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Houston Texans (+7.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens – This is a rematch from earlier in the year when the Ravens handled the Texans 29-14.

And while that could happen again, we don’t think it will.  There have been far too many times where OC Cam Cameron abandons Ray Rice and the running game and that’s not going to cut it this week.

When the Texans have the ball, look for them to continue to run first and pass second.

The Ravens are pretty solid vs. the run but RB Arian Foster will be a factor this time around. While QB Matt Schaub is absent, the return of a healthy WR Andre Johnson will force Baltimore to keep a Safety deep, which will aid the rushing attack and open up opportunities for Tyler Yates.

When the Ravens have the ball, they’ll need to get Ray Rice involved early and often. If they deviate from this plan, it could lead to trouble against a very solid Texans D.

Joe Flacco is not the kind of QB to carry the team and everything feeds off of the running game.

So expect Baltimore to use the run to set up the pass / play action which will lead to success in the 2nd half.

When it’s all said and done, look for a close game and a 23-17 final, which will cover the 7.5 point spread.

NFC

New York Giants (+7.5) vs. Green Bay Packers – A lot of things have changed since the 38-35 Packers win over the Giants in December. For one thing, both teams are healthy.

New York is as healthy as they’ve been all year and the Packers have gotten back some key players along the offensive line and at LB’er.

When New York has the ball, look for them to mix in the short passing game with the run to set the tempo. The Packers D yields a lot of yards and doesn’t consistently get after the QB.

What they do well however is intercept the ball, which is why a short to mid range game plan will minimize the Packers opportunities for creating turnovers.

And when the Packers bring their Safeties up closer to the line to stop the run, look for Eli Manning to take advantage of his outside threats and strike down the field.

When the Packers have the ball, expect a game plan that’s designed to get the ball out of Aaron Rodgers hands quickly.

And no one does this better than Rodgers.

The running game shouldn’t be a factor because the Giants front is playing exceptional right now, so Green Bay will use the short pass in lieu of the run.

Rodgers will be able to find success on crossing patterns and throwing over the middle to his talented receiving corps. And if the Giants front four fails to pressure him, his mobility will allow him to  strike down the field, which is exactly what worries New York the most.

The Packers are 15-1 for a reason, and well rested coming into this game. The edge usually goes to the home team coming off the bye.

But the Giants enter this as hot as anyone in the league and if they can weather the Packers in the 1st half and keep things close, then except a 30-27 Giants upset.

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Top Pick

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Stl – The Rams chances of upsetting the 49ers are smaller than the wealthiest percentage of people in this country (.01%). The Niners are on 10 days rest, at home, and virtually everyone is healthy.

The same can’t be said for the Rams. Everything that could go wrong in 2011 has gone wrong and that will continue once again this week.

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2. Denver Broncos vs. Min – Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are a great story and they’ve won five of their last six games. That moves to six out of seven when they head to Minnesota in Week 13.

The Vikings may or may not have RB Adrian Peterson back but it will not matter. Denver is playing too well defensively and Tebow is making enough plays late to secure the win.

3. Atlanta Falcons vs. Hou – The ride was nice in Houston while it lasted, but without Matt Schaub the party will end sooner than expected. And against good teams they will not be able to win with Tyler Yates at the helm. Look for the Falcons to stack the box against RB Arian Foster and win this by at least a TD.

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arz – The Eagles may have fallen on hard times but they’re not losing to the Cardinals at home. The Cards travel poorly and will once again be without Kevin Kolb, which wouldn’t have mattered much anyway.

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Look for a Philadelphia romp in Week 10. This is the top suicide pool pick.

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2. San Diego Chargers vs. Oak – The Chargers are in the midst of a 3-game slide, but that will end on Thursday. The Raiders are in disarray and must travel on the short week.

Thus far, the Carson Palmer experiment hasn’t paid dividends and the Chargers will get back on track with a win Thursday Night.

3. Houston Texans vs. TB – The Texans are rolling behind the two headed monster at running back. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate are rolling over defenses which is making things easier for Matt Schaub and the defense. The latter is able to limit its time on the field, while Schaub can use the play action effectively.

Expect Houston to roll the Bucs this week in their own backyard.

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Must Start

1. Michael Vick vs. Arz – The Cards have the worst secondary in football.

2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Min – No one is playing at a higher level. Look for 300 yards and 3 TDs.

3. Phillip Rivers vs. Oak – While Rivers is throwing a lot of INTs, he’s also throwing a lot of TDs and for a lot of yards.

4. Drew Brees vs. Atl – Brees will light up a suspect Falcons Secondary.

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Tony Romo vs. Buf – The Bills secondary is giving up a lot of yards and TDs.

Eli Manning vs. SF – The Niners strength is against the run and Eli is playing lights out.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cin – It’s tough for defenses to stay with the Steelers skill players in ‘10.

The Rest

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Dal – Fitzpatrick will have a lot of success in Big D on Sunday.

Cam Newton vs. Ten – The Titans pass D has proved ordinary after a hot start.

Matt Schaub vs. TB – Schaub could have Andre Johnson back for this one. Regardless, expect a few TDs and 250 yards.

Matt Ryan vs. NO – Julio Jones emergence instantly raises Ryan’s value in fantasy football.

Josh Freeman vs. Hou – Freeman’s going to be asked to do a lot against the Texans this week. Expect him to make some plays on the ground.

Tom Brady vs. NYJ – Brady’s always a must start, but don’t expect top tier numbers. The Jets D always plays him tough in NJ and the Pats offense is in a slump.

Matt Hasselback vs. Car – Hasselback will enjoy success against the Panthers Secondary.

Matt Stafford vs. Det – Look for multiple TDs against the Bears on Sunday.

Mark Sanchez vs. NE – Sanchez and his receivers are starting to click and the Pats secondary is awful.

Fantasy Sleeper

Carson Palmer vs. SD – The Chargers D is atrocious. Palmer’s gotten off to a rough start but he’ll have opportunities to make plays this Thursday. He’s a solid fantasy sleeper to have a breakout game.

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Must Start

1. Tom Brady vs. Pit – Brady is coming off the bye and owns the Steelers.

2. Drew Brees vs. Stl – Don’t expect 300 yards and 5 TDs; 3 TDs is probably more likely.

3. Ben Roethlisberger vs. NE  – The Patriots pass D gives up large chunks of yards.

4. Michael Vick vs. Dal – He should be able to amass a ton of yardage plus a few scores against the Cowboys.

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Tony Romo vs. Phi – Look for Romo to top 250 yards with 2- 3 TDs.

Eli Manning vs. Mia – The Dolphins may have hit rock bottom in the final minutes of Sunday’s game. However, their secondary being unable to stop anyone has been consistent all year.

Cam Newton vs.  Min  – Newton’s been a monster throwing as well as rushing the ball. The Vikings pass D is suspect to say the least.

The Rest

Phillip Rivers vs. KC – Expect Rivers to bounce back on Monday Night vs. the Chiefs. Gates should open up the entire passing game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Was   – The Bills will have room to work through the air.

Matthew Stafford vs . Den – Check his health status but the Broncos can be hurt through the air.

Tim Tebow vs. Det – It was UGLY for most of the Dolphins game, but Tebow got it done. The Lions pass D is their main weakness.

Matt Cassel vs. SD – The Chargers D was beaten for 3 pass TDs vs. Mark Sanchez.

Matt Schaub vs. JAX – Schaub has enough firepower to eclipse 250 yards and a few TDs this week.

Fantasy Sleeper

Joe Flacco vs. Arz – He’s coming off an embarrassing effort Monday Night but has reason to smile this week. EVERYONE passes on the Cards secondary and Flacco will enjoy a nice bounce back game this week. He is a good fantasy sleeper if your starter is on the bye.

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Must Start

1. Aaron Rodgers vs. ATL – Rodgers is coming off a 60 point fantasy football day. Atlanta still hasn’t addressed its pass D and will be torched on Sunday.

2. Phillip Rivers vs. Den – The Broncos were on the other end of Rogers’ 60 point day.

3. Drew Brees vs. Car – The Panthers D won’t have answers for Brees and Co.

4. Tom Brady vs. NYJ – Expect your typical 300 yard and 3 TD day from Brady when the Jets come to town.

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Michael Vick vs. Buf –The Eagles are losing but Vick’s still putting up big numbers.

Matthew Stafford vs. Chi – The Bears pass D is susceptible to the deep ball (see Steve Smith from a week ago).

Eli Manning vs. Sea – 6 TDs and 0 INTs over the past two weeks. Manning will pick apart the Seahawks.

The Rest

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Phi – Philadelphia’s high priced defense has been a bust in ’11.

Cam Newton vs. NO – Is he a rookie? Newton is putting up big time numbers and will continue that trend vs. the Saints.

Josh Freeman vs. SF – The 49ers secondary is full of holes.

Matt Schaub vs. Oak – If Andre Johnson can’t play, it hurts Schaub. But the Raiders weakness in their DBs and Schaub should still find plenty of success for that reason alone.

Matt Ryan vs. GB – The Falcons could be in pass mode much of the evening. That’d be bad for the Falcons, but good for Ryan’s fantasy numbers.

Kyle Orton vs. SD – The Broncos will likely be playing catch up which bodes well for Orton.

Kevin Kolb vs. Min – If your No. 1 is on a bye week, Kolb’s not the worst option. The Vikings secondary is prone to the big play.

Fantasy Sleeper

Donovan McNabb vs. ARZ – If McNabb doesn’t get it done in this one, he could be long gone. But the Cardinals secondary is atrocious, so look for McNabb to be a decent fantasy sleeper option if your starting QB is out in Week 5.

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Must Start

1. Tom Brady vs. Oak – The onslaught of opposing secondaries continues. The top ranked fantasy football QB in Week 4.

2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Den –Rodgers will top 300 yards and 3 TDs vs. a depleted Broncos D.

3. Drew Brees vs. Jax – Another 300 yard game with 3 TDs is on the menu vs. the Jags.

4. Phillip Rivers vs. Mia – The Dolphins are reeling. Regardless if Gates is back for this one, Rivers is in line for a big day.

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Ben Roethlisberger vs. Hou – The Texans showed that their pass D is still a cut below.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Cin – The Bills high powered offense continues to roll on Sunday.

Matthew Stafford vs. Dal – Stafford’s hot hand will continue to be vs. a suspect Cowboys secondary.

The Rest

Michael Vick vs. SF – If Vick plays, look for big plays against a 49ers secondary that’s prone to giving up the big play.

Tony Romo vs. Detroit – The Cowboys skill players match up well vs. the Lions secondary.

Josh Freeman vs. Indy – This could be a game where Freeman breaks out statistically.

Eli Manning vs. Ariz – The Giants passing game is starting to find its rhythm. 4 TDs a week ago and now Eli gets the weak Cardinals pass D.

Jay Cutler vs. Car – Cutler should do well against the depleted Panthers.

Matt Schaub vs. Pit – Schaub will be forced to pass a ton in this one.

Fantasy Sleeper

Jason Campbell vs. NE – The Patriots secondary is banged up and has been horrible in 2011. Campbell is an interesting fantasy sleeper on Sunday and could top 250 yards with multiple TDs.

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Must Start

1. Tom Brady vs. Buf – over 900 yards and 7 TDs in two games. The good times continue in Week 3.

2. Phillip Rivers vs. KC – The Chiefs season is already over. Its pass D is non-existent.

3. Michael Vick vs. NYG – Vick killed the Giants a year ago.

4. Drew Brees vs. Houston – Brees has been nearly perfect in ’11. He’ll torch the Texans.

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Matt Schaub vs. NO – Schaub will top 250 yards with 2 TDs against the Saints secondary.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Chi – The Packers passing game is hitting on all cylinders.

Ben Roethlisgerger vs. Indy – Big Ben and the passing game will find the going very easy in Indianapolis.

The Rest

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. NE – The Patriots Secondary isn’t doing much either. Fitzpatrick is rated among the top fantasy football QBs right now.

Josh Freeman vs. Atl – Freeman will top 250 yards with a few scores in Week 3.

Cam Newton vs JAX – We’re believers now. The Jags secondary presents an easy match-up.

Mathew Stafford vs. Min – Stafford and the high powered Lions passing game will be active on Sunday.

Matt Hasselback vs. Den – The Broncos D is banged up.

Kevin Kolb vs Sea – Kolb will find success against the division rival.

Jay Cutler vs. GB – The Packers secondary has given up a lot of yards and is now without S Nick Collins.

Tony Romo vs. Was – Expect the Cowboys to pass a TON against the Skins.

Joe Flacco vs. Stl – The Ravens passing game will bounce back vs. the Rams.

Sam Bradford vs. Bal – Another tough spot for Bradford, but he’ll get his yards and a TD or two against the Ravens Secondary.

Fantasy Sleeper

Mark Sanchez vs. Oak – Sanchez has struggled a bit adjusting to the new skill players in the offense. The Raiders, minus CB Nnamdi Asomugha, are vulnerable to the pass. Sanchez is a solid fantasy sleeper this week.

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Must Start

1. Aaron Rodgers vs NO – The Super Bowl Champs host will take to the air against a shaky Saints D. Look for Rodgers to eclipse 300 yards with 3 TDs.

2. Michael Vick vs. Stl – It’s against the Rams, on turf, and the Eagles always start the season on fire.

3. Drew Brees vs GB – This has the look of a shootout and Brees can wing it with the best of them. The Saints QB will be passing all night.

4. Phillip Rivers vs Min – The Vikings D is a shell of its former self. Rivers will go off on opening day.

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Josh Freeman vs Det – The Lions secondary is the lone weakness on the unit.

Matt Schaub vs Ind – This could be another ground affair like last year’s opening day vs. the Colts. But with Arian Foster out, expect more passing and a few TDs from Schaub.

Tom Brady vs. Mia – The Dolphins typically play Brady well, so expect a solid game with a couple of TDs… just not a top tier game which he’ll have plenty of in 2011.

The Rest

Matt Stafford vs TB – The only thing holding him back in fantasy football is health. Expect an aerial assault week one in Tampa.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Bal – Neither QB will light the tote board but Big Ben should toss two TDs vs the Ravens.

Eli Manning vs. Was –  Manning typically starts off the season hot and he loves playing at Washington.

Kyle Orton vs. Oak – It remains to be seen how active Orton will be in John Fox’s new offense, but he has the weapons to thrive against the Raiders.

Joe Flacco vs. Pit – Expect a game plan featuring shorter pass plays but he’ll finish with 2 TDs.

Matt Cassel vs. Buf – The Bills D is atrocious and you can pretty much pencil any opposing QB in against them each week of the season.

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – The Cowboys secondary is a weakness.

Tony Romo vs. Jets –  This won’t be an easy game for Romo, but he’ll fire a few TDs to whichever receivers is not lined up against CB Revis.

Matt Ryan vs. Bears – Look for Ryan and Co. to be too much for the Bears secondary in Week 1.

Sleeper

Kevin Kolb vs. Car – He’s an excellent fantasy sleeper in Week 1. Expect solid success throwing to Fitzgerald and Co against a downtrodden Panthers D.

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1. Andre Johnson, Hou – The NFL’s premier receiver will continue to light up the tote board with Matt Schaub in 2011.

2. Roddy White, ATL – Took another step forward last year and became elite. He and Matt Ryan are one of the best duos in football and he’ll be dominating again.

3. Calvin Johnson, Det – If Stafford stays healthy – a big if – Johnson can top this fantasy football list. He’s the most dominant receiver physically in the game and only needs above average quarterbacking to thrive.

4. Hakeem Nicks, NYG – He burst onto the scene and was dominant over his 13 starts. He’s Eli’s go to target and will put up double digit TDs again in 2011.

5. Reggie Wayne, Ind – The loss of guys like Dallas Clark and Austin Collie hurt his production in 2010. With a healthy supporting cast to take pressure off of him, expect a big season.

6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arz – Kevin Kolb’s arrival will bear fruit for Fitzgerald fantasy football owners this year. Look for another double digit TD season and over 1,000 receiving yards.

7. Greg Jennings, GB – The No. 1 receiver playing with the No. 1 fantasy QB. Enough said.

8. DeSean Jackson, Phi – His game breaking ability suits Michael Vick’s big arm perfectly.

9. Vincent Jackson, SD – Phillip Rivers’ favorite target is back and will find the end zone plenty.

10. Mike Wallace, Pit – The fastest man on the field will emerge as the Steelers No. 1 receiver in 2011. He’s been the top deep threat since he arrived.

11. Miles Austin, Dal –Dez Bryant will take some deep balls from him, but Austin is a dominant route runner and will be dynamite in PPR leagues.

12. Brandon Marshall, Mia – The Dolphins QB situation is the only reason he’s so far down the list.

13. Dwayne Bowe, KC – It’ll be tough to duplicate 2010, but Bowe will once again thrive and be a borderline No. 1 / high No. 2.

14. Wes Welker, NE – It’s never a bad thing being Tom Brady’s favorite target. He provides excellent value in points per reception leagues.

15. Santonio Holmes, NYJ – After missing four games in 2010, he quickly developed a strong rapport with Mark Sanchez.

16. Marques Colston, NO – Drew Brees’ top threat doesn’t put up No. 1 numbers due to the style of offense the Saints run, but he’s an excellent No. 2.

17. Dez Bryant, Dal – He’s got immense talent but is immature. Could end up top 10 if he keeps focused.

18. Brandon Lloyd, Den – He thrived with Kyle Orton, who’s on tap to start in Denver.

19. Percy Harvin, Min - It certainly helps that McNabb is on board. Look for Harvin to shine in the slot and terrorize Nickel Backs if he can remain healthy.

20. Kenny Britt, Ten - He caught fire early on before an injury derailed a promising season. He’s shown excellent ability and should thrive with Matt Hasselback behind center.