Fantasy Source

Sporting News, The, Oct 1, 2001 by Matt Pitzer

It will be strength vs. strength when the Rams' receivers face the Dolphins' secondary on Sunday.

Expect Miami cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison to give Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce all they can handle. This is one of those rare times to consider benching the Rams' star receivers.

Kurt Warner still should start because he has other weapons, most notably Marshall Faulk. Warner could have a decent yardage day and pass for a couple of touchdowns.

* If you were kicking yourself a week ago for using a high draft pick on Mike Anderson, rejoice now. Terrell Davis' knee problems did not take long to resurface, and Anderson is the starter, possibly for good. You might want to sit him this week, however. Even Anderson won't pierce Baltimore's run defense, which has not allowed an individual 100-yard rushing day in 35 games.

* Thinking about benching Ricky Watters against the Raiders? Consider this: In two games against Oakland last year, Watters averaged 178 total yards. He is virtually Seattle's entire offense now with Matt Hasselbeck struggling.

* The Giants' defense is off to a ho-hum start and has another stern test as the Saints visit. Led by a powerful offensive line, a fresh Ricky Williams (21 days since his last game) will grind out a decent day.

* With the Vikings' offense looking terrible once again, you might consider benching Daunte Culpepper this week. Even though he had two decent games last year against Tampa Bay, Culpepper will be a risky start until Minnesota gets straightened out.

* Corey Dillon has his second tough game in a row when the Bengals travel to San Diego, which has one of the league's stingiest defenses against the run.

* In four career games vs. the Patriots, the Colts' Edgerrin James has averaged 104.5 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns. Expect at least a similar outing.

For more fantasy analysis, go to fantasy.sportingnews.com. E-mail staff writer Matt Pitzer at mpitzer@sportingnews.com.