This week's nationally televised game that most football fans won't be able to watch has the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers. While this lacks any marquee value thanks to the Bengals' being led by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Cedric Benson, the game does offer fantasy players the option of starting their Steelers against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

A closer look, though, may cause some hesitation. The Bengals have been second only to the Steelers in RYA over their past three games. Despite that very impressive stat, I would be more focused on their 27th ranked PYA to inform the decision to start or sit RB Willie Parker. Assuming the Steelers passing game racks up yardage at will, I expect Parker to be able to accummulate enough yards to make him a good start.

As for the Bengals skills players, none need to be started if they weren't already. I can't imagine a QB situation so bad that Ryan Fitzpatrick is a legitimate possibility. If he was, then I'd fish in the free agent pool for a better match-up. Trent Edwards, Sage Rosenfels and Marc Bulger face much better match-ups.

As for RB Cedric Benson, he did receive a very impressive 29 touches in last week's tie with the Phialdelphia Eagles. Benson is a serious consideration tostart with that workload, as would be any RB. However, he managed just 79 totals yards. Isn't 2.7 yards per touch disqualifying?

Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins will miss this rematch with the Dallas Cowboys. That is too bad as the Cowboys have ranked as one of the worst ten rush defenses over its past three games. However, this match-up bodes well for RB Ladell Betts who is returning from an MCL injury and who wouldn't surprise if he does a Kevin Smith imitation at worst (40-60 yards rushing with a TD and 3 and 30 receiving.)

Seeing the Cincinnati Bengals on the favorable end of the rushing match-up gets ideas of Cedric Benson starting. Could he possibly repeat his 100+ yard effort of a couple weeks ago? Maybe, but his team would have to keep the game close, and the Philadelphia Eagles should be able to score enough points to keep the Bengals playing catch-up. But just the thought of starting Cedric Benson was unthinkable until very recently.

Michael Turner faces the Denver Broncos' rush defense and should be good for 100+ yards and a TD or two. Given the prolific nature of the Broncos passing game, the Falcons will have every reason to run the ball to keep the clock moving. As a result, Jerious Norwood could even find himself with 100 total yards.

Ten Worst Rushing Defenses:

Every week in the fantasy football season, owners needs to make decisions to start and sit players.  When it comes to WRs and QBs, the decisions do not feel as pressing, but, for RBs, its seems as if winning and losing ride on the right choice.

Here are a few of the bigger RB start/sit decisions for RBs in Week Eight of the 2008 fantasy football season.

New England Patriots:  RB Sammie Morris was looking like he finally cleared-up the muck that was the Patriots backfield.  He rushed for 138 yards in a half but hurt his knee.  The new Patriots starting RB?  Benjarvis Green-Ellis.  He is a start against the St. Louis Rams.

Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Willie Parker will miss his second consectutive should-have-returned-already game.  His replacement Mewelde Moore has filled-in and the Steelers backfield hasn't missed a beat.  Today, the Steelers face the tough front seven of the New York Giants.  Sitting Moore isn't a poor decision if you have a better option.

Philadelphia Eagles: RB Brian Westbrook had two weeks to recover from broken ribs and a high ankle sprain.  He hurt the ankle in Week Three, sat Week Four because of the sprain, played in Week Five and broke the rib, sat in Week Six and had a bye in week Seven.  Westbrook is listed as probable for this week's game against the Atlanta Falcons.  Start him if you have him, but be wary.

Washington Redskins:  RB Clinton Portis continues to deal with a hip issue.  This caused some questioning amongst fantasy players prior to last week's game.  Portis rushed for 179 yards.  As the Number One RB in fantasy football this season, he starts until he is listed as doubtful by the Washignton Redskins.  Until then, a slightly nagging injury is  a positive that prevents him for risking further injury during practice.

Cincinnati Bengals:  RB Cedric Benson gets to face the 2-4 Houston Texans.  One looks at the Texans record and thinks this may finally be the game a Bengals rusher tops 75 rushing yards in a game.  On the year, the Texans rank 22nd in RYA, but, over its past three games, the Texans rank 8th.  It is the Texans passing game that has been allowing the yardage.  I'd sit Benson but start T.J. Houshmandzadeh and even Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson is faced with that choice.

St. Louis Rams: RB Steven Jackson is coming off his best game of season, and now he is unlikely to play according to FOXSports. Jackson has not been Top 5 worthy all season with the exception of last week's game. If there is a decent option available, I'd sit Jackson.

Q: How well does RB Mewelde Moore follow-up his 99-yard effort?

A: I admit to having been impressed by Moore's efforts two weeks ago.  But I never thought he'd have the day he had - 120 yards rushing with two TDs and five receptiosn and another TD.  The question going forward is whether Moore's efforts gain him regular work once Fast Willie Parker returns.

Q: Who is the #1 RB?

A: Late Sunday morning, news broke that Cedric Benson was the new #1.  I felt a change was about to occur because RB Chris Perry was given 90+ carries and could manage just 2.6 YPC.  Benson was relatively effective in his new role gaining 52 yards on 3.7 YPC along with a reception for ten more yards.

Fantasy Player To Sell High: WR Chad Johnson.  This advise may be seven weeks too late, but his eight receptions and a TD may have recovered some of his value.  You know, syncing with the new QB and all.  A DeAngelo Williams-type would be a great pick-up.

Q: Will RB Cedric Benson emerge?

A: Was this a serious question?  Benson followed-up his 10-carry Bengals' debut with four carries.  In neither case, did I mention the yardage gained.

Given how poorly RB Chis Perry has run (96 carries 2.6 YPC), any glimmer of success would mean increased carries for Benson going forward.  it looks like the Rb who will supplant Henry is yet to be identified.

Q: Does QB Brett Favre continue to air it out?

A: Brett Favre completed 25 of 33 passes.  However, he had just 189 yards and three turnovers.  That is secondary.  Favre is averaging more than 32 attempts per game and completing 71% of those.  He remains a solid QB1.

Fantasy Player To Watch:  WR Jerricho Cotchery. 18 of his 26 receptions came in two games.  as a result, he may be a little under-valued.  Grab him if you can.

When you first heard that the Bears drafted a running back with in the second round, your reaction was probably "Aaargh!" as it seemed another team had decided to move from a single running back to a running back by committee.  OK, maybe it was only me.  But fear not, gentle reader, for this is actually good news.  Matt Forte (44^th overall) comes not to compliment Cedric Benson, but to bury him.

As any fantasy owner knows, Cedric Benson is not that good.  The injury-prone Benson finished last season with 674 rushing yards, a 3.4 yard per rush average and four rushing touchdowns.  To be fair, the quarterback carousel and underwhelming receiving corps in Chicago hasn’t helped, but most of the blame for the terrible rushing game has to fall on Benson.  Forte was a strong candidate to take over for Benson the minute he was drafted, but with Benson’s recent problems it becomes even more likely.

Benson was charged with Boating While Intoxicated recently and now is likely to face a suspension from the NFL.  Even if he escapes a suspension, the Bears are probably ready to get past all the negatives Benson brings to the team and the clubhouse.

With the Bears spending their first round pick on building-sized OT Chris Williams, there is every opportunity for Forte to succeed.  At 6’2" and 222 lbs, Forte is the type of power back the Bears need to grind out yards in the frozen tundra (three of their four December games are at home this season, two of those at night) at Soldier Field.  If Benson is suspended, Forte should be able to muscle past the other Adrian Peterson to grab the starting role.  I’m not too worried about a Benson-Forte committee either.  Either Forte will take over from Benson and be the sole starter, or Forte will be so bad that even Cedric Benson will be a better choice.  I’m going to predict the former option.

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