MISSING IN ACTION

There are six teams who have a bye this week. Here they are and some of their key players. BUFFALO BILLS: Marshawn Lynch, Freddie Jackson, Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Rian Lindell. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Seriously, they have a key player? MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Visanthe Shiancoe, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Ryan Longwell. NEW YORK JETS: Mark Sanchez, Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene, Braylon Edwards, Jay Feely. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Zach Miller, Sebastian Janikowski. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Steven Jackson, Donnie Avery.

NOON GAMES

WASHINGTON AT ATLANTA – The Redskins average 13.7 PPG on the road. Clinton Portis is their only fantasy ‘threat.’ The ‘Skins allow 119 yards on the ground and 165 through the air, so Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are all plays. If you have Jason Elam, dump him.

ARIZONA AT CHICAGO – The Cards are 3-0 and watch their D-line vs. a below-average Bears O-line. Kurt Warner turned the ball over 6 times at home last week, but he could be worth 1-2 TDs here. Larry Fitzgerald is always a play. I like Tim Hightower over Beanie Wells here. Anquon Boldin is out. The Cards previously No. 1 run defense gave up 270 yards to Carolina, but Matt Forte isn’t DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart. Jay Cutler, Forte and Devin Hester, maybe, are plays. I like Robbie Gould here.

BALTIMORE AT CINCINNATI – A big game once again. I see a fired-up Ravens team, having lost to the Bengals the first time around. Cedric Benson (120 rushing yards) and Carson Palmer (271 passing yards) won’t do as well this time around, but they will be plays, as will Chad Ochocinco. I like Ray Rice, 4 straight 100 yard games – but I don’t like Joe Flacco. Derrick Mason is having a good TD year (4) based on his history. I really like the kickers in this game – Steve Hauschka and Shayne Graham.

TEXAS AT INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are plays, but Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown are sharing the backfield touches. Ken Walter should benefit with Owen Daniels out. With the running game isn’t effective, The Colts defense will keep Schaub in control. Peyton Manning, held without a TD last week, will make it up this week. Joe Addai may struggle, as Houston has played better against the run lately. Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie are all plays.

KANSAS CITY AT JACKSONVILLE – It’s Jamaal Charles (5.0 YPC, 336 yards on 37 touches) turn to run the ball, so Matt Cassel must take over this game. I like Dwayne Bowe to score. Maurice Jones-Drew could have a big game here. Mike Sims-Walker is also a play. I’m down on David Garrard.

MIAMI AT NEW ENGLAND – Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are the key to stopping Tom Brady – keep him off the field. They are averaging 5 YPC and the Pats have allowed 4.5 YPC. The Pats also struggle against the Wildcat. Brady, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Ben Watson and Laurence Maroney all should start. Dan Carpenter and Steve Gostkowski should also be watched.

GREEN BAY AT TAMPA BAY – The Pack is 3-0 vs. losing teams and winning by 24 points a game. With Aaron Rodgers banged up, I look for Ryan Grant and the ‘new’ old offensive line trying to control the ball. The Bucs allow 4.7 YPC. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are plays and Donald Lee and James Jones might also get in the end zone. Kellen Winslow might match up well with the Packer linebackers, if rookie Josh Freeman can do anything in his first start. Caddy Williams and Antonio Bryant might be plays if you are short of players because of the bye week.

4:05 P.M. GAMES

CAROLINA AT NEW ORLEANS – DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Steve Smith are plays, as the Saints defense likes turnovers more than holding down the opponents’ scoring and yardage. Drew Brees, who must keep his eye on Julius Peppers, Marques Colston and Pierre Thomas are all plays. Mike Bell might also get a TD.

DETROIT AT SEATTLE – Detroit can run the ball better than the Seahawks, but they both struggle. Kevin Smith vs. Julius Jones, each with 3 TDs. Matthew Stafford and Matt Hasselbeck might combine for 4 TDs, with Hasselbeck having the best chance of getting 3. Keep in mind, the Seahawks have two shutout wins at home. At WR I like TJ Houshmandzadeh and Calvin Johnson (if he plays). Nate Burleson is a sleeper.

SAN DIEGO AT NEW YORK GIANTS – I see a high-scoring game here. Phil Rivers (276 passing YPG), LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates are all plays. Keep an eye on Malcolm Floyd at WR with Chris Chambers gone. Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are all plays. The Chargers allow 132 yards rushing PG.  

TENNESSEE AT SAN FRANCISCO – Two young, not good fantasy quarterbacks in Vince Young and Alex Smith. More importantly, they affect their teammates. In 7 games, Nate Washington has scored 4 TDs and, of course, Chris Johnson, lead the Titans. For a guy with 4 TDs, Washington is a FA in both leagues I’m in. Vernon Davis (7 TDs) and Frank Gore (5) are the Niners main threats, though keep your eye on Michael Crabtree.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

DALLAS AT PHILADELPHIA – Tony Romo has 3 straight games without a pick for the first time in his career. Miles Austin, Marion Barber III and Felix Jones are the Cowboys main threats in this game in that order. Donovan McNabb has DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek to throw to and Jackson has added TDs (6 total, 1 a return) to his impressive yardage total. The Eagles averaged 40 points a game in the two meetings last year. Keep your eye on LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver. Brian Westbrook should play (concussion), but for how long. I like both kickers in this game (Nick Folk and David Akers).

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

PITTSBURGH AT DENVER – This could be an ugly fantasy football game. Ben Roethlisberger could get 2 TDs, Heath Miller could get in the end zone. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes aren’t a sure thing. This is a big test for Rashard Mendenhall. I don’t like Kyle Orton to do much here. Brandon Marshall may get a score. The key to the game is the play of Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Stay away from this game if you can.