Week 9 Start/Sit: Charles In Charge

Start

Carson Palmer, QB CIN - Last week I told you to avoid the Ravens defense like it was the plague. This week, I am very high on the Bengals' offense coming off two weeks to prepare for this home game against Baltimore. The Ravens struggle against the air attack on the road, getting beaten up up Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Brett Favre. I see Palmer building on the 271 yard, one touchdown performance he had against Baltimore in Week 5.

Jamaal Charles, RB KC - You don't need me to tell you to start Chris Johnson or Frank Gore, so here is a start to pay attention to this week. Larry Johnson is burning bridges like a retreating army. Todd Haley is looking at Charles as the possible replacement. He can earn the job if he is able to get off this week and he gets the 25th ranked run defense to do it against. I've liked Jamaal Charles all preseason long. If he is on your roster, you simply have to play him this week. His starting value won't get much better--unless he blows up and becomes the new long-term starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Michael Crabtree, WR SF - In his first home game for the 49ers, Crabtree faces off against the worst passing defense in the league (Tennessee). His talent is undeniable. Alex Smith will be looking for him all day long. This is the game where you look like a genius for drafting Crabtree and keeping him on your roster all year long.

Fred Davis, TE WAS - YES! A Redskin! I get so few joys in life as a Redskins fan these days...you have to give this one to me. The Redskins passing offense leans heavily on the tight end. After Chris Cooley left the game against the Eagles, Davis came in and got 8 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He is a pure receiving tight end. Jason Campbell will be looking his way a lot against the Falcons defense.

Green Bay Packers, DEF - I know...they laid an egg against the Vikings and Brett Favre. I continue to believe in these guys and this week they get to face a rookie quarterback in Josh Freeman. The Bucs will be wearing their old-school Creamsicle jerseys this week I am told. I predict Dom Capers and this defense will make the Tampa Bay fans remember well those rough and tumble days. Sacks and turnovers will come in bunches.

Sit

Eli Manning, QB NYG - What has gotten into Eli? Is it just me or he is spending too much time prior to the snap trying to get the perfect play called? He's like Brian Wilson back there. It's an obsession that is killing this offense. He needs to get back to basics. Thank God he has a Super Bowl ring, because otherwise this matchup with Philip Rivers and the team that drafted and traded him could have been the game that destroyed him. He needs to get back on track somehow. I don't think it will be this week.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB NYG - I am actually not this down on the Giants, but his ankle and foot continue to keep him from breaking out on Sundays the way he is capable of doing. His fumble against the Cardinals two weeks ago was a dagger to the men in blue. His inability to bust loose for the big run these days has devalued him in fantasy for the time being.

Roy E. Williams, WR DAL - Cowboys' fans must be going nuts right now. The receiver they trade away their future for steps right into the space that T.O. left--specifically, calling out Tony Romo and offering excuses for why his production is down. ESPN has been gladly showing the many drops Roy has had this year. Rarely does a receiver follow up a negative week like this with a big performance. And there is nothing to suggest Williams is ready to break out of his funk yet anyway.

Tony Scheffler, TE DEN - I pick on Tony...this is the second week in a row that he is my "Sit" tight end. He had one catch for 9 yards against the Ravens last week. On Monday night, against the Steelers, I don't expect him to enjoy a lot more success than that. Scheffler is a capable player, as evidenced by his Week 6 performance against the Chargers when he went for six catches for 101 yards and a score. But aside from that, he simply has not been a big part of the offense in Denver.

Dallas Cowboys, DEF - I was shocked when the Eagles lit up the Giants the way they did. They racked up yards and points in a very dominating fashion. I am hard-pressed to call the Cowboys defense better than the Giants. The difference in this game may be the Cowboys getting on the scoreboard with their offense. But to win this game, they will have to outscore a very potent offense that looks poised to exploit just about any defense it comes across.