9:26 AM Sun, Oct 04, 2009 | Permalink
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Fantasy football guru Todd Prinz with another edition of Let 'em Shine or Ride the Pine:
Let me start off by apologizing to anyone if they benched Vincent Jackson in week 3. I'm sorry. The first week of this column, I was spot on that Randy Moss would struggle against the Jets and Darrelle Revis. I got cocky. Thought I knew everything. Well nothing humbles you like a 6'5" wide out with 4.38 speed. The lesson has been learned. Never put Vincent Jackson in the ride the pine section. Also I already looked. He doesn't play Revis, so Jackson is peaches and crème the rest of the year.
Let'em Shine
Bengals' RB Cedric Benson: The fourth overall pick in 2005 was a large disappointment for the Chicago Bears. He was mostly Thomas Jones's backup for two years and a mediocre starter in 2007. After two drunk driving arrests in 2008, Chicago cut Benson and gave his position to then rookie, Matt Forte. After waiting close to a month to get picked up, the Bengals snagged him after DeDe Dorsey was placed on injured reserved. He responded to Cincinnati's generosity by rushing for 747 yards and catching 185 yards in 2008. Benson has maintained his momentum from the prior season as he is averaging 97.6 rushing yards per game and a total of 2 touchdowns. This week, the Bengals face a Browns' rushing defense that is allowing 184.3 yards per carry and 2.6 rushing touchdowns a game. Benson should dominate Sunday and hopefully carpools to the game with anyone besides Chris Henry. Projection: 125 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown.
49ers' TE Vernon Davis: The poster boy for Under Armour has really been coming on and his play is starting to overtake him modeling athletic apparel. He is averaging 7 targets a game, 56 receiving yards, and 2 total touchdowns. With Gore out for a few weeks, the 49ers will have to air it out a bit more to compensate for Frank's lost production. Vernon's targets look to increase as the 49ers square off against the Rams. St. Louis is allowing on average 62 yards receiving to tight ends and 2 total touchdowns to that position. He might not protect this house, but I feel he might take one to the house. Projection: 65 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
Bears' QB Jay Cutler: The pride of Santa Claus, Indiana had a rough first half against the Packers in the first half. He threw 3 picks and seemed more intent on getting in a shoving match with Clay Matthews. Bears' fans quickly panicked and thought they might have a new Rex Grossman. Since that half, Cutler has thrown 6 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. I'm not a mathematician, but I believe #8 doesn't equal #6. This week, Cutler gets the Detroit Lions fresh off their win. Schwartz has Detroit playing well, but the secondary is still leaky. They are allowing on average 283.6 passing yards and 8 total passing touchdowns. Cutler definitely won't look to help those defensive stats. Projection: 290 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns.
Ride the Pine
Saints' WR Marques Colston: Darrelle Revis will shadow him all game. Revis held Randy Moss to 24 receiving yards and Andre Johnson to 35 receiving yards. Revis is about as close to a shutdown corner that you can get in this day in age. Projection: 65 receiving yards.
The NY Jets Defense: As great as Darrelle Revis and the Jets defense are this year, the paradox of the immovable object meets the irresistible force might be tested against the New Orleans Saints. The problem for New York is that Lito Sheppard, their second corner, and Donald Strickland, their nickel corner, look like they will miss the game Sunday. Also factor in that Drew Brees doesn't need Colston to go off against the Jets. Texans usually need Andre Johnson to snag at least 10 balls and have at least 100 yards receiving to win a game. In 2008, six of their eight wins met those criteria. This year, the Patriots are 2-1 when Randy Moss has over 100 receiving yards. In six of the eight wins that the Saints had in 2008, Colston caught less than 56 yards or was inactive. The Saints are averaging 267 passing yards and 183 rushing yards. New Orleans also has scored 9 passing touchdowns and 7 rushing touchdowns. They are converting 48% of their third downs. I say advantage irresistible force. Projection: 31 points allowed, 1 interception, and 1 sack.
Ryan Grant: The former golden domer has put up solid fantasy numbers through the first three weeks, but he averaged just 3.8 yards against the lowly Rams' rushing defense. This week, he will face a Vikings' rushing defense that has allowed on average 92 rushing yards per game and no rushing touchdowns. His carries will be limited as the Vikings will probably dominate time of possession. Thanks to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota averages 131 rushing yards per game. On the flip side, the Packers are allowing 128 yards per game. The Vikings will milk the clock with Peterson's legs and the Vikings pass rush will harass Rodgers into three and outs. The Vikings have sacked the quarterback eight times and the Packers' offensive line has allowed Rodgers to be sacked twelve times. On the bright side, Grant should be able to watch the Irish beat the Huskies on Saturday. I think. Projection: 60 rushing yards rushing and 10 receiving yards.
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