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: For those in need of a bye week fill in, Damon Huard has a terrific matchup at home against the Bengals, who have been brutal against he pass. There was some talk about Brodie Croyle starting, but Huard is practicing and is off the injury report…Cleo Lemon also has a great matchup against a suspect Browns pass defense that has allowed 267 yards and 3 TD per game through the air…Brian Griese (vs. MIN), Phillip Rivers (vs. OAK), Kurt Warner (vs. CAR) and Gus Frerotte (@ BAL) also have good matchups and can be used if you’re in a pinch.
RB: It’s tough to know who to start, but LenDale White and Chris Brown have a very good matchup this week against a Bucs defense that is surprisingly bad against the run (124 ypg)…Willis McGahee has a great matchup against the Rams, who have allowed 146 yards and 1.6 rush TD per game this season…Adrian Peterson is a decent start against the Bears, who haven’t been themselves against the run this season.
WR: Dwayne Bowe should have a nice game against the Bengals, who have given up the most fantasy points to WRs thus far…Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson are compelling starts for owners in need of help at WR. They face a bad Saints defense that has yielded 218 passing yards and 2.0 TD pass TD per game…Chris Chambers faces a porous Browns defense that has given up a ton of points to opposing WRs…Wes Welker (@ DAL) and Vincent Jackson (vs. OAK) are also good starts.
SIT ‘EM
QB: Jeff Garcia should be avoided. The Titans have allowed only two pass TD all year…It might be time for owners with Drew Brees on their roster to start looking somewhere else. He’s really struggling and he has a tough test this week in Seattle. The Seahawks have allowed just three pass TD in five games…Vince Young has a bad matchup against a Bucs defense that has been pretty stingy (189 yards, 1 TD per game) against the pass…Matt Schaub (@ JAX) and David Garrard (vs. HOU) have tough matchups as well.
RB: It’s tough to bench Clinton Portis, but RBs have struggled to score against Green Bay this season. The Packers have allowed just one rush TD thus far…Brian Leonard should be avoided against the perennially stout Ravens rush defense…Cedric Benson is in for a tough day against the Vikings, who have allowed just 62 yards per game and zero scores on the ground…Marion Barber and Julius Jones may find the going tough against the Pats, who are 5th in the league against the run…LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes face a Chargers team that is difficult to run against. San Diego has allowed just 93 yards and 0.4 TD per game on the ground this season.
WR: The Redskins have been particularly tough against wideouts, so if you have a good alternative, it might be wise to sit Greg Jennings and James Jones…Joey Galloway has been spotty, so it’s a good idea to bench him against a solid Titans pass defense…The Giants’ DT is (surprisingly) playing well, so Roddy White should be avoided if possible.
THINKING DEFENSIVELY
If your defense is on bye or has a bad matchup, you may want to look to the waiver wire and try to find a mediocre or good defense with a good matchup. The following teams are available in 50% or more of ESPN leagues and have a nice matchup this week in the order that I’d pick them up: ARI. NYG, ARI, TB, KC and NYJ.
SLEEPER OF THE WEEK
Bobby Engram (vs. NO)
The 34 year-old wideout just won’t quit. Thus far, he’s averaging 3.8 catches for 55 yards and 0.4 TD, which isn’t bad for a third or fourth option in the passing game. He should see his targets increase, however, now that Deion Branch is out for two games. Plus, he’s got a great matchup against the Saints, who are pretty awful against the pass and the run.
TOUGH SLEDDING
Carson Palmer (@ KC) and Brett Favre (vs. WAS)
I don’t advocate benching these hot QBs, but they have difficult matchups this week against two of the better pass defenses in the league. They are still worth a start, but don’t expect their normal output this week.
