Hot or Not - Week 10 (Start David Garrard over Jay Cutler)

Last week, we were right about starting Brandon Jackson, James Jones, Mike Williams (South), and Jacob Tamme. We also hope you benched Chad Henne, Chad Ochocinco, and both Dallas RBs. We're sorry if you benched Percy Harvin, Carson Palmer, but signs pointed to bad games for both guys. We're also sorry if you started one of our many recommendations who got injured (Ryan Mathews and Jon Stewart). On to week ten!


HOT


David Garrard (JAC QB) vs. HOU 1
What a beautiful matchup for Mr. Garrard. Garrard is coming off a 5 TD performance before the bye week. Don't get me wrong; Garrard is no more than a matchup play; the guy had 5 straight games with 100-200 passing yards to start the season. But Mike Sims-Walker is finally showing up, and Mike Thomas, Marcedes Lewis, and MJD provide nice targets for Garrard in this matchup against a Texans secondary that makes everyone they face look like an elite QB. I'm salivating at this one.


Shaun Hill (DET QB) vs. BUF 9
The only reason I'm hesitant about Hill is because he's coming off an injury. But Hill was quite studly in the handful of games he started this year. With so many weapons at his disposal (Megatron, Burleson, Pettigrew, Best), and against a soft defense, Hill has the potential to throw 45 times and put up nice fantasy numbers. With a bunch of QBs on byes and/or injured, you could do worse than Hill this week.

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT QB) vs. NE 5
If you're wondering if Big Ben ain't all he's cracked up to be after some mediocre fantasy games, fear not. The games just didn't call for Ben to throw a lot in the last 2 weeks. But against New England's solid (though no longer elite) offense, and their porous secondary, Big Ben will be fine. He should finally get enough pass attempts do so some damage.

Tim Hightower (ARZ RB) vs. SEA 6
The Arizona offense and Tim Hightower especially are not elite. Fortunately for Timmy, the Seattle defense is also not elite, and Beanie Wells' knee injury is hampering him. Hightower will start this game. So assuming the Seahawks don't blow out the Cards, which I do not anticipate, Hightower should get just enough carries to make him a solid flex play.

Mike Goodson (CAR RB) vs. TB 5
Wow - talk about being at the right place at the right time. First DeAngelo Williams goes down, then Jon Stewart, and then Tyrell Sutton. The fact that it takes 3 injuries for Goodson to sniff the field is not a great statement towards Goodson's talent. But the second year back is not a complete slouch. He has no competition for every down work, and probably goalline work, so against a soft Bucs run D, he suddenly makes for a great flex start. My only fear is that the Bucs get a big lead early and the Panthers have to abandon the run (which they won't hesitate to do because it's not like they're abandoning AP back there.) But, if the Panthers can keep this game competitive for a few quarters, Goodson will get some decent fantasy points for you.

Mike Sims-Walker (JAC WR) vs. HOU 2
MSW has been a huge disappointment all season until a breakout game against Dallas with 8 catches for 153 yards and a TD. I'm not saying that MSW is back to every-week starter status, but in this matchup, you've got to like his chances at a big day. Plug him in with confidence.

Mario Manningham (NYG WR) vs. DAL 3Steve Smith tore his pectoral muscle and has been ruled out for Sunday's tilt against the listless Cowboys. Manningham goes from an okay WR3 to a great WR2. Eli Manning is on fire and will exploit the Dallas secondary. With more and more defensive attention paid to Hakeem Nicks, Manningham is a great start this weekend, and probably going forward.



NOT



Jay Cutler (CHI QB) vs. MIN 26
I'm a bit of a Jay Cutler apologist after drafting him in too many leagues. In a Mike Martz offense, he will attempt plenty of passes and has a nice deep threat in Johnny Knox. But we've seen Cutler totally fall apart against good defenses because his O-line gives him little to no protection. And as I always preach, "Use protection." Jared Allen is back to form and will likely give Cutler quite the headache on Sunday.

LaDainian Tomlinson (NYJ RB) vs. CLE 27
There have been numerous reports and confirmations this week that the Jets want to scale back LT's snaps and increase Shonn Greene's. It's hard to trust anything NFL coaches say these days, but it's not good news for LT. Also, you may be surprised to see how legit Cleveland's Run D is. In year's past, a date between LT and Cleveland spelled fantasy gold, but now, it's a situation to avoid.

Dwayne Bowe (KC WR) vs. DEN 24
Bowe has been absolutely en fuego over the last month with TDs in every game. But, look at his opponents; Bowe did it against Jacksonville, Houston, Buffalo, and an Asomugha-less Oakland. Look for a drop-prone Bowe to come crashing back down to Earth against Champ Bailey this weekend. I know it's hard to sit someone as hot as Bowe, so I don't blame you if you just can't pull him out of your line-up, but if you have some options and you're feeling smart, bench Bowe now.