Line-Up Locks: Week 8

24. October 2008  - Published by Jimmy Dinsmore

Here is our Week 8 edition of Line-Up Locks. Here's a quick look at those who have favorable matchups (LOCK IN) and those who deserve a spot on your bench this week (LOCK OUT):
 
QUARTERBACKS
Lock In:

--Matt Schaub vs. Cin
My take: Schaub has been on a roll (his third appearance in a row on LL too). He's definitely gotta be considered one of the top 10 QBs to start this week against a woeful Bengals defense that is without its top LB in Keith Rivers now.

--Matt Cassel vs StL
My take: Reports of the Patriots demise were greatly exaggerated. I expect at least a pair of TDs and over 200 yards from Cassel again this week.

--Jason Campbell @ Det
My take: The Lions are a better team at home, granted, but that makes them lousy instead of awful. Campbell will throw two TDs this week.

Lock Out:
--Derek Anderson @ Jax
My take: A very tough road game for all the Browns in general. With no Kellen Winslow (who is suspsended), that's one less safety valve for the mistake-prone Anderson to turn to. This one could get ugly.

--Ben Roethlisberger vs. NYG
My take: Big Ben has been one of the most sacked QBs in the NFL this year and he faces the team with the most sacks. That spells trouble.

--Kurt Warner @ Car
My take: The Panthers don't get the respect they deserve on defense. Their pass defense, especially, is very good, and with this being a road game, I think Warner could struggle, even with Anquan Boldin returning.


RUNNING BACKS
Lock In:

--Steve Slaton vs. Cin
My take: See what I said about Schaube above and the same applies to Slaton, but perhaps even more. The Bengals do not stop the run and Slaton will exploit that. I would even perhaps condone picking up Ahman Green if you needed a quick fix this week, as even he could have value this week.

--Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Cle
My take: I like all of the Jacksonville's offense in this game, but because they will likely run and run and run some more, I did not include David Garrard on this list. Jones-Drew and even Fred Taylor have to be considered as must starts this week.

--Thomas Jones vs. KC
My take: There's something about the Jones' brothers that drives fantasy owners nuts. Thomas and Julius are inconsistent. But this week, Thomas should put up strong numbers against a bad Chiefs team.

Lock Out:
--Jamal Lewis @ Jax
My take: Lewis has a tough task ahead of him, trying to get yards against a Jacksonville defense that is stout in its own stadium. Expect less than 75 yards from Lewis and no score.

--Darren McFadden/Justin Fargas @ Bal
My take: This running duo has been fairly effecient, but not spectacular. This week, the effeciency ends. Both Fargas and McFadden are not good options this week. If you had to start one of them, Fargas would be the better choice.

--Dominic Rhodes @ Ten
My take: I predicted a nice performance from him last week and I was right. This week, listen to me again because Rhodes will face a defense that is very difficult to run on, on the road. Plus, watch for Addai's status as there's a chance he could return this week, although, I expect Rhodes to get most of the carries.


WIDE RECEIVERS
Lock In:

--Calvin Johnson vs. Was
My take: I saw everything I needed to see from Johnson last week on his 96-yard TD catch. Plus, Johnson was targeted 10 times last week. In a PPR league, Johnson is a sure fire starter, in most leagues, he makes a nice start this week.

--TJ Houshmandzadeh @ Hou
My take: Despite not having Carson Palmer throwing the ball to him, Houshmandzadeh has been consistently good. It would be nice if he scored more TDs, but in PPR leagues, he's fantastic and in straight yardage leagues, he's a good start too. He might even find the end zone this week.

--Santana Moss @ Det
My take: Moss is quickly becoming the more consistent WR named Moss this year. And this week, he will be the better Moss to start.

Lock Out:
--Terrell Owens vs. TB
My take: Did you see how bad the Cowboys offense looked without Tony Romo? They will be without him again this week, and that means, it's time to put TO on your bench. He'll probably whine about it, but do it anyway.

--Donnie Avery @ NE
My take: He's had a nice couple of weeks and might still be on your waiver wire, but I'm not sold on him as a reliable fantasy starter, especially this week facing a rejuvenated Patriots defense.

--Dwayne Bowe vs. NYJ
My take: Bowe is ridiculously talented in a keeper leagues should be held onto no matter what. But this year, with god-knows-who at QB, Bowe's value continues to plummet. Tyler Thigpen, or Bobby Thigpen or Steve DeBerg might be throwing to him this week. Who knows? And it doesn't matter.


TIGHT ENDS
Lock In:
--Owen Daniels vs. Cin
My take:  He scored last week and he'll score again this week as the Bengals have historically struggled to cover tight ends.

--Chris Cooley vs. Cle
My take: As Campbell and Moss will find each other regularly, so will Cooley and Campbell.

--Anthony Fasano vs. Buf
My take: This is a sneaky play in fantasy this week, but I think the Dolphins are starting to be more dimensional and as the Bills will give Ronnie Brown more attention, this will open up the field for Fasano.

Lock Out:

--Heath Miller vs. NYG
My take: Not this week.

--Kellen Winslow @ Jax
My take: Winslow is suspended this week, so he must be moved to your bench and would've made a bad start in this matchup anyway.

--Zach Miller @ Bal
My take: I generally like Miller as a fringe every-week starter, but not this week in this matchup which will be a low-scoring affair.


TEAM DEFENSE/ST
Lock In:
--Baltimore vs. Oak
--Jacksonville vs. Cle
--Washington @ Det

Lock Out:
--Miami @ Buf
--Arizona @ Car
--San Diego @ NO

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