Every week, I highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Carson Palmer or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.
START ‘EM
QB: Jay Cutler looks like a nice start against the Chargers, who have given up an average of 253 yards and 2 TD per game thus far…Expect a good game out of Matt Schaub, who may not throw for a ton of yards against Miami, but should be good for a TD or two…Chad Pennington has a pretty nice matchup against the Giants, who have allowed 219 yards and 2 TD per game…For the desperate (or Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer owners), Jason Campbell has a nice matchup against the Lions, who have been pretty bad against the pass.
RB: Edgerrin James is in for a big day against the Rams, who have yielded the 4th most rushing yards (along with 1.8 rush TD) per game…Marion Barber and Julius Jones look like decent starts against a Bills defense that has allowed 148 yards per game on the ground…Ahman Green (or Ron Dayne, if Green can’t go) should have a nice day against the Dolphins, who are last in the league in rush defense…It looks like Clinton Portis will play, and he’s a nice start against the Lions, who have given up 1.5 rush TD per game thus far.
WR: Could Lee Evans build on his first decent game of the season? The Cowboys have been pretty bad against opposing wideouts and there’s a good chance that the Bills will be playing catchup for most of the game…Brandon Marshall (and Javon Walker, if he plays) are must-starts against the Chargers…Wes Welker faces the Browns (30th in passing yards allowed) is a definite start in PPR leagues.
SIT ‘EM
QB: It would be wise to bench Derek Anderson against the Patriots. He can start if necessary, because there’s a decent chance he’ll rack up yardage trying to catch up, but the Pats have been tough against opposing QBs…David Garrard and Damon Huard should be avoided in the JAX/KC game. Both defenses are in the top 5 in the league in fewest passing yards allowed…Philip Rivers has a brutal matchup against the Broncos, who have allowed only 115 yards and just 1.3 TD per game.
RB: Marshawn Lynch faces the Cowboys, who have yielded an average of 81 yards and 0.3 TD on the ground…Jamal Lewis managed to score against a stingy Ravens rush D, and this week he has to face the Pats who are 3rd in the league in rush defense…Brian Leonard will find the going tough against a surprisingly good Arizona rush defense. The Cardinals have allowed just 96 yards per game on the ground…Cedric Benson has been spotty this season and this week he faces a Packers defense that has yet to allow a rushing TD.
WR: I know it’s tough to bench him, but Braylon Edwards may struggle if the Pats are successful in their plan to limit the Browns’ passing game. He should start in most leagues unless owners have another good option at WR…Dwayne Bowe is on fire, but he faces a Jags defense that has allowed just 151 yards and 0.3 TD through the air in three games…Vincent Jackson will probably continue to struggle when he goes up against Champ Bailey and the rest of the Denver secondary…Don’t expect much out of Joey Galloway, who had a very quiet week 4. He faces a Colts secondary that is tough to throw on (176 yards per game).
SLEEPER OF THE WEEK
Antwaan Randle El (vs. DET)
Randle El should get more targets if Santana Moss doesn’t play (and it appears that he won’t). Since his huge week 1, he’s been pretty quiet, but the Lions secondary is very suspect.
TOUGH SLEDDING
Shaun Alexander (@ PIT), Frank Gore (vs. BAL)
Unless you have a better option, Alexander and Gore should still be in your starting lineup, but ratchet down the expectations for these studs. Both defenses are in the top 8 against the run and have given up just one rush TD so far this season.
