Fantasy soda: McFadden's surge may end against Steelers
Breaking news: Chad Pennington and Chad Henne will both miss time with the injuries they suffered in Sunday's win. Miami may have no choice but to stick with third-stringer Tyler Thigpen, who last year threw almost as many interceptions (two) as completions (four).
Call me crazy but I'm sticking Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham in the lineup next Sunday over my usual starter. Cincinnati faces a Bills defense that ranks 29th in passing scores allowed. What's more, Buffalo has been challenged in recent weeks by the likes of Tony Moeaki, Todd Heap and Brandon Pettigrew. Gresham is coming off of the best game of his young career (nine catches for 85 yards) and will keep Buffalo's linebackers and defensive backs plenty busy.
I like the short odds, so give me the following quarterback to throw for 250 or more yards in Week 11: Drew Brees, Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford.
Where did Jacksonville come from? Not long ago fans were ready to toss away this season. Now the Jaguars are a game above .500 and climbing in the AFC Wild Card race. A big reason for the team's success has been its passing game, which won on a Hail Mary Sunday. David Garrard is a scary fantasy quarterback most weeks, but next Sunday I say DOUBLE DOWN on Garrard and wide receiver Mike Thomas against a Cleveland defense which is tied for 23rd in passing yards allowed per contest and 28th in passing touchdowns allowed. Garrard has thrown two or more touchdowns in four of his last five appearances, and he has seven touchdowns and just two interceptions in five home games so far this season. Thomas is coming off of his first 100-yard effort of the season, but he has scored a touchdown in each of the past two weeks and was Garrard's most targeted receiver (nine) against Houston.
A little basic math tells us that Percy Harvin is a definite play at home against Green Bay. In three games against the Packers Harvin has 12 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Harvin has also had at least one play of 35 yards or more in each contest.
THE BREAK ROOM (industry experts share their thoughts): Which of these name receivers will offer fantasy owners the most value in the months of November and December: Randy Moss, Sidney Rice or Vincent Jackson?
According to SportsIllustrated.com fantasy writer Will Carroll and RapidDraft.com senior football writer Matt Schauf, the answer can be found through the process of elimination.
"I give Moss the benefit of the doubt as much as anyone," says Schauf, "but his team's quarterback situation is inconsistent, and he has definitely shown signs of age."
Says Carroll of Rice, who is expected back in the lineup in Week 1: "While things look OK for him physically, I still have no idea how he'll respond."
Instead, Schauf and Carroll believe Jackson has the best chance for success in the season's second half.
"The fact that he returns to a team that started Patrick Crayton and Seyi Ajirotutu the last time out says it all about opportunity," says Schauf. "He'll be worth starting right away for some fantasy owners."
Adds Carroll, "Jackson's healthy and I don't believe in rust, but do believe in Philip Rivers."
Sucker trade of the week
Kenneth from Florida writes: "A couple of weeks ago I got Jamaal Charles for Matt Forte. He even threw in Danny Amendola." ... No one is happy with Forte's production as of late, so unloading the Bears' troubled back was arguably your greatest success. Charles has been solid and Amendola has proven to be a quality No. 3 receiver. I'd say you did well, Kenneth.
Mike Beacom is a contributing writer for FootballDiehards.com. Send him your questions and "sucker trade" entries at fantasysoda@yahoo.com. Include a full name and your home state, please.
