Matchups to exploit

Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno had his streak of 80-yard games snapped at four last week, but odds are he'll get back on track this Sunday vs. the Raiders. Oakland is allowing 154.2 rushing yards per game and has surrendered 20 TDs on the ground, and Moreno already had 21-90-1 against them this season. With Correll Buckhalter possibly out of the picture with an injured ankle, the rookie should be in line for a heavy workload.

Although they have done a decent job limiting passing yardage this season, the Giants have not been able to prevent teams from throwing for TDs, giving up 23 scores through the air. That bodes well this week for Redskins QB Jason Campbell, who has seven TD tosses in his last three games. With four scores over that same span, TE Fred Davis also could benefit from New York's inability to keep receivers out of the endzone.

Fresh off a 94-yard effort last week vs. the Panthers, Patriots RB Laurence Maroney definitely belongs in lineups Sunday against the Bills. No team has been worse against the run this season, as Buffalo is yielding an eye-popping 170.5 yards per contest and has given up 17 rushing scores. In addition to Maroney, Kevin Faulk, who had 10-58-1 last Sunday, also might be worth a look, as New England should be running the ball often.

The Seahawks' backfield has been a difficult one to figure out as of late, but it's possible that more than one Seattle rusher could have value this week. That's because the club is going up against the Buccaneers, whose wretched run "D" is getting popped for 161.2 yards per game. Even though they're likely to be splitting carries, both Julius Jones and Justin Forsett could see enough action in this one to be worth starting in larger leagues.

Matchups to avoid

Saints RB Pierre Thomas has been in a slump the past couple of weeks, failing to establish much of a ground game with just 65 yards on 19 carries. His poor play could continue this Saturday night against the Cowboys, who have given up only six rushing scores all year. This is a defense New Orleans figures to attack with the pass, making Thomas and a banged-up Mike Bell shaky fantasy plays.

Regardless of whether it's Matt Ryan or Chris Redman under center for the Falcons this week, a tough matchup awaits with the Jets. Picking off three more passes last week, they now have 15 on the season, compared to just seven TD tosses allowed, and they rank No. 1 in the league against the pass. With shutdown CB Darrelle Revis likely matched up against WR Roddy White, owners might want to consider sitting the stud wideout.

After playing well when Brian Westbrook (concussion) first went down, Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has really cooled off in his last two outings, running for a paltry 30 yards on a total of 16 attempts. Things won't get any easier for the rookie this week when he takes on the 49ers, who are yielding only 95 yards per contest on the ground. With Westbrook possibly returning this week, McCoy looks like a poor fantasy bet.

Vikings QB Brett Favre is having a very productive 2009 campaign, but he might not be in store for one of his better games this Sunday night at Carolina. The Panthers have proven to have a strong pass "D," surrendering only 192.4 yards and one TD per game. It's tough to sit Favre, but Minnesota is likely to lean heavily on the ground game this week, so the veteran QB might not finish with great numbers.

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