Bench/Start: Week 10

Quarterbacks

Start Jeff Blake against the Niners because San Francisco's pass defense is softer than Shawn Kemp's midsection. In fact, the Niners are allowing 32.4 points, 2.0 quarterback touchdowns, and 289.9 passing yards per game. Blake hasn't been a fantasy stud this season, but with Ricky Williams keeping San Fran focused on the run, he should post impressive fantasy numbers this week.

Start Jon Kitna against the Chargers because he's starting in place of the woozy Brock Huard and San Diego's secondary is so bad it should be called a thirdary. The Chargers are allowing 2.3 quarterback touchdowns and 243.9 passing yards per game. Even Kitna, who is just as apt to throw the ball to an opponent as a teammate, should enjoy an impressive game against the Bolts.

Start Steve Beuerlein against the Rams because even without Wesley Walls, Beuerlein should pick apart the St. Louis defense. Although Beuerlein looked horrific last week against a porous Falcons' pass defense (he failed to throw a touchdown pass, yet threw three picks) and is missing his most reliable receiver, we think he can get it down against the Rams' disappointing secondary. St. Louis is allowing 2.0 quarterback touchdowns and 268.4 passing yards per game. If Beuerlein doesn't reach those numbers, we'll be disappointed.

Bench Steve McNair against the Steelers because McNair's back is acting up and the Steelers' pass defense has become one of the league's best. McNair is expected to start this week, but his back bothered him in the Titan's Monday night affair against Washington. Meanwhile, the Steelers are allowing just 10.5 points, 172.4 passing yards, and 0.6 quarterback touchdowns per game. Ground Air McNair this weekend. 

Bench Chris Chandler against the Bucs because Tampa's defense is on a mission to destroy quarterbacks and Chandler is the next name on their list. The Bucs are allowing just 183.0 passing yards and 0.9 quarterback touchdowns per game. Chandler hasn't played well enough this season to be an every-week starter, and faced with this difficult matchup, he belongs on your bench.

Bench Jake Plummer against Washington because Plummer is about this close to becoming Heath Shuler, and Washington's pass defense is buff. If there are any remaining Plummer apologists out there, they should apologize to the rest of us right now. Jake has snaked his own team again this year, throwing 11 interceptions in eight games. Although he's thrown seven touchdown passes in the last three games, he'll struggle this week. Washington is allowing a stingy 163.9 passing yards and is allowing just one quarterback touchdown per game. Plummer shouldn't add to that total this weekend. 

Running Backs

Start Ron Dayne against the Browns because Dayne will carry the ball at least 20 times and Cleveland's run defense isn't very good. The Browns are allowing 144.9 rushing yards and 1.2 running back touchdowns per game. Dayne has a three-game scoring streak and should keep it going on Sunday.

Start Jamal Lewis against the Bengals because the Ravens' scoreless streak has to end soon, and Lewis is the best candidate to take the plunge into paydirt. The Ravens haven't scored a touchdown since their September 24th clash with Cincinnati. Lewis is showing great speed and strength as a running back, and we bet that he find the end zone against a defense that is allowing 128.3 rushing yards and 1.0 running back touchdowns per game.

Start Jermaine Fazande against the Seahawks if you're desperate for a running back and don't know what to do. This one is a bit of a reach, since Fazande only carried the ball five times last Sunday night. Nevertheless, Seattle's run defense is atrocious, and Fazande is a big back who can take advantage of their ineptitude. The Seahawks are allowing 138.6 rushing yards and 1.0 running back touchdowns per game. If Fazande can carry the ball close to 20 times, he can help your fantasy team this weekend.

Bench Corey Dillon against the Ravens because Dillon's two-game streak of impressive games will end against Baltimore's stifling run defense. Although it sounds like blasphemy to bench Dillon after he set the record for the most rushing yards in a single game, we wouldn't want him in our lineup this weekend. The Ravens are allowing just 70.9 rushing yards and 0.6 rushing yards per game. Dillon managed only nine rushing yards on 12 carries the first time these teams met this season. If you have other options, sit Dillon this weekend.

Bench Travis Prentice against the Giants because the rookie running back is playing for a team with no direction on offense, and New York features a stout running defense. The G-men are allowing only 71.3 rushing yards per game and have given up only three running back touchdowns this entire season. Prentice will have a hard time scoring number four.

Bench J.R. Redmond against the Bills because running the ball against the Bills is a futile effort. Bufallo is allowing a meager 73.1 rushing yards and 0.4 running back touchdowns per game. Although we are intrigued by Redmonds' upside, he won't do much this week.

Wide Receivers

Start Darrell Jackson against the Chargers because San Diego's secondary is the weak link of their defense and Jackson should be able to take advantage. With 32 receptions, Jackson leads all rookie wide receivers. He should add to that total on Sunday against a Charger defense that is allowing 243.9 passing yards per game and has allowed a league-high 19 receiving touchdowns on the season.

Start Keyshawn Johnson against the Falcons because Johnson is finally posting solid fantasy numbers and the Falcons' pass defense is less than stellar. In fact, Atlanta is allowing 232.2 passing yards and 1.3 wide receiver touchdowns per game. Even with Shaun King behind center, Key can do some trash talking from the end zone this weekend.

Start Marcus Robinson against the Colts because we will finally see the real Robinson this weekend. With only four touchdown receptions, Robinson is having a disappointing season. We place the blame squarely on injured quarterback Cade McNown. With Jim Miller back at quarterback and with two weeks to get ready thanks to the bye, Robinson should take advantage of an Indianapolis secondary that is allowing 1.1 wide receiver touchdowns per game.

Bench Peter Warrick against the Ravens because the Bengals may not throw another pass this season. Maybe that's a bit unrealistic, but Cincinnati's emphasis is definitely on the run. Thus, unless Warrick busts an end-around for 80 yards, don't look for him to do much against a Baltimore pass defense that is allowing only 197.9 passing yards and 0.4 wide receiver touchdowns.

Bench Rocket Ismail against the Eagles because the Cowboys' quarterback situation is a mess and Philly's pass defense is quite difficult. Although Randall Cunningham could give the Cowboys a spark on offense, there is still a chance that Troy Aikman will play. Rather than risk starting Ismail against a pass defense that is allowing only 180.8 passing yards and 0.6 wide receiver touchdowns per game, find someone else to put in your lineup.

Bench Jerry Rice against the Saints because New Orleans' defense is dominating the league and they have something to prove against San Fran. If the Saints want to make the playoffs, this is a must-win game. Look for the New Orleans secondary, which is giving up just 168.9 passing yards and 0.5 wide receiver touchdowns per game, to keep Rice in check on Sunday.

Tight Ends

Start Stephen Alexander against the Cardinals because Arizona has allowed two tight end touchdowns in the past three weeks. Although Alexander hasn't been very involved in Washington's offense, he's caught at least three passes in the past four games and could take advantage of the Cardinals' inability to stop the tight end.

Bench Dave Moore against the Falcons because Atlanta has yet to allow a tight end touchdown this season. Plus, the idea of Moore scoring in back-to-back games amuses us.

Kickers

Start John Carney against the Seahawks because Seattle is allowing 2.3 field goals per game. The Chargers may not score a lot of points, but Carney should get kicking opportunities against a middling Seahawk defense.

Bench John Hall against the Broncos because Denver is allowing just 0.5 running back touchdowns per game. We're playing the numbers this week and keeping Hall on our bench.