The Haruspex Report

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is 9-3 as a starter, 5-1 at home. M David Leeds/Allsport

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - Sat., 12:30

Dolphins: Lamar Smith ran for 144 yards and a TD in week 4, but has been quiet lately. If you need a RB, he is probably worth taking a chance on this week. The Dolphins only threw for 87 yards in week 4, but will probably need to air it out a little more this week. But I'd still probably look elsewhere for your QB, but Chris Chambers merits starting. FGs could be important, so Olindo Mare mertis consideration. The defense scored a TD in the 1st meeting and probably merits another start.

Patriots: The Dolphins pass defense is ranked #1 in the league, so Tom Brady and his receivers will have their work cut out for them. If you have another option, I'd consider it (Brady has been quiet of late). Troy Brown is probably worth considering, though he will have his work cut out for him. Terry Glenn should have an increased role, but is still probably only the #3 WR (Which may mean the defense doesn't pay him much attention, so he could put up solid numbers and merit taking a chance on). The Dolphins can be run on though and Antowain Smith found the end zone in week four, so he is probably worth starting. Adam Viniateri and the Patriots defense also merit consideration.

Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers - Sat., 4:00

Eagles: The 49ers defense has two shutouts in three weeks, but the Eagles have the all around game to give the 49ers troubles. Duce Staley's receiving ability should allow him to put up solid numbers. The 49ers struggle against the pass, so Donovan McNabb merits starting. The passing game has been inconsistent lately, but you could make a case for starting James Thrash, Todd Pinkston, Freddie Mitchell and Chad Lewis (All could have big games or do nothing). David Akers and the Philly defense also merit starting.

49ers: If you have another worthy QB, this may be the week to sit banged up Jeff Garcia against a tough Eagles pass defense (Garcia is always worth starting though if you don't have another good option). Terrell Owens is a stud and is tough to sit, even with a tough matchup. The Eagles can be run on though, so Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow merit consideration. K Jose Cortez is also worth starting.

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders - Sat., 9:00

Titans: The offense has come alive thanks to Steve McNair and the passing game. The Raiders pass defense is decent, but McNair's running ability probably helps merit a start if you need him. Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson also merit consideration, but will have their work cut out for them. Frank Wycheck may the most effective receiver. Eddie George is banged up, but the Raiders run defense is struggling, so Eddie could be in for a big day and merits starting.

Raiders: The Titans really struggle against the pass and the Raiders have a strong passing game. Thus Rich Gannon, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice all merit starting. The Titans run defense is tough, so I'd avoid the Raiders RB by committee. Sebastian Janikowski should produce solid numbers and merits starting. Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons - Sun., 1:00 The Bills are playing for pride and to destroy the Falcons slim playoff hopes.

Bills: Shawn Bryson will start in place of the injured Travis Henry. The Falcons can be run on, so if you really need a RB, Bryson could be worth picking up and starting. The Falcons really struggle against the pass, so Alex Van Pelt and Eric Moulds are probably worth taking a chance on.

Falcons: The Bills struggle against the run, so Maurice Smith could put up solid fantasy numbers and merit starting. The Bills pass defense is solid, but the Falcons have had success in the past against solid pass defenses, so if you are in a bind, Chris Chandler could be started. Tony Martin and Terance Mathis could also be started, but I'd probably look elsewhere.

Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins - Sun., 1:00

Bears: The Redskins defense has been coming on, but the Bears should have success running Anthony Thomas. I wouldn't expect the Bears to throw the ball enough to merit starting Jim Miller, though Marty Booker merits consideration in hopes of a big play (David Terrell could also be considered if you are in a bind). Paul Edinger and the Bears defense should also be worth starting.

Redskins: The Bears are tough against the run and with Stephen Davis banged up, I'd probably look elsewhere this week. The Bears can be thrown on, but the Redskins passing game isn't spectacular. But if you really need Michael Westbrook or Rod Gardner, they could be worth taking a chance on this week. If you are really in dire need of a QB, Tony Banks could also be chanced.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens - Sun., 1:00

Bengals: The only Bengal I'd consider is Corey Dillon, but he will have his work cut out for him against the Ravens talented run defense that usually shuts down Dillon (He did catch a TD pass in the 1st meeting, but only managed 57 yards). Newly re-signed QB Scott Covington will serve as backup (And possible starter) to Jon Kitna, who is still struggling with a finger injury. The improved Bengals defense could be worth taking a chance on, since they did pick off 3 Grbac passes in week two.

Ravens: The Bengals defense has been coming on, especially against the run. Terry Allen is expected to be back as the starter, but I'd probably look elsewhere this week. Elvis Grbac threw for 326 yards (But 3 INTs) in the 1st meeting and will be looking for redemption. I'd probably give him another start if you need him (Even though the Bengals pass defense has improved since then). Qadry Ismail and Travis Taylor could also be worth taking a chance on. If you need a TE, Shannon Sharpe should be worth starting as usual. The Bengals have been solid in the red zone, so Matt Stover may get plenty of FG opportunities. The Ravens defense also merits starting.

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers - Sun., 1:00

Browns: The Browns offense continues to struggle, especially on the ground, so it seems like a good week to sit your Browns against a tough Packers defense. WR Kevin Johnson could be worth taking a chance on if you need him. The Browns defense continues to produce and also merits consideration.

Packers: The Browns struggle against the run, so Ahman Green should be able to put up monster numbers. Brett Favre should be able to throw on the Browns (But needs to avoid crucial INTs), but how much will they need to throw? He should be able to produce enough to merit starting though (But if you have another good option, you may want to go with it). Antonio Freeman, Bill Schroeder and Bubba Franks also merit starting. The Browns have been turnover prone lately, so the Packers defense should also be worth starting.

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun., 1:00

Lions: Seems like a good week to sit all your Lions. The Steelers defense is tough and should give rookie QB Mike McMahon troubles and shut down James Stewart.

Steelers: The Lions defense struggles against the run and the pass. With Jerome Bettis likely out, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala merits starting. Kordell Stewart has been hot and also merits another start, as does Plaxico Burress. The rest of the receivers have been inconsistent, but could produce, so Hines Ward and Bobby Shaw could be worth chancing if you are in a bind. Kris Brown and the Steelers defense should also be started.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun., 1:00

Saints: Ricky Williams is banged up, so if you have another RB option, you may want to go with it this week (If you don't have another option and Williams plays, he could be started since the Bucs have been run on this year). The Bucs pass defense is tough, but the Saints pass defense has been hot. Thus it would be hard to sit Aaron Brooks, Joe Horn and Willie Jackson, but if you do have other solid options, this may be the week to look at your other options. John Carney and the Saints defense should be worth starting.

Bucs: The Saints run defense is solid, so I might look elsewhere and avoid the Warrick Dunn/Mike Alstott RB by committee. The Saints can be thrown on though, so Keyshawn Johnson merits another start. I'd look elsewhere for a QB though, unless you really need Brad Johnson. Martin Gramatica (Wonder if he will celebrate 1st quarter FGs and follow his brother's lead and tear his ACL?) and the Bucs defense merit consideration.

St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers - Sun., 1:00

Rams: This is a gimme. Start them all (Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Ernie Conwell, Jeff Wilkins and the Rams defense). Trung Candidate could also be worth starting (The last meeting was the game that Faulk had 183 yards and 2 TDs and Candidate had 145 yards and a TD). Ricky Proehl and Az-Zahir Hakim (Though he has been fumbling so I'd probably look elsewhere) could also be considered.

Panthers: The Rams are tough to run on and the Panthers probably won't be able to run the ball much, so I'd avoid the running game (Plus Chris Weinke has the majority of the team's rushing TDs). The Panthers should have to air it out early and often, so Chris Weinke is probably worth taking a chance on. Mushin Muhammad (Turf Toe injury?) and Wesley Walls are probably the only receiving targets I'd consider.

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun., 1:00

Chargers: The Chiefs can be run on, so LaDanian Tomlinson is probably worth starting (He was held to 31 yards on 13 carries in the 1st meeting, but did find the end zone). The Chiefs pass defense is solid and there are rumors around that we could see Drew Brees get some playing time this week, so I'd avoid the QB position entirely. WRs Jeff Graham and Curtis Conway merit consideration though. The Chargers defense is probably worth another start.

Chiefs: The Chargers defense is tough to run on, but Priest Holmes dropped 181 yards and a TD on them in week 8. He may not replicate those numbers, but he should produce solid numbers once again. Tony Richardson had 2 short TDs and merits consideration if you need a RB. The Chargers can be thrown on, but they didn't throw much in the 1st meeting and may not throw enough to justify starting Trent Green (Though if you need him, he could be worth taking a chance on). Tony Gonzalez merits starting and Derrick Alexander is worth considering. Todd Peterson has been getting more chances lately, so he probably merits a start.

Seattle Seahawks at N.Y. Giants - Sun., 1:00

Seahawks: Ricky Watters broke his ankle and is out for the year, so Shaun Alexander is back where he belongs. The Giants are tough to run on, but Alexander has tore up tough run defenses and should give the Giants trouble too. The only cog of the passing game I'd consider is Darrell Jackson. Rian Lindell could be worth starting this week.

Giants: The Giants offense has been quiet lately and the Seahawks have a decent defense. Tiki Barber should be involved enough to merit starting. The passing game has been inconsistent and the Seahawks pass defense has been tough of late, but Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard could be worth taking a chance on. The Giants defense also merits consideration.

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - Sun., 4:05

Cowboys: Emmitt Smith is usually a terror on the Cardinals and merits starting again this week. Still not sold on Quincy Carter, but Joey Galloway and Raghib Ismail could be worth taking a chance on. The Cowboys defense found the end zone in the 1st meeting and may be worth taking a chance on again.

Cardinals: The Cardinals have a good passing game, but face a tough Cowboys pass defense. I'd still start David Boston (Who gave the Cowboys fits in the 1st meeting) and may consider Jake Plummer if you are in a bind (This matchup has produced some memorable games). Michael Pittman could be worth taking a chance on since the Cowboys can be run on (But I'd prefer to avoid the Cards running game unless you really need it). Cedric Oglesby is replacing the injured Bill "I get way too excited over a made FG" Gramatica, but I'd forget about the Cardinals kicking game.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings - Sun., 4:15

Jaguars: The Vikings defense has been horrid, so it looks like a good week to start your Jaguars. Thus I'd start Mark Brunell, Stacey Mack, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Mike hollis could also be worth starting.

Vikings: The Jaguars defense has been struggling as well, but has been solid against the run. But if you really need a RB, Michael Bennett could be worth rolling the dice with. I'd start the passing game though (At least Todd Bouman, Cris Carter, Randy Moss and Byron Chamberlain). Gary Anderson is also worth considering.

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis Colts - Sun., 8:30

Jets: The Colts defense is struggling, especially against the run. Thus Curtis Martin should be in for a monster game. The Jets should also be able to throw the ball, thus Laveranues Coles, Wayne Chrebet and Anthony Becht could be worth taking a chance on. If you are in a bind, this could be the week to roll the dice with Vinnie Testeverde. John Hall and the Jets defense also merit consideration.

Colts: The Jets are tough against the pass, but Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are a tough combo to stop, so I'd stick with them. Marcus Pollard has been hot and should be started again. The Jets can be run on, so Dominic Rhodes is probably worth taking a chance on this week. Mike Vanderjagt is also worth starting again.

Bye Week: Denver Broncos

The Haruspex Report is written by David Grey for FantasyAsylum.com. It is mailed out every friday and is only available via the Asylum mailing list.

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