Elite (26-plus points)
1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
vs. Lions
Rodgers gets the pleasure of playing against the worst pass defense in the league. Two other reasons he's this high on the list are: A) Peyton Manning and the Colts are on bye; and B) Adrian Peterson doesn't have a good matchup.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
vs. Rams
MJD complained through the media about his lack of a role in the Jags' game plan against Seattle last week. He feels he should get the ball more and he's not alone in those sentiments. Expect the Jags to feed MJD constantly Sunday against a porous run defense.
3. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals
vs. Texans
Benson leads the league in the rushing after five weeks. That's right. Benson. Not Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner or any of the other guys we thought would be at the top of the list before the season started. Benson faces the league's worst run defense in the Texans Saturday. He's a must-play.
4. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
vs. Titans
Brady hasn't found a groove, but Tennessee's beat up secondary can fix that. Coming into the season, I felt like Tennessee had the best secondary in the league. Shows how quickly injuries can change the fortune of a team. QBs have completed more than 70 percent of their passes against the Titans.
Stellar (21-25 points)
5. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
vs. Ravens
The Ravens gave up 100 yards to a back for the first time in more than 30 games last week. That fact along with Peterson's weekly potential keeps him high on the list despite the tough matchup.
6. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
vs. Giants
The Giants have the second-best pass defense in the league, giving Brees a tough challenge. However, just like Peterson, his weekly potential is too high to drop him too far on this list.
7. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
vs. Browns
Mendenhall has proven over the past two weeks he's capable of carrying the rushing load for the Steelers. Cleveland's run defense is one of the worst, making Mendenhall a must in starting lineups.
8. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks
vs. Cardinals
Hasselbeck blew up last week after sitting out two games with injury. If he can play that well the rest of the season, then Seattle becomes the team to beat in the NFC West.
9. Donald Driver, WR, Packers
vs. Lions
The Packers are going to be focused on getting Driver the ball as he needs just one catch to pass Sterling Sharpe for the all-time team record in receptions.
10. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals
at Seahawks
Seattle's pass defense can be very suspect and Warner obviously has the ability to expose it.
Super (16-20 points)
11. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
vs. Browns
Big Ben is becoming an elite QB option. Cleveland makes anyone at least a super play on a weekly basis.
12. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons
vs. Bears
Turner finally had his breakout game this season, rushing for three TDs last week. Chicago's run defense has been solid, but not dominant like it once was.
13. Thomas Jones, RB, Jets
vs. Bills
The Bills are struggling to stop the run and Jones has proven to be great inside the 20 in the past two seasons. Two TDs should be expected this week.
14. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles
at Raiders
McNabb, like Hasselbeck, had a great welcome back part last week, finding a great chemistry with rookie WR Jeremy Maclin. By the way, Giants LB Antonio Pierce is right. Facing the Raiders is like going through a scrimmage.
15. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
at Bengals
The Bengals present a tougher challenge for Schaub than most actually realize. Still, Schaub has the ability to hook up with his receivers on big plays against any defense in the league.
16. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
at Falcons
The Falcons allow nearly 5 yards a carry to opposing RBs. That bodes well for Forte who is hoping to continue establishing himself after his strong performance two weeks ago.
17. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
vs. Giants
Colston has had a couple of down weeks, but he remains Brees' favorite target and an elite option at WR.
18. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
at Saints
The Saints have the best pass defense in the league, but can still be exposed against the run. Jacobs isn't producing as much as teammate Ahmad Bradshaw in recent weeks, but he's still going to get the majority of carries.
19. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks
vs. Cardinals
Housh had the breakout game many felt he was capable of with Hasselbeck as his QB. There's a good chance the duo can make that a habit.
20. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
at Bengals
If Schaub is going to hit the big play, then he's going to be looking for the most complete WR in the league.
21. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
vs. Titans
Brady has fallen in love with the quick check down pass to Welker, targeting him more than 10 times in every game they've been on the field together this season.
Strong (11-15 points)
22. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
at Patriots
It's not a great matchup for Johnson, but he's still Tennessee's best option and has the ability to overcome any defensive matchup.
23. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
vs. Lions
Jennings has gotten off to a slow start. A porous Lions defense is always a good cure.
24. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos
at Chargers
Moreno has quietly had a very impressive first quarter of the season. The rookie RB sees a favorable matchup Sunday as the Chargers have allowed the most fantasy points to RBs this season.
25. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals
vs. Texans
Palmer is back. Have I mentioned that on here before? Houston's defense is just bad all around and Benson's presence will only make things easier for Palmer as the season goes on.
26. Eli Manning, QB, Giants
at Saints
As mentioned before, the Saints have the best pass defense in the league. That might be the surprise of the season, but they force a lot of turnovers. However, Manning has gotten off to too hot of a start to leave him off this list.
27. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
at Buccaneers
Williams needs to get going if the Panthers have any hope of salvaging what is left of this season. Tampa Bay's horrid run defense can be just the catalyst he's looking for.
28. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
at Seahawks
Fitz remains the favorite target of Warner, especially in the red zone, where Anquan Boldin has become almost an afterthought.
29. Jay Cutler, QB, Bears
at Falcons
The Falcons can still give up the big play and Cutler has the arm to deliver some as long as the Bears' OL can keep John Abraham off him.
30. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
vs. Bears
The Bears defense isn't what it once was and Ryan would love to build on the connection he formed with Roddy White last week. |
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