FANTASY FORECAST

There might not be an NFL team that plays locally, but let’s face it, thousands of us have fantasy league rosters that we draft and manage. Each week, Times NFL writer Sam Farmer will offer a few tips to the wise:

-- Sam Farmer

*--* PLAY HIM Frank Gore RB, San Francisco Gore is facing the NFL’s worst run defense. Detroit is giving up an average of 220 yards rushing a game and has yielded a league-high four rushing touchdowns. Jay Cutler QB, Denver New Orleans has the 28th-ranked pass defense and has yet to prove it can stop an average offense, let alone a red-hot quarterback with two outstanding receivers. Greg Jennings WR, Green Bay This is the week Jennings gets into the end zone. He leads the league in receiving yards, and is fast enough to get behind Cowboys defenders the way DeSean Jackson did. GIVE HIM A CHANCE Matt Cassel QB, New England In his first career start, Cassel did a beautiful job of managing the game against the Jets. Against Miami, the Patriots will let him take a few more risks with his arm. Darren Sproles RB, San Diego He’s too small to be an every-down back, but Sproles is incredibly versatile. With LaDainian Tomlinson’s bum toe, Sproles’ role becomes even more vital. Eddie Royal WR, Denver If Royal were the Broncos’ only receiver, that would be one thing, but he plays opposite a coverage magnet who caught 18 passes last Sunday. BENCH HIM Derek Anderson QB, Cleveland Anderson has yet to jump-start Cleveland’s passing attack, and his old team, Baltimore, has the league’s top-ranked pass (and overall) defense through two games. DeAngelo Williams RB, Carolina The Panthers are playing Minnesota, which has a good run defense, and Jonathan Stewart is cutting into Williams’ carries. Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson WR, Cincinnati The Bengals are on the road, against a good New York Giants defense, and Carson Palmer has yet to throw a touchdown pass. *--*