Did you miss this week's Fantasy Playbook as I go on with Lance McAlister on 1530 Homer the Sports Animal? Either way here's my notes from the show...

TREND OR MIRAGE
QB Eli Manning (0 200+-yard games, 3 TDs, 3 INTs over last 3) – MIRAGE – He’s struggled a bit of late, but he has tossed a TD in each of those games and will prove worthy down the stretch.

RB Edgerrin James (16 carries, 46 RuYd, 0 TD in past 2 games) – TREND – Rookie Tim Hightower is taking his job over, particularly at the goalline as he has 6 TDs on the year, including 4 over the last month.

RB Willis McGahee (Scored in back-to-back weeks) – MIRAGE – He is starting to get healthy which is a plus, but LeRon McClain is still stealing looks and the schedule is not favorable in the second half.

WR Bernard Berrian (Avg 5.6 rec for 107.6 ReYd and a TD over last 3 games) – TREND – Berrian has found a home in Minnesota and few wideouts have better match-up from here on out. Not only does he get three cupcakes in Detroit, Arizona, and Atlanta, he will benefit from playing December fantasy playoff games in either a dome or in the desert.


INJURY REPORT
Joseph Addai (hamstring) – The good news is that Addai is not on the Colts’ injury report, the bad news is it remains unclear exactly what his workload may be this week vs. NE. I have a tough time keeping out of my line-up though.

Steven Jackson (quadriceps) – It was no-action Jackson last week and that could be the case again on Sunday as the Rams played the Cards. If he sits look for Antonio Pittman to carry the bulk of the load out of the Rams’ backfield.

Willie Parker (knee) – The worse dilemma an owner can face – a marquee player that will likely be a game-time decision on Monday Night Football.  Parker has practiced this week, but currently its unclear on whether he will face the Skins or not. Even if he comes back the match-up is not great and expect him to give some work up to Mewelde Moore. Look elsewhere if at all possible.


BYE WEEKS
New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco, Carolina


VALUE PACK
QB – Chad Pennington @Den: The Broncos give up 240 PaYd per game and will be without Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey. Pennington has thrown for at least 280 yards in each of his last three games. He’ll have a great shot to make in four in a row in this match-up.

RB – Earnest Graham @KC: With Warrick Dunn’s status for Week 9 in question, Graham is set to shoulder a full load against a Chiefs’ D that is yielding 227 yards per game on the ground over the past month. Graham is going to be golden!

WR – Devin Hester vs. Det: From Week 4 through Week 6, he had caught 14 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns - the best three-game receiving stretch of his career. He was limited but by a quad injury in Week 7, but appears a full go following the bye and should get back on track against the Lions.

TE – John Carlson vs. Phi: He could be a nice bye-week filler here as the Eagles have allowed over 5 receptions and 68 yards per game to tight ends in October.

DEF – Browns vs. Bal: The Ravens are only scoring 15 points and turning the ball over 2.5 times per contest and the Browns’ D has played better lately. If you need a D in the pinch you could do much worse than Cleveland.

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