Daily Skiff

It took a whole week and only one win for the Dallas defense to get overconfident. Impressive.

Now there was more going wrong than a complete lack of will to tackle in this game - see Brad Johnson still on the field after his second series - but how can this team expect to have any sort of stability while its defense continues this Jekyll and Hyde impersonation.

All the key guys are finally trickling back onto the practice field from the training room. And with a game left against each division foe, the 'Boys may be able to make a go of it. And if you really need some solace Dallas fans, the sorry excuse for a season so far will make it easier on ole' Jerry to fire Wade Phillips at the end of the season and replace him with coach-elect Jason Garrett. You know that same Jason Garrett who couldn't devise a plan to keep the offense up and running the past few weeks.

But before we get into this week's stuff, here are my thoughts for the week:

1. Don't look now, but the Jets are atop the AFC East after an early season stumble. Favre and Co. knocked off Buffalo to give the team its second straight loss, while the Colts took down the Patriots. Favre has even made Thomas Jones' fantasy relevant again.

2. I know the whole Browns organization was under pressure to start Brady Quinn, but what is he going to do for you that Derek Anderson wasn't? Anderson has serviceable numbers with a banged up receiving corps, and I doubt the second year rookie can do much better.

And now the main event: this week's top three waiver wire adds and the matchups to keep an eye on.

Waver Wire Adds:

Sage Rosenfels (QB-Hou.): Matt Schaub will be out at least a month with an MCL injury, so Rosenfels will take the reins Sunday against Baltimore. Lucky for him he will be throwing to some of the top fantasy wideouts in Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and will have stud tight end Owens Daniels as his relief valve.

Ryan Torain (RB-Den.): They're down to one healthy back in Denver. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are now on IR and Selvin Young will be a game-time decision Thursday against Cleveland. Even if Young plays, Torain should still be in line for most of the carries. It's time to see what the rookie can do.

Tim Hightower (RB-Ari.): Remember what I said last week about Hightower siphoning carries? The Cardinals' coaching staff thought it would be better to give him the whole gig, relegating Edgerrin James to third string. The rookie is a must-start going forward, especially after his 109-yard effort last week in his first start.

Week 10 Matchups:

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots: Both of these teams are stinging from their respective losses last week. Buffalo's offense faltered against the Jets, while the Patriots lost a tough game against a mediocre Colts team. New England will have a similar system to frustrate the Bills this weekend, so steer clear of them on your game-day roster and start the Pats' defense. On the other side of the ball, continue to start Kevin Faulk and Randy Moss, the latter mostly out of fear that if you bench him, he'll burn you.

Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns: Cleveland gives up a lot of yards per game. The Broncos rack up a lot of yards per game. I don't see this one going well for the Browns. Cleveland is looking for a spark with Quinn against a bad defensive team, which is possible if Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow get it together. More than likely, however, this contest will boil down to an offensive struggle. Bet on the RBs, quarterback Jay Cutler and the Denver wideouts.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles: The Giants played well in their "statement game" against a Dallas team missing its franchise quarterback, cornerback, stud rookie running back and all-pro safety. Meanwhile, Philadelphia tore up a disappointing and limping Seattle team. It will be nice to see these two teams beat on each other for a while. Brian Westbrook will be his slippery self, while the Eagle defense pressures Eli into bad decisions. Plaxico Burress should get back into his normal big-game mode about now.

Article Tools