Welcome Matt

Bye weeks can be tricky. Breakouts happen when we least expect it with no forewarning. Detroit Lions (3-4) quarterback Matthew Stafford certainly picked an opportuned time to have his breakout performance. The Georgia Bulldog-turned-Lion picked the Seahawk defensive unit apart with 352 yards and four total touchdowns en route to a 28-24 victory at Ford Field on Sunday. Stafford earned top dog (or Lion) status for week eight. Now on to sunny Jacksonville.
Let week nine be a treat for us all.

Byes: New England, NY Jets, San Francisco, St. Louis

 

 

 

QB
Josh Freeman (TB @ Oak)
Matt Moore (Mia @ Ind)
Russell Wilson (Sea vs Min)
RB
Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl vs Dal)
LeRod Stephens-Howling (Ari @ GB)
Rashard Jennings (Jac vs Det)
WR
Brandon LaFell (Car @ Was)
Brandon Stokley (Den @ Cin)
Mike Thomas (Det @ Jac)
TE
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Buf)
Dallas Clark (TB @ Oak)
Heath Miller (Pit @ NYG)
DEF

Detroit @ Jac
Miami @ Ind
San Diego vs KC

QB
Jay Cutler (Chi @ Ten)
Joe Flacco (Bal @ Cle)
RB
Michael Turner (Atl vs Dal)
Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG vs Pit)
WR
Dez Bryant (Dal @ Atl)
Dwayne Bowe (KC @ SD)
TE
Dennis Pitta (Bal @ Cle)
Martellus Bennett (NYG vs Pit)
DEF
Atlanta vs Dal
Arizona @ GB

Drew Arms

A week seven road game.
Out of the huddle, the scenario is first and ten on the Buc's 20-yard line with 0:21 left before halftime. The look is of shotgun formation. One running back is to the left of the would-be passer. On the strong side near the line of scrimmage is a wide out, a slot receiver and tight end. There is one receiver on the left side of the formation as well, hugging the line.
 On the snap, the quarterback puts the ball in the belly of the half back then quickly pulls it out. He hits the tight end down the seam for a touchdown, which is Saints quarterback Drew Brees' fourth of the half.
The 6' 0" (maybe) signal-caller ended the game with 377 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 35-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Byes: Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston

QB
Carson Palmer (Oak @ KC)
Chad Henne (Jac @ GB)
Matt Hasselbeck (Ten vs Ind)
RB
Phillip Tanner (Dal vs NYG)
Brandon Bolden (NE vs StL in London)
Jonathan Dwyer (Pit vs Was)
WR
Josh Gordon (Cle vs SD)
Kendall Wright (Ten vs Ind)
Andre Roberts (Ari vs SF)
TE
Dustin Keller (NYJ vs Mia)
Brent Celek (Phi vs Atl)
Brandon Myers (Oak @ KC)
DEF

Arizona vs SF
New England vs StL in London
Green Bay vs Jac

 

QB

Matthew Stafford (Det vs Sea)

Mark Sanchez (NYJ vs Mia)

RB

Steven Jackson (StL vs NE in London)

Shonn Green (NYJ vs Mia)

WR

Vincent Jackson (TB @ Min)

Michael Crabtree (SF @ Ari)

TE

Aaron Hernandez (NE vs StL in London)

Jermichael Finley (GB vs Jac)

DEF

Denver vs NO

Atlanta @ Phi

TD Packer

While some pack lunches for beloved children and spouses and others pack suitcases and duffel bags, a select few packed their respective psyches with hopes of winning last week against those who had Aaron Rodgers on their Fantasy rosters. Rodgers just packed touchdowns on Monday night in Houston. Six to be exact. The Cal Bear added seventeen rushing to 338 passing yards without an interception on his way to  a 42-24 victory, handing the Texans their first loss of the season.  The Green Bay Packers (3-3) finish their three-game road trip at St. Louis (3-3) on Sunday afternoon. Pack light, perhaps.

Byes: Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego

QB
Matt Hasselbeck (Ten @ Buf) Hasselbeck will be on the road in a potential shootout between two teams that rank in the bottom half on the league in pass defense.
John Skelton (Ari @ Min) Although Skelton will be facing a top ten pass defense on the road, there is something enigmatic about the Forham graduate--wide receiver #11.
Carson Palmer (Oak vs Jac) The Former #1 pick had the 4th most passing-yard performance in Atlanta last week. He's at home with a struggling D-Mac against the Jags, who allow 261 passing ypg (23rd).
RB
Chris Johnson (Ten @ Buf) After this week CJ will no longer be a sleeper, running against the worst run defense in the NFL (173.5 ypg) with so many running backs on bye.
Daryl Richardson (StL vs GB) The rookie from Abilene Christian is nearly at a 50% timeshare with aging, hobbled Steven Jackson.
Felix Jones (Dal @ Car) With starter DeMarco Murray out with injury, Jones should get plenty of touches against a Panther defense that allows 127.4 rushing yards per contest.
WR
Devery Henderson (NO @ TB) Two reasons: The Saints have quite a few injuries at receiver and tight end. The Bucs are 31st of 32 teams in receiving defense through six games.
James Jones (GB @ STL) As long as Greg Jennings has a nagging groin injury, Jones should get plenty of targets. Jones scored twice Monday night.
Brandon Gibson (StL vs GB) Danny Amendola is rumored to be back November 11 against San Francisco. Until then, Gibson is better than nothing.
TE
Kyle Rudolph (Min vs Ari) With 25 receptions, the Notre Dame alum has posted double-figure games five of six games with just as many touchdowns this season.
Heath Miller (Pit @ Cin) Miller is Big Ben's security blanket against a mid-grade Bengals defense (17th receiving ranking).
Greg Olsen (Car vs Dal) Olsen looks to be the most consistent alternative to Steve Smith as Cam Newton struggles in his second NFL season.
DEF

Oakland vs Jac
Dallas @ Car
Indianapolis vs Cle

QB
Joe Flacco (Bal @ Hou)
Jay Cutler (Chi vs Det)
RB
Steven Jackson (StL vs GB)
Marshawn Lynch (Sea @ SF)
WR
Steve Smith (Car vs Dal)
Stevie Johnson (Buf vs Ten)
TE
Jimmy Graham (NO @ TB)
Fred Davis (Was @ NYG)
DEF
Chicago vs Det
Baltimore @ Hou

Torched

Mostly everyone expected Green Bay to rumble into Lucas Oil Stadium and dismantle the Indianapolis Colts. Apparently, veteran receiver Reggie Wayne and his youthful cohorts knew otherwise. The former Miami Hurricane's 13-catch, 212-yard performance was paramount to the 30-27 victory over the sub par Packer defense Sunday afternoon in the dome. Wayne's career single-game output was capped off with a spectacular touchdown grab that put the Colts ahead with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter. His celebratory drink of choice -- Fountain of Youth juice.

Byes: Carolina, Chicago, Jacksonville, New Orleans

 

QB

Andy Dalton (Cin @ Cle) No sophomore jinx for the red bandit, especially playing against the 6th worst pass defense in the NFL.

Brady Quinn (KC @ TB) With Matt Cassel's status uncertain, Quinn or anyone who has seen the Bucs' secondary (worst pass defense in the NFL) on the field should have no trouble in Tampa.

Sam Bradford (StL @ Mia) Lining up across from the 27-ranked pass defense in the league should serve as an antibiotic for a struggling young quarterback.

RB

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Cin @ Cle) The law firm will certainly be Fantasy-worthy against the 26th-ranked defense versus the run, averaging 142.4 ypg.

LaRod Stephens-Howling (Ari vs Buf) Although the Cardinals haven't prove they can run block thus far, they're matching up against the 30th-ranked (171.8 rushing ypg) run defense.

Vick Ballard (Ind @ NYJ) Don't look for the rookie form Mississippi State to get 100 rushing yards, but he'll get plenty of carries against the second-worst run defense with Donald Brown hobbled with injury.

WR

Brandon Gibson (StL @ Mia) The Dolphins give up 300.6 receiving yards per game (30th). Gibson is pushed to WR depth chart forefront with Danny Amendola injured. Enough said.

Denarius Moore (Oak @ Atl) Oakland will be forced to pass on Sunday to attempt to catch up in the Georgia Dome. Moore should benefit.

Andre Roberts (Ari vs Buf) Roberts is averaging nearly 13 points per game in ppr leagues, playing against the 26th-ranked receiving defense.

TE

Heath Miller (Pit @ Ten) Miller is currently tied for the most touchdown catches in the NFL, so red zone looks go to him first.

Dennis Pitta (Bal vs Dal) Pitta should get plenty of looks down the middle against a top-ranked Cowboys defense against air attacks.

Fred Davis (Was vs Min) Davis has yet to score, but should be Fantasy-worthy with 20 receptions this season for those with tight ends on bye.

DEF

NY Jets vs Ind

Atlanta vs Oak

St. Louis @ Mia

 

 

 

QB

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Dal)

Josh Freeman (TB vs KC)

RB

Steven Jackson (Stl @ Mia)

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG @ SF)

WR

Anquan Boldin (Bal vs Dal)

Vincent Jackson (TB vs KC)

TE

Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ Cle)

Antonio Gates (SD vs Den)

DEF



Houston vs GB
Seattle vs NE

Cardio

Growth has little to do with age. Some grow while most merely get old, unfortunately.
 Sunday was truly a growth period for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline as he set a new franchise record with a 253-yard receiving mark during the 'Fins 24-21 loss to Arizona in overtime. The Ohio State Buckeye pulled in twelve catches, including an 80-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Week four was Hartline's to take, catapulting him to first place in the NFL with 455 receiving yards. The seed has been planted for the 6' 2", twenty-five year-old to blossom under Miami sun.
Next stop; Cincinnati.

Byes: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay

 

QB

Andrew Luck (Ind vs GB) Although the Packers are currently 6th vs the pass, Luck should accumulate plenty of meaningless stats in the second half on Sunday afternoon.

Matt Cassel (KC vs Bal) Don't be fooled. The Ravens rank 29th in the NFL, yielding 295.8 per game to quarterbacks in 2012.

Christian Ponder (Min vs Ten) The Titans' opposing quaterbacks have a 118.3 rating and have given up ten TD's through the air in the first four games. 

RB

Jackie Battle (SD @ NO) Perhaps the Saints will improve on their league-worst rush defense (186.8 ypg) Sunday night. Until then, Battle should fill in nicely for owners with running backs on bye.

Cedric Benson (GB @ Ind) Benson is averaging double figures per contest in ppr leagues and should get lots of carries in the RCA Dome on Sunday.

Chris Johnson (Ten @ Min) Many owners have given up on CJ2K, but he should have his second consecutive game worthy of starting.

WR

Domenik Hixon (NYG vs Cle) Hakeem Nicks is still nursing his foot, so Hixon is a perfect fit at home against a 28th ranked Cleveland defense, giving up nearly 300 yards receiving per game this season.

Brian Hartline (Mia @ Cin) Some remain skeptical even though Hartline leads the NFL in receiving and is facing a Bengals defensive unit that gives up 264.5 receiving yards per game. Play this kid.

Nate Washington (Ten @ Min) For some reason, Matt Hasselbeck loves Washington. The fact that the Vikings have already given up eleven passing plays over twenty yards is a bonus. 

TE

Owen Daniels (Hou @ NYJ) Daniels will have a Monday night to remember against the NFL's worst receiving defense.

Martellus Bennett (NYG vs Cle) Bennett has double-figure performances in three of the four games this season with just as many scores.

Greg Olsen (Car vs Sea) Seattle has a top ten defense against aerial attacks, but has yet to face a tight end of Olsen's speed and skill set. 

DEF

Chicago @ Jac

Minnesota vs Ten

NY Giants vs Cle

 

 

 

 

QB

Jay Cutler (Chi @ Jac)

Michael Vick (Phi @ Pit)

RB

Michael Turner (Atl @ Was)

DeAngelo Williams (Car vs Sea)

WR

Brandon Marshall (Chi @ Jac)

Stevie Johnson (Buf @ SF)

TE

Dennis Pitta (Bal @ KC)

Fred Davis (Was vs Atl)

DEF

Atlanta @ Was

Pittsbugh vs Phi