzpatrick isn’t the future of your organization, and it’s hard to imagine Edwards has done enough to cement himself into that conversation, so what’s the harm in giving Brohm the keys to the city, at least for the final six games? Maybe you have a hidden gem on your hands – it certainly can’t hurt to find out!

The only major fear I would have is that Brohm could be mentally rattled from all of the pressure he will face. He was able to handle being demoted in favor of a seventh-round pick with the Packers, and eventually landing on the practice squad. He should be tough enough between the ears, and if he isn’t, you don’t want that kind of player leading your team anyway.

Cleveland Browns

I’m not sure which franchise is more of a mess between the Browns and Bills, but I know who Cleveland should trot onto the field as their starting quarterback. I’ll give you a hint: His name is not Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.

Eric Mangini’s draft-day trade of the No. 5 overall pick to his former employer, the New York Jets, sent a familiar face to join him in Ohio. Second-year quarterback Brett Ratliff is a 6-foot-4, 224-pounder from Utah. He has a live arm and can’t possibly be any worse than the other two jokers Cleveland has marched out there. Ratliff deserves a chance, if even by default. If Browns owner Randy Lerner is serious about endorsing Mangini as head coach, he needs to force the issue to help determine their offseason plans at the position.

Maybe Ratliff isn’t the answer. It’s tough having no weapons to work with, but now is the time to find out. If anything, maybe he learned a trick or two from Brett Favre last year. Mangini at least could bring hope to the fan base by playing Ratliff. It’s time to hit that big red button when you have scored only five offensive touchdowns in nine games.

What goes into finding the next Wes Welker-type player to help jumpstart your fantasy season? Do you have a battered receiving corps and need a contributor with a pulse that comes on the cheap?

While every scenario is different to some degree, common factors often remain.

1) Does said player have experience within the offense?
2) How about familiarity with the coaching staff?
3) Perhaps a general manager with a track record of finding diamonds in the rough?
4) A pass-happy system?
5) Wait, no lockdown defense?

That was the shortlist of elements known to come into play. Forget a player needing a place to fit in; ignore those veteran receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. Dismiss league mates that snicker at your acquisition. Remember the handful of ill-informed owners that ask “who?” following each pick after the ninth round of your draft? You probably will hear the same thing from said owners, assuming they are still paying attention, about a certain Kansas City Chiefs receiver that is hotter than an L&L Barbeque, and I’m not referring to Chris Chambers.

Lance Long. You know, that smurfy slot receiver in his first year from Mississippi State? He’s not a rookie, technically, but Long might as well be.

The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Detroit native has experience in this offense and familiarity with head coach Todd Haley. As you may remember (like it was eons ago or something), Haley called the plays for the Arizona Cardinals‘ high-flying passing attack last year. What you may not have known is Long spent that entire year on Arizona’s practice squad.

Now that we have the first two criteria out of the way, how about a GM with history of finding talent that others have passed up? Check. Scott Pioli, in fact, was responsible for bringing that Welker character to New England. Welker was drawing interest after playing well with the Miami Dolphins, but no one saw THAT coming … well, maybe with the exception of Pioli.

I touched on Long’s experience in Arizona’s system, which is now the same style of play – just not the same caliber – that you will find in KC. The slot receiver can be a big-time contributor in this system, and the Chiefs don’t exactly sport a dazzling crop of targets behind Dwayne Bowe.

Veteran Bobby Wade was a healthy inactive last week. The move was made in effort to give Long playing time in the slot. Long’s promising play in Week 7 also made the now-free agent Bobby Engram expendable. We told you about Long over his Week 8 bye in our Fantasy Football on Target article after he was looked to five times in his debut with the Chiefs. After a week of rest, the newfound fantasy asset was targeted a whopping 11 times in Week 9.

Of the 16 total looks in his past two games, Long has caught 10 passes but has traveled only 86 yards and hasn’t found the end zone. How could this make him a fantasy contributor? Point-per-reception leagues make starters out of mediocre stat producers. If he posts another eight-catch, 74-yard effort like he did last week you are enjoying a 15-point performance from a flex spot. Think if he were to have added a touchdown to that! The 15 points that he would have netted you wound up being more than Dallas Cowboys sensation Miles Austin contributed last weekend. That’s not to say anyone in their right mind would have played Long over Austin, though.

Let’s not forget the Chiefs’ defense. They were in a hole and needed the offense to play catch-up last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This led to 11 looks for the short duder in the slot.

I would be slacking if I didn’t mention that Welker, a similar receiver to Long, was Matt Cassel’s favorite target last year.

The Chiefs have the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos (twice) remaining on their schedule, all matchups they should be forced to pass a lot in. Even their Week 10 matchup with the Oakland Raiders could lead to plenty of looks for Long on the underneath stuff if the Raiders focus on removing Bowe from the game plan.

Pick up Long immediately in PPR leagues and slide him into your flex spot every chance you get. Beware, though, at his size one big hit over the middle could bring his season to a bone-crunching halt.

LenDale White, running back, Tennessee Titans: The Buffalo Bills‘ defense is allowing an NFL-high 192.3 yards per game to backs in the past month. They have given up 1.67 touchdowns per contest, too. White is a closer and doesn’t play much if his team isn’t sitting on a comfy lead; you shouldn’t have to worry about that being a problem this week.

Ricky Williams, running back, Miami Dolphins: A matchup made in fantasy paradise: Williams and the run-first Fish versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who as seen more rushing attempts against in the past month than any team in the league. Their 158.0 yards and 1.67 touchdowns per game allowed to backs rank in the dregs of the NFL.

Paging all No. 1 WRs in Buffalo

Terrell Owens, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills: Anyone remember this TO guy? Anyone? The Titans’ pass defense has improved recently, to their credit, but they remain one of the softest in the league. The looks have been there (27 in his last three games), and quarterback Trent Edwards (concussion) should return in Week 10.

Donnie Avery, wide receiver, St. Louis Rams: Desperate times call for Donnie Avery! New Orleans’ defense has been slipping of late, registering in the 10 worst teams against the position (11.5 catches, 174.5 yards, 0.75 TDs). St. Louis may be playing catch-up most of the day, which bodes well for Avery’s fantasy prospects.

Bryant Johnson, wide receiver, Detroit Lions: The Minnesota Vikings‘ pass defense has yielded 182.0 yards and 1.33 touchdowns per game to wideouts in their last three outings. Johnson has slight fantasy value due to his matchup and Calvin Johnson (knee) seemingly working at less than 100 percent.

I view it as fantasy football’s version of the Procession of the Equinoxes.

It stems from the common mistake made by fantasy owners when prepping for their drafts: Said player’s stats at last season’s end do not automatically mean he will be in the same position of success in the upcoming season.

It seems like common sense, no?

Each year ushers in changes in the fantasy landscape, much like when we gaze into the starry night. This time, something seems off. Where did that brilliant display of astrological artwork wind up? One year’s gallery of galactic splendor can be replaced by another, leaving the previous wonder an afterthought of yours.

The magic with the Procession is that those faint stars that have slowly, and in some cases precipitously, lost their luminosity became the delight of someone else on Earth. It’s the old “one man’s trash …” adage.

Confused? Don’t worry, it’s quite simple.

Fantasy footballers, here are a few bright stars that are worth trading for. Most of them are or have struggled at some point this year, for various reasons. The trade deadline looms for a lot of leagues, and it’s time you stop thinking about “hangin’ in there” or “being in contention.” Take the proverbial bull by the horns and make the ultimate playoff push. Control your destiny by soothsaying your way past your opponents.

I’m not much of one for astrology, but I know the Cancer in all of us can make trading a fretful endeavor. Fear not, my friend. Instead, follow the way of the Pisceans. Most fantasy owners need to summon the bravery of their inner Pisces and throw caution to the wind … just as long as they have done their homework.

Sometimes, the easiest way of consummating a trade is by convincing your trading partner that you are taking the bigger risk. I’m not saying you need to put forth an Oscar-winning performance, but make them feel as though they are assuming less risk than you are.

These players, in no particular order, need to be added to your fantasy roster:

Kurt Warner, quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

Forget that six-turnover game last week – or, better yet, hope your trading partner wants to forget Warner! Knee-jerk reactions can be the death of a playoff run, but the savvy owner realizes Warner’s upcoming schedule is weaker than Wade Phillips‘ willpower in a Krispy Kreme.

I don’t think any quarterback has an easier fantasy playoff schedule than grey-chinned Warner does. In fact, he closes out the fantasy year with the Detroit Lions (Week 15) and St. Louis Rams (Week 16). Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch: Matchups with the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Rams, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers lead us to Warner’s cakewalk of a final two-game sked. Bon Appetit!

Carson Palmer, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Palmer is scheduled to finish with typical Palmer statistics (on pace for 3,675, 29.7 TDs, 16 INTs), but he can be maddeningly inconsistent. He tossed five touchdown passes in Week 7, which was as many as his previous four games combined. His upcoming schedule isn’t pretty at all. The Baltimore Ravens this are in the middle of the pack against the position, but his Week 10 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers (11th against QBs), should be a tough one.

Then he has the 21st-ranked Oakland Raiders, the 24th-ranked Cleveland Browns, the 18th-rated Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, who are the third worst D against quarterbacks in the past month. Palmer finishes out the standard fantasy playoffs with the San Diego Chargers as a so-so matchup and Kansas City Chiefs (25th ranked).

Note: All of those rankings are fantasy points against quarterbacks (one point per 20 passing yards, one point per 10 rushing, four points per passing TD, six points per rushing TD, negative one point per interception thrown).

Philip Rivers, quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Free-flowing fantasy points for all!

His upcoming schedule is a godsend. While Rivers has a few tough matchups along the way, he should enjoy strong performances against the New York Giants (Week 9), Kansas City Chiefs (Week 12), Cleveland Browns (Week 13), Dallas Cowboys (Week 14) and Tennessee Titans (Week 16).

Rivers is on pace to shatter last year’s career high in passing yards (4,009). If all goes as planned, look for about 4,600 yards. His touchdown production is low, but Rivers has beaten up weaker secondaries (KC, for example). He threw three touchdown passes against the Troy Polamalu-less Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 4, too.

Ronnie Brown, running back, Miami Dolphins

Brown has an enticing upcoming schedule. He has the New England Patriots twice in the five weeks, but sandwiched between the Pats games Brown gets to exploit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. While New England is playing well against the position lately, Brown torched them to the tune of four rushing scores (plus a passing TD) last year in one game but was shut out in the second contest.

After his second foray with the Patriots, the former Auburn Tiger hopes to run roughshod over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans, respectively, to close out the standard fantasy schedule. Could it get any better than that for a tailback out to prove his prolific 2007 start wasn’t a fluke?!?!

Looking to gore his upcoming opponents

Frank Gore, running back, San Francisco 49ers

In standard Gore fashion, he missed two full games and carried the ball only once in Week 3 due to an ankle injury. As long as he can stay healthy, which is a big risk to assume, Gore should be a fantasy star the rest of the way. He has a very favorable schedule and remains the focal point of a run-first offense.

The Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions remain on Gore’s schedule through Week 16. Only the Packers and Cardinals should be tough matchups, but Arizona may be weaker than expected if last week’s shellacking by the Carolina Panthers is any indication of their future run defense.

Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Detroit Lions

Megatron hasn’t been so mega this season, but he was starting to come around before falling to injury in Week 5. If he can’t get back on track with this schedule, fantasy owners can mail it in. He is simply too talented, and regardless of having an erratic rookie quarterback, his situation isn’t much, if any, worse than it was last year. True talent wins out more often than not.

For the record, Johnson’s schedule is as follows: Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay and Cincy should be his toughest competition, but Johnson destroyed the Pack last year (15-231-4 in two games). Granted, the defense has changed, but the personnel remains in place at cornerback and safety for the Packers. It should be interesting.

Be fearless but smart and trading is a breeze. Don’t get caught up in worrying about making the wrong choice. If you aren’t certain, check out KFFL.com’s fantasy football forums and Coors Light Ask the Experts (Thursdays only) feature on our home page for additional advice.

Alex D. Smith, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers: Even after a respectable showing in Week 8, the Tennessee Titans‘ defense against quarterbacks ranks 31st in the past month. Smith is considerably improved from a few years ago, and he has viable targets to work with. With six teams on the bye, start him as a fill-in.

Jamaal Charles, running back, Kansas City Chiefs: The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ D was shredded last week by Titans tailback Chris Johnson despite being sound coming into the week. Play Charles, a pass-catching back who should start in place of the suspended Larry Johnson, in your flex spot, chiefly in point-per-reception formats.

Mike Thomas, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Kansas City Chiefs‘ pass defense has permitted enemy wideouts to record the seventh most yards per game in the past month (173.3) on the fifth fewest catches (8.33), good for the most yards per reception allowed (20.8) in this time. Thomas isn’t a burner, but he has been targeted 17 times in his last two games. Welcome him into your Week 8 flex spot.

Charles gets his chance in '09

Justin Gage, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans: With a new starting quarterback comes a new favorite target. Gage led the team with five looks last week and has history with Vince Young. Temper your expectations of Gage, but he’s a quality No. 3 this weekend.

Martellus Bennett, tight end, Dallas Cowboys: The Iggles have hemorrhaged fantasy points to the tight end position, allowing an absurd 17.5 per game (standard non-PPR scoring) in the past month. The league average is 6.15 in this time. With the defense focused on Miles Austin and Jason Witten, Bennett could be a sneaky play for desperate owners.

If one looks hard enough, they will find anomalies in all fields of statistical research. Fantasy football is no different, above all when it comes to ranking players and reviewing fantasy matchups.

From time to time, fantasy owners take things for granted. It’s easy to get caught up, and it’s even easier to listen to fantasy services that, more often than not, don’t break down the numbers. Join me while I analyze a few defensive matchups this week whose surface appearance can be deceiving.

Note: The fantasy points used below are based on standard scoring formats (4 points per passing TD, 1 point per 20 passing yards, 1 point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per rushing/receiving touchdowns non-PPR).

Buffalo Bills against quarterbacks and wide receivers

In the past four weeks, the Bills have allowed a fantasy defensive team against (DTA) of 3.5 points per game. That is an unheard of, ultra-low figure. The high end of the spectrum this week is 35.67 (Titans), which is equally as insane. The average is 16.29 fantasy points allowed. The reason the Bills have a pseudo-strong DTA is because of their miserable run defense. They have given up an average 29.25 fantasy points per game over their past four games, a figure that ranks as the second most in the league during this time.

Teams don’t need to pass much because they are too busy pounding the rock against the Bills, so their pass defense numbers look amazingly strong.

Buffalo “boasts” a fictitious 8.00 DTA against the wide receiver position. Again, statistical inflation, or deflation in this case, that is based on ground success by running backs skews the numbers for wideouts.

Their past four opponents:

Week 4: Miami Dolphins
Week 5: Cleveland Browns
Week 6: New York Jets
Week 7: Carolina Panthers

Bea Arthur could have posted better fantasy stats through the air than these offenses are capable of.

Green Bay Packers versus quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers

The Packers’ defense ranks tied with the New Orleans Saints for second in the league on a per-game basis of fantasy points allowed to the position. Since Brett Favre lit them up for 271 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4, Green Bay has faced a Daunte Culpepper-led Detroit Lions team and the Derek Anderson-quarterbacked Cleveland Browns. The two “passers” combined – yes, COMBINED – for 147 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Naturally, the numbers against receivers will be low, too.

Tough choice for fantasy leaguers

Favre may not be great again this week, but he shouldn’t fare as poorly as Green Bay’s recent opposition has.

Jamal Lewis and Kevin Smith didn’t receive enough touches to make a difference, but Smith was on pace for a respectable day (15 for 61 yards, 4.1 per carry).

Houston Texans versus running backs

Their DTA of 8.00 against running backs is halfway deceiving. The Texans have played the Oakland Raiders (Week 4), Arizona Cardinals (Week 5), Cincinnati Bengals (Week 6) and San Francisco 49ers (Week 7) in the past month.

The Raiders lost Darren McFadden (knee) before the game was in the books, but he ran six times for negative two yards prior to the injury. The Cardinals don’t know what running the football is, and the 49ers were down 21-0 with a somewhat limited Frank Gore (ankle) making his first start since a one-carry Week 3 appearance. The Bengals entered with Cedric Benson on a roll, but falling behind meant Cincy had to abandon the run in the fourth quarter, when Benson has shone the brightest this year. He was held to 2.8 yards per carry and one touchdown (16 for 44 yards).

The jury is still out on which version of the Texans’ run defense we will see each week. They are improved, but don’t consider them to be on their way to elite status just yet.

Philadelphia Eagles versus wide receivers

When you face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins in a row, you’re DTA against wideouts should be pretty low. The Eagles’ average 9.67 DTA is the second best in the league during the last month of play, but it is faker than one of Phil Spector’s hair pieces.

Derek Anderson, quarterback, Cleveland Browns: Desperate times call for desperate measures, and six-team bye weeks will do that to fantasy owners. Anderson is barely playable but has a fairly decent matchup against a Chicago Bears‘ defense that gave up five touchdown passes last week to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. Caveat emptor!

Jason Snelling, running back, Atlanta Falcons: Snelling rushed seven times for 68 yards, adding a 10-yard reception, in Week 7. With Jerious Norwood (hip) out indefinitely, Snelling should see approximately 10 touches per game. He’s a decent play against a suspect New Orleans Saints‘ run D that is tied for the most rushing scores (2.00) allowed per game in the prior month.

Chris Brown, running back, Houston Texans: No one has yielded more total yards (235.8) per game in the past four to backfields than the Buffalo Bills have. Given the ball security struggles of starter Steve Slaton, Brown could gain more playing time. He’s a last resort for fantasy owners, though.

Can Britt repeat his Week 4 performance?

Kenny Britt, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans: The Titans’ defense is awful, which means the offense will be forced to pass a lot. Britt logged seven grabs for 105 yards versus Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. It doesn’t hurt that they have given up an average of 13.00 receptions for 159.3 yards and 2.00 scores to wideouts since Week 3. Britt is a flex play.

Jabar Gaffney, wide receiver, Denver Broncos: In his last four games, Gaffney has been targeted 23 times, and the Baltimore Ravens have allowed the fourth most receiving yards per game (186.3) in the past month to wideouts. Gaffney is a bye week fill-in this Sunday.

The following players have positive history versus their Week 7 opponents. I will help you understand if these players can live up to the expectations of their past successes.

Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Laurels: Averaged 331 passing yards and two touchdowns per game last year

Fantasy tip: I don’t think Rivers will have any trouble putting up yardage, but the Chiefs’ defense isn’t AS BAD as some people think. Rivers threw three interceptions to four touchdown passes in those two games, and prior to the ‘08 season Rivers’ numbers against KC weren’t exactly sparkling (averaged 184 yards, 0.5 TDs, 1.5 interceptions in 2007). Expect similar numbers to last year’s averages, but don’t be surprised if he is pressured into a few mistakes.

Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals

Laurels: 78.8 percent for 240 yards, three TDs, zero INTs (Week 12, 2008)

Fantasy tip: Arizona boasts the third worst defense against quarterbacks in the past month of play. The Cards are surrendering an average of 287.3 passing yards and two touchdowns per outing, while intercepting only one pass for every game played. I suspect Manning will find an early groove and stick with it since the Cardinals’ run defense is the NFL’s third best in that same time frame.

Running backs

Thomas Jones, New York Jets at Oakland Raiders

Jones is in for another big day.

Laurels: 24 attempts for 159 yards (6.6 per carry) in Week 7 last year

Fantasy tip: Coming off a career-best 210-yard effort on the ground, Jones faces the lowly Raiders’ run defense. He beat them up last year, and the veteran running back could post very good numbers again this weekend. Make sure to get Jones into your lineup this week as a strong No. 1 back.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Laurels: Averaged 124.33 total yards, one touchdown in past six meetings

Fantasy tip: LT looked sharp against the Denver Broncos last week, showing burst and a hop in his step that we haven’t seen in quite some time. He has tormented the Chiefs in his career, and you know Tomlinson is focusing on his first breakout game of the year. I’m starting LT this weekend as a No. 2 fantasy back.

Leon Washington, New York Jets at Oakland Raiders

Laurels: 23 touches for 110 total yards, two touchdowns in two games

Fantasy tip: Washington has succeeded against the Raiders while playing in a limited fashion. Given Oakland’s struggles against the position this year, there is sound reason to believe Washington can exploit this unit once again. Play him as a flex option.

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

Laurels: Averaged 21.8 touches for 136.8 total yards, 0.67 touchdowns in past six meetings

Fantasy tip: With his health seemingly improving each week, Westbrook faces a tougher Redskins’ defense than most people give them credit for being. This group has given up 122.3 offensive yards per game to running backs in the past month, which rankings as the 11th fewest in the league. They have allowed two rushing scores and one receiving touchdown in the past month, too. I’m not sold on Westbrook this weekend, but you probably can’t sit him, especially with six teams on bye.

Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Don't hold your breath....

Laurels: Averaged 132.0 total yards and 0.67 touchdowns in past three meetings

Fantasy tip: Two big games of 157 yards and 158 yards highlight his recent success versus the Eagles, but this go-round probably will look a lot closer to the 81 offensive yards Portis registered in their last showdown. Philly is giving up the eighth fewest offensive yards per game and haven’t allowed a single score in the past month to running backs, so don’t say you weren’t warned.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants

Laurels: 11 rushes for 21 yards, two touchdowns in Week 12 last year

Fantasy tip: While Hightower’s history against the Giants isn’t overwhelming, it still should be considered a positive since he did a lot with a little – much like he has encountered this year. New York boasts the fewest offensive yards allowed per game in the past four weeks, giving up only three receptions and one total score per outing. I don’t like his chances, but if you’re in a bye week quandary, you could do much worse than Hightower.

Wide receivers

Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys

Laurels: three receptions for 104 yards in one game (2006, Week 15)

Fantasy tip: I put little stock in White’s previous performance against the ‘Boys since it was in 2006. For those of you keeping score, Dallas has given up 10.67 receptions for 128.0 and 0.67 receiving scores per game in the past month. This one could go either way for White, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt with his recent productivity (12-266-3 in the past two weeks).

Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

V-Jax is ready to tear up KC

Laurels: Averaged four receptions for 70 yards, 0.67 touchdowns in past three meetings

Fantasy tip: V-Jax’s numbers haven’t been great, but he has scored twice in his last three games against KC. The Northern Colorado product caught at least five passes for 83 yards against the Chiefs in 2008. Only the Tennessee Titans have allowed more average fantasy points (standard scoring) this month than the Chiefs have (11 receptions for 200 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game). You don’t need me to tell you Jackson should be in your lineup this week!

Read more >> Options >>

Three players have me really intrigued this week, and I’ve been looking for any bit of extra information I can find to ensure our rankings are as precise as possible with these players.

I’ve been toiling over what to do with Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Antonio Bryant and, my main focus of last week, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams.

For the receivers, they each have poor matchups, on paper, and strong history against their respective Week 6 opponents. Williams’ matchup is a favorable one – possibly good enough to get him on track.

Kevin Walter, Houston Texans

Walter faces the Cincinnati Bengals, against whom he caught five passes for 70 yards and scored twice in Week 8 last season. The Bengals are allowing quite a bit of per-game receiving yardage to the position (147.0) in the past month, but they have been a top-10 defense in terms of fewest receptions yielded per game (9.75) and are a top-five D when it comes to keeping receivers from crossing the plane (0.25 per game).

With a lot of attention being focused on Andre Johnson, does Walter fly under the radar and buck the Bengals’ recent trend of shutting down receivers? The Bengals boasted a top-10 defense against the receiver position last year in the four games leading up to said Week 8 tilt.

Cincy has successfully used a lot of double-coverage techniques this year against No. 1 receivers. They have shut out Greg Jennings, Braylon Edwards and Derrick Mason. That begs the question: How did the No. 2 receivers, like Walter, perform in these games?

• Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers: six receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown
• Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens: three receptions for 36 yards and zero touchdowns
• Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland Browns: eight receptions for 148 yards and zero touchdowns

Driver and Massaquoi, both possession receivers, are very similar to Walter. We have Walter listed as a “temper your expectations” kind of bust this week, but I think you still have to play him based on the merits of last season’s outburst.

Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What should owners do with Bryant this weekend?

The last time Bryant faced the Carolina Panthers, Week 14 of the 2008 season, he exploded for 200 yards on nine catches and found the end zone twice. This time around the pre-game outlook is quite a bit different. In the month leading up to their game last year, the Panthers’ defense against wide receivers was terrible. They gave up 15.33 receptions for 204.0 yards per game while surrendering three touchdowns in as many games.

Bryant was in Game 2 of what would become a four game-scoring streak last year. The quarterback was Jeff Garcia, and say what you will about him, but he’s a better option than Josh Johnson is at this point (this will be Johnson’s third career start). Carolina beat the Bucs 38-23, which forced Garcia to throw an uncharacteristically high 38 times.

This time around, the Panthers are giving up 10.00 receptions for 117.3 yards and 0.33 touchdowns per game to opposing wideouts since Week 2. These numbers are decent but still rank them in the top 10 for lowest yardage allowed. Can the Panthers put even the lowly Buccaneers into a catch-up situation? Carolina is terrible against the run, too, so Tampa Bay may rely more than normal on their ground attack.

I’m playing Bryant as a low-end No. 3 or a flex option this weekend, but I don’t have high hopes for him despite his recent signs of life in the last two weeks.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

If the Panthers didn’t fall behind early to the Washington Redskins last week I think we would have seen a lot more of Williams (18 carries). Still, Carolina running backs ran 29 times as a team to Washington’s 22.

Williams is going to have a big game sooner or later, and this week probably marks the time you should stick with him if you’re on the verge of giving up. There is only so long you can ride struggling studs, I know, but not only does Tampa Bay provide Williams a great matchup (29th in the league in rushing yards allowed to RBs since Week 2 and 27th in total yards), he torched them last year in their final meeting. The aforementioned game in the Bryant writeup featured Williams rushing for 186 yards and two scores. The first time he played the Bucs in ‘08 resulted in 11 carries for 27 yards and no scores, but that was when the Buccaneers were actually playing defense (Monte Kiffin had not mailed it in at that point).

I think this is the final week for me of giving Williams the benefit of the doubt. If he cannot get it done in Week 6, it’s probably time to write him off for the most part.

It started with Scott receiving the opening kickoff and pounding Cedric Benson through the suspect Houston front line for a few first downs. I was able to hold them to punt and then let the onslaught begin. It wasn’t so much a beatdown in the first quarter, though, ending with a 7-0 score in my favor.

Benson saw a lot of video game work, too

The second quarter was when my offense rose to the occasion, only after my defense – my linebackers, in particular – picked off two Carson Palmer passes. Cover 2 sink zone defense saved me when Scott made over-the-middle throws into zone coverage and paid the price.

With the score being 28-0 following my 21-point explosion in the second stanza of the game, I weakened by allowing Engel to find the end zone just before the half.

Scott’s Bengals regularly enjoyed quality field position thanks to my porous kickoff coverage and Bernard Scott’s elusive return abilities. He even returned one to the house! His 250 return yards allowed his offense to work with a short field much of the day.

The second half featured a lot of Scott’s offense, and he managed 21 total points by the start of the fourth quarter. Entering the final quadrant of the game, I led 35-21. While I had a mild amount of concern brewing, he was able to hold my offense to punt just one time. I couldn’t muster a pass rush, and he was able to pick me apart as my defense tired.

Why can't Slaton do that in REAL LIFE?

Steve Slaton was my MVP, racking up 167 offensive yards and two touchdowns on the day. Matt Schaub found the end zone three times via the pass, and Andre Johnson’s 4-97-1 stat line paced my wideouts.

Up 45-27 after Scott missed the two-point conversion, rather than going for it on fourth-and-three, I opted for what is a long kick by my Madden 10 standards. Distance field goals are as tough on this game as they are in real life, and the elements matter greatly. With a slight breeze at his back, Kris Brown booted a 43-yarder to cap off my final possession.

Scott was a fun opponent and made it competitive down the stretch. He persevered after facing what seemed like an insurmountable lead to make it close as the game clock waned in the second half. I look forward to playing him again, and this time I expect a much closer outcome.

My 3-2 record hopes to improve heading into rematches with Adam Sticha and Brandon Coughlin this week – two of my three fallen Madden foes.

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