Weekly Matchups: Strong Plays, Weak Plays Week 7

STRONG PLAYS

Matt Cassell vs. JAC

Cassell is coming off an excellent three-touchdown performance against the Texans and has a similar matchup this week against a Jaguars unit that ranks 31st in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback. Only last week's opponent, the Texans, rank lower. Cassell has six touchdowns and just one interception and has broken 200 yards in both of his most favorable matchups this season. Look for Cassell to be a nice low-end starter this week and have another solid outing.

Steven Jackson vs. TB

Health is always a major concern for Jackson, but when relatively healthy, Jackson has produced. Jackson is coming off consecutive 100-yard games and has put up solid numbers in virtually every game this season. Look for that trend to continue this week against a Buccaneers defense ranked 27th in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Jackson could be in line for a third straight 100-yard rushing performance as the Rams continue to be one of the most improved teams in the NFL.

Marshawn Lynch vs. ARI

Lynch got 17 of the teams 31 carries in the Week 6 win over the Bears, and if he is able to duplicate that number of touches in Week 7, he has the potential to have a very big outing. The Cardinals rank 30th in fantasy points allowed to running backs and 22nd in yards per rush at 4.3 a carry. Lynch will make his home debut for the Seahawks, and with this team's history of playing much better at home, and tackle Russell Okung healthy, look for Lynch to have his best game of the season this week.

Marquis Colston vs. CLE

Colston is averaging five catches a game, which are nice numbers in a PPR league, but he has yet to score a receiving touchdown this season and has broken 70 yards just once. This week Colston has perhaps his best matchup of the season against a Browns pass defense that has allowed the second most touchdowns to wide receivers (9), ranking 26th in points allowed to wide receivers. Colston has a chance to have his best day of the season and get back into the good graces of his disappointed fantasy owners.

Ben Watson vs. NO

Watson has been a fantasy stud this season averaging nearly five catches a game for the Browns. Rookie Colt McCoy targeted him nine times in his best outing of the season last week against the Steelers, and Watson has not been targeted less than six times all season. Watson has a favorable matchup to continue his surprising start against a Saints pass defense that ranks 25th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. The Saints have allowed 38 catches to the position, second highest in the league. Look for Watson to continue his excellent start in a game where the Browns, like last week, may have to throw a lot in the second half.

WEAK PLAYS

Donovan McNabb vs. CHI

With the exception of games against the Texans and Packers, McNabb has been somewhat of a fantasy disappointment. In his four other games, McNabb has only thrown three touchdowns compared to four interceptions and has not broken 250 yards in any of those starts. This week McNabb faces a Bears pass defense allowing the second fewest points to fantasy quarterbacks. The Bears have allowed an NFL-low three touchdown passes this season. While McNabb may have to start due to the bye week, he probably won't be one of the higher scorers at the position.

Ronnie Brown vs. PIT

Brown has been off to a very slow start, as he has yet to crack 100 yards on the ground and has just one touchdown in five games. Brown has been no better than a flex option most weeks, and his matchup this week should put him on the bench. The Steelers have allowed the second fewest points to running backs all season, allowed just 50.4 yards rushing to running backs. With this information, plus the time share with Ricky Williams, Brown has no place in fantasy lineups this week.

Felix Jones vs. NYG

Jones has had two solid weeks, rushing for 109 yards against the Titans and catching 10 passes last week against the Vikings. Still, Jones wore down last week needing I.V.'s at halftime in Minnesota, and there is some concern about how durable he is as he continues to gain playing time over Marion Barber. This week the Cowboys face a Giants run defense that is surrendering the seventh fewest points to running backs. Furthermore, it has given up a paltry 19 catches for 141 yards to backs this season. While Jones has been hot, look for him to be cooled off this week and have his production mirror the first three weeks of the season.

Michael Crabtree vs. CAR

Crabtree might have finally broken out of his early season funk, as he has caught 18 passes and two touchdowns in the last three weeks. However, Crabtree faces his toughest matchup to date against the 0-5 Panthers. While Carolina has been abysmal offensively, their pass defense has been very good. They have given up the fifth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Carolina is surrendering the seventh most fantasy points on the ground, so don't be surprised if Crabtree's targets are limited by the quality of the Panthers pass defense, the poor play of the run defense and potentially the score of the game, which may quell the 49ers need to pass.

Kellen Winslow vs. STL

Winslow is coming off a season-high seven catches on 10 targets in the Buccaneers' loss to the Saints last week. Winslow has been hobbled by his knee recently and still does not appear to be 100 percent and now faces a Rams pass defense that is giving up the second fewest fantasy points to tight ends. The Rams have only allowed 23 catches for 215 yards on the season. With tight ends being a deep position, and no stud tight ends on a bye this week, Winslow may be best served on your bench.