Cincinnati @ Cleveland - 1 pm Sunday
The story here, nationally, is that Cleveland coach Eric Mangini will now start Derek Anderson at quarterback. With Cleveland's running game a wreck and Brady Quinn unable to get the ball in the end zone, Mangini appears to be firing from the hip.
However, the story should be the surprising Bengals. If not for a miracle play against Denver, Cincy would be undefeated heading into the Battle of Ohio. Carson Palmer has been solid all season, and Cedric Benson looks more like the All American the Bears draft out of Texas than he ever did in Chicago.
Fantasy Projections
Carson Palmer: 300 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Cedric Benson: 130 total yards, 1 touchdown
Chad Ochocinco: 100 yards, 1 touchdown
Laveraneus Coles: 110 yards, 1 touchdown
Chris Henry: 70 yards
Derek Anderson: 185 yards, 1 touchdown 2 interceptions
Braylon Edwards: 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Running Backs: 100 total yards (*Jamal Lewis still questionable)
Joshua Cribbs: 250 total yards
Final Score: Bengals 31 - Browns 13
Seattle @ Indianapolis - 1 pm Sunday
The Colts are rolling behind Peyton Manning, and young receiver Pierre Garcon is looking more and more like a decent fantasy play opposite Reggie Wayne. Rookie running back Donald Brown has been solid as well, and is available in most leagues. The absence of Dwight Freeney on the Colts defensive line could be problematic with Julius Jones coming off a strong performance against the Bears.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, are covered with injuries. Quarterback Seneca Wallace did enough against the Bears to buy him another week under center, and his mobility could be a factor without Freeney on the field. The Seattle defense has been torn apart by injuries, though, and they're playing the best field general in the game.
Fantasy Projections:
Peyton Manning: 320 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
Donald Brown: 85 total yards, 1 touchdown
Reggie Wayne: 150 yards, 2 touchdowns
Pierre Garcon: 75 yards, 1 touchdown
Dallas Clark: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Seneca Wallace: 240 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Julius Jones: 110 total yards
TJ Houshmandzadeh: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Nate Burleson: 75 yards, 1 touchdown
John Carlson: 50 yards
Final Score: Colts 34 - Seahawks 17
New York Giants @ Kansas City - 1 pm Sunday
The Giants are coming off one of the most dominant performance in recent memory, allowing under 90 total yards to the Buccaneers. Their running game got on track, and Steve Smith has started to look every bit the replacement of Plaxico Burress.
This could be a painful week for the Chiefs. They've struggled everywhere this year, and are playing one of the best teams in football. If at all possible, avoiding the Chiefs offensive players is probably in your best interests as a fantasy owner.
Fantasy Projections:
Eli Manning: 240 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Brandon Jacobs: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Ahmad Bradshaw: 75 yards, 1 touchdown
Steve Smith: 85 yards, 1 touchdown
Mario Manningham: 100 yards, 1 touchdown
Kevin Boss: 40 yards
Matt Cassell: 150 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 4 sacks
Larry Johnson: 40 yards
Mark Bradley: 70 yards
Final Score: Giants 28 - Chiefs 6
Baltimore @ New England - 1 pm Sunday
The Ravens have been excellent in every way so far this year. Joe Flacco has thrown for over 300 games twice already, the ground game of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee has been productive, and the defense has been as good as always. Not only are the abusing opposing offenses now, they're embarrassing defenses as well.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive victory against the Atlanta Falcons. Their defense finally showed up, and Randy Moss caught 10 balls for over 100 yards. It won't be as easy to move the ball against the hard-hitting Ravens defense this week, so a conservative approach might be wise. A big factor for the Patriots offense will be how limited Wes Welker is after missing two weeks as well.
Fantasy Projections:
Tom Brady: 260 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Randy Moss: 90 yards, 2 touchdowns
Wes Welker: 75 yards
Ben Watson: 50 yards
Fred Taylor: 110 total yards, 1 touchdown
Joe Flacco: 280 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Derrick Mason: 100 yards, 1 touchdown
Todd Heap: 50 yards, 1 touchdown
Willis McGahee: 60 yards, 1 touchdown
Ray Rice: 85 yards
Final Score: Ravens 24 - Patriots 21
Tennessee @ Jacksonville - 1 pm Sunday
Tennessee comes in with a ton to prove, both in the win column and to fantasy owners. Chris Johnson and LenDale White haven't overwhelmed like they did for much of last year, and Kerry Collins has looked more old than efficient. There might be some serious questions in Nashville if the team that went 13-3 loses their first four games to start this season.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, has been the opposite of the Titans despite only winning once. The addition of Torry Holt has settled down a restless passing game and Maurice Jones-Drew has bowled over opponents and his critics as he's started the year in powerful fashion. Their defense will be put to the test by Johnson's speed, though, and the Titans might be more desperate at this point.
Fantasy Projections:
Kerry Collins: 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Chris Johnson: 130 total yards, 1 touchdown
LenDale White: 70 yards
Nate Washington: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Kenny Britt: 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Justin Gage: 60 yards
David Garrard: 270 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Maurice Jones-Drew: 120 yards, 1 touchdown
Torry Holt: 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Mike Sims-Walker: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Final Score: Titans 27 - Jaguars 21
Oakland @ Houston - 1 pm Sunday
Oakland's defense has improved with the addition of Richard Seymore, but their offense is totally lost. Until JaMarcus Russell figures out what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, they're going to struggle to win games. They'll probably incorporate Darren McFadden into the offense more this week, which could be interesting against a bi-polar Texans defense.
The Texans defense might be bi-polar, but their talent on offense is undeniable. Andre Johnson is off to a strong start and Steve Slaton is a talented back. If Matt Schaub can stay on his feet and healthy, the Texans should be able to put up points. The intriguing part of this game is whether or not their defense can stop Oakland... or if they even have to.
Fantasy Projections:
JaMarcus Russell: 180 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Darren McFadden: 120 total yards, 1 touchdown
Louis Murphy: 70 yards
Matt Schaub: 270 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Steve Slaton: 110 total yards, 1 touchdown
Andre Johnson: 150 yards, 2 touchdowns
Final Score: Texans 24 - Raiders 10
Buffalo @ Miami - 4 pm Sunday
For Miami this hasn't been an easy week. The news that Chad Pennington's season, and perhaps career, are over with another shoulder issue means that Chad Henne takes the reigns before the Dolphins probably wanted him to, but without a choice. That means Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will probably see an increased workload, and Henne's arm strength might make Ted Ginn's speed useful more than it was with Pennington.
The Bills are... emerging as the new home of Terrell Owens. His latest non-rant in front of the media, and the subsequent throwing of that media under the bus, are putting Owens back into the headlines while their offense continues to struggle. Both Owens and Lee Evans haven't seen enough of the ball, and Marshawn Lynch's pending return make their offense a huge question mark for fantasy owners.
Fantasy Projections:
Trent Edwards: 220 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Running Backs: 130 total yards, 1 touchdown (* beware of who's getting how many carries, though)
T.O.: 60 yards
Lee Evans: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Chad Henne: 240 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Ronnie Brown: 120 total yards, 1 touchdown
Ricky Williams: 80 total yards
Ted Ginn: 110 yards, 1 touchdown
Anthony Fasano: 60 yards, 1 touchdown
Final Score: Miami 24 - Buffalo 17
Dallas @ Denver - 4 pm Sunday
It took a full half of football, but the Cowboys finally put it together on Monday night. They'll be playing a surprising Denver defense on paper, that hasn't faced anyone nearly as talented as Dallas. Tony Romo should, and will have to get his receivers involved against a good Denver secondary to win this game, as it appears the Cowboys might have to rely on Tashard Choice exclusively in the backfield because of injuries to Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
Denver comes in 3-0, and anyone who saw that coming should have bet on it in Vegas. Kyle Orton has done a nice job of not screwing up, and their running game has started to come around. They'll need Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno to play well again against a tough Dallas front if they want to remain perfect on the season.
Fantasy Projections:
Tony Romo: 280 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Tashard Choice: 110 total yards, 1 touchdown
Patrick Crayton: 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Roy Williams: 60 yards
Jason Witten: 100 yards, 1 touchdown
Kyle Orton: 230 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks
Knowshon Moreno: 100 total yards, 1 touchdown
Correll Buckhalter: 100 total yards
Brandon Marshall: 75 yards, 1 touchdown
Final Score: Cowboys 27 - Broncos 17
San Diego @ Pittsburgh - 8 pm Sunday
The Chargers are struggling with their identity this year, as it appears we're witnessing the sunset of LaDanian Tomlinson's career. Philip Rivers has put up big numbers, but hasn't been able to close the deal and the running game hasn't been as effective with Darren Sproles as the primary back.
The Steelers are a shocking 1-2 to begin the season after losing late against the Bengals, are will hope to rebound with Troy Polamalu potentially returning this weekend. Their defense and lack of a running game have been the major culprits so far, and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes hasn't been able to hang on to the ball as well as fans and fantasy owners would have hoped. As far as it feels from traditionally logical to say, this might turn into an aerial assault from both teams.
Fantasy Projections:
Philip Rivers: 320 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Darren Sproles: 120 total yards, 1 touchdown
Vicent Jackson: 120 yards, 1 touchdown
Antonio Gate: 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Ben Roethlisberger: 310 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Willie Parker: 100 total yards, 1 touchdown
Rashard Mendenhall: 80 total yards
Santonio Holmes: 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Hines Ward: 90 yards
Heath Miller: 60 yards, 1 touchdown
Final Score: Steelers 27 - Chargers 21
