In a column that will be posted online Friday night, I wrote about the Madden cover jinx and the fear it will strike Calvin Johnson this season.

Being a creative soul (or a cliche-filled one; whatever works), I turned it into a game of buy and sell.

The Cliffs Notes version of the column: I'm buying the Madden Curse is strong enough to take out Megatron, that Robert Griffin III is an every-week fantasy starter and Reggie Wayne is again a very good fantasy receiver with Andrew Luck under center. What I'm selling (and, boy, do I have a deal for you): Alfred Morris is going to be a productive running back for fantasy hater Mike Shanahan this season, Kevin Ogletree is the next Laurent Robinson and Randy Moss will be a fantasy starter.

One more item to buy, and this one wasn't included in the column: C.J. Spiller, at least until Fred Jackson returns, is an elite fantasy running back.

Jackson is expected to miss at least three weeks with a right knee injury. One quarter into 2012, he was injured, and the ailment occurred after a 2011 season in which Jackson sat out the Bills' final six games with a broken right leg.

He told reporters he would be back in "four weeks ... without a doubt."

If you were smart (or lucky) enough to draft Spiller in the middle rounds, he's a must-start until Jackson returns -- and he might be a decent flex play even if Jackson is healthy.

With Jackson out for Buffalo's final six games last season, Spiller rushed for 446 yards and three touchdowns, and he caught 24 passes for 187 yards and two scores.

Combine those numbers with Spiller's stats from Sunday (169 yards rushing, one TD and two receptions for 25 yards) and you have the following: In seven games with Jackson out or injured for the majority of the contest (Week 1), Spiller has rushed for 615 yards and four scores and caught 26 passes for 212 yards and two TDs.

Six TDs in seven games. An average of 118 total yards per contest. A 16-game pace of 1,406 rushing yards, 59 receptions for 485 yards and 14 total TDs.

Those are elite running back numbers.

If you have Spiller, start him regardless of the matchup. If you have Spiller and not Jackson, try to acquire Jackson while his value is low. That way, you're covered if one (possibly Jackson again?) is injured.

A few more buy and sell items, express checkout style:

BUY: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is a No. 2 fantasy back until Bill Belichick decides otherwise, and Falcons receiver Julio Jones could be the No. 2 receiver in all of fantasy -- or No. 1 if the dreaded Madden Curse strikes again.

SELL: Lions running back Kevin Smith (seriously, sell him now, before he gets hurt) and Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill (he was impressive in Week 1 and is worth a roster spot, but I wouldn't get too excited).

We'll get to much more in the next couple of days, but first our weekly rapid-fire reaction from the week that was (albeit a day later than you and I would like):

Start 'em

-- Fred Jackson, RB, Bills: With C.J. Spiller out at least a week with a hamstring injury and Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, the carries are all Jackson's. The latter had 25 rushes for 133 yards and a TD, along with six receptions for 37 yards and a score, last week against Detroit. Sunday, Buffalo will face Cincinnati, which ranks 22nd vs. the run and has given up eight TDs on the ground.

-- Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets: He has 10 receptions for 190 yards and a TD in his last two games (I'm guessing you remember the touchdown all too well), after compiling 10 catches for 131 yards and zero scores in his first three contests back from a four-game suspension. This week, the Jets face the Texans, who are allowing 301 yards passing per game and have yielded a league-worst 22 TD tosses.

-- Mario Manningham, WR, Giants: He has three touchdowns in his last four games, and in his first game with Steve Smith out, Manningham had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a TD last week. He's a must-play as long as Smith is out, which could be a few more games.

-- Jermaine Greshman, TE, Bengals: This is for deep leagues only. The rookie had the best game of his career last week, catching nine passes for 85 yards and a TD at Indy. He's had four or more catches in six of nine games, and Sunday he'll face the Bills, who have allowed 18 TD passes and totaled only two interceptions.

Sit 'em

-- Randy Moss, WR, Titans: I would dismiss him completely, but Tennessee's schedule the next three weeks -- the Redskins at home, at the Texans, home against the Jaguars -- is tempting. The three teams rank 29th (Jags), 31st (Redskins) and 32nd (Texans) against the pass and have allowed a combined 59 touchdown passes, compared to 22 interceptions, this season. Regardless, I have a difficult time playing a receiver who has five receptions for 64 yards and zero touchdowns in his last three games. The zero also matches how much Moss seems to care these days.

-- Jahvid Best, RB, Lions: If you can afford to make this move, I would. The rookie scored five TDs in his first two games, but has none since. On the season, he's averaging 3.1 yards per carry and has yet to hit the 400-yard mark on the ground.

Stat of the week

1: Touchdown by Brandon Marshall this season. The Dolphins receiver scored in Week 3, and hasn't reached the end zone since. In the six-game scoreless span, Marshall has 33 catches for 362 yards.

Last season, Marshall had 101 receptions for 1,120 yards and 10 TDs for the Broncos. This year, he's on pace to come close to matching his 2009 totals in receptions and yards (98 for 1,159), while falling eight or nine TDs shy of his 10 from a year ago.

All of which begs the question: Are we witnessing possibly the worst 100-catch season in history?

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I know what you're thinking. What are we going to do without Julius Jones as a bye-week option to get 14 carries for 39 yards and no touchdowns now that he's been released by Seattle to make room for Marshawn Lynch?

Our condolences to Jones aside, the trade of Lynch from the Bills to the Seahawks helps the owners who hung on to the disappointing running back who totaled 2,151 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, and caught 65 passes for 484 yards and one TD in his first two NFL seasons. The last two years, counting 2010, Lynch has rushed for 614 yards and scored two TDs in 17 games.

He should be the featured back for a team that's an improvement over the Bills (which team isn't?), but he's still likely no better than a No. 3 back in 12-team leagues.

As for new, old teammate Justin Forsett (the two played together at Cal), the back who had 36 carries and five receptions the last two weeks for the Seahawks is now a fantasy reserve in any format until we have a better idea of how the carries will be divided. The guess is Lynch will get most of the opportunities, and Forsett will be a third-down back who will get eight to 10 touches per game.

The Seahawks are off in Week 5, but the Bills are not. Lynch's former team will now give more chances to Fred Jackson, who rushed for 1,062 yards and caught 46 passes for 371 yards and scored four TDs in 2009. Jackson will share the load with rookie C.J. Spiller, who has been disappointing thus far (94 combined rushing and receiving yards, one receiving TD).

Sunday, the Bills will play host to the Jaguars, who rank 12th against the run but have allowed six rushing TDs (only Buffalo has given up more).

If you're looking for a second or third running back, Jackson is a decent start this week. I wouldn't play Spiller unless you're desperate.

Smooth Torain

Ryan Torain was one of the top targets on the waiver wire in many leagues this week, and the news got more encouraging Wednesday, when it was disclosed that Clinton Portis would miss 4 to 6 weeks with a groin injury.

Torain rushed for 70 yards and a TD in the Redskins' win over the Eagles in the McNabb Bowl, and the schedule during Portis' absence is favorable.

Sunday, Washington will host Green Bay (No. 25 vs. the run), followed by a home game against Indianapolis (No. 29 vs. the run, five rushing TDs allowed) and road games against Chicago (No. 8, five TDs) and Detroit (No. 26, five TDs). Torain is a top-20 back most weeks, and don't expect Portis to be ready after the Redskins' Week 9 bye.

Time to trade L.T.?

You already know a seemingly rejuvenated LaDainian Tomlinson is a must-start after scoring three touchdowns and averaging 6.1 yards per carry in his first four games with the Jets. But will he continue to be a top-10 back, as he is currently in point-per-reception formats?

That's doubtful, and you have to figure the Jets want to keep 25-year-old Shonn Greene heavily involved in the offense. The second-year back had 22 carries for 117 yards (to Tomlinson's 19 for 133 and two TDs) last week in the Jets' rout of Buffalo, and for the season, he has 54 touches to L.T.'s 68.

They should continue to share, and Tomlinson should continue to produce, but if you have a running-back surplus, you might want to explore trading Tomlinson.

Big name. A value that likely has reached its apex for a 31-year-old with almost 3,000 career carries.

Ideal trade bait.

Coming Friday: In the print editions and on the N-H's online sports section, we'll have a column analyzing the impact of Randy Moss' trade from the Patriots to the Vikings.

We'll breeze through this quicker than normal, thanks to some unforeseen problems (see tank, hot water), so let's get to this week's key injuries:

-- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is listed as questionable with right shoulder and finger injuries, but I wouldn't worry about Brian Hoyer getting the start in a game New England can't afford to lose.

-- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan likely will be a game-time decision because of a toe ailment, but I wouldn't start him even if he was healthy against the Saints, who have almost twice as many interceptions (23) as TD passes allowed (12).

-- Falcons running back Michael Turner is listed as questionable with a sprained anke and will be a game-time decision, but don't plan on him being active against the Saints.

-- Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is probable, and the Rams' Steven Jackson is questionable after missing practice all week with a back injury, but he's had the same routine the last two weeks and not missed a game.

-- The Eagles' Brian Westbrook is out again, and the Bucs' Cadillac Williams is questionable with a back injury. He's not a good play against the Jets.

-- Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson will return from a concussion.

-- Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker is doubtful with a calf injury. Mike Thomas will start in his place and should be considered a low-level No. 3 receiver against the Dolphins, who rank 24th vs. the pass.

-- Vikings receiver Percy Harvin is questionable after missing practice Thursday and Friday because of migraine headaches, but I would expect him to be active Sunday against the Bengals.

Five to start

This week’s look at part-time starters and fantasy backups who should benefit from a favorable matchup:

San Francisco QB Alex Smith (vs. the Cardinals, No. 27 vs. the pass), Ravens QB Joe Flacco (vs. the Lions, No. 32 vs. the pass), Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (vs. the Bills, No. 32 vs. the run), Bills running back Fred Jackson (at the Chiefs, No. 27 vs. the run) and Dolphins receiver Davone Bess (at the Jaguars, No. 23 vs. the pass) round out this week's list.

More matchups I like:

David Garrard, QB, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins; Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins, vs. Jaguars; Ryan Grant, RB, Packers, at Bears; Quinton Ganther, RB, Redskins, at Raiders; Terrell Owens, WR, Bills, at Chiefs; Kenny Britt, WR, Titans, vs. Rams; Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers, vs. Cardinals; Devery Henderson, WR, Saints, at Falcons

Three to sit

If you have a decent backup, these starters should take a seat for a week:

Bengals QB Carson Palmer (at the Vikings, No. 21 vs. the pass), Lions running back Kevin Smith (at the Ravens (No. 6 vs. the run) and Bucs running back Cadillac Williams (vs. the Jets, No. 17 vs. the run) comprise this week's selections.

More matchups I don’t like:

Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells, RBs, Cardinals, at 49ers; LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers, at Cowboys; Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers, vs. Jets

Last week

The start list had three hits in Jonathan Stewart (120 yards rushing, one TD, one reception), Matt Forte (91 yards rushing, one TD, one catch) and Kyle Orton (180 yards passing, two TDs, one interception). Pierre Thomas (18 yards rushing, eight catches for 64 yards) was decent in point-per-reception leagues, and Jason Avant (three receptions for 36 yards) stunk in all formats.

On the sit list, benching Cardinals running backs Tim Hightower (50 yards rushing, one catch, one fumble) and Beanie Wells (28 yards rushing) was the right call, but sitting Tony Romo (392 yards passing, three TDs, no picks) certainly was not.

Playlist

QUARTERBACKS
1. Drew Brees, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29 vs. the pass)
2. Tom Brady, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
3. Kurt Warner, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 30)
4. Peyton Manning, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
5. Aaron Rodgers, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 20)
7. Matt Schaub, Texans, vs. Seahawks (No. 25)
8. Tony Romo, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 8)
9. Alex Smith, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 27)
10. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
11. Brett Favre, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
12. Joe Flacco, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 32)
13. David Garrard, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 24)
14. Carson Palmer, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 21)
15. Kyle Orton, Broncos, at Colts (No. 19)
16. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
17. Jay Cutler, Bears, vs. Packers (No. 3)
18. Jason Campbell, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 18)
19. Chad Henne, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 23)
20. Matt Cassel, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 4)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Chris Johnson, Titans, vs. Rams (No. 28 vs. the run)
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 14)
3. Ray Rice, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 19)
4. Thomas Jones, Jets, at Buccaneers (No. 31)
5. Adrian Peterson, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 2)
6. Ricky Williams, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 11)
7. Joseph Addai, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 16)
8. Steven Jackson, Rams, at Titans (No. 8)
9. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 32)
10. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers, at Patriots (No. 15)
11. Frank Gore, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 12)
12. Cedric Benson, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 3)
13. Ryan Grant, Packers, at Bears (No. 25)
14. Fred Jackson, Bills, at Chiefs (No. 27)
15. Brandon Jacobs, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 7)
16. Pierre Thomas, Saints, at Falcons (No. 23)
17. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos, at Colts (No. 18)
18. Laurence Maroney, Patriots, at Panthers (No. 26)
19. Marion Barber, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 21)
20. LeSean McCoy, Eagles, at Giants (No. 10)
21. Matt Forte, Bears, vs. Packers (No. 3)
22. Julius Jones, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 22)
23. Quinton Ganther, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 30)
24. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 9)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 27 vs. the pass)
2. Andre Johnson, Texans, vs. Seahawks (No. 25)
3. Marques Colston, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29)
4. Wes Welker, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
5. Reggie Wayne, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
6. Randy Moss, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
7. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 27)
8. Roddy White, Falcons, vs. Saints (No. 22)
9. Vincent Jackson, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 20)
10. Brandon Marshall, Broncos, at Colts (No. 19)
11. Derrick Mason, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 32)
12. Calvin Johnson, Lions, at Ravens (No. 15)
13. Donald Driver, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
14. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 21)
15. Steve Smith, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 10)
16. Steve Smith, Panthers, at Patriots (No. 13)
17. DeSean Jackson, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
18. Miles Austin, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 8)
19. Greg Jennings, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
20. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
21. x-Percy Harvin, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
22. Terrell Owens, Bills, at Chiefs (No. 28)
23. Nate Burleson, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
24. Sidney Rice, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
25. Michael Crabtree, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 30)
26. Devery Henderson, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29)
27. Davone Bess, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 23)
28. Pierre Garcon, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
29. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
30. Mario Manningham, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 10)
31. Donnie Avery, Rams, at Titans (No. 31)
32. Kenny Britt, Titans, vs. Rams (No. 16)
33. Chris Chambers, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 4)
34. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets, at Buccaneers (No. 11)
35. Santana Moss, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 18)
36. Mike Thomas, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 24)
x-Make sure Harvin is active.

MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Which teams have the best matchups the next three weeks, and which have the worst? Kevin Kleps has the answers here.

Coach Dick Jauron was kind enough to say the Bills would bring running back Marshawn Lynch "along slowly" in the latter's return from a three-game suspension. Translation: Fred Jackson owners, enjoy your last week of freedom.

I would expect Jackson -- who has thrived in Lynch's absence, totaling 425 yards in three games -- to get the majority of the carries Sunday at Miami. In Week 5, it should be more of a 50-50 split, a prospect fantasy owners detest more than playing against Santana Moss during his one huge game a year.

Jackson is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and is a No. 2 back in point-per-reception leagues, as his 15 catches trail only Arizona's Tim Hightower among all running backs. I would play him even against the Dolphins, who rank third defending the run, allowing only 66 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry.

By Week 5, when the Bills face the always accommodating Browns defense, Lynch -- a 2007 first-round pick who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons -- should be much more involved.

At that point, you know the drill. Play the matchup game, as you do with almost every back who shares carries, and hope you see "Cleveland," "St. Louis," "Tampa Bay" or Houston" in the schedule column next to your player.

On to the no-huddle ...

-- More sharing: In the last two games, Colts running back Joseph Addai has 23 touches (19 rushes and four receptions). Rookie Donald Brown has 20 (18 rushes and two receptions). Addai has generated 110 total yards and one touchdown, and Brown has 162 yards and a TD.

I'm not an offensive coordinator, and I don't play one on the Web, but that doesn't seem to bode well for Addai owners. At best, it's another split. At worst, Brown will take Addai's job by midseason, whether it's by injury or performance.

Addai should stay in your lineup this week against the Seahawks, who rank 25th against the run, but I wouldn't say the same for a Week 5 matchup at Tennessee.

-- Finally, less sharing: For those keeping score on their laptops, there has been some separation between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, one of the few backfield timeshare's that actually has worked from a fantasy standpoint.

Williams has 50 touches in three games -- 20 more than Stewart. He has received 64 percent of the rushing attempts between the two (41 of 64), compared to 59.7 percent last season. Stewart, who was limited throughout the preseason by an Achilles injury, has only 12 carries in Carolina's last two games.

Williams owners can feel better about their first-round pick getting more of the workload. The problem is he's still getting less work than he did in 2008 because Jake Delhomme has been awful, and the Panthers have been forced to throw more in their 0-3 start.

Williams should break out soon, however. Following a bye this week, the Panthers play at home against Washington (No. 21 vs. the run), at Tampa Bay (No. 31) and at home against Buffalo (No. 18).

-- Less sharing, Part II: LenDale White had one of the best lines of training camp when he said he lost weight after cutting Patron -- a high-priced tequila, for those of you who don't watch "The Hills" -- out of his diet. Maybe he did all that hard work for nothing.

The Titans, smartly, have given Chris Johnson 53 carries to White's 21, and the slimmer, faster second-year back has generated 457 yards on 64 touches, to White's 85 yards on 22 touches.

White was useful in fantasy last season, strictly because of his 15 touchdowns. Now he's no better than a reserve, one who is most valuable as an insurance policy for owners who have Johnson.

-- And the winner is: The 2008 Pierre Thomas made a belated appearance in Week 3, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the second half for the Saints. With Mike Bell missing practice again this week because of a knee injury and Thomas saying his knee is close to 100 percent, all signs point to Thomas being a valuable asset the rest of the way.

Reggie Bush, who is averaging only 10 carries per game, is a flex play at best in PPR leagues. The player we once thought could be the next Marshall Faulk is now more of a slot receiver, and Thomas, an undrafted third-year back from Illinois, is a must-start, even Sunday against the Jets and their ninth-ranked run defense.

-- And the winner is, Take II: Fred Taylor, he of the 2,466 career carries and the age at which most running backs are looking for media work (33), may have finally given Bill Belichick reason to stop the back-by-committee insanity.

Taylor, who had 17 rushing attempts in his first two games with the Patriots, had 21 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown last week. He's the only Patriots back worth considering week to week.

Just not this one. New England will host Baltimore on Sunday. The league's top-ranked run defense is allowing 51 yards per game and 2.5 yards per carry. The opposition has yet to score on the ground.

-- On deck: We'll have a live fantasy football chat Thursday night at 7. To access the discussion, go to the homepage of www.News-Herald.com and look for the link to the chat. Saturday, I'll have a column on the fantasy prospects of Glen Coffee, Tashard Choice and other young backs who will play a prominent role in the next few weeks, along with an audiocast and the "big blog," which includes the expanded playlist and start-and-sit advice. All can be found in the Sports section of the N-H's Web site, and the blog will also be posted in this space.

Good luck and remember to thank the owner ahead of you in the waiver-wire pecking order who neglected to pick up Coffee (Glen, not Starbucks).

As Donovan McNabb owners, we knew our starting quarterback would get hurt.

We just didn't think said inevitable injury would occur in the third quarter of the first game.

With McNabb -- who played 16 games last season, after missing a combined 15 the previous three years -- out Sunday with a fractured rib, there might be more than a few decent alternatives available on the waiver wire in your league. And Kevin Kolb is not one of them.

Here are four who are available in more than 40 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com:

-- 1. Shaun Hill, 49ers (available in 89.1 percent of the ESPN leagues): In 10 games played since the start of the 2008 season, he has thrown for 2,255 yards and 14 touchdowns, with eight interceptions and two rushing TDs. Sunday, he'll face a Seahawks defense that was the NFL's worst against the pass last year.

-- 2. Trent Edwards, Bills (available in 42.7 percent of the ESPN leagues): He was impressive against the Patriots on Monday night (212 yards and two TDs), and Sunday the Bills host the Bucs, who allowed 462 total yards to Dallas in Week 1.

-- 3. Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers (available in 95.1 percent of the ESPN leagues): He threw for 276 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys, and the Bills' defense nearly allowed 400 yards through the air on Monday.

-- 4. Jason Campbell, Redskins (available in 78.1 percent of the ESPN leagues): He certainly isn't much help in the scoring department (26 TD passes in 30 games since 2007), but even he should produce in a home game against the Rams.

-- Four likely backups who have favorable matchups this week: Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, at 49ers; Kyle Orton, Broncos, vs. Browns; Joe Flacco, Ravens, at the Chargers; David Garrard, Jaguars, vs. the Cardinals.

Linked in: Before we get to the start-and-sit lists, here are a few links. This is the column I wrote for Saturday's print editions about Anthony Gonzalez's knee injury, along with some buy-and-sell performances from Week 1. Here is a recap of the live chat we held Thursday (we'll have another this Thursday at 4 p.m. on the homepage of News-Herald.com), and here is a blog I wrote Thursday regarding LaDainian Tomlinson's injury.

Five to start

Our weekly look at part-time starters and fantasy backups who should benefit from a favorable matchup:

-- Brett Favre, QB, Vikings, vs. Lions: If there is ever a week to start the indecisive one, this is it. The Lions ranked 27th against the pass last season and were quite generous to Drew Brees in Week 1.

-- Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers, at Bears: The Steelers, even if they don't want to admit it, are morphing into a pass-first offense under Big Ben. The Bears ranked 30th vs. opposing QBs last season, and they will play the rest of 2009 without their best defensive player, Brian Urlacher.

-- Fred Jackson, RB, Bills, vs. Buccaneers: Marshawn Lynch better be in shape when he returns from his suspension, because Jackson showed Monday night he can the featured back. The Bucs ranked 19th against the run in 2008 and gave up 118 rushing yards to the Cowboys last week.

-- Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks, at 49ers: He caught seven passes for 74 yards and a TD last week, and the 49ers ranked 20th vs. the pass in 2008.

-- Isaac Bruce, WR, 49ers, vs. Seahawks: The ageless one continues to produce, and as we mentioned previously, no defense was worse against the pass last season than Seattle.

-- More matchups I like: Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs, vs. Raiders; Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders, at Chiefs; Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings, at Lions; Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks, at 49ers; Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks, at 49ers; Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals, at Packers; Justin Gage, WR, Titans, vs. Texans.

Three to sit

If you have a quality backup, these starters should take a seat for a week:

-- Jay Cutler, QB, Bears, vs. Steelers: You already know about his debacle of a Bears debut in Green Bay, and it doesn't get any easier this week against the league's top defense, even with Troy Polamalu out of the lineup.

-- Matt Schaub, QB, Texans, at Titans: Andre Johnson owners were not happy with him in Week 1, and Schaub owners shouldn't rely on the QB this week, either. The Titans are still a top-10 defense without Albert Haynesworth.

-- Kevin Smith, RB, Lions, vs. Vikings: He faces the league's best run defense, and we're going to venture a guess that this game won't be close and Detroit will be throwing quite a bit.

-- More matchups I don't like: Eli Manning, QB, Giants, at Cowboys; Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers, vs. Ravens; Willie Parker, RB, Steelers, at Bears; any Saints running back at Eagles.

-- One matchup I don't dislike or like: Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers, vs. Ravens: I wouldn't have started L.T. in this one even if he would have attempted to play, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sproles has a productive game against Baltimore, especially in point-per-reception leagues. He's a decent flex play this week, but I wouldn't consider him a No. 2 back.

-- How we fared in Week 1: On the start list, Joe Flacco (307 yards, three TDs, one interception, 18 rushing yards), Matt Hasselbeck (279 yards, three TDs, two interceptions) and Cedric Benson (76 yards rushing, one TD, four receptions for 32 yards) were productive. Donnie Avery (six catches for 46 yards, 8 yards rushing) and Reggie Bush (14 yards rushing, five catches for 55 yards) were OK at best in PPR leagues and duds in other formats. The sit list of Santana Moss (two catches for 6 yards), Larry Johnson (20 yards rushing, one catch for 6 yards) and Darren McFadden (68 yards rushing, two receptions for 25 yards) was 3-for-3.

On to the expanded playlist ...

QUARTERBACKS

1. Tom Brady, Patriots, at Jets
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers, vs. Bengals
3. Peyton Manning, Colts, at Dolphins
4. Drew Brees, Saints, at Eagles
5. Kurt Warner, Cardinals, at Jaguars
6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, at 49ers
7. Matt Ryan, Falcons, vs. Panthers
8. Tony Romo, Cowboys, vs. Giants
9. Brett Favre, Vikings, vs. Lions
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, at Bears
11. Shaun Hill, 49ers, vs. Seahawks
12. Philip Rivers, Chargers, vs. Ravens
13. x-Matt Cassel, Chiefs, vs. Raiders
14. Carson Palmer, Bengals, at Packers
15. Kyle Orton, Broncos, vs. Browns
16. Jay Cutler, Bears, vs. Steelers
17. Joe Flacco, Ravens, at Chargers
18. David Garrard, Jaguars, vs. Cardinals
19. Matt Schaub, Texans, at Titans
20. Trent Edwards, Bills, vs. Buccaneers
x-Make sure Cassel, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury, plays.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings, at Lions
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars, vs. Cardinals
3. Chris Johnson, Titans, vs. Texans
4. Michael Turner, Falcons, vs. Panthers
5. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers, at Falcons
6. Frank Gore, 49ers, vs. Seahawks
7. Brian Westbrook, Eagles, vs. Saints
8. Clinton Portis, Redskins, vs. Rams
9. Ryan Grant, Packers, vs. Bengals
10. Steven Jackson, Rams, at Redskins
11. Matt Forte, Bears, vs. Steelers
12. Steve Slaton, Texans, at Titans
13. Marion Barber, Cowboys, vs. Giants
14. Brandon Jacobs, Giants, at Cowboys
15. Thomas Jones, Jets, vs. Patriots
16. Julius Jones, Seahawks, at 49ers
17. Derrick Ward, Buccaneers, at Bills
18. Larry Johnson, Chiefs, vs. Raiders
19. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins, vs. Colts
20. Cedric Benson, Bengals, at Packers
21. Fred Jackson, Bills, vs. Buccaneers
22. Ray Rice, Ravens, at Chargers
23. Darren McFadden, Raiders, at Chiefs
24. Joseph Addai, Colts, at Dolphins

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Randy Moss, Patriots, at Jets
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, at Jaguars
3. Greg Jennings, Packers, vs. Bengals
4. Reggie Wayne, Colts, at Dolphins
5. Roddy White, Falcons, vs. Panthers
6. Andre Johnson, Texans, at Titans
7. Wes Welker, Patriots, at Jets
8. Calvin Johnson, Lions, vs. Vikings
9. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks, at 49ers
10. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals, at Packers
11. Steve Smith, Panthers, at Falcons
12. Eddie Royal, Broncos, vs. Browns
13. Marques Colston, Saints, at Eagles
14. y-Anquan Boldin, Cardinals, at Jaguars
15. DeSean Jackson, Eagles, vs. Saints
16. Hines Ward, Steelers, at Bears
17. Terrell Owens, Bills, vs. Buccaneers
18. Derrick Mason, Ravens, at Chargers
19. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs, vs. Raiders
20. Santonio Holmes, Steelers, at Bears
21. Braylon Edwards, Browns, at Broncos
22. Brandon Marshall, Broncos, vs. Browns
23. Nate Burleson, Seahawks, at 49ers
24. Bernard Berrian, Vikings, at Lions
25. Donald Driver, Packers, vs. Bengals
26. Santana Moss, Redskins, vs. Rams
27. Justin Gage, Titans, vs. Texans
28. Isaac Bruce, 49ers, vs. Seahawks
29. Torry Holt, Jaguars, vs. Cardinals
30. Lee Evans, Bills, vs. Buccaneers
31. Steve Smith, Giants, at Cowboys
32. Devin Hester, Bears, vs. Steelers
33. Donnie Avery, Rams, at Redskins
34. Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins, vs. Colts
35. Percy Harvin, Vikings, at Lions
36. Michael Clayton, Buccaneers, at Bills
y-Boldin (hamstring injury) is expected to play, but make sure he's active before kickoff.