Brandt's fantasy analysis: Week 8

Week 7 was not exactly a fantasy player's delight. It started with four highly productive players -- Tom Brady, Steve Smith, Cadillac Williams and Fred Taylor -- all on bye weeks. Adding to that, fantasy staples LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens all failed to post big numbers. We had just one 300-yard passer (Brett Favre), we had eight 100-yard rushers (there were nine this weekend last season). We had four 100-yard receivers (as opposed to 13 this time last year).

Of course, take fantasy numbers out of the equation and it was a tremendous weekend: We had a record five fourth-quarter comebacks by teams that were down seven or more points. Minnesota won on the last play of the game on a career-best 56-yard field goal by Paul Edinger; the Giants beat the Broncos on an Eli Manning TD pass with five seconds left; Josh Brown's 50-yard field goal as time expired gave Seattle a win over Dallas; and Philadelphia and St. Louis both won with late comebacks.

There were some interesting fantasy developments, as two rookie running backs had long TD runs -- Ronnie Brown of Miami had a 65-yarder and the 49ers' Frank Gore went 72 yards.
Here are the fantasy matchups to watch this week:

Vikings at Panthers: Minnesota is not a very good road team, offensively or defensively. They've won only two of their last 22 games outdoors on grass. In three road games this year, they've been outscored 95-21... But Carolina is 27th versus the pass, so Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper should do something in this game... For Carolina, I think QB Jake Delhomme has a big day against Minnesota's 25th-ranked defense. I also like RB Stephen Davis and WR Steve Smith.

Packers at Bengals: It would behoove somebody to pick up Green Bay WR Antonio Chatman, because I don't see how they can run the ball very much. I think Brett Favre will have a big game. I like WR Donald Driver, and to lesser extent RB Tony Fisher -- you can run on Cincinnati. Madieu Williams, a good safety, is out for Bengals... I like all the skill players for the Bengals -- QB Carson Palmer, RB Rudi Johnson, WR Chad Johnson -- and check the injury status of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.


Cardinals at Cowboys: I think it will be very hard for Arizona to handle the Dallas blitz. Last week, the Cardinals had 173 yards of total offense. Nothing has been said, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Kurt Warner at QB this week. Still, you have to play WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald... Dallas QB Drew Bledsoe has 10 TDs and 0 INTs in four career games against Arizona... I like WR Terry Glenn... I don't think RB Julius Jones will play. Tyson Thompson and Marion Barber will get the carries. Thompson might be more talented, but I think Barber will see more action because he's better at blitz pickup, and the Cards are not bad on defense.
Bears at Lions: The matchup to watch is Bears C Olin Kreutz vs. Detroit DT Shaun Rogers... Chicago is third on defense, 28th on offense; Detroit is 9th on defense, 27th on offense. So not a lot of points will be scored in this game... Chicago QB Kyle Orton is playing better, with four TD passes and one INT in his last three games... I like Detroit QB Jeff Garcia in this game -- he adds a little life to their offense. That said, you've got to like WR Roy Williams -- but check the injury report on him.

Browns at Texans: Cleveland QB Trent Dilfer has been inconsistent -- 438 yards in his last three games with six INTs... RB Reuben Droughns is somebody you might want to play -- though he's yet to score a TD this season. I think WR Braylon Edwards will be the go-to guy now that he's back. In last year's meeting, Cleveland's Phil Dawson kicked five FGs... For Houston, I like RB Domanick Davis -- although he's got just one rushing TD in six games... QB David Carr attempted just nine passes last week, so it's hard to bank on Houston's passing game.
Dolphins at Saints: I like Miami RB Ricky Williams, as the Saints are good versus the pass and not good versus the run. Ronnie Brown can be dangerous, too, but I think Nick Saban might take advantage of the idea that Williams will be motivated to do well against the team that drafted him... For New Orleans, I like QB Aaron Brooks, WR Donte Stallworth and RB Aaron Stecker. You have to check WR Joe Horn's status. If he doesn't play, then WR Az Hakim should do well in his place.

Redskins at Giants: Washington is really in an offensive rhythm -- they're second overall in offense. Not bad, considering they scored 240 points all of last year (they've already got 135 points this year). The Giants are 31st on defense, allowing 411 yards per game... I like Washington QB Mark Brunell, who has six TDs in his last two games. I also like RB Clinton Portis and WR Santana Moss. TE Chris Cooley is becoming more of a factor... For the Giants, I like QB Eli Manning, WR Plaxico Burress, RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey. Manning is better at home -- he's thrown 12 TDs in his last seven home games dating back to last season. The Redskins are third overall on defense, but games against the Bears and 49ers have inflated those numbers.

Jaguars at Rams: Check RB Fred Taylor's status. I think the week off has helped, and the Rams are 28th overall on defense. I also like WR Jimmy Smith... Keep an eye on RB Alvin Pearman -- he's getting a little more action on offense, and he's also a very good kick returner. The Rams, meanwhile, have historically given up big plays on special teams... For St. Louis, it will be hard to run on Jacksonsville, but they'll get the ball into RB Steven Jackson's hands... Check on WR Torry Holt's status, as he was out last week. If he's in, he can do something. WR Kevin Curtis is starting to make waves. Jamie Martin starts at QB.

Raiders at Titans: QB Kerry Collins has seven TD passes in his last two versus Tennessee, but if the Titans look to stop big plays (like they did last week versus Arizona), then RB LaMont Jordan can have a big game... Defensive backs Charles Woodson and Derrick Gibson both are out for Oakland. WR Doug Gabriel has caught 11 passes in his last two games... I like Tennessee QB Steve McNair in this game, but he's thrown six TDs and nine INTs in his last five games versus the Raiders... WR Brandon Jones might be out, so TEs Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe become the primary targets. RB Travis Henry is back from suspension this week.


Chiefs at Chargers: Eight of the last nine games in this series have been decided by seven or less... I like QB Trent Green against San Diego, which is 29th against the pass and second against the run. That said, I also like TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson... For San Diego, I like Drew Brees, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates and WR Keenan McCardell. The Chiefs are 27th overall on defense -- 30th versus the pass and eighth versus the run.

Eagles at Broncos: Both teams are very good against the run, so this should be an interesting matchup. I think you'll see Champ Bailey covering WR Terrell Owens wherever he goes. QB Donovan McNabb will throw the ball a lot. RB Brian Westbrook might not get many carries but he will see action catching the ball. Check TE LJ Smith's injury status... For Denver, RBs Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell will be okay -- not great. I like QB Jake Plummer, because you can pass on the Eagles, and WR Ashley Lelie. Plummer hasn't played great, but not bad either -- he hasn't had an interception since the second game of the season.

Buccaneers at 49ers: For Tampa Bay, I like QB Chris Simms here. People forgot that he actually won the job in 2004 until he got hurt, and then Brian Griese played so well that they couldn't take him out. I like WR Joey Galloway, although Galloway didn't get the bulk of the passes when Simms came in two weeks ago. If RB Cadillac Williams plays, he could have a big game. If it's Michael Pittman, he'll be okay. The Buccaneers are tops in overall defense -- first against the run and seventh against the pass. It'll be interesting to see if recently acquired QB Tim Rattay will help that defense play even better by divulging any tidbits about his former team... I don't know who you can play for San Francisco -- they are 31st overall on offense, they've had two games with no TDs, and Ken Dorsey might be starting at QB for an injured Alex Smith.

Bills at Patriots: I like RB Willis McGahee, because you can run on New England. I also like WR Lee Evans in this game... The Bills are third overall against the pass, but I still like Patriots QB Tom Brady, whose TD-INT ratio is 8-1 in his last three against Buffalo. I also like WR Deion Branch. If he's okay, I like RB Corey Dillon, and to a lesser extent Patrick Pass if Dillon doesn't play. Buffalo has only allowed five TD passes in seven games -- but how much of that is because teams run on them?

Ravens at Steelers: Apparently, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis aren't playing, though the Ravens haven't announced that yet. RB Jamal Lewis had 15 carries for 34 yards, and the team had just 199 total yards of offense last week. The Steelers, meanwhile, haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 18 games, so don't expect Lewis to shine here. Pittsburgh's two backs -- Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker -- will play well, even though the Ravens are second on defense. I continue to like TE Heath Miller.

Did you know?

1. Brett Favre needs 171 passing yards and 26 passing attempts to pass John Elway in those two categories.
Yards and attempts going into Sunday Favre: 51,305 yards, 7,225 attemptsElway: 51,475 yards, 7,250 attempts

Dan Marino is No. 1 in both categories.
2. For only the sixth time since 1989, a game will feature two players with seven or more sacks in seven games or less when the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans play this weekend. Kyle VandenBosch (Titans) has seven-and-a-half and Derrick Burgess (Raiders) has seven. Both players are new to their teams this year.

Keith Millard, a Raiders assistant coach, is one of the previous players to do this. In 1989, Millard (Vikings)and Tim Harris (Packers) both had seven sacks when the two teams played.
3. Burgess has two sacks in three straight games and goes for his fourths straight game the week against Tennessee. The record is five in a row by Simeon Rice (Buccaneers) in 2002 and Kevin Greene (49ers and Panthers) from 1997-98.

4. Brett Favre has started 211 consecutive games, passing Fred Cox (Vikings) and Jim Otto (Raiders) last week for the fourth-longest starting streak ever recorded.
5. Neil Rackers (Cardinals) has made a franchise-best 20 consecutive field goals and is on pace for 53 field goals. Olindo Mare (Dolphins) and Jeff Wilkins (Rams) hold the record for most field goals in one season with 39 each.

6. The record for most field goals attempted in one season is 49 by Bruce Gossett (Rams) in 1966 and Curt Knight (Redskins) in 1971.

7. The Chicago Bears need one win to become the first NFL team with 650 regular season victories.

8. Clinton Portis (Redskins) needs 42 yards to reach 5,000 yards in 51 games and tie Jamal Lewis for fifth fastest to reach 5,000 all time.

9. In Week 7, NFC teams were 6-0 versus AFC teams. For the season, NFC teams lead 17-14.
10. Torry Holt has 36 career 100-yard games and needs one to tie Lance Alworth and Marvin Harrison for second-most for receivers in their first seven seasons.

11. Marty Schottenheimer (Chargers) was the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-98. His record was 101-58-1. The Chargers and Chiefs play this weekend.