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Fantasy football: Ryan has no choice but to throw

By Ladd Biro, Special to the Rocky

Published November 6, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.
Updated November 6, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.

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You don't need me advising you to start Kurt Warner and Adrian Peterson, or to steer clear of JaMarcus Russell and Jerry Porter. So I'll spare you the obvious recommendations, focusing instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy rosters. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 10:

Watch 'em roll

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons vs. Saints: When you play the Saints, you'd better be prepared to air it out. Ryan is coming off a commanding 24-0 win over the hapless Raiders, whose defense is actually ranked higher than New Orleans'. The difference is that Drew Brees will force Ryan to keep throwing the entire game, setting the rookie signal-caller up for another terrific outing.

Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals vs. 49ers: In Week 1, Edgerrin James posted his only 100-yard rushing game of the season against San Fran. In that same contest, Hightower’s NFL debut, the rookie combined for 34 yards and a score. Now that Hightower has ascended to the starting role, the sky's the limit for the electrifying tailback against one of the league's softest defenses.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers at Raiders: Coming off a bye week and heading west to play a beyond-awful Oakland squad, the veteran is poised for a second consecutive 100-plus yard outing with at least one touchdown. Jonathan Stewart has been nursing a sore heel this week as well, further boosting Williams' chances for success.

Greg Camarillo, WR, Dolphins vs. Seahawks: Camarillo is Chad Pennington's most reliable receiving target, though he has scored just once this season. Look for his second trip to the end zone Sunday against the league's 31st-ranked pass defense. Miami should have little trouble handling the road-weary Seahawks, making Pennington and Ronnie Brown sound bets to produce as well on their home turf.

Chris Chambers, WR, Chargers vs. Chiefs: Philip Rivers has thrown for three touchdowns apiece in five games this season. After a week of rest, he should notch his sixth trifecta against Kansas City, with a healthy Chambers on the receiving end of at least one of those scoring strikes.

Roll 'em back

Eli Manning, QB, Giants at Eagles: The reigning Super Bowl MVP has been a solid fantasy passer this season, ranking among the top 10 at his position despite failing to cross the 300-yard passing threshold in any game so far. He also has just three multitouchdown days to his credit, and his best receiver (Plaxico Burress) has been struggling. Meanwhile, Philly's pass defense is solid, and the Sunday night crowd will be hostile. Advantage, Eagles.

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans vs. Ravens: It's hard to bench a player as hot as this rookie, but when he's facing the league's stingiest run defense (which has yielded just one rushing score all season) and the backup quarterback is at the controls, you're better off seeking safer options. Slaton is a multitalented tailback, but the deck is stacked against him this week.

Rams RBs at Jets: Steven Jackson hasn’t practiced all week and seems headed for the inactive list Sunday. Antonio Pittman is dealing with a bad hammy, and could also sit out. That leaves former practice squad resident Kenneth Darby and the recently unemployed Samkon Gado as the likely candidates to tote the ball against New York's solid run defense. Fuggetaboutit.

Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers vs. Colts: Holmes has been a disappointment this season, both on and off the field, though he salvaged another disappointing outing Monday night with a 5-yard score. Indy has allowed a league-low two passing touchdowns all season, posing a stiff challenge for whomever is under center for the Steelers. That's bad new for Pittsburgh wideouts not named Hines Ward, too.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts at Steelers: A week after torching the Patriots for 55 yards and two scores, the second-year receiver faces the league's top-ranked pass defense. While Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne are too explosive to sit even under these circumstances, Gonzalez should stay on your bench. Weather may also be a factor in this game.

Taking a flyer

Brett Favre, QB, Jets vs. Rams: St. Louis is giving up more than 400 total yards per game, nearly 250 of which comes through the air. And they've picked off only six passes to date, which is good news for the struggling gunslinger. Favre should break out of his four-game slump at home against this soft defensive unit.

Don't be the bonehead who . . .

. . . casts his lot with Daunte Culpepper. First of all, he's playing for the Lions, not against them. Second, there's a reason he was out of work until this week: He's years past his prime. Assuming he starts the rest of the season, you can look forward to a string of stinkers, with one stellar outing mixed in. If you can figure out which game that is ahead of time, more power to ya.

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