Gridiron Experts

Fantasy Football Coin Flip

We’ve been taking a look every week at rosters facing dilemmas, and this week is no different. Struggling over which running back, quarterback, or receiver to sit or start on your team? Look no further than this column, where we pick three match-ups and fight to the death until one player is the clear-cut winner for the week.

Matt Schaub, HOU (@IND) VS. Kurt Warner, AZ (@CHI)

Schaub has been on an absolute tear and there’s no way you should bench him, right? Uh, not exactly. Yes, he’s been awesome this year, already has topped last season’s touchdown total, and has Houston thinking playoffs. But he’s also going up against the Colts 7th ranked pass defense. We’re talking about a pass defense that has allowed one single 300+ yard passer in seven games this season, and hasn’t given up more than two touchdowns through the air in a game all season.

The only guy to notch 300+ yards? You guessed it, the other guy in this elite QB match-up: Kurt Warner. And it took him 52 attempts to get there.

Warner had a bad week last week, throwing five interceptions, but with a mediocre match-up against the Chicago Bears, you may have to cut him some slack and give him a go.

Verdict: Warner is your man. He has at least two scores and 230+ passing yards in three of his last four games, so you know he’s consistent. Schaub, on the other hand, simply hasn’t shown up against solid pass defenses in the past (Buffalo and Oakland), so there’s no reason to think he will on the road against Indy.

Cedric Benson, CIN (vs. BAL) VS. Brandon Jacobs, NYG (vs. SD)

Everyone is in love with Benson. He ran all over his former Bears team and now he’s got the world waiting on his every beckon. Even the team he’s facing this week, the formidable Baltimore Ravens, couldn’t stop him the last time they faced-off.

True, but that could change rather quickly. The Ravens just destroyed the previously undefeated Denver Broncos 30-7 last week, and while their pass defense has been suspect this season, their run defense most certainly has not.

Benson got the best of them in the first meeting, but the odds are not in his favor that it will happen again. However, even if he does post decent numbers, it’s unlikely he’ll match Brandon Jacobs’ productivity against San Diego.

Jacobs has been toting the ball more than his back-up these days, and has piled up 197 yards through the past two games. Enter San Diego’s 27th ranked rush defense, and Jacobs could be in for a mighty fine day.

Verdict: Benson isn’t a bad play, no matter the opponent, but if you have a choice, I’d go with Jacobs or a different semi-stud back. Jacobs is still searching for his first big game, and considering the Chargers are giving up an average of 132 yards on the ground per game, this week could be his jackpot.

Nate Burleson, SEA (vs. DET) VS. Mike Sims-Walker, JAC (vs. KC)

Burleson started the season hot, then slumped, and just last week recorded six catches for 80+ yards. Sims-Walker, on the other hand, was deactivated two weeks ago, and then caught just two passes for nine yards against the previously winless Tennessee Titans last week.

So, which underwhelming, potential-ridden WR do we run with?

Burleson is going up against a Detroit defense that ranks 27th against the pass, and is just getting absolutely obliterated by quarterbacks this year in fantasy football.

Sims-Walker brings great potential as David Garrard’s top option, and with a tasty match-up with KC’s slow corners, he could have a field day.

All those numbers are fine and dandy, but I’d rather take the more capable quarterback, and the receiver that actually caught more than two passes last week.

Verdict: David Garrard has been awful, and he wasn’t finding Sims-Walker at all last week. Burleson is going up against a bad Lions pass defense, and both he and Matt Hasselbeck will be looking to shine this week. Burleson’s your boy.

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