First, let’s see how I did with last week’s picks:

START

Jake Delhomme – 206 passing yards, 2 TDs
Kevan Barlow – 55 total yards, 0 TD
Kevin Curtis – 6 catches, 78 yards

BENCH

Jake Plummer – 136 passing yards, 2 TDs
Kevin Jones – 38 rushing yards, 1 TD
Derrick Mason – 5 catches, 54 yards

What we learned: Barlow should ride the pine unless you are desperate – or Alex Smith somehow helps the running game. Curtis will get a lot of looks with Bruce still ailing. Denver’s record is 8-1 when Plummer passes for less than 200 yards, so Shanahan will continue to feature the running game.

On to this week’s picks:

START

QB – David Carr, HOU
He’s got a new offensive coordinator and he’s thrilled about it. He’s facing a Titans pass defense that has allowed 227 yards per game along with ten touchdowns. I’m not saying start him over your stud, but if you have a middle of the road guy and Carr on your bench, give the kid a look.

RB – Thomas Jones, CHI
Cedric Benson, where are you? Most thought the rookie would be carrying the load by now. But Jones has been excellent so far (276 yards and 4 TDs over the first three games) and Chicago is facing a Cleveland defense that has given up an average of 127 yards on the ground. Start him while you can.

WR – Joe Jurevicius, SEA
You may be asking – the third WR for Seattle? Well, Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram are doubtful this week and the Seahawks face the Rams, so it should be a high scoring affair. If Jurevicius is on your roster, this would be the week to play him.

BENCH

QB – Byron Leftwich, QB
The Jaguars face Cincinnati, who is surprising a lot of people with some very stout defense – (195 ypg and only 2 TDs over the first four games). Leftwich owners can only hope for a shootout.

RB – Curtis Martin, NYJ
Tampa Bay is coming to town, coming to town, coming to town. Tampa Bay is coming to town, be-ench Martin. (Sorry.) Bench all of the Jets this week.

WR – Michael Clayton, TB
I already told you to bench Laveranues Coles, so I’m going to go with an opposing WR. Clayton revealed this week that he’s been playing with a separated shoulder. That can’t be good. Throw in the fact that the Jets have only allowed an average of 168 yards a game through the air, and you have the makings of a bad game for Clayton.

KEY INJURIES

Ahman Green – Q
Bobby Engram – D
Bubba Franks – Q
Carnell Williams – Q
Chad Pennington – O
Curtis Martin – P
Darrell Jackson – D
David Akers – O
Donovan McNabb – P
Drew Bennett – Q
Erron Kinney – Q
Hines Ward – Q
Isaac Bruce – D
Jason Hanson – P
Joe Horn – Q
Justin McCareins – P
Kurt Warner – O
Michael Clayton – P
Michael Vick – P
Rudi Johnson – P
Stephen Davis – P
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – Q
Terrell Owens – P
Todd Heap – P
Tom Brady – P