As good as Luck and the Colts have been, winners of three out of their last four games, the rookie quarterback has only one passing touchdown and three interceptions in his last three games.  Miami comes to town with a stout defense against the rush allowing 82 yards on the ground per game (third in the NFL).  So, the paint-by-numbers analysis would suggest Luck will try to carve up the Dolphins' 27th-ranked pass defense.  Although true, know that the Dolphins' secondary is boasting a bend-but-do-not-break mentality this season.  For example, the last three quarterbacks to face Miami have averaged 277 pass yards per game.  Great!  However, they've combined for two touchdowns and three interceptions.  Not so great.  Luck could pass for 300 yards (~15 FP), but if he doesn't find the end zone, is it worth the starting nod?  - Ryan Fowler

Depending on your point of view, you can dig into fantasy football/NFL data dozens of different ways.  Case in point with the Atlanta Falcons, they currently rank 26th in the league against the rush (136.4 ryapg.).  However, in their past two games they've held Darren McFadden to 70 yards on 27 carries (2.6 YPR) and LeSean McCoy to 45 yards on 16 carries (2.8 YPR).  Demarco Murray's status for Sunday is still murky, but Felix Jones' owners shouldn't race out to plug him into their starting lineup.  After a strong showing two three games ago, Jones has rushed 28 times for 63 yards (2.25 YPR) with no touchdowns the last two games.  Whispers out of Dallas are that the "Felix Jones Experiment" has run its course and it's time to move on. - Ryan Fowler

It's been fun.  Chris Johnson has rushed for 90 or more yards in four out of his last five games, but chances are the Chicago Bears slow him up in Week 9.  The Bears are second in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, holding them to 10.1 fantasy points per game.  If needed, CJ could be used as a flex option, but not the RB1/2 option he's been the past month. - Ryan Fowler

A short week is NOT what Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers need right now.  Heck, they could use a second BYE week.  This benching is not a result of his Week 8 performance in Cleveland where the elements forced both teams into ground and pound instead of a balanced attack.  However, Rivers' owners are still reeling from the Week 7, second-half meltdown against the Broncos, a game in which he completed four passes to the other team.  To put his season in perspective, Rivers shares the same QB rating of 82.4 with Russell Wilson and Sam Bradford.  Not the company you keep if you are a fantasy football QB1.  His 2010 season seems sooo long ago.  - Ryan Fowler

Here's how I see opposing defenses approaching Kansas City's offense the rest of the season: stop running game and force Matt Cassel/Brady Quinn to beat us.  It's that simple.  Now, Charles may very well rush for 100 yards on Thursday night against the Chargers, but he's going to need at least 25 carries to reach that pinnacle.  Last time I checked, head coach Romeo Crennel bailed on him in Week 8 where JC rushed a season-low five times for four yards.  Plus, Peyton Hillis is back in the running back rotation.  It's going to be really difficult to bench Charles at any juncture the rest of the season, but the way the Chiefs' have been playing (have not led at ANY point this season), it could be tough sledding wtih JC. - Ryan Fowler

An avid sports fan with a soft spot for the Boston sports scene and a background and appreciation (obsession?) for WWE, Maria Menounos' fantasy stock is trading at all-time highs.  The entertainment reporter can hang with the guys and we wouldn't mind if she did. 

All signs point to Jordy Nelson (hamstring) returning to the Packers in Week 9.  However, Randall Cobb's stock has soared the last month with four touchdowns in his last four games.  The NFL sophomore has averaged more than seven targets per game during that same stretch, which proves that Aaron Rodgers is beginning to trust the young receiver.  It should be noted that he hasn't created any space between himself and James Jones during that stretch as JJ has been targeted 10 and nine times, respectively, the last two games.  With that known, Cobb is a low-end WR2, high-end WR3 moving forward.  If Alex Smith can go 18-19 passing against the Cardinals like he did Monday night, Rodgers should carve it up to bounce back from a subpar Week 8 performance. - Ryan Fowler

With 17 targets and 15 receptions for 181 yards with two touchdowns the last two games, Titus Young is finally starting to pan out for owners.  It may have took a season-ending injury to Nate Burleson, but Young is on Matthew Stafford's radar with Calvin Johnson blanketed by opposing defensive backs.  It'll be interesting to see if the Jaguars adopt the same defensive philosophy against the Lions as they displayed against the Packers, which was "we'll cover the pass, beat us with the run."  If so, Young could still find gaps in the coverage as Jacksonville (23rd vs. the pass) attempts to cover Johnson.  Young is a WR2/3. - Ryan Fowler

Simply stated, the Eagles' offense is a mess.  However, I feel a lot more confident in their offensive abilities than I do the Saints' defense shutting them down.  Granted, Brent Celek has been AWOL since September, but Peyton Manning just shredded New Orleans' on the corners in Week 8.  I could see Joe Vitt overcompensating for those errors by locking up/honing in on DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and allowing Mike Vick to use the middle of the field.  It's that soft middle where Celek roams and can exploit the multiple weaknesses of the Saints' defense.  He's worthy of a spot-start in Week 9. - Ryan Fowler

A popular marketing trend in the greater-Cleveland area is members of the Browns partnering with local McDonald's franchises (even Charlie Frye had his own commercial for obvious reasons).  My favorite was Michael Dean Perry's "MDP" burger that consisted of three patties with cheese and bacon.  With Richardson's recent bout with injuries, I"m thinking McD's could market "Trent's McRib" sandwich just in time for the holidays.  Fresh off the top performance of his rookie campaign (122 rush yards on 24 carries), Richardson faces a Ravens' rush defense that is a shell of its former self.  Coming off their BYE, Baltimore is allowing nearly 143 rush yards per game, 30th in the NFL.  The Ravens may win the game (as they have often against the Browns), but Richardson should touch the ball at least 20 times. - Ryan Fowler

It's his last chance, right?  Mike Vick's quarterback rating is 0.6 points ahead of Blaine Gabbert.  If he can't post 25-plus fantasy points against New Orleans on Monday night, Andy Reid has no choice but to pull him in favor of Nick Foles.  The Saints allow the MOST fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks - 26.5 FPPG.  However, they also allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs - 27.2 FPPG.  Gosh, they are horrible.  Here's the catch, with Vick basically on his last life, I expect coach Reid to allow him to air it out, while getting LeSean McCoy 20-25 touches.  It should be the most balanced we've seen from the Eagles this season. - Ryan Fowler