QUARTERBACKS

 

Tim Rattay, 49ers (YES!): If this keeps up, one of these weeks I’m going to have to put Peyton Manning in here. For now, though, I’m going with Rattay in a matchup of two of the worst defenses in the league thus far. Both teams have given up an average of more than 30 points per game. While the Cardinals may struggle to keep up, the 49ers should have no problem scoring in this game through the air.

 

Steve McNair, Titans (NO!): McNair is dinged (what else is new?), his team isn’t very good, and his opponent seems to have gotten its defensive house in order this season. Coming from behind isn’t always a bad thing for quarterbacks, but the Colts have been playing against type and winning low scoring games all year. 

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

Rudi Johnson, Bengals (YES!): Things are looking up for the suddenly potent Bengals. They’ve got an up-and-coming passing game to set Johnson up, and they face the second worst rushing defense in the league thus far in Houston. Johnson should shine here. 

 

Kevin Jones, Lions (NO!): The Lions are one of those franchises where after a while you start to assume that everything they do will turn out wrong. Despite all that talent at the skill positions, they haven’t looked very good so far. Enter Tampa Bay, whose rushing defense has been as impressive as their own rookie runner. 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

Travis Taylor, Vikings (YES!): Taylor has disappointed enough over the years (albeit in bad pass offenses) to be difficult to recommend. However, he’s the number one guy for now in Minnesota, with a pretty good quarterback in Dante Culpepper. He rewarded fantasy owners with two touchdowns last week. He should continue to be viable while Nate Burleson is out. 

 

Joe Horn, Saints (NO!): The Saints may always be an up and down offense as long as Aaron Brooks is around. The normally consistent Horn caught only one pass and is questionable for this Sunday. Best to give him a week to get back to normal if you have an alternative.

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

Erron Kinney, Titans (YES!): There is one thing you can generally count on from the fantasy prognostication establishment: we’ll always over-hype young breakout types. Despite our efforts at hype, Ben Troupe is not the best fantasy tight end on the Titans right now. It’s Kinney, who has performed well despite being dinged. He’s a fine alternative for those who don’t have one of the top five.

 

Jermaine Wiggins, Vikings (NO!): Wiggins’ strong per game numbers last year got him onto some rosters this season, but he probably shouldn’t be there.

 

KICKERS

 

Neil Rackers, Cardinals (YES!): Eventually his high early-season point totals may look like a mirage, but this week the Cardinals are likely to be able to score some points against the 49ers. 

 

John Carney, Saints (NO!): The Saints have the look of a team that might be about to have its wheels come off.

 

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS

 

New York Giants (YES!): They’ve put up big numbers so far, and the Rams will make mistakes.

 

Washington Redskins (NO!): Good defense, not a lot of fantasy points.