Week 9: Start 'Em
It was another wild Sunday, with tons of surprises. Going into the Titans/Jaguars game most people would have expected a shutout with how bad each team has defended the pass. Instead MJD (177 yards rushing and 2
QB Matt Hasselbeck, ---
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If you have been stashing Matt Hasselbeck on your bench all this time, this week is the time to get him in your line up as he faces the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been pretty bad this year and have been giving up fantasy points to QBs like it's nobody business. The Lions are giving up 260 yards passing and 2.4 touchdown passes per game (only in 1 game have they given up less than 2 touchdowns), and there is no reason Hasselbeck won't do the same to them. If you have a QB on bye or injured, then you should no doubt start Hasselbeck this week.
QB Alex Smith, ---
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After not playing for almost 2 years, former first overall pick Alex Smith finally made his comeback in relief 2 weeks ago and had one of his better days of his career as he passed for 206 yards and tied his career high with 3 TD passes, all in 1 half. Smith wasn't as successful last week when he faced the Colts, but this week he is at home to face the lowly Titans. Playing Tennessee this year has been like Christmas coming early for quarterbacks, as they have been giving up a league worst 299 yards passing and 2.7 TD per game. There won't be many weeks when I recommend Alex Smith as a starting QB, but with the emergence of Crabtree and Vernon Davis and their opponent the Titans, Smith is a very good start this week.
RB Jamaal Charles, ---
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Jamal Charles owners have been waiting all season for a time when he would get his chance, and with Larry Johnson suspended it will happen this week. Charles is a double threat as he is great at catching balls out of the backfield, not to mention his blazing speed. The Chiefs have been brutal this year but the fact that LJ always came out on 3rd down (because he wasn't good at catching passes_ diminished his value. With Charles in there, that won't happen. The Chiefs are playing Jacksonville this week, who only last week gave up 305 yards rushing (228 to Chris Johnson), I wouldn't expect that from Charles but I would expect over 100 total yards and at least 3 catches. He makes a good RB2 and flex start this week.
RB Brandon Jacobs, ---
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Most fantasy owners are going crazy trying to decide if they should start Brandon Jacobs or Ahmad Bradshaw; I say this week start both. After having two 1000 yard rushers last season, there were high expectations of Jacobs and Bradshaw, but both have been inconsistent. Jacobs has only 2 touchdowns and has yet to surpass 92 yards rushing, while Bradshaw has 4 TDs but has rushed for less then 50 yards four times already this season. Bradshaw is definitely the bigger play running back and has broken many big runs. This week they face the Chargers at home, and San Diego has had a lot of issues dealing with the run this season, making both Jacobs and Bradshaw a good start this week. The Giants will try and snap their 3 game losing streak and will use the running game to try and stop that. Don't be shocked if the Giants gain over 175 total rushing yards and score a few TDs.
WR Michael Crabtree, ---
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I talked about Michael Crabtree last week and that he was a good start -- not sure if you listened or not -- but he is still not being started in most leagues. So far Crabtree seems to be a better start in point per reception leagues, but his upside is so big that he should be starting in most leagues. So far (over his first 2 starts), Crabtree has 11 catches for 147 yards -- pretty good numbers for a guy who missed the first 5 weeks of his rookie season. This week Crabtree faces the Titans, who have been one of the worst in the league at defending receivers, giving up an average of 16.6 receptions for 211 yards and 2.1 touchdowns. Make sure to start Crabtree.
