Week 10 Fantasy Faceoffs
Editor's note: Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg disagree a lot on particular players in a given week. Instead of trying to convince each other they are right, we feel it makes for good reading to hear each argument. Here are their best debates entering Week 10.
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
 We can all agree that the Reggie Wayne we've seen over the last three weeks hasn't been the same dude we're used to watching. Wayne has totaled 10 catches for 118 yards and no touchdowns; by comparison, he had eight catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in the single game before this three-week struggle began. Wayne has been battling a knee injury and has seen teammates land two-touchdown games in each of the Colts' last two battles. Moreover, he faces off against a Steelers defense that silenced the Redskins and leads the NFL in pass yardage allowed. It's hard to sit a stud like Wayne, but if you have the depth to do it, you should.I'd rather start: Dwayne Bowe at SD |  Wayne hasn't been Peyton Manning's favorite target recently. That honor went to Dallas Clark with two touchdowns against Tennessee in Week 8 and Anthony Gonzalez with two touchdowns against New England in Week 9. Wayne hasn't scored since Week 6 and hasn't topped 70 receiving yards the past three games. But it's too hard to sit Wayne, even if he's playing on a gimpy knee. He's still capable of getting 80 yards and a touchdown every week, which he did in four of the first five games. With the way quarterback play has been this season, I'll take my chances with Manning's No. 1 target as opposed to most receivers, even against the Steelers this week.I'm starting him over: Plaxico Burress at PHI |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Favre might have a great matchup, but didn't we say the same thing before he had a so-so game against the Chiefs two weeks back? What about last week against the Bills? Favre has had at least one turnover in every game this season including eight interceptions (vs. three touchdowns) in his last four games. The Rams' pass defense stunk last week against a great Arizona offense; the Jets' offense doesn't compare, and Favre's erratic play is a big reason why. I'd rather start: David Garrard at DET | Favre has been terrible recently with eight interceptions in his past four games. But he's bound to break out of this funk eventually, and seeing the Rams at home is the perfect time. St. Louis allows 246.2 passing yards per game and 12 touchdowns on the season. Kurt Warner just exposed the Rams' improving secondary, and Favre should do the same. The good thing with Favre is he will continue to throw, and this week his passes will hit his teammates as opposed to defenders. I'm starting him over: Ben Roethlisberger vs. IND |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| So you're looking at the Rams' matchup at the Jets in Week 10 and think that Bulger's going to have to throw to do well and thus be a good Fantasy option? Well, Bulger was supposed to do the same last week and floundered. The Jets' secondary did well against the Bills last week and can match up with the speed of Rams receiver Donnie Avery. With one game over 200 yards passing this season, it's pretty easy to pass on Bulger regardless of the opponent. I'd rather start: Shaun Hill at Arizona | The good thing for Bulger, who has played well the past three weeks, is the Jets are terrible at stopping the pass. They allow 236.4 passing yards per game and 11 touchdowns this year. The argument for Bulger not playing well outdoors might be gone after he passed for 304 yards at New England in Week 8. With this matchup, Bulger has a chance to make plays, especially since Steven Jackson should have trouble this week, forcing Bulger to throw. I'm starting him over: Matt Cassel vs. BUF |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| I've been a huge supporter of Torain since July, and I think he'll eventually be a quality Fantasy running back this season. But it's too soon to expect big things. Denver hasn't rushed for a touchdown since Week 3, and even in the wake of the Browns' abysmal showing against the Ravens last week, he will have a difficult challenge against Cleveland in the running game. Torain needs at least one more week on Fantasy benches. I'd rather start: Jamaal Charles at SD | It's tough to have confidence in Torain after he only had three carries for 1 yard in his debut against Miami last week. But the Broncos apparently are ready to trust him with Michael Pittman (neck) and Andre Hall (hand) out for the year. Torain has a chance to play well against the Browns this week since Cleveland allows 148 rushing yards per game with nine touchdowns. As we know, Denver has a good history with running backs, and Torain could be the next in line, starting this week. I'm starting him over: Ryan Grant at MIN |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| This is easy: Jacksonville has allowed two 100-yard rushers and two rushing touchdowns in its last three games and an average of 114 rush yards per game this season. This is not the Jaguars defense that we expected to see this season, and the Lions will benefit from it. The wide-eyed and hungry rookie from UCF has scored in three of his last five games and will only see more work as the Lions' season continues. He's got a lot to play for and a quality matchup against a suspect defense. I'm starting him over: Deuce McAllister at ATL | If you like trends, you won't like Smith this week. He has scored a touchdown every other game for the past five weeks and is coming off a touchdown at Chicago, which means he might not score against Jacksonville. If he doesn't score, he doesn't help your Fantasy team much. Smith has yet to top 65 rushing yards in a game and hasn't come close to 100 total yards since gaining 80 in Week 1. I'd rather start: Kevin Faulk vs. BUF |
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| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
| Why are we afraid to rely on Mason? Is it because he's 34 years old? Well, whatever the reason, his 136-yard, one-TD game in Week 9 was an example of why we should use him. Mason has had at least four catches in all but one game this year and at least six in three of his last four. That suggests that quarterback Joe Flacco is becoming more comfortable with Mason, and that the two will continue to hook up against a weak Houston passing defense. Why miss out on that? I'm starting him over: Hines Ward vs. IND | Mason surprised me last week with nine catches for 136 yards and a touchdown at Cleveland and now has two touchdowns in his past three games. He has improved as Joe Flacco continues to develop. I'm just not sold on Mason starting for your Fantasy team every week, including at Houston this week. The Ravens are still going to run the ball, and the Texans struggle to stop the run. Don't expect much from Mason in this game. I'd rather start: Greg Camarillo vs. SEA |
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
