FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Nine Starters

It is now Week Nine of the 2000 NFL season and some fantasy football teams are falling backwards, as some teams are looking ahead to the playoffs. There are about five more weeks remaining until the fantasy football playoffs, so now is the time to put it all together. Here now is a list of the best starting players and what they should do for your team this weekend.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Peyton Manning- The top fantasy quarterback this weekend looks to be Peyton Manning. Last weekend, Manning had an awesome game against the New England Patriots throwing for 268 yards and three scores. This weekend, Manning and the Indianapolis Colts host the Detroit Lions. The Lions played very well two weeks ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Look for another good defensive game this weekend from the Lions as well. However, Manning and company should have a great day. Look for Manning to throw a lot in this game, as he should top the 300 yard mark and three scores.

2. Jeff Garcia- Last weekend against the Carolina Panthers, Garcia threw for two more touchdowns. This weekend, Garcia should have another good game, as Garcia and the 49ers play host to the St. Louis Rams. Last weekend, the Rams’ defense was horrible. The St. Louis defense gave up a total of 54 points to the Kansas City Chiefs. This weekend, Garcia should be able to put up some points against them. Look for Garcia to have close to 300 yards passing and at least two scores.

3. Daunte Culpepper- Another hot quarterback right now in the NFL is Daunte Culpepper. Once again, Culpepper had a great game last weekend against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, Culpepper was 17 of 29 for 251 yards and three TDs. Not too bad against a very good Buffalo defense. This weekend is another big game for Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings, as they travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers. Culpepper will have a tougher time this week against the Bucs, but he should still throw for two TDs and have around 275 yards passing.

4. Trent Green- With the finger injury to Kurt Warner, Trent Green steps in at quarterback. Last weekend when Green filled in for Warner, Green threw for 205 yards and three scores. This weekend, Green and the Rams visit San Francisco to play the 49ers. Look for Green to have a solid game, as he should have around 250 yards passing and two scores.

5. Rich Gannon- This weekend, Gannon and the Oakland Raiders visit San Diego to play the Chargers. Gannon should be in for a good game, as the Raiders should easily put points on the board in this game. Look for Gannon to throw two TDs and have close to 250 yards passing.

Sleeper of the Week-

Trent Dilfer- This is definitely a sleeper pick for this weekend at quarterback. Tony Banks was benched last weekend due to the inability to score a touchdown in four games. This weekend, Dilfer will get the start. Dilfer and the Baltimore Ravens play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s only a matter of time before the Baltimore Ravens score a touchdown. Look for Dilfer to have a decent game this weekend, as he should have close to 200 yards passing and at least one score.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Edgerrin James- Last weekend, James had a great game against the New England Patriots. James carried the ball 20 times for 120 yards and one TD. James also added a receiving touchdown in the game. This weekend, James and the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Detroit Lions. James should once again have a solid game. Look for James to easily top the 100 yard rushing mark and have two scores.

2. Marshall Faulk- Earlier this week, there was speculation that Marshall Faulk had suffered a separated shoulder. Luckily for the St. Louis Rams and Faulk fantasy football owners, it was only a shoulder bruise. Faulk will start this weekend, as he and the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers. With Warner being out for the next three to six weeks with a broken finger, Faulk will be relied on more in the St. Louis offense. Faulk should have a good game this weekend, as Faulk plays against a horrible 49ers defense. Look for Faulk to have close to 150 total yards and at least one score.

3. Fred Taylor- Another great start this weekend at running back is Fred Taylor going against the Dallas Cowboys defense. The Cowboys’ defense is one of the worst in the NFL, so Taylor should be in for another big game. With Mark Brunell and the Jaguars receivers struggling, look for Taylor to carry the load in this game. Taylor should have over 100 yards rushing and at least one score.

4. Ricky Williams- Is it finally safe to say that Mike Ditka knew what he was doing when he drafted Ricky Williams last season? In the past couple of games, Williams has run the ball like a five-year veteran. Last weekend, Williams had well over 100 yards rushing and three scores. This weekend should be no different, as Williams and the New Orleans Saints head west to face the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have one of the worst run defenses in the league, so Williams is bound to have a big game this weekend. Look for Williams to once again have over 100 yards rushing and one score.

5. Charlie Garner- This weekend, Garner and the San Francisco 49ers play host to the St. Louis Rams. The Rams’ defense has played so bad this season, that some of the starting defensive players are starting to get benched because of their poor play. Garner and the 49ers should be able to put some points on the board this weekend. Look for Garner to have close to 100 yards rushing and one score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Jamal Lewis- This weekend could be a decent game for Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. Trent Dilfer is now the starting quarterback for the Ravens, because they have been able to score an offensive touchdown in weeks. If the Ravens can not do anything with their passing game, look for Lewis to get a bunch of carries. The Ravens have to score sometime soon. Lewis could be the one that does it this weekend.

WIDE RECEIVERS-

1. Terrell Owens- This weekend, Terrell Owens and the San Francisco 49ers play host to the St. Louis Rams. Last weekend, the Rams’ defense gave up a total of 54 points to the Kansas City Chiefs. This weekend, Owens and the 49ers should also put on an offensive show. Both teams should put a lot of points in this game, as both of these defenses are not very good. Look for Owens to have around 150 yards receiving and two scores.

2. Randy Moss- A good start this weekend at wide receiver is Randy Moss who goes to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers. A couple of weeks ago when these two teams met, Moss had 118 yards receiving and one touchdown. Look for Moss to have another good game this weekend. Moss should finish the game with 125 yards receiving and have at least one score.

3. Marvin Harrison- Last weekend, Harrison had another great game. Harrison finished the game with only five catches, but had 156 yards and two long scores. This weekend, Harrison and the Colts play host to the Detroit Lions. Harrison will once again have a good game. Look for Harrison to catch another long touchdown and finish with around 125 yards receiving.

4. Isaac Bruce- It really doesn’t matter who is throwing the football for the St. Louis Rams, they will still put points on the board. Last weekend when Kurt Warner injured his right hand, Trent Green stepped in and did a wonderful job. Green threw three touchdowns, two to Isaac Bruce. This weekend, Bruce and the high-scoring Rams head to San Francisco to play the 49ers. Look for a very high scoring game this weekend, as both defenses are pretty bad. Look for Bruce to have the biggest day of the Rams’ receivers, as he should finish the game with over 100 yards receiving and one score.

5. Tim Brown- Last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland rolled up 31 points on them. In that game, Brown had only two catches, however, both of those catches were for touchdowns. This weekend, Brown and the Raiders play a Sunday night match-up against the Chargers in San Diego. The Chargers have a weak secondary, so Gannon and Brown should have decent games. Look for Brown to have close to 100 yards receiving and one score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Torrance Small- With the Philadelphia Eagles going to New York to face the Giants, one player that might have a good game is Torrance Small. The Eagles will most likely not be able to run well against the Giants, so Small could be in for a good game. He probably won’t catch many passes, but he could have close to 60 yards and one score.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Tony Gonzalez- This weekend, Gonzalez and the Kansas City Chiefs go west to play the Seattle Seahawks. Last weekend, the Chiefs had an impressive win over the St. Louis Rams. Gonzalez had a good game last weekend, as he had over 100 yards receiving and one touchdown. Look for Gonzalez to have another good game this weekend, as he should finish the game with around 75 yards receiving and one score.

2. Frank Wycheck- Another good tight end to start in Week # 9 is Frank Wycheck. This Monday night, Wycheck and the Tennessee Titans visit Washington to play the Redskins. With the knee injury to Eddie George, Wycheck will be relied on more in this game. Wycheck will have a lot of passes thrown his way, as he should finish the game with around 60 yards receiving and one TD.

3. Shannon Sharpe- Is the Baltimore offense ever going to score a touchdown? It’s now been over four weeks since they last scored an offensive touchdown. This weekend, Sharpe and the Ravens play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens have now named Trent Dilfer the starting quarterback for this weekend’s game. Maybe, Trent Dilfer will light a spark in the offense this weekend. Sharpe should finish the game with close to 50 yards receiving and one TD.

4. Chad Lewis- This looks like another good week for Chad Lewis of the Philadelphia Eagles. This weekend, Lewis and the Eagles go north to face the NY Giants. The Giants have a good run defense, so Lewis could have a decent game. Look for Lewis to have around 40-50 yards receiving and one score.

5. Roland Williams- With the loss of Kurt Warner to a hand injury, Trent Green might throw a lot of short passes to Marshall Faulk and Roland Williams. Also, Williams and the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers, who have a horrible pass defense. Look for good totals from Williams, as he should score once and have around 40 yards receiving.

Sleeper of the Week-

John Davis- Who knows? Daunte Culpepper throws to just about everyone else on the Vikings. Davis could be a good start this weekend, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense will try to stop RB Robert Smith. In the last couple of weeks, the Buccaneers’ defense has given up an average of 130 yards rushing a game. They will try to stop that this weekend, so watch out for Culpepper and all the Vikings receivers.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS-

1. New Orleans- The Saints’ defense is #1 in the NFL right now and they play the Arizona Cardinals this weekend. After this weekend, they will still be #1 in the NFL.

2. Oakland- This weekend, the 6-1 Oakland Raiders play the 0-7 San Diego Chargers. After this weekend, the Chargers will be 0-8.

3. Baltimore- The Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Even if the Ravens can’t score an offensive touchdown, place-kicker Matt Stover will score more points than the Pittsburgh Steelers will.

4. Kansas City- The Chiefs play the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. The Seahawks are no St. Louis Rams. Look for a low score from Seattle.

5. Miami- The Dolphins play Green Bay this weekend in Miami. Favre is good for at least two interceptions, maybe one for a score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Cincinnati- Yeah, keep laughing! Hey, they play Doug Pederson and the Cleveland Browns this weekend. This game will get ugly.