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Redskins primed to shine vs. Niners
Whether you're a fantasy football fanatic or just starting out, USA TODAY wants to help you manage a championship team. Nate Davis and Howard P. Kamen of USATODAY.com return with suggestions to get your team ready for Week 7, including survivor pool picks.
WEEK 7 TIPS
Projected fantasy studs
Edgerrin James: The only thing that should limit his numbers vs. the woeful Texans is if the Colts are so far ahead that James sits out the second half.
Donovan McNabb: The best place to attack the Chargers is through the air and that's exactly what the currently immobile McNabb is best at doing right now.
Santana Moss: No secondary has put the clamps on Moss yet and no secondary is as bad as the Niners'.
Redskins defense: Look for this bunch to make Alex Smith's second start as ugly as his first.
Brett Favre: If Kyle Orton can be effective vs. the distracted and discombobulated Vikes, Favre should be spectacular coming off a bye week.
Projected fantasy duds
Carson Palmer: Could come crashing back to earth this week as ex-Bengals coach and current Pittsburgh defensive coordinator **** LeBeau is sure to have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Brandon Lloyd: Could be a while before Alex Smith is an effective passer which could render Lloyd a non-factor for weeks.
Jamal Lewis: Facing the Bears is not the recommended recipe for getting his season on track.
Thomas Jones: Even if he's still playing on one leg, the Ravens would rather see Kyle Orton try to beat them.
Domanick Davis: Colts defense is vastly improved and Davis' opportunities could be few and far between if projected blowout game takes shape.
Projected fantasy sleepers
Browns defense: Romeo Crennel's crew should have an advantage at home playing vs. a Lions offense that could be breaking in a new signal-caller.
Jason Witten: Has chance to exploit a Seattle secondary that will miss safety Ken Hamlin.
Kelly Holcomb: Here's an opportunity to add to his win total and statistically assert himself in Oakland.
Ashley Lelie: A breakout game may finally be on tap for the struggling Broncos receiver against a Giants team susceptible to the pass.
Marcel Shipp: Could be the forgotten man as the Titans gear up to stop an Arizona passing attack that's been devastating in its past two appearances.
Waiver wire wonders
Jeff Garcia: Don't look now, but Garcia has recovered from his preseason ankle injury and took half the snaps in Wednesday's practice. Is the inevitable benching of Joey Harrington coming this weekend?
Jamie Martin: Showed flashes vs. the Colts while filling in for the injured Marc Bulger and faces a Saints Pass Defense this weekend that can be exploited. Might be worth a flyer as a bye-week sub as Bulger will reportedly miss two games.
Chris Simms: Can Phil's son stick under center this time in the wake of Brian Griese's season-ending knee injury? He should get first crack at the job, though the Bucs, on bye this Sunday, have two weeks to get the newly acquired Tim Rattay ready.
Greg Jones: Hopefully Fred Taylor owners that mistakenly still have LaBrandon Toefield on their benches took notice of Jones' fill-in performance vs. Pittsburgh last week.
Titans WRs: Who will step up now that Drew Bennett must sit with a dislocated thumb? Brandon Jones is the best bet, but Tyrone Calico should have a larger role, too.
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In case you missed it
This week's byes: Panthers, Jaguars, Patriots, Bucs
QBs: Ben Roethlisberger, who sat out the Steelers' loss to Jacksonville with a knee injury, is expected to start Sunday in Cincinnati. … The Bucs acquired Tim Rattay from the Niners to back up new starter Chris Simms. Don't be surprised if third-stringer Luke McCown moves up to the No. 2 job until Rattay learns Jon Gruden's system. Meanwhile, Ken Dorsey becomes Alex Smith's immediate backup in San Francisco. … In another deadline-day deal, San Diego picked up A.J. Feeley from the Dolphins, likely signaling that the Chargers will be shopping Drew Brees or Philip Rivers in the offseason. … There's no longer any debate in Buffalo. After leading the Bills to consecutive victories, coach Mike Mularkey named Kelly Holcomb the permanent starter.
RBs: Atlanta's T.J. Duckett suffered a sprained ankle on the first of his two carries against the Saints. He's in a protective boot and considered day-to-day. … The Broncos' Tatum Bell is averaging nearly seven yards per carry and already has six runs of over 20 yards. … In his return from a four-game suspension, Miami's Ricky Williams had just eight yards on five carries. … The Colts' Dominic Rhodes scored for the second consecutive week and is a must-have for all Edgerrin James owners. …Antowain Smith (12 carries for 88 yards) and Aaron Stecker (16-86) split carries very effectively in the Saints first game without Deuce McAllister. But it was Smith who found the end zone twice against Atlanta. …Patrick Pass totaled 153 yards and a TD in place of the injured Corey Dillon. Pass remains a wise pickup for Dillon owners.
WRs: Dough Gabriel will move into the Raiders starting lineup if Randy Moss (groin, pelvic bruise) is unable to play. … The Redskins' Santana Moss is averaging over 19 yards per grab and trails only Torry Holt— who has played one more game — in total receiving yards. … In the two weeks that Joe Horn has been hurt, the Saints' Az Hakim has 11 catches for 193 yards. …Peerless Price becomes the No. 3 receiver in Dallas thanks to an ankle injury that will keep Patrick Crayton sidelined for at least a month.
TEs: With Hines Ward sidelined by a hamstring injury, Heath Miller led the Steelers in receiving last week with 72 yards. He's also scored in back-to-back games. … After a slow start, Baltimore's Todd Heap also has TDs in two consecutive games. … It was another disappointing week for Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, who has only 18 receptions on the season and has yet to find the end zone. … The Saints' Ernie Conwell snared nine balls over the first three weeks of the season, but has just four catches for 29 yards since. … The Vikings' Jermaine Wiggins has 19 catches the last three weeks.
Ks: San Diego's Nate Kaeding has at least nine points in four consecutive games. … The Cowboys' inability to get into the end zone has benefited Jose Cortez, who has nine field goals and 32 points in the last three games.
Defenses: With a plus-16 mark, the Bengals are nearly doubling the second-place team (Giants) in turnover margin. The Saints are at the bottom of the list at minus-11. … Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed could be out of the Ravens lineup for a month with a dreaded high ankle sprain. … Dolphins Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor (foot) was on crutches early in the week and is questionable for Sunday's game vs. Kansas City. … It gets worse for the woeful Texans: LB Kailee Wong is out for the year with a knee injury.
I Will Survive!
Cincinnati and Carolina definitely dodged bullets with Week 6 comeback wins. But can you imagine the Survivor Pool damage if St. Louis had held on to beat Indianapolis? In the USA TODAY pool, for example, nearly 50% of the remaining players were banking on the Colts. Anyone else turn on the game with the Rams up 17-0 wondering if the score was mistakenly reversed?
This week, there are three teams — the Colts, Redskins and Falcons — that should be considered. We'll pass on the New York Jets-Atlanta game just in case Vinny Testaverde has one last Monday Night Football miracle up his sleeve.
Touchdown: Colts
Remember the No. 1 Survivor Pool rule: Don't outsmart yourself. Taking undefeated Indianapolis against winless Houston is the obvious choice this week. So make sure you stick to the script. And just in case you need any reassurance, flash back to last Sunday night when the Texans allowed five rushing TDs and 42 points to Seattle. Can you say, "Deja vu all over again?"
Field goal: Redskins
Mr. Smith goes to Washington this week, but don't expect a happy ending for the Niners rookie QB. After back-to-back near misses on the road, the suddenly revitalized Redskins return home and will be ready to pounce on a San Francisco team that sports the NFL's worst defense, 31st-ranked offense and has lost 16 of 18 away from the Bay Area. If you're ever going to take Washington in your pool, this is the week to do it.
Hail Mary: Dolphins
Looking to go off the board with your Week 7 pick? Try swimming with the Dolphins against Kansas City. The home team has won eight in a row in the series and the Chiefs are 0-for-their-last-6 in Miami. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are riding a four-game home win streak and have the run defense to keep Priest Holmes & Co. under wraps — especially if the Chiefs' rhythm is off due to the game's hastily rescheduled Friday night start due to Hurricane Wilma's approach.
Punt: Rams
Ordinarily, we'd be quick to jump on St. Louis at home against the snake-bitten Saints. However, Marc Bulger's shoulder injury, coupled with the potential for an emotional letdown after Monday night's loss at Indy, gives us reason to pause. The numbers indicate a high-scoring, turnover-filled game is on the way. And with the inconsistent Rams, that's often a recipe for disaster.
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This article is taken from USA Today.... I'm looking further into the IR, etc., for staying on top of my weekly Inside the NFL picks.... Figured you guys wouldn't mind havin' it in a convenient place. IPBprez
Whether you're a fantasy football fanatic or just starting out, USA TODAY wants to help you manage a championship team. Nate Davis and Howard P. Kamen of USATODAY.com return with suggestions to get your team ready for Week 7, including survivor pool picks.
WEEK 7 TIPS
Projected fantasy studs
Edgerrin James: The only thing that should limit his numbers vs. the woeful Texans is if the Colts are so far ahead that James sits out the second half.
Donovan McNabb: The best place to attack the Chargers is through the air and that's exactly what the currently immobile McNabb is best at doing right now.
Santana Moss: No secondary has put the clamps on Moss yet and no secondary is as bad as the Niners'.
Redskins defense: Look for this bunch to make Alex Smith's second start as ugly as his first.
Brett Favre: If Kyle Orton can be effective vs. the distracted and discombobulated Vikes, Favre should be spectacular coming off a bye week.
Projected fantasy duds
Carson Palmer: Could come crashing back to earth this week as ex-Bengals coach and current Pittsburgh defensive coordinator **** LeBeau is sure to have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Brandon Lloyd: Could be a while before Alex Smith is an effective passer which could render Lloyd a non-factor for weeks.
Jamal Lewis: Facing the Bears is not the recommended recipe for getting his season on track.
Thomas Jones: Even if he's still playing on one leg, the Ravens would rather see Kyle Orton try to beat them.
Domanick Davis: Colts defense is vastly improved and Davis' opportunities could be few and far between if projected blowout game takes shape.
Projected fantasy sleepers
Browns defense: Romeo Crennel's crew should have an advantage at home playing vs. a Lions offense that could be breaking in a new signal-caller.
Jason Witten: Has chance to exploit a Seattle secondary that will miss safety Ken Hamlin.
Kelly Holcomb: Here's an opportunity to add to his win total and statistically assert himself in Oakland.
Ashley Lelie: A breakout game may finally be on tap for the struggling Broncos receiver against a Giants team susceptible to the pass.
Marcel Shipp: Could be the forgotten man as the Titans gear up to stop an Arizona passing attack that's been devastating in its past two appearances.
Waiver wire wonders
Jeff Garcia: Don't look now, but Garcia has recovered from his preseason ankle injury and took half the snaps in Wednesday's practice. Is the inevitable benching of Joey Harrington coming this weekend?
Jamie Martin: Showed flashes vs. the Colts while filling in for the injured Marc Bulger and faces a Saints Pass Defense this weekend that can be exploited. Might be worth a flyer as a bye-week sub as Bulger will reportedly miss two games.
Chris Simms: Can Phil's son stick under center this time in the wake of Brian Griese's season-ending knee injury? He should get first crack at the job, though the Bucs, on bye this Sunday, have two weeks to get the newly acquired Tim Rattay ready.
Greg Jones: Hopefully Fred Taylor owners that mistakenly still have LaBrandon Toefield on their benches took notice of Jones' fill-in performance vs. Pittsburgh last week.
Titans WRs: Who will step up now that Drew Bennett must sit with a dislocated thumb? Brandon Jones is the best bet, but Tyrone Calico should have a larger role, too.
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In case you missed it
This week's byes: Panthers, Jaguars, Patriots, Bucs
QBs: Ben Roethlisberger, who sat out the Steelers' loss to Jacksonville with a knee injury, is expected to start Sunday in Cincinnati. … The Bucs acquired Tim Rattay from the Niners to back up new starter Chris Simms. Don't be surprised if third-stringer Luke McCown moves up to the No. 2 job until Rattay learns Jon Gruden's system. Meanwhile, Ken Dorsey becomes Alex Smith's immediate backup in San Francisco. … In another deadline-day deal, San Diego picked up A.J. Feeley from the Dolphins, likely signaling that the Chargers will be shopping Drew Brees or Philip Rivers in the offseason. … There's no longer any debate in Buffalo. After leading the Bills to consecutive victories, coach Mike Mularkey named Kelly Holcomb the permanent starter.
RBs: Atlanta's T.J. Duckett suffered a sprained ankle on the first of his two carries against the Saints. He's in a protective boot and considered day-to-day. … The Broncos' Tatum Bell is averaging nearly seven yards per carry and already has six runs of over 20 yards. … In his return from a four-game suspension, Miami's Ricky Williams had just eight yards on five carries. … The Colts' Dominic Rhodes scored for the second consecutive week and is a must-have for all Edgerrin James owners. …Antowain Smith (12 carries for 88 yards) and Aaron Stecker (16-86) split carries very effectively in the Saints first game without Deuce McAllister. But it was Smith who found the end zone twice against Atlanta. …Patrick Pass totaled 153 yards and a TD in place of the injured Corey Dillon. Pass remains a wise pickup for Dillon owners.
WRs: Dough Gabriel will move into the Raiders starting lineup if Randy Moss (groin, pelvic bruise) is unable to play. … The Redskins' Santana Moss is averaging over 19 yards per grab and trails only Torry Holt— who has played one more game — in total receiving yards. … In the two weeks that Joe Horn has been hurt, the Saints' Az Hakim has 11 catches for 193 yards. …Peerless Price becomes the No. 3 receiver in Dallas thanks to an ankle injury that will keep Patrick Crayton sidelined for at least a month.
TEs: With Hines Ward sidelined by a hamstring injury, Heath Miller led the Steelers in receiving last week with 72 yards. He's also scored in back-to-back games. … After a slow start, Baltimore's Todd Heap also has TDs in two consecutive games. … It was another disappointing week for Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, who has only 18 receptions on the season and has yet to find the end zone. … The Saints' Ernie Conwell snared nine balls over the first three weeks of the season, but has just four catches for 29 yards since. … The Vikings' Jermaine Wiggins has 19 catches the last three weeks.
Ks: San Diego's Nate Kaeding has at least nine points in four consecutive games. … The Cowboys' inability to get into the end zone has benefited Jose Cortez, who has nine field goals and 32 points in the last three games.
Defenses: With a plus-16 mark, the Bengals are nearly doubling the second-place team (Giants) in turnover margin. The Saints are at the bottom of the list at minus-11. … Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed could be out of the Ravens lineup for a month with a dreaded high ankle sprain. … Dolphins Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor (foot) was on crutches early in the week and is questionable for Sunday's game vs. Kansas City. … It gets worse for the woeful Texans: LB Kailee Wong is out for the year with a knee injury.
I Will Survive!
Cincinnati and Carolina definitely dodged bullets with Week 6 comeback wins. But can you imagine the Survivor Pool damage if St. Louis had held on to beat Indianapolis? In the USA TODAY pool, for example, nearly 50% of the remaining players were banking on the Colts. Anyone else turn on the game with the Rams up 17-0 wondering if the score was mistakenly reversed?
This week, there are three teams — the Colts, Redskins and Falcons — that should be considered. We'll pass on the New York Jets-Atlanta game just in case Vinny Testaverde has one last Monday Night Football miracle up his sleeve.
Touchdown: Colts
Remember the No. 1 Survivor Pool rule: Don't outsmart yourself. Taking undefeated Indianapolis against winless Houston is the obvious choice this week. So make sure you stick to the script. And just in case you need any reassurance, flash back to last Sunday night when the Texans allowed five rushing TDs and 42 points to Seattle. Can you say, "Deja vu all over again?"
Field goal: Redskins
Mr. Smith goes to Washington this week, but don't expect a happy ending for the Niners rookie QB. After back-to-back near misses on the road, the suddenly revitalized Redskins return home and will be ready to pounce on a San Francisco team that sports the NFL's worst defense, 31st-ranked offense and has lost 16 of 18 away from the Bay Area. If you're ever going to take Washington in your pool, this is the week to do it.
Hail Mary: Dolphins
Looking to go off the board with your Week 7 pick? Try swimming with the Dolphins against Kansas City. The home team has won eight in a row in the series and the Chiefs are 0-for-their-last-6 in Miami. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are riding a four-game home win streak and have the run defense to keep Priest Holmes & Co. under wraps — especially if the Chiefs' rhythm is off due to the game's hastily rescheduled Friday night start due to Hurricane Wilma's approach.
Punt: Rams
Ordinarily, we'd be quick to jump on St. Louis at home against the snake-bitten Saints. However, Marc Bulger's shoulder injury, coupled with the potential for an emotional letdown after Monday night's loss at Indy, gives us reason to pause. The numbers indicate a high-scoring, turnover-filled game is on the way. And with the inconsistent Rams, that's often a recipe for disaster.
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This article is taken from USA Today.... I'm looking further into the IR, etc., for staying on top of my weekly Inside the NFL picks.... Figured you guys wouldn't mind havin' it in a convenient place. IPBprez
