Football players -- and the NFL scheduling gurus -- don't care what round you spent on a particular guy in fantasy. They still have to play the matchups. And a lot of times, some of those matchups just stink.
Quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA -- I'm as big a fan of the Beck as they come. But he's said he's rusty, Buffalo's defense is underrated and there are more questions on the Seattle offense right now than there are still screwed up ligaments in Deion Branch's knee. (Kidding. I'm no doctor. As far as you know.)
Peyton Manning, IND -- Yes. That's right. This guy. Jeff Saturday is out, the Colts should take a big lead even if Peyton throws a TD or two and he's still kind of banged up. I know he's widely regarded as "must start" and I'd have trouble sitting him, but there's no way he finished top five this week in terms of QB scoring.
Running Back
Larry Johnson, KC -- Not a great first game for LJ in what a lot of people (myself absolutely not included) think will be a bounceback year. He might see some junk time carries but that would actually be really stupid considering his recent workload; instead, he'll see some 2.0 YPC runs early against the Pats. And you will be disappointed.
Ryan Grant, GB -- Grant's was MIA from practice on Friday, although the word is that he was rested after a full day's worth on Thursday. Still, the Vikings rush defense should be top five in the league again this year, and regardless of where you took him, Grant's not a great option unless you failed to draft more than two running backs in the first seven rounds (even then I might roll Chris Johnson or Steve Slaton first).
Wide Receiver
Marques Colston, NO -- It's always a good idea to look at splits when you're debating start/sits. Joey Galloway, for instance, likes to play against the Saints; he's been under 100 yards three times since 2005 and in two of those, he caught two touchdowns each. Colston, on the other hand, is Jekyll/Hyde against the Bucs. At Tampa, since 2006: 19 catches, 193 yards and 2 TDs. At home? Five catches, 77 yards and nothing in the end zone. The Saints are at home this week.
Chad Ocho Cinco, CIN -- First of all, he's the Bengals number two. Secondly, how can Carson Palmer be expected to trust a total lunatic? And finally, Ocho Cinco hasn't cracked 100 yards and has only two touchdowns in his last six games against the Ravens, dating to 2005. You got him late enough where you can afford the sit if you have someone like DeSean Jackson with tons of upside.
