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Give these guys the ball
Matt Forte (RB, Chicago Bears): Those who took Forte in the top five of their fantasy drafts are no doubt cursing their bad luck and questioning how the addition of a star quarterback has hurt rather than helped their star runner. Well, Forte should finally pay off despite posting just a single 100-yard game so far and only two contests in which he's managed double-digit fantasy points. Playing the Cleveland Browns tends to help players break out of funks. They've given up a TD on the ground the last two weeks straight and watched RB Ryan Grant pound for almost 150 yards in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Forte should be good for 100 yards and a score, plus a chunk through the air.
Austin Collie (WR, Indianapolis Colts): It's hard to avoid recommending a guy that has four touchdowns in his last three games. The rookie receiver is creating all sorts of mismatches for opposition defences, and the visiting San Francisco 49ers haven't been good against the pass the last few weeks. WR Anthony Gonzalez is still out with a knee injury, and WR Reggie Wayne is a bit banged up as well, which bodes well for Collie this week at home. If you can use him as a No. 3 receiver or as a flex player, you're laughing, but I'd also give me No. 2 billng this week.
LeSean McCoy (RB, Philadelphia Eagles): There's a chance starter Brian Westbrook suits up for the Eagles against a New York Giants team that has struggled against the run this year. Even so, McCoy is going to get a lot of looks through the air and on the ground. The rookie had 84 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on 20 carries and should see that many touches this weekend -- especially if Westbrook doesn't ace his last concussion testing. The Giants have allowed 10 rushing TDs, 28th in the league.
David Garrard (QB, Jacksonville Jaguars): The Tennesee Titans might have actually become a worse team since these two last met in Week 4. And all Garrard did that week was rack up 323 yards through the air and toss three TDs. He should be able to come close to those numbers again, and WRs Mike Sims-Walker and Torry Holt should be the biggest beneficiaries.
Also start: QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. Vikings); QB Brett Favre, Vikings (at Packers); RB Ricky Williams, Dolphins (at NY Jets); RB Marshawn Lynch, Bills (vs. Texans); WR Devin Hester, Bears (vs. Browns).
Tread carefully
DeAngelo Williams (RB Carolina Panthers): After 152-yard, 2 TD and 89-yard with one touchdown performances the past two weeks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills, no one would suggest you sit the Panthers star. He's had at least a TD in four of six games this season, but the Arizona Cardinals don't give up much on the ground. In fact, they haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 12 games stemming back to last season. Use him as a No. 2 running back or a flex option if you have the depth to do so.
Sleep on it
Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota Vikings): The rookie wideout/scatback is due for another upswing with WR Bernard Berrian hurting again. Harvin started strong with receiving TDs in his first two games with Berrian on the sidelines. WR Sidney Rice has emerged as Favre's favourite target, but Harvin may be the more dangerous of the two.
Correll Buckhalter (RB, Denver Broncos): This one's a deep, deep sleeper, but the ankle injury should be behind him following the bye-week, and RB Knowshon Moreno hasn't convinced anyone he can handle the backfield duties on his own. Buckhalter has hit double-digit fantasy points every week except Week 6, and he was still Denver's best back in that outing.
Also consider: WR Donnie Avery, Rams (at Lions); WR Braylon Edwards, Jets (vs. Dolphins); RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals (vs. Panthers); TE Zach Miller, Raiders (at Chargers).
STEVE.MACFARLANE@SUNMEDIA.CA