Andy Dalton, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

This second-year quarterback has not been a QB1 option since Week 4. Over the course of the last three games he is averaging just a little over 12 fantasy points per outing. That just isn’t going to get it done. Cincinnati goes up against a surprisingly good Denver Broncos pass defense that ranks eighth in the NFL against the pass and is averaging one interception per game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills

Don’t look now, but this Ivy League Grad is sixth in the NFL with 15 touchdown passes. He is also sixth in the league with nine interceptions. I guess it is boom or bust when it comes to Fitzpatrick and his fantasy impact. With that in mind, Buffalo goes up against a Houston Texans pass defense that ranks fifth against the pass and is yielding a pedestrian 74.2 quarterback rating. Definitely not a solid start this week.

Christian Ponder, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Ponder has now thrown seven interceptions in his last four games after not throwing any over the course of the first four outings. This downward trajectory isn’t only worrisome for the Vikings, but it has to concern fantasy owners as well. On that note, Ponder is averaging just 14 fantasy points during that four game stretch. Minnesota now much take on a stout Seattle Seahawks defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the run. If they are able to take Adrian Peterson out of the game it will force Ponder into some mistakes down the field, limiting his fantasy impact.

Chris Johnson, Running Back, Tennessee Titans

Talk about boom or bust, Johnson has been nothing more than a bench player in a majority of Tennessee’s games. The former NFL Rushing Champion is averaging just seven fantasy points per outside of a breakout 32 point performance against a disastrous Buffalo Bills rush defense in Week 7. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Johnson will put up stud statistics against a Chicago Bears rush defense that ranks No. 1 overall in the NFL.

Darren McFadden, Running Back, Oakland Raiders

Our very own Matt Rittle wrote an article focusing on McFadden’s lack of production prior to Week 8. The primary question that the article posed was “what if he doesn’t get any better?” McFadden promptly answered by putting up nearly 130 total yards and 14 fantasy points. It goes without saying that his success against a 23rd ranked Kansas City Chiefs rush defense wasn’t too surprising. It is going to be an entirely different story against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are yielding an average of 85 yards on the ground.

Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions

This is mostly due to uncertainty as it relates to Johnson’s status. Pro Football Weekly reported on Saturday evening that he may be limited to third-down duty if he is even active today against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While I understand the necessity to start a player that went in the top 10 of most standard fantasy leagues, you might want to look in another direction.

Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons

I had Jones pegged as a top three fantasy wide receiver entering the season. He has not lived up to that expectation quite yet in 2012. Instead, he ranks just 13th among wide receivers in fantasy points, which is borderline WR1 production. Jones has had three games with a minimum of 15 fantasy points, but three more outings under seven. It definitely doesn’t help that he is going up against the third-ranked pass defense in the NFL this week when the Dallas Cowboys come to town.