Pickup's of the week #8

QB Trent Edwards, BUF

Edwards shouldn't be available, but I can assure you doubters that there are owners out there who (inexplicably) feel better rostering the likes of Matt Cassel, J.T. O'Sullivan, Kerry Collins, JaMarcus Russell…even Damon Huard and J.P. Losman! Edwards is no star, but he deserves better than that. Take a look at the vulnerable Miami secondary (currently giving up 235 passing yards per game) and tell me you can't make room for this guy.

RB Deuce McAllister, NO

Lazarus is no longer the only Saint to have risen from the grave. Left for dead by many fantasy owners, Deuce McAllister has re-emerged and now might be the starting running back for the next several weeks. Reggie Bush had minor surgery Monday after tearing meniscus in his left knee in the game against the Panthers. He'll miss at least the next few weeks. Pierre Thomas would also benefit if Bush misses time, but McAllister stands to inherit the bulk of the carries.

RB Sammy Morris, NE

Laurence Maroney is out (IR). Sammy Morris is in...maybe. He blasted through an, admittedly soft, Bronco's defense for 138 first half rushing yards before leaving with a knee injury. No word yet on the severity, but this might be a gamble worth taking. If Morris bounces back, we could start seeing him in more of a feature role. He was already averaging over 10 carries per game and should (if healthy) inherit some of the 1st and 2nd down carries he was sharing with Maroney.

RB Pierre Thomas, NO

Part two of the Reggie Bush tale of woe involves Pierre Thomas' possible ascent to fantasy prominence. He's had only four rushes in the last three games, mostly due to surprising effectiveness of Deuce McAllister, but is liable to spell the older, injury prone back until Bush is healthy. Thomas is worth picking up in the deepest leagues, but you might be better waiting to see what kind of workload he gets this weekend against the Chargers.

WR Kevin Curtis, PHI

Curtis is due back this week and should immediately resume his starting role. Remember that Curtis was a huge addition to what had been, in 2006, a sputtering Philadelphia passing game. He broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark last season catching passes from McNabb and, when healthy, is a reasonable WR#2 and an excellent WR#3 in fantasy leagues. He should be owned in almost every format and there's a good chance people have forgotten about him after he missed the first seven games due to a groin injury and last week's bye.

Sleepers of the week #8

QB Trent Edwards, BUF

Trent Edwards and the Buffalo Bills travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in week eight. Edwards is coming off an impressive game against the San Diego Chargers in which he completed 25 of 30 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown in his return from an injury. Edwards has been good so far this season, leading the Bills to the top of the AFC East division. Edwards should continue his impressive season this week against a struggling Miami secondary that has allowed more than 230 yards passing per game. The secondary is the weakest part of the Dolphins defense and the Bills should be able to exploit their weakness with Lee Evans getting open down the field. Fantasy owners should feel comfortable starting Trent Edwards and can expect more than 200 passing yards and one touchdown from the Bills' starting quarterback.

QB Brett Favre, NYJ

Brett Favre and the New York Jets return home to face the lowly Kansas City Chiefs in week eight. The Chiefs' defense has been awful this season and the Jets should be able to take advantage of their defense this week. The Chiefs' defense gave up more than 300 yards rushing in week seven and I am sure that they will try to focus on stopping the run this week against the Jets. Thomas Jones has been on fire lately and the Chiefs will have to focus on stopping him if they are to have any chance to win this week. With the Chiefs focusing on stopping the Jets' running game, Brett Favre should have a bounce back game after last week's dismal performance against the Raiders. Favre will be able to get back on track and should find the endzone at least twice in week eight. Fantasy owners should start Favre and expect 200 passing yards and two touchdowns from the New York Jets quarterback.

QB Matt Schaub, HOU

Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans return home to face the Cincinnati Bengals in week eight. Schaub has been on fire lately, throwing for 307, 379, and 267 yards in this last three games. In those three games against the Jaguars, Dolphins, and Lions, Schaub has compiled seven total touchdowns. Schaub has another favorable match-up this week against the Bengals secondary. The Texans have too many weapons for the Bengals to handle and Schaub should continue his excellent play. Schaub has a great connection with wide receiver Andre Johnson and tight end Owen Daniels, and these two guys have really stepped up their games as of late. Schaub and his receiving targets should be able to exploit the Bengals secondary this week. Fantasy owners should get Schaub into their lineups and can expect more than 200 yards and two touchdowns from the Texans quarterback.

RB Cedric Benson, CIN

Cedric Benson and the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Houston to take on the

Texans in week eight. Benson took over as the Bengals' starting running back in week seven and ran the ball 14 times for 52 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards against a strong Steelers defense. Benson will have a better match-up this week against the Texans defense. While Benson has never been a great fantasy option over his career, he is getting the opportunity to be the feature back in Cincinnati and should capitalize this week in Houston. The Bengals will need to establish a strong running game if they have any chance of beating the Texans, so I expect Benson to get close to 20 touches. Fantasy owners can start Benson and expect more than 80 total yards and one touchdown against the Texans this week.

RB Deuce McAllister, NO

Deuce McAllister and the New Orleans Saints travel to London, England to face the San Diego Chargers in week eight. The Saints offense has suffered a major blow with the knee injury to Reggie Bush, however, this does open the door for guys like Deuce McAllister, Pierre Thomas, and possibly Aaron Stecker to take on bigger roles in the Saints offense. The main beneficiary in the running game should be Deuce McAllister. While Thomas and Stecker will probably pick up the role of the receiving back in Bush's absence, McAllister should be getting between 15-20 carries out of the backfield in New Orleans. Fantasy owners can get McAllister into their lineups as a flex play and can expect 75 total yards and one touchdown from the New Orleans running back.

Busts of the Week #8

RB Justin Fargas, OAK

Fargas has not run for more than 100 yards this season and has not surpassed 75 yards since Week 1. Granted he has been set back by injury, but until Oakland's win this past week, their offense has not looked great. This week Fargas is up against a Baltimore defense that got smoked by Indianapolis and then won against a poor Miami team last week. Look for Baltimore to continue to step up the pressure and wreak havoc on Russell and the Oakland offense.

RB Brandon Jacobs, NYG

I am calling for a poor performance from Brandon Jacobs this week. I know, most fantasy owners are going to say, how can I bench a guy who has scored 6 touchdowns in his last 4 games? Jacobs and his running mates Ward and Bradshaw will be up against the second ranked Pittsburgh run defense that holds backs to just under 70 yards per game. It will take more than Jacobs to break down this solid front and Ward and Bradshaw will be utilized as often as needed to change the pace. This is why I would consider putting Jacobs on your bench. Pittsburgh is likely to shut down the inside running lanes that Jacobs prefers to bang his way through. This means Ward's cut and run style and Bradshaw's speed could play significant roles. However, I would hesitate to start either of them as well because of the match-up.

RB Edgerrin James, ARI

James has had one 100 yard game this season and has only scored 3 rushing and zero receiving touchdowns. In the past we would have expected to see James scoring weekly on the ground and possibly through the air as well, but the past few years his performance has been inconsistent at best. This week against Carolina's stand-up defense should be a challenge for James. Warner will likely be airing the ball out and James is not targeted as much with the solid receiving core in Arizona. Look for him to have a 60-70 yard outing with no score.

RB Darren McFadden, OAK

Since the return of Justin Fargas in Week 6, McFadden has not been utilized to his capacity. McFadden had started slipping after Week 2 and has now become a bust until further notice. Some fantasy owners may still be holding onto McFadden, but at this point he is a handcuff at best. I predict Fargas will be a bust this week at Baltimore as well.

RB Kolby Smith, KC

With Larry Johnson out again this week after team and personal issues, Kolby Smith will get the start for Kansas City. Smith has shown some potential to produce, but has not been provided the opportunity lately. This week however, is not the week to put him in as a bye week fill-in or otherwise. The New York defense is ranked fourth in run defense and will likely cause Smith and the Kansas City offense problems.

Top 10 - Who To Start Week #8

QB's

1. Drew Brees


2. Donovan McNabb


3. Jason Campbell


4. Matt Schaub


5. Peyton Manning


6. Ben Roethlisberger


7. Philip Rivers


8. Brett Favre


9. Jake Delhomme


10. Matt Cassel

RB's

1. Clinton Portis


2. Marion Barber


3. Brian Westbrook


4. Ladainian Tomlinson


5. Frank Gore


6. Steven Jackson


7. Thomas Jones


8. Maurice Jones-Drew


9. Chris Johnson


10. Willis McGahee

WR's

1. Andre Johnson


2. Hines Ward


3. Randy Moss


4. Larry Fitzgerald


5. Steve Smith


6. Terrell Owens


7. Plaxico Burress


8. Santana Moss


9. Braylon Edwards


10. Reggie Wayne

TE's

1. Antonio Gates


2. Jason Witten


3. Chris Cooley


4. Tony Gonzalez


5. Dallas Clark


6. Owen Daniels


7. Heath Miller


8. Todd Heap


9. Ben Watson


10. Jeff King

Kickers

1. Nate Kaeding


2. Olindo Mare


3. Stephen Gostkowski


4. Shaun Suisham


5. Matt Bryant


6. Shayne Graham


7. Joe Nedney


8. Jason Elam


9. Rian Lindell


10. Jay Feely

DEF's

1. New England Defense


2. Philadelphia Defense


3. Seattle Defense


4. San Diego Defense


5. Ny Jets Defense


6. Washington Defense


7. Dallas Defense


8. Jacksonville Defense


9. Oakland Defense


10. San Fran Defense