Hot or Not - Week 9 (Start Patrick Crayton over Chad Ochocinco)

We went 14-6 with last week's picks. We told you to start Jacob Tamme and sit Owen Daniels. We also told you to start Matt Stafford and bench Wes Welker. For some reason, most of our missteps came in the HOT RB category as Beanie Wells, Jonathan Stewart, Donald Brown, Marshawn Lynch, and Ryan Torain each failed to capitalize on easy matchups. On to week nine...


HOT


QBs

Michael Vick (PHI QB) vs. IND 24
It's not an easy matchup and this is Vick's first game back from an injury. But don't let either fact scare you. Vick says he feels 100% and I think he's a solid top ten start this week.

Josh Freeman (TB QB) vs. ATL 12
This kid keeps getting better and better. On Sunday, he posted his highest completion percentage and yards per attempt of the season. I wouldn't call him an automatic start yet, but in any matchup in the top half, I'd say he's a solid start.

RBs

Jon Stewart (CAR RB) vs. NO 12
With DeAngelo Williams out, everyone thought this was Stewart's chance to become a solid RB1. ESPN and Rotoworld were quick to point to his monstrous averages in the three games Stewart started last year. But it's a new year. Stewart blamed his offensive live for not opening any holes. The Panthers aren't building big leads such that they can run out the clock. With the backfield all to himself, Stewart is unfortunately still not an RB1, but I'd call him an RB2 this week. His best fantasy game of the season was against the Saints and now he gets to face them again.

Matt Forte (CHI RB) vs. BUF 1
You may worry about the Bears offense because of the implosion of Jay Cutler. You may also have heard that Chester Taylor is now the Bears' goalline back. But in this matchup, Forte is a must-start. 

Brandon Jackson (GB RB) vs. DAL 21
Jackson has been impressive lately. After some early ineffectiveness, it looked like John Kuhn could overtake him. Meanwhile, analysts speculated that the the Packers needed to make a move at halfback because their situation was that awful. But the Packers see something they like because they made no move and are standing pat with BJax. Fantasy-owners who did the same may soon be rewarded. He's not a stud but he should be more than serviceable in good matchups going forward. Although Dallas technically ranks 21st, they're playing with no enthusiasm now. Plus they made MJD and Ahmad Bradshaw look incredible in the past two weeks.

Shonn Greene (NYJ RB) vs. DET 2
I'd still rather start Tomlinson, but Greene should be just fine in this matchup.

Ryan Mathews (SD RB) vs. HOU 10
Mathews had a decent game last week and he is looking healthier and healthier. Tolbert is a little nicked up and all of the Chargers receivers are out (Gates, Floyd, Naanee, Davis) so they may lean on the run a little more than usual. In this matchup, Mathews could do some damage with just 15 carries.


WRs

James Jones (GB WR) vs. DAL 5
With Donald Driver out, there's speculation whether Jones or Jordy Nelson will step up. Jones caught zero of his targets last week, but Jones has more upside potential. In this matchup on Sunday Night, I have a pretty good feeling about the San Jose State alum showing up big.

Patrick Crayton (SD WR) vs. HOU 2
With Gates, Floyd, Naanee, and Davis out, Crayton is all that's left. He'll see some coverage but also a ton of targets. Start him with confidence.

Mike Williams (TB WR) vs. ATL 4
After one more solid game, I'd say Williams will be an automatic start so you won't find his name on this list anymore. But until then, I have to tell you to start him this week.


TEs


Ben Watson (CLE TE) vs. NE 5
Watson had an off-week last week but has otherwise been pretty solid. This is an easy matchup and the fact that it's against his former team may provide extra motivation. With so many TE byes and injuries this week, Watson is likely a top ten guy.

Jacob Tamme (IND TE) vs. PHI 7
Last week was no fluke. As Austin Collie gets reintegrated into the offense, Tamme may lose targets. But this week, Tamme makes for an excellent start against Philly.

Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN TE) vs. ARZ 9
The three people that are the happiest after this weeks Randy Moss circus are Vince Young, Chris Johnson, and Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe should resume getting some deep looks and redzone targets now that Moss is out of the picture. 



NOT


QBs

Carson Palmer (CIN QB) vs. PIT 26 
Palmer has had some extreme ups and downs this season. I think Pittsburgh will give him headaches all night on Monday Night Football. Bench Palmer if you have any decent options.

Chad Henne (MIA QB) vs. BAL 27
Henne is a matchup play, and this is an awful matchup. Plus the Ravens are wise to the fact that double-covering Brandon Marshall leaves all sorts of room for Davone Bess to move the chains. A more balanced coverage approach will make it harder for Henne (though it could also mean a big play for Marshall).


RBs


Felix Jones and Marion Barber (DAL RBs) vs. GB 29
Jones looked like he sustained a fairly serious injury last week. Now all the buzz is on Tashard Choice. Felix Jones is still the Dallas back to own and it's not even close. Jones should get a decent amount of carries so in deeper leagues, I have to start him. But in standard leagues, I'm benching Jones, Barber, and of course Choice in this difficult matchup.

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (MIA RBs) vs. BAL 27
Too obvious?


WRs


Chad Ochocinco (CIN WR) vs. PIT 20
Besides two big games, Ochocinco has averaged 38 yards in five games.  Of course, there's always the potential that Ocho will have one of his big games, but odds are he won't. Terrell Owens is clearly Palmer's favorite target now and Ochostinko is quickly becoming a matchup play.

Davone Bess (MIA WR) vs. BAL 10
As mentioned, the Ravens won't focus all their attention on Marshall and let Bess run all over the field this time. Bess has been solid, but I'm not sure he's talented enough to produce with some defensive attention paid to him. 

Percy Harvin (MIN WR) vs. ARZ 13
If Harvin plays, he'll be at less than 100%. Without Moss there, Harvin has been pretty bad. You want know part of Harvin at less than 100% now, even in good matchups.

Mike Williams (SEA WR) vs. NYG 25
Big Mike is working through an injury and likely won't be at full speed against a very tough New York secondary. He had two great weeks where he was a target-monster, but unless he gets double digit targets this week, I don't expect much from Williams.


TEs


Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler (DET TEs) vs. NYJ 29
Stafford has only played one full game with his TEs, but if that game was any indication, Stafford favors his WRs over his TEs, unlike Shaun Hill. It's a small sample size, but I feel confident in benching them this week in a tough matchup for TEs.

Brent Celek (PHI TE) vs. IND 32
Indy has been brutal against TEs all year. See Owen Daniels' 1 catch, 8 yard performance on Monday night. Celek has been average this year and definitely cannot be started in this matchup.