After last week’s list disappointed to a degree (kudos to anyone who did pass on starting Steve Slaton), Can’t-Pass-Up Matchups is back for Week 9 and ready to send your team to victory (or, if you’re in a rotisserie league, ready to send your team to… more points…). This week’s list features an obvious one (new rule: No more asking in the Sunday chats whether you should start Tom Brady), as well as a guy that I have discouraged people from starting each week. That’s right, I have finally come around on the two-catch, 50 yard touchdown potential of DeSean Jackson.  Away we go.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Buccaneers

Though their defense was able to pick off Tom Brady twice in Week 7, the Buccaneers still allowed 308 yards and three touchdowns to the New England quarterback. Tampa Bay hasn’t faced many great quarterbacks this year, but when they have, they’ve been terrible. Like Brady, Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb each torched the Bucs for three touchdowns while Eli Manning lit them up for two. Rodgers has been absolutely fantastic this season and has tossed three touchdowns in each of his last two games. There shouldn’t be any reason to believe that trend won’t continue this week, especially considering that Rodgers has been stellar in three road games this season (seven touchdowns, one pick).

Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Chiefs

With petitions to Scott Pioli apparently all the rage in Kansas City, perhaps a Chiefs fan should circulate one regarding that run defense. People saw what Jones-Drew was able to do against the Titans in Week 8, and the Chiefs actually give up 18.6 more rushing yards per game. Jones-Drew had a bit of a lull in production in Weeks 4 and 5 (14 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee, 34 yards and no touchdowns against Seattle), but the small back is more than back on track. The UCLA product has compiled a whopping 310 yards and five touchdowns combined over his last two games. Odds are that he will feast on this Chiefs defense, and if you can’t wait for his next big game, he has the Bills in Week 11. This is going to be a tremendous stretch for Jones-Drew owners.

Ryan Grant vs. Buccaneers

Picking on the Buccaneers again, am I? You bet I am. With the Tampa Bay offense as bad as it is, the Packers should dominate time of possession on Sunday. If all goes according to plan, Rodgers will have lit up the defense early on, allowing the Packers to just feed the ball to Grant. If that’s the case, a 100-yard rushing day for Grant is a real possibility. The Bucaneers have also allowed a rushing touchdown per game.

DeSean Jackson vs. Cowboys

You can’t call me a hypocrite on this one. I know that I have worked tirelessly to prove to everyone that McNabb really prefers Jeremy Maclin, but the Cowboys defense has been susceptible to big plays and Maclin has become a big-play-a-week guy. It really is a shame though. If the guy can do as much damage as he does with just two or three catches, imagine what he could do on an eight-catch day. Jackson’s season-high for catches in a game is six, which he accomplished in both Week 3 and Week 6, but he has recorded three catches or less in four of his seven games. I have warned against him based on this in the past, but his explosiveness makes up for any consistency concerns.

Donovan McNabb vs. Cowboys

See above, but in case you need further reason to start McNabb, here goes. Last week’s matchup with the Giants was viewed as a test for both the Eagles’ offense without Brian Westbrook and a struggling Giants defense. With his three touchdowns, McNabb passed with flying colors and now faces a Cowboys defense that has given up 12 passing touchdowns on the season. This could be the second big week in a row for this Philadelphia offense.

Tom Brady vs. Dolphins

This one is here just to clarify that Brady is back to being a set-it-and-forget-it fantasy player.  We’ve still gotten a couple of questions the last couple weeks asking whether he is a safe start. To quote the great Bernie Mac, “Come on America.”

Matt Hasselbeck vs. Lions

Hasselbeck has made this list before and has both made good on my promises and made me look like an utter jackass. As I wrote in this week’s edition of Living With the Bye, owners should start Hasselbeck under the assumption that he will have the big game that Marc Bulger failed to have, even when it was right in his lap. The logic behind last week’s selection of Bulger was that even a bad quarterback could do some damage against the Lions. Lucky for owners, Hasselbeck isn’t bad, but that Detroit defense sure is. The 27th-ranked defense, in addition to allowing 251.9 passing yards per game, has surrendered 18 passing touchdowns on the season.

CLOSE CALLS

Packers defense vs. Buccaneers

I’ve been mean enough to those poor Buccaneers, haven’t I? Well to top it all off, their offense will be hopeless with Josh Freeman at the helm. The only thing preventing me from the Packers being on the above list is the fact that they were torched for 38 points last week.

Alex Smith vs. Titans

Smith should be owned in every two-quarterback league, but in the event that he isn’t, pick him up. The all-but-forgotten Smith could very well dominate in an outrageously easy matchup with the Titans, but it is too soon to bank on a big performance from Smith regardless of the opponent.

Frank Gore vs. Titans

Gore has progressed nicely since his return, but I’m still not ready to consider him a top fantasy back again. That being said, we all saw what Jones-Drew did last week against this defense, but that was Jones-Drew, and Gore is far less dependable.

Can’t decide between a couple of potential starters? Email all of your fantasy questions to djbean@weei.com and I will be sure to drop some knowledge that you can then use to ruin lives in your league.

You’re almost there– one more week of six-teams on the bye and you’re past the hardest part! Week 9 hurts the running back position pretty badly, but it’s the quarterback position that might have the most intriguing low-risk pickup in Alex Smith. Here is the blueprint on how to get through Week 9 without your star players.

QUARTERBACK

Starters with byes: Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez

Potential spot-starters: Matt Hasselbeck (vs. Lions), Alex Smith (vs. Titans), Jason Campbell (vs. Falcons)

The rub: Being able to grab Hasselbeck off the wire will be an exercise in wishful thinking in most leagues (owned in 65.9 percent of ESPN leagues). However, if the opportunity exists and you’ve got one of the above quarterbacks on their bye, it will be more than worth it to pick up a guy who just proved he can have modest success against a bad secondary (249 yards, two TD against the Cowboys). With the Lions on tap, Hasselbeck is in line to have the big day Marc Bulger was supposed to have in Week 8. Smith, as I predicted, is not receiving the praise he should have deserved after the way he handled the offense against the Colts. Now that he is facing a Titans defense that has been thrown on, run on, and downright stomped on, the possibilities are far greater for the No. 1 pick-turned-bust-turned reclamation project. Smith has connected with Vernon Davis for touchdowns in back-to-back weeks, but this could be the week he helps additional options to the end zone. As for Campbell, if he can’t get it done against a Falcons defense that has given up the second-most passing yards per game, he can’t get it done against anybody.

RUNNING BACK

Starters with byes: Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson, Thomas Jones, Marshawn Lynch

Potential spot-starters: Ryan Moats (vs. Colts), Jamaal Charles (vs. Jaguars)

The rub: Moats came out of nowhere when starter Steve Slaton was sent to the bench with a case of fumblitis, and the big question remains whether he will continue to see the action he saw in his 23-carry, 126-yard, three touchdown Week 8 performance against the Bills. It’s a risky play, as he is remains in a crowded backfield, but if he does get the majority of the carries he could do some damage against a middle-of-the-pack defense like the Colts. Charles, on the other hand, is a sure thing for carries with Larry Johnson paying the price for conduct detrimental to the team. The second-year back out of Texas sees a dramatic increase in carries (his six against the Eagles in Week 3 is currently his season-high) in a pretty favorable situation. The Jaguars have allowed an average of 128.3 yards per game and were absolutely torn to pieces in Week 8 by Chris Johnson to the tune of 228 yards. This isn’t to say that Charles will even come close to producing half of Johnson’s numbers, but with the opportunity there against a struggling defense, he might be worth consideration in a pinch. Charles is currently owned in just 14.4 percent of ESPN leagues.

WIDE RECEIVER

Starters with byes: Sidney Rice, Lee Evans

Potential spot-starters: Jeremy Maclin (vs. Cowboys), Michael Crabtree (vs. Titans)

The rub: I’ve tracked this one closely all season, and four weeks into the experiment, here’s the conclusion thus far: DeSean Jackson, while a playmaker in every sense of the word, hasn’t been Donovan McNabb’s No. 1 option. In the four weeks since returning from his rib injury, McNabb has actually thrown more touchdown passes to Maclin (three) than he has to Jackson (two). Not only that, but he’s targeted Maclin more (25 to 24) and has completed more passes to him (16 to 12). Though just a rookie, Maclin is becoming a legitimate option in PPR leagues, yet he is only owned in 36.4 percent of ESPN leagues. Scoop him up if you can. And yes, regarding Crabtree, that was fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that he was being drawn up as the worst thing to ever happen to the 49ers? Now that he’s seemingly in synch with Smith and is going against the Titans, he just may be the best thing to happen to your vacant receiver slot.

TIGHT END

Starters with byes: Visanthe Shiancoe, Dustin Keller, Zach Miller

Potential Spot-starters: Kevin Boss (vs. Chargers), Benjamin Watson (vs. Dolphins)

The rub: I will take Boss and Watson over the likes of Bo Scaife because, to be blunt, they both have quarterbacks that are good enough to target them, receivers, and—here’s the kicker—complete the passes (slight at Vince Young indeed). It’s tough to pinpoint the output from Boss, because it is based largely on whether Mario Manningham ends up going for the Giants. Should he sit again, Eli Manning will likely target his other options more than Domenik Hixon, therefore increasing the production from his tight end. As for Watson, I can’t decide whether it’s his two touchdowns in his last three games or the fact that he’s has scored a touchdown in three of the six games he’s played against the Dolphins. One of those reasons is incentive enough to grab him for the week—you can pick which one.

There they are—the best of the scrap-heap for Week 9. As is the case with many of these players, it might be wise to seek in-house options before going to the wire, but if you find yourself struggling with which player to start my door is always open at djbean@weei.com. No fantasy question is too stupid (except ones that imply anything positive about Darren McFadden), so feel free to ask away.

Week 8 featured a ton of surprises. I, for one, am no longer undefeated thanks to Shonn Greene, but it’s hard to stay upset after such a tremendous week of football.  A backup dominated while a starter was benched after one yard, a star back showed he didn’t need 10 carries to prove his worth, and perennial top-fantasy pick finally scored his first touchdown. Here are some things we can take from Week 8.

I was right in saying a Texans running back would have a breakout game

…I was just wrong in predicting which one. Did anyone in the world think Ryan Moats, who entered the game with just 56 yards on the season, would rattle off 126 yards and three touchdowns? Maybe somebody would go out on such a limb if they thought he’d be starting, but the plan was for Moats to watch while Steve Slaton terrorized a Bills defense that entered Sunday dead last against the run. Instead, fumbles got the best of Slaton for the seventh (and apparently last) time and Moats turned inherited carries into a career day. As people saw with Maurice Jones-Drew’s monster day despite only getting eight carries (see below), anybody can run rabid on the Titans defense, and with the Texans set to face them in Week 11, it might be worth picking up the barely owned Moats (0.2 percent in ESPN leagues) and hoping he becomes the starter. Based on his output today, he should at least be given another look next week against the Colts.

Aaron Rodgers has still been better than Brett Favre this season

While I personally spent the early weeks of the season comparing Kyle Orton and Jay Cutler, two quarterbacks who will be held up against one another for the remainder of their careers, it is pretty fascinating how similar Favre and Rodgers have been… until you realize that their numbers are only similar because Favre has played in one more game than Rodgers. The 2005 first-round pick has 43.5 more passing yards per game, and though he has two less touchdowns than Favre (14 to Favre’s 16), he has thrown only two interceptions to Favre’s three. Sure, Favre threw more touchdowns Sunday, but between Rodgers throwing more per game and his underappreciated ability to scramble, Rodgers is undoubtedly the better fantasy quarterback of the two. The numbers will fall in Rodgers’ favor more when he faces the Buccaneers next week.

Steven Jackson owners experienced a first

That’s right folks, Jackson’s seven-week touchdown-less streak finally ended Sunday against a terrible Lions defense, but this still isn’t the time for owners to get excited. Yes, aside from the touchdown problem he has been a workhouse and has 784 yards on the season, but nothing about Sunday suggested that he was going to begin scoring touchdowns on a regular basis. The reasons are fairly obvious. First of all, he isn’t going to face the Lions every week. Second of all, the Rams are still incapable of getting decent field position. Sorry owners, this just isn’t Steven Jackson’s year fantasy-wise, even if he is close to being  on pace for a career-high in yards.

Forgotten quarterbacks had memorable days

This one could also be called “David Garrard and Vince Young had a reversal of roles” but this title is probably nicer to Garrard. We’ll get to the Jaguars stuff later, but Sunday was about Young and Alex Smith coming back from the dead. After being written off as busts (and for good reason), both quarterbacks had starting jobs fall into their laps this week because the veterans who had previously passed them on the depth charts had fallen on their faces. Young did his part (15-of-18 on dink-and-dunk passes, 135 yards, one TD, no picks—how 2007 David Garrard is that?), and even though he did it against a Jaguars defense that has been incompetent against the pass this season, it suggested that Young’s confidence—something that his career has depended on— may be growing. Still, no amount of success on Sunday could have given fantasy players reason to believe in him, even with the 49ers up next. At this point Young shouldn’t even be considered in one-quarterback leagues, and is still a pretty terrible option in leagues that feature two quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, Smith should get more credit than Young, though he won’t because he didn’t help his team to victory. Prognosticators will see the one touchdown, one interception line and close the book on Smith, but he had to do more work Sunday than Young (14 more pass attempts than Young, for starters). In addition, and this is the main point here, Smith did everything he’ll need to do in order to one day be a decent quarterback: He threw at Michael Crabtree a ton (nine times) and hooked up with Vernon Davis for a touchdown. It might take longer than anyone cares to wait, but if his rapport with Davis continues and Crabtree becomes as big a part of the offense as he is expected to become, Smith could be worth something one day—just not any time soon.

Running backs can do whatever they want against the Titans

When Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for his 79-yard touchdown in the third quarter the Titans could at the very least take solace in the fact that it was shorter than the 80-yard touchdown they had allowed to him just a quarter earlier. Backs can shred up this defense, and they have Frank Gore up next, potentially followed by the emerging Ryan Moats in Week 11.

The struggles are going to continue for Matt Ryan

Well, they will over the next three weeks, at least. Seven interceptions over his last three games, including three against the pick-happy Saints, couldn’t have been what owners were looking for on draft day, and Ryan’s struggles most likely are not over. The Falcons’ next three games are as follows: Home against Washington (second in the league against the pass), at Carolina (first), and at the Giants (third). That’s right, Ryan will be facing the top three defenses in the league against the pass over the next three games. Owners might want to consider their other options for now. On the contrary…

…Things are looking up for Michael Turner, finally. But is he in the clear?

Go ahead and play the “he’s good for a touchdown a game” card, but that’s all he has been. Just one game with multiple touchdowns– not to mention the fact that he has rushed for under 70 yards four times on the season– doesn’t exactly scream “top pick,” but at the very least he seems to be heating up just in time for a seemingly easy matchup against the Redskins, who currently allow the tenth-most rushing yards per game. Unfortunately for Turner, however, Washington has allowed just three rushing touchdowns on the season. Proceed with caution. As has been the case all year, Turner might not be the slam-dunk people think he is.

Dustin Keller has a pulse

Mark Sanchez got back on the track of success by relying heavily on his tight end. If there are two things that are true about young quarterbacks it’s that they commonly depend on their tights end and that they are extremely wary of messing with success. If they find one player that is working for them, they will almost target them too much. Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery were each targeted eight times apiece by Sanchez, but the rookie fired for Keller a team-high 13 times. Keller was able to reel in eight of those passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. He is owned in only 56.5 percent of ESPN leagues, so he may be worth adding to your roster if it means potentially getting Sanchez’ new favorite target for next to nothing.

Kyle Orton has been a safe quarterback for longer than people realize

I told reader after reader Sunday morning that Tony Romo was a better play than Orton. One reader was confused as to why I wasn’t giving Orton enough credit, so I figured I would throw the Boilermaker a bone (For what it’s worth, I was still right. Romo tossed three touchdowns while Orton treaded water against the Ravens). I’ve written in the past of how impressive Orton has been and, like many others have before, I wrote about how different he has been from Chicago Kyle Orton. Looking through the numbers, it occurred to me that everyone, including yours truly, got caught up in his rookie year (winning with interceptions) and decided to brand him with it. Though everyone is talking about how his one interception through his first seven games is a revelation, Orton threw just four picks through his first 10 games last season with the Bears. Of course, he went on to throw eight picks in his next four, but this shows that Orton’s responsible start is no fluke.

That wraps up Week 8. Check in throughout the week for everything you need to prepare for Week 9. Also, send any questions you have about your fantasy team throughout the week to djbean@weei.com. The trade scenarios that people have emailed have been pretty fascinating, keep them coming!

Join WEEI.com Fantasy Editor D.J. Bean Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Fantasy Football Live Chat, where information is passed along and accepted to help all fantasy football players set their lineups for the upcoming week’s slate of NFL games …

Week 8 features more close games than the previous weeks have held, so in addition to it being an entertaining Sunday (I personally can’t wait for the Lions and Rams), it will be an especially tough week of roster-setting.  This edition of Can’t-Pass-up Matchups features more players that aren’t necessarily facing easy defenses (see: Rodgers; Aaron), but should excel given past success. Here are some of the guys you don’t want on your bench come game time.

Steve Slaton vs. Bills

Mark my words: this will be Slaton’s biggest game of the year. Everything is working in his favor—from his team’s No. 1 receiver being hurt to the fact that he has been getting the ball regularly (37 carries in his last two games). Oh, and the Bills are dead-last in the league against the run. This one is a no-brainer.

Peyton Manning vs. 49ers

The 49ers have been hyped as a vaunted defense, but in reality may not be much more than Patrick Willis and an overpaid secondary. Matt Ryan and Roddy White proved that in Week 5, so there’s no reason to believe that Manning and the Colts won’t light up San Francisco in similar fashion. Statistically the 49ers are 21st against the pass, but that includes games in which they faced Seneca Wallace and Kyle Boller. Something tells me Manning will fare just a tad better.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Vikings

Yes, Rodgers spent more time on his rear than he wanted to the last time he faced the Vikings thanks to Jared Allen, but he also threw for over 100 yards more than Brett Favre. Assuming he gets sacked less than eight times, Rodgers should be able to build on those numbers in Favre’s return to Lambeau. Rodgers has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of his last four games, and despite their 6-1 record, the Vikings are a middle-of-the-pack defense against the pass (234.6 yards allowed per game).

Chris Johnson vs. Jaguars

The Titans could be going up against just about anyone right now and I would be fine with Johnson getting the start. Vince Young will be so terrible that the only positive thing he can do for Tennessee is hand the ball to Johnson, which he will likely be doing often. Even before Jeff Fisher made the decision to make Young the starter, one had to figure that the offensive approach would have to be tweaked to feature Johnson more. Remember, Johnson was still able to muster 128 yards against the Patriots in the 59-0 game, so even if the Titans fall behind, Johnson might be their best (and only, depending on the day for LenDale White) option.

Jay Cutler vs. Browns

It may look like I have been piling it on the Browns in recent weeks, but this one is for good reason. Cleveland is coming off a poor showing in which they allowed three touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers, while Cutler has tossed multiple touchdown passes in four of Chicago’s last five games. Rodgers may have had better receiving options, but Cutler will have the freedom to test a defense that has an NFL-low three interceptions on the season.

Kevin Smith vs. Rams

Think of it this way: Disastrous Team A (Lions) faces Disastrous Team B (Rams). Disastrous Team A has their starting quarterback returning from injury and may be without their top receiver. The Rams are so bad that the Lions should control time of possession, and when they do, they should stick with the only sure thing they have, which is Smith. St. Louis leads the league in rushing touchdowns allowed with 11, and Smith stands a good shot at adding a couple to that total. Did anyone think entering the season that, in a game in which they face each other, Kevin Smith would be a better play than Steven Jackson?

David Garrard vs. Titans

I know, I mislabeled Garrard as a sure thing back in Week 5, but it’s hard to not love Garrard in Week 8 against the Titans. Garrard tossed a season-high three touchdown passes when they last squared off in Week 4, and that Tennessee defense has looked even worse as the season has progressed. One thing that may scare you away: Garrard has only registered touchdowns in two games this season.

Marshawn Lynch vs. Texans

I figured it would be quite some time before Lynch could make this list, but the fact that he is once again an integral part of the offense is reason enough for him to be considered a top-two back. The fact that the Texans have given up 10 rushing touchdowns already is reason enough for him to be a safe bet in Week 8.

Like I said in my last post, this might be the hardest fantasy week of the season, so if your team can push through Week 8 without significant damage, you’ll be in good shape. Send any lineup questions you have my way at djbean@weei.com and I’ll do everything I can to make this week as painless as possible. Be sure to drop by the live chat Sunday at 11 a.m. to set rosters and discuss all things fantasy football.

With Week 8 in our sights, we are now into the second of three weeks that feature six teams on byes. This week the teams that will take the weekend off are the Patriots, Bengals, Chiefs, Steelers, Buccaneers, and Redskins. Obviously, many a fantasy team will take a huge it given how loaded the Patriots, Steelers and Bengals are, so it is important to do one’s due diligence in trying to make up for a significant loss of production.

QUARTERBACK

Starters with byes: Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer

Potential spot-starters: Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Texans), Marc Bulger (vs. Lions)

The rub: Byes definitely hit the quarterback position the hardest in Week 8. Brady’s resurgence is halted for a week, Roethlisberger’s pace for a career-high in passing yards will take a break, and Palmer will have to wait before trying to build on Sunday’s five-touchdown performance against the Bears. Luckily for owners, there are more quarterbacks who will get starts this weekend on the wire than usual thanks to injuries and demotions. New (again) 49ers starter Alex Smith is also an option and is only owned in an astonishingly low 0.3 percent of ESPN leagues, but one would have to assume that he is a terrible play against the Colts. Same goes for Vince Young against, well, anybody. Chad Henne probably won’t repeat his Week 5 performance (241 yards, two touchdowns) at the Jets, but then again nobody put much faith in him the first time around either. In the end, the safest play might be Fitzpatrick, as he won’t put you in the red with a ton of interceptions. If you want to reach for the stars, Bulger might just be the risk you’re thinking of. Don’t get me wrong—Bulger hasn’t done much. In fact, he’s done just about as much as you would expect Marc Bulger to do, but the fact that he’s going up against such an awful Lions defense—one that has given up 17 touchdown passes in six games—at the very least makes him intriguing for owners who are without their starters.

RUNNING BACK

Starters with byes: Cedric Benson, Rashard Mendenhall

Potential spot-starters: Shonn Greene (vs. Dolphins), Michael Bush (vs. Chargers)

The rub: The Jets were applauded for their selection of Green in the third round back in April, but few thought that he would be making a substantial impact on the team this soon. Simply put, that’s what a broken leg will do to a team. Leon Washington’s season-ending injury means that Greene will be inheriting anywhere from 10 to 17 carries each week. Greene proved that he can handle the load, as he picked up 144 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries against the Raiders. Yes, it may have been against the Raiders, who give up a whopping 169.7 yards on the ground per game and are currently 30th in the league against the run, but it was still an impressive coming out party nonetheless. Considering this isn’t a situational start and that he’ll be splitting carries for the rest of the season, he may be worth picking up and keeping around. Greene is currently owned in just 3.2 percent of ESPN leagues.

Mendenhall, on the other hand, has proven to be one of the steals of every league’s fantasy draft and has gone from “keep him on your bench until something happens” to “something is happening every week with this guy.” He didn’t do much against the Vikings, but had amassed 304 yards and four touchdowns in the three weeks prior. Getting someone off the scrap heap to replace that kind of production is pretty close to impossible, but Michael Bush is getting the opportunity in Oakland with Darren McFadden still out. Also consider that he’s going against a San Diego defense that has been awful against the run and allowed a touchdown to Bush back in Week 1.

WIDE RECEIVER

Starters with byes: Chad Ochocinco, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Hines Ward

Potential spot-starters: Hakeem Nicks (vs. Eagles), Torry Holt (vs. Titans)

The rub: One of the two potential spot-starters listed above is there because he continues to find his way into the end zone, whether or not the passes he catches are intended for him. The other one is listed because he is getting thrown to enough and is in an insanely easy matchup. I trust you figured out which was which. Nicks has now scored a touchdown in each of his last four games, and although he is facing an Eagles defense that is ninth in the league in defending the pass, you can’t argue with success. Nicks is continuing to grow into a larger role in the Giants offense, so the ceiling on his fantasy production is very high. He should still be available, too (owned in 37.9 percent of ESPN leagues). Holt, meanwhile, had 101 receiving yards against one bad defense (the Rams) already, and has a modest 12 catches combined in the last two weeks. The prediction here is that the legendary receiver will register his first touchdown of the season on Sunday against a Titans defense that has been exploited time and time again.

TIGHT END

Starters with byes: Kellen Winslow, Heath Miller

Potential spot-starters: Visanthe Shiancoe (vs. Packers), Tony Scheffler (vs. Ravens)

The rub: Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to assume that everyone who has read the Reality Bites blog knows how good an asset Shiancoe is by now and has picked him up. That’s 54 percent of the fantasy players out there— not bad. I will stop freaking out about how crazy it is that Brett Favre’s favorite red zone target keeps going unnoticed and move on. You won’t hear me whine about Shiancoe again. Scheffler, on the other hand, has always been a pretty inconsistent fantasy option, but something tells me that his Week 6 explosion against the Chargers (101 yards, touchdown), may be a sign of things to come. His catches have increased steadily throughout the season (1, 1, 1, 3, 4 6), so take it as a sign that Kyle Orton is becoming more comfortable with his tight end.

That’s it for this week’s lesson on how to overcome any bye-related stress. Send any questions you have to djbean@weei.com and I’ll send a gallon of fantasy wisdom in return. Don’t forget to check back Friday for Week 8’s Can’t-Pass-up Mathups.