To Start or Not to Start: Week 8 Edition

Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles  1:00 PM

To Start:

• 1. Donovan McNabb QB Philadelphia Eagles- 1. Coming off a Bye  2. Falcons Secondary is young. 3. Will have all his weapons playing for the 1^st time this year (Curtis, Brown, Westbrook).
• 2. Roddy White WR Atlanta Falcons- Is emerging as one of the the top WR’s in the league. Shouldn’t be getting double covered with Jim Johnson focusing on stopping the run.

Not to Start:

• 1.Falcons D/ST- Eagles are averaging about 28 points per game, and coming over a bye, and getting everyone back it seems like they will be wanting to come out with something to prove. Falcons defense is young and I don’t think it’s a good match-up.

 

Nicky W’s Pick:  E-A-G-L-E-S (-9) over Falcons. I know Andy Reid has been unbeatable after a Bye, but that’s not why I’m picking the Eagles. This is the first game this year they will have their whole offense minus Shawn Andrews. I like the real Birds to win by TD’s.

 

Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Thomas Jones RB New York Jets- Last week gave up about a million yards rushing. Simple as that.
• 2. Jets D/ST-  The worst offense in the NFL= Kansas City Chiefs.

Not to Start:

• 1.  Anyone on the Kansas City Chiefs Team- Please don’t put anyone in your fantasy line-up that will be suiting up for the Chiefs, except Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. If you watched football the last couple weeks you already know why.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: J-E-T-S (-13.5) over Chiefs. Okay lets see, they got a star running back who is spitting on females, they got QB’s who can’t stay on the field, and they got a defense that gives up 400+ yards a game. Jets need a W after losing in OakTown. Who is the Chief’s starting QB this week? Nick Wootsick? It mine as well be.

 

San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints in London 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Both QB’s- Both teams need a win and it seems like it will be a passing game with two good run defenses. Brees is the top fantasy QB and should be looking for more out of Colston this week. Reggie Bush being out hurts Brees, but he is still a must-start and with the running game struggling look for Rivers to have a big day.

Not to Start:

• Both D/ST- I would stay away from both D’s this week mainly because both teams need a win bad, and their offenses can be explosive at anytime.
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Nicky W’s Pick: Super CHARGERS (-3) over Saints. Both teams need a win REAL BAD. I think the Chargers have a better Defense and the Saints might struggle getting it in the end-zone without Mr. Bush as you saw against the panthers. The Saints will be marching out of England with a LOSS.

 

St. Louis Rams @ New England Patriots 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Randy Moss WR New England Patriots- Is starting to find ways to get open in the endzone for Matt Cassell, and should continue against questionable Rams secondary.

Not to Start:

• 1. Rams D/ST- They have played great these last two week, but I find it hard for them to come into New England and continue their success. It looks like Patriots finally found a groove running their offense since Brady was injured.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: PATRIOTS (-7.5) over the Rams. Stephen Jackson isn't playing.

 

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1.Trent Edwards QB Buffalo Bills- Has been one of the surprises this season. The Dolphins give up almost 250 passing yards a game. Another good week for Trent.

 

Not to Start:

• 1. Chad Pennington QB Miami Dolphins- Bill D kept Rivers under control and picked him off a couple times. Chad throws so questionable balls. Doesn’t have a good match-up against an up and coming secondary.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: BILLS(-1.5) over Dolphins. Everyone seemed to figured out “The Wildcat”. Bills are playing very good right now. It’s still a big rivalry and I think Bills come out in a nail biter in MIAMI.

 

Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Clinton Portis RB Washington Redskins- Has been one of the top RB’s in the league, and should have no problem against a BAD Lions D.
• 2. Calvin Johnson WR Detroit Lions- How can you not start MEGATRON? I mean I know he has Dan Orslovsky throwing him the ball, but MEGATRON makes things happens as you saw on the 96 yard TD.

Not to Start:

• 1. Everyone else not named Calvin on the Lions- Just look back on the last 6 weeks. That’s all I have to say.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: SKINS (7.5) over Lions. No explanation needed. CLINTON PORTIS WILL HAVE A BIG GAME.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Marion Barber RB Dallas Cowboys- Another week without Mr. Simpson, so “The Barbarian” should get A LOT of touches today. If the Cowboys win today he is the man who carries them.
• 2. Jeff Garcia QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Has been playing very well the last couple weeks, and with a secondary that is as beat up as Dallas, it should be another good week for Mr.Garcia.

Not to Start:

• 1. Brad Johnson QB Dallas Cowboys- Will struggle against a Bucs D that is playing at a very high level. Simply there is no reason for Brad Johnson to be your starting fantasy QB.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: BUCS (+2.5) over The BOYS. Should be a great game, but I like BUCS defense and I think they can manage to score enough points to come into Dallas and beat a banged up team in the Cowboys.

 

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Larry Fitzgerald WR Arizona Cardinals- Has put up huge numbers this year, and should continue to with the return of his buddy Anquan. MUST START.
• 2. Steve Smith WR Carolina Panthers- Look for Steve  get in the endzone this week just like he did last week against a team with young corners.

Not to Start:

• 1. Any of the Defenses in this game- Looks like it will be a high scoring affair with playmakers on both offenses. Stay away from both teams D/ST

 

Nicky W’s Pick: CARDINALS (+4) over Panthers. Should be a high scoring affair, and will be a close game, but I like Cardinals getting the points in this one. Coming off a bye, the return of Anquan Boldin are two things that make me think Cardinals will win this game.

 

Oakland Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Ravens Defense/ST- The Raiders offense hasn’t matured yet under Mr. Russell, and the Ravens Defense have great veterans that are very good and will make Russell make mistakes.

Not to Start:

• 1. Jamarcus Russell QB Oakland Raiders- It’s as simple as this, he is going into Baltimore against a very scary Defense led by MR.RAY LEWIS.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: RAVENS (+7.5) over The RAIIDDERS. I just think Ravens D at Home is too good and the Raiiiidders coming of a win, will be lucky to score a TD. I think Ravens should win by 10.

 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans 4:15 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Texans Offense- QB Matt Schuab, RB Steve Slaton, WR Andre Johnson all should have another big game at home against a BAD Bengals defense.

 

Not to Start:

• 1. Bengals D/ST- READ ABOVE.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: TEXANS (-9) over Bengals- Texans have won the last two at home, and have an explosive offense. On the other side Bengals haven’t won a game yet, they have an Harvard grad at QB and a Bad Defense. I like the Texans to win by at least 10.

 

Cleveland Browns @ Jacksonville Jaguars 4:05 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Jaguars RB’s- Fred Taylor and MJD should have big days against a team that has trouble stopping the run. Just ask Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Clinton Portis. (Three RB’s who the faced the last two weeks)

 

Not to Start:

• 1. Browns D/ST- Will have trouble against a Jaguars offense coming off a bye, who will look to put a lot of points on the scoreboard.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: JAGUARS (-7) over Browns. Jaguars are coming off a bye and should take control early with the run game. Jaguars will look to get back in the playoff race with two tough teams in their  own division.

 

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers 4:15 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Frank Gore RB San Francisco 49ers- Has a good games at home this season, and should have another with a struggling Seahawk D.

 

Not to Start:

• 1. Seahawks D/ST- Has struggled this year, and I really don’t think they can pick it up this year. Sorry Mikey.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: 49ERS (-5) over Hawks. This is the best game on paper this week. NOT. I think the Niners will play for new coach Mike Singletary and they will win at home against a struggling Seahawk team.

 

N.Y. Giants @ Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Both QB’s- Both QB’s are from the same draft class and they are both going to be compared their whole careers, and this is a big game and good QB’S come and play in big games

 

Not to Start:

• 1. Both starting RB- I think both RB will struggle against two of the best run defense in the league.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: STEELERS (-3) over G-Men. This is the best game on paper, and well be a great game. I like the Steelers in a close game. They have played well after losing their only game to the Eagles. I think Ben has the better of Eli in this one.

 

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans Monday Night 8:30 PM

 

To Start:

• 1. Peyton Manning QB Indianapolis – This is a BIG GAME. I really think PEYTON is going to have one of those games he needs (3 TD PERFORMANCE)
• 2. Titans RB duo- Have been the best combo in the RB position all year.

Not to Start:

• 1. Any of the Colts RB- Titans are the best defense in the league. Addai doesn’t look like he will play, so Rhodes is going to be up against a tough task.

 

Nicky W’s Pick: Upset Pick* COLTS (+4) over Titans. I have a simple reason behind this. I just think Peyton is going to come up with a big game especially since his team needs it.