By Rick Hawes
October 9, 2009 2:30pm CDT

When participating in the great hobby of Fantasy Football we are often faced with lineup decisions that cause us to suffer from paralysis by analysis. Sometimes we manipulate the statistical data to serve our own gut instincts, while bypassing information that can help us achieve our ultimate goals. The NFL provides a huge database of historical data, which when analyzed properly can provide assistance with those agonizing lineup decisions that we have all faced at one time or another. With this article, we will attempt to unearth valuable information supplemented by historical trends that will hopefully make your participation in this obsession of ours just a little easier to bear.


Quarterbacks

- In the last four games, QB Joe Flacco has averaged 275 yards per contest with eight touchdowns against three interceptions for a 94.3-passer rating. In the last two games at Baltimore, he has thrown four touchdowns against one interception, and is aiming for his third consecutive 300+-yard game at home. Also, Cincinnati has allowed 26 touchdowns (23 pass, 3 rush) to the quarterback position in the past 16 games, including four in the last two weeks.

- In the last two games, QB Jason Campbell has averaged 255 yards per contest with four touchdowns against three interceptions for an 84.0-passer rating. Also, Carolina has allowed 18 touchdowns (16 pass, 3 rush) to the quarterback position in the last 10 games, including six (5 pass, 1 rush) in three games this season.

- In 20 career starts against NFC opponents, QB Ben Roethlisberger is 15-5 with 25 touchdowns against 15 interceptions for a 90.0-passer rating. In the last three games this season, Big Ben has averaged 276 yards per contest with six touchdowns (4 pass, 2 rush) against two interceptions. Also, Detroit has allowed 28 touchdowns (25 pass, 3 rush) to the quarterback position in the past 13 games, including 13 in the last four games.

- In six career starts against NFC opponents, QB Matt Cassel is 4-2 and has averaged 226 yards per contest with 10 touchdowns against four interceptions for a 90.0-passer rating. In the last two games this season, Cassel has thrown four touchdown passes versus zero interceptions.

- In the last three games, QB Eli Manning has averaged 261 yards per contest with seven touchdowns against one interceptions for a 107.0-passer rating. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns and posted a 100+ QB Rating in all three games.

- In 11 career meetings against St. Louis, QB Brett Favre is 8-3 with 19 touchdowns passes, and at least one scoring toss in every outing. In the last three games this season, the 19-year veteran has averaged 242 yards per game with seven touchdowns against one interception for a 109.6-passer rating.

- In his last seven road games, QB Matt Ryan has averaged 220 yards per contest with 10 touchdowns against four interceptions for a 99.6-passer rating.

- In the last three games, QB Matt Schaub has averaged 293 yards per contest with eight touchdowns against two interceptions for a 113.2-passer rating. Also, Arizona has allowed 24 touchdown passes to the quarterback position in the last nine games.

- In 31 games against AFC opponents, QB Kurt Warner has averaged 289 passing yards per contest with 59 touchdown passes and a 106,6-passer rating. Also, Houston has allowed 37 touchdowns (34 pass, 3 rush) to the quarterback position in the past 22 games.

- In the last three games, QB Tom Brady has averaged 250 yards per contest only two touchdown passes against one interception for an 80.3-passer rating. Also, Denver has allowed one or zero touchdown passes to the quarterback position in 15 of the past 18 games, including seven contests when they surrendered none.

- In the last two games, QB Kyle Orton has averaged 200 yards per contest with three touchdowns against zero interceptions for a 104.8-passer rating. In 37 career starts, Orton is 25-12 and he ranks first in the AFC with a 144.7 QB Rating in the fourth quarter this season. Also, New England has allowed 19 touchdowns (18 pass, 1 rush) to the quarterback position in the last 11 games.

- In the last three games, QB Peyton Manning has averaged 345 yards per contest with eight touchdowns against two interceptions for a 123.8-passer rating. Also, in the last three games, Tennessee has surrendered 10 touchdowns (9 pass, 1 rush) to the quarterback position, and rank 31st in the league in passing yards allowed (282.2).


Running Backs

- In the last nine games, RB Willis McGahee has toted the rock 88 times for 487 yards (5.7 YPG) and nine touchdowns. During this period, the eight-year veteran has also chipped in 16 receptions for 126 yards and two scores.

- In four games against AFC opponents, RB Kevin Smith has compiled 65 carries for 267 yards and three touchdowns, but Pittsburgh has allowed only 13 rushing touchdowns to the running back position in the past 36 games, including none in 14 of the last 20 contests.

- In last week's game against San Diego, RB Rashard Mendenhall totaled 29 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Willie Parker (turf toe) is expected to be inactive against, and the Lions have surrendered 49 touchdowns (44 rush, 5 receive) to the running back position in the past 27 games, including 25 in the last 12 contests.

- In the last three games he has started, RB Marion Barber has compiled 43 carries for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Also, Kansas City has allowed 38 touchdowns (33 rush, 4 receive, 1 pass) to the running back position in the past 28 games, including 28 scores (24 rush, 4 receive, 1 pass) in the past 20 contests.

- In the last five games against AFC opponents, RB Brandon Jacobs has compiled four touchdowns, including a score in the last meeting versus the Raiders. Also, Oakland has allowed 55 touchdowns (47 rush, 8 receive) to the running back position in the past 36 games, including 31 touchdowns (25 rush, 6 receive) in the last 20 contests.

- In the last six games, RB Adrian Peterson has compiled 125 carries for 595 yards and eight touchdowns. Also, St. Louis has allowed 47 touchdowns (42 rush, 5 receive) to the to the running back position in the past 36 games, including 32 (27 rush, 5 receive) in the last 20 contests.

- In the last three games, RB Steven Jackson has totaled 67 carries for 300 yards and chipped in 12 receptions for 67 yards, but he has yet to score his first touchdown of the 2009 season.

- In four career games against NFC opponents, RB Steve Slaton has compiled 79 carries for 354 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while chipping in 19 receptions for 141 yards in the passing game. Additionally, Arizona has allowed 18 touchdowns (9 rush, 9 receive) to the running back position in the last 10 games.

- In the last 12 games, RB Michael Turner has scored at least one touchdown 10 times.

- In the last three games, QB David Garrard has averaged 273 yards per contest with five touchdowns against one interception. Also, Seattle has allowed 27 touchdowns (26 pass, 1 rush) to the quarterback position in the past 17 games, including five in the last two contests.

- In the last four games, RB Julius Jones has compiled 57 carries for 251 yards (4.4 YPC) and a touchdown, while chipping in 11 receptions for 65 yards and two scores. In 12-team leagues, he currently rates as a No. 1 running back in both PPR- and non-PPR formats.

- In the last two games, RB Knowshon Moreno has compiled 35 carries for 155 yards and one touchdown, and he leads all NFL rookies with 249 rushing yards.

- In the last two games at Miami, RB Thomas Jones has compiled 46 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, as well as four receptions for 27 yards.

- In the last two games at Miami, RB Leon Washington has totaled 16 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, as well as four receptions for 52 yards.

- In the last five games against Miami, RB Ronnie Brown has compiled 80 carries for 429 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 16 receptions for 157 yards and a score.


Wide Receivers

- In the last five games against Cincinnati, WR Derrick Mason has been targeted 42 times for 28 receptions, 331 yards and two touchdowns.

- In three career games against Cleveland, WR Terrell Owens has been targeted 29 times for 17 receptions, 286 yards and two touchdowns. Also, the Cleveland Browns have surrendered three touchdown receptions to the wide receiver position in the past two games.

- In the last two games, WR Santana Moss has been targeted 18 times for 12 receptions, 252 yards and two touchdowns. He is aiming for his third straight game with a touchdown of 55 or more yards.

- In the last four games, WR Hines Ward has been targeted 33 times for 26 receptions, 355 yards and zero touchdowns. However, the 12-year veteran hasn't scored a touchdown in eight contests dating back to last season.

- In the last three games, "the other Steve Smith" has been targeted 36 times for 28 receptions, 331 yards and four touchdowns. On the flip side, Smith faces Nnamdi Asomugha this week, and Oakland has allowed one or zero touchdown receptions to the wide receiver position in 29 of the past 35 games, including 16 contests when they surrendered none. I'm definitely not suggesting you bench the guy, but you might want to temper your expectations a tad.

- In the last two games, WR Bobby Wade has been targeted nine times for four receptions, 21 yards and two touchdowns.

In the last nine games against NFC opponents, WR Dwayne Bowe has scored seven touchdowns.

- In the last two games, WR Sidney Rice has been targeted 13 times for 9 receptions, 126 yards and two touchdowns.

- In the last two games, WR DeSean Jackson has been targeted 19 times for 10 receptions, 150 yards and two long touchdowns 64 and 71 yards. He also had an 85-yard punt return in Week 1, him the only player in NFL history to score a 60+-yard touchdown in each of the first three games of a season. Also, Tampa Bay has allowed eight touchdown receptions to the wide receiver position in the last four games.

- In the past nine games against AFC opponents, WR Larry Fitzgerald has compiled 60 receptions for 878 yards and seven touchdowns. In his last nine games overall, the Pittsburgh product has totaled 55 receptions for 958 yards and 12 scores.

- In the last two games, WR Brandon Marshall has been targeted 13 times for nine receptions, 158 yards and two touchdowns.

- In the last four games, WR Nate Burleson has been targeted 41 times for 24 receptions, 260 yards and one touchdown. The seven-year veteran has been targeted 9 or more times and has four or more receptions in every game this season.

- In the last three games, WR Nate Washington has been targeted 28 times for 13 receptions, 127 yards and three touchdowns. He is aiming for his fourth consecutive game with a score, and Tennessee has allowed seven touchdown receptions to the wide receiver position in the last four games.

- In the last three games, WR Mike Sims-Walker has been targeted 30 times for 19 receptions, 278 yards and three touchdowns.

- In the last four games, WR Jerricho Cotchery has been targeted 34 times for 23 receptions, 356 yards and one touchdown. He has been targeted 21 times in the last two weeks, and has posted four or more receptions in every game this season.


Tight Ends

- In the last two games, TE Heath Miller has been targeted 15 times for 13 receptions, 90 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Detroit has allowed seven touchdown receptions to the tight end position in the past 11 games.

- In the last five games, TE Brent Celek has been targeted 43 times for 35 receptions, 340 yards and five touchdowns. In 2009, his 18 targets lead the Eagles' receivers, and he's tied with Jason Avant with five red zone targets. The third-year veteran leads the team with 27 targets, and is third with six red zone opportunities behind only Brian Westbrook and Jason Avant. .

- In the last three games, TE Visanthe Shiancoe has been targeted 11 times for six receptions, 41 yards and two touchdowns. Also, St. Louis has surrendered three touchdown receptions to the tight end position the last four games.

- In the last seven games, TE Tony Gonzalez has been targeted 60 times for 36 receptions, 412 yards and six touchdowns.

- In the last two games, TE Vernon Davis has been targeted 14 times for 10 receptions, 139 yards and three touchdowns. In the last meeting against Atlanta, Davis reeled in seven receptions for 77 yards

- In the last three games, TE Owen Daniels has been targeted 20 times for 13 receptions, 158 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Arizona has allowed five touchdown receptions to the tight end position in the past six games.

- In the last three games, TE Marcedes Lewis has been targeted 12 times for eight receptions, 156 yards and two touchdowns.

- In the last four games against Tennessee, TE Dallas Clark has been targeted 31 times for 21 receptions, 227 yards and three touchdowns.