Fantasy football guru Todd Prinz with this week's edition of Let 'em Shine or Ride the Pine:

Let'em Shine

Giants WR Steve Smith: In six games, Smith has almost matched his yardage from last year and already scored three more touchdowns. Currently, he is third in receiving yardage and has outperformed Chad Ochocinco, Randy Moss, and Larry Fitzgerald. This is what happens when you go from the slot to the starting line-up. This week, he has a great matchup to pad his stats this year. The Cardinals are allowing 80 receiving yards per game and a total of 3 touchdowns to #1 wide receivers. I resisted the obvious Steve Smiths joke, because I don't want the Carolina version to crush my skull with his fist. He isn't in a happy place right now. Projection: 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Steelers TE Heath Miller: Pittsburgh has definitely changed their identity since Bruce Arians has become their offense coordinator. This team doesn't have Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis in the backfield and they aren't bludgeoning people with the ground game. This team is built around the pass. In terms of receiving yards, Hines Ward leads the league with 599 yards and Sanitono Holmes is 8th in the league with 438 yards. Overall, the Steelers are first in passing with 1780 yards and tied for 7th with 11 passing touchdowns. The player that leads this team in passing touchdowns is Heath Miller with four. On top of that Miller is averaging 52.5 receiving yards per game. This week, Heath gets a Vikings defense that is allowing 86.5 yards per game and a total of 4 touchdowns to tight ends. Pittsburgh really isn't the Steel Curtain anymore, but the Aerial Alloy just doesn't have a ring to it. I never said that marketing was my strong suit. Projection: 70 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Colts RB Joseph Addai: The Colts selected Donald Brown, the Connecticut running back, with their 2009 first round pick. In the grand scheme of Indianapolis's future, this probably isn't a good sign for Joseph Addai, their 2006 first round pick. In the short term, the addition of Brown might allow Addai to stay healthy and have a very productive season. He is on pace for 672 rushing yards, 441 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. These might not seem like impressive numbers, but they are only 323 yards and 3 touchdowns less than his best year in 2007. Also factor in that he has yet to face a rush defense as woeful as the Rams. St. Louis is 28th in the league in rushing allowed with 795 yards. The Rams are tied for 30th in the league with 9 rushing touchdowns allowed. Enjoy this run, Joseph. You probably have a year and half left with one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Edgerrin James and Dominic Rhodes can tell you how rough the transistion afterward can be. Projection: 80 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

Some other shine notables: Packers RB Ryan Grant, 49ers RB Frank Gore, Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams, Chargers WR Vincent Jackson, Pats WR Wes Welker, Cowboys TE Jason Witten, and Bears TE Greg Olsen

Ride the Pine

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs: The bruiser for the G-men isn't the same guy from the last two years. In 2007 and 2008, Jacobs averaged 5 yards per carry. This year, he is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Last year, he practically lived in the end zone with 15 touchdowns. His mailbox was positioned on one of the pylons and his DirectTV satellite was connected to the goal posts. Obviously this year, he must have been hit by the mortgage crisis. Jacobs has only punched it into the end zone once. His rushing yards a game has declined the last few years too. He averaged 91 rushing yards per game in 2007, 83 rushing yards per game in 2008, and 64 rushing yards per game this year. This week, it doesn't get easier. The Cardinals are the best team against the rush. Arizona has only allowed 298 rushing yards, 2.8 rushing yards per carry, and 2 rushing touchdowns allowed. What can I say? When it rains, it pours. Looking at Jacobs's situation, he better buy an umbrella. Projection: 80 rushing yards.

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall: Since taking the starting job, Mendenhall has averaged 101 rushing yards per game and 4 rushing touchdowns. Willie Parke has more time to heal his turf toe if he wants to. He can also spend time looking to sell his Pittsburgh house. This week, Mendenhall's gravy train on biscuit wheels collides with the Vikings and Jared Allen's quasi-mullet. Minnesota is only allowing 90.33 rushing yards a game and a total of 3 touchdowns. As bright as Mendenhall's future maybe, this Sunday might be pretty dim. Projection: 70 rushing yards.

Panthers WR Steve Smith: It is not a good time to be Steve Smith from Carolina. Your quarterback who was known to lock-in on his wide receivers is now locking in on defensive backs. Your defense has a turnstile in the middle of their line. Your second best receiving threat, Mushin Muhammad, used to play at Michigan State with Earl Morrall, who won a few Super Bowls back in the early 70's. I don't think the Bills can shut him down, but I feel the Panthers will exploit Buffalo's woeful run defense that allows 181 rushing yards per game and a total of 8 rushing touchdowns. If I was John Fox, I would buy a good mouthpiece. With Ken Lucas in Seattle, Carolina doesn't have a go-to human punching bag that Smith can take his frustration out on. Projection: 65 receiving yards.

Some other pines notables: Raiders RB Justin Fargas, Browns RB Jamal Lewis, Cards RB Tim Hightower, Vikings WR Sidney Rice, Bears WR Devin Hester, and 49ers TE Vernon Davis

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