THREE MORE WEEKS AND WE ARE THROUGH … with bye weeks. Missing for this week’s line-ups will be Bengals (Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco), Chiefs (Dwayne Bowe), Patriots (Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, Randy Moss, Wes Welker), Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Heath Miller), Buccaneers (anyone care), Redskins (Clinton Portis).

NOON GAMES

SEATTLE AT DALLAS – Walter Jones is gone, Dallas has a good pass rush - if Matt Hasselbeck stays up he could be effective. I don’t like any Seattle runners and TJ Houshmandzadeh is the only threat I see fantasy-wise. Tony Romo and Miles Austin (4^th most yardage in 2 games in NFL history) should be red hot in this game. Jason Witten might score in this game. I like Felix Jones over Marion Barber as the top back.

HOUSTON AT BUFFALO – Matt Schaub has thrown 16 TDs and averaged over 300 yards in his last 6 games. The Bills can’t stop the run, so Steve Slaton could have a good game here. He also averages over 40 yards a game receiving. I like Owen Daniels the most among Houston WRs. Andre Johnson (bruised lung) didn’t practice Wednesday, but I think he will play. Here’s a stat, Ryan Fitzpatrick has won 5 in a row (3 last year). But don’t start him. Marshawn Lynch should have a decent game (Bills have scored 2 rushing TDs). Lee Evans and Terrell Owens (remember him) should be better WRs since they’re invisible.

ST. LOUIS AT DETROIT – Two terrible teams, I see offense in this game. Could be entertaining. Donnie Avery, Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger (bye-week emergency) are plays here. Matthew Stafford should be back, doesn’t look as good for Calvin Johnson. That leaves Kevin Smith as Detroit’s biggest weapon. Need a sleeper WR – Dennis Northcutt (6 and 5 catches the last two weeks, 1 TD). Like both kickers here because both teams might move the ball, but not finish the drives.

DENVER AT BALTIMORE – I like Kyle Orton vs. a bottom-10 pass defense (Hard to believe). Gotta like Brandon Marshall, look for an improving Tony Scheffler, but Knowshow Moreno/Correll Buckhalter might not be effective. Despite a tough Bronco defense, I like Ray Rice (yardage over TD) here. I like Joe Flacco to find Todd Heap in this game. Once again a good game for kickers.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA – In four of the last five games the Giants have struggled vs. the Eagle defense. This week could be the same. I don’t like Eli Manning in this game and I rank Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham in that order at WR. I think Brandon Jacobs has the best chance to score here (Really!). Lawrence Tynes could have a good game here.

MIAMI AT NEW YORK JETS – The Dolphins had 400 yards and 4 TDs in the first meeting, I don’t see the same here. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (second-ranked running game) are solid plays. Chad Henne (2 TDs) won’t be as effective this time. Anthony Fasano had scored in three straight games vs. the Jets. He’s a sleeper. Thomas Jones and Shonn Green should start for you, but they could struggle. Braylon Edwards could have a good game here.

CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO – The Browns have scored a league-low 4 TDs and the Bears are ticked after getting embarrassed by the Bengals last week. Why what you start anyone from Cleveland. If Matt Forte doesn’t do something in this game, try and find a taker quickly. Jay Cutler could have 4 TDs, unless the Bears run all of them in. I like Devin Hester and Greg Olson and maybe Johnny Knox. Robbie Gould might also have a big game.

SAN FRANCISCO AT INDIANAPOLIS – Alex Smith vs. a tough Indy defense (2 TD passes). It will be interesting to see how he responds. Unless the Colts blow the 49ers out quickly, look for San Francisco to give Frank Gore the ball and try to keep the Colts on the sidelines where they can’t score. In their last 38 games only 4 TDs have gone to tight ends, but start Vernon Davis, who is hot. Injuries to Reggie Wayne (groin) and Anthony Gonzalez (out another week) will make Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon more valuable. An injury to Donald Brown (shoulder) will make Joe Addai a full-time RB. That Peyton Manning guy should always play.

4:05 P.M. GAMES

JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE – Jacksonville scored 3 of 4 TDS in the first game vs. Tennessee via the pass, so David Garrard is a play. You have to play Maurice Jones-Drew, but the Jags have held him under 15 yards in 2 of the last 3 games. I like Mike Sims-Walker as the best starter next to Garrard. If Vince Young starts at QB, it will hurt the value of the Titan WRs, although that’s not a lot of value anyway. Kerry Collins has a better chance against a defense that allows almost 70% pass completions. He had 284 yards and a TD in the first game against them. Chris Johnson always starts.

OAKLAND AT SAN DIEGO – If I had to pick some Raiders, had to, I like Justin Fargas, Zach Miller and Sebastian Janikowski. I like LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Spoles to each get in the end zone (3 of the last 5 games they have allowed 200 rushing yards). I like Philip Rivers to throw at least 2 TDs, I look for Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates to have good games, with one of them scoring.

4:15 P.M. GAMES

MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY – Adrian Peterson was held to 55 yards in the first meeting, but I see him getting close to 100 yards and a score, maybe two. I think the defense will focus more on Brett Favre. If Dom Capers plays the same defense as he did the first game (no blitzing) then expect at least 2 TDs from Favre. I like Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin to play a big role and Visanthe Shiancoe to score. If he is not killed by the Viking pass rush, Aaron Rodgers and Donald Driver should have good games, Donald Lee will score a TD. But Greg Jennings needs to produce. Ryan Grant might also get a score, but this is the first game for this line against a real defense in the last three weeks.

CAROLINA AT ARIZONA – This begins a stretch the rest of the way that the Panthers play the second-toughest schedule. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart might struggle against a good run defense. Only one team has rushed for over 126 yards vs. the Cards in the last 11 games. I think Steve Smith can and will get open against this secondary. Go trade for Cards if you can, because the rest of the way their foes are 21-42. Tim Hightower won’t disappear, but you will be seeing more of Beanie Wells. Anquon Boldin had 2 TDs against them last year, but he’s not 100%. Larry Fitzgerald grabbed 15 catches for 281 yards and 2 TDs last year against Carolina.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

ATLANTA AT NEW ORLEANS – Michael Turner has scored in 5 straight games, but his yards are down. Matt Ryan should toss 2 TDs, I like Tony Gonzalez scoring in this game. When the Saints blow people away, the passes fly, so remember that if you have Falcons. Drew Brees might throw 4-5 TDs on a national stage at home. Might. I also like Marques Colston. For fantasy, their backfield is a mess with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell sharing the role, Bell on short-yardage. Same with all their WRs.