Week 9: Game Previews

I had a pleasant and reassuring e-mail exchange with a self-proclaimed "faithful reader" of my column this past week, as we delved into the importance of research when it comes to fantasy football.

Of course, being right all the time is the preferred path, but that isn't possible. For anyone - you, me, or the talking heads on TV. Alex, a former stock trader and analyst, made the point that even the best analysts are right only about 55 percent of the time, but providing good information to go along with those predictions is key.

As the fantasy regular season spins toward the fantasy playoff season, that research becomes even more important to owners still in contention. (And even those who just want to play the spoiler role in their league.) As I have stressed throughout the year, research involves reaching far and wide for your information and insights.

Take in as much information as you can on this web site and others. Keep up with injury reports, weather conditions (will Hurricane Noel impact any of the games along the Eastern seaboard this weekend?), and player movements as NFL teams realize that their present is pretty much shot and it might be time to get their future out on the playing field.

Good luck and thanks for reading.

Arizona at Tampa Bay
Both teams need a win to keep pace in their respective divisions and both defenses need to keep pressure on the QBs - Kurt Warner and Jeff Garcia. The Bucs are ranked second in pass defense, but that is a little skewed since the last four teams they have played focused on running against them. The Cardinals return from a bye, so their stars are well rested.

Arizona
Must start: Anquan Boldin; Larry Fitzgerald
Favorable situation: Warner; Edgerrin James
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other player

Tampa Bay
Must start: Joey Galloway
Favorable situation: Garcia; Earnest Graham
Unfavorable situation: Ike Hilliard and Maurice Stovall flip-flopped roles last week, with Stovall having a better game - I'd hold off on starting either one for now.
Don't start: Any other player

Carolina at Tennessee
This is just a bad game from a fantasy perspective. Even Steve Smith's status has to be questioned because the Panthers' QB situation is in such disarray. When LenDale White is the only "Must start" from the teams' combined skill players, that is just sad.

Carolina
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Smith and Jeff King are the only two receivers/tight ends catching passes.
Unfavorable situation: David Carr gets the start - woo hoo; DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams face the league's top-ranked run defense.
Don't start:

Tennessee
Must start: White
Favorable situation: None
Unfavorable situation: The Titans' receivers, because...
Don't start: Vince Young had 42 yards passing last week.

Cincinnati at Buffalo
Both teams are bad and, luckily for fantasy owners, both defenses are even worse. Should be a good day to own Bengals' players, for certain, and even nice to own a few Bills.

Cincinnati
Must start: Carson Palmer; Chad Johnson; T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Favorable situation: Rudi Johnson should be back on the field and is worth starting in deeper leagues or if you have bye week problems, even though he might be rusty; Kenny Watson should still see a good number of carries.
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other player

Buffalo
Must start: Marshawn Lynch
Favorable situation: J.P. Losman would be a decent bye week fill in against Cincinnati's lousy pass defense; Lee Evans - his fantasy pulse is quickening.
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other player