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Hi Folks, Before I jump into this I want to take one moment and say =01&THANK YOU=01= 8 to all=20 the Men and Women who=01,ve served our Country as we approach Veteran=01,s= Day=20 this Saturday.? If you know a Vet, thank him or her.? I don=01,t want to f= orce=20 my non-football views but for those interested, I=01,ve included a quick p= iece =20 thanking our Veterans at the end of this report.? Thanks. Joe ? Matchups to Avoid and Exploit.?=20 Passing Game Matchups.?? Here's how I see the matchups this week.? Please= =20 note, see the cheatsheet online http://www.cheatsheets.net/week11sheet.htm= =20 for exactly where I rank playersand to determine who to start.? Just becau= se=20 one matchup may be more favorable than another, that doesn't necessarily= =20 mean I'd start the player with the best matchup.? The matchup info is mea= nt=20 to be just one more tool in your box when it comes to deciding between =20 players.??=20 Note:? I=01,ve used the player stats sorted by performance over the last f= our=20 weeks extensively in developing these write-ups. Stats are provided by Mik= e=20 Hall=01,s excellent FLM League Management Software.? http://www.fflm.com/ f= or=20 more info.? The Fantasy Points Allowed by Position numbers are from=20 ESPN.com.? =20 Here we go: ? Locks:? These games heavily favor the Offense =20 Kansas City Passing Game vs 49er Defense?? Virtually every skill positio= n=20 player is a decent start against the 49ers.? But understand that last week = =20 QB Elvis Grbacthrew for more yards than Randall Cunningham, Akili Smith,= =20 Doug Pederson and Kordell Stewart combined.? San Francisco can=01,t stop = =20 anyone and I don=01,t envision them learning how this week.? San Francisco= =20 allows more Fantasy Points to the opposing QB than any other team in the= =20 league. The KC RBs are a mess and coach Gunther Cunningham says they won= =01,t=20 throw as much but he says that every week.? WRs Derrick Alexander and =20 Sylvester Morrisare great plays.? TE Tony Gonzalezcould be big too.? I= f=20 you have a Chief, start him this week. Denver Passing Game vs Raider Defense?? For the year, the Raiders have= =20 been pretty weak against the pass averaging 18.22 Fantasy Points Allowed t= o=20 the opposing QB which ranks them #23.? But over the last four weeks, they= =01,ve =20 been awful, letting opposing offenses rack up an average of 276 passing=20 yards per game.? That=01,s the most in the league.? Granted, two of those= =20 games were against the suddenly pass happy Chiefs but there were also game= s=20 against Seattle and San Diego in that average as well.? Elvis Grbac set so= me=20 records last week torching the secondary for 500+ yards and Brian =20 Grieseshould have success as well.? He continues to play excellent footba= ll=20 making good decisions.? Most importantly, he has a healthy Terrell Davisn= ow=20 to keep the defense honest.? WRs Ed McCaffrey andRod Smith are must=20 starts as both are liable to explode at any time.? The TEs are trickier t= o=20 predict as they have three who figure heavily in the mix.? Dwayne Carswel= l,=20 Byron Chamberlain andDesmond Clark all rank in the top 30 TEs over the= =20 last three weeks.? It=01,s tough to count on any one of them but if you ha= d to=20 pick one, Carswell had 4 catches last week. Jacksonville Passing Game vs Seahawk Defense?? It wasn=01,t supposed to pl= ay=20 out this way for Seattle but as we enter week 11 of the season, the Seahaw= ks=20 find themselves floundering.? Not only are they having trouble scoring=20 points, their defense is giving up entirely too many points.? CB Shawn=20 Springs is a player but the defense has allowed an average of 268 passing?= =20 yards per game over the last four weeks.? That ranks them 29th in the=20 league.? They rank 18th in the league when it comes to Fantasy Points=20 allowed to the opposing QB for the year.? Jacksonville=01,s certainly had= its=20 struggles but this could be a game that QB Mark Brunelldoes some damage = =20 with a? week to prepare.? WR Jimmy Smithis listed as probable on the inju= ry=20 report this week.? Reportedly, he=01,ll be ready by Sunday but keep an eye= on=20 it.? Keenan McCardellwill be ready.? I keep trying to like rookie R. Jay= =20 Soward but just can=01,t do it.? He could do something but I don=01,t have = any=20 faith yet.? TE Kyle Bradyis suddenly the Jacksonville Secret Weapon and = he=20 could play a big part again in the offense. New Orleans Passing Game vs Panther Defense?? Last year it was St. Louis.?= =20 This year the Saints are the once awful team that=01,s playing inspired=20 football.? ThePanther defense has allowed an average of 261 passing yards= =20 per game over the last four weeks.? That ranks them 28.? They've been =20 slipping as for the year, they rank # 9 in Fantasy Points allowed to the = =20 opposing QB.? Jeff Blakeis coming off a 3 TD, 275 yard game last week and= =20 should continue to roll.? WR Joe Hornis the prime receiver as he reeled i= n=20 167 yards worth of Blake=01,s passes Sunday.? Keith Pooleon the other side= was=20 supposed to take up the slack for injured WR Jake Reed but he=01,s been =20 disappointing.? WR Willie Jackson caught 4 passes Sunday and he could=20 continue to see action.? TE Andrew Gloverlooked very good Sunday and he= =01,s a=20 guy that might come on.? =20 San Francisco Passing Game vs Chief Defense?? The Chiefs have no problem = =20 throwing the ball.? Unfortunately for Chief fans, they also have no proble= m=20 letting the other team throw the ball.? Kansas City ranks # 27 in Passing= =20 Yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? They also? rank # 20 in= =20 Fantasy Points Allowed by the opposing QB for the year.? All that spells= =20 another solid day for Jeff Garcia.? Keep a very close eye on Terrell =20 Owens=01,turf toe though.? Reports are that he=01,ll play Sunday but this= type of=20 injury can be ugly and hard to recover from so we=01,ll watch this one clo= sely=20 for you.? Jerry Riceis as solid as ever on the other side.? If Owens is = =20 limited, JJ Stokesor Tai Streets? would see more action.? Personally, I= =20 like Streets of those two.? RB Charlie Garneris always a threat receivin= g=20 the ball and TE Greg Clarkshowed a hint of being more involved last week= =20 catching 4 passes.? I=01,m cheering for him but I don=01,t expect Garrison= =20 Hearstto be a factor for the 2000 season. Indianapolis Passing Game vs Jets Defense??? Whether you want to lay it o= n=20 the opponents or not, it=01,s hard to deny the Jets defense has slipped =20 lately.? For the year, they rank # 13 in Fantasy Points allowed to the=20 opposing QB and over the last four weeks, they=01,ve allowed an average of= 261=20 passing yards per game which puts them at # 26.? They=01,ve given up 11 to= tal=20 TDs over those four games which is more than you=01,d expect from them.? T= his=20 week, they=01,ll face a Colt team that=01,s been challenged by QBPeyton = =20 Manningand coach Jim Mora to kick up the intensity.? Again last week, the= =20 Colts seemed to be going through the motions for the first half and then= =20 made a mad dash at the end.? Last week, Manning ran out of? tricks in the b= ag=20 as they were humiliated by Chicago.? He still finished with 300+ yards bu= t=20 he could have been even better.? I like the way he=01,s rallying the team = and=20 once again, he should be looking to WR Marvin Harrison.? After Harrison, i= t=01, s tough to call as Manning=01,s spreading the ball around.? WRs EG Green,= and Jerome Pathon both saw action.? For some reason, Terrence Wilkins wasn= =01,t a=20 factor as he only had a couple of passes thrown his way and didn=01,t catc= h=20 either of them. TEs Marcus Pollard andKen Dilger were their usual solid= =20 but tough to predict selves.? And of course RB Edgerrin Jamesis a solid = =20 receiver.? Outside of Harrison and James, it=01,s a gamble for who will do= well=20 but any of these guys are probably worth a start if you=01,re thin for=20 receivers.?=20 ? Prime Matchups:? These games favor the Offense? New York Giants Passing Game vs. Rams Defense?? Two very good teams going = in=20 slightly different directions.? The Rams are dealing with adversity losing= =20 their two best players while the Giants are regaining some of their early= =20 season steam. Rejuvenated QB Kerry Collins will face a St. Louis defense = =20 that's still yielding lots of passing yards.? In fact, they rank # 25 in = =20 passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? They rank # 23 in= =20 Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs for the year.? WR Amani Toomer's=20 rewarded the owners who hung with him through the rough games as he's been= =20 on fire lately.? Ike Hilliard is a fine # 2 WR as well.? RBs Tiki Barber a= nd=20 Ron Dayne provide a solid running threat and TE Pete Mitchell should=20 contribute more than he has been.=20 St. Louis Passing Game vs Giant Defense?? New York is a good team and it's= a=20 pretty tough matchup against the Giants.? New York ranks # 16 in Fantasy= =20 Points allowed to opposing QBs this year.? And they rank # 4 in passing=20 yards allowed over the last four weeks.? Plus they'll be getting CB Jason= =20 Sehorn back this week it appears.? QB Trent Green has done an admirable j= ob=20 filling in for Kurt Warner.? I'm betting he'll continue that success here.= ?=20 Isaac Bruce is the # 1 WR,?and he'll bring Az-zahir Hakim and Torry Holt= =20 into the fold as well.? All are viable starters.? TE Roland Williams is a= =20 decent play but he's inconsistent.? Throw in the fact they'll likely be=20 throwing a lot without Marshall Faulk and I think they'll do well. Tampa Bay Passing Game vs Packer Defense?? Green Bay may have salvaged the= ir=20 season with Antonio Freeman's spectacular catch Monday night but they stil= l=20 have a pass defense that gives up too many yards.? For the year, they rank= #=20 24 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs and over the last four weeks,= =20 they've allowed 242 passing yards per game which also ranks them # 24.?=20 Shaun King continues to post nice numbers even if they're not real pretty.= ?=20 Over his last three games, he's thrown 7 TDs but has only rolled up 526=20 yards.? Still, that ranks him # 12 among QBs.? He's been diagnosed with=20 Tonsillitis?as of Thursday after complaining of fatigue.??He's expected to= =20 play but watch it. Of course, his favorite WR is now Keyshawn Johnson aft= er=20 Keyshawn's private meeting at King's house a couple of weeks ago.? They're= =20 winning with getting the ball to Johnson so don't look for that to change.= ?=20 Jacquez Green is a solid WR and the better deep threat.? TE Dave Moore has= =20 been more active catching a TD last week. ? New York Jets Passing Game vs Colt Defense??? Owners of Chicago's Jim Mill= er=20 like to think it was all Miller last week as he ripped through the Colt=20 secondary.? Truthfully, the Colt's porous pass defense had plenty to do wi= th=20 it.? Vinny Testeverde should have similar success.? The Colts rank # 18 i= n=20 passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks. But that includes= =20 giving up a decent amount of yardage to less than juggernauts Chicago, =20 Detroit, New England and Seattle.? WRs Wayne Chrebet and rookie sensation= =20 Laveranues Coles should do well.? TE Anthony Becht is finally starting to= =20 fulfill expectations.? He's probable on the injury report with a knee inju= ry=20 but should be able to play. ? Buffalo Passing Game vs Bear Defense?? The Bears have played decent pass= =20 defense of late ranking # 17 in passing yards allowed over the last four= =20 weeks.? Peyton Manning rolled up 302 yards against them last week and ther= e=20 were several badly dropped passes.? The Bills will reportedly start Doug = =20 Flutie.? He's a foot shorter than Manning but brings scrambling ability th= e=20 Bears may have a tough time with.? TE Jay Reimersma is back to the focal= =20 point we all thought he'd be and that should continue.? Eric Moulds is the= =20 prime threat at WR with Peerless Price and Jeremy McDaniel rounding out t= he=20 WRs.? I'd think Reimersma and Moulds will get the bulk of the work though. ? Even Matchups:? These games feature no real advantage either way Chicago Passing Game vs Bills Defense?? If I'm Cade McNown, I'm starting t= o=20 get very worried.? New QB Jim Miller looked very good Sunday as he went 24= =20 for 35 with 214 yards, 1 TD and 0 interceptions.? That's a great start.?= =20 He'll have a tough go of it this week there could be enough hoopla=20 surrounding the Buffalo QBs that Chicago can sneak in.? The Bills are rank= ed=20 # 19 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? Miller's= =20 main target will again be WR Marcus Robinson.? He's big enough to match up= =20 well with the Bills CBs.? After Harrison, it gets hard to predict with Edd= ie=20 Kennison and Marty Booker catching plenty of balls.? TE Kassem Sinceno=20 becomes a little more involved each week.? I keep looking for him to make= =20 that big catch. ? Oakland Passing Game vs Denver Defense?? The Raider attack is firing on al= l=20 cylinders here.? Denver ranks # 8 in passing yards allowed over the last= =20 four weeks.? They rank # 15 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs for= =20 the year.? In their week 3 matchup, QB Rich Gannon threw 2 TDs but had his= =20 lowest yardage total of the year (159) and had 2 interceptions.? They've= =20 improved since then.? WR Tim Brown is the primary guy of course but both = =20 Andre Rison and James Jett may make plays.? I'm not totally into the Rison= =20 hype as he's not getting tons of looks.? Although he is making the very mo= st=20 of what he's getting.? TE Ricky Dudley awoke from his slumber with a=20 vengeance.? He's so frustrating but he's too talented in too good a=20 situation not to play unless you have another great TE. ? Dallas Passing Game vs Bengal Defense?? The Bengals rank # 20 in passing= =20 yards allowed over the last four weeks.? They're # 14 in Fantasy Points=20 allowed to opposing QBs. What an injury list the Cowboys have accumulated.= ?=20 QB Troy Aikman took the needle again this week with more cortisone shots f= or=20 his back.? Is it just me, or is he looking more and more like Nick Nolte i= n =20 North Dallas 40 each week?? The WRs are hardly recognizable with James=20 McNight, Wayne McGarity and Jason Tucker carrying the load. I'm not real= =20 excited about any of them.? TE Jackie Harris could be the focal point for= =20 the passing game. ? New England Passing Game vs Brown Defense?? Keep an eye on this one as muc= h=20 depends on Drew Bledsoe's right thumb.? He's still listed as questionable= =20 but we'll know more Friday and Saturday.? Assuming he's ok, this is still = a=20 tough matchup.? If Bledsoe sits and John Friesz starts, this probably slid= es=20 to a "downside" matchup. The Browns rank? # 5 in Fantasy Points allowed to= =20 opposing QBs.? And they rank # 9 in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks.? WR Terry Glenn's struggled some of late but this could b= e=20 a game he takes advantage of the Cleveland secondary.? Troy Brown is seein= g=20 some passes as well.? The Patriots haven't thrown to the TE since Ben Coat= es=20 left town. ? Minnesota Passing Game vs Cardinal Defense?? Suddenly, the Vikings and=20 Daunte Culpepper are human.? Coach Denny Green says Culpepper's been limit= ed=20 by a sore tailbone and knee that's hindering his mobility.? This week they= ,=20 face an Arizona defense that ranks # 13 in passing yards allowed per game= =20 over the last four weeks.? They also face new coach Dave McGinnis, a guy= =20 with a reputation for designing defenses to confuse young QBs. They rank #= =20 10 for the year in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs.? Some of that i= s=20 no doubt a reflection on their weak rushing defense but the cause really= =20 isn't important.? Culpepper will be throwing to the usual culprits of Rand= y=20 Moss and Cris Carter.? Aeneas Williams is fine corner but he can't cover= =20 everyone. Both Moss and Carter are must starts, as is Culpepper.? They've= =20 had to find a consistent TE. ? Detroit Passing Game vs Falcon Defense?? Lots of uncertainties as Batch=20 returns from a concussion in the wake of coach Bobby Ross quitting.? Won't= =20 get on a soapbox but between Barry Sanders bailing out on his team on the= =20 eve of training camp and Bobby Ross throwing in the towel on a team with a= =20 winning record in November, I can't remember seeing two quitters on displa= y=20 quite so prominently in a while.? I'm sure there are behind the scenes=20 situations involved but his resignation seemed awfully odd.? Must be =20 something in that Detroit water...? The Falcons rank # 14 in passing yards = =20 allowed per game over the last four weeks.? For the year, they rank # 25 in= =20 Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs.? Charlie Batch will be throwing to= =20 WRs Johnnie Morton and Herman Moore who have both been disappointing=20 lately.? TE David Sloan needs to pick up his game and he could be the key= =20 to allowing Batch to get into a rhythm. ? Green Bay Passing Game vs Buccaneer Defense?? Both teams seem to have foun= d=20 their way recently and want to keep the momentum rolling.? The Bucs rank #= =20 15 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? They rank = #=20 11 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs for the year.? QB Brett Favre= =20 is a wily vet and he'll be pulling out all the stops.? Monday's game was= =20 encouraging not just for the win but because Favre seemed to be comfortabl= e=20 feeding WR Antonio Freeman the ball more often.? That's great news for bot= h =20 players.? Bill Schroeder is a factor too but Freeman is clearly the most= =20 talented WR. Bubba Franks and Tyrone Davis still share enough time at TE = to=20 limit the other from being a major factor. ? Carolina Passing Game vs Saints Defense?? The turnaround of the Saints is= =20 one of the best stories of the season.? Certainly, their tough defense=20 deserves much credit.? Against the pass, New Orleans ranks just # 16 in=20 passing yards allowed over the last four games.? They're much tougher=20 against the rush.? For the year, they rank # 6 in Fantasy Points allowed t= o=20 opposing QBs.?? Steve Beuerlein is certainly not the 1999 version we saw b= ut=20 he's still a pretty good QB.? Donald Hayes and Muhsin Muhammad will contin= ue=20 to make plays.? They have a decided height advantage over New Orleans CBs= =20 Fred Weary and Kevin Mathis. In the absence of TE Wesley Walls, Casey=20 Crawford will likely get the start if Kris Mangum can't go.?=20 ? ? Downside Matchups:? These games favor the Defense Arizona Passing Game vs Viking Defense?? If you're in contention in week 1= 1=20 with Plummer as your QB, congratulations, you're one heck of a manager.? I= 'm=20 no Jake Plummer fan but if you're going to play him, this could be the=20 week.? Minnesota is improving on defense, but they're still susceptible to= =20 the big plays.? They rank # 23 in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks David Boston is injured with a bad hamstring and missed=20 practice Wednesday.? Frank Sanders is in a huge slump, even by his standar= ds=20 which is saying something.? Martay Jenkins may be the best WR on the team= =20 right now.? Enough said.?=20 Miami Passing Game vs Charger Defense? Quietly, the Dolphins and Jay=20 Fiedler are winning football games.? Fiedler probably isn't winning them = =20 for your fantasy team though.? He faces the Chargers this week who are back= =20 to playing a little bit more like the Chargers of old.? San Diego ranks # = 26=20 in Fantasy Points allowed by opposing QBs for the year but they rank # 11 i= n =20 passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? Fiedler will be = =20 throwing to Oronde Gadsden and Leslie Shepherd.? Tony Martin is expected t= o=20 see action as well.? Fiedler may continue to play well but the Chargers ar= e=20 improving on defense.? =20 San Diego Passing Game vs Dolphin Defense?? Charger coach Mike Riley has= =20 announced Moses Moreno will get the start at QB.? At least with Harbaugh= =20 you had an experienced QB behind center.? The Dolphins rank # 22 in passin= g=20 yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? But for the year, they= =20 rank # 8 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs.? I think they'll be=20 closer to their year long numbers this week.? Moreno will throw to TE=20 Freddie Jones primarily and even with the matchup, he's too good to=20 sit.?Although it remains to be seen if Moreno will lock onto Jones like=20 Harbaugh did.? In the?KC game where Moreno played extensively,?Jones?was t= he=20 target 7 times which is less than his normal. WRs Curtis Conway and Jeff= =20 Graham are up and down players and probably not starters in most leagues.?= =20 Seattle Passing Game vs Jaguar Defense?? With Brock Huard's set back this= =20 week in his recovery from a concussion, it looks like Jon Kitna gets =20 another start.? The Huard situation is very worrisome to me.? He's awfully= =20 young to be having this type of problem.? Usually, it seems like it's the= =20 old guys like Aikman and Chandler that have trouble shaking the cobwebs.? = I=20 don't like it.? Jacksonville ranks # 22 in Fantasy Points allowed to=20 opposing QBs this year.? Over the last four weeks, they rank # 21 in passi= ng=20 yards allowed per game. Kitna will spread the ball between Derrick Mayes a= nd=20 Darrell Jackson likely as Sean Dawkins is battling a deep quad bruise.?=20 Dawkins might be a factor but he looks to be limited right now.? TE =20 Christian Fauria caught just 1 pass last week but it was for a TD so you= =20 have to consider him again. ? Defensive Slam Dunks:? These games heavily favor the Defense Tennessee Titan Passing Game vs. Raven Defense?? QB Steve McNair has=20 trouble throwing the ball with a healthy bunch of WRs.? He doesn't have=20 anything close to a healthy bunch of WRs.? Kevin Dyson is gone.? Yancey= =20 Thigpen is gone without technically leaving.? Carl Pickens is hobbled and = #1=20 WR Derrick Mason is less than 100%.? Looks like more receptions for TE=20 Frank Wycheck.? Imagine that.? The Ravens are suddenly inspired with their= =20 offense finally breaking the scoreless TD-less streak and they could be ha= rd=20 to handle. Philadelphia Passing Game vs Steeler Defense? In case you haven't noticed,= =20 the Steelers are an excellent football team.? They'd be hard to handle if= =20 only they had a QB. They're defense is all we're concerned about here and= =20 it's pretty darn good.? They rank # 2 in passing yards allowed over the la= st=20 four weeks.? They also rank # 2 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs.= ? =20 This doesn't bode well for QB Donovan McNabb.? He'll attempt to throw to= =20 Torrance Small and Charles Johnson.? Small is actually starting to get mor= e=20 looks but it probably won't matter.? TE Chad Lewis hasn't been nearly as= =20 effective as he was early and I don't look for him to rebound in this game= . Atlanta Passing Game vs Lion Defense?? This one could get ugly as Chris=20 Chandler looks to miss the game as he recovers from a concussion suffered= =20 last Sunday.? Danny Kanell gets the start.? He'll face?a Lion defense=20 that's pretty solid and ranked # 7 in passing yards allowed over the last= =20 four weeks.? Kanell with throw to WRs Terance Mathis and Tim Dwight.? Math= is=20 has played very well of late but could struggle against a Lion Defense tha= t=20 will be looking to exhibit some of that post coach firing enthusiasm.? TE= =20 Reggie Kelly shows nice flashes here and there but needs to be consistent= . Baltimore Passing Game vs Titan Defense?? The Ravens exploded last week in= =20 the TD department ending their much publicized drought.? That "explosion"= =20 came against the Bengals who'd have a tough time stopping the University o= f=20 Maryland, much less Baltimore.? I'm guessing the Ravens find the going jus= t=20 a tad bit rougher against a solid Tennessee defense.? The Titans rank # 5 = in=20 passing yards allowed over the last four weeks and # 7 in Fantasy Points= =20 allowed by opposing QBs for the year. QB Trent Dilfer gets the start=20 again.? Qadry Ismail and Patrick Jeffers are the WRs with Travis Taylor n= ow=20 on injured reserve.? But TE Shannon Sharpe is the primary threat, especial= ly=20 in the Red zone.? He's probably the only Raven I'd feel good about startin= g. Cleveland Passing Game vs Patriot Defense?? The Browns are tough to watch.= ?=20 QB Doug Pederson, bless his heart, seems to try awfully hard but it takes = a=20 lot more than trying to succeed at this level.? Against a crafty defensive= =20 guy like Bill Belichick who's great at confusing the QB, it might be ugly.= =20 One good thing about Pederson is that he does seem to rely on WR Kevin=20 Johnson almost exclusively.? He's not a bad play if you need a WR just=20 because you know he'll see the ball.?Although you have?to wonder how he'll= =20 fare against?Patriot CB Ty Law. Rookie WR Dennis Northcutt has talent but= =20 like the Bengal's Peter Warrick, is stuck in a bad situation. TE Aaron She= a=20 isn't a factor. Pittsburgh Passing Game vs Eagle Defense?? The Eagle / Steeler game looks = to=20 be a slugfest as both defenses should manhandle the offenses. Philadelphia= =20 ranks # 6 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.?=20 Against QB Kordell Stewart, that number ought to look even better next=20 week.? The Eagles rank # 3 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs for t= he=20 year. Stewart will try to throw the ball to WRs Plaxico Burress, Troy=20 Edwards and Hines Ward but I wouldn't hold my breath.? TE Mark Bruener di= d=20 score last week but I wouldn't expect that too often. Cincinnati Passing Game vs Dallas Defense?? Let's put it this way.? WR=20 Peter Warrick may be the best QB on this team.? The Bengals face a Dallas= =20 team that's got it's back against the wall with a near comical series of = =20 injuries.? The Bengals may be just what the Cowboys need for taking out so= me=20 frustration.? QB Akili Smith will face a defense that's ranked # 10 in=20 passing yards allowed per game over the past four weeks.? Smith will throw= =20 the ball to WRs Peter Warrick and Craig Yeast.? This team just doesn't hav= e=20 any veterans to show these guys who to act.? Warrick's a great talent and= =20 probably worth a start as you never know what he'll do but it's a tough=20 situation for him.? TE Tony McGee is tough to depend on. ? Rushing Game Matchups??? Here's how I see the matchups this week.? Please= =20 note, see the cheatsheet online for exactly where I rank players and to=20 determine who to start.? Just because one matchup may be more favorable th= an=20 another, that doesn't necessarily mean I'd start the player with the best= =20 matchup.? The matchup info is meant to be just one more tool in your box= =20 when it comes to deciding between players.??=20 ? Locks:? These games heavily favor the Offense Oakland's Tyrone Wheatley?and Napoleon Kaufman vs Bronco Defense?? If?I=20 learned one thing last week, it's to not?to listen to Jon Gruden concernin= g=20 Tyrone Wheatley.??Remember last week all he talked about was how limited = =20 Wheatley?would be and that Kaufman would carry the load.? We know how that= =20 went.? This week will be even worse with Monday night.? I'll get you every= =20 bit of info that I hear but I can already see it's going to be tough call= =20 with his ankles.? Making it worse is the fact Denver has given up tons of= =20 rushing yards.? They rank # 31 in rushing yards allowed over the?last four= =20 weeks but of course the Corey Dillon romp skews that a bit.? For the year,= =20 they rank # 21 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs. Minnesota's Robert Smith vs Cardinal Defense?? New coach Dave McGinnis may= =20 have given the team a boost but he was the defensive coordinator for one o= f=20 the worst rush defenses in the league before he moved to the head post.?= =20 Arizona ranks # 30 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? Wit= h=20 Daunte Culpepper still learning the game and likely to face some confusing= =20 schemes from McGinnis, look for Smith to be relied upon. New England's J.R. Redmond and Kevin Faulk vs Brown Defense?? J.R. Redmond= =20 has been a nice surprise after a slow start.? He's shown nice power and=20 quickness.? Kevin Faulk has seemingly settled into the 3rd down role which= I=20 think suits him better.? Cleveland hasn't stopped anyone on the ground as= =20 they rank # 26 for the year in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.? Th= ey=20 rank # 29 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? I never feel= =20 completely comfortable predicting what Bill Belichick will do but I'd gues= s=20 Redmond will see the bulk of the work here. Jacksonville's Fred Taylor vs Seahawk Defense?? Seattle ranks # 24 in=20 Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs for the year.? It's even worse late= ly=20 where they rank # 28 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? I= =20 look for Fred Taylor to have a nice game as the Jaguars try to salvage=20 their season.? They're on the brink of missing the playoffs and I'd expect= =20 coach Tom Coughlin to focus on what he loves best, the run. Cincinnati's Corey Dillon vs Cowboy Defense?? The Baltimore game last week= =20 showed Dillon isn't Superman but this is a great matchup for him.? Dallas= =20 hasn't stopped anyone on the ground ranking # 27 in rushing yards allowed= =20 over the last four weeks.? They rank # 29 in Fantasy Points allowed to=20 opposing RBs.? I worry about the Bengal passing game (or lack of it) but= =20 Dillon still should be able to run. San Francisco's Charlie Garner vs Chief Defense?? The Chiefs rank # 27 in= =20 Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs this season.? They're # 26 in rushi= ng=20 yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? That has to have Charlie= =20 Garner owners licking their chops.? He's cooled a bit from his red hot sta= rt=20 but this could be the game he gets back on pace. ? Prime Matchups:? These games favor the Offense? Detroit's James Stewart vs Falcon Defense?? Atlanta comes into week 11=20 ranked # 30 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.? They rank # 25 in= =20 rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? This could be the=20 confidence boost the Lions need after the Bobby Ross resignation.? Atlanta= 's=20 struggling and with Chris Chandler likely out, the Lions have a chance to= =20 dominate this game. ? Atlanta's Jamal Anderson vs Lion Defense? This could be a running game=20 "shootout".? The Lions aren't much better than the Falcons defending the= =20 rush ranking # 24 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? Jama= l=20 Anderson has been fairly quiet this season.? With QB Chris Chandler likely= =20 out, they'll need him to carry the offensive load. ? New Orleans' Ricky Williams vs Panther Defense?? Carolina ranks # 16 in=20 rushing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks and that number wi= ll=20 likely be worse once Ricky Williams is through with them.? He's running wi= th=20 the power and aggression everyone hoped for last season.? I think the=20 difference is not only his health, but a solid passing offense to take som= e=20 heat off him.? =20 ? Cleveland's Travis Prentice vs Patriot Defense?? New England only ranks # = 23=20 in rushing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? For the seaso= n,=20 they rank # 26 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.? Prentice and th= e=20 Cleveland offense have struggled but this could be a decent matchup if=20 you've been thinking about playing him. =20 Dallas' Emmitt Smith vs Bengal Defense?? Cincinnati ranks # 20 in Fantasy= =20 Points allowed to opposing RBs.? They rank # 12 in rushing yards allowed= =20 over the last four weeks.? With their QB and WRs decimated by injuries, it= =20 looks like it'll be Emmitt almost by default.? I'd look for Dallas to ask= =20 him to carry the load this week.?=20 Even Matchups:? These games feature no real advantage either way Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis vs Eagle Defense?? The Eagles rank # 22 in=20 rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? For the season, they're a= =20 little better than that ranking # 16 in Fantasy Points allowed to RBs.?=20 Bettis has been a nice surprise this season but it looks like he'll be=20 without starting center Dermontti Dawson and that's a blow.?=20 Seattle's Ricky Watters and Shaun Alexander vs Jaguar Defense?? Over the= =20 last four weeks, Jacksonville ranks # 21 in rushing yards allowed per game= .?=20 For the season, they rank # 17 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.?= =20 That's not very Jaguar - like and you know they're dying to get it turned= =20 around.? The big worry for Watters owners is that coach Mike Holmgren star= ts=20 looking to next year and gives Alexander more time.? Be careful there. Tampa Bay's Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott vs Packer Defense?? Green Bay=20 checks in with the # 20 defense for rushing yards allowed per game over th= e=20 past four weeks.? For the year, they're # 11 in Fantasy Points allowed to= =20 opposing RBs.? It's tough to predict how coach Tony Dungy will use his RBs= .?=20 Dunn has been carrying the ball more than usual lately but you'd think Tam= pa=20 would like to get into more of a grind it out mode with Alstott.? Although= =20 the big guy has to prove he can hold onto the ball.?=20 New York Jet's Curtis Martin vs Colts Defense?? Defenses have keyed on=20 stopping Martin lately while they take their chances with QB Testeverde.?= =20 It's been pretty effective as Martin's not made much noise.? I'm not sure= =20 the Colts can contain him though.? They rank # 19 in rushing yards allowed= =20 over the last four weeks.? With Martin and Edgerrin James on the field,=20 it'll be a matchup of two great RBs. Buffalo's Sammy Morris and Shawn Bryson vs Bear Defense?? Chicago ranks # = 18=20 in rushing yards allowed over the past four weeks.? With QB Doug Flutie=20 under center, I'd look for continued running from Morris and Bryson.? Both= =20 seem to put up similar Fantasy numbers.? If I had to pick one, I'd probabl= y=20 go with Morris.? Indianapolis' Edgerrin James vs Jets Defense???The?Colts are looking to=20 rebound from a sub par performance last week.? I'd think you'll see better= =20 execution and more of a reliance on James instead of Manning having to?play= =20 catch-up.? The Jets rank # 15 in?rushing yards allowed over the last four= =20 weeks.? James is a must start with his potential in all facets of the game= . Arizona's Michael Pittman / Thomas Jones vs Viking Defense???Keep an eye o= n=20 Pittman as he seems to have a habit of finding some sort of injury to limi= t=20 him.? The Viking defense is?just average?as they rank # 13 in rushing yard= s =20 allowed over the last four weeks.? New?coach Dave McGinnis reportedly want= s=20 to?get the ball into Pittman's hands more.? Although Jones is the guy=20 they've paid the big money to so you have to wonder how long he'll sit. Miami's Lamar Smith vs Charger Defense?? For the season, San Diego ranks #= =20 13 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.? They've been tougher lately= =20 but I like the way Lamar Smith is running with confidence.? I'd start him= =20 without hesitation this week. ? Downside Matchups:? These games favor the Defense Green Bay's Ahman Green vs Buccaneer Defense? With Dorsey Levens out, the= =20 Pack turns to Green.? He seems to be anxious and ready to contribute.? Tam= pa=20 ranks # 11 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks so it'll be a= =20 tough matchup.? For the year, Tampa ranks # 10 in Fantasy Points allowed t= o=20 opposing RBs.? He's got skills though and could do well.?=20 Baltimore's Jamal Lewis vs Titans Defense?? Tennessee comes into week 11= =20 ranked # 10 in rushing yards allowed over the last four weeks.? For the=20 year, they rank # 7 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing RBs.? That's=20 solid.? They're quick and athletic and should be a good match for the=20 physical Lewis.? I'd expect less than his normal production from him. Kansas City RBs vs 49er Defense? San Francisco has been fairly soft agains= t=20 the run ranking # 17 in rushing yards allowed the past four weeks.? For th= e=20 year, they rank # 28 in Fantasy Points allowed by opposing RBs.? But I've= =20 lost all faith in Gunther Cunningham and his running game.? They've gone= =20 from everyone getting the ball to nobody getting the ball while Elvis Grba= c=20 throws all day.? I like Kimble Anders but I'd avoid all KC RBs if you can. San Diego's Jermaine Fazande vs Miami Defense?? Fazande seems to be the RB= =20 of the week for San Diego as he ran for 74 yards on 22 carries last week.?= =20 That's a lot for a Charger RB.? The Dolphins are tough against the run=20 though ranking # 9 over the last four weeks in rushing yards allowed per= =20 game.? Even without LB Zach Thomas, it'll be a tough matchup. Denver's Terrell Davis vs Raider Defense?? Make sure to understand: Terrel= l=20 Davis is a sure starter, this is just a tough matchup for him.? Over the= =20 last four weeks, Oakland ranks # 2 in rushing yards allowed per game.? I= =20 expect Davis to do well, he's just got his work cut out for him. New York Giant's Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne vs Rams Defense?? The Rams have= =20 been tougher against the run lately where they rank # 6 in rushing yards= =20 allowed over the last four weeks.? Their offense continues to force people= =20 to pass the ball.? The Giant RBs have been very effective though so you=20 can't count them out.? Coach Fassell seems more willing to use Ron Dayne i= n=20 different situations than he did early on.? And Barber is a great threat= =20 catching the ball. ? Defensive Slam Dunks:? These games heavily favor the Defense St. Louis' Justin Watson vs Giants Defense?? The Giants rank # 1 in both= =20 Fantasy Points allowed for the year to opposing RBs and in rushing yards= =20 allowed over the past four weeks.? In other words, they're tough, and=20 they've been tough.? Justin Watson will have had more time to prepare for= =20 his start this week but I don't think this is an Olandis Gary for Terrell= =20 Davis type situation where the # 2 guy steps in easily and performs almost= =20 as well as the # 1 guy.? Marshall Faulk does too much in that offense.?=20 He'll also be spelled likely by Trung Canidate but I'll believe it when I= =20 see that candybone on the field.? Robert Holcombe could see some time at R= B=20 too. Chicago's James Allen / Curtis Enis vs Bills Defense?? The Bills play toug= h=20 rush defense ranking # 3 over the last four weeks in rushing yards allowed= =20 per game.? They rank # 5 for the year in Fantasy Points allowed by opposin= g=20 RBs.? This will be a tough matchup for any Bear that carries the ball. Carolina's Tshimanga Biakabutuka vs Saints Defense?? New Orleans ranks # 4= =20 over the last four weeks in rushing yards allowed per game.? They're=20 shutting folks down and I don't think the Carolina running game is strong= =20 enough to buck that trend this week. Tennessee's Eddie George vs Raven Defense ? Eddie George is a must start= =20 assuming he's healthy this week.? I just don't like the matchup against a= =20 very tough Raven Defense that's ranked # 7 in rushing yards allowed over t= he=20 last 4 weeks.? He'll grind out some yards but it'll be tough. Philadelphia's Darnell Autry vs Steeler Defense?? Autry may have had succe= ss=20 last week but this week he hits a roadblock in the Steeler defense.?=20 Pittsburgh ranks # 2 for the year in Fantasy Points allowed for opposing= =20 RBs.? I don't that will change after this game. ? ? WHAT IS A VET Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagge= d=20 scar, a certain look in the eye.? Others may carry the evidence inside the= m:=20 a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps = =20 another sort of inner steel: the soul=01,s ally forged in the refinery of = =20 adversity.? Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept=20 America safe wear no badge or emblem.? You can=01,t tell a vet just by lo= oking. What is a vet? He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating tw= o=20 gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn=01,t run out= of=20 fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgro= wn=20 frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by fo= ur=20 hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel. She or he=01*is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep so= bbing=20 every night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is the POW who went away one person and came back another=01*or didn=01= ,t come=20 back AT ALL. He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat=01*but has s= aved=20 countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members= =20 into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other=01,s backs. He is the parade=01*riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals = with=20 a prosthetic hand. He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him= =20 by. He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presen= ce=20 at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all= =20 the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the=20 battlefield or in the ocean=01,s sunless deep. He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket=01*palsied now and= =20 aggravatingly slow=01*who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes= all=20 day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares co= me. He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being=01*a person who off= ered=20 some of his life=01,s most vital years in the service of his country, and = who=20 sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is= =20 nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest,= =20 greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just le= an=20 over and say Thank You.? That=01,s all most people need, and in most cases= it=20 will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarde= d. Two little words that mean a lot, =01&THANK YOU.=018 Remember November 11th is Veterans Day! =01&It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the= =20 press.? It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of=20 speech.? It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the= =20 freedom to demonstrate.? It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serv= es=20 beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the= =20 protester to burn the flag.=018 Father Dennis Edward O=01,Brien, USMC ? To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com
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