The following is an article written by Real Football Services. They are a frequent contributor on newyorkjets.com.
Who's Hot
Quarterback
*Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers: *Delhomme finally put together a decent outing in Week 3, and by the way, did that happen to coincide with the return of Steve Smith? Ah, yes it did. And did you see Keyshawn Johnson's numbers? Pretty good. This is still a run-first attack, but with Steve Smith back in the lineup, everyone becomes better, including Delhomme. Start him this week.
Running Back
*Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons: *Once the inside running game is established against the Cardinals undersized defensive front, the Falcons will run Dunn at the edge, running behind a zone blocking scheme that will get the LB's over pursuing and allow Dunn to use his great cutback ability and run to open space. He's good for 130 yards every week, but he needs to get in the end zone. He's a sure starter this week.
Wide Receiver
*Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: *Johnson was held to one catch for 11 yards last week. Don't count on that happening again. The last three times in his career he's been held to two catches or less, he's responded the next week with 6, 8, and 11 catches and at least one TD in each game. Whatever he has to do, Johnson will demand the ball early and often this week.
Tight End
Alge Crumpler, Atlanta Falcons: *Cardinals S *Robert Griffith may spend some time in Cover One this week because the team will play SS Adrian Wilson close to the line of scrimmage to support the run and apply blitz pressure on passing downs. If Crumpler comes lumbering down the middle of the field, Griffith is not the man to stop him. Wilson will have to line up over Crumpler and bang with him off the snap. He is physical enough to do that, but the Cardinals pass rushers will have to get to Vick quickly or Crumpler will eventually get open and run over Griffith on his way to the end zone.
*Chris Baker, New York Jets: *In the Tampa Two defense that Indy uses, the linebackers are called upon to make deep drops, leaving the underneath crossing routes open for Baker to exploit. However, while the Colts LB's are athletic, they do not have the size to get physical with Baker off the line of scrimmage. He will get a free release and use his size to create space in the middle of the field. He is worthy of strong starting consideration in most fantasy leagues as Pennington looks to him more and more.
Defense
*Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Washington): *Defense wasn't the problem against the Colts. Jacksonville held the NFL's best offense to 14 points last week. Their inside pressure will cause problems for Mark Brunell, and the Redskins will struggle to run the ball. They are a top five fantasy defense.
Who's Not
Quarterback
*Mark Brunell, Washington Redskins: *Yeah, yeah, there's an idea, let's bench him! Nice job by Brunell, silencing the critics last week with his 22 consecutive completions. We hope he's not getting too comfortable though. This week he faces a real defense in the Jaguars. Interior pressure will force Brunell out of the pocket. While he can throw on the run, his accuracy and decision making skills drop considerably when he does so. Look for Brunell to fall back into some of those mistakes that plagued him in the opening weeks. He's only a borderline backup fantasy player against the Jags.
Running Back
*Ahman Green, Green Bay Packers: *Green will run off tackle in the Pack's zone blocking scheme, using his cutback ability to get to the hole after pulling the LB's into pursuit. But his bigger value may be as a receiver. He already has 17 catches on the season and will slip behind the LB's or into the flat for screen passes as an outlet receiver for Brett Favre against the Philly pressure. But look for Jeremiah Trotter to spy Green for most of the game, picking him up out of the backfield on passing downs, and filling hard against the run, forcing him back inside to his defensive help.
Wide Receiver
*Muhsin Muhammad, Chicago Bears: *With safety help waiting over the top, Muhammad will get physical off the line in order to get his release, then work his way to the middle of the field where he can use his big frame to create space. Once the safety cheats to the inside, look for him to run an up and in or a post route to get the safety turned around downfield. Seattle will smother him in coverage and force Rex Grossman to find Bernard Berrian and TE Desmond Clark or John Gilmore in single coverage. The yards will come hard for Muhammad this week.
Tight End
*Bubba Franks, Green Bay Packers: *Another game, another three catches for 30-something yards for Franks. He is what he is, a fantasy backup. The appearance of David Martin and Donald Lee in the receiving column of the stats page, Franks seems to be slowly getting pushed out of the picture. If Jeremiah Trotter can handle Ahman Green, look for FS Brian Dawkins to cover Franks and keep him from releasing down the seam.
Defense
*Buffalo Bills (vs. Minnesota): *Buffalo will stunt and blitz to get pressure on the right side of the Vikes O-line, which has struggled. DE Chris Kelsay can bring the heat and with a strong LB corps and two very good CB's, they have the personnel in place to make plays on the defensive side of the ball. But, Vikes QB Brad Johnson is the king of taking what the defense gives and will use a dink and dunk ball control passing attack to evade the pass rush and frustrate the Buffalo linemen. Look for plenty of dump offs and screens to Chester Taylor and seam passes to Jermaine Wiggins.
Sleeper of the Week
*Charlie Frye, QB, Cleveland Browns: *Frye has begun to show some playmaking ability and the Browns have opened up their offense enough to allow him to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers. The Raiders have speed in the secondary, but lack ideal cover skills and have been hurt by injuries. That will hurt against the likes of WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow. Look for Frye to throw early and often in this contest to give the Browns a lead. Frye is a solid backup choice this week.
