Sorry to the person relying on this info. Moving week. Haven’t been able to get away for long periods of time.
Locks:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit vs Minnesota — For the second straight week Detroit gets a reeling team with a beat up and questionable secondary. Stafford will feast on the likes of Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin and if Calvin Johnson doesn’t have a big day (though I think he will) his counterparts in Titus Young, Nate Burleson and Brandon Pettigrew should. Stafford eclipses 300 yards with a minimum of two touchdowns, probably more.
Running back: Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh vs Indianapolis — Another second week in a row pick, Mendenhall should make quick and easy work of a weak Indianapolis run defense that has been so bad the Colts reportedly are one of two teams negotiating for the return of former Bill and Viking defensive tackle Pat Williams. Newsflash Colts brass — it’s too late.
Wide receiver: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs Seattle — The Seahawks have done what to this point to make anyone believe they can shut down a top wide receiver with deceptive speed and a large body?
Wide receiver: Andre Johnson, Houston vs New Orleans — The Saints are at home and I think they win the game, but they’ve showed big-time vulnerability to the passing game. Houston will keep it close in part because Andre Johnson will prove to be too much for the Saints to stop.
Sleeper:
Running back: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle vs Arizona — I have Lynch in one league and I’m going against my own instincts here. I want to see something from him before I start him. Which probably means I should cut him. Because if you aren’t going to start Lynch at home against Arizona, who are you ever going to start him against? Not looking for him to hit the century mark, but he should put up decent yardage numbers and will probably score.
Wide receiver: Stevie Johnson, Buffalo vs New England — Many would bench all Bills against the Patriots, but New England has been human against the pass and Ryan Fitzpatrick looks good. He’ll face his stiffest test of 2011 this year and the numbers will come down a bit, but Johnson is too good to bench, even here. His numbers will be better than expected.
Busts:
Running back: Darren McFadden, Oakland vs New York Jets — I don’t have enough faith in the Raiders’ supporting cast to do enough against New York to take any attention away from McFadden. Denarius Moore might end up being a good wideout for the Raiders, but show me against the likes of Darrelle Revis and I’ll be a believer. Until then, Rex Ryan’s squad bottles up the run game and wins an ugly game by shutting down an ugly offense.
Running back: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati vs San Francisco — Benson will get plenty of opportunities, as Cincinnati will want to run the ball. But despite a mostly-putrid team, the 49ers have generally been pretty good against the run so far. Benson isn’t good enough to break that trend.
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