START

Giants QB Eli Manning (vs. ATL): The bye week came at a great time for Manning, whose numbers had slipped somewhat since it was discovered he had plantar fasciitis in his foot. Now that he's had time to rest, he should come out fresh against the Falcons, whose weak pass defense is allowing 240.7 yards per game and has yielded 13 TDs through the air. This is a game the Giants need to win, so look for Manning to be at his best Sunday.

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall (at KC): Fantasy owners had been riding a nice wave of momentum with Mendenhall, at least until last week, when he was stonewalled by the Bengals for just 36 yards on 13 carries. Don't look for anything like that to happen this Sunday against the Chiefs, who rank near the bottom in run defense at 141.3 yards allowed per contest. If Pittsburgh dominates this game as anticipated, Mendenhall will pile up a ton of carries, so production should follow.

Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (at STL): It took Wells a bit longer than expected to have a breakout game, but it finally came last week, when he ran over the Seahawks for 85 yards and two TDs on 16 attempts, adding 32 yards receiving. He'll get a terrific chance to build off that performance this week at St. Louis, as he faces a Rams "D" that's giving up 142.3 rushing yards per game and has surrendered 13 scores on the ground. Wells appears to have surpassed Tim Hightower in terms of fantasy value and belongs in lineups.

Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (at MIN): In his first year in Seattle, Houshmandzadeh has been all over the map in terms of production, having some huge outings but also coming up with some clunkers. But it seems like he and QB Matt Hasselbeck got into a groove last week, as Houshmandzadeh had season highs in catches (nine) and yards (165). Taking on a Vikings team this Sunday that's let up 14 TD tosses, it's a good time to activate the wideout.

Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery (at NE): Since returning from an injury that sidelined him for two games, Cotchery has made a nice impact, catching nine passes for 138 yards and a TD in the past two weeks. This Sunday he gets a Patriots pass defense that's solid but that he had success against in Week Two, grabbing 4-87-0. With the Jets likely to be trailing for much of the contest, QB Mark Sanchez should be throwing plenty, and Cotchery is his favorite target.

SIT

Jaguars QB David Garrard (vs. BUF): Although he's rarely going to put up huge stats, Garrard has been fairly dependable lately, with no INTs over his past two games. That streak could come to a fast end this Sunday, however, when he faces a ballhawking Bills secondary that's intercepted 16 passes this season and has allowed just seven TD throws. The Jags likely will control this game on the ground and could be playing with a big lead, so expect a lackluster effort from Garrard.

Colts RB Joseph Addai (at BAL): Addai is quietly putting together a decent fantasy campaign, finding the endzone on nine occasions (six rushing, three receiving). He's done very little, though, from a yardage standpoint, topping out at 64 rushing yards in any game. Going against a Ravens run defense this week whose specialty is keeping opposing runners from scoring — they've given up only five TDs on the ground — Addai's contributions could be minimal.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (vs. PIT): Charles owners got a pleasant surprise last week when the second-year back had the best outing of his young career, rushing for 103 yards and a TD on 18 carries. But that was against the Raiders. This week Charles will be looking across the line at the Steelers' No. 1-ranked run defense, which is allowing a miniscule 69.3 yards per game and has surrendered two rushing scores. Expect Kansas City to give up on the run quickly in this one.

Bears WR Johnny Knox (vs. PHI): Knox was a phenom earlier in the season, catching TDs in three of his first five games. Since then, however, it's been a different story. In the last four outings, the rookie has not had more than four receptions or 44 yards in any contest, and he has no scores over that span. This week he has to face a stellar Eagles pass defense that should give QB Jay Cutler fits, making him unlikely to suddenly re-emerge.

Ravens TE Todd Heap (vs. IND): Heap came out of the gate in 2009 looking like he was going to have a vintage year, grabbing TDs in each of his first two games. Starting in Week Three, however, he went back to being the modern-day Todd Heap, chipping in with about 40 yards a week and never scoring. Owners shouldn't expect anything different from the tight end this Sunday as he takes on a Colts "D" that has only given up seven TD passes all season.