Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

WIDE RECEIVERS - SIT ’ EMS

Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) @ Chicago

Boldin’s injury could really limit his potential in this specific game, but the fact of the matter is, if you look at the bigger picture his injuries have limited much of his production in 2009. Boldin’s strength at going over the middle and being great at the YAC (yards after catch) receiver has been slowed by nagging injuries this season. The veteran out of Florida State has only had three games with over seven fantasy football points, so he hasn’t been the consistent fantasy provider that he was in years past. Whether Boldin plays this Sunday or not, we recommend sticking him on the bench until he proves he’s healthy and can play 60 minutes at full strength.

Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

It’s hard to know how the Steelers will come out off a bye week (teams typically fix their biggest issues, or at least work on them), but if that is the case, then the Pittsburgh will be running the ball better in the second half of 2009. Ben Roethlisberger has been solid thus far, but the Steelers would be a better overall football team if they didn’t force Big Ben to throw 30+ times, and if they try to get back to running the football it will force Holmes’ numbers to decrease across the board. Given that he has been slowed following Week 1 (no TDs since Week 1), Champ Bailey will probably put the clamps on Holmes. However, expect Hines Ward to do his thing and post some solid numbers away from Holmes.

Potential Bust Pick of the Week:

Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Washington

Obviously if you own Roddy White you aren’t going to sit him and we aren’t suggesting you keep him on your bench; however, it just come out that White has an undisclosed knee injury (though he will start on Sunday). While that may not be cause for concern, the fact that the Washington Redskins allow the second fewest passing yards per game should concern you. It’s nice that White (touchdown in four straight games) has become the stud that you drafted in the past few weeks, and while he has no history against the Redskins; we assume Matt Ryan could struggle in this match-up. It’d be tough to sit a player of White’s caliber and potential, but it’s anyone’s guess how the knee holds up for him in Week 9. Start him, but we wanted to give you appropriate warning that a tough matchup combined with a knee injury could lead to mediocrity from the 6th ranked wide receiver (standard leagues). 

TIGHT ENDS - SIT ’ EMS

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) vs. Carolina

The Carolina Panthers pass defense has been second to none this year, and while it’s obvious that Drew Brees is a must-start each and every week, we think Shockey could struggle in this match-up. He has had some ups-and-downs this season, and if statistics stay true it will be tough for him to find pay dirt this weekend in a divisional matchup . While he hasn’t averaged less than seven fantasy football points in his last three weekends, a game with 5 catches for 45 yards seems more reasonable against the best pass defense (based on yardage) in the NFL.

KICKERS - SIT ’ EMS

Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

Jeff Reed has been consistently inconsistent in 2009, and he goes up against a Denver Broncos defense allowing the 2nd fewest points in the NFL. While some argue that low-scoring games are the key to big field goal games, we argue the opposite. To have a kicker playing an awful defense is infinitely better than the opposite. Reed is not known for being a long range kicker, and the weather currently shows that there’s a chance of rain in the Mile High state. Stay away from Reed this weekend.

DEFENSES - SIT ’ EMS

Chicago Bears D/ST vs. Arizona

As great of a pick up the Bears were for you last weekend, they are equally as poor of a start this week against the Arizona Cardinals. It’s a given that quarterback Kurt Warner will throw an interception or two, but the Cardinals have the potential to be an explosive offense (even without a healthy Anquan Boldin), and the Bears are not the healthiest team around. Chicago has been right around the middle of the pack in terms of team defense/special teams, and while the Cardinals have been surprisingly mediocre as an offense, they have enough play-makers to cause matchup problems for the Bears. Don’t start the Bears especially with so many other good options available on your wire (Atlanta vs. Washington, Seattle vs. Detroit, Green Bay @ Tampa Bay.).

Week 9 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 9 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  | SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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