Sporting News, The: Play action

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Play action

Vinnie Iyer

When making your weekly lineup decisions, you can't afford to focus solely on how opposing teams' defenses rank against the run or the pass. Sometimes even we experts are guilty of looking too much at Such-and-such team is giving up so many yards per game, so this dude is a great start this week.

Remember, those team averages are a composite of games played against opponents that might have contrasting styles, so you won't get a true trend until more than halfway into the season. A lot of what happens on the field is based on matchups, which feature several underlying factors for fantasy owners to consider.

Home vs. away. Energy and emotion are vital elements in the performances of defenses, and both are affected by where the game is being played. Take the Falcons. Their defense was fired up for a Monday night home game and shut down the Eagles in Week 1, but after a short week and long trip to Seattle for Week 2, it struggled to stop Seahawks stars Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck.

Defenses need a disciplined mind-set to be successful, and being spent physically and mentally can throw that off, especially in a hostile environment. Weather, a change in playing surfaces or the determination of a team to shine in front of its fans can lead to unexpected fantasy results.

Line vs. line. Running backs and quarterbacks play more glamorous positions, but elite offensive lines can provide enough strong support to make anyone look great against top competition. Look no further than the Chiefs and the Colts, who have the blocking to overwhelm even the league's stingiest front fours.

Coach vs. coach. Some teams' schemers can get enamored of the pass and not stick with their running games enough to wear down a defense and eventually break through. Others, however, tend to get too conservative with runs and dink-and-dunk passing.

Pay close attention to the tendencies of coaches and coordinators. The faster you pick them up, the less you're likely to regret your own "coaching" decisions.

5 IN YOUR FACE

1 It's a good thing the Vikings got rid of that clown Randy Moss. He really was dragging down the team.

2 Who do you think would be the better fantasy performer: the ball-catching Pepsi machine or the Burger King? I'd take his Royal Highness. From what I've seen, he's a big-play threat on both sides of the ball.

3 How come Houston got an open week in Week 3? Owners of Andre Johnson and Domanick Davis thought the first two weeks off should have been enough.

4 I can't believe Jamal Lewis laid an egg in Week 2. My Magic 8-Ball thought so highly of him. Will I use the ball for future key decisions? Ask again later.

5 Denver's early backfield troubles have left Mike Shanahan desperate. How desperate? Hey Maurice, how are things going?--Rob Hurtt

Yesterday

Curtis Martin, RB, Jets

Martin has averaged 330 carries a year for a decade, and the mileage is starting to show. Chad Pennington's inability to throw deep allows defenses to key on the running game, and Martin doesn't have the elusiveness to get away.

Today

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals

The Carson Palmer era is here. Because he is surrounded by a great supporting cast, he will continue to post elite numbers. This is only his second season as a starter, so he will get better. Look out, Peyton!

Tomorrow

Reggie Williams, WR, Jaguars

Williams is being targeted more in the offense and presents a nice upside. He's probably wasting away on some owner's bench, so you can get him for relatively little and look like a genius later.--Larry Goldstein

WEEK 4
TSN experts

          Pos.            STUDS                    SLEEPERS

MATTHEW    QB     Carson Palmer, Bengals    Brian Griese, Buccaneers
 BERRY     RB     Willis McGahee, Bills     Marcel Shipp, Cardinals
           WR    Anquan Boldin, Cardinals     T.J. Houshmandzadeh,
                                                    Bengals

  Know the difference between Brooks' INTs on the road and his INTs at
                         the Alamodome? None.

VINNIE     QB     Carson Palmer, Bengals    Brian Griese, Buccaneers
 IYER      RB     Edgerrin James, Colts     Brian Westbrook, Eagles
           WR     Steve Smith, Panthers       Brandon Lloyd, 49ers

          Expect James to carry the Colts' tune in Music City.

 ROGER     QB      Tom Brady, Patriots        Steve McNair,Titans
KUZNIA     RB     Julius Jones, Cowboys      Warrick Dunn, Falcons
           WR     Chad Johnson, Bengals      Bobby Engram, Seahawks

         Johnson will be the latest to beat up the Texans' DBs.

          Pos.          STUMBLERS

MATTHEW    QB      Aaron Brooks, Saints
 BERRY     RB      Chris Brown, Titans
           WR      Roy Williams, Lions

  Know the difference between Brooks' INTs on the road and his INTs at
                         the Alamodome? None.

VINNIE     QB    Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
 IYER      RB      Fred Taylor, Jaguars
           WR     Andre Johnson, Texans

          Expect James to carry the Colts' tune in Music City.

 ROGER     QB       David Carr,Texans
KUZNIA     RB      Ahman Green, Packers
           WR     Derrick Mason, Ravens

         Johnson will be the latest to beat up the Texans' DBs.