Minnesota at Pittsburgh
- 1:00 pm EST Sunday
Pittsburgh hasn't allowed a running back to eclipse 100 yards in a couple years. Adrian Peterson doesn't care. The Vikings' back blew up all over the Ravens defense last week, and the Vikings handled a good Baltimore defense easily. They did, however, give up plenty of yards and, if the Ravens kicker did his job, the Vikings wouldn't be undefeated right now.
The Steelers have formally made the transition to Rashard Mendenhall as their number one back, but reality in Steel Town is that this is a pass-happy offense led by Ben Roethlisberger. Hines Ward is coming off a big game, and Mike Wallace is quietly winning Big Ben's confidence in the deep game. Just like last week, this smells like a defensive battle but will end up a high scoring game.
Fantasy Projections
Brett Favre: 290 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Adrian Peterson: 120 total yards, 1 TD, 1 lost fumble
Sidney Rice: 125 yards, 1 TD
Percy Harvin: 90 return yards, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
Visanthe Shiancoe: 60 yards, 1 TD
Ben Roethlisberger: 330 yards, 3 TDs
Rashard Mendenhall: 90 total yards, 1 TD
Hines Ward: 80 yards, 1 TD
Mike Wallace: 100 yards, 1 TD
Heath Miller: 50 yards, 1 TD
Santonio Holmes: 90 yards
Final Score: Steelers 34 - Vikings 31
Green Bay at Cleveland - 1:00 pm EST Sunday
Cleveland is not very good in any aspect of the game. Derek Anderson has struggled, Jamal Lewis has been banged up, and their defense hasn't stopped anyone. The Browns are also dealing with a team-wide flu issue this week, with as many as 30 players being reportedly effected.
Meanwhile, the Packers are good. Aaron Rodgers has weapons and an arm, Ryan Grant has had a pretty good start, and the transition to the 3-4 defense hasn't been as bad as many thought it might have been. The Packers blanked the Lions last week, while the Browns lost to the Steelers.
Fantasy Projections
Aaron Rodgers: 300 yards, 3 TDs
Ryan Grant: 130 total yards
Greg Jennings: 120 yards, 1 TD
Donald Driver: 90 yards, 1 TD
JerMichael Finley: 40 yards, 1 TD
GB DEF: 3 takeaways, 3 sacks
Derek Anderson: 180 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Jamal Lewis: 75 total yards
Mohamed Massaquoi: 70 yards, 1 TD
Joshua Cribbs: 200 return yards, 40 rec yards, 1 TD
Final Score: Packers 27 - Browns 14
San Diego at Kansas City - 1:00 pm EST Sunday
The Chargers are coming off a tough defeat against the Broncos on Monday night. LaDanian Tomlinson was surprisingly vocal with his disappointment, and the Chargers defense was lazy (as usual) in the loss. As the Broncos continue winning, the charge will be on the rest of the AFC West to find a way to stay close.
On the other side, the Chiefs busted the doughnut they had in the win column by defeating the Washington Redskins this past Sunday. However, if we've learned anything this year, it's that anyone can beat the Redskins. Matt Cassell only threw for 189 yards against Washington, with 109 of it to Dwayne Bowe. They cannot afford to be that narrow with their aim against the Chargers.
Fantasy Projections
Philip Rivers: 290 yards, 2 TDs
LaDanian Tomlinson: 70 total yards
Darren Sproles: 170 return yards, 110 offensive yards
Vincent Jackson: 90 yards, 1 TD
Antonio Gates: 80 yards, 1 TD
Matt Cassell: 220 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Larry Johnson: 100 total yards, 1 TD
Dwayne Bowe: 95 yards, 1 TD
Mark Bradley: 70 yards, 1 TD
Final Score: Chargers 23 - Chiefs 21
San Francisco at Houston - 1:00 pm EST Sunday
The Texans had a monster fantasy week against Cincinnati last week, as Matt Schaub threw for nearly 400 yards in the victory. San Francisco's defense has been good this year, but they don't have enough size at the corner positions to match up with Andre Johnson. Johnson and Schaub, together, could have a big week.
The Niners, though, are coming off a bye week and are playing for a division crown. Not only will they be well rested, but they'll introduce the world to Michael Crabtree. Whether or not Crabtree makes an impact is questionable, but San Francisco's defense will have to contain the Texans for this game to be close.
Fantasy Projections
Shaun Hill: 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Frank Gore: 110 total yards, 1 TD
Vernon Davis: 85 yards, 1 TD
Michael Crabtree: 70 yards
Matt Schaub: 310 yards, 3 TDs
Steve Slaton: 65 yards
Andre Johnson: 150 yards, 2 TDs
Owen Daniels: 70 yards, 1 TD
Final Score: Texans 27 - 49ers 17
New York Jets at Oakland - 4:15 pm EST Sunday
The Jets have played everyone they've faced tough this year, but the honeymoon is over for Mark Sanchez. The rookie quarterback has thrown a lot of interceptions after getting off to a solid start, and is looking like the kid he is. Thomas Jones is having a good season, and the addition of Braylon Edwards helps spread defenses out. But Sanchez is still learning on the job.
Enter the Raiders, who surprised most people by upsetting the Eagles last week. Richard Seymour told a Bay Area radio show this week that the Raiders are going to make the playoffs this year, but still have not received even decent play from JaMarcus Russell. If the Raiders have a shot in this game, they're going to need turnovers, a good pass rush, and they're going to have to run the ball. I think they'll accomplish all of those objectives.
Fantasy Projections
Mark Sanchez: 220 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Thomas Jones: 110 total yards, 1 TD
Braylon Edwards: 80 yards
Dustin Keller: 50 yards, 1 TD
Leon Washington: 160 return yards, 80 total offensive yards, 1 TD
LaMarcus Russell: 190 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Justin Fargas: 90 total yards
Zach Miller: 90 yards, 1 TD
Louis Murphy: 40 yards, 1 TD
OAK DEF: 3 takeaways, 2 sacks, 1 TD
Final Score: Raiders 24 - Jets 21
Chicago at Cincinnati - 4:15 pm EST Sunday
The Bears come into this game after an embarassing loss at Atlanta in prime time. They turned the ball over in the red zone and, again, couldn't establish a run game. But they're going against a Bengals defense that gave up miles of yardage to the Texans last week and are going to be without Antwan Odom for the rest of the season. The Bears might not run the ball well on Sunday, but they might not need to for a win.
However, the Bears defense is banged up and vulnerable and Chad Ochocinco has been tweeting the Bears' players all week telling them about how he was going to make them look bad. Carson Palmer's had a great start to his season, and Cedric Benson has found his mojo in Cincy. If anyone has something to prove, it's Benson against the Bears. Look for the Bengals to give him his chance at redemption.
Fantasy Projections
Jay Cutler: 320 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Matt Forte: 90 total yards, 1 TD
Devin Hester: 80 return yards, 90 offensive yards, 1 TD
Johnny Knox: 100 return yards, 100 rec yards, 1 TD
Earl Bennett: 80 yards
Greg Olson: 70 yards, 1 TD
Carson Palmer: 280 yards, 2 TDs
Cedric Benson: 150 total yards, 1 TD
Chad Ochocinco: 90 yards, 1 TD
Andre Caldwell: 90 return yards, 80 rec yards, 1 TD
Final Score: Bears 31 - Bengals 27
New Orleans at Miami - 4:15 pm EST Sunday
Drew Brees wrecked the Giants defense last week. The Saints offense looks unstoppable and is starting to be placed in historical perspective. They also have a defense this year, though, and should do as they please in South Florida on Sunday afternoon.
The Dolphins, though, have shown that you cannot sell thier Wildcat formation short. They have confused good defenses all year, and will look to do the same to provide Chad Henne with enough time to make enough mistake-free games to keep them in the game.
Fantasy Projections
Drew Brees: 290 yards, 3 TDs
Pierre Thomas: 90 yards, 1 TD
Marques Colston: 80 yards, 1 TD
Lance Moore: 90 yards, 1 TD
Jeremy Schockey: 50 yards, 1 TD
Chad Henne: 180 yards
Ronnie Brown: 110 total yards, 1 TD
Ricky Williams: 90 total yards, 1 TD
Ted Ginn Jr: 100 total yards
Final Score: Saints 33 - Dolphins 14
