SMART STARTS
Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Houston plays the Bills, whose run defense is poor. Somehow, the Panthers didn’t take advantage of that fact will, but the Texans will, possibly producing a 100-yard game with a TD or two for Slaton.

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: He’s the best fantasy player on the worst team in the league, and St. Louis plays another bad team in Detroit. Jackson might turn in his best game of the season, which unfortunately for the Rams, isn’t saying much.

Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: Austin proved he’s no fluke with another two-touchdown game. Though unlikely to repeat the obscene numbers of his last two games, he should top 100 yards and perhaps score a TD against the Seahawks.

SLEEP TIGHT
Austin Collie, WR, Colts: Anthony Gonzalez isn’t quite ready to return, and Reggie Wayne isn’t 100 percent healthy. And of course, Peyton Manning is the Colts’ quarterback. Considering all this, Collie could deliver the best game of his young career.

David Garrard, QB, Jaguars: The last quarterback to play the Titans threw six touchdowns. Granted, Garrard is no Tom Brady, but he should still take advantage of Tennessee for at least 250 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: It’s a sign how far Tomlinson’s stock has dropped that he’s a sleeper, but let’s face facts: The Chargers are going to run all over the Raiders on Sunday. Expect Tomlinson’s best game of the season.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Donald Lee, TE, Packers: With Jermichael Finley injured, it would make sense the Lee would get more targets. But with the Packers hosting Brett Favre and the Vikings, nothing might make sense, and in what might be an emotional game, I don’t think Aaron Rodgers trusts Lee enough to integrate him heavily into the offense Sunday.

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: Smith took over the starting job in the second half last week and looked confident after years of struggling. He’s a good sleeper pickup this week, but against the Colts, he’s just not worth starting. Wait until Week 9, when the 49ers host the Titans.

Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos: Everyone keeps waiting for the Broncos to lose and Orton to turn in a bad game. I think at Baltimore might be it, especially since the Ravens will be fighting to stay above .500. Orton might not completely stink, but he won’t put up numbers worthy of starting, even as a bye-week replacement.