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QUARTERBACK
BRETT FAVRE
Packers AT Bills
Things are coming together for the Packers' QB: Ahman Green is healthy, and inthe 6'4" David Martin, Favre has found a new, tall tight end threat in themold of Mark Chmura. It all should add up to a monster day against the Bills,who've allowed 88 points in their last three games.
REX GROSSMAN
Bears VS. Dolphins
After tossing four interceptions in Week 6, sexy Rexy redeemed himself byhanging 41 points on the 49ers in the first half. His teammates helped hiscause by handing him the ball inside Niners territory three times. Miami hasallowed two passing TDs in three straight games and has a minus-5 turnoverdifferential.
MICHAEL VICK
Falcons AT Lions
Coming off a Week 6 loss to the Giants, Vick promised to play more like atraditional QB: more passes and not so much reckless scrambling. Good timing,Mike. The Lions are ranked 29th in the league against the pass. Vick has sevenpassing TDs in the last two games. Expect more of the same here.
RUNNING BACK
FRED TAYLOR
Jaguars VS. Titans
Taylor is in a groove, having run for 298 yards and two touchdowns in his lastthree games. Last week the Tennessee defense, the league's second worst againstthe run, couldn't contain Texans rookie Wali Lundy, who ran for 116 yards (thefirst time the Titans had allowed an individual a 100-yard game since Week4).
WARRICK DUNN
Falcons AT Lions
When we last saw the Lions' defense without suspended Pro Bowl defensive tackleShaun Rogers, speedy Jets rookie (and Florida State product) Leon Washingtonwas lighting them up for 129 yards and two TDs. Dunn, also a former Seminolesback, must be licking his chops as he watches that film.
BRANDON JACOBS
Giants VS. Texans
Tiki Barber is the toast of the town, but Jacobs (the only Giant to have runfor a TD this year) will do the heavy lifting against the Texans. New Yorkshould jump out to an early lead against a Houston team that the rest of theNFC East has outscored 89--31, and that means Jacobs will get twice his usualnumber of carries.
WIDE RECEIVER
T.J.HOUSHMANDZADEH
Bengals AT Ravens
If anyone can find a hole in Baltimore's passing-defense wall, it'sHoushmandzadeh, who'd be happy to play the Ravens 16 times a year. In twoseasons as a starter he has put forth his best efforts against Baltimore. Lastyear in Week 12 he caught nine balls for 147 yards and a TD against theRavens.
MARQUES COLSTON
Saints AT Buccaneers
The rookie is coming off his best game (six catches for 163 yards, two TDs),and he'll get a chance to top it against Tampa's undersized cornerbacks. For apreview see 6'5" Plaxico Burress's first quarter TD against the Bucs'5'10" Ronde Barber last week. Size matters, and Colston is 6'4".
EDDIE KENNISON
Chiefs AT Rams
Kennison is likely free in your league, and now is the time to snag him. Hehauled in six passes for 132 yards last week, which indicates that fill-in QBDamon Huard is finally comfortable with him. More important, Trent Green, withwhom Kennison has played for six seasons, is slated to return from a concussionsoon.
TIGHT END
JASON WITTEN
Cowboys AT Redskins
Witten--the biggest beneficiary of Dallas's QB switch to the spry TonyRomo--showed last week what he can do when he's not forced to hold his blocks.Able to get into his pass patterns earlier, he made six catches for 80 yardsand one TD against the Panthers, his finest performance since Week 14 of lastyear (93 yards and a TD against the Chiefs).
KICKER
ADAM VINATIERI
Colts AT Patriots
The most consistent clutch kicker in NFL history, Vinatieri returns to NewEngland to play his former team, for which he made so many memorable boots.Look for him to have plenty of opportunities to show the Foxborough faithfulwhat they lost as he punctuates seven or eight scoring drives in this shootoutbetween two of the league's glamour teams.
DEFENSE
GIANTS VS.Texans
Since a team meeting during their bye week, the Giants haveregrouped--especially on defense. New York has won all four games since thenand has sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times. A slumping David Carr seems ripefor the picking: At Tennessee he was taken down four times and turned the ballover three times before being pulled.
SUPER SLEEPER
DEUCE MCALLISTER
RB SAINTS vs. Buccaneers
Texans fans havebeen asking themselves all year, "What if we had Reggie Bush?" Afterthe Heisman winner suffered an ankle injury last week, the New Orleans faithfulmay be forced to ponder, "What if we don't?" But Bush's getting dingedis good news for anyone who owns McAllister, who will get a shot at thefull-time gig. Through seven games McAllister has put up surprisingly solidfantasy numbers for a guy who gets only half of his team's carries and hasbecome an afterthought as a receiver. (He has 15 catches to Bush's 42.)McAllister has done the best with the opportunities he's been given, averaging4.7 yards per carry and scoring four TDs. Considering McAllister's Week 5performance against Tampa Bay--he turned 15 carries into 123 yards and aTD--and adding in the nine carries and 11 receptions that Bush had that day,you can see how McAllister's expanded load could lead to a fantasywindfall.
IS HE FOR REAL?
SENECA WALLACE
QB SEAHAWKS
Filling in for aninjured Matt Hasselbeck, fourth-year backup Wallace went 15 for 30 and amassed198 yards with three TDs (and two interceptions) in his first NFL start, a lossto the Chiefs. Hasselbeck is expected to be sidelined for another two or threeweeks, making Wallace a superb choice for an injury replacement, especiallyconsidering Seattle's exceedingly cushy upcoming schedule. The Seahawks play athome against the Raiders and the Rams, then are on the road against the 49ersin Week 11--just when you're jockeying for position in the fantasyplayoffs.
THE PERFECT TEAM:WEEK 9
QB MARC BULGER vs.Chiefs
Rams average 29 points at home this year
RB LADAINIAN TOMLINSON vs. Browns
Has scored 8 TDs in last three games
RB LAURENCE MARONEY vs. Colts
Rookie will play a big role in big rivalry
WR PLAXICO BURRESS vs. Texans
Has TDs in three of his last four games
WR ROY WILLIAMS vs. Falcons
Detroit will unleash its passing game
TE KELLEN WINSLOW at Chargers
He'll be amped to face Dad's old team
K JEFF WILKINS vs.Chiefs
Enters the battle of Missouri with 71 points
D BRONCOS atSteelers
Smarting D is Roethlisberger's worst nightmare
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DAVID BERGMAN
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SIMON BRUTY
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DAVID BERGMAN
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