Tennessee @ San Francisco
The Titans enter Week 9 ranked 32nd in the NFL against the pass and 18th against the run. San Francisco currently ranks 29th in the league against the pass, but second overall against the run.

Key Injuries
TEN: none
SF: CB Nate Clements (shoulder)

Snapshot of Titans
Owners should not want any part of QB Vince Young and the Titans passing game at the moment. Although Young completed most of his passes last week, he only finished with 125 passing yards and one TD against a weaker pass defense than he will face this week against San Francisco. Young is just not the true pocket passer that could make any of Tennessee’s WRs effective options, or even bench players at this point in time.

RB Chris Johnson is the only valuable Titans fantasy player, and is making his case for a top five overall player in next year’s drafts. Obviously Johnson is a must-start every week and has been averaging well over eight yards per carry his last two games. However, owners should lessen expectations this week against a 49ers defense that is allowing an NFL lowest 3.2 yards per rush to opposing ball carriers.

Snapshot of 49ers
QB Alex Smith has played very well the past two weeks, averaging slightly over 200 passing yards and two TD’s per game in that span. Still, he makes for a very shaky plug in start this week, as he will not be looked toward to carry the offensive load.

RB Frank Gore makes for a very strong play in Week 9, facing a Titans defense that has given up consecutive 100-yard rushing games to Laurence Maroney and Maurice Jones-Drew. The 49ers still are not comfortable leaning heavily on their passing game no matter who is at QB, so Gore will get carries early and often, and should surpass 100 yards and a TD easily.

TE Vernon Davis remains the top receiving target for the 49ers, as he has seven total TDs in seven games played this season. The Titans defense ranks first in most points allowed to QBs and is seventh most generous to tight ends, so Davis makes for a very strong TE1 play in Week 9.

Green Light
RB Chris Johnson – must-start each week, averaging over 117 rush yards per game.
RB Frank Gore - will be leaned on heavily against a horrid rush defense.
TE Vernon Davis - Titans generous against the pass to tight ends.

Red Light
QB Vince Young - not the passer to put up effective statistics.
QB Alex Smith - no better than Shaun Hill.
WR Michael Crabtree - inconsistent passing game and over-reliance on run this week.

Dallas @ Philadelphia
The Cowboys roll into Week 9 ranked 22nd against the pass, and 13th against the run. Philadelphia currently ranks 10th in the league against the pass, and 12th against the run.

Key Injuries
DAL: KR Allen Rossum (hamstring)
PHI: RB Brian Westbrook (concussion-questionable)

Snapshot of Cowboys
QB Tony Romo faces a tough Philadelphia defense that currently has the second most sacks and interceptions in the NFL. The Eagles also allow less than 3.5 yards per play to opposing offenses.

Still, Romo has been playing like a Top 5 QB the past three weeks, and has three TDs in each of his last two games. Owners should start him, but temper their expectations to a 250 yard, one- or two-TD game with one turnover.

RB Marion Barber should be more of a feature back than he has all season, as he is the best pass blocker, and matches up best with the physical Eagles. This may not translate to a 100-yard game, but look for Barber to find the end zone at least once due to increased overall touches.

TE Jason Witten should have a huge game this week, as Witten has averaged over 70 yards per game against the Eagles in his career.

Philadelphia also gives up the most points per game to tight ends in the entire league. The Dallas wide receivers may have down games due to an increased load from Witten and Barber.

Snapshot of Eagles
Dallas gives up the 11th most points to opposing QBs which is good news for Donovan McNabb. Philadelphia’s offense has been geared around the pass and has come up with nine plays of 40 yards or longer, mostly due to the improved chemistry between McNabb and WR DeSean Jackson.

The Cowboys have a Top 15 run defense, but RB Brian Westbrook is expected to come back from his concussion. If Westbrook is active and healthy, expect RB LeSean McCoy to get no more than 10 touches. Westbrook’s effectiveness this week should come from the passing game, as he had nine catches for 91 yards in his last full healthy game.

WR DeSean Jackson has caught five TDs of over 40 yards from McNabb. Dallas has speed and talent at the CB position, but with the emphasis on the passing game this week, look for Jackson to reach the end zone at least once, and approach 100 yards.

TE Brent Celek has earned the right to be a must-start on a weekly basis.

Green Light
QB Donovan McNabb - Eagles fueled by the pass.
QB Tony Romo - on fire as of late, will have to be wary of turnovers.
RB Marion Barber - will see tons of carries.
RB Brian Westbrook - could be second best receiver on the day.
WR Miles Austin - too talented and on a roll not to start.
WR DeSean Jackson - big plays almost every week.
TE Jason Witten – Eagles surrender TE points in bunches.
TE Brent Celek - Top 5 production for underrated TE.

Red Light
RB Felix Jones - return yards will be his only shot at effectiveness.
RB LeSean McCoy - with Westbrook back, touches dwindle.
WR Roy Williams - would not start him against Eagles secondary and pass rush.
WR Jeremy Maclin - Jackson and Westbrook will overshadow.


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Article first appeared Nov. 6, 2009