By Ryan Lester, LestersLegends.com
I’ve uncovered some guys you can plug in if you are dealing with an injury or tough matchups.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the reeling G-Men. It gave them time to regroup and prepare to get back in the hunt. I like Eli this week going up against the Falcons’ 28th ranked pass defense. Plus, with Michael Turner out, the Falcons shouldn’t be able to control the clock as well.
Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins
Ricky has been a nice flex/RB2 option while sharing carries with Ronnie Brown. Now that Brown is sidelined with an ankle injury, Ricky becomes a low-end RB1/high-end RB2. Plus, he faces Carolina’s 25th ranked run defense.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland Browns
Despite playing in an offense that is unwatchable, Lewis is actually a decent replacement player this week for all of last week’s fallen RBs. Detroit isn’t quite as bad against the run (19th) as in year’s past, but Jamal should be able to put up a respectable fantasy number this week.
Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons
He isn’t Michael Turner, but he should be able to put up a fair amount of yards against the Giants’ middle-of-the-road run defense. The G-Men are tied for 26th with 12 rushing TDs allowed this year.
Beanie Wells/Tim Hightower, RBs, Arizona Cardinals
If I had to choose between the two, I’d lean towards Beanie, but facing the Rams’ 28th ranked run defense should make both of these Backs fantasy worthy this week. Beanie should do more damage on the ground while Hightower will get more through the air.
Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants
Smith has cooled in recent weeks after his big start. That was when the Giants were playing their best. Look for the Giants to attempt to get that recipe back this week out of their bye.
Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans
Tennessee will look to slow down Andre Johnson, especially after the way he torched them in Week 2. Houston will counter by getting the ball to Walter over the middle.
Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Breaston is on a roll with a TD in each of his last two games. St. Louis is bad against the run, but they are also 25th against the pass. Arizona’s big play threat should be solid this week.
Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets
Cotchery is finally getting his groove back and should be able to put up a decent fantasy score against the Patriots. I suspect the Pats will take Thomas Jones out of the equation, both with defensive schemes and by putting a lot of points on the board. The Jets will be forced to pass to keep up. Bad for the Jets, good for fantasy owners of Jet WRs.
Tony Scheffler, TE, Denver Broncos
Tight Ends always play well against the Chargers, including Scheffler in Week 6 with six catches for 101 yards and a score.
John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota has also struggled against Tight Ends, and with Julius Jones out, the Seahawks will likely pass more, which bodes well for Carlson.
John Kasay, K, Miami Dolphins
Kasay has two multiple Field Goal games in the last three weeks. He also faces Miami, who has allowed a league high 21 FGs this year.
Shayne Graham, K, Cincinnati Bengals
Graham made four FGs last week and should have a chance at multiple FGs again as he faces the Raiders, who have allowed 18 on the year.
Dallas Cowboys Defense/Special Teams
The Cowboys face the Redskins at home, and are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Packers. Look for the Boys to snap back in a big way against the lowly Skins.
Cincinnati Bengals Defense/Special Teams
Cincy is for real. They beat both the Ravens and the Steelers twice this year. They should totally dominate the inferior Raiders team. Look for multiple Sacks and turnovers.
Arizona Cardinals Defense/Special Teams
The Cardinals should get up big on the Rams, making them one dimensional. Then they can bring the house to get Marc Bulger on his back.
