Game Matchups

Cleveland (0-2) vs Baltimore (2-0) @ 1:00pm ET

When Cleveland has the ball:

Facing off against Baltimore's vaunted front seven is going to be tough for the Browns RB's as the Ravens have only allowed 75 rush yards in two games. With Jamal Lewis missing all of this week's practices, Jerome Harrison appears he'll make the start with rookie James Davis serving as his backup. Either way I'd avoid all Cleveland RB's this week. Without room to run, Brady Quinn will have to go to the air to move the chains, which bodes well for Braylon Edwards who had 4 receptions for 86 yards and a TD score in the last meeting against the Ravens. Its hard to recommend any players on a defunct Browns offense, though I do think Braylon makes some plays against the much shorter secondary of the Ravens.

When Baltimore has the ball:

Up against a porous rush defense like the Browns, which gives up an average of 42 fantasy points to opposing RB's so far this season, you gotta start the Ravens RBBC. McGahee and Rice should be able to find holes the size of an abyss this Sunday, so I just don't see Flacco really having to do much but manage the game and hand the ball off to his RB's. With McGahee dominating touches inside the 20, I project him to be a borderline RB2 with a good chance to find the endzone, while Rice whose been getting majority of his carries between the 20's settling on a nice yardage total making him a nice flex play this week.

Washington (1-1) vs Detroit (0-2) @ 1:00pm ET

When Washington has the ball:

From last weeks showing at home vs STL, I gotta say Washington does not look good in any fashion running or throwing the ball. The match up looks good on paper but so did the match up against STL and Washington only put up 9 points. Clinton Portis historically has good rushing games against DET but for some reason can't find pay dirt as shown in his 3 career games against DET he's posted 0 TD's. Jason Campbell on the other hand looks hesitant and unwilling to throw the ball deep instead checking down to the underneath receivers benefiting Cooley and Randle El, but limiting chances for Santana Moss. Hard to recommend anyone besides Cooley and Portis this one though Campbell has a chance to put up some solid stats, but after last weeks performance I'll believe it when I see it.

When Detroit has the ball:

With Stafford at the helm, Detroit will most likely look towards Kevin Smith to carry the load rushing taking some pressure of the rookie signal caller. The other focal point will be 3rd year WR Calvin Johnson, as Stafford continues to look his way when Smith isn't running the rock. Expect a solid game from Johnson as he continues to build chemistry with Stafford, who has shown a propensity to target Johnson regardless of the coverage as Johnson has 20 targets over the past two games compared to just 17 targets combined to all other WR's not named Johnson.

Lunch break is over...so I'll have to get back to the game matchups later

Jacksonville (0-2) vs Houston (1-1) @ 1:00pm ET

When Jacksonville has the ball:

After watching Chris Johnson of the Titans compile 284 all purpose yards and 3 scores on Houston's porous defense, can't help but think MJD will get his chance to shine against a defense that has given up an average of 46.6 fantasy points to opposing RB's. I'm not a big fan of Garrard but he does have a chance to put up some points if they fall behind early, that being said I think Del Rio's best bet is control the clock with MJD and keep Houston's explosive offense on the sideline. If Jacksonville does fall behind and have to go to the air, Garrard will look for Mike Sims-Walker to make a play or two against a suspect Texans secondary with Holt assuming his normal possession type numbers. If your hurting at QB at least Garrard has a good matchup on paper but I would avoid him if I had the choice.

When Houston has the ball:

Houston has been horrible on the ground its 2 first games. In there defense they did play against the Jets and Titans who so far this year have been very stout against the run. I think Slaton will finally post a solid outing as the Texans remain committed to the run to setup the play action and exploit Jacksonville's shortcomings in the secondary. Matt Schaub had a bounce back game last week and lit up the Titans secondary like Yukmouth lighting up a blunt. Schaub has a chance to post good numbers again as another one of Schaub's weapons, Kevin Walter returns from his hamstring injury. I don't think Walter's return will affect Andre Johnson or Owen Daniels number of looks as they'll most likely ease Walter back in since this will be Walter's first time back on the field since his injury occurred late in camp. So start Slaton, Schaub, Johnson, and Daniels with confidence as they rip thru Jacksonville's porous defense.