#ThumbsUp!
Matthew Stafford (QB, Detroit Lions) – Stafford was seen limping around at the end of last week’s loss to the Falcons, raising the inevitable talks about his injury history. Well, he was back in practice this week and should be good to go as the Lions take on the Broncos. Denver has been very easy to pass on this season, so Stafford should be able to distribute the ball at will.
Matt Hasselbeck (QB, Tennessee Titans) – If you need a bye-week replacement for a guy like Aaron Rodgers, look no further than Hasselbeck. He’s had two terrible games in a row, but they came against Pittsburgh and Houston, two relatively good defenses. After Drew Brees hung a five touchdown, four incompletion game against Indianapolis last week, you have to think Hasselbeck will be licking his chops on Sunday.
Chris Johnson (RB, Tennessee Titans) – He certainly hasn’t lived up to his new contract yet this year, but Johnson should get back on track this week against Indianapolis. This is the same Colts team that allowed three Saints running backs to top 95 total yards last Sunday, so Johnson should be able to do just about whatever he wants. If he puts up another poor batch of numbers against this beatable defense then it’s time to admit something is seriously wrong with CJ.
Pierre Thomas (RB, New Orleans Saints) – Mark Ingram has already been ruled out for this week, so PT Cruiser should get a larger chunk of the Saints carries. He had over 100 yards last week in Indianapolis and he’s more of a conventional running back than Darren Sproles. Look for somewhere around 20 touches this week for Thomas, which should be good for a lot of yards as the Saints take on the hapless Rams.
Vincent Jackson (WR, San Diego Chargers) – He’s an elite talent at wide receiver, but his fantasy value has been shackled to Philip Rivers’ sinking ship all year. The good news for Jackson is that the Chiefs have given up the third most touchdowns to opposing receivers, so he should find the end zone for at least one score.
Jabar Gaffney (WR, Washington Redskins) – Redskins number one receiver Santana Moss is out for the next five to seven weeks, and someone is going to have to fill his shoes. Washington should be losing this week against the Bills, so they will be forced to let John Beck sling the ball around. The only other receiving threat on the team is tight end Fred Davis. Look for both players to have solid days.
Jake Ballard (TE, New York Giants) – If you’re in a pinch at tight end this week, why not give Ballard a shot? He’s scored more than eight fantasy points in each of his past three games and Giants quarterback Eli Manning has showed a connection with his tight ends before (remember Jeremy Shockey and Kevin Boss?). I could see Ballard becoming a household name for fantasy players by the end of the year. Look for Ballard to feast off of the weak Miami Dolphins’ secondary.
San Francisco 49ers defense – The Niners have the second highest fantasy points per game for team defenses. This week they get a tasty matchup against Colt McCoy and the Cleveland Browns. The Browns’ offense matched the Seahawks’ last week in one of the worst games ever played (the final score was 6-3, Cleveland), and San Francisco should take full advantage in week eight.
#ThumbsDown
Matt Schaub (QB, Houston Texans) – We saw what Jacksonville’s defense is capable of last week against Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. Andre Johnson has already been ruled out for his fourth straight game. The Texans will have to rely heavily on Arian Foster and the running game again, meaning another mediocre fantasy day for Schaub.
LeSean McCoy (RB, Philadelphia Eagles) – McCoy and the rest of the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys and their first-ranked run defense in this weeks Sunday night matchup. While Michael Vick might scramble for big gains, I don’t anticipate many rushing yards for McCoy in this NFC East showdown.
DeSean Jackson (WR, Philadelphia Eagles) – Jackson has been limited to under 50 yards in three of the Eagles’ six games this year, most likely as a result of teams large respect of his long play potential. He has quite the history of big plays in nationally televised games, but his numbers will be relatively modest after the Cowboys had their bye week to prepare for him.