FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Ten Starters

Week 10 of the NFL season is here and it’s getting close to playoff time in fantasy football. Some teams are looking forward to the playoffs, as other teams are just trying to get in. Here are a list of players at their perspective positions and how they should do for you this weekend.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Peyton Manning- Last weekend, Manning had another great game. In that game, Manning had over 275 yards passing and three scores. This weekend, Manning and the Colts head to Chicago to play the Bears. The Bears’ defense gives up a ton of passing yards and this game should be no different. Manning will once again put up the best numbers at quarterback this weekend, as he should have over 300 yards passing and three scores.

2. Daunte Culpepper- Last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Culpepper and the Vikings could not get anything going in that game. Culpepper and the Vikings’ offense struggled early and their defense gave up entirely too many points. This weekend, the Vikings will look to get back on the winning track, as they head to Green Bay to play the Packers. The Packers have a pair of suspect cornerbacks, so Culpepper and the Vikings should have their way with the Packers. Culpepper should finish the game with close to 275 yards passing and at least two scores.

3. Trent Green- Trent Green, playing for the injured Kurt Warner, had a good game last weekend against the San Francisco 49ers. Green finished the game with over 300 yards passing and two scores. This weekend, Green and the Rams play host to the Carolina Panthers. Both teams should be able to put up some points this weekend, as both defenses rank near the bottom in total yards. Look for Green to pass for 275 yards in this game with two more touchdowns.

4. Brian Griese- Griese and the Denver Broncos, coming off a bye week last weekend, head east to play the NY Jets. This will be a big game this weekend for the Broncos, as they try to stay close to the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders. Also this week, Terrell Davis returns from his ankle injury. Griese should once again shine in this game, as the Jets have been giving a lot of passing yards on defense. Look for Griese to have around 275 yards passing and two scores.

5. Jeff Garcia- This weekend, Garcia and the 49ers offense will have a big test as they head to New Orleans to face the Saints. The Saints have one of the best defenses in the league, so Garcia has his work cut out for him. However, Garcia should be able to throw a couple of TDs in this game. Look for a decent game from Garcia this weekend, as he should have around 250 yards passing and two scores.

Sleeper of the Week-

Randall Cunningham- This weekend, Cunningham starts at quarterback for the injured Troy Aikman. Ironically, Cunningham plays this week against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Look for Cunningham to get revenge on his former team, as he should have around 250 yards passing and at least one score.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Marshall Faulk- This weekend, Marshall Faulk and the St. Louis Rams play host to the Carolina Panthers. This past week, Faulk had a MRI of his injured knee, which showed some loose cartilage in his knee. Faulk will need surgery on his knee, however he is going to try to wait until the offseason to get it done. This weekend, Faulk should be in for a huge game. Faulk should put up big numbers, as he faces a poor Carolina defense. Look for Faulk to have close to 175 total yards and at least two touchdowns.

2. Stephen Davis- With the injury to Brad Johnson, Jeff George will make his first start of the 2000 NFL season. With George at the helm, the Redskins might look to run the ball more. The Cardinals have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, so look for Davis to have a big game. Davis should finish the game with at least 100 yards rushing and at least one score.

3. Edgerrin James- This weekend, James and the Indianapolis Colts go to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears. This should be a great game for all the Indianapolis offensive players, especially James. The Bears have really been struggling this season so far, so the Colts should easily put a bunch of points on the board in this game. James should have over 100 yards rushing and at least one score.

4. Ron Dayne- Another good start at running back this weekend could be Ron Dayne going to Cleveland to play the Browns. With Dayne now getting more involved in the NY Giants’ offense, Dayne will continue to get more carries. In this game, Dayne could see 25 + carries and have close to 100 yards rushing and one touchdown.

5. Robert Smith- Another good running back having a good season so far is Robert Smith of the Minnesota Vikings. This season, Smith has over 900 total yards and three scores. Not too bad since Smith is still considered injury prone. This Monday night, Smith and the Vikings head to Green Bay to play the Packers. Smith should have a good game against the Packers, as they try to find a way to stop Randy Moss. Look for Smith to have around 100 total yards and one score in this game.

Sleeper of the Week-

Darnell Autry- A good sleeper pick this weekend might be Darnell Autry of the Philadelphia Eagles. Autry and the Eagles play host to the much-hated Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are banged up at defense, so Autry could have a decent game. Look for a total of 75 yards and a score this weekend from Autry.

WIDE RECIEVERS-

1. Randy Moss- Here we go again. This will be another Monday night game in which Randy Moss will shine. This Monday night, Moss and the Minnesota Vikings go to Green Bay to play the Packers. Last weekend, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers embarrassed the Vikings in Tampa. However, this weekend Moss should be in for a big game. Moss has always done well against the Packers and this upcoming game should be no different. Look for Moss to have around 150 yards receiving and two scores.

2. Marvin Harrison- Another wide receiver who could make a huge impact this weekend is Marvin Harrison of the Colts. Harrison and the Indianapolis Colts head to Soldier Field to play the Bears. The Bears’ secondary is one of the worst in the league, so Harrison could have a big game. Harrison should score two touchdowns and have close to 150 yards receiving.

3. Isaac Bruce- This weekend, Bruce and the St. Louis Rams play host to the Carolina Panthers. Bruce, along with all the other Rams’ offensive players, should have a good game against a weak Panthers’ defense. This should be a very high scoring game, as both defenses are not very good. Bruce will finish the game with around 100 yards receiving and one touchdown.

4. Marcus Robinson- A great wide receiver that has been struggling lately has been Marcus Robinson. The reason in which Robinson has been struggling is the play at quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Cade McNown has struggled all season long. Now with the shoulder injury to McNown, Jim Miller steps in at quarterback. Miller has a better arm than McNown and should be much more accurate throwing the ball. Look for Robinson to have a good game this weekend, as he should top the 100-yard receiving mark and have one touchdown.

5. Terrell Owens- Terrell Owens and the San Francisco 49ers have a much tougher opponent this weekend, as they head to New Orleans to play the Saints. The Saints have the second best defense in the NFL, so look for Owens’ numbers to be down this weekend. However, Owens should still see the end zone once and have about 100 yards receiving.

Sleeper of the Week-

Laveranues Coles- Coles has been on fire in the past couple of games for the NY Jets. This should continue for the rest of the season, as Coles has such burner speed and Testerverde likes throwing to him. Look for another score this week from Coles and around 75 yards receiving.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Tony Gonzalez- This weekend, Gonzalez and the Kansas City Chiefs head to Oakland to play their arch rivals the Oakland Raiders. This is a big game for both teams, especially the Kansas City Chiefs who will try to keep up with the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders. Gonzalez has really picked up his play in the past couple of games and he will be used early and often in this game. Look for Gonzalez to have a great game, as he should have close to 75 yards receiving and at least one score.

2. Chad Lewis- Another big game this weekend is the Philadelphia Eagles hosting their rivals the Dallas Cowboys. This is another huge game for both teams. Lewis should play a big part in this game, as the Eagles have a running back by committee approach. Look for Lewis to have 60 yards receiving and one score.

3. Jay Riemersma- Finally, after weeks of not playing because of injuries, Riemersma takes the field against the New England Patriots. Riemersma was such a solid player for the Bills before he got injured. Look for Riemersma to come back big this game, as he should have around 50 yards receiving and at least one score.

4. Freddie Jones- The best fantasy player by far on the San Diego Chargers is Freddie Jones. So far this season, Jones has scored in just about every game. This weekend, Jones and the Chargers go to Seattle to play the Seahawks. Look for Jones to score once again and have around 50 yards receiving.

5. Frank Wycheck- Another solid performer at tight end this weekend is Frank Wycheck of the Tennessee Titans. The Titans play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the NFL in the past couple of games, so this will definitely be a test for Tennessee. With George still banged up, look for Wycheck to have a good game. Wycheck should score once and have around 50 yards receiving.

Sleeper of the Week-

Marcus Pollard- With the Colts going to play the Bears in Chicago, Pollard and the rest of the Indianapolis offense should be in for a good game. Pollard won’t catch many passes, however, one might be for a touchdown.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS-

1. Baltimore- Another easy game for the Raven defense, as they face the 2-6 Cincinnati Bengals. Place-kicker Matt Stover could score more points than the Bengals offense.

2. Tennessee- The Titans’ special teams won the game for them last Monday night. Can it happen two weeks in a row?

3. Tampa Bay- Tampa Bay’s defense was all over Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings last weekend. This weekend, the defense will be all over the Atlanta Falcons. Look for Warren Sapp and the rest of the Buccaneers defense to take over in this game.

4. Washington- The Redskins should put points on the board with ease in this game, making Jake Plummer and the Arizona Cardinals come out throwing a lot in this game. Plummer and the Cardinals will make plenty of mistakes in this game.

5. NY Giants- The quarterback combo of Doug Pederson and Spergon Wynn couldn’t even scare a college defense. The Browns might not even score 10 points in this game.

Sleeper of the Week-

Cincinnati- The Bengals play host to the Ravens this weekend. Will Baltimore ever score a touchdown?