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Last week showed why they play the game and we also saw some key injuries. This week seems safe on the surface with a few surprises that could be possible. Almost all the home teams are favored except Oakland and Minnesota. Expect a couple of upsets straight away (Colts over Broncos) and some winners against the spread (St. Louis @ San Diego)....anyway on to the point of the article - who to start and who to bench in week 8.
Bye Week Check: Buffalo, Detroit, Miami, Washington
Baltimore @ New Orleans
This will be a low scoring game and mistakes will tell the tale. New Orleans is favored and I may be a fool to think they will lose at home this year, but with the Baltimore team in need of a stop to their losing skid the defense will rise to the occasion. New Orleans will have trouble rushing the ball and throwing will be difficult as well. Baltimore will have issues on offense as well, but that is due to their inept play, this week will show whether Fassel was holding them back.
Start ‘em – Balt. D., T. Heap, D. Mason, S. McNair, M. Stover, D. McAllister, M. Colston
Bench ‘em – D. Brees, R. Bush, J. Horn, M. Clayton
Seattle @ Kansas City
This is the game that will put the Chiefs back in the spotlight. Seattle was not playing good all season and now they are without RB, Shaun Alexander and QB, Matt Hasselbeck. The Chiefs are 5 games in with backup Damon Huard at QB and he has shown the ability to get it done, but this team goes as Larry Johnson goes. Think of what seattle gave up to Chester Taylor last week. This is the beginning of the end for the Hawks.
Start ‘em – L. Johnson, T. Gonzalez, D. Jackson, Chiefs D.
Bench ‘em – S. Wallace, M. Morris, D. Branch, N. Burleson, S. Parker, E. Kennison
Arizona @ Green Bay
Green Bay is favored in this game by 3.5. They are fresh off a victory in Miami and come home again to see if they can get 2 in a row. Arizona came out flat last week against the Raiders after almost beating the Bears on the previous Monday night. Leinart showed he was a rookie last week, but against a weak secondary in Green Bay he should be OK. This should be a similar game to the Miami / Green Bay game with fantasy scoring on both sides.
Start ‘em – D. Driver, G. Jennings, B. Favre, A. Green, A. Boldin, B. Johnson, M. Leinart
Bench ‘em – B. Franks, D. Martin
Marginal – E. James
 
Atlanta @ Cincinnati
This is a measuring stick game for both clubs. For Atlanta it is about getting up for a road game after a big OT win at home and for Cincinnati it is about re-establishing themselves as a playoff contender. The Bengal D will struggle with the run of the Falcons, so the best thing for them to do is to get back to the old way of scoring early and often and seeing if Michael Vick and be a passer 2 weeks in a row. Atlanta passed a lot last week but will try to get back to the safety of the run and control the clock to keep the Bengal offense off the field. This game should provide plenty of fantasy opportunity to go around.
Start ‘em – M. Vick, W. Dunn, A. Crumpler, C. Palmer, T. J. Houshmandzadeh, C. Johnson
Bench ‘em – R. Johnson, A. Lelie, M. Jenkins
San Francisco @ Chicago
Almost embarrassed on Monday Night a week ago and a bye week to address issues it will be interesting to see what team comes out to play. We think that with 2 weeks to plan for San Francisco, the Bears will not underestimate another opponent again. San Fran will have a hard time running the ball, but with safety Mike Brown out there is opportunity for Alex Smith to get the ball to Bryant if given time. Grossman and the Bears offense should be able to use this game to get healthy again. Expect a large dose of running the ball accented by play-action passes to Berrian and Clark.
Start ‘em – Bears D., T. Jones, B. Berrian, D. Clark, R. Grossman, A. Bryant, E. Johnson
Bench ‘em – F. Gore, C. Benson
Marginal – A. Smith, M. Muhammed
Houston @ Tennessee
Houston took it to Jacksonville last week and won convincingly. I do not think Kubiak or the Texans team is thinking so highly of themselves to take the Titans for granted. The Titans are actually favored in this contest by a field goal. After beating the Redskins and going on a bye, the Titans will come out running hard with Travis Henry. Houston will not be able to run effectively this week and will have to go to the air to have a chance.
Start ‘em – D. Carr, A. Johnson, T. Henry, B. Scaife, V. Young
Bench ‘em – D. Bennett, D. Givens, E. Moulds, W. Lundy
Jacksonville @ Philadelphia
Philadelphia is favored in this game and I don’t know why – it is a must win for both teams. Both have been able to beat good teams and both have lost miserably to bad teams. This is a statement game for both teams, so expect them both to come out with guns blazing. Philly will throw and the Jags will run with the two headed monster of Taylor and Drew. McNabb is the fantasy MVP so far and he should still put up good numbers no matter what. Leftwich is ailing.
Start ‘em – D. McNabb, B. Westbrook, D. Stallworth (if Playing), R. Brown, R. Williams, F. Taylor, M. Jones-Drew
Bench ‘em – H. Baskett, G. Lewis, C. Buckhalter, B. Leftwich, E. Wilford
Marginal – L. J. Smith, M. Jones (if he plays)
Tampa Bay @ N. Y. Giants
Fresh off a Monday night trouncing of the Cowboys the Giants get a break and they will not repeat the collapse of NFC East Rival Philadelphia against the Bucs. Giants run defense is better than Philly’s and the pass defense will be enough for Gradkowski. Tiki Barber will get it done on defense and there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for the Giants offense. The Giants are favored by 9 points in this one – I think I would take them to cover that.
Start ‘em – E. Manning, T. Barber, J. Shockey, P. Burress, B. Jacobs, A. Toomer
Bench ‘em – B. Gradkowski, C. Williams, M. Clayton, J.Galloway, A. Smith
St. Louis @ San Diego
San Diego is favored by a wide margin in this game and I just can’t see why. The Rams can score a lot of points so the 10 point spread is confusing. Merriman will get a stay of suspension for a couple of games at least so that is not a big factor. Rivers will be effective and the Charger offense is tough to keep down. Holt and Bulger are showing a magic this season that is special and Steven Jackson has been running well. I think this will be a close game and that taking the Rams to cover would be a good bet.
Start ‘em – L. Tomlinson, A. Gates, P. Rivers, T. Holt, S. Jackson, M. Bulger
Bench ‘em – K. McCardell, K. Curtis, J. Klopfenstein
Marginal – I. Bruce, V. Jackson, E. Parker
Pittsburgh @ Oakland
Pittsburgh had a tough loss last week and could catch a break this week facing a poor Oakland team to get back on track. Hines Ward lit up Atlanta and should have a decent game again this week. Willie Parker is the wild card here- as he never seemed to get it going last week. Oakland should have trouble running the ball, but the threat of Moss getting a pass or two is not out of the question if he decides to play this week. The Steelers gave up a lot to the TE position last week and thankfully they have no threat in that department in this game. They are currently listed as a 9 point favorite and I like that if Roethlisberger plays, maybe even with Batch playing. All of Pittsburgh’s division mates are playing in tough games and this could help move the Steelers up a couple of Steps with a win.
Start ‘em – H. Ward, N. Washington, W. Parker, B. Roethlisberger/C. Batch
Bench ‘em – A. Walters, L. Jordan, R. Curry
Marginal – R. Moss
Indianapolis @ Denver
Denver has the home field and a good defense, but they have played offenses like St. Louis, KC (1st week without Green), New England, Baltimore, Oakland and Cleveland. This is the first game against an offensive powerhouse. St. Louis was able to beat them. If the Colts get rolling then it will be hard for the Bronco’s to get into a shooting match. The Broncos want to give a big dose of Bell and control the game to keep the Indy offense off the field. This is the game of the week and Denver is favored by a field goal, but Indy should feel disrespected being an undefeated squad. This may not be a high scoring game, but this is exactly the kind of game Indy needs to win on its quest to the Super Bowl.
Start ‘em – P. Manning, M. Harrison, R. Wayne, D. Clark, J. Walker, T. Bell
Bench ‘em – D. Rhodes
Marginal – J. Addai, B. Utecht, J. Plummer, R. Smith
N.Y. Jets @ Cleveland
The Jets seem to have found some stability at the RB position with Leon Washington. Cleveland is desperate to get another win. This is a chance again for them at home to get that win. Cleveland should be able to move the ball in the air and have some success running, but the Jets are more balanced now and should have the big play opportunity if Coles hand is feeling better. Tough one to call here.
Start ‘em – K. Winslow, B. Edwards, J. Jurevicius, C. Frye, L. Washington, L. Coles, J. Cotchery, C. Pennington
Bench ‘em – J. Jurevicius
Dallas @ Carolina
Big game for both teams coming off of big losses. Carolina finally lost its first one with Steve Smith this year and Dallas could not get a win at home on Monday night versus a division rival. If Romo starts, Jon Fox will put in some wrinkles to get into his head and give the Carolina D an advantage. Foster needs to get the ground game going in this one to give Carolina a chance to provide some big plays to Steve Smith.
Start ‘em – T. Owens, T. Glenn, S. Smith, K. Johnson, J. Delhomme
Bench ‘em – M. Barber, J. Witten, D. Foster
Marginal – T. Romo, J. Jones
 
New England @ Minnesota
If Minnesota can pull this one out they will be ready to place their claim in on a playoff spot in the near future, if not they will have to struggle to get one. The Vikings seem to be flying under the radar, but after the pummeling of the Seahawks last week people will have to respect them. New England is the engine that does and does. It does not matter who is in the lineup as long as Tom Brady is the QB, he makes it go and he gets the job done and now they have 2 running backs doing well.
Start ‘em – T. Brady, B. Watson, C. Dillon, L. Maroney, C. Taylor, T. Taylor
Bench ‘em – D. Gabriel, R. Caldwell, T. Williamson
Marginal – M. Robinson
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